FAQ: How do I add a top-deck to my Mundo?

So you’re interested in adding a top-deck to your Yuba Mundo? You’re not alone! The Mundo’s top-carrier offers an impressive amount of real estate and addign a nice deck over the tubing enables passengers to ride in comfort and keeps loose cargo well managed -especially if you use nets to secure your cargo. If you’re relatively handy and have access to a small collection of power tools, it’s quite easy to build a super-solid, basic, affordable cargo/passenger top-deck for your Mundo.

Top-deck with net and stoker set-up

We recommend using a single 1/2 inch thick piece of beautiful kiln-dried fir. Kiln-dried wood is lighter than air-dried wood (due to minimal moisture content) and therefore better resists shrinking, warping and flexing. Kiln-dried wood also ensures that the timber isn’t dipped in pesticides and fungicides, like its air-dried counterparts. When selecting your wood, make sure to look for a plank that has very straight grain from one end of the board to the other. This will ensure uniform expansion and contraction throughout the life of the deck. The dimensions of the deck that we use is 7.25 inches wide by 29 inches long. We love the width of the top-deck as it enables us to keep the deck in place while utilizing the top-carrier’s tubing for bungees, straps, tie-downs, etc. After cutting the deck to size, we recommend hand or machine-sanding the edges, then finishing all surfaces with marine-grade rosewood oil (or similar, low-VOC, high-UV protecting and waterproof coating).

Unfinished fir top-deck

To attach the deck to the Mundo’s top-carrier, we use 1/2 inch, double-hole plastic conduit clamps, held to the deck using flat-head, 10-24 x 1.5 inch machine bolts, recessed nicely into the top of the board. SImply mark the holes where you want to mount the clamps and drill through the board. The machine bolts then slide down through the board and into the mounting holes in the plastic conduit clamps, which then wrap around the top-carrier’s tubing. The plastic conduit clamps are designed to handle relatively harsh temperature variances, so they should weather well.

After you finish the deck, simply add rubber padding above the top-carrier tubes where the top-deck rests.

FAQ: Where do I get touch-up paint?

Every bike suffers nicks and scratches… especially when you really put your bike to work. Cargo bike frames are designed to take a beating, whether carrying heavy or awkward loads, or simply handling Portland’s weather. Regardless, they still need a little cosmetic love after the work is done. Momma’s gotta look good when she punches out at the end of the day!

Fortunately, owners of blue 6-speed Yuba Mundo utility bikes have ready access to delicious blue touch-up paint. For every customer that purchases a Mundo from Stumptown Mundo, we offer a complimentary jar of perfectly color-matched, hard-coat touch-up paint. This should help you service small nicks and scrapes with ease.

As the paint is enamel, you should first thoroughly clean and sand the surface very lightly before application. The paint coats and spreads very nicely. If you need more or didn’t purchase a Mundo from us, you can pick up this paint at most any sign/auto-detailing supply house. The paint is 1-Shot Lettering Enamel, which comes in the exact same color (Reflex Blue -paint code 155L) that Yuba spec’d for the Mundo. You can find your local 1-Shot Lettering Enamel dealer at the manufacturer’s Web site.

FAQ: Mundo, Bakfiets/boxbike, Joe Bike, Xtracycle, Big Dummy, Ute or trailer?

This is a fantastic question and a darned tough one! Before you buy a utility/cargo bicycle, we recommend that you be very realistic about how you intend to use your new ride, whichever you choose. This will definitely help guide your purchase. The Mundo, Bakfiets/Boxbike, Joe Bike, Xtracycle, Big Dummy, Kona Ute and utility trailers all offer compelling arguments for their specific use-case. These are all excellent options that will change the way you carry stuff on a bike. This being said, here are a few insights and comparisons to help in your search:

The Yuba Mundo ($1099-1199) is a scalable and extensible, super-duty cargo bike for around $1K –it’s a lot of bike for the money. In 2009, it’s actually 12 lbs. lighter but just as strong, thanks to superior materials and the use of ovalized tubing. Its main advantage over XtraCycle is that it’s a single, stiff, superstrong frame, which means it can carry far more, with far greater stability, than the XtraCycle can (the XtraCycle Free Radical kit is an extension that replaces the back of an existing bike, usually a mountain bike; it inherently forms a two-piece frame that is inherently weaker than a single, stiff steel frame). The Mundo’s cargo platforms are larger and stronger than any comparable offering, enabling it to carry more than any vehicle in this category. In fact, the Mundo will gracefully haul more than you’re likely going to want to carry! On the other hand, the Mundo may be more than some people need. If you don’t plan on carrying more than, say, 40 lbs. of kids or cargo with any frequency, you may find the XtraCycle to be good enough.

In a comparison with the Kona Ute, we find that the Ute has an aluminum frame while the Mundo’s is steel; that the Ute lacks siderails, which on the Mundo allow a great deal of weight to be carried with great stability and load versatility; and that the Ute is a light-duty utility bike in the same category as the XtraCycle, but is simply not a cargo bike. Meanwhile, Surly’s Big Dummy is a formidable machine with a formidable price tag: it costs two to three times as much as the Mundo, while offering essentially the same level of capability. 

Boxbike/Bakfiets) (e.g., Joe Bike’s short-wheelbase boxbike, $1,299; or $3,000+ elsewhere for longer, harder-to-ride models) are great for carrying awkward loads and children, as the box is low and easily accommodates shifting loads. Perhaps the most important difference between the boxbike and all other utility bikes is that children ride in front of you, not behind you. Almost all parents we talk to at Joe Bike want their kids in front of them. This arrangement also allows the children to actually see where they’re going, which tends to make for a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Boxbikes/bakfietsen also come fully equipped with convenient features that make it easy to hop on and ride, including an integrated lock, front and rear lights, tie-downs, shoulder straps for the kids, four-point kickstands, and so on. Long box vs. short? The long-box model weighs 100 lbs., which is 30-40 lbs. more than Joe Bike’s short-box model, yet the short-box model can carry most of what the longer version can. The shorter model is also quicker and nimbler, easier to turn, easier to store, and overall easier to live with. Like the longer version, it holds two children on its bench seat and includes a pair of shoulder straps, a rainguard for the passengers, and a long list of other features.  Finally, another consideration is the carbon footprint required to manufacture and ship a bike to its final destination. Whereas the longer-box bakfiets is designed and assembled in the Netherlands, the frame is manufactured elsewhere on the planet. So the frame, along with most of its components, may originate in Asia and are then shipped to Europe for assembly, after which they cross the Atlantic and North America to reach Portland. Meanwhile Joe Bike’s boxbike originates in Asia along with most of its components and is transported once across the Pacific, directly to Portland.

The Joe Bike ($2200-3000) is Joe Bike’s unique, modular, multipurpose utility bike based on the boxbike frame. It offers more versatility and configurability than any other cargo bike, yet with its short wheelbase and relatively light weight, it’s remarkably easy and fun to ride, with essentially no learning curve. The Joe Bike currently includes four configurations, all of which are designed and handbuilt in Portland. These include the first double-decker cargo-carrying system, the original wooden box, and a sort of reverse-XtraCycle attachment that allows two children to sit upright in front of the rider, along with several grocery bags. The Joe Bike costs significantly more than the boxbike primarily because of substantial frame modifications, component upgrades (disc brakes and lighter wheels, for instance), two-tone color schemes, and simply the cost of steel.

Xtracycle conversions ($500 + the cost of a complete bike) are excellent for light users because they have accessories galore and the cost is easily digested. What’s more, you can retain a lot of what you love about a comfortable old steed by using your favorite existing bicycle for the conversion. The Xtracycle extension is made from TIG-welded cromoly tubing with aluminum cargo carriers, which combine to ensure a lightweight ride, albeit with more flex than a fully integrated frame. Over time, flex can damage and weaken the bike frame, especially if the frame is aluminum. The overall capacity isn’t as high as the Mundo or Bakfiets, but Xtracycles can still handle awkward loads with ease up to about 50 lbs. or more, depending on how and where the weight is placed. Lastly, Xtracycle defined the longtail market in the US, so people have been modifying and accessorizing Xtracycles for years. This has produced a massive user/support group. Expect fully-built Xtracycle conversions (using a new bike) to cost $900+. Joe Bike also refurbishes old steel mountain bikes and turns them into XtraCycles for a more affordable pricetag.

Surly’s Big Dummy ($2100-2900 fully built) has further validated the Xtracycle geometry by delivering a solid cargo frameset built on Xtracycle specs to ensure simple cross-pollination of accessories. While the Xtracycle delivers flex, the Big Dummy is an integrated frame, providing excellent stiffness and strength. For cargo carrying, the Big Dummy relies on Xtracycle’s snap-on aluminum top and side loaders. The pricetag, however, keeps this bike out of reach of most.

Kona’s Ute ($900-1100) is a nice entry into the light-duty end of the market, at a reasonable price. The big benefit of the Ute is its relatively low weight, which makes it suitable for a light-utility, commuter focus, though steel (Mundo, boxbike, etc.) offers a more supple, more comfortable ride. The bike features a fully integrated, extended tail (not quite as long as the Xtracycle’s or the Mundo’s) built on an aluminum frame. While offering less load capacity than the Mundo or bakfiets-type bikes, the Ute offers more cargo options than a regular bicycle with a rack. Kona put a lot of thought into engineering a bike that could handle an extra set of bags without being too heavy duty –and without the added weight of a heavy-duty bike. It’s a unique niche that will serve certain riders very well, while others, such as those who want to carry both a child and groceries, will clearly notice less stability than on the Mundo or boxbike. Complemented by many commuter-friendly features (including fenders, disc brakes and a lot of gears), the Ute is a fine solution for folks who just need to be able to pack more than a regular bike on their commute. Kona makes great bikes and the Ute is no exception.

Trailers (est. $300 - $800) perform an amazing array of functions and come in more varieties than we choose to even mention. We love trailers and believe they definitely have a place in the utility cycling market. Trailers are competitively priced and often extremely well-made. We’ve used a two-seat Chariot Cougar for more than a year, packing children and groceries alike. The Chariot can handle up to 100 pounds and tracks beautifully. What’s more, it converts to a stroller with ease. We probably put as many miles on our Chariot configured as a stroller as we have as a trailer. This being said, with trailers your children are behind you, out of sight and out of reach. It’s not the same experience as having your children right in front of you. And it’s always more of a hassle to setup and tow a trailer than it is to just throw things into/onto your vehicle. Trailers take time to attach/configure and have to be locked-up separately from the bicycle. Additionally, they just don’t carry as much as a cargo bike; nor do they handle as wide a variety of loads. If you’re on a budget, the Chariot is fantastic. Just make sure you understand and appreciate its limits.

FAQ: Can I buy the Mundo frame only?

Not at this time. The bike is fully outfitted for folks who want a complete transportation solution. This being said, the components have been carefully selected to meet a wide variety of needs without driving the cost of the bike into the stratosphere. Subsequently, the Mundo is still very accessible to those of us on tighter budgets, thereby enabling Mundo owners to upgrade/swap components to best meet their personal tastes and style. Looking for a front disc brake? No problem; swap out the fork for one of your choice (maybe add front suspension) and add a mechanical or hydraulic disc.

FAQ: How do you carry small items on the Mundo?

The Mundo’s rear cargo carrier is a chassis that’s ready to be customized for your carrying needs. To carry small things like laptops, donuts, books, fruit, sundries, etc., strap a backpack or messenger bag to the Mundo using cam straps or bungees. If you prefer panniers, check out our other FAQ, which covers mounting options for cycling bags.

Coleman makes a wicked trunk!

Most high quality messenger bags are inherently waterproof, constructed of a vinyl-lined nylon fabric. Subsequently, waterproofing your gear on your Mundo could be as simple as using the bags you already own. Other options include cargo nets (I use these often), semi-permanent or soft-mount carrying cases, as well as storage tubs (e.g., Rubbermaid).

Our favorite cargo box for grocery store runs in the rainy Pacific Northwest is the Coleman 48 quart chest cooler. The Coleman cooler is lightweight, simple to attach, rugged, inexpensive (apx. $25), waterproof, and a dashing shade of blue.

FAQ: How do I carry children on the Mundo?

Great question! The answer that’s most applicable to you depends greatly on the age of your children. If you’re transporting children between the age of 9 months and about 5 years, and you’re looking for a pre-manufactured bicycling child seat, we recommend the Bobike Maxi. If you’re transporting children between the ages of 5 and 10, you may consider the Bobike Junior. A Bobike seat will attach securely to the seat tube of the Mundo using their special ATB bracket. The Bobike, available along with Topeak child seats at Joe Bike, is one of the safest, lightest and most user-friendly child seats available, albeit a bit pricey.

This being said, many people may choose to carry older children on a seat/cargo platform mounted securely to the Mundo’s top cargo rails. If this is your transportation mode of choice, we recommend attaching a set of stoker handlebars to the Mundo’s seat post for added stability for your passenger. For this configuration, we recommend using an adjustable stoker stem from our friends at Co-Motion, in Eugene, Oregon. This way you know you’ll have the correct size to fit your seat post. A typical threadless stem for a standard steering tube will either be too big or too small for the Mundo’s seat tube. The Co-Motion stem fits perfectly and doesn’t require any shimming.

Mundo with Co-Motion stem and Profile bars

Please note that if you use the Co-Motion stem, you’ll need to pay special attention to your handlebar selection. I know, those fancy Nitto touring bars would look pretty nice! This being said, most touring and cruiser bars are 24.5mm in diameter. The Co-Motion stem has a 31.8mm handlebar clamp. If you went with a typical touring/cruiser bar, you’d most likely have to shim the heck out of it. Not only would this be very challenging, it’s also not the safest solution. Because of this, we recommend purchasing a set of lightweight base road bars from the folks at Profile Design. They make a bar called the Airwing OS (apx. $30-$50), which fits the Co-Motion stem’s handlebar clamp perfectly. This is the exact setup we use here at Stumptown Mundo. We love that these bars give you a ton of flexibility in meeting your passenger’s preferred position –you can even flip the bars over to add another dimension to the configuration. Once you’ve got the position set, simply throw on your favorite set of grips and you’re ready to roll!

On a related note, Stumptown Mundo is working hard to introduce our own child carrying solutions. This includes a secure bracket for attaching an extra Bobike seat to the Mundo cargo platform, in tandem with a seat tube-mounted Bobike seat. That’s right… two child seats securely attached to your Mundo for maximum family friendliness. Additionally, we’re tooling away on building a non-Bobike fixed tandem seat that may bring down the cost of family haulin’ even further. If you’d like to add your own passenger/cargo top-deck, you can do that too!