Utility Cycling - Kona ute vs Big Dummy Vs 90's mtb with extracycle.

I want to get a good bike for hauling a lot of gear. My recumbent can hold a fair amount but is not a real hauler. I've been looking the at few different options. Here's my thoughts. It would be great if some of you guy s could chime in.

1. Kona ute: Cheap, can handle a bunch of panniers. But can't take an extracycle, can't carry as much. Less panniers will fit it due to the rack shape.

2. Big dummy Huals a lot...expensive!

4. 90's mtb bike with extracyle Hold lots of gear, seems the cheapest way to dot it. Other than not getting a shiny new bike I can't really think of any downside.

Your thoughts?

I want to get a good bike for hauling a lot of gear. My recumbent can hold a fair amount but is not a real hauler. I've been looking the at few different options. Here's my thoughts. It would be great if some of you guy s could chime in.

1. Kona ute: Cheap, can handle a bunch of panniers. But can't take an extracycle, can't carry as much. Less panniers will fit it due to the rack shape.

2. Big dummy Huals a lot...expensive!

4. 90's mtb bike with extracyle Hold lots of gear, seems the cheapest way to dot it. Other than not getting a shiny new bike I can't really think of any downside.

Your thoughts?

#4 Tends to be more flexible than a frame (big dummy) designed to be a long bike.

Well, I'm a bit biased, but I'd highly recommend the Big Dummy. "Buy once, cry once" as the saying goes.

Your thoughts?

I have no input on any of those options (though I am hoping to Xtra my EZ-Speedster (http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/sun_bicycles_ez_speedster.htm) someday). What about the Yuba Mundo (http://www.yubaride.com/utility-bicycles-models.html)?

Right now, I'm just pulling a used kid trailer.

ute is totally out in my mind.

If you have the coin, go with the big dummy, if you'd rather not, option three(four?) is a fantastic option as well.

Have you test ridden the Ute or Big Dummy? I was facing a similar choice and was able to test ride both. Like BAH suggested, if you have the $$, the BD is the way to go IMO. It's just a really well built bike that will take all kinds of abuse and keep on going. The Ute is a good concenpt $799+, it's not much cheaper than putting together an X-conversion. Plus I felt Kona's use of 700c wheels was a deal-breaker for me. I just did not feel comfortable with the 700c compared to 26inch wheels, and the overall build of the Ute was just not as nice as the Big Dummy. Plus if your goal is to haul a lot of gear, you'll have to buy extra panniers for the Ute...and it still won't hold as much as the Freeloaders on either the Big Dummy or an X-conversion.

I ended up buying a bike that was comfortable for me (got a great deal due to it being a closeout) and I am the backorder list for the next Xtracycle kit shipment. One advantage I saw to option #4 was the fact that I can always swap bikes later or change components easily if needed.

I think I'm going to go with option 4. Getting a new bike is out of the question right now as I just spent $2400 on a recumbent. I found a nice old steel framed Bianchi on CL and my lbs has a EC on hold for me. I'll post pics once I put it together.

What happened to #3?

The first rule of Bike Club: don't ask about #3.

(though I am hoping to Xtra my EZ-Speedster (http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/sun_bicycles_ez_speedster.htm) someday).

I tried riding a machine built along those lines. I nearly broke my neck. If I ever 'get bent' it will be on a tri.

The Yuba Mundo just put out a pannier bag, the last obstacle to it possibly being awesome.

Still haven't test ridden it.

I might head up to Portland this week and check those bikes out. I like the idea of attaching an action pack to either side.

That's funny!

I might head up to Portland this week and check those bikes out. I like the idea of attaching an action pack to either side.

Where you headed? I'm flying to Portland in a couple of days, planning to swing by Clever Cycles. Is there another good shop you could recommend?

Thanks!

The Yuba Mundo just put out a pannier bag, the last obstacle to it possibly being awesome.

Do you have a link?

Where you headed? I'm flying to Portland in a couple of days, planning to swing by Clever Cycles. Is there another good shop you could recommend?

Thanks!

I had Coventry Cycle set me up with my Big dummy. They are just up the street from Clever Cycles. Very good people there. I like it that they are all bike mechanics, not just sales people. They don't stock them but they can get what ever you want and build it to fit your needs.
http://www.coventrycycle.com/

FYI Big Dummy's are out of stock until late august, early september. Xtracycle is also in limited availability at the moment as they restructure their distribution channels and dealer agreements. Glad I got both of mine while they were available!

Also, fwiw, the Kona Ute just doesn't seem like a great idea to me. Why deny yourself access to all the cool **** you can get for an Xtra? Seems like a lot of bike, without a lot of cargo capacity.

The Ute would be a lot better (IMHO) with: A) a CroMo frame; B) 26" MTB wheels instead of 700c and C) FreeLoader compatibility, or at least a similar big@ss bag designed for the frame. Gives up too much just having regular panniers IMHO.

Faced with the above decision not long ago, I ended up converting a 1992 Kona Lava Dome into an Xtracycle. I couldn't be happier, though I will caution you that converting an old bike can have a lot of hidden costs: you may quickly find yourself upgrading brakes (Xtracycle only works with v-brakes or disk brakes, oldschool cantilevers are not an option), worn out rims/chainrings/pedals/etc, and simlar. Still probably won't cost you as much as an all-new Big Dummy build, but you might find it's not as cheap as you think.

That said, I'm totally happy with my Xtracycle and do not regret not getting a Big Dummy at this point. You will have to make sure to keep the bolts tight (there are only three) and there may be a bit more flex than the Big Dummy, but unless you are planning on routinely carrying more than 100lbs. I don't personally think it's a salient point, unless you plan on carrying a lot of cargo, a lot of the time. In reality I suspect the average Xtracycle or Big Dummy is more like the average car: most of the cargo-carrying capacity is going unused at any given time.

So far I'm finding the X more than capable for everything I've thrown at it, and the only time it was at all sketchy I was close to (if not exceeding) the max weight capacity. But I just went slow and it was fine. For everything else, there's absolutely no complaint, and I find the flex gives it a nice, cushy ride. Fine by me!

Some of the loads I've carried recently: http://stevelange.net/index.php?getPost=506

Steve

I had a 90s mtb conversion a couple years ago. Loved the concept, but the frame flex was just too much, even unladen. I'm 6'1" and 200 pounds though, maybe smaller people find it more acceptable. If I were to get another Xtra, it would have to be a Big Dummy (too rich for my blood at present though).

Ashen, what was the donor in your conversion?

I dunno, maybe I got lucky with the old Kona, not sure. I'm 6'3" and 230lbs. and haven't had any complaints other than the time I really loaded it up with two computers, associated peripherals and a multifunction printer. That was the only time I found it really sketchy at speeds about 10-12mph or so. And I didn't have the snapdeck installed, so it might have been even less sturdy than it could've been:

http://www.stevelange.net/images/loads/IMG_2027s.jpg

Just did a 16+ mile ride yesterday through some windy mountain roads at a decent clip and found the handling just fine (granted this was with light load, only my messenger bag with tools, water, sweater, u-lock, etc.). I was really expecting much worse but overall the bike rides just fine. Sort of a tank compared to a standard bike but not bad at all. Maybe the more compact frame of the Lava Dome (with sloping downtube) makes it a little sturdier?

Steve

The donor was a pretty compact GT Timberline. Maybe the triple triangle business doesn't work well with an Xtra or something. Like I said, I love the concept I just would save my pennies for a Dummy next time around. For now, I have a used kid trailer that works nicely.

Been thinking about this more for some reason. Maybe when doing an Xtra conversion, an aluminum frame would actually be more ideal, for stiffness. Idle thoughts.

Been thinking about this more for some reason. Maybe when doing an Xtra conversion, an aluminum frame would actually be more ideal, for stiffness. Idle thoughts.

My Free Radical frame broke so I have converted my old steel donor into a fast commuter bike. I will be looking for a new donor. I rode a aluminum bike recently and do not like the harsh ride. I am looking for a Steel MTB but used aluminum frames seem to run rampant on my CL. Does the the Xtra soften this ride?

My Free Radical frame broke so I have converted my old steel donor into a fast commuter bike. I will be looking for a new donor. I rode a aluminum bike recently and do not like the harsh ride. I am looking for a Steel MTB but used aluminum frames seem to run rampant on my CL. Does the the Xtra soften this ride?


I have not done it, I was idly speculating that maybe my complaints of the frame being too flexy on a conversion would be addressed by an aluminum donor frame. Using a steel donor frame resulted in what was to me unacceptable flex. I normally ride steel bikes, it just didn't work for me in the case of an Xtra.

I had Coventry Cycle set me up with my Big dummy. They are just up the street from Clever Cycles. Very good people there. I like it that they are all bike mechanics, not just sales people. They don't stock them but they can get what ever you want and build it to fit your needs.
http://www.coventrycycle.com/

Saw them as we cruised around waiting for Clever to open. Meant to swing by just to say hello, but my better half was on a mission. A shopping mission.