-
If I had to do 20 miles on a loaded Cargo bike fixed, my knees would be toast. How about an alfine hub and you won't have to do all that much maintenance?
If I was you I'd go electric, prevents you from having an expensive cargo bike you never use for the longer stints because you're hurting or too tired.
-
SS cargo bike is bonkers, and not in a good way, imo. The whole point of a cargo bike is to be able to carry lots of different types (and thus weights) of loads, which you'd lose out on by not having any gears. I'd pick up one second hand for that price with gears.
-
2k is gonna be tight to get a Bullitt or similar. Would recommend you get a 2nd hand one as seats, lights, locks, canopy, cover etc. all will drive the cost up. If you want to use it all year round these elements will be essential for the comfort of the passenger!
Definitely test ride one, they are very capable but a lot harder work than a traditional bike to ride. You'll soon realise that single speed is not a good option! Alfine is a good option to avoid maintenance, but derailleur is the most efficient.
20 miles is a long way on a cargo bike. I've done over that on quite a few trips and you certainly feel it in your legs! I'm not mega-fit because I only commute these days. I've done a lot of racing over the years so still have a reasonable level of fitness (not by my standards!). I mostly ride our Douze (like a Bullitt) and every now and then I ride my fixed and boy, that bike feels so fast compared to the cargo bike!
@pascalo mentioned electric assist which wouldn't be a bad idea for longer distances, especially when loaded/up hills/headwinds.
Good luck!!!
-
Johannes Killesberger's fixed Bullitt for 3 days 450km Sweden touring.
You are reading a single comment by @HousecatHST and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
pascalo
platypus
thebrenthamtaffy
Thuekr
@HousecatHST
So I’ve got to the point where I now have the money ish for a cargo bike (£2000), but I have a bit of dilemma. The bike’s going to be used for taking my daughter to and from nursery 3 days a week and then on to work for me. It’s about 18/20 mile round trip with the nursery at about the halfway point, there are a couple of hills but nothing major. It’ll also be used for visiting my parents which is a 30 mile round trip down the coast, very flat and for the weekly shop as part of these trips.
I’ve narrowed down my options to either an omnium or a Larryvsharry. I know this is way more bike than I need, but not wishing to sound like too much of a twat, I have my image to consider (ageing want to be courier) so there’s no way I’m using one of this plastic chairs people attach to their ugly hybrids. I’ve also discounted any kind of trailer as I don’t like there position on the road.
Narrowly I think the Larry is my preferred option because of lower centre of gravity and the greater flexibility in terms of the type of baby seat that I could use in the load bay. I have reasonable wood work skills so I’m assuming that I’ll be able to build my own box given the price of any of the larry accessorises.
So the crux of my dilemma is can I get away with running the Larry singlespeed. It’s the only way I can make it work money wise really. I consider myself to be fairly fit and I intend to stay that way. I’ve only ridden fixed for the last 10 years and my one geared bike hasn’t been ridden in years. So I’m concerned about the maintenance of gears, which I can do, but I’d rather not.
Other than the frame and fork the only other stuff I would need is a front wheel and some brakes, everything else I have.
So an SS Larry, how silly is that idea ?