Interesting idea, but it still has TOO much in common with a racing bike. For cargo NOTHING beats a bakfiet(box bike). The one I'll be getting can carry over 300 lbs in the front basket(big enough for 4 children to sit) and almost 100 on the back rack. So 6 could ride.
For cycling to really take off we have to drop the current cycling culture. So that means not pushing the racing type bikes but rather the more upright comfortable bikes popular in the Netherlands. Or be happy with the 1% now.
Love the bike. I bought mine and love it.it handles great for me.changed out the seat and handlebar to fit me better, but I use it for grocery shopping.was able to mount a pet carrier on back and ride my dogs around town,By the way they love it
I know a few people that have big dummy's and I like.the trek much better.
@ScubaSteve6785 I use the bike for touring and granted your not going 15 mph but it rides easy and handles great. I've taken mine on a couple road trips and it will carry every you need plus.
The front rack could have been attached to the frame and not the fork.. to improve low speed handling with even a light load.
Also, load carrying bikes need a low gear of less than 20" for hills with headwinds.. My load carrying bike have 15" to 19" gears and they do get used..
I'm more excited about the 2011 Sun Bicycle's Atlas Cargo.. it is a chromoloy transport bike that uses the xtracycle system at a street price of $550-700... for a complete bike. Review that.
Thanks for the review, your enthusiasm for this cargo bike is obvious! It would be nice to mention if you notice any frame flex when hauling loads or if it's totally solid.
All acrimony about your fanboy 'review' aside Francis...I bet your 'review' would be considered much more objectively without the Bontrager jacket and the Bontrager gloves.
Folks. The 20 yo MTB in your garage...spend $400.00 and turn it into an Xtracycle, you won't be disappointed. Don't spend over a grand on this thing.
...Oh, and this guy's statement that 60-70% of your braking power comes from the ft brake only applies to a normal MTB. With a load-bike that has the rider's weight, or more, centered over the rear axle, that statement is dead wrong. A 1 ton truck with 2 tons of cargo on a trailer needs good trailer brakes to stop well. A good rear disc on a cargo bike is a really really good idea.
Anyway, I'm glad a mainstream manufacturer is building a load-bike. But, this review makes me want to cry.
Anyone who's really into getting a serious load-bike w/o spending a lot of money, get a Yuba Mondo. It's cheaper than the Dummy, and it's rated for a lot more weight. I'd still but discs on it though. Both the Trek and the Yuba save $ by scrimping on parts.
I guess, at the end of the day, I am really really excited that a mainstream manufacturer like Kona (followed 2 yrs later by Trek) is making a true load bike. But, as someone who's been riding a dedicated load-bike for 5+ years, your review is just painful to watch. I really do hope you replace your car with this bike, and learn about the true freedom a load hauling bike can grant you.
Whether you're kidding about kegs @fcebedo125, I'm not, I carry some serious weight on my load bike, and it ain't gonna do the job with all the mass on one side. I actually have carried several pony kegs, I expect my bike to handle while loaded
And...8 lbs...ok. First off, let's assume I accept your math, which I don't necessarily, that means the difference btwn a 50lb bike and a 58lb bike, which I will carry HUNDREDS of lbs of shite with. Steel has infinite fatigue, Al cracks under pressure.
Have you ever actually ridden an X or a Dummy though? Obviously, that's the bike to compare this to, but your comparisons sound like they came out of a Trek brochure.
Al is a terrible material for a load bike. Do you really care if your load bike is 51lbs or 54lbs?
Put two pony kegs on one side, instead of one on either side, and let me know how it rides. Making you buy the 2nd bag separately is ridiculous.
How much does it weigh???
Socrates1320 4 weeks ago
Interesting idea, but it still has TOO much in common with a racing bike. For cargo NOTHING beats a bakfiet(box bike). The one I'll be getting can carry over 300 lbs in the front basket(big enough for 4 children to sit) and almost 100 on the back rack. So 6 could ride.
For cycling to really take off we have to drop the current cycling culture. So that means not pushing the racing type bikes but rather the more upright comfortable bikes popular in the Netherlands. Or be happy with the 1% now.
harshbarj 1 month ago
been driving with an Xtracycle for a few years and I like mine. Converted Trek bike as well.
blukatzen 1 month ago
Love the bike. I bought mine and love it.it handles great for me.changed out the seat and handlebar to fit me better, but I use it for grocery shopping.was able to mount a pet carrier on back and ride my dogs around town,By the way they love it
I know a few people that have big dummy's and I like.the trek much better.
danwent58 3 months ago
would this bike be good for touring?
ScubaSteve6785 4 months ago
@ScubaSteve6785 I use the bike for touring and granted your not going 15 mph but it rides easy and handles great. I've taken mine on a couple road trips and it will carry every you need plus.
danwent58 3 months ago
NIce bike, but it needs a full chain case..
The front rack could have been attached to the frame and not the fork.. to improve low speed handling with even a light load.
Also, load carrying bikes need a low gear of less than 20" for hills with headwinds.. My load carrying bike have 15" to 19" gears and they do get used..
cyclenut 5 months ago
I'm more excited about the 2011 Sun Bicycle's Atlas Cargo.. it is a chromoloy transport bike that uses the xtracycle system at a street price of $550-700... for a complete bike. Review that.
matthew2000tx 7 months ago
Thanks for the review, your enthusiasm for this cargo bike is obvious! It would be nice to mention if you notice any frame flex when hauling loads or if it's totally solid.
grizzledgizzard 9 months ago
it annoys me how they call 2010 made bikes, 2011
frozenskipper 10 months ago
Sweet, thanks for doing the video.
bikeadvocate 11 months ago
All acrimony about your fanboy 'review' aside Francis...I bet your 'review' would be considered much more objectively without the Bontrager jacket and the Bontrager gloves.
Folks. The 20 yo MTB in your garage...spend $400.00 and turn it into an Xtracycle, you won't be disappointed. Don't spend over a grand on this thing.
RockySprints 1 year ago
...Oh, and this guy's statement that 60-70% of your braking power comes from the ft brake only applies to a normal MTB. With a load-bike that has the rider's weight, or more, centered over the rear axle, that statement is dead wrong. A 1 ton truck with 2 tons of cargo on a trailer needs good trailer brakes to stop well. A good rear disc on a cargo bike is a really really good idea.
Anyway, I'm glad a mainstream manufacturer is building a load-bike. But, this review makes me want to cry.
RockySprints 1 year ago
Anyone who's really into getting a serious load-bike w/o spending a lot of money, get a Yuba Mondo. It's cheaper than the Dummy, and it's rated for a lot more weight. I'd still but discs on it though. Both the Trek and the Yuba save $ by scrimping on parts.
RockySprints 1 year ago
I guess, at the end of the day, I am really really excited that a mainstream manufacturer like Kona (followed 2 yrs later by Trek) is making a true load bike. But, as someone who's been riding a dedicated load-bike for 5+ years, your review is just painful to watch. I really do hope you replace your car with this bike, and learn about the true freedom a load hauling bike can grant you.
Sell your car. You don't need it!
RockySprints 1 year ago
Whether you're kidding about kegs @fcebedo125, I'm not, I carry some serious weight on my load bike, and it ain't gonna do the job with all the mass on one side. I actually have carried several pony kegs, I expect my bike to handle while loaded
And...8 lbs...ok. First off, let's assume I accept your math, which I don't necessarily, that means the difference btwn a 50lb bike and a 58lb bike, which I will carry HUNDREDS of lbs of shite with. Steel has infinite fatigue, Al cracks under pressure.
RockySprints 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
>>Al is a terrible material for a load bike. Do you really care if your load bike is 51lbs or 54lbs?
Put two pony kegs on one side, instead of one on either side, and let me know how it rides. Making you buy the 2nd bag separately is ridiculous.
Yes, we've tried the Big Dummy. It is a great bike but a little pricey at $2500.
The Big dummy frame and racks are about 16 lbs in all. This aluminum equivalent can save up to 8+ lbs.
We're just kidding about the kegs.
fcebedo125 1 year ago
This is what I want for Christmas.
99sally 1 year ago
Yay loadbikes!
Have you ever actually ridden an X or a Dummy though? Obviously, that's the bike to compare this to, but your comparisons sound like they came out of a Trek brochure.
Al is a terrible material for a load bike. Do you really care if your load bike is 51lbs or 54lbs?
Put two pony kegs on one side, instead of one on either side, and let me know how it rides. Making you buy the 2nd bag separately is ridiculous.
RockySprints 1 year ago
looks alot better then in the online pics
hope you check out/testride/reive the gary fisher dual sport
groMMit1981 1 year ago