Cargo Bikes

some time back on this thread there was a discussion about trains allowing tandems and therefore the Omnium cargo just about fits within their 'max. length' allowance, I imagine that could vary with service providers across the UK though

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255582741954

I have absolutely no idea who the dealer is and the guy who might left a little while ago. I'll do some sleuthing!

Before I post a new thread I thought I'd see if any of you would be interested in an eBullitt we are helping a customer sell, 2018 Di2 Nexus 5 in Classic (black) with 1610.5 miles on the clock. Just had a service and a new battery fitted. Customer was using it for a local vegan food delivery service (now finished) so not had heavy use, usual scuffs from a few years of use but no gouges or any scrapes deeper than the first layer of paint. They're after £3.2k collected from Bournemouth

Comes with the ply box with tarp cover and I believe a Hiplok Homie (will double check this)

Hi, I’m starting the early stage research into cargo bikes. Use will be lugging tools to jobs up in town, so something that can take a fair bit of weight, but also has a good old area for sustainer tool boxes. Will require a battery, where should I start? Any good shops in London to have a look/test ride? Thanks Tom

Good price, especially with a new battery (£500+!). Check the steering arm is in right position, looks too far into the window from that photo, means death position is possible ;)

If you think that an Urban Arrow XL could be the right sort of bike for you, I'd recommend speaking to Pedal Me, i think they still have some of their older Gen bikes they are wanting to phase out. Could go for a test ride I'm sure. V capable bikes.

I can put you in touch with their head mech if you like just let me know

Hi, thanks yes that would be great. Had a quick look and they could be just the thing. And some first had reviews/test ride would be great. Thanks

Urban Arrow School Bus prototype?

2 Attachments

I used an XL pretty extensively for a couple of years as a courier and mechanic. I think they’re very capable and real workhorses, great at what they do. Especially with the upgrades that pedal me do to them (Rohloff hub, being the the most significant). Send me a DM with your mobile number and I’ll pass it on to my Mech friend who works there.

Or you can contact them direct up to you! https://pedalme.co.uk/2022/05/26/urban-arrow/

For other reviews there are a couple of forum members who use them iirc:
(Sorry for tags)
@ltc
@platypus
@ian(conker)

Sterling landscapes use Urban Arrow XLs for their gardening work (check out on Insta maybe they have a few pics) and are very happy with them AFAIK.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIXn3DqgfXb/

Also Freddies Flowers have a fleet of UA XLs for their flower deliveries.

prob lots more!

I ride one for work, it's great. Really well thought out and well made, it's done thousands of miles with loads of weight and hasn't needed any major servicing. The only potential downside is the size, you don't notice it when you're riding but it's significantly larger than most other cargo bikes so storage could be an issue for some. As MCamb mentioned, the Rohloff hub is amazing.

That's amazing!

Might also be worth looking at the new Bullitt X. I'm not sure on their availability just yet but that's the only real two wheeler Urban Arrow XL alternative I know of.

I'd personally choose based on the size needed. If you want something massive, go for the UA XL, if you want something smaller, go for the standard Bullitt. I've not ridden the Bullitt X (has it been released yet?) but prefer the UA XL to the standard Bullitts I used to ride for work. Although to be fair the UA is higher spec and better maintained.

I’ve seen several Bullitt XL’s in the wild, although all are used by the same local bike courier.
Lots of accessories are not available for the XL (side boards, bottom and canopy), I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bullitt XL is only targeted for businesses.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bullitt XL is only targeted for businesses.

Yea, in the FAQ they state exactly that.

We firmly believe that the Original Bullitt meets the existing demands from families so this one is for the professionals.

Currently we have no plans of producing accessories with child carrying or personal use - this Bullitt is designed with professionals and businesses in mind.

Load 75? Packster 70 is also likely coming back.

I'm semi seriously considering buying a cargo bike of my own. The main use case will be lugging my 30kg dog about and as a general run around. How does the Omnium handle with the weight that high up? My current thinking is that the low centre of gravity on something like a Bullitt might be a better bet with a big, wriggling dog. The appeal of the Omnium is the ability to stand or on it's end to take up less room in the house. Anything else to consider?

I’m a recent Omnium user, and found that where and how you load the bike makes a huge difference to the handling. The further back towards the headline the better; the further forward especially over and in front of the rear wheel makes it very wobbly and shimmy all over the shop. With a large wriggling dog it may be tricky to keep the loading in a good position that doesn’t affect handling constantly.

I ride a bullit and an omnium all the time.

IMHO that sort of weight and the usability combined would mean the omnium would work well. Bullit would handle the weight nicer but also more of a faff to store in the house. I 'enjoy' riding the omnium more whilst the bullit feels a touch more utilitarian. Welcome to have a go on the omnium, its a mini max with extender

I think omniums feel great to ride. 30kg isn’t a lot imo and you won’t be the unsettled by the height of the cargo.

Bullitts not for me personally but they’re also excellent bikes.

as always you should test ride both!

Thanks a lot for the offer, I might well take you up on that at some point!

Yeah it's not the weight itself that's the issue. I wouldn't think twice about using either to carry a static 30kg load, I'm just wondering if it's likely to be an issue if she started messing about. Maybe having a Bullitt with a bucket, similar to a child carrying set up might be useful. It'd be nice for it to double up as cool uncle-mobile to take my niece out in.
I rode Bullitts for a living for years and they're definitely not the most interesting ride. From a brief punt around the block on a friend's Omnium, it felt a lot more exciting ride but I've not had the chance to have a proper go on one. Maybe that's the next step!
Whatever I would theoretically end up with would have to replace my current practical commuter/run around so I'd want to at least vaguely enjoy riding it with or without the dog.

I have a 20kg dog, but he's big / tall as he's a sight hound.

We use a bullit to take him everywhere and it's excellent. Just decided to buy another cargo bike as my wife is always riding the bullit!

considered the omnium but didn't think it would work very well as he sits up when riding and would be quite difficult to see over the top of him, also think the wriggling would unbalancing

Went for another bullitt

I have an 18kg ish dog who rides on my Mini Max and my wife’s Bullitt

She prefers riding on the Omnium because she likes being high up, she’s quite a nimble dog so likes precariously standing with her front paws on the rack bar, we’ve had her on it since she was 8 weeks old so she is very comfortable laying down on it. Issue with the Omnium can be that if you have to brake quickly, they can slide off the front which is why we only really have our dog on our Omnium when riding trails and along the seafront. You can use a harness (we have a seatbelt one) but then you’re faced with the decision of how long to have it, too short and if they fall off it could choke them, too long and it could mean they end up being dragged, the height makes this a bigger factor than on the Bullitt.

Bullitt is way more relaxing for carrying a medium to large dog. On an Omnium unless your dog is extremely calm and lays down (and stays laid down) on command, you might struggle. Smaller dogs would be fine on an Omnium as their centre of gravity is lower so it won’t matter if they stand up.

Come down to Bournemouth with your dog and you’re welcome to test ride both. I love my Mini Max but I think we’d struggle on our longer rides with the dog if it was our only cargo bike.