The Madsen Cargo Bike looks outstanding for carrying children and gear.
Two versions of this bike exist – one with a rack
and one with a bucket
The bucket version comes with a bench and seatbelts – ready for your”precious cargo.”
The prices right now are about $1100 to $1300 (rack or box) and they offer to ship it completely assembled and tuned!
I like the rack lower to the ground for stability and safety. I wonder if there’s a version where you can switch between the rack and bucket?
I placed an order today. Jared over at Madsen cycles was super helpful and mentioned that there are a couple frames left with “minor paint scratches” that he’s willing to offer at a big discount. Like a couple hundred bucks off big. I’ll probably get the bike before I have a chance to post again, so I’ll put up a full review when I can. Yay!
UPDATE 08/09/09
Well, I love this bike. It was shipped fully assembled and tuned, ready to roll. I adjusted the seat (and moved the thumb shifter and bell into easier reach later) and away I went. Actually, I just rolled around the parking lot once before 4 kids climbed in! Two were mine and two were big enough to ride their own bikes and we rolled right up the hill there and back again. No sweat. Couple round trips to the farm stand or into town with laundry and there ya go! A bike that is built to carry kids and their stuff, and does so with ease and (dare I say) elegance.
I wish I could find the external drive I backed my vacation pictures on – since I had the bike shipped to me on vacation. I’ve got some beautiful shots and a couple videos to post. But that will come later I suppose.
Overall impressions: If you are looking to haul a couple kids and their stuff on a bike, this is THE bike for you. Right price, great look, capable and comfortable. And it ships assembled! Did I mention that?
Compared to the Mundo Version 1: the Madsen is ready “out of the box” to haul kids. The Mundo is a versatile platform you can adept to your needs, but comes out of the box in pieces and needs a project mindset to utilize its full potential. The Mundo has a rock-solid ride and regular ground clearance. The Madsen has a 20″ rear wheel and 8 speed freewheel so the ground clearance is, literally, the thickness of the tire. There is no way a Madsen bike will hop a curb, or even roll over one without grounding. Use the ramps.
I’ll rewrite this whole post soon with more pics and specs after I get some more time on it with cargo. And a light. I still need a light…
Great post! Glad to hear the MADSEN is working out. check out this video to see one way to handle a curb on a MADSEN bucket bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orh4hlXV5FE
Jared Madsen
Thanks, Jared. I saw that video last night! Amazing! If I rip my kickstand off trying that, will you send me a new one? I’d have to leave the kids behind, of course. Is the lid in the video your prototype – the one waiting for better hinges? I’m thinking a lid might be a good idea after all. At least to keep the wind resistance down.
pb