Fat Yuba Mundo is done.

I got pieces together during x-mas free days.

Rear wheel
Alfine 8, Velocity Blunt 35 650B, DT Alpine 3 spokes laced in 3 crossing. Maxxis Ardent 27,5x2,30 tire. Alfine chain tensioner.

Front wheel
Crystalyte HS 135mm motor, Sapim spokes 2,3mm in Large Marge rim, 1 cross lacing. 45nrth Dillinger tire with studs.

Drivetrain
Cleaned the threads all over and installed left over Campagnolo Chorus bottom bracket with cranks from Gipiemme Pista to drive side, Campagnolo to other side. Colnago road chain ring, extend the chain from two different chains, one silver and one black. MKS pedals.

Frame
Brooks B17 saddle in Yuba original seat post with Salsa seat clamp. Salsa Enabler fork in Chris King head set, Salsa stem and bar. Planet Cascadia extended fenders I did last year all ready to Salsa Mukluk. Yuba saddlebags holding 36V/20Ah LiFePo4 battery and Crystalyte 25A controller.

Brakes
180mm discs, Avid mechanical.

Extras
Last changes is black Enabler fork, aluminium diamond plate cover and fixed rear light.

Summary
 It is fun and capable electric cargo bike to replace car in most tasks. It works well even in -20c winter degrees.

Knife Grinder vs. Gravel Grinding

They used to do other type of grinding before it came sportishly hip on gravel. Find this magnificent site of Museum of Tradesman's Delivery Bikes. 

These bicycles were made for hard work, not just for recreational fun. Also this site reminds me again how parallel history combustion engine motor cycles and bicycles have. Don't need the crystal ball to tell everyone that new cargo bike renaissance is crowing with electrical motors on them.

Work for fun, fun in work.

"Here he is, with his strings of onions, sun-tanned face, broken English and something in his gay appearance - all telling you he comes from France. Look out for him in the Summer"

Rad Lastenrad

This popped into my eyes while surfing in da net. Sure got vision, one of the first e-bike ever with style. Most e-bikes are these awful hybrids i.e. modern granny bikes in which you can see from parsec away what they really are .

This steampunk styled modern cargo bike is done by Seppl Schoo, pay extra attention to details in this modern workhorse.

Pelago Linahammar Cargo Bike

Pelago has released new Linahammar cargo bike. It is handmade in Finland by famous builder Olli Erkkilä, wooden parts are made by Tebian. It seems suitable for carrying cargo and kid(s). It is said to be "The most maneuverable cargo bike out there.", well... words, words, words.

Anyway, concept is excellent, I'm sure that it is well made. Nexus 8 speed rear hub, in front there is a disc  brake to guarantee fanatic braking. Optional wooden parts to make it suitable to your life's situation. Check out the pictures stolen from Pelago website.

Bike towing bike

Sometimes there is a need to transport another bicycle by bicycle. I used to just flip bike in top of Bakfiets box. It is quite unbalanced and noisy way to transport and it looks ugly too.

Heureka!
Drilled 10mm hole in wooden box to attach the front wheel from axel and old front hub on top of rear rack attached by U-shaped bracket. Rosti helped me with bracket, thanks!
"Duster" seems to be happier now.

Pimp My Cargobike!

The first Plymouth Duster was a semi-fastback version of the Plymouth Valiant automobile, produced in the US from 1970 to 1976.

The Duster name was later revived for optional trim packages on certain versions of the 1979-1980 Plymouth Volare, 1985-1987 Plymouth Turismo, and 1992-1994 Plymouth Sundance.

I was so impressed during our trip to Stockholm when I participated to cruising night for hot rods so I decided to pimp my Cargobike. I found this nice chromed badge from flea market.

Future Cargobike...

Cargobike is the answer for some of the future, every day transportation needs. It is capable to move kids and stuff around, same things as car do now. Only real difference is the distances. If the trips go over 15 km the car might be better, but most of travels stay under it. If you add electric motor in it the trips can easily go over 30 km.

It has to have Long John type of frame because it is relatively narrow to go to places where normal bicycle will go.

It must work in winter too. Moisture and freezing problems gotta be solved for electric system. Frame and fork must be capable to fit plus 50mm wide tires.

Electric assisted is excellent choice for people who just want to transport not to sport. Battery enables  real electric system in it; lights, nice horn and even turn lights and sound system. There's gotta to be good permanent lights in it, you gotta see the road details instead of just being visible.

It might look good and be light too.

These Urban Arrow people are very near, they got Eurobike 2010 award for it and they are selling it in here.

Best utility bike collection?

Italians are famous for their road racing bikes, Americanos with their MTB's, French randonneur, just to mention some. All countries have had their own bicycle brands and factories in some point of their history. But Dutch still have faith in utility bikes and bit of Danish too.

Let's define utility in cycling: Utility bike can be used in everyday life, rain or shine, summer or winter. Carrying children, animals and stuff. Work horses some may say. Good quality with lot's of useful details. They are made not for sport, but transport. They are stylish, made to fit your looks in easy sundays ice cream pickup's with kids, busy monday business mornings and on your way to saturday dinner with friends.

De Fietsfabriek has a nice collection of utility bikes. Got the pleasure to visit their shop in Stockholm. I was mostly impressed their utility bikes and so were some locals too. Not to mention their European Unioin Quality Award they got in year 2011.

Pics 1

Pics 2

Van Andel, Cargo Bike

This is magnificient transportation machine. Transport, not sport as David Byrne said.

Pushrod steering system and basic frame idea is based on old Long John construction.This bike is made by Azor, dutch bike manufacturer. Designed  by Maarten Van Andel.

I attached the electric hubmotor to assist on run. Alfine 11 hub and DT Swiss Alpine lll spokes with Halo SAS rim. Of course Brooks B33 saddle to fine tune the run.