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Haul-a-Day, pt. 2

4/8/2014

29 Comments

 

After a couple of days of mulling the Haul-a-Day over, I still couldn't decide what to do. The bike is amazing but I was worried that I'd need too many additions that would push it over our budget and that it wouldn't carry all our things. Luckily, we were able to make another stop at the Bike Friday shop in Eugene on our way back home. This time, I was able to really take my time to test out the bike again and price out our options. We ended up staying there for about two hours, getting lots of great help from Walter who went above and beyond his customer service duties. 

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I learned how easy it is to adjust the crossbar sizing, just two allen bolts and a push button. We use the OSATA bikes in the school fleet but I've never taken the time to check out how to change them. 

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I had to double check that I really liked the new Bike Friday handlebars. I was tempted by their H-bars but finally decided that the swept back style is more my type. 

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And of course, the ultimate test--a heavier load. While the Mundo has an unbeatable 400 pound cargo limit, we think the Bike Friday Haul-a-Day has about a 300-350 rider+cargo max. That still leaves plenty of extra weight to carry even with two boys at about 40 pounds each. I've taken adults on the back of the Mundo a few times and it's always interesting to get started. Once we're rolling, the bike stabilizes itself and we're good to go until we have to stop again. What surprised me most about the HaD was that we were rolling really quickly. I think it was the fact that the 20" wheels revolve faster than the 26" and so within a few pedal strokes, we were balanced. I actually didn't realize how far back Walter was sitting on the deck, usually I have to make people scoot closer to me so that the bike doesn't drag as much. I also had no idea that he was flopping around in back like in the last photo. I'm usually very aware of all the movements on deck. The low deck was easy for him to get on, it was even easy for Little Brother to climb on. I know Walter wasn't super comfortable as there wasn't anything for him to rest his feet on but he was a great sport. They do sell a set of foot rests to help that problemt. 

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Little Brother was happy to get in on the action, too. 

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There's no denying Bike Friday makes gorgeous bikes and since my dad has two and my mom had one before it got stolen, I already know that the bikes are high quality and the team will work with you to create a bike that truly fits your needs.

Long story short, I have an order number and a plan to head back up to Eugene via Amtrak next month to test out our newest trainable cargo bike!

I realize that this is the opposite of downsizing but we still have two bikes on the chopping block and we'll have to wait and see what happens to the third when its cuter, smaller baby sister shows up.

29 Comments
Bekah
4/8/2014 08:53:47 pm

Congratulations! I hope it is not pink. :)

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Madi Carlson (Family Ride) link
4/9/2014 03:01:00 pm

HOW EXCITING! Congrats on the new bike-to-be!!

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Devin
4/25/2014 10:33:16 am

I love your 2 posts about the haul a day. I have an estimated ship date from Walter of May 9th on mine (green & green with the basket, disc brakes and cushier wheels). And I'm thrilled at the idea of not having to haul our kids in the sail of a bike trailer here in the windy Midwest.

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Eric
5/19/2014 10:21:30 pm

Devin, where are you? I've ordered one to arrive here in St. Paul, MN, and I can't wait to be able to carry so much and get on the bus with this bike.

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Devin
5/19/2014 10:49:27 pm

We're down in Urbana Illinois. But I'm from Minneapolis - we're hoping that we get it in time to bring it up to the Twin Cities in June- it will make getting around a lot more fun!

Elle
5/20/2014 04:10:56 pm

Have you guys gotten a shipping date? Mine is looking like it's delayed until mid-June and I think even that might be optimistic.

Devin
5/20/2014 10:22:05 pm

My original shipping date was May 9th. We contacted Walter on May 16th - since that's the +5 business days. And he said the line was delayed a bit, but they did have some frames made - they needed to be painted & assembled. He said that he didn't feel comfortable giving us an updated shipping date. I'm hoping we hear back this week with a shipping date. I'm not sure how long the painting/assembly takes.

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Devin
5/20/2014 10:28:15 pm

We ordered the bike (got all the specs in) on April 12th. Not sure where that puts us in line.

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Eric
5/29/2014 11:42:35 pm

We have an invoice date of April 14, but I have no idea where we would be in the queue. I got the mass email but haven't asked for anything specific to me, as I didn't think I would get it. Now it's more than a week since you expected a date. Did you get one?

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Devinf
5/30/2014 03:03:56 am

We also got the mass email. We're actually heading to MN in about 2 weeks. So, if we don't get a shipping date early next week, we'll tell Walter to hold off on sending the bike until 5 days before we head back home. (so really there's about a 2 week window where we DON'T want the bike to ship), or any point after that. I can sympathize with their delays, and I'm still really excited to get the bike & get it set up to haul the kids. We'll still have a lot of biking season left when it does arrive (if they do get caught up by the end of June)

We did a 12 mile loop today - out into the farm land, then back into the city - hauling the bike trailer. And I think we're both looking forward to not having to do that for much longer. Especially the kids. They are squashed in the trailer.

Elle Steele
5/31/2014 02:19:06 pm

I'm not sure where our invoice date is. I haven't heard about a shipping date for ours. I'm really excited for the bike because it'll mean we can travel with the kids but we're still functioning without it. My fingers are crossed for all of us to get them quickly!

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Eric
6/6/2014 01:39:35 am

If you're hankering for some Hauladay pics, here's a few posts from someone receiving their bike and putting it together. Exciting...
And it splits into more pieces than I expected!
https://www.facebook.com/BikePartners.net

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Eric
6/6/2014 01:40:11 am

If you're hankering for some Hauladay pics, here's a few posts from someone receiving their bike and putting it together. Exciting...
And it splits into more pieces than I expected!
https://www.facebook.com/BikePartners.net

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Elle
6/6/2014 02:23:12 pm

Those are awesome! Thanks for sharing! I love the color they chose. I went with one of the freebies :) The frame actually comes apart in one more piece than shown because the OSATA can slide out, too. It's pretty amazing! I can't wait!!!

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Devin
6/6/2014 10:59:17 pm

Very cool! We're really excited to get it! I'm glad to see that shipping them had begun. :-)

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Devin
6/25/2014 09:06:17 am

Anyone have a shipping notice yet? I know they were assuming all would be out by the end of June, but we haven't heard anything since then. Did our first ride with the trailer post vacation, and the kids seem to have grown a LOT. Squeezing them in the trailer is getting harder. I'm looking forward to the freedom the haul a day will allow them.

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Elle Bustamante
6/25/2014 01:19:33 pm

No shopping notice, yet. Last I heard, I was 4th in line with a 2 day turn-around so they anticipated it being done this week. However, no news since last week.

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Devin
6/30/2014 06:09:46 am

My husband emailed Walter today. This week is summer vacation for the production staff. Alan is still working (as is Walter). My bike is the next one he'll start! I'm VERY excited!

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Eric
6/25/2014 03:02:23 pm

No news is good news?

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Elle Bustamante
7/3/2014 10:25:23 am

We must be right behind you because we're #2! Send photos when you get it!

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Devin
7/11/2014 10:57:10 am

Just wanted to let you know - we got our shipping notice today! Its been marked as "picked up" no estimated arrival date yet. So, we're getting excited and my hubby & I will set aside some time once we know the arrival date to build our "hooptie" set up w/rear seat. I'm planning to post it on our blog so if others are interested in a DIY solution.

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Elle
7/11/2014 12:48:33 pm

I just got my shipping notice, too! I checked again and it's now estimating delivery on Tuesday. What is your website? Please share! :)

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Devin link
7/12/2014 02:41:13 am

Nothing biking related on there right now though. Our estimated delivery date is Thursday. We have an outdoor concert on Friday, and I think my hubby is considering going into work today & tomorrow so he can take Friday off and we can rig up a seating system for the kids. This would be a great event to show off the bike. (lots of families)

Eric link
7/15/2014 04:34:07 am

Ours is supposed to arrive on Friday, according to tracking info. Very excited.

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Devin
7/15/2014 05:25:33 am

Exciting!!!

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Devin link
7/18/2014 06:29:10 am

In case anyone is interested - we got it put together and got our DIY Hooptie/seating figure out. :-)

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Elle Bustamante
7/18/2014 10:55:24 am

Yes, please! I ordered the BF version of a half-hooptie but they sent me a full xtracycle hooptie because theirs wasn't ready, yet. I'd love to check out what you've come up with!

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devin
7/19/2014 12:34:11 am

This is our flickr set with the photos - I'll type it up this week what exactly the measurements are. https://www.flickr.com/photos/devinf/sets/72157645350293227/

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Eric
7/18/2014 11:52:29 pm

Received ours, as well, yesterday. I put it together last night. We didn't get the front basket; maybe it's not ready yet? Have Hooptie on with Yepp Easyfit - very nice fit. I forgot to adjust the derailleur on my first few rides around the block, and in going to first gear the derailleur pushed too far and the chain slipped off, got stuck and broke. Watch out for that. I replaced a link, adjusted the derailleur, and all is good.
I'll post something on our blog someday!

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