Mundo Utility Bicycle -- Related Posts

Mundo waiting faithfully at the parking.
Originally uploaded by Rock The Bike

All I got to say is it's been a long time since I've had a bright red bicycle and it rocks! This Mundo is a cheerful little guy. Kind of a cross between a monarch butterfly, a gazelle, and a hippo.

The single speed is great. On Wednesday I carried 100 pounds 1.4 miles up a gradual hill to town, and the ratio felt good to me. Not too hard, not too easy.

Then I rode to town today with about 60 pounds. Same solid feeling. Gear felt right. Then after dropping off the goods at FEDEX I was riding it down the hill unloaded, and it feels basically just as stiff and solid as when it was loaded down. The frame doesn't budge. It's kind of like riding a tree trunk. But as much as this bike doesn't feel zippy, due to its weight, it's reassuringly strong. Today I sprinted for a yellow light with the 60-pound load, and it felt really good. It had pickup. And the drivetrain is so positive that I know I can put 100% into each pedal stroke.

It's our new townie. And we invite you to take a test ride. We'll be at the Maker's Faire this weekend running the Pedal Powered stage. Come take a ride, and pedal power a few songs while you're at it!

A couple straps was all it took.

In January 2008 Rock The Bike stepped up to distribute the Mundo Utility Bicycle in the US. Aside from wanting to offer our customers a sturdy, affordable, and highly customizable way to carry their stuff on a bicycle, I also had a personal reason to carry the Mundo.

Our commute home.
Originally uploaded by Rock The Bike

When your new assembly and shipping employee has a hernia, and he's carrying a heavy messenger style backpack with the used mountain bike frame you gave him strapped on it, and he's on the cell phone with his father as you ride home to West Oakland BART together, telling his dad he has back pain that shoots down his left leg, and you know he doesn't have health insurance and is fighting the system to schedule his surgery, you don't just keep riding. You stop, take his pack, and strap it to your Xtracycle, even though you're already carrying your own stuffed messenger bag, 8 DLG's, and a box of Schwalbe tires that the Ginger Ninjas need for their tour. Because you can.