Cargo Bikes

Mostly the convenience of having all-in-one, i.e. not having to hitch anything up, being able to just throw everything on, only one thing to store and lock up...

One limitation of the Bob Yak trailer which I came across, compared to using a nippier cargo bike like an Omnium, is the maximum speed rating:
"SPEED LIMIT: 25 mph (40 kph) A bike with trailer attached, steers and feels different. Ride cautiously. Speed wobbles (and loss of control) can occur if speed limit is exceeded."
From the Bob Yak/Ibex Owner's Manual.

I wouldn't want to ride 40 kph with a loaded cargo bike either.

is it a pain to get spares for elephant bikes? i seem to recall some of the bits are proprietary to the post bikes they're upcycled from.

Interesting point. My short bakfiets would probably be unrideable at 25kph with more than a banana and me on board.
But if I ever have an excuse I will buy a 45km/h cargo.

If pushed I'd go for the bike with the longest wheelbase and trail and possibly the lowest center of gravity - but I haven't seen any geometry charts for cargo bike with trail figures.

Would have to do test rides, also not a lot of speed cargo around.
Pretty sure the R&M ones, for example, are stable at speed.
And there is the problem that, in Germany at least, you're not allowed to use cycle lanes with a 45kph electric assist bike.

I imagine those speeds will only be achievable downhill.

I have just paid a deposit on a packster 70. Mid October deliver currently.

weyhey! Nice

You should be able to get parts from Pashley, who still sell the Mailstar as the Pronto; IIRC the only major proprietary part is the chain tensioner?

Considering how people ride their E-bikes here in Denmark, I'd be terrified to meet a 40 kph e-cargo on a bike lane.

oh, ok. I was under the impression that loads of the bits were specific to discourage theft or something? not sure where I got that idea from.

No, never that much, about 80kg max so far.
As you probably guessed, the hitch is the weak point though it does the trick for my usage.
I have the arm from this kit: https://wicycle.com/products/bike-trailers/diy2

Definitely some push and pull, especially when starting out.

Sometimes it’s better to go fast for a bit than cook your disc brakes trying to slow down :)

nice - they are great machines, we love ours.

On speed - i've taken the packster 70 to about 26mph downhill and it's been perfectly stable so far.

I’ve gone a little under 45mph down the steep bit of Prune Hill down the back of Royal Holloway. Unladen and no box on the front. My pal on his road bike was too frightened to stay with me 😀

I’ve gone a little under 45mph down the steep bit of Prune Hill down the back of Royal Holloway. Unladen and no box on the front.

I am based in Sheffield, so it is all steep hills in these parts which is why I brought up the issue of high-speed stability. These sorts of speeds are quite possible on the way to Ladybower reservoir, on an unladen bike, for example.

I have ridden a bullitt at 30mph and it's fine.

Not really, the rack and box i guess? If the rack gets mangled just get it welded at a fab shop, it's just plain old mild steel tubing.

For a cargo bike I'd imagine a safe top speed depends on the geometry and the design of the steering linkages. I took my Kr8 past 30mph downhill and it never felt unsafe; the limiting factor was always braking rather than speed wobble. IIRC Henry from Workcycles once posted that an old racing mate of his had hit 100(!)km/h on a long downhill drag, though I don't think that was a recommendation...

i've seen folk on a bullit FB group i'm on claim speeds of 100km/h on a descent of ventoux, too

bullit definitely seems well built for speed

At this point I've basically spent the price of the Magura hoses trying to get these to work with hope braided hose
And I've lost my rotors somehow

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That's my kind of mechananisming right there

https://www.dezeen.com/2021/08/04/zuv-eoos-next-tricycle-design/