SpaceGoat

I'm looking to purchase a cargo bike in the near future. I recently had a 2nd child, so the ole Topeak child seat won't cut it anymore for daycare drop-offs. I am primarily interested in the Yuba Mundo or the Xtracycle Edgerunner. I've been able to test ride each, with weight on the back, and liked both on the very short, flat test ride. It was hard to get a good sense for comparison, as the test rides happened almost a year apart.

I originally planned on buying a cargo bike next spring, but REI is currently offering the Mundo on sale and I'd like to take advantage of the lower price if that's the way my decision goes. I just don't feel like I have a good enough sense of each bike at this point!

I'll be commuting with my 4 year old and 1 year old to their daycare (4 miles) then on to my work (2 miles). The terrain is somewhat hilly, with at least a few intersections where I'd have to stop on an incline. I figure the Edgerunner would have the advantage there, with the greater torque the rear wheel would provide. But, is it worth $700 or so more? Also, with the smaller back wheel, does that make the front end squirrely? Do kids outgrow riding on the back of it more quickly with the rear platform being that much lower to the ground? I guess I'm really hoping to hear some testimonials for each bike, if anyone uses them regularly. Thank you in advance!

mel2012

Check out the reviews on Hum of the city | 2 kids, 2 careers, 1 beautiful city (and no car) She owns an assisted Edgerunner and has extensively test-ridden the Yuba Mundo (both assisted and unassisted). Her review of the Edgerunner is here: Our new cargo bike: Hello, EdgeRunner | Hum of the city Her reviews of the Mundo are of the older models, but I don't think the specs. have changed that much. My friend at the Tiny Helmets blog also has lots of posts about her Mundo (her "gateway" cargo bike before she subsequently bought a Bullitt and Bike Friday Haul-a-day--Her Bike Friday posts have some comparisons of the small wheel vs. the Mundo): Tiny Helmets Big Bikes - Blog: We Ride. One of my other friends has an Edgerunner and he regularly transports two six-year olds to school on it. I think you've got plenty of time before they'd outgrow the back deck and since it is much lighter and more nimble, I'm guessing the bike would have more longevity than the Mundo. My sense, from being part of the cargo bike community, is that people like the practicality of the Mundo, but no one would describe it as a joy to ride, while people enjoy riding the Edgerunner and can see riding it even past the "kid-carrying" years (same with the Bike Friday Haul-a-Day). Once my son outgrows the front seat on my Workscycles Fr8 (which is even farther down the spectrum of practical but not fun), I'm eyeing the Edgerunner as a replacement.

mel2012

This is her initial review of the test ride: We tried it: Xtracycle EdgeRunner (assisted and unassisted) | Hum of the city

Also, this is one of my other friends who owns a Mundo: Blog Entries | 8legs2wheels | tales and tips told from a bicycle built for four I have to take back part of my earlier statement and say that I think he does genuinely love his Mundo.

SpaceGoat

Thank you mel2012, that was helpful. I had come across Hum of the City and Tiny Helmets Big Bikes in my research, but the 8legs2wheels blog is new to me. Sounds like the Edgerunner is generally the ride of choice between those two. Still not sure if it's worth the price difference...REI's sale is over on Monday so I'll have to make my decision before then!

noglider 

I haven't tried either, but I see a lot of Mundos in my neighborhood. They can't be bad, given how popular they are. There is a grocery delivery company using them.