FunkyStickman

I'm still eyeballing one of these... I was wondering, it looks as if the Sun's welded rack is removable, just like the Xtracycle's V-racks. I wonder if you could replace the welded steel rack with some aluminum V-racks? If it's Xtracycle compatible, it should work, right?

Hmm... these are looking more and more tempting.

Val

What I hear from Sun (J & B) is that they don't actually have any of the production bikes here yet, but that XtraCycle compatibility was one of the original design parameters. Making a definite statement before examining the actual bikes is sometimes risky, but everyone involved intends this to be an Xtra LT Standard bike.

AdamDZ

Sounds, like they were a bunch of d***s anyway and you're better off not going back there anyway.

I also came by my fav LBS today, showed the owner this thread It turns out they have relationship with Sun and he can get me this bike when it's available! He was very intrigued too, haven't heard of this bike yet. He was able to find out that it'll be available in March and the frame is 17.5" one-size-fits-all, like Yuba Mundo.

I'm totally putting away any Big Dummy plans until I have concrete specs on this frame. This bike can be a huge hit this year.

Adam

AdamDZ

Oh, and I got a nice photo of the bike! Enjoy:


Click here for larger image.

AdamDZ

Yeah, looks like there are QR levers.

No kidding, I'm so excited. I actually like the bluish color on the above picture. I just hope it'll fit me, not sure about the "one size fits all" thing. The LBS will have a geometry sheet next week so I'll go check it out. They're also building a nice set of heavy duty wheels for me, Volocity rims, all black with 6-bolt disc hubs.

noglider 

Adam, you're having them build wheels for you? You're losing a valuable opportunity in building your own wheels. It's a rewarding experience.

AdamDZ

I tried building wheels, I did, and I failed rather miserably. Too much time investment, little (if any) savings. I decided it's one of the things that are better left to the pros. I enjoy building bikes and other DYI stuff, but I found building wheels to be just too time consuming and too tedious. And these guys build great wheels. I rode their wheels before.

AdamDZ

Looking at the larger image of the bike I am a little alarmed: can anyone spot fender eyelets???

FunkyStickman

I don't see any, no... that being said, I could rig something up pretty easily. Also, I hate water bottle cages in cramped frames. I could fix that for nothing, too. I pretty much bastardize all of my bikes anyway. A new fork is less than $50, which would give you eyelets and you could get rid of the boat anchor handlebars by leaving the steerer uncut. The seatpost angle is pretty laid back, I'm sure that would help with bigger guys. Also, upgrading to disks would set you back another few hundred (wheels included, I seriously doubt those are disk hubs).

Still... When you start adding up the cost of disk brakes and wheels, modifications, and so forth, it would add up quickly. This is not the kind of bike I would want to spend a lot of money on. More like use it until it breaks and just repair it with better parts.

Really, it looks like they just modified their existing Atlas-X bike. I'm not complaining, but then again, Sun isn't known for making ultra-versatile bikes. They're built for one thing, and one thing only. I'd still consider it, but it really needs fenders and a few tweaks.

AdamDZ

Yeah, I'm sure some P-clips would solve the problem, but it's an oversight.

I'd love the frame only. I have most parts already and I'm going to strip down one of my bikes too. If I were to get the complete bike though, I can probably get some money back by selling the stock parts on eBay. Oh yeah, good idea about the fork, it didn't occur to me, that would solve some problems nicely, I don't like these handlebars either.

Even if you spend $300 on nice wheels and $150 on BB7 brakes and cables, plus fork, etc it'll be still around the cost of the Big Dummy frame. And like I said you may be able to get some money back by selling unused parts, or use them to build a beater bike or something.

We really need to know how this compares to the Big Dummy and if it has any other possibly showstopping problems.

Fizzaly

Looks like there are some fender mounts on the rear right above the axle, maybe kinda looks like it??

Fizzaly

I still haven't found anybody locally, that can tell me anything, ive called most the places that sun says are dealers and so far all the shops are saying that they're not sure why SUN is listing them as a dealer. Oh well looks like im using the money i would spend on one to go to the oregon coast this spring anyways

wahoonc

Anybody that has an account with J&B is an authorized Sun dealer...that includes the Good Year tire plant about 15 miles from me.

Aaron

Timothias

I can't tell does this bike have side loaders or at least will they be offered? It definitely is a good thing to have more offerings in the longtail group.One big thing though like any purchase one should ride each if possible before committing.

Adamdz,

No offense meant but I wouldn't swear off the Yuba without riding it,if possible.It has a large following,has proven itself,has decent accessories and is very functional.For the price and what you get,it's hard to beat.I'm sure you have looked at many pics online and seen it's amazing abilities.I see Yuba has sold out again until end of February,they must be doing something right.

Of course you know about the head cheese already the BD.An awesome bike no doubt but out of reach for many due to price.

Kona UTE?

FunkyStickman

The UTE definitely has it's place, but the big draw for the Sun is the Xtracycle bag compatibility. The rear rack is also quick-release, which is nice if you use it for more than hauling stuff. I've looked at the Ute, actually, and I like the aluminum frame.

I guess it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other... though the Ute would be a lighter, faster bike, and comes with 1 bag. Hmm...

AdamDZ

It's supposed to be able to accept Xtracycle sideloders. No offense, of course I saw a few Yuba bikes in Manhattan. I'm still on the fence. I know Mundo is a great bike. The Yuba founder came from Xtracycle, I believe. And Kona Ute is a 700cc bike, I want something with 26" wheels.

AdamDZ

I think we'll just have to be patient and wait those few months. Meantime, I strapped a milk crate to increase my cargo capacity, I just worry about the rack

nordstadt

The 2011 Ute has 2 Bags!

Chris

FunkyStickman

I just noticed that... it's also only a few hundred dollars more than the 2010 model, so it wouldn't save much money to get the older one. Hmmm... a Ute for $1000, or a $600 Sun with $150 worth of Freeloader bags.. not much difference price-wise... I was thinking there would be more of a difference, I guess. It's still relatively cheap, but now that I look at the numbers, not by much.

I still want one.

AdamDZ

One thing to remember that Ute has an aluminum frame, Big Dummy and Sun bikes have chro-mo steel frames and the Yuba has a high tensile steel frame (the heaviest). That ruled out Ute for me, that and the fact that it is a 700cc bike.

If I get the Sun bike or the BD, I'll put Yuba bags on it.

AdamDZ

Here is the geometry of this bike: PDF File.

noglider 

Cool!

Chris_in_Miami

Thanks Adam, I'm in awe of your google-fu!

AdamDZ

That simply means I spent way too much time in front of a computer

BTW, I made up my mind, I'm waiting for this bike. As soon as it becomes available my LBS will get me one. If it turns out to be a bad ride, I'll sell it and go for Yuba Mundo. However, the LBS owner says that Sun makes decent frames. Sun supplies some of their frames for custom builds and so far they had no complaints. Although, this bike will not be available as a frame only when it comes out.

FunkyStickman

Still waiting to see if I can get one of these with my tax return... it's either get this, or build a road bike and convert my current MTB to an Xtracycle. Hmmm... decisions, decisions.