I am always looking for appropriate bike-frames to build a cargo bicycle out of. Steel-framed strong-built mountain bikes and hybrid bikes qualify the best.

From talking to people at the bike shops, at bicycle related events and to friends, I have a growing sense about what used bikes are easier to sell and what frames are sought after more. I found I had an old bike in my collection that fit the bill well. So I decided to visit a local bike shop to see if we can conduct an exchange.

I loaded up the Mundo, that I have carried a few bikes around on in our brief history. By now I even have the little kit Yuba sells for directly this purpose, to carry a bike on without loosing it or scratching up either bike. Mounting is easier and more stable, but you can attach bikes to the long tail well without the kit as well – see the top picture, where I have attached two full bikes and a wheel-less frame. The fourth bike is standing next to the loaded Mundo. I ghost-rided that one, which is an impressive-looking feat, but not that difficult to do. If the bike rolls okay, just hold the handle bar while you ride your bike, handling that one with your other hand, and go slow first – you can even stop at red lights without having to put a foot down…

I visited Hampshire Bicycle Exchange, a very appropriately named shop, wouldn’t you say, for my activity? They took my bike, and what is more, I found a bike that fit into my description well, and that was cheap, because I caught it before it was fixed. I ran other errands, while I was close to the other stores in that area, and as there is a steep hill on the way home, so I was curious how I would fare with all the load. I did well: the cockpit of the Mundo is built in a way, that I always feel I sit into it – rather than on it – so I can say it provides a good work-environment. Low gears are always enough mostly with a few to spare, and there is a good amount of space between seat and handle bar providing stability of handling. I have the bread-basket, a large basket on the front of the bike, but it is frame mounted, so it doesn’t make the handling awkward. So the some things I put in there in fact made the bike more balanced, as all the weight didn’t fall on the back, making steering feel more appropriate to the size of the bike.