A Tale of Two Longtails

I had the opportunity to ride two longtail cargo bikes that are both compatible with the Xtracycle standard and both less than $1000. Longtails have an stretched frame to handle huge loads behind the rider.  

The Sun Atlas Cargo is a purpose built longtail like the Surly Big Dummy or the Yuba Mundo.   The Altas Cargo falls below both of these bikes in price while keeping a funky Mixte-Kruisframe geometry and comfortable ride.   

Sun rates the cargo capacity at 400 lbs and the bike feels solid with rails with frame ports to accept Xtracycle accessories.   The 2.1-inch wide tires and BMX bars provide an upright, relaxed ride. 

Most of the time when I ride one-size-fits all bikes I find the reach to be too short, but the Atlas Cargo is surprisingly comfortable reach.  If the Yuba is like riding a pickup truck then the Atlas Cargo is more like an old Jeep Scrambler.   The BMX bars can be rotated to adjust the reach as well. 

The Sun Atlas Cargo was priced at $600 at Bikes@Vienna.  How can they offer it so cheap?  Look at the component list --lots of bottom of the barrel stuff here.  But hey, you can upgrade as things wear out.  The frame is solid and ready to carry whatever you can throw at it.

No one will argue that longtails are not incredibly useful as car replacements.  Storing them is another matter.   It's tough to haul them up stairs or squeeze them into a shed.   Even taking them for a ride in the car is tough. 

Xtracycle teamed up with Tern to offer the Cargo Joe, a folding longtail.   This a great idea who's time has come.   The Tern platform as 26-inch wheels and 21 speeds and comes in two frame sizes.  The Xtracycle bits are a FreeRadical, a HDPE Flightdeck and Freeloader bag set.  You get it all for $1000, which is not bad at all.  At some point down the road you could still repurpose the FreeRadical on an old hardtail mountain bike still have a nice folding bike. 

I felt a little cramped on the Cargo Joe, but I'm not sure what frame size I was riding, I realized.  Like most folding bikes, they adjust easily to fit most riders.  It felt a lot shorter and quicker than the Atlas Cargo, but a bit more flexy with it's higher pressure tires.  Of course the real trick is that you can fold it in half and shove it in the shed or minivan without sacrificing utility.

Bianchi Strada Metropoli

Metropoli Alivio

Metropoli Acera

Metropoli Acera Dama

The Strada line from Bianchi USA includes the three Metropoli models pictured above.  The Metropoli Alivio has 24-speeds (triple chainring + 8-speed rear cassette) and hydraulic disc brakes. The MSRP is $900.  The Metropoli Acera and Acera Dama are both 21-speeds (triple chainring + 7-speed cassette) with V-brakes.  The MSRP is $700 for an Acera.

Robert W., who told us about Virtue bikes, wrote us again recently about the Bianchi Cortina he was checking out.

Turismo Cortina.  All photos courtesy of Bianchi USA.

The Cortina is a nice enough bike, but it doesn't have the fenders and rear racks that the Metropoli models have, and it doesn't look like the Cortina is designed so that you can easily add racks and fenders.  Hopefully, Robert W. will send us a review of the Cortina after he test rides it.

The Metropoli and Turismo models are all Bianchi Strada bikes, which are Bianchi's "comfort bikes."  I've never been comfortable with the term "comfort bike."  I mean, who wants to ride a bike that's not comfortable?  But if "comfort bike" means an upright riding position with wide tires, then knock yourself out Bianchi, churn out more comfort bikes!

The Metropoli Alivio seems to be built for hilly country, or maybe San Francisco.  It has lots of gear combinations to get you up the steepest of hills, and powerful brakes so you can avoid hitting a streetcar at the bottom.  Here are the specs on the Alivio:

MODEL	Metropoli Due Alivio 24sp Hydraulic Disc
CODE	Y2BB8U
COLOR	Black
SIZES	43-47-51-55
FRAME	Metropoli Triple-Hydroformed, Butted Aluminum
FORK	Bianchi Aluminum 1 1/8"
HEADSET	FSA ZS4 Custom
SHIFTERS	Shimano Acera
REAR DERAILLEUR	Shimano Alivio
FRONT DERAILLEUR	Shimano Alivio
CRANKSET	Shimano Tourney 48/38/28
CHAIN	KMC Z72
CASSETTE	Shimano Acera 8sp 11-32T
BRAKES	Shimano Alivio Hydraulic Disc
WHEELS	Alloy double-wall, 32H
TIRE	Spectra S-Amber 700 x 37
STEM	Bianchi alloy
HANDLEBAR	Bianchi alloy, 20mm rise
BAR TAPE / GRIPS	Herrmans Primergo Flite DD22B ergonomic
SEATPOST	Tec Obvius alloy
SADDLE	Selle San Marco Elba Arrowhead
PEDALS	VP-516A

The Metropoli Acera models have sufficient gear range for most terrain, and V-brakes have powerful-enough stopping power for most riders.  Here are the specs on the Acera Dama:

MODEL	Metropoli Uno Dama Acera 21sp
CODE	Y2BB0U
COLOR	Gray
SIZES	43-47
FRAME	Metropoli Triple-Hydroformed, Butted Aluminum
FORK	Bianchi Aluminum 1 1/8"
HEADSET	VP-A42E
SHIFTERS	Shimano Altus
REAR DERAILLEUR	Shimano Acera
FRONT DERAILLEUR	Shimano Altus
CRANKSET	Shimano Tourney 48/38/28
CHAIN	KMC Z51
CASSETTE	Shimano Alivio 7sp 12-32T
BRAKES	V-Brake
WHEELS	Alloy double-wall, 32H
TIRE	Spectra S-Amber 700 x 37
STEM	Bianchi alloy
HANDLEBAR	Bianchi alloy, 20mm rise
BAR TAPE / GRIPS	Herrmans Primergo Flite DD22B ergonomic
SEATPOST	Tec Obvius alloy
SADDLE	Selle San Marco Elba Arrowhead
PEDALS	VP-516A

Your thoughts?

Norco City Glide

Norco City Glide 8

Norco is a major Canadian distributor, and also makes a number of good bikes. Unfortunately, they have few dealers for complete bikes in the United States, but there is probably a shop that can order one of these bikes in a major city. Canadians may be able to try one out in person, and get slightly better prices. They may also be found in the UK and Australia.

The City Glide 8 stands out with an 8-speed internal nexus hub, roller-brakes front and rear, and by including a double-kickstand and front fork spring, making it easy to load up a front basket or rear rack. It has a sensible geometry, with 72 degree angles sufficiently slack to get a toe down at stoplights. Unfortunately, the chainguard is not paired with a chainring, so snagged clothing is a slight possibility (though less risky than with most bikes), the gearing is set a little too high, and no lights are included. But at a suggested price of only US$ 665 , you should have a few dollars left to make those changes.

The women's version is less aesthetically successful, to my taste, but has a nice front basket, instead of the rear rack, and otherwise has the same specifications:

Norco City Glide 8 W

These specifications and geometry are for the City Glide 8 (men's version), similar to the women's version:

Specifications:

Frame: 7005 Alloy City Glide Frame 

Fork: Chromoly with threaded steerer

Rims: 700c Double wall alloy - Black 

Tires: 700x37c Continental TownRIDE w/Breaker 

Spokes: Black Stainless w/brass nipples

Front hub: Shimano HG-IM40 Roller Brake hub 36hole 

Rear hub: Shimano SG-8R31VSA 8-speed IGH 36hole [Regular 8-speed, I believe, not "red band"]

Shifter: Shimano Revoshift SL-8S20 

Crankset: Alloy 44T - Black 

Bottom bracket: Cartridge BB

Rear Cog: Nexus 20T
Chain:  KMC Z610H
Pedals:  Alloy pedal with non-slip tread 

Front & rear brake:  Shimano BR-IM41 Roller Brake Front and Rear

Brake levers:  Ergonomic brake lever w/integrated bell 

Handlebar: Alloy city bar - Black

Grips: Cork grips - Dark Brown

Stem: Alloy quill stem - Black 

Headset: CH-903SW black threaded waterproof

Seat post:  Alloy - Black, average set-back

Saddle:  Norco City Comfort 

Chainguard:  Partial, without chainring [unfortunately]

Kickstand:  Dual-leg, fold-back

Fenders:  Powdercoated Alloy
Extras: Bell, Rear rack w/ low pannier hook, Front stabilizer spring [Women's has a basket instead of the rear rack]

Colors:  8: Army Green - 8W: Light Blue - 3:

Sizes:  S-18 / M-19 / L-21
Weight: 34 lbs claimed


The 3-speed version costs $140 less, or about $525, and are similarly equipped otherwise (but lacking a dual kickstand, and with calipers instead of rollerbrakes): 

Frame Geometry

FRAME SIZE	Seat Tube	Top Tube	Head-T Angle	Seat-T Angle	Head Tube	Fork Length	Chain stay	Front Center	BB Height	Wheel base
S-17	432	585	70	72	160	410	457	637	285	1087
M-19	583	600	70.5	71.5	180	410	457	641	285	1091
L-21	533	615	70.5	71.5	180	410	457	656	285	1106
WS-16	406	575	69.5	71.5	180	410	457	627	285	1078
WM-18.5	470	590	70.5	71.5	180	410	457	630	285	1081

The geometry is similar to a Breezer Uptown, with sloping top tubes, reasonably long chainstays, and moderate but not-too-low seat and head tube angles. The bike should be stable and easy to ride hands-free (based on the low amount of rake on the fork, and the slack head tube angle), and it should be relatively easy to get a toe on the ground at stoplights without hopping of the saddle, if you need to, without setting the saddle low.

The Norco City Glide also comes in a Shimano Altus 21-speed derailer version, for $370, lacking the kickstand and rack:

Norco City Glide (Derailer)

If you know a local shop in your city that stocks these bikes for test-rides, or if you have ridden a City Glide yourself, let us know in the comments.

Yuba Mundo V3.0

Longtail cargo bicycles are the minivans and pickup trucks of the bike world. The long load decks can hold groceries, kids or a thousand bananas. Yuba's second generation Mundo has 21 speeds and includes a load deck and fenders with flaps for $1099. The strong steel frame of the Mundo has the highest load rating of any longtail bike in the US. You can find the full specs here and close-up photos from EcoVelo here. My favorite feature? The deflopilator (say it in your best Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz voice).

Yuba is offering a special edition "Mundo Wheels 4 Life" that is slightly fewer features (it has 6-speeds and lacks the load deck and fenders) for $899. Even better when you purchase a Wheels 4 Life version they donate a bike to Africa or Central America. You can also get the Mundo as a frameset or e-bike.

Yuba also offers great accessories including *huge* 85 liter "Go Getter" panniers, child seats (the deck can fit two) and stoker-type bars for rear passengers. The Mundo frames have built in load platforms that also accept running boards. So if you pick up stoker bars, running boards, a soft seat and wheel skirts you're set up to ferry around the kids.

See more photos on EcoVelo Blog where they do a full review of the Mundo V3.0.

Fuji Palisade 1.0

Fuji has a lot of interesting models out right now, and its Palisade caught my attention as a BFROU candidate.

Fuji deserves credit for paying attention to details on this "low-end" bike and not producing a lame hybrid with flat bars that has become the generic "city bike" offering of its competitors. Instead, Fuji outfitted this with a classic mustache handlebar that allows many more hand positions, and a front rack that has a built-in beverage holder. Just beautiful. The MSRP is $470.

Here are the specs:

SIZES: 15", 17", 19", 21", 23"

COLOR(S) Emory Blue, Gun Metal Gray, Cranberry

MAIN FRAME Fuji Altair 1 Alloy w/Tear Drop down tube, Double water bottle mounts

REAR TRIANGLE Fuji Altair 1 custom tapered Alloy, Fuji forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger

FORK Fuji 1 1/8" Hi-Ten Aero w/eyelets and forged dropouts

CRANKSET Fuji Alloy Forged 28/28/48T Chainrings

BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed Cartridge Bearing ST

PEDALS Fuji, Black Plastic Platform

FRONT DERAILLEUR MicroShift FD-M22

REAR DERAILLEUR MicroShift 7spd, RD-M35

SHIFTERS Microshift TS70-7

CASSETTE Fuji W4770D, 13-34T 7sp.

CHAIN KMC CNM54-Y, 7-speed

WHEELSET Fuji Sealed Alloy, 36H B.O. / Fuji Sealed Alloy, 36H B.O. / 14G Stainless Steel / Weinmann CN520 Alloy, 36H

TIRES Fuji, 700 x 32c
TUBES Fuji Schrader

BRAKE SET Promax-V, Forged Alloy, Linear Pull

BRAKE LEVERS Promax Alloy RA-320D

HEADSET Fuji 1 1/8" Standard Semi Cartridge

HANDLEBAR Fuji Classic Mustache, 25.4, Alloy

STEM Fuji Forged Alloy

TAPE/GRIP Fuji Comfort Rubber

SADDLE Fuji Sport Comfort

SEAT POST Fuji Micro-Adjust Alloy, 27.2, 300mm

SEAT CLAMP Fuji Alloy, 31.8mm, QR

OTHER Alloy Water bottle cage for hand bars / Front rack