Val

There are a couple of differences between the Sun and the Surly that may be worth noting. The Sun has QR binders built into the frame sockets that hold the rear racks. This eliminates the need for Xtracycle's Whatchamacollars (a detail, but a nice one). The front end geometry of the Sun is also less agressive. This means that it will not feel like a fast mountain bike when unloaded or lightly loaded, but that it will handle well at low speeds with heavy loads.

noglider 

Wow, that's great news about the Sun.

FunkyStickman

This is phenomenal news for those of us who are on a tight budget... for $550 it's worth it just for the frame alone, though people with more, um, "budget" oriented mechanical skills would have no problem keeping a bike like that running, as long as the frame is straight and everything is serviceable.

Very, very, very tempting.

noglider 

I think it's phenomenal news even for people not on a tight budget. Those who can afford a better bike might even prefer this one.

FunkyStickman

Definitely, an entire bike for the price of last year's BD frame. Probably most of what it needs could be fixed with stuff we have laying around the workshop. If I were going to get a cargo bike (which I want to, just need to save the money) it would either be a FreeRadical on my current steel MTB, or this bike... cost would be close to the same, but with this, I'd have a spare bike, which is paying homage to the n+1 gods. Component level is probably close to what I'm already using, so I'm comfortable with that.

This completely changes my outlook on cargo bikes. I could buy one of these with part of my tax return, and park my car indefinitely.

AdamDZ

Yeah, this is exciting. As soon as NYC digs itself out of this stupid snow I will look for dealers in NYC. If this frame doesn't have any significant disadvantages compared to BD (doesn't seem so far) this changes the game. I may be able to afford two bikes instead of just one

Although I'm hoping the frame itself will be available. I already ordered nice wheels from LBS and have most of the drivetrain components.

Ah, I wonder if Yuba bags will fit on this.

Chris_in_Miami

I spoke to the owner of the shop where I picked up the catalog, and he didn't know anything about this model, but said he'd contact the distributor and get back to me. I also contacted Sun via the form on their website and asked if they could tell me when it would be shipping, or if any have been sent to local shops.

I haven't heard a word from either source yet, but that could be due to the holidays...

wahoonc

That is basically the same response I got from my LBS. They have zero info on it and haven't been able to get any definitive answers. They do sell the Sun trikes and the Handicap trike as well as a few of the recumbents.

Aaron

FunkyStickman

Found a few more pics of it on somebody's Flickr account (Bike Portland, in fact)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikepor...n/photostream/

tim24k

I had a Sun Bicycles EZ-1 Super Cruiser recumbent bike, I think it was a 2001 year model and I really like it. It was a little heavy but it rode very nice. I sold it to my CPA and he loves it. Sometimes I wish I sill had it. If I didn’t already own two (one for me and one for my wife) Big Dummys I would buy one of these Sun cargo bikes.

Chris_in_Miami

I got a bit more info about this bike today, the LBS owner called J & B Importers in Miami (Sun's parent company if I understand it correctly,) and they said the first Atlas Cargo shipment is slated to land at the beginning of March. They have orders for 8 of them already.

The shop owner quoted me a price of $599 which is not too far off from the $550 that Sun announced at Interbike. This shop tends to run a bit high, so it wouldn't surprise me to hear that it's available for less elsewhere.

FunkyStickman

Fantastic! I'm not surprised, it's a direct competitor to the Big Dummy at less than half the price! I will definitely keep an eye on this bike... I really would love a CETMA or something like that, but this would be a close second if I couldn't afford it.

AdamDZ

Thanks for the info! Ah, that's a loooong wait til March They could hurry up!

Actually, more like 1/3 of the price! Although, the components on the BD are of higher quality. But for under $600, it's indeed like buying a frame. I would probably strip it down completely and replace all the parts on it.

Fizzaly

By my figures that means by the time i could get one to idaho it would up around 800bucks I have still yet to find a dealer here who can order through SUN

Chris_in_Miami

That's surprising, how about these shops?

AdamDZ

There is 16" 2009 BigDummy frame on eBay in good condition and with Xtracycle kit. It was around $400 last time I looked. Too bad I need a 20" frame.

Fizzaly

Opps i didn't know REI is a sun dealer I might have to stop there this weekend, I no longer buy bikes off ebay i try and stick to the selling them on it, i spend less money

Fizzaly

I would order through georges since i know they stock sun bikes but im no longer allowed in the stores (long story)

Bionicycle

I LIKE IT... Kind of like a throwback to the old "Cross frame bikes" from the early 1900's (the Mixte being the most well known), only with a modern Xtra bike type stretched cargo twist. Most definitely on the must check out list... Like others have said, the frame may be worth the price of the entire bike. Oh Yeah... got to check into this very soon

AdamDZ

So you casually drop a teaser and you won't tell us the story?!?

Chris_in_Miami

Awesome!

Chris_in_Miami

Sun also has been offering an Atlas Cargo bike with an X frame for a few years, though I've never seen one in the flesh. It's a proper all-steel industrial bike with 12 gauge spokes and probably pretty heavy...

wahoonc

I believe I saw one of those at an Alcoa Plant in either SC or LA. They used to predominantly use Worksman but have been using other brands in the last several years.

Aaron

Fizzaly

Well ok you twisted my arm, it really isn't the most interesting but i went in there because i was having a hard time finding the proper size of head set bearings for an old trek i had built, so i bring it back to the shop entrance and the first words out of one of the techs mouth was "im not working on that crap" (i don't think he knew i heard him) so i ignore the comment and bring it back and tell him i don't have a mic. so i can't measure the current bearing that were in there so i needed them to tell me what size was in there and what size i needed. He replied no problem he takes the bike and i do a little window shopping through the store. After about 25-30 min they call me up to front desk, i didn't think anything of the wait since it was busy and the kid at the counter as plain as days tells me i owe 85 dollars for a "special order" headset and headset overhaul. Niether of which i ordered or asked for so i tell him he had better go get the tech. So the tech comes up and tells me im lying and that i had said i wanted it done, to which i replied that was sure a fast special order, he got a little mouthy bashing my beloved vintage trek saying i had no business bringing it in, in the first place. I to which had a "few" choice word with him and at that point the manager came running out of the back (at that point i was yelling) and he told me i owed money for services rendered and if i didn't pay he was calling the cops. I told them i was only paying the shop min. of 20 bucks which i anticipated for them to do the measuring and that i was leaving with my bike and he could call the cops if he wanted. Well left a 20 on the counter and started walking out when he grabbed my shoulder i turned and i think it surprised him he flinched and when he did he lost his balance and fell, so at that point he said i pushed him i was so mad i was shaking and continued to try and leave i made it to the parking lot and saw the police pulling in so i waited for them explained what happend and of coarse the whole store stuck to their story, the officer on site told me to leave the 20 and give them the bearings back and issued me a ticket for disturbing the peace. Even longer story short i fought the ticket and won and took them to small claims court and won they had to mail me the headset and my money back. And wouldn't you know three days after court they send me a notice of a tresspass, which is kinda like a restraining order. that was a while back though and im sure at this point i could probably get away with going back i just dont wanna. Sorry for the length


On a side note im headed to REI to pick up my new sleeping bag so im gonna ask them about SUN

Fizzaly

Well REI cant order it through them at least the one here, im gonna keep going down the list till i find one that can, then convince them to order one as a demo so i can test ride it