15 September 2010

On Bucket Bikes

The new Madsen bucket bikes debuted today!  It's worth checking out.  There are many improvements and new features, some of which I've hacked or wanted to hack onto my own bucket bike.  One of my biggest issues with our original model has been the kickstand.  Here's my final fix using a piece of 5/16" all-thread and some nylon lock nuts.


The solid rod not only fixed the kickstand so that it stays in place when deployed, but it also keeps it from bouncing around as much on bumpy terrain.  And Madsen has confirmed via Twitter that their new model kickstand is "upgraded and improved, [with] new factory, bolted-on rubber feet, [and a] solid rod stop pin."  Along with the new parking brake feature, this sounds like a rock solid way to load rambunctious cargo.


In other news, TBR fabricated rain cover v2.0 for a neighbor to the north.  Brynnen Ford and her kids use their e-assist Madsen year-round on the hills of Seattle.  (Thanks for sending these photos, Brynnen!)




This one is a bit taller than our original and incorporates hi-viz fabric and a Scotchlite-trimmed porthole on the back. The passengers love it!



Any other thoughts on the new Madsen model and accessories?  I'd like to see that rear rack in my stocking at Christmas!

10 comments:

bikemom said...

Looks great, Matt. You need to get your blog onto the Madsen site like Julian's is. People need to see your cover!

bikemom said...

Oh, and I would LOVE to have the lock feature on the new Madsen, never mind EVERYTHING else they included. I wish I could get close to what I paid for mine so I could trade up!

Ash said...

I have one of the V2 bikes (got it last week) and the kick stand seems quite sturdy with a solid rod correcting the dual bolt problem. However, down the line a bit I can see the bolted rubber feet being a problem since after less than a week of use they are already showing wear.

Matt in Tacoma said...

@Bikemom - Thanks! I may ask Madsen for the linkage on their site.

Not sure which new lock feature you are referring to, but I think you could find a bolt-on solution to upgrade your v1 Madsen with both. Might try these...

Framelock: www.cantitoeroad.com/catalog/lock

Parking brake lever for rear V-brake: http://www.pbwbikes.com/product_info.php/products_id/66

Matt in Tacoma said...

@Ash&Penelope - I lose a foot from time to time, but have always noticed and found them. (Now that I'm thinking about it, I may go put a dab of liquid nails in each foot to help them stay in place...)

They are simply feet made for crutches/canes that you can replace at the local drugstore when they wear out or get lost.

Julian said...

I saw Brynnen's cover yesterday - NICE! We were all ooing and aaahing. The orange looks great, love the porthole.

I figure I'll just do a sunbrella top with vinyl rolldown on the Gelato Bike frame, but I like how yours requires no bucket drilling. How much did windage bother you this year? I'm not sure how aggressively to lower the gelato frame, to leave room for older kids in helmets bit also avoid becoming a sailboat.

54 canoe said...

I too was admiring Brinnan's cover on the Kidical Mass ride yesterday. The port hole window was a classy touch.

bikemom said...

Yesterday was super windy and it really wasn't a problem with the rain cover. I'm not sure why that is, but the whole thing is already such a boat, it just doesn't make much of a difference, surprisingly.

I'll keep you posted, but I think Matt and Sarah have done a fabulous job creating something user friendly and lightweight.

jen lindsay said...

wow-DELUX! I want to ride in one of those... .super cool, Brynn, Ezra & Gibson!

Michael Jung said...

I'm thinking about selling our car and pulling the trigger on a new Madsen (from Joel at Splendid Cycles here in Portland), and would love to buy a rain cover. Please let me know if you're able to crank one out in the foreseeable future; I'm at mikejung-at-mac-dot-com!