I`m used to using the Yuba Mundo to haul folding bicycles to and from "Yokohama Rides and Rentals" customers, so I knew the bike could handle some heavy loads, but I wasn`t so sure about this almost 6 foot long carpet!
However, as soon as, I got on the bike I knew it wouldn`t be a problem. Even with half the weight of the carpet jutting out behind, the bike was remarkably stable. Got a lot of stares from passing motor traffic on the way home - but that is part of the fun IMO!
Kids, folding bikes, mega amounts of groceries, cargo, all of the above simutaneously - where there is a will there is a way with the Yuba! I am starting to believe that there is almost nothing this bike can`t handle.
Via Flickr:
btw - the side go getter bag was loaded up with about 10 kg of stuff. The carpet on top weighed about 25kg and was about 180 cm long.
Showing posts with label "yuba mundo". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "yuba mundo". Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Kids and the Yuba Mundo
A couple days ago, we grabbed some after school snacks in a "kombini" and rode to a nearby park to eat. For some reason, the boys didn`t like the looks of the park`s benches - so they plopped right down on the Yuba Mundo`s sideloaders and proceeded to enjoy their kara-age and ice cream.
They do seem to love the "Big Blue Beast".
They do seem to love the "Big Blue Beast".
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Yokohama Waterfront Ride
Rode the Yuba Mundo into work this morning, and later, I had a bit of time to enjoy a lunchtime ride along the waterfront.
Yokohama Rides and Rentals hosts bicycle rides along this same stretch every weekend.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Finally!
It`s been over two months since the accident, but at long last, the bike is finished. Picked it up this morning and and took it for a short ride to Yamashita Park.
"Big Dumb Yuba" - New Surly Big Dummy Fork and Salsa Gordo rims.
New Tioga threadless headset and Bazooka adjustable stem. Sweet!
BUT...what is wrong with the above picture?
Highlight to reveal answer -- > They put the #%$&!#*!!ing stem on upside down! sheesh.
OK - no big deal.
The bike rides great and, after changing the handlebar position a bit, it feels very comfortable. So, aside from above mentioned screw-up, which I can take care of, I`m very pleased with the end result. It definitely sucked not having the bike around for 2 months and dealing with the insurance company was a big PITA, but after all that, I think I ended up with one helluva nice ride.
"Big Dumb Yuba" - New Surly Big Dummy Fork and Salsa Gordo rims.
New Tioga threadless headset and Bazooka adjustable stem. Sweet!
BUT...what is wrong with the above picture?
Highlight to reveal answer -- > They put the #%$&!#*!!ing stem on upside down! sheesh.
OK - no big deal.
The bike rides great and, after changing the handlebar position a bit, it feels very comfortable. So, aside from above mentioned screw-up, which I can take care of, I`m very pleased with the end result. It definitely sucked not having the bike around for 2 months and dealing with the insurance company was a big PITA, but after all that, I think I ended up with one helluva nice ride.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Yuba Mundo update
Update - the insurance company is only willing to pay the difference between the cost of the bike and what they have already paid. :( Bitched and moaned as much as I could for a week but to no avail. Also, my wife has to act as interpreter and go between, and she is sick of it.
Anyway, this means I could pay about $500 of my own money for a new bike and then try to sell the other to make my money back, however, I am not certain I would be able to (with the broken fork) - so, after all that, I have decided to try to get the broken fork replaced.
There is only one Yuba dealer in Japan, and they don`t have any forks in stock, so I told the shop to go ahead and install the Surly Big Dummy fork. Since the BD fork is threadless, they will need to install a threadless headset and stem and possibly new handlebars.
One thing I am worried about - the Surly fork is about a centimeter longer than the Yuba`s, so there will be a slight change to the geometry - but I see it`s been done before on a Yuba V2.
http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/07/21/gallery-sheilia-terrys-yuba-mundo-v2-deluxe/
Will have it back in a week.
Fingers crossed.
Anyway, this means I could pay about $500 of my own money for a new bike and then try to sell the other to make my money back, however, I am not certain I would be able to (with the broken fork) - so, after all that, I have decided to try to get the broken fork replaced.
There is only one Yuba dealer in Japan, and they don`t have any forks in stock, so I told the shop to go ahead and install the Surly Big Dummy fork. Since the BD fork is threadless, they will need to install a threadless headset and stem and possibly new handlebars.
One thing I am worried about - the Surly fork is about a centimeter longer than the Yuba`s, so there will be a slight change to the geometry - but I see it`s been done before on a Yuba V2.
http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/07/21/gallery-sheilia-terrys-yuba-mundo-v2-deluxe/
Will have it back in a week.
Fingers crossed.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Bent Fork
or The Bike that Doesn`t Ride Straight
About a month ago, I was hit by a car while riding the Yuba Mundo. The car pulled out of a side-street suddenly and hit the right front of the bike at a 90 degree angle. To make a long story short, I wasn`t hurt, but the bike`s wheels were both bent and obviously totalled. The police came, the driver apologized profusely and told me her insurance company would pay for any damage.
I carried the heavy beast about a kilometer to a shop I had done business with in the past, and the following day the shop assured me that there was no frame damage and the bike required only two new wheels and a set of cranks.
Well, I picked up the bike today and was very impressed with the nice new Salsa Gordo rims and Shimano cranks, but after a couple minutes of riding it became apparent that something was very wrong. The bike which used to be very stable (I used to be able to ride this bike with no hands!), now wanted to pull off sharply to the left if I didn`t hold on firmly with both hands.
When I got home, I stood looking straight down at the fork and I could see that it was bent - only 2 -3mm perhaps, but definitely enough to effect the ride. What`s more, I noticed it is even worse with weight on the back, essentially making this cargo bike useless. Now, I have to bring it back to the shop and hopefully won`t have to fight the driver`s insurance company. What a PITA!
About a month ago, I was hit by a car while riding the Yuba Mundo. The car pulled out of a side-street suddenly and hit the right front of the bike at a 90 degree angle. To make a long story short, I wasn`t hurt, but the bike`s wheels were both bent and obviously totalled. The police came, the driver apologized profusely and told me her insurance company would pay for any damage.
I carried the heavy beast about a kilometer to a shop I had done business with in the past, and the following day the shop assured me that there was no frame damage and the bike required only two new wheels and a set of cranks.
Well, I picked up the bike today and was very impressed with the nice new Salsa Gordo rims and Shimano cranks, but after a couple minutes of riding it became apparent that something was very wrong. The bike which used to be very stable (I used to be able to ride this bike with no hands!), now wanted to pull off sharply to the left if I didn`t hold on firmly with both hands.
When I got home, I stood looking straight down at the fork and I could see that it was bent - only 2 -3mm perhaps, but definitely enough to effect the ride. What`s more, I noticed it is even worse with weight on the back, essentially making this cargo bike useless. Now, I have to bring it back to the shop and hopefully won`t have to fight the driver`s insurance company. What a PITA!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
yuba night ride
After a long work day it`s nice to jump on the Yuba and go for a "decompression" ride around Yokohama. The pent up stress of the day melts away as I pedal through the old narrow streets and lanes of Kannai or Noge and the futuristic "Blade Runner" type scenery of Minato Mirai.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Hauling the boys to soccer
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rain cover for Yuba Mundo
The bicycle parking area next to our house, unfortunately, does little to protect the bikes from the elements. There`s a roof but that doesn`t help much when the rain is really coming down and blowing sideways, as it very often does! Until now, I`ve been using two cheapo bicycle covers to cover the Mundo but they are poorly made and were starting to tear.
Well, I finally found a quality rain cover that fits the Yuba Mundo and won`t blow off. I found it in an autoparts store - it`s made to cover big motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons. Kind of expensive at 5000 yen but worth it I think!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Yuba Mundo
My new Yuba Mundo! The Mundo, with it`s 200 kg load capacity, should be up to the task of hauling folding bikes to "Yokohama Rides and Rentals" customers.
In addition, I placed an order for four Pacific Carryme folders for the new rental bike biz today.
Pacific Carryme in NYC - some nice photos illustrating the many ways the Carryme can enhance a tourist`s sightseeing experience.
Still thinking about other bikes to offer rental customers.
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