Cargo Bikes

why would I want to do that

I also rotated the light on the bracket while I was doing it so it would stay in the smiley orientation instead of the frown. I ended up using a long ball end key and rounding out one of the bolts just as it got to torque.

embrace the pope mobil life

She was grand! Singing away. It was me who was soaked. Ordered her a Hamax poncho to go over her and the seat.

Was a good test though. Need to sort my order of operations out so I don't end up faffing around and dropping keys in the Lidl car park while rain runs down my arse crack.

But, big win was it took pretty much exactly as long by cargo bike as it did by car, and we got to ride through the top of Streatham Common.

Ace.
You'll find yourself going the non car route, because now you can, also extra bits of route added on because why not.

If I take cargo to either of the two nearby morrison's (1km by bike each way, 1km by car one way, but due to traffic measures 2km on way back) it would be around half the travel time as car (if you ever drove that distance) at normal times, a third the time of peak time car movements. Also added bonus of being able to get the bike almost inside the front door (bike stands in the entrance way at both locations) meaning can unload shopping right into bike, dump trolley 5m away then ride off. Added added bonus. Morrison often have big overhanging roof = no wet arse crack when loading, unlocking etc ;)

another HUGE win with a child is that you can wheel the bike right till the final destination. E.g. a playground etc. there is no 'walk from parking' involved.

This I thought was helpful, @BrickMan how is this guy doing it so quicky?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G02AvL_c6ZI

Thinking back, we left about 7:45 and arrived at 8:00. 3 miles. If I had left that time in the car, it would have taken much longer (although, not while the schools are off).

I reckon once I get used to the faffing around or there are fewer layers to consider, it will be a breeze.

As he doesn't have the mid size foot plates (black tubular) fitted. Which is the most common type I've seen so far (4 for 4!).
With just the frame, and that little flat metal job its no problem, just standard tight area. With the mid size footplate things, jesus, absolute disaster of a design.

@amey what seatpost collars are you using? I have this, the body of which fits PERFECTLY under the flat/trapezoidal section of the frame, with a few velcro cable ties to stop it bouncing out. But I'd probably rather use some more secure collars instead of a lock.

It does actually click into that space like it was made for it, but I would be worried about a decent bump knocking it loose, hence the straps.

2 Attachments

Saw on the ‘gram than Omnium are bringing out a V3 (renamed WiFli) cargo bike with rocker drop outs which looks like exactly what I want for hub gears, as the current frames are derailleur only?

Anyone a distributed know when they might drop and what prices might be like over here?

Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cbpq8meA3HG/

Wait for the exodus, snap up a regular WiFi for cheap, and pay a frame builder to fit rocker drops. Plus get to choose a completely unique colour for the respray. 😁

There's a batch coming in a couple of weeks, most of it is already pre-ordered by dealers though. If you are in the UK you have to go through one anyway. Then another batch a month after that. Reasonnable price increase.

There aren't many Wifi left in stock at the warehouse BTW, so no clearance sale on that front.

ah nice solution! will it work if I am changing saddle height constantly though between me and my partner?

I would think so. I'm 6'2" and there's some slack still with the 120cm version. If I dropped the saddle height there would be some more slack. But you can press a button and it auto reels the wire back if you're that worried.

Had to saw a bit off the gate post (just the door jam/stop so nothing obvious) to get the double wide decks through but it's now out the back. Not sharing locking details online but it is secure as I can make it.

1 Attachment

Oh nice. Yeah U.K. based so assumed it would be dealer only over here. Are they shipping full bikes or F&F only given parts shortages?

Completes will be available too. Apex to start with, if it's a hub gear you're after you'll need to wait a bit more.

Fab. Ideal would be belt drive rohloff but may be cost prohibitive…

Dropped off after missing yesterday due to the shits. Stopped at the top of Streatham Common to have my coffee in the wind. I love this bike.

2 Attachments

yay, Cargo bike life!

so good! cargo bike life with kids is the best, summer will be even more fun.

If you go for this option, try and always keep a spare set of belt parts, as they're a ballache to get in a hurry in the UK.

Ah ok. I remembered seeing your post of a stripped belt but id expected it wouldn’t be as easy as going into a shop and buying a chain

Definitely not. I've been having to buy belts and front rings from the US as I can never get the ones I need here.

Worth it vs a chain you think for a cargo bike? I’m slightly adverse to maintenance but not that adverse (mainly due to lack of space to do it properly), and to be honest always wanted to try one but an expensive experiment!

I get about a year out of a belt drivetrain before it starts getting noisy, but that's working six days a week on it. But I literally don't have to touch it during that time. If I could afford to keep a spare drivetrain ready then I'd have no issues, but I never seem to have the money spare, so I run it until it's on its last legs, and then complain when I can't get replacements quickly enough. 😂
I love belt drive though. After over a decade on them I think I'd struggle to go back to regular chains.
If you're considering a Rohloff, I'd say try and save to get it, rather than settle for an Alfine or similar. My Alfine has been nothing but trouble on this particular bike, so I'm finally switching to a Rohloff after two years. Hopefully it'll be a much more pleasant experience.

Have found with Alfine + Nexus, if you take them apart when brand new, and properly ram the non drive side bearing cup with some waterproof grease (yamalube/lical is going fav) or even the fluro yellow shimano stuff instead of the white lithium grease they come with on the hub bearing surfaces. And a bit on the drive side ball race (the big guy). And make a point of every year just before or after winter rake the hub out and redo with either 1) Decent IGH grease, Cyclon do one thats no expensive and works well 2) ATF or car gearbox oil, hypoid type (stinks of strong dino). And they will last a pretty long time. Have come across dozens of Shimano IGH that ship bone dry, internals are basically starting to corrode as the bike comes out of the box/new.