Does anyone own a HPM Long John?
 

I can't get them to respond to my emails. Maybe they just check once a week or so, but wow. I'd like to get a quote going so I could decide between the HPM Long John and the Clever Cycle Bakfiet. I'm just curious if anyone actually owns one or if it's just a prototype.

it's now called a long haul, but it used to be called long jan (pronounced yawn) after the guy who builds them and started hpm, jan vandertien. i used to ride as a messenger for the center for appropriate transport which is the head organization which also runs hpm. we used the bike you're asking about for about 95% of the time. it's been a couple of years but here is what i can remember:

- if you get it with the container, the container is water/weatherproof, and can hold up to 200lbs. all the bikes we rode had the container.
- with the container, the bike weighs about 60 lbs.
- the design of the bike is good, in my opinion. the steering is easy. you're riding in a mostly upright position.
- flats are annoying when the bike is loaded up. the best trick for a front flat is to hang the front wheel just off the curb, making it pretty easy to take out. since the weight of the bike is on the rear wheel and the dual kickstand, if you get a rear flat, you pretty much have to turn the bike on its side. this is especially annoying when it's loaded up.
- if you end going with this bike, prepare for a long wait time and not the best communication. the shop only bangs out 25 bikes a year, tops, and working with these guys personally i know they aren't the best about keeping in contact or getting it done on time.


if you have any other questions, i'll check back and see if i can answer them. hope this was helpful.

My understanding is that most of the workers at HPM are students in their 'alternative' HS.

There are other manufacturers who make the same bike, most notably Velorbis. You might be better purchasing from one of those.

I've ordered their Tritan adult trike for my aunt. It hasn't been delivered yet, so we'll see. I have heard that, although they are slow in delivery, the machines are good ones.

when i last worked there, there was only one fulltime bike builder. jan puts in time here or there, when he's not doing other things. the students do work in the shop, but not on bikes that are being made for an order. rather, personal projects where they learn basic skills. none of the bikes they make and sell are worked on by 14 year olds.

If any readers own one, I"d like to see pictures.

I got a call from them; the Tritan is almost ready, they just needed to know the color. I said that as my aunt is a UKy alumna, dark blue would be appropriate.

You might also check out the Bilenky cargo bike:

http://www.bilenky.com/Photo%20Galle...o%20Bikes.html

I've never seen one in the flesh, but Susan and I ride a Bilenky tandem and I have nothing but praise for the craftsmanship. A few months back somebody here posted a photo of one they'd seen under the title "utility bike porn" or some such.

I rented one from HPM yesterday to haul some groceries. It was pure bliss. I plan on designing and building my own within the next two months.

I have been thinking of building my own also, please keep us informed of your progress.