A Deflated Situation, a Built-In Tire Jack, and a Question to other Yuba Mundo Riders

So there I was a few days ago pedaling along on my way to church on Easter Sunday when I noticed it was getting a little difficult to pedal. Odd, I thought...no wind to speak of; no incline. Then I felt the tell-tale sway and heard the sound of a deflating tire sagging against the pavement. I haven't had a tire go flat on me while I was riding a bike in quite a while (it's more common, I believe to find them flat after letting them rest awhile). I got off the bike and pushed it the remaining 100 feet or so to church,  and afterwards I pushed it about a half mile to a gas station and purchased a can of emergency tire inflation/sealant hoping it would hold enough to make it the two miles home...it did, but barely. This is the second flat I've had on the Mundo in the 3 years I've owned them (one on the v1, and this one on the v3) and I've come to the conclusion that while I really love this bike it also really sucks to get a flat tire on a 60lb. bike. At any rate, I survived. And on the bright side, one thing I noticed is that the stand alone kickstand acts as a sort of built in jack for the bike (pictured above)...I didn't need to support it or lean it against anything as I changed the tire. Nice.

I still have the original tires on the bike and am thinking about upgrading. So my question to fellow Mundo riders (or any bicyclist for that matter) is actually twofold. First, what type/brand tires do you use. I'm thinking about purchasing Fat Franks (do any of you use these), and I'm also thinking about increasing the tire width from 2.0 to 2.35. any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

Andy in Germany said…
On the Xtracycle (Almost a Yuba) I've used Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres for well over a year, possibly two, and several thousand kilometres with no punctures The Bakfiets (about 3o kilos unloaded) has Schwalbe Marathons and had one puncture so far.
the_big_smile said…
Hi Joe!

I Use Fat Frank 2,35 on my Mundo V1. But in the rear frame his 60 mm width is the absolute maximum width!

Check the width of your fork! The Mundo V2 had a fork, that was narrower, than the V1. So I don't know if 2,35 will fit with your fork.

A 2,0 Fat Frank should run fine, too. But mind the payload!
The Fat Frank 2,35 offers 140 kg payload (at maximum pressure), the 2,0 only 130 kg.

If 130 kg payload are OK to you, you could use the Schwalbe Kojak 26x2.0. According to Schwalbe it rolls easier, than Fat Frank.
But it will be more expensive, too for it is a folding tyre.
http://schwalbe.de/gbl/en/produkte/specials/produkt/?ID_Einsatzbereich=10&ID_Produktgruppe=52&ID_Produkt=221&ID_Artikel=482&info=1
Unknown said…
After a car hit my Yuba three weeks ago, I also stuggled mightily to get the big blue beast about half a mile to a shop. The wheels were severely bent out of shape(amazingly the only damage!) I thought briefly about getting some new tires to go along with the new beefy rims(Salsa Gordos), but the original Kendas survived the crash and I don`t really have any big problem with them so guess I`ll keep `em. I suppose Fat Franks would be a bit cushier? With tires Fat Franks can you keep the fenders?
jim said…
Hi, Joe,

I second the motion for the Schwalbe Marathon tires. I use 'em on my other two bikes, a Workscycle Opa and a Diamondback Mt bike that I commute with and have never had a flat since I installed them a couple of years ago. As soon as I wear out the original tires on the Mundo, I'll be installing the Marathons on it too.

Love your blog! Know that your efforts are appreciated.

Thanks, Big Jim
Joe said…
Thanks Guys for your suggestions.

Andy and Jim: I am interested in the Marathon tires (though a little pricy). Do you know which you are using. I was looking at these two:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GSKWQC/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001GCBPKU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1GZH3SX2M1MZB9FXT58J

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00277MJ4O/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001GCBPKU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1GZH3SX2M1MZB9FXT58J

The touring tires would be nice, but I may go with the MTB tires to have a bit more tread.

Stefan: Do you like the Fat Franks...I'm still on the fence about them (but the cream color would look nice). Also, it looks like they will fit the v3.

James: Glad to hear you're ok...were you on the bike when it was hit? Likely the only damage to the bike (besides the wheels) is because these bikes are built like tanks. The Fat Franks with fenders? That's a good question. Living in the northeast fenders are essential for commuters.
Max said…
Hi Joe,

I run the 2.35 Fat Franks on my V1 and they are fantastically smooth, super cushy, and surprisingly light. I truly love them. My kids love/appreciate them too.

On the downside, at least for the V1, they are most definitely a tight fit for fenders (but not impossible), the chain rubs them in the granny, and you have to deflate them to take off/put on the wheel. I have found all of these things manageable, however, and I think the V3 has a bit more room. I also hold the opinion that they aren't great for snow (I fell once), but maybe I should've deflated them some?

Also, in regards to bikes in accidents with cars, while the Mundo is a thick tubed beast, people should be careful, because tube damage can sometimes be really hard/impossible to see. I am speculating here, but spontaneous fractures while riding seem undesirable.

Best,

Max
the_big_smile said…
Hi Joe!

I really like my Fat Franks!
They ride very good, even when carving through turns! The fact that they have allmost no tread make them very stable in turns.
And they really look great on the Mundo. A really beefy tyre!

But it really is a tight fit, specially with fenders.
And yes, the chain may rubb the tyre, but no damage until now.

I had one puncture with the Fat Frank last year.

I didn't know, Schwalbe sells the Marathon as 26x2.0, too.
I rode Marathon for several years on my trekking bike. A good one, too. I had less than one puncture per year.
But for the Mundo you will have "only" 130 kg payload per tyre.
And with that payload you can use the Kojak as well.
According to Schwalbe, the Kojak has the same puncture protection, as the Marathon or the Fat Frank, but is much faster! Wich means, the Kojak has less resitance in rolling.

If would switch from Fta Frank to another tyre, I would choose the Kojak!
the_big_smile said…
Joe, there is one more thing you might to think about, when changing tyre sizes:
The hight of the bottom bracket.
When switching from 2.1 to 2.35 your bottom bracket will rise by 6-8 mm.
If you fell, your bottom bracket is very high right know, then you'd better not use wider tyres, but narrower ones....
Anonymous said…
Hey Joe. I now have Fat Frank
2.35's on my V3. No problems-although I do not have the stock fenders- I have some big wide Electra chrome ones. The chain is super close to the tire in the lowest gear- but it hasn't bothered me.
Also- I installed a Gamoh front rack on my V3 as I like the way it transmitted the load to the front axel instead of cantilevering it off of the steerer tube. What I didn't like was the way it changed the steering. Felt heavy. I have now removed it and will be getting one from Yuba. Should have listened to Ben in the first place!
John said…
Oh- I see the last comment was from my alter-ego. Follow this to my Yuba blog.
Joe said…
John, Thanks for the info and comments...still not sure which tire I'll be getting. I am concerned about the width though...do you find any extra drag with the wider tire?

Also, and on a different topic...In a couple months I'll be in Seattle with my teenaged son, probably going to do a trip to Victoria while there (never been to Northwest US/Southwest Canada)...any suggestions on places that are a "must see?"
John said…
Hey Joe. Sorry for not getting back to you. You would likely enjoy Victoria. The Royal BC Museum and the Butchart Gardens are both big draws. Quite a number of special events too. Too bad you won't be here for the Victoria Intl Cycling Festival. Let me know when you are coming- I could likely lend you a couple of bikes- although I live out of town. (but close to the Butchart Gardens)
Cheers,
John