Cargo Bikes

I used to ride Bullitts with no suspension, used to break spokes regularly. I've never broken a spoke on a much heavier Urban Arrow with suspension. Obviously there's loads of other factors but the suspension probably helps! Having said that, as mentioned previously, the stock forks are fucking shit.

I can see how it can happen for sure. The front wheel on our bullitt is a custom build for purpose. Its on its second bike and so far so good. I dunno, our neighbours have an Urban Arrow and seeing the bullitt parked next to it it just looks so much sportier lol but that was the reason we bought it versus the other alternatives.

Well my experience as a cargo courier on (only on UA XL mind you) is that the suspension did a lot of work and made your life easier. These bikes are long and we regularly carried up to 150-200kg just with cargo, plus rider and usually 3x batteries - the bike itself is 60kg thereabouts maybe a bit heavier.

With the suspension (Depending on the curb height as they vary massively) Chances are you can pop up that curb and not have everything you’re carrying go flying everywhere or topple over. The only thing you do have to judge is if you will ground the middle of the bike.

On the omnium, personally I don’t like smashing it into curbs with a person on the front, doesn’t feel good. So if there is no dropped curb or it’s blocked I will get them to dismount or take the long way.

http://reiseradgabel.de/deutsch/cargo.ht­ml

Neat. Took me a while to work out what's actually going on, but anything that isn't a sliding tube in a tube design is pretty cool in my book.

Makes a lot of sense for something that big and being used as a fleet vehicle essentially. When I say 200kg i mean including me and the bike lol. But i think my problem is that most of this you see in the wild are the same crappy forks making it onto bike that will mostly be hauling 1-2kids and some groceries. ITs not that I dont think that there is a usecase I just think that it is being used as a product differentiation and "saftey" argument to drive up the cost of bikes. Just see a lot of families getting taken for a ride ( here at least)

I used to ride Bullitts with no suspension, used to break spokes regularly. I've never broken a spoke on a much heavier Urban Arrow with suspension. Obviously there's loads of other factors but the suspension probably helps! Having said that, as mentioned previously, the stock forks are fucking shit.

I've ridden both, seen loads of broken spokes on both. It's more down to the wheel build (and the rider) than the suspension imo.

Same feelings as Max on those motion labs chains. Think the cost was equivalent to 3 or 4 regular drivetrains you can easily source spares for.

Yeah, all valid. I'm definitely more cautious about breaking spokes than I used to be (not least because I'd be the one that has to fix them now.). Also, the Bullitts feel a lot more manoeuvrable so more tempting to chuck up and down curbs.

Yes. 124mm!
https://classic-cycle.de/
Funny Store, and don't underestimate the Cruiser bicycle people.

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Hopefully going to look at an Elephant bike on Sunday. The weight of a thousand suns could be good training.

lol

I think New motion labs can make sense for a fleet where availability of spares and upfront cost is less of an issue. I've found them quieter, more durable and less sensitive to chain line and tension than belts. The chains themselves are standard industrial chains, so although they aren't available from Madison, I imagine supply would be pretty easy.
I agree for a normal consumer they are way off practical or cost effective.

Id argue not for fleets. Just because something seems like it should be readily available doesn't mean it is. for the parts you burn through in a fleet like chains, brake pads, spokes etc you want the most ubiquitous readily available stuff that you can buy almost anywhere and suppliers have minimal issues importing. oh and preferable its not tied in to one brand, ie its a standard that many have adopted. (its the same reason we didn't adopt belts, also belts aren't hardy enough for the terrible way riders treat their bikes)

A consumer however might like these niche things?

I’m prob still traumatised by trying to keep the workshop stocked through covid 🥲

In my minds eye there are two approaches that in the final reckoning cost the same; cheap and highly interchangeable but you go though more of them, and expensive and bespoke but longer lasting.

They have yet to consult my minds eye for business advice, however.

My better half just bought one and she loves it. Not a confident or strong rider but happily takes two children up and down the hills of Brighton.

Oh. The bike is alarmed/GPS tagged and linked to your phone, so if you move it when it isn't connected to bluetooth the alarm goes off and you get a notification. All fine but Trek currently doesn't support multiple phones as 'keys'. So if I want to borrow it she has to disconnect her phone, forget the device, sign in on the app on my phone, connect my phone...

It's a phaff and not the end of the world but why you couldn't just authorise a second phone from her account I don't understand. LBS said they've heard plenty of people complain about it as it's annoying for families so maybe they'll do an update.

Your minds eye might be on to something if the relationship between cost and durability was linear (and ignoring all other factors ;)

new fork thingy
https://urbanarrow.com/family-anniversary/

sweet, would like to take a closer look at one :)

Thanks for the info @etcdaman @Squash - any chance you have photos of the setups? I'm trying to work out if I can bodge a front rack/box situation for it. Still waiting for it to arrive in store so I've not seen it yet. Styling seems a bit meh compared to Benno/Tern/Specialized offerings.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/390906/#comment17156258

She's got the family kit with the rear seatpads replaced with a kids seat. I'm not sure there's a good mounting spot for a front rack unless you went for a handlebar basket. But they do do front and read pannier kits.

Shout if there's anything specific you want a picture/measurements of.

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Bike like this^ they always say “two children on the back”, but could you get an adult instead? Does anyone do this? Or is there a better way? Cheers

You absolutely can carry an adult, however with the rails all the way around its quite tricky to get in and out. If you take the rails off and have a normal handlebar/stem off the seatpost it works well.

@cake might have a pic of him at the back of my GSD to the pub

Excellent. Thanks.