Cargo Bikes

Benno boost. Got the one you need to buy in stock in Glasgow ;)

Gsd, boost and multi tinker all do the same thing tbh. Gsd suits small pilots better than any other. Multi tinker and benno have better quality accessories. Benno easiest to service and most like a normal bike for parts requirements in future. R+m least big looking. Gsd without a rohloff has the literally stupidest rear wheel attachment system, but with a rohloff is nice.

https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/NCM/catalogue-id-ncm-au10708

Loads of Urban Arrow for sale at auction

Gsd suits small pilots better than any other.

But still grand up to 6'2" (my height). Given the choice out of a line up with cost being no issue, I would go R&M.

Trying to work on the rear end of my GSD the other day drove me to distraction. And don't get me started on removing and re-installing the chain guard. Because of course you'd use one of the mounting bolts to also hold the chain pulley. And have said pulled inside any wheel spray protection so it spends all year getting hammered with water and gunk. But anyway, it's all clean and re-lubed now so can forget about the pain for a bit.

Mk1 gsd were so much easier, and used normal 128 link chain. Mk2 rear wheel removal is insane, chain uses 14x links I think. So your buying two chains each time, pulley arrangement often causes over run of the mech/freehub as well. Would love to know the actual reason for them doing this. Even just rear disc pads (most users wear rear faster than front) would drive most folk to a full mental break down

I just switched to single pads instead of the doubles, but I am now getting a high pitched squeak/rub when riding (not enough to cause noticeable resistance or put heat into the rotors) I assume due to overfill of fluid and/or thicker pad material and/or the individual pads having more independent movement than the dual pads. I have mostly got rid of it, but all the easy fixes (like re-aligning the caliper) is a pain. You need to remove the skirt/wheel guard to get at the bolts (unless you do what I did and stack a load of bit holders together to get at it from the far side of the wheel guard, stripping the torx socket on the bolt in the process. But that's now future me/the next mechanic's problem).

Even though it's a total pain in the dick to work on, I still love it.

Change the magura alloy torx for shimano or anyone elses steel 5mm Allen's. Much easier and allows you to use a ball end allen instead which makes it a bit easier
Did you clean pistons before pushing back? Hard working bikes go hard on their brakes, doesn't take a huge amount of dirt to stop pistons retracting as they should. Gsd also known for kink in hose under bb shell/bosch motor which stops them from retracting.
Some prefer the combined pad, some prefer the separate ones

Did you clean pistons before pushing back?

As best I could, yeah, with my head upside down, mid game of twister that is working on a GSD.

Change the magura alloy torx for shimano or anyone elses steel 5mm Allen's.

That's a good shout. The front already uses them. Not sure if that's standard or just what they happened to do on mine.

This is the first time I've switched to the separate ones and it was because the combined one and their extra tabs made it a pain in the dick to swap them.

If I was going for a R&M what would be the best/most fun option ?

Whichever that one is https://youtu.be/4B8voeICc5s

Some prefer the combined pad, some prefer the separate ones

Threw a new set of combined/double pads on last night, blissful quiet on the big commute this morning. Will just resolve to snipping half the length little hook tabs off the double pads for replacement in future (@amey a pair of side cutters goes through the tabs easily, then you just clean up the cut. Quicker than trying to file it all off). The constant high pitched drone with the single pads was driving me batshit.

Can now actually enjoy the rest of the benefits of the service I did on Sunday.

Does anyone have experience cycling on the Urban Arrows without the electric assist (no battery left)?

Particularly the Shorty and XL Cargo? Many thanks

Yes, quite a lot on the XL. What do you want to know?

How easy it is (or how heavy does it get) to pedal power only, when the battery is dead.

You can do it, I’ve cycled 10miles plus in one go with no power. If you have any weight on the front, and or have to get up any hills it’s absolutely exhausting, very high levels of fitness required!!

This was on a 60kg base weight Urban arrow XL, with a Rohloff hub. At speed is ok (14mph+) but if you have to stop start a lot it’s killer. It’s noticeably harder to go long distances with the enviolo hub. Just adds that extra bit of difficulty with poorer rolling resistance and smaller range.

Not an Urban Arrow, but on another cargo bike with a Gen 2 Bosch CX motor (the one with the small chainring and an internal step-up gear) and an Enviolo hub, both introducing huge amounts of drag... it's extremely hard IMO!

I've run out of battery on the XL a couple of times. As MCamb says, it's an absolute bastard if you have any weight at all on it.
I used to ride non electric Bullitts for a living and even fully loaded they were much easier to ride without assist.

Thank you, extra helpful.

Never seen the 'Extreme' - how does it compare to the Heavy Duty?

They have just released it.
Apparently it can cope with 300kg and has a beefier axle.
The freewheel 3 pawls interface is still the same so that is still the weak point in my opinion

Saw this monster at Asda on OKR.

Looks like an absolute death trap!

3 Attachments

Wow. Feeling equally terrified and impressed by the level of bodgery.

I've spotted that round there before as well. Very cool and very sketchy.

Also seen it before, think it’s held up for years 😅

If you’re going to collect at Paddington drop me a line 😉

The pulley system on this completely stumped me. Surely should have been spotted as an issue way earlier on.
Always spaced them out.