Okay, here is some background information on my love for this bike. I first discovered this beautiful bike when my oldest two were toddlers. I entered every contest they had just dreaming I would win. I think it’s been about six years that I have longed for and dreamed about this bike. I even researched other styles of cargo bikes looking to see if there were any others I liked better. The result? Absolutely not. This design is the best cargo bike out there both in style and ease of ride. I was convinced of that before our purchase and am even more convinced now that we own one.

I have also badgered my husband endlessly about letting me have a Madsen Cycle. I was met with incredulity. I mean, it is an expensive bike. So basically this was all a pipe dream.

Well, imagine my surprise when the Monday after my birthday, my wonderful husband (completely out of nowhere) surprises me with the information that my beloved Madsen Cycle will be here in one week! There were no words to express my utter disbelief and joy! Thank you just didn’t seem sufficient but I imagine the look on my face said it all. Cue me immediately looking up accessories, Illinois bike trails, helmets, ratchet straps, you name it.

We waited very impatiently, and finally the shipment arrived!!! (It literally took one week to arrive, during a quarantine mind you, and I could still barely stand the wait.) The kids seemed to be just as excited as I was! The bike arrived mostly assembled and ready to go except for the back tire and front rack that needed to be installed. Everything we needed to install was in the box!

My husband took the initial test drive as I was a little intimated about whether I was strong enough to tow the children in back. I will say, it definitely takes some getting used to and you should definitely practice sans precious cargo.

So what was my initial experience?

I had to really get used to balancing with a large cargo bucket behind me. The bike we purchased has the e-assist and to be frank, that puppy is FAST. It can get you up to 30 mph if that’s what you are in to, but for me, I struggled initially to figure out what level of e-assist in what gear would allow me to ride at a normal pace.

I basically rode up and down our street just getting a feel for it and then tried with 1 child. Over the last week I have progressed up to 3 children. I’ve learned that I am now very comfortable once I am riding, but starting and stopping are my main difficulties. So starting you can definitely have the kickstand down and as you pull forward it will flip up on it’s own. This is very handy for maintaining stability. I also start with my dominant leg and pedal up so I can immediately start pushing. With 3 in the back, I need an e-assist of 1 or 2 on the highest gear just to ensure that I have a smooth take off with no wobbling. Because obviously with a heavy load in the back, one wobble can mean we tip over.

When it comes to stopping for traffic, or any reason, I grip both hand brakes and plant a wide stance to keep us stable. Because the ride is so smooth, it is easy for me to forget that I am not on my old bike and it’s when I let go of the handbrakes while we are standing still that I start to feel the bike tipping. It really takes a lot of strength for me to push the bike back upright once we start leaning. But like I said, this is with only one week of practice and it’s getting easier and easier every day.

The ride itself is AMAZING. So smooth, so much fun. I love that the kids can see everything as we go by and that I can hear their squeals and giggles as we drive through multiple cities. It feels like we could go on forever. The e-assist helps me tackle every hill! I am confident that I would not be able to make it up a hill with all of the children in the back without it. But on flat terrain, I can have it completely off and ride totally fine. Something to consider if you are thinking of purchasing one.

This bike is a wonderfully made product. The weight distribution and everything about it allows the bike to perform seamlessly while it holds up to 600 lbs!

Keep in mind that I am 5 foot and 108 lbs and I am currently able to cart 3 children in the back with little to no issues. Working on getting all 4 in there so I’ll update you on Madsen Cycle life after week 2!

It’s so funny cruising around town with a bike that no one has really seen before! We get honks, questions, smiles, and thumbs up! I can see why the package arrived with a bundle of their business cards. I feel like we should be handing them out all over town as people stop and ask, “Where did you get that bike?”

Another amazing tidbit about this company is their excellent customer service. From the second we purchased we received personalized phone calls and e-mails from one of the owners, Lisa Madsen. This level of customer service is rare these days and really helped seal the deal on our love for this company. We even had a few questions upon receipt and they answered them so quickly! You just can’t beat this level of quality and care for their customers. Don’t be surprised if you see us with a second bike shortly! ;)