Update [5/19/2015]: Though not originally on our list, we ended up choosing the Xtracycle Edgerunner. We’ve had the bike for a year now, and couldn’t be happier with our choice. Maybe one of these days I’ll get around to adding it to this comparison chart.
I’ve been drooling over longtail cargo bikes for more than a year now, and, with Sir close to outgrowing the IBert, the time has come.
Over the past few months, we’ve done our research, comparing the options and doing some limited test riding. I created this table to aid in the comparison process. We eliminated the Big Dummy fairly early on, given its sticker price and lower load capacity, hence the incomplete column.
Base price | $1300 | $1250 | $2400-2600 |
Weight | 35+ lbs | 48 lbs | |
Max Hauling Cap. | ??? | 440 lbs (+rider) | 400 lbs total |
Bags | X | $129 (x2) | |
Toddler seat | $230 | $169 | |
Fenders | X | X | |
Front-wheel stabilizer | X | X | |
Side loaders | no | X | |
Disc brakes | X | $100-$250 | |
Kickstand | X | X |
An “X” indicates that the feature is included in the base price of the bike.
The Ute comes in an 18″ and 20″ frame size. At 6’2″, Matthew was comfortable on both. I rode the 20″ MinUte and found it fairly comfortable, although I wondered if I would have felt a bit more stable on the 18″.
The rear wheel on the Ute is larger than that on other longtails, meaning that the load on the rear rack has a higher center of gravity. I’ve read some complaints about this making the bicycle difficult to handle, particularly for shorter riders.
The Mundo frame is one-size-fits-all riders from 5′ to 6’5″. I met a local Mundo family, but so far our efforts to set up a test ride haven’t worked (their bike needs a new wheel and some other work to be ride-able). Unfortunately, there are not [yet] any Yuba dealers in St. Louis. The closest dealer is two hours away in Columbia, MO, so we have yet to test ride a Mundo.
Since longtails are a rarity around here, our chances of finding a used one of any kind is practically zero.
Despite it feeling a bit like flying blind, since I’ve never ridden either the Ute or the Mundo (or any other longtail, for that matter), we’ve decided to take the plunge. So, any guesses which bike we’re picking?
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Read more longtail reviews (from people who’ve actually ridden them!) and check out some other cargo bike options at the links below:
Cargo bike pocket reviews
Loaner bike: Yuba Mundo v4
We ride: Our Fleet
Joe Bike — Cargo bikes