Cargo Bikes

That's good to know, thanks. I've always kept my pub/beater bikes outside without issue but I guess it's more of a worry when the bike's worth more than your car.

This, a car port type cover where its protected from above and at least on a few sides from most of the direct rainfall is best. As soon as it stops raining it starts drying out. Car/mc/bike covers are death, keeps all the water in a nice infinite humidity bag.

Good to know about covers - I was thinking about getting one.

Mine lived outside for about a year and a half with just a cover over the saddle to protect it. South facing garden so it was completely exposed. Essentially, constant sun exposure quickly destroys anything like handlebar grips, saddles, tyres and anything with a painted finish. The rain only seems to rust things if it's left to stand for any time, but it quickly makes things like brakes and gears seize up. Wooden boxes get destroyed quite quickly. Mine is now round in my lockup, but it makes going round getting it out annoying. As @BrickMan says, some kind of carport type cover is the best and makes it the easiest to get in and out.

This and theft was a big driver of the decision to get something that could break down and store indoors. Will see how that goes in the long run.

Would wrapping/ helitaping the frame provide any protection against the elements?

No and it's not the frame as much as the moving bits.

If I had the space is I'd build a small cargo bike sized lean-to or shed.

If that wasn't doable, I'd just keep a wax lubricant on the bike somewhere and constantly be coating the bike it it to excess. Seat tube, pedals, threaded bits, drivetrain. I'd basically put a few drops on something everytime I unlocked it.

I highly doubt I'd get a cover, mostly because dealing with it on a daily basis seems inconvenient.

Would wrapping/ helitaping the frame provide any protection against the elements?

Sounds like a great way to trap moisture.

Does anyone know what hose length is needed for the front brake on an omnium cargo?

1700mm so if you buy a Euro style rear brake (right hand) it'll run to the front brake mount

Sweet thanks!

no worries, saves having to take apart a hydraulic hose as well

I picked up this today. Looking forward to getting it set up and on the road.
I plan to add a kids seat amd cushion change the bars and saddle, 1x gears with a bigger rear cassette for now.
Aiming use it in place of the car for supermarket shops+ short trips with the fam.

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amazing, where did you finally find it? Looks great!

Came up on ebay. Paid a bit more than I thought it was worth BUT it was a two minute detour off my commute to work this morning. Came with some ginormous pannier bags and a few other bits.
I liked the fact with these your kid is raised up a bit rather than at bumper / exhaust height. It will comfortably fit an adult and child on the rear deck. Everything is a standard size and thread so easy to upgrade.
Took of for a quick spin when I got home and it rode surprising normally unloaded. Haven't tried loaded up yet.

Do long tails wheelie?

Very nice. And if needed pretty easy to install a Bafang too!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BktHUg_8uMY&t=14

^Not me

Yaaas!

Ordering some bits from Omnium next week if anyone needs anything?

Brexit means long waits but you won’t have to pay postage from Copenhagen

Nice!

Anyone have a 'Dolly' cargo bike?

How unbelievably shit is the main centre stand!!??? I mean Tern GSD stock stands are garbage and shouldn't be on a £4.5k+ machine, but the Dolly ones are worse. Even on gravity level + skimmed concrete, the stand does not make the bike stay upright with the stock supplied tyres inflated to 80psi (what they need to be to support a 80kg rider + kiddos). You have to deflate the tyres to 60psi in order for it to sort of stand up, but if there is any wind, it will blow forwards off the stand and bang into everything.
No adjustment in the stand, and short of making some adapter plates no way of rising it.

Rest of it is OK, steering max angle is tighter than a Bullitt, same as a Douze I would reckon. However its super knife edge feeling front wheel tucks under if you try to go around a corner at any kind of speed. There are 3 different steering holes on the bellcrank to play with, in the middle its dicey, in the fast setting its outright dangerous, in the 'slow' setting, its almost slow enough.

Have a customer who'd like to convert to assist, Dolly did make one with a different front fork that allows a fwd motor to just bolt in. However they refuse to sell one aftermarket, suggesting to just buy an entire bike, fair enough if its a mid drive and the frame and its supporting mounts are different, but its not.

On the upside, the kid box is excellent, big enough, tall sides, you can mount a baby carrier in the bottom, good twin seat, floppy but good rain protection and cost is low, so not all bad to be fair to it.

As my relentless internet research continues it's dawning on my that a bullitt might be overkill for my needs. My wife will be the main user of it and I'm thinking something more relaxed like a bakfiets might be better. Am I crazy to think about picking up a decent one 2nd hand and sticking a bafang middrive on one? Surely it shouldn't be a problem as long as it has decent brakes and not just drums.

I know nothing about cargo bikes so happy to be shown the way, I've got a broken toe at the minute and can't ride so I'm thinking about this way too much!

Bullitt is definitely not overkill. It's great for everything cargo bike related (as are all front loaders). I also feel that it's one of the safest formats for children.

It's just a matter of whether you want to trade some of its awesomeness for something smaller, lighter and more small space friendly. And the cost, of course.

But for hauling kiddos with a bag, front-loaders are bang on.

My opinion.

Ah, I was going to reply to you about this before but I forgot.

Yeah, so it sounds like your usage is going to be family wagon primarily and cargo second. While the Bullitt has very good accessories, you do have to bear in mind that it’s a cargo bike primarily. It has very good accessories, but they’ll never be quite as good as those on a bike which is primarily designed for kiddie carrying. I’ve found this out the hard way, as my bike is awesome for hauling, but has really limited family accessories. Trust me, you won’t have time to make this stuff yourself. My box has frustratingly taken me weeks to make, plus all the measuring and planning which becomes impossible to do once your kids become toddlers.

So I’d say go for a bakfiets in your case. The Workcycles KR8 has some of the best accessories in terms of seating and is probably the bike I should have got. I think the box has something like a 10-year warranty too. Pretty sure London Green Cycles keep them and probably have one you can have a look at or test ride. Ive not been over there but they are really helpful on the phone.

When comparing front loaders there are options that are probably better for kids... if it's kids only. I thought he was considering a bullitt (or similar) vs an omnium.