Big Dummy 2011: my build :)
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Wow that's a shocker. I still enjoyed reading about your BD build. You apparently weren't big or dumb enough
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#153
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Funny how things turn out. When I built the Goat in '08 I thought I'd found the perfect bike. And believe me, it was hard to let go of that bike a few months ago. But it helped me get back on my feet, literally, and it became part of a process of a few bicycles (Goat > Trucker > Pugsley) which, ultimately, helped me know what I wanted as The One. My heart is deep in the woods. Has been since birth. And so the process of bikes helped me understand that I needed something built for offroad, with a second wheelset that still let me play on the road or race when I wanted to.
Anyway, point is, sometimes we need to work through this stuff to know what we really want/need, so no harm done in selling your BD, Adam. Someone else will enjoy it.
Anyway, point is, sometimes we need to work through this stuff to know what we really want/need, so no harm done in selling your BD, Adam. Someone else will enjoy it.
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#154
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Funny how things turn out. When I built the Goat in '08 I thought I'd found the perfect bike. And believe me, it was hard to let go of that bike a few months ago. But it helped me get back on my feet, literally, and it became part of a process of a few bicycles (Goat > Trucker > Pugsley) which, ultimately, helped me know what I wanted as The One. My heart is deep in the woods. Has been since birth. And so the process of bikes helped me understand that I needed something built for offroad, with a second wheelset that still let me play on the road or race when I wanted to.
Anyway, point is, sometimes we need to work through this stuff to know what we really want/need, so no harm done in selling your BD, Adam. Someone else will enjoy it.
Anyway, point is, sometimes we need to work through this stuff to know what we really want/need, so no harm done in selling your BD, Adam. Someone else will enjoy it.
But I can't have "The One". When it comes to bikes I don't think I can have one bike that will do it all.
I think the idea is beginning to surface that I want three relatively simple bikes:
1) a commuter/hauler, I already have one and it works well alone or with the trailer
2) a weekend/touring bike, probably a rigid MTB with narrow tires and touring bar that would fit on trains or be easily packed for flying/shipping
3) a front suspension MTB, I still would like to go hit some trails, I miss not having a pure MTB
I was thinking about having one bike with a couple of wheelsets (road and off-road) that would satisfy #2 and #3. However, for touring a suspension fork is less than optimal and all the racks would be just an extra weight and bulk for a mountain bike.
I was overhauling my commuter bike this week (new cables, adjusted brakes and gears, etc) and I realized that I really like that Nashbar frame. I think the key here is here to realize that just because it's a $99 aluminum frame it doesn't mean it's a bad frame. There is a lot of attention to detail there and it can be build up with a susp fork as a mountain bike or a rigid fork, thin tires and racks to be a commuter, tourer or whatever bike. So it occured to me that, considering the price, this frame is likely the way to go.
I think I fell into that mindset for a while that I need a fancy steel frame to be happy. Maybe not? With the Nashbar frame and Deore level parts I can build up a nice bike for under $1k. Does it really need to be fancy to be fun? I remember the most fun I had on a bike was when I had a $200 dept store MTB and I was oblivious to all the "requirements" for a decent bike and I was riding every weekend having a blast. I think I got to the point that I was spending too much time and mental energy (and money too) on over-thinking rather than riding.
As I said before, I will stop trying to reinvent the wheel. I will built two simple, purposeful bikes and just start riding them.
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Rock on, man. I wish I could take it off your hands, but the truth is, I couldn't ditch the car either, and I wound up building a touring/commuter bike instead of a cargo. It kinda sucks, but on the other hand, it's a killer bike, I'm sure somebody will enjoy it and need it.
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Rock on, man. I wish I could take it off your hands, but the truth is, I couldn't ditch the car either, and I wound up building a touring/commuter bike instead of a cargo. It kinda sucks, but on the other hand, it's a killer bike, I'm sure somebody will enjoy it and need it.
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Speaking of which, I am working towards moving out of NYC no later that the end of the next year so I can be closer to the woods too! The urban jungle is killing me. I wasted a large chunk of my life trying to adjust to the life in the big city, it was a mistake.
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Well I was surprised to read that when it came across, but all the points you indicate are valid and stuff I never would have considered. Thanks for posting the build as well as your trial and error with it.
It's funny you mention the simplicity of riding a cheaper bike... my friend and I were out riding the trail yesterday talking about the riding we did as kids. Hard plastic seats, single speed, coaster brakes, etc. and we didn't care and just rode the crap out of them. Now? Gears, special seats, special gear for riding, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. The bike starts to get so expensive that you don't want to ride it for fear of scratching it up, or locking it outside of the store without worrynig about it getting stolen, etc. At least that's where I'm at with my biking experience.
V
It's funny you mention the simplicity of riding a cheaper bike... my friend and I were out riding the trail yesterday talking about the riding we did as kids. Hard plastic seats, single speed, coaster brakes, etc. and we didn't care and just rode the crap out of them. Now? Gears, special seats, special gear for riding, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. The bike starts to get so expensive that you don't want to ride it for fear of scratching it up, or locking it outside of the store without worrynig about it getting stolen, etc. At least that's where I'm at with my biking experience.
V
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Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you Adam.You did a great build. Too bad you couldn't find a way to hang onto it if you're planning to move out of the city. It may fit into your life better in your next locale.
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The folding CF BD with self-retracting wide loaders will be out in 2012...complete with the most awesome titanium kickstand which doubles as a bottle opener, U-lock, and ninja star. Interested?
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I couldn't live with my BD if the wideloaders were on 24/7 either - it's too wide to be useful unless you are hauling stuff constantly. With the wideloaders stuffed in the freeloader bags I can deploy then quickly as needed, but that means the kickback centrestand is a no go. Funny thing is I got my BD when I lived in a small downtown apartment and was surprised how easy it was to get in and out of the building. Way easier than my touring bike + Bob trailer.
I've bought bikes in the past that I thought were going to be great and they didn't last. Some things you have to try to see what happens. Good luck on your future projects.
I've bought bikes in the past that I thought were going to be great and they didn't last. Some things you have to try to see what happens. Good luck on your future projects.
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I couldn't live with my BD if the wideloaders were on 24/7 either - it's too wide to be useful unless you are hauling stuff constantly. With the wideloaders stuffed in the freeloader bags I can deploy then quickly as needed, but that means the kickback centrestand is a no go. Funny thing is I got my BD when I lived in a small downtown apartment and was surprised how easy it was to get in and out of the building. Way easier than my touring bike + Bob trailer.
I've bought bikes in the past that I thought were going to be great and they didn't last. Some things you have to try to see what happens. Good luck on your future projects.
I've bought bikes in the past that I thought were going to be great and they didn't last. Some things you have to try to see what happens. Good luck on your future projects.
The problem is that when I roll the BD in head first into the apartment I can't easily turn it around (that's where the carnage starts: hitting furniture, walls, door frames). A straight narrow hallway leads to my doorway so backing out is difficult. Backing in with loaded bags is even harder.
With the trailer, I can roll into the hallway, detach the trailer, roll the bike into the apartment, turn it around, park it aside and then pull the trailer in, unload it and store it in a different room. To get out I would do the reverse: roll the bike into the hallway, attach the trailer and roll both straight out. In my particular case BD is really hard to maneuver.
On a nice day I could unload it and carry the cargo in but that doesn't solve the problem entirely plus, we've had lots of cold, rainy days that I'd just rather get inside quickly.
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Adam, is there nothing you can do to save the beast or is your significant other dead set against it?
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Can you leave it at your girlfriend's place and tell your wife you sold it?
Haha
I never drank the koolaid. Giving your wife (and/or girlfriend) a ride on it is the only thing you can do with a long bike that you can't do with with a trailer. If's she's not into it, what's the point?
I totally agree about the advantages of trailer vs. long bike. Concerning handling, I can easily do no-handed track stands with three hundred pounds on my trailer. I can carry much bigger loads than a Dummy bike. Bike and trailer fit in the space under the stairs. Etc.
Don't quit getting groceries with your trailer. Driving is totally bogus dude and you know it. Haha.
Haha
I never drank the koolaid. Giving your wife (and/or girlfriend) a ride on it is the only thing you can do with a long bike that you can't do with with a trailer. If's she's not into it, what's the point?
I totally agree about the advantages of trailer vs. long bike. Concerning handling, I can easily do no-handed track stands with three hundred pounds on my trailer. I can carry much bigger loads than a Dummy bike. Bike and trailer fit in the space under the stairs. Etc.
Don't quit getting groceries with your trailer. Driving is totally bogus dude and you know it. Haha.
#165
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Can you leave it at your girlfriend's place and tell your wife you sold it?
Haha
I never drank the koolaid. Giving your wife (and/or girlfriend) a ride on it is the only thing you can do with a long bike that you can't do with with a trailer. If's she's not into it, what's the point?
I totally agree about the advantages of trailer vs. long bike. Concerning handling, I can easily do no-handed track stands with three hundred pounds on my trailer. I can carry much bigger loads than a Dummy bike. Bike and trailer fit in the space under the stairs. Etc.
Don't quit getting groceries with your trailer. Driving is totally bogus dude and you know it. Haha.
Haha
I never drank the koolaid. Giving your wife (and/or girlfriend) a ride on it is the only thing you can do with a long bike that you can't do with with a trailer. If's she's not into it, what's the point?
I totally agree about the advantages of trailer vs. long bike. Concerning handling, I can easily do no-handed track stands with three hundred pounds on my trailer. I can carry much bigger loads than a Dummy bike. Bike and trailer fit in the space under the stairs. Etc.
Don't quit getting groceries with your trailer. Driving is totally bogus dude and you know it. Haha.
Oh, yeah, and that too: with a loaded BD I have to come to a dead stop with feet down; and with a trailer I can stand often briefly enough to wait for a light or whatever it is that is stopping me. Also, the trailer is much easier and quicker to load and unload (it's a large plastic bin/tote with a lid).
#166
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Bummer, I enjoyed reading about the build, even fantasized about getting a cargo bike, but in the end I know I wont carry more than what I do right now in my baskets on the commuter. I even had stem cap envy and ordered my own stem captain. I hope you find the bike(s) that work for you.
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Bummer, I enjoyed reading about the build, even fantasized about getting a cargo bike, but in the end I know I wont carry more than what I do right now in my baskets on the commuter. I even had stem cap envy and ordered my own stem captain. I hope you find the bike(s) that work for you.
If I had the space I'd have kept it and perhaps eventually put it to good use. But right now space is at premium and I need a light touring/weekend bike so yeah, the BD has to go.
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Trick to no handed track stands with trailer. Left foot on hitch to put some weight on the wider base of support a two wheel trailer provides. Don't put too much weight on the tow bar though. You can flip the trailer onto it's side! You don't have to ask me how I know.
Welcome back from the dark side.
(Just kidding, I know many find long bikes to be very useful.)
If you had small kids or a woman who doesn't prefer to ride her own bike, it would make more sense.
Congrats on giving it a try though. I haven't followed your thread closely because I'm not interested in this type of bike. I have checked in occasionally and thought your bike was coming along nicely. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
Welcome back from the dark side.
(Just kidding, I know many find long bikes to be very useful.)
If you had small kids or a woman who doesn't prefer to ride her own bike, it would make more sense.
Congrats on giving it a try though. I haven't followed your thread closely because I'm not interested in this type of bike. I have checked in occasionally and thought your bike was coming along nicely. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
#169
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My longtail cargo bike has made car-free living in the city so much easier for me and my family, but I couldn`t imagine having one if I still lived in Queens (or anywhere in NYC). Looking back, there just wasn`t anyplace I could possibly store the thing. Bringing it inside might have been OK, in some places - if I was single, but no matter how useful my wife thinks the Mundo is, there is no way she`d ever let me keep it in our apartment. Here, most apartments have bicycle parking areas for residents so I keep the bike locked outside under a shelter(I cover it with a big motorcycle rain cover).
It would be interesting to know more about the demographics of longtail cargo bike owners. I`d imagine most longtail owners living in the city are single, and most longtail owners are people with families living in the suburbs.
It would be interesting to know more about the demographics of longtail cargo bike owners. I`d imagine most longtail owners living in the city are single, and most longtail owners are people with families living in the suburbs.
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(Wife + 2 kids + Longtail big dummy living in the burbs)
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It does seem that a longtail would be much easier for someone who had a garage or storage building. I have three bikes inside my apartment, but a Big Dummy would be difficult to deal with. That being said, when I buy my house, a Big Dummy is on the list.
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Adam - sorry to see the Big Dummy go. You did a great job on that build and I really enjoyed following the thread.
#173
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I really enjoyed your build; it reminded me of my experience last year. I thought a mtb was the end of bike for me in 08.
My Big Dummy resides in the garage beside my '75 240d Mercedes. I would have liked commuting but it's more than dangerous here and it takes me 1.25 hours one way. In Montana I endured -30F, snow, and really bad winds, but it was only 3 miles each way. I use the Dummy for family rides, recycling, and small grocery/Walmart hauls. Besides, we have a little one and I can't wait to get a peepod.
My Big Dummy resides in the garage beside my '75 240d Mercedes. I would have liked commuting but it's more than dangerous here and it takes me 1.25 hours one way. In Montana I endured -30F, snow, and really bad winds, but it was only 3 miles each way. I use the Dummy for family rides, recycling, and small grocery/Walmart hauls. Besides, we have a little one and I can't wait to get a peepod.
Last edited by bugly64; 05-14-11 at 10:44 AM. Reason: left out somethin
#174
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OK, so it's done: I disassembled it and sold the frame and the xtracycle parts a couple of days ago.
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Big Dummy
Well at least I know what mine will look like in a way.My hat off to you.You really did do a great job on the BD.I am getting the BD frame soon here to in a 18".But I want cantilever breaks on my setup.I want to just ride it and have fun with it.Its a bicycle that you can do so much with.Even tho I have a great Surly LHT setup that I love and the money I have in that ride lol.The BD will be the same way I will lots of money in it too.