Looking for commuter/mountain bicycle to carry heavy cargo?

I live in San Jose, CA and have seen a number of people using what looks like a modify mountain bikes with an extended rear wheelbase and three wood platforms mounted on the sides and top. They carry anything from small children to 5 gallon water bottles.

1. Try this, it covers everything that you need.

   ‘http://www.konaworld.com/09_ute_en.cfm’

   Or, this is a frame only alternative ‘http://www.surlybikes.com/bigdummy.html’

2. log on to;

   giant-bicycles.com,

   trekbikes.com

   and

   cannondale.com. i’m sure you can find the best commuter/mountain bicycles on that sites.

3. If I were going to haul cargo, I would look into a trailer rather than overstress the bikeframe and compromise handling.

4. oh man oh man i know what you need.

   Surly Big-Dummy

   ‘http://www.surlybikes.com/bigdummy.html’

   and heres a review

   ‘http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/’

   they are badass!

5. Xtra cycle may be what you saw:
   ‘http://www.xtracycle.com/’

   Or search google for "long bike"

   new manufacturers all the time.