I rode the Madsen today. Solo.
We have a house guest coming this Sunday, so the basement has become a priority on the to-do. Madsen baby retrofit is last right now, with an unpromising "we'll see..." from Don when I followed up about whether we could maybe find time on the weekend.
All that aside, I knew I had to ride this bike soon. Seriously. It's been in the house for around two weeks and no outside time?
Tragedy.
The weather was around the plus 3, minus 4 mark (24-36 for the rest of you). Sort of wet. And by the time I was heading home there were ice flecks getting in my eye. I wore this dress with boots, my trench, scarf, and gloves.
Took it over to redbike to show the guys. They thought it was really novel and Cliff immediately suggested he and Brent get into the back while I pedal. At first I was like, "Uh... really?" and then he said, "Well, that's what it's for." He's right. It's just that I've never had two grown men offer to ride with me on my bike! Too bad a customer came and they had to help him out so perhaps next week when Bryce is in town.
Took Madsen on the Miss Sarah circuit. Bike place.
Bakery.
Groceries.
Cargo included goodies such as birthday presents for my niece, some groceries, and a box of pastries and muffins.
I can eat this way because I bike a lot.
So my initial thoughts? It was surprisingly easy to ride. The turning radius is wide, but not weird like on a tricycle. It's definitely not FAST. Though, and I quote from some dude who was talking to me about my folding bike (another post I'm working on), "All you need to know is that it's faster than walking." His friend was dubious about whether a folding bike had any good purpose, and was very curious about how fast it went.
So it's not as fast as riding alone (I anticipate that I'll get very strong from riding and then I'll be faster), but that is likely because of the weight, the fact that it's new to me, and because I don't have everything in the right position yet.
The saddle isn't as comfortable as my Brooks on my other bikes. Again, this will probably be "whatever" once I tweak a few things. Still, it felt very pointy. I'll see how much Don likes it, since we'll both be riding this bike, and then we can make a call about whether to leave it or change it.
I'm going to change out the plastic pedals. Maybe I'll wait for them to break and crack with the cold first, then I'll replace them.
The brass bell isn't nearly as offensive and shrill outdoors as it was indoors, so I'll probably keep that too for the time being.
Brent at redbike said the bits on the bike are all decent. It's certainly not state of the art and the most luxurious of bike parts, but it'll do the job and it's not outfitted with a bunch of cheap crap parts either.
I like the cargo on the back and it is handy to just dump things in the bin. I think this is a bike that will be handy for taking Dexter on short runs in the surrounding areas. Somewhere between 6-12 miles round trip? It should suit us fine for school, groceries, library, and some extra curricular activities depending on where those are. Yes!
I know, I know. Dexter is still a baby, why am I thinking about school already? I like planning ahead. And seeing all the moms that drive less than 10 blocks to ferry their kids to school... forces me to take these things into consideration.
Oh, and once I have a second baby. I'm pretty sure riding this bike is going to make me fit again. I don't want to scare anyone away from buying a cargo bike, but I'd be lying if I said it was as easy and light and fast as riding say, my road bike. On the other hand, as somebody who is used to riding bikes, I know it's just a different style of riding and once I get used to it I'll probably wonder how I ever thought I was traveling slowly in the first place. I decided to just go for it and rode on the main roads, in traffic, just as I would with any of my other bikes. It was surprisingly not terrifying. Felt normal.
None of my muscles hurt. I'll check back tomorrow and let you know if that's still the case:)
And yes, lots of people stopped to gawk and talk about the bike. I am the harbinger of stylish, active living with kids (in Edmonton)!
15 comments:
I'm really interested in reading your impressions about your new cargo bike. That may be one of my next big purchases.I hope the weather clears up so you can get out and put that thing to the test.
I ran across your blog recently and have really enjoyed it, so now I'm one of your new followers. Take care.
Myles
Yay! Bike looks great; glad to hear that cargo bikes have an accessible learning curve for the experienced cyclist. Sustrans with kids couldn't have a better harbinger. ;-)
yeah!!!
Hey if *I* can bike the Sorte, anyone can bike a cargo bike. I'm so glad you got to try it out. SO fun. And you know- school will be here before you know it so I think planning ahead is good. And it's good you have it now- such a good investment in the next 5+ years as Dexter grows and potential baby 2 etc etc etc. I wish I had mine years ago...
can't wait to hear more!
thank you so much for this! i have 2 kids and recently decided i MUST have this bike. hubby is worried it will be too heavy. and most of the reviews i have seen are written by men. can't wait to hear more so i can put it on my christmas and birthday and any other gift list i can think of!
sara, just think of it as your new "pickup" truck of bikes. a little rougher ride, not very fast, but practical as all get out.
how are you storing it? inside? it's so big that i am considering leaving mine outside - hmmm?
cheers!
So glad the first ride went well. Of course, I would have loved to see a snap of you riding with the redbike guys inside the box! I do love the line, "It's faster than walking." My local friends who have a Madsen did some tweaking of theirs (new grips, new saddle, etc.) & they are very happy. Meanwhile, I think I just found a used-Madsen for one of my closest friends here who has been interested in a cargo bike for some time. I really, really hope it works out so we can have our own cargo bike parade!
So cool! You are definitely a harbinger.
The thing you said about pastry-eating and biking, that's why I ride ;)
Hey Guys!
Yeah, the Madsen was really fun! I'll be sure to post better pictures of me riding it, but I'd like to add that it was quite windy today. I wouldn't worry about being able to ride the thing, I'm 5'0 and under 115 pounds so if I can do it I'm sure everybody else can. Also, I think there are 8 gears I was riding on 4-7/8 the whole time.
Don took it for a spin tonight and said it's basically like the equivalent of driving a cube van. Too bad the Madsen doesn't have a mother's attic to sleep in. He thinks the seat was fine, but admitted that he was riding out of the saddle most of the time to make it go fast. He says I'll probably get faster when I become accustomed to the bike, if I choose to ride harder, and when I come to terms with the slower acceleration off the stop line.
So yeah. I don't think it's the most luxurious and beautifully built of cargo bikes, with all the most beautiful bike parts. But, it's pretty good, it's light, it's easy to ride... and I'm quite happy with it so far! It has a purpose in the fleet, which is ferrying around big cargo. If I want beautiful bikes with all beautiful parts, I'll just ride one of my solo bikes:)
Sean - I have a double car garage so mine is going in there!
kT - Tell your husband who is concerned about weight, that if thousands of hot moms in the Netherlands can ride cargo bikes that are heavier than the Madsen, you certainly can. Show him future pictures of me on the blog and talk to him about how it's a "good value" in terms of health and teaching the kids and saving money and the best thing of all... NOT driving. Don is easy to sell on stuff if I just say it's a good value:)
And, you'll get so fit riding it, your husband will have to be sure to control his jealousy as everybody checks you out.
Sara - I wish I could have a cargo bike parade. None of my friends are even close to wanting babies. THOUGH, Dexter's massive popularity and our chilled out parenting style are showing our very hip friends that having kids doesn't mean turning into *those* people. Do you know which people I'm talking about?
I never rode a cargo bike, very interesting what you write. Probably the best thing that you can just throw everything in the bin (although once you have more stuff, it should also matter on how you arrange things weightwise).
So glad, you don't believe the "once you have a kid you will need a car" myth :).
Forgive me, Father, because I have sinned. I covet Sarah's awesome cargo bike. That's kind of the modern equivalent of coveting their pack mule, right?
Great to read the review of the Madsen. Don't let those two bike shop guys talk you into giving them a ride. That's really overtressing that bike (and you). Maybe two small children would be okay.
Stan - Haha! I'm a daredevil of sorts and do plan on riding it around with a few adults. If only out of curiosity:)
And kids? I am determined at some point to squeeze four of them in there for a ride... or many depending on how it goes!
number two is on the way for us, and we considered getting a Nihola, so grandma could use it, does your madsen have a toddler and infant capability?
looks great!
Xander - Madsen doesn't have a toddler infant ready to use thing... but I know that Julian over at totcycle.com has retrofitted his so that he carries both his baby and his toddler in it! Our retrofit currently only accommodates the car seat, but we'll probably see what we can do when no. 2 come along.
I hear great things about Nihola! But for the price and weight, I am very much enjoying the Madsen.
Oh, I like that bike. Can't wait to see you taking your children around town.
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