In the hierarchy of utility bikes and how much weight you can stably carry with them, it goes something like this:
XtraCycle Free Radical attachment: Lateral instability and thus handling become compromised beyond about 70 lbs. on the back.
Surly Big Dummy: beyond about 100 lbs.
Yuba Mundo: beyond about 200 lbs.
Surly’s Big Dummy ($1799 complete) has a single, purpose-built frame, so it’s inherently superior to the bolt-on XtraCycle Free Radical attachment. Big Dummy is similar to the Yuba Mundo but 15-20 lbs. lighter, more expensive, and generally spec’d with better components, e.g., disc brakes, bags, and a kickstand are standard on the Big Dummy but extra on the Mundo. It can’t stably carry nearly as much as the Mundo, however. It’s rated for about 200 lbs. of cargo vs. over 400 lbs. for the Mundo. In reality, you start to feel a difference in stability above 100 lbs., and that’s where the Mundo takes over the game. For riders wanting to haul up to 100 lbs., however, the Dummy is a great choice. It’s also compatible with all XtraCycle accessories and some Mundo accessories as well.
The photo above shows you how a single set of stoker handlebars, with an extra-long stem mounted to the seatpost, can be used by two kids at once.
Big Dummy comes in several frame sizes.
Watch this!
The Big Dummy is built from 4130 CroMoly
steel. Surly designed it to be torsionally rigid while offering some
vertical compliance. The Big Dummy features disc caliper mounts and
cantilever brake pivots, clearance for 26 x 2.5″ tires and fenders,
multiple water bottle cage mounts, and a sturdy kickstand. You can purchase a Big Dummy frameset ($900) and set it up
with mountain components, road components, or a mixture of both. There
are no chainring clearance limitations…except the ground, so you can
gear it as high or low as you like. The included 425mm axle-to-crown
CroMoly fork can be swapped out for an 80mm-travel suspension fork
without radically altering the steering geometry.
Shown below is the stock 2011 Big Dummy ($1799).
Joe Bike carries the Yuba Mundo Go-Getter Bag, which fits the Big Dummy, Kona Ute, and other longtails. The Go-Getter ($119, 88 cubic liters) is the best, most functional, most durable and weatherproof bag we’ve found for longtails.
