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Which Bike (frame)........Yuba, Surly

3243 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by bikeolounger, Jun 7, 2012

gmats

Discussion Starter · May 27, 2012

Aloha,

Hope it's not been asked too many times. I've been bouncing around back and forth and around. Started with Xtracycle conversion, Surly and then Yuba and even Trek Transport. I keep getting close to buying but chicken out. So the latest idea is I have so many extra parts for bikes around I am starting to think I'll just put one together.

Right now I commute daily with my old 86' Klein Pinnacle Elite but sometimes would like more carrying capacity.

So now I am thinking of buying either a Yuba or Dummy frame. Either one has pluses and minuses. Can some of you compare them with what you think are the pluses and minuses? What is frame weight of each?

Thanks ahead of time for all your information. Hope you're having a great weekend.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

Grumper

· #2 · May 27, 2012

Dummy

I went through this same thing ablout a year ago. I eventually when with Surly. The Big Dummy seems to me to be better for long distance type stuff. I plan on riding across America in the next couple years so I wanted to get a bike that would work for that as well as everyday commuting. I've heard good things about the other bikes as well (Yuba, Transport). From what I have gathered from this forum is if you ride a lot and are thinking about throwing some money into the cargo bike arena then a purpose built cargo bike will serve you much better than a conversion. Just my two cents. And for what it's worth I love my Big Dummy and would recomend it to any one. :thumbsup:

bugly64

· #3 · May 28, 2012

I do 13 miles each way for my commute and the Dummy is up to it. The Dummy has different sizes where the Yuba doesn't. I had an expensively put together Kona mtb with all XT parts as my donor bike for my Dummy build. I also paid $600 for my frame on sale and my xtracycle stuff was on sale as well.

Lone Desert Walker

· #4 · May 28, 2012

Yuba is the Pimp of cargo bikes

The Yuba rolls up on other cargo bikes and collects the money they made that day working on the corner, just a fact not even my two cents. For those who don't know, now you know.

:winker::cornut::band::headphones::drumroll::yesnod:

rft::lol:

longhaultrucker

· #5 · May 28, 2012

Lone Desert Walker said:
The Yuba rolls up on other cargo bikes and collects the money they made that day working on the corner, just a fact not even my two cents. For those who don't know, now you know.:winker::cornut::band::headphones::drumroll::yesnod:rft::lol:

(not that I completely disagree,but......)

bugly64

· #6 · May 28, 2012

Lone Desert Walker said:
The Yuba rolls up on other cargo bikes and collects the money they made that day working on the corner, just a fact not even my two cents. :

Yuba hauls more and there ends all pro's in comparison to the Dummy. It's like Coke to second place Pepsi.

wiggy

· #7 · May 29, 2012

I am biased and have never used the YUBA (only done parking lot 'test' rides on it) and as such i would suggest the BigDummy for the following reasons:
a) comfortable on long distances (i use mine for the daily commute into work round trip 36-42 miles depending on route)
b) LOTS of accessories are available from xtracycle.com for the big dummy like magic carpet, tandem kids tow bike, wide loaders, soon to appear the side cart for big loads, they even have a blender you can put on the bike.
c) Handles heavy loads well
d) The big dummy has also been field tested (i can't find the blog write up) but in a nut shell two guys set off from North America and road for four years on the dummy to the very end of the world <if someone has the link will you share it>

downside of the dummy
a) xtracycle parts are expensive
b) steel frame requires a little more maintance (i..e frame saver sprayed into each season)
c) lower max capacity of 400#'s (that is cargo and rider)

Personally i dig the dummy, thru some fenders on it, some maxxis hookworm 26x2.5, a front rack, a dynamo hub with schmidt edelux front light and a b&m rear tail. Overall its given me 4500miles of exceptional service in the first year.

good luck! i suggest the surly, but either will do nicely for you.
-joe

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gmats

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 29, 2012

Aloha, thanks so much for all the replies.

It's looking more and more like the Dummy's the choice. I guess the final thoughts are how much does each frame weigh? Is the extra $400 to $500 worth it in the end?

Thanks again everyone.

Plum

· #9 · May 29, 2012

gmats said:
Aloha, thanks so much for all the replies.

It's looking more and more like the Dummy's the choice. I guess the final thoughts are how much does each frame weigh? Is the extra $400 to $500 worth it in the end?

Thanks again everyone.

I don't know the weights, but it's probably not a direct comparison anyway. The Yuba is pretty much all inclusive in that everything is attached or one piece. The Yuba wide loaders are always on, either up or down. You can leave the xtracycle ones at home if not needed.

Also, if you plan on pulling a trailer (chariot or similar axle mounted trailer), I don't know if te Yuba is compatible with it's permanently mounted wideloaders. The dummy plays nice if you leave the non-drive wideloader at home.

With the ability to pick the frame size, the ability to add accessories as needed and the versatility of the dummy, I think it's worth the premium over the Yuba.

I've never run up against the weight limit on my dummy, at least I've never left anything at home because of weight. I run out of room before that. I've carried two small bikes, two kids and my wife. Including me, that's more than 400lbs. No problems.

Plum

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longhaultrucker

· #10 · May 29, 2012

Good point,but...

bugly64 said:
Yuba hauls more and there ends all pro's in comparison to the Dummy. It's like Coke to second place Pepsi.

ONLY if "hauling more weight" is your highest or only criteria :idea: And while I agree with the Coke vs Pepsi,(Pepsi being the parent of...) Mtn Dew ALWAYS kicks the crap out of the weak knee'd Mellow Yellow

gmats

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 2, 2012

OK, once again, thanks so much for all of your replies and information. I've started shopping around for a Surly Frame. Unfortunately, the two people I've checked with have come back with "Shipping will be $375 for ground shipping" and "We don't ship bare frame, Surly will not allow us to do that, you can check with Surly about this".

So I'm starting to get frustrated at what it is going to take to acquire a frame out here.

So, once again, I apologize for rambling. Where would you guys suggest I purchase a 16" BD frame from?

Have a great weekend all.

g

bugly64

· #12 · Jun 2, 2012

Did you try and see if your LBS can order a frame?

gumby_kevbo

· #13 · Jun 2, 2012

Tree fort bikes will ship you just the frame:
Closeouts at Tree Fort Bikes

gmats

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 2, 2012

bugly64 said:
Did you try and see if your LBS can order a frame?

There aren't any local bike shops here on this island that deal with Surly. Therefore, if I have to get it from off this island, I might as while mail order.

Thanks for the suggestion.

longbikeguy

· #15 · Jun 4, 2012

Hi everyone.. new guy here... I've ben reading this thread and am wondering why a dutch style longbike isn't part of the consideration... I ride my bike everyday and prefer it over the rider up front style bikes... its good for the dog and kids and the groceries.. the basket lets me pack things that would be hard to strap onto a longback bike.. and I like being behind the load and having my weight on the rear instead of up front.. I'm just wondering why more folks dont consider dutch longbikes?

Bike wRider

· #16 · Jun 5, 2012

gmats said:
There aren't any local bike shops here on this island that deal with Surly. Therefore, if I have to get it from off this island, I might as while mail order.

If they deal with QBP (Quality Bicycle Products) they deal with Surly and should be able to get you a Dummy frame.

QBP is one of the few major distributors of bikes and bike accessories. Even shops that are under the thumb of Trek or the big S often have QBP accounts and can order anything from QBPs wonderfully large catalog.

That being said we've gotten creative getting Dummys up here to AK a few times, easiest might be find a friend headed to the mainland fly it back for you. A friend just got back up here with a Ti frame he took to Colorado for me to have a little repair work done. Extra bag charges beat the heck out of shipping costs.

Good luck

Bike wRider

Design Logic Bikes

· #17 · Jun 5, 2012

look at design logic bikes, the only american made product
Design Logic motorbicycles LLC Home

bikeolounger

· #18 · Jun 7, 2012

What tipped me to the Big Dummy was a combination of factors:

1) While the Yuba is said to ride better heavily loaded (and I WILL load my bike heavily), availability of just the frame set was a big factor. According to Joe-bike.com, Yuba is not currently shipping frame sets (this may be specific to them, and may have changed since their last web site update). I was in something of a hurry to make the deal happen, as the shop where I was working was closing soon. I didn't have a lot of time to gather appropriate parts at shop-guy pricing.

2) the stock build on a Yuba involves a seven-speed freewheel rear wheel. Really? Use outdated hubs on a cargo bike? Move the drive-side bearing that far from the frame?
Also: stock build on the Yuba was rim brakes, compared to BB7/180mm discs on the Dummy.

3) everything I hear and read about the Trek calls it a poor third (or fourth, or fifth?) to the Dummy and Mundo.

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