Utility Cycling - Yuba Mundo V3

My inquiry a few weeks ago about tire width and the Mundo led me to some email discussions w/ the company. A new version (V3) of the Mundo will be released within the next couple weeks. Some of the upcoming changes (taken from emails w/ Ben):

disc tabs, front and rear
room for larger tires (>=2.75")
carrier welded onto frame
cleaner sideloader installation/assembly

Attached are a couple pics and a pdf regarding the full bicycle specs.

baker

I wonder why they are still using a freewheel in back?

Maybe to move the chainline out to eliminate chain/frame interference?

Or perhaps due to common availability in third world countries (a prime focus for the mundo)?

typical, I buy a v2 and within a couple of months they bring out a v3......

oh well, shouldnt really complain, i've been hauling stuff and i love it, 35km round trip to work yesterday, the load was my big bag of files, my lunch, and a change of clothes - doesnt sound like much but i used to struggle to get that all on my old bike, and the ride is a LOT more comfortable on the mundo - I dont even notice the weight.

New frame available and ordered. I'll post up some details when I get the bike built....

baker

looking forward to hearing about it. Building yourself, got some other plans in mind other than the standard setup? not going IGH are you? Thinking that way myself for the long term, interested in how other people get on.

interested to see what you get up to for that frame, keep us informed.

I wonder why they are still using a freewheel in back?

Freewheel vs ?

Freewheel systems are cheaper on the front end than a equivalent geared IGH and will give greater range for lower cost.

My personal preference would be an 8 speed Shimano.

Aaron:)

I was thinking a bit more about "why a freewheel"...does anyone know of cassette hubs available w/ 14mm axles? I've been looking around a bit and cannot find any (except single speed hubs). I believe the 14mm axle is substantially stronger and is part of the reason the Mundo can carry such heavy loads.

All that being said, I'm looking at a huge range of options for my Mundo build (I have lots of extra parts laying around from my mountain bikes.) Initially I may just go w/ a regular derailleur setup.

Front D - Shimano XT or XTR
Rear D - Shmano XT
Shifter - 8 speed SRAM's
Brake levers - some old v-brake levers I have laying around
Wheels - Deore hubs / Sun DitchWitch rims
Cranks - FSA MegaExo
Bottom Bracket - FSA MegaExo
Headset - FSA XL II
Bars - On One Mary
Brakes - Avid BB7's
Pedals - Eggbeaters or Ringle ZuZu's
Cassette / Chain - prob 8 speed SRAM stuff

Other potentials:
I have Shimano Saint / Sun Rhyolite XL wheel that I could use w/ a Saint rear derailleur. Super beefy, but the 14mm dropouts may pose a problem.

I have a Nexus 8spd 700c wheel that I could rebuild into a 26" wheel. I'm unsure of the Nexus in cargo apps and not sure about the 14mm dropout issues.

Lots of other cranks to choose from. If I go IGH, I may throw one of my beef BMX crankset on there, specifically my FlyBikes crankset w/ 32t chainwheel.

I have an extra Surly Puglsey fork I'd consider adding if it doesn't screw up the frame geometry too much. With the pugsley fork I could for sure fit some giant tires (personal fetish, especially as we enter the winter season).

I could run some 9 speed Shimano XT stuff that I have laying around, but I seem to have had more luck w/ 8 speed drivetrains. More durable and less finicky.

baker

I built a cargo bike for a delivery service around here. I put a 14mm rear axle on it. The only 14mm rear axles and matching hubs are BMX components and are only made with a thread for a freewheel cluster. Cassettes need not apply. The wheel itself is ultra-custom. Sun rim with 36-hole mated to a 48H BMX cone hub with zero dish using 2 different spoke lengths in a 4X pattern. Yes, there are empty holes in the hub, hence the different spoke lengths. The zero dish required extra spacers and extra wide drop-out spacing. I have conservatively rated the bike at 500 lbs gross vehicle weight rating.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplepeople/

:)ensen.

Cool cargo bike! That wheelbuild indicates a serious amount of creativity (or is it a combination of free time and dementia)? :-)

baker

oh... it's about time they had disc brake tabs... Yuba may have just surpassed the BD for a project bike for me...

Other than cargo, the reason for 14mm axles is for the pricepoint, which I assume is the issue with Yuba and also why they don't have disk brakes. AFAIK, nobody makes a 14mm rear hub with a disk rotor mount and certainly nothing that would be fairly priced. In a price-no-object build, one would use 20mm axles front and rear with disk brakes. Although in all honesty, the rear brake on that big cargo bike is still not more effective than the front brake, which would be easy enough to add to any bike with a normal front axle.

As for the actual wheel building, I am more than competent although I would not say it is my strength (pardon the pun). Building a 48H hub with a 36H rim is not that difficult... just have to figure out which holes to miss and which spokes need to be which length. My current trike also has a non-standard pattern... 48H BMX wheel laced with only 24 spokes. The trick there is not to skip every other hole as the rim has an offset hole pattern. Instead, I skip two and lace two. Looks cool and while not strong enough for flatland, plenty strong for a leaning trike.

:)ensen.

Rivendell Bikes advocates use of a freewheel on bikes because they can be built up dishless, which are stronger than dished rear wheels.

It looks like the complete 21 speed Mundo V3 is now available for order and has some significant improvements.

http://yubaride.com/yubashop/35-mundo-cargo-bike-21speed.html

Components appear to be better, fenders and kickstand are included. They picture the bike with a top-deck, I wonder if that is also included. The top-dec appears to attach w/ water bolt braze-ons and it looks like there are more on the rack/sideloaders for attaching other accessories. Interesting...

Oh yeah, I'm not a shill for Yuba, just an excited customer waiting for his new V3 frame to arrive (supposedly shipping in the next week).

baker

Comes in an nice orange color called "carrot"

The product page pictures it with a kickstand, fenders, deck +more...

Is that all included for the $1099.00?

Now if I can just get over the hi-ten frame. What does final weight come out to on these?

The ad says it comes w/ fenders and kickstand, but doesn't mention the top-deck. The spec sheet under the download tab lists the fenders, kickstand, and top-deck, so it looks like it's included. If a deal-breaker, I'd send an email and ask. They were quite responsive when I emailed them a month or so ago.

1099 seems like a great price for all that.

I've read lots of good things about the ride characteristics of the Mundo frame, so I've tried to not get hung up on the hi-ten aspect. I have no clue on the total weight of the new Mundo...

baker

It clocks in at over 60 lbs. The Yuba Mundo is not designed for a fast ride but for carrying a heavy cargo load securely to your destination. Its can carry just about anything you have room for on the sides and on the rack.

You can make and install your own top deck for this bike.

For a 60lb bike, 500 lbs is quite a load. Seriously, most people won't carry that much on a Yuba Mundo but that gross weight capacity is certainly reassuring. Just in case you do have to carry more than you bargained for! :D

It comes in black, too. I wish they had photos of all the colors, not just the blue.

I've been riding my mundo as my daily ride since august, I do about 100km a week running around and across town to go to work, run errands, trips to the beach at the weekend. Sometimes I have very little cargo, sometimes quite a lot. The mundo is, in my opinion, a great ride and the perfect bike (for me) for utility riding. It's geared good and low so I often climb hills spinning while sat down, and the only time I really notice the weight is....going downhill, coz it accelerates real fast.

Even did a bit of off-roading in the local park yesterday, it was kind of fun.

Overall my experience is: don't be put off by the weight, I barely notice it. Do be encouraged by the cargo capacity: it's great to be able to pick something up on the way home (like some lumber- saturday morning that's exactly what I did!) and not have to worry about whether it'll fit on the bike or whether the bike can take it. With a mundo: it will fit on, it won't break the bike, and you'll be able to ride home comfortably (even uphill - Okinawa is a hilly place).

And no i dont work for mundo, I'm just really happy with the bike (V2 mind)

From the "Long Walk to Green" blog about their move via bicycle here's a photo showing a Yuba Mundo with the washer and dryer strapped to it. They apparently were able to move them both at the same time. That's impressive.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3523651866_c9ba3b9cef.jpg

Here's a link to the blog, if you go to "Older Posts" you'll find an article about their move by bike, a short clip on Vimeo and a link to the article that their local newspaper published about the move. http://longwalktogreen.blogspot.com/ The owners of the blog seem to love their Mundo. Now I wish someone would post a picture of one of the 21-speeds in black.

My V3 frame has shipped. Woohoo! I'll post build-up pics when done. I think I have everything ready, except maybe the seatpost.

baker

"They apparently were able to move them both at the same time. That's impressive."

Actually, they HAD to move them both at the same time, for balance!

True, but it's impressive that the bike frame is so sturdy to handle such large loads. I would say that's a fair amount of weight and they said the frame didn't flex.

My V3 frame has shipped. Woohoo! I'll post build-up pics when done. I think I have everything ready, except maybe the seatpost.

baker

bbaker,

I look forward to seeing the photos of your new bike. What color did you get?

bbaker,

I look forward to seeing the photos of your new bike. What color did you get?

Sorry, not black! I got the blue frame. Supposed to be here on Friday.

baker

I build longtails and the only part that has to carry the immediate weight here are the wide load bars underneath. Since that weight is transferred to the rear wheel almost directly by the integral rack and rear triangle, there is very little "weight" left to flex the rest of the frame.

:)ensen.

Found a picture of the new Yuba Mundo 21-speed in black. Now to read some reviews on how the 21-speed handles.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/4098921160_15c3b31754.jpg

Oh man, thanks for posting that pic! I should have one waiting on me when I get home in a few days! I knew it would look good, but I'm really diggin' it!

Black looks nice! Unfortunately, my blue frame arrived orange and damaged. New frame on the way tomorrow...

Black looks nice! Unfortunately, my blue frame arrived orange and damaged. New frame on the way tomorrow...

bbaker22,

Sorry to hear that; I hope the new one arrives in good shape.

lightningcow,

Please let us know how the 21-speed handles. Also, do you plan on adding disc brakes? I may break down get a cargo bike next year and the Mundo might be number 1 on the list. I wish the standard kickstand was sturdier.

Well, I've had more time than anticipated for planning and collecting parts. Here is the likely build:

Mundo V3 frame - blue
Mundo V3 fork (threaded)
Shimano STX headset (threaded)
Nitto Albatross handlebars
Kalloy adjustable stem
Oury Mtn grips - blue
Shimano LX M581 brake/shift levers
Avid BB7 185mm disc brakes
Deore/Ditchwitch wheels w/ solid axles and 14mm adapters
2.4" Mutano Raptor tires
XT shadow rear derailleur
LX front derailleur
Kalloy 31.8x400mm seatpost
random seat
Hope Q/R seatpost clamp - blue
FSA MegaEXO crankset / bottom bracket
Ringle Zuzu pedals

Oh yeah, I did a rough weigh-in of the frame...about 27lbs (with some padding and cardboard still attached for shipping).
The fork was less than 3 lbs (I can't remember the exact weight).

baker

Well I got my bike! I like it a lot, but it had/has some issues. The sideloader rack was not fitted and I actually had to use a ratchet strap to pull it close enough to secure. Under the platform rack at the very rear is a tie down loop that was not completely welded and has broken free on one side. The equipped brakes suck. This isn't necessarily because of the type, but more the poor quality. I will be replacing the brakes with a disc setup ASAP and I am still on the fence about the tires. I would far prefer less rolling resistance to the bouncy, balloon-like ride. I mean it really does soak up the bumps, but with the heavier weight I think I am willing to trade. I will be contacting Yuba about the said issues as they don't seem to be from shipping.

Other than those items, I am very happy with it. I am positive it is the first Mundo in my town and I've only heard of someone here with a Big Dummy. I am looking forward to using the bike more and more. I will get some pictures soon.

Well I got my bike! I like it a lot, but it had/has some issues. The sideloader rack was not fitted and I actually had to use a ratchet strap to pull it close enough to secure. Under the platform rack at the very rear is a tie down loop that was not completely welded and has broken free on one side. The equipped brakes suck. This isn't necessarily because of the type, but more the poor quality. I will be replacing the brakes with a disc setup ASAP and I am still on the fence about the tires. I would far prefer less rolling resistance to the bouncy, balloon-like ride. I mean it really does soak up the bumps, but with the heavier weight I think I am willing to trade. I will be contacting Yuba about the said issues as they don't seem to be from shipping.

Other than those items, I am very happy with it. I am positive it is the first Mundo in my town and I've only heard of someone here with a Big Dummy. I am looking forward to using the bike more and more. I will get some pictures soon.

lightningcow,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm sorry to hear about QC issues. Did you have to order from Yuba diretly? Lately, I've been thinking about getting a cargo bike rather than an xtracycle kit. Mundo was sounding good, however it sounds as if buying from a local dealer is preferable to buying directly from Yuba. (Hopefully, a dealer would reject units with defects and save the customer that headache.) Unfortunately, I'm in an area where there aren't local dealers. The closest is in Seattle, which is a day's drive from here. Keep us posted on how responsive Yuba is to your issues. (It's pretty sad that inspectors did examine welds.) I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your bike.

Yay! New frame arrived. Much better packaging and no damage. I have done quite a bit of the build up, but I'm waiting for seatpost (the one in the pic is temporary)t,stem,seatpost clamp, grips, and chain... Bar/shifters/brake levers are here, but not in the pic.

I have to say, I really like the paint. Very nice looking in person. Much better than the pic...

Oh yeah, 185mm disc brakes don't look like they'll be fitting in the rear of the bike and the disc mounts on the rear will definitely need to be faced (not even close to parallel w/ the rotor)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4121581592_2be3638d14_o.jpg

baker

Mundo, almost complete. Rides really nicely.

Need to get the disc mounts faced and install the rear disc brake.

I can already see the appeal of a better kickstand and a deflopilator

Stoker bar to be installed ASAP. I also want to install something to keep the kids' feet out of the wheel.

Current build weight is 56 pounds.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4133560995_3403da0dc9_o.jpg

Mundo, almost complete. Rides really nicely.

Need to get the disc mounts faced and install the rear disc brake.

I can already see the appeal of a better kickstand and a deflopilator

Stoker bar to be installed ASAP. I also want to install something to keep the kids' feet out of the wheel.

Current build weight is 56 pounds.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4133560995_3403da0dc9_o.jpg

Looking good, I like that custom-painted board. Did your children help with that? Keep us updated on how the Mundo performs.

Looking good, I like that custom-painted board. Did your children help with that? Keep us updated on how the Mundo performs.

Yeah, the board "artwork" is courtesy of the 3 and 5 year olds. :-) The bottom side is a nicely sanded/urethaned knotty pine that will probably never see the light of day.

Very nice! I'm going to wait to get pics until after I change some things first. I never called Yuba...I've been a bit busy and can weld so I'm not worried about it. Looking to order some disc brakes soon. I'm going to try a staggered size like a 203mm in front and a 160mm or 180mm in rear. What is the deal with needing to work on your rear disc mount? By faced, do you mean straightening it or just grinding the paint off? My mount looks like it needs to be straightened...so I'll assume that. I'm also going to try Velo-Orange's model 5 sprung touring saddle. These are modeled after the Brooks style seats without the price tag. I already have a Brooks on another bike and love it...so we'll give it a shot. I'm also going to change the handlebars or do something...I hust hate being so upright all the time (weird, I know). It needs lights and some reflective tape too! This all should be arranged as soon as it comes. I'll be ordering some within a day or so.

My rear disc mount is crooked, for sure. I would hope that I could solve the issue through facing --- see http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=137 ---, but I may have to resort to straightening the mount w/ a big ole crescent wrench. Yikes.

Also, you may not be able to fit anything larger than a 160mm caliper in the rear. My 185mm Avid BB7 hits the frame member when I try to mount it (although, maybe it'll be better after I sort out the crooked disc tab).

Even my front disc tab should prob be faced a bit. I really need that caliper to sit another 1-2mm away from the wheel.

I've been eying the same VO saddle! I've already spent enough $$$ for now. Maybe I can pick up a few accessories as Christmas gifts...

baker

Gonna send Yuba some pics of the QC issues to have them resolve it. I even thought about just sending the thing back, but am going to see what they do first. I want to put discs on it, but just figured out that i would need a new wheelset to do so...I dunno.

I resorted to a big crescent wrench for straightening the rear disc mount. Worked fine. 185mm still doesn't work though.

Mine are obviously clocked in some odd ways too...it was one of my comments to them. I'm taking some pictures of the issues now to email to them. I will post a few here too.

Please ignore my epic pants.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh299/lightningcow/RearTieDown.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh299/lightningcow/SideloaderMount.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh299/lightningcow/RearDiscBrakeTab2.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh299/lightningcow/TweakedFork.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh299/lightningcow/WheelClosertoRight.jpg

I will be sending this one back and they are going to ship another complete one out to me next week. I think mine was just the one built on someones bad day.

I will be sending this one back and they are going to ship another complete one out to me next week. I think mine was just the one built on someones bad day.

Let us know the condition of the next one. I'm toying with the idea of getting a longtail bike next year and was seriously considering the Yuba in black, but if their QC is bad, I may strike the Yuba Mundo from my list. FYI, if you're going to add disc brakes, pricepoint.com has Avid BB7 mechanical brakes on sale now for $39.98 per brake set (includes caliper, adapter, pads, rotor, and hardware); their wheelsets are also on sale if you need disc wheelsets to convert to disc brakes. I hope the next bike they send out is perfect. I like that flat black paint job.

I'm trying to think about what wheels would be strong enough. It's a shame the factory wheels with the 14mm axles are not compatible...

I'm trying to think about what wheels would be strong enough. It's a shame the factory wheels with the 14mm axles are not compatible...

I have found a 14mm disc wheelset to be elusive. Halo makes some 14mm adapters for their Spin Doctor and Spin Doctor Pro hubs. The hubs are even available in 48 hole patterns, which would be good for wheel strength.

http://www.beyondbikes.com/ItemMatrix.asp?ic=12808
http://www.beyondbikes.com/ItemDesc.asp?Ic=13084
http://www.beyondbikes.com/itemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=PG-2438&eq=&MatrixType=1&Av=

I'm currently using the simple 3/8->14mm adapters that Yuba sells at their website, with my only marginally strong wheelset. I don't currently plan to haul much more than 80 lbs, so I'm probably ok. I may swap out my hollow rear axle for a solid axle that I have sitting around (if I can find the motivation to pull it all apart).

baker

Took the Mundo out for a 19 mile trail ride last night. Sub freezing temps and light flurries. The Yuba rides very smoothly and the upright position is quite comfy. The horse hoof prints in the refrozen mud were a bit irritating after an hour or so, but what can you expect w/ a rigid fork.

Standing on the back deck and coasting while hanging onto the handlebars is fun!

I threw my moose mitts (http://www.trails-edge.com/retail/te_shirts/amfbikemits.htm) on the Albatross bars thinking they wouldn't work well. Worked fine, keeping my fingers nice and toasty with just regular long fingered riding gloves.

Need to work out some chain length issues (cannot cross chain to big/big as I didn't leave the chain long enough). Also, need to fine tune the disc brakes, which were rubbing quite a bit.

57 pounds of bike started to get to me towards the end of the ride...

baker