Cargo Bikes

this one is mine. its the best thing i ever invested in.

Human Powered Machine is the company.
http://hpm.catoregon.org/?page_id=7

but that is in the States.so hard to get one here.
but very fun to have one.

I worked in the unit next door to Larry vs Harry for 6 months. You should see their own blinged-up Bullits with carbon fibre everythings. Awesome. If I had parking for one, I'd be all over it.

This is the biggest problem with these bikes for most people in a car replacement sense. You can park a car on the street but you would not want to do that with one of these.

They are pretty awesome. If I was going to work as a courier again, this is what I would want to ride (and by coincidence, my old company has one), but for doing all the day to day stuff, I am ALL about the Big Dummy.

I think I've seen little John pedaling around on a cargo bike. Same company?

This is the biggest problem with these bikes for most people in a car replacement sense. You can park a car on the street but you would not want to do that with one of these.

Yes. We need more of these about the place.

I think I've seen little John pedaling around on a cargo bike. Same company?

Indeed. Same as a few folk on here...

Right, another thread-dredge.

I need a cargo bike. I want to be able to carry tent, food, clothes etc. I know that if I pack right, that will all fit in panniers on a regular rack, but I have a dog which will be coming along. It's only a westy, but the weight on the front wheel on the dutch bike is starting to get on my nerves when she moves about.

Given the distances we may do in a day (100km max), I have ruled out christiana bikes and bakfiets as too upright. I figure gear for two can go in the side panniers, the tent can be strapped on top, and still leave space for a dog.

My options are, as far as I can tell:

1. Xtracycle freeradical to add to my Kona MTB. 26" wheels, my own riding position. Slick tyres can go on.

2. kona ute 700c wheels, sensible spoke count, big orange bag (probably get a second)

Prices for last years ute and an xtracycle are pretty close. The xtracycle means extending hydraulic hose to the rear caliper, which is a pain.

I'm leaning towards the ute, but wondered if anyone here had any experience with either / words of wisdom to offer?

Cheers!

Why not get a bike trailer? Something like a lightweight B.O.B.?

Why not get a bike trailer? Something like a lightweight B.O.B.?

I've pretty much ruled out trailers because (a) I want to take whatever I get on the train around the country, and with a trailer, that would probably be really tough, and (b) I think my dog would probably jump out of it whenever she could (lower and closer to the ground). When she's a bit higher, she's got the good sense to stay put.

Right, another thread-dredge.

I need a cargo bike. I want to be able to carry tent, food, clothes etc. I know that if I pack right, that will all fit in panniers on a regular rack, but I have a dog which will be coming along. It's only a westy, but the weight on the front wheel on the dutch bike is starting to get on my nerves when she moves about.

Given the distances we may do in a day (100km max), I have ruled out christiana bikes and bakfiets as too upright. I figure gear for two can go in the side panniers, the tent can be strapped on top, and still leave space for a dog.

My options are, as far as I can tell:

1. Xtracycle freeradical to add to my Kona MTB. 26" wheels, my own riding position. Slick tyres can go on.

2. kona ute 700c wheels, sensible spoke count, big orange bag (probably get a second)

Prices for last years ute and an xtracycle are pretty close. The xtracycle means extending hydraulic hose to the rear caliper, which is a pain.

I'm leaning towards the ute, but wondered if anyone here had any experience with either / words of wisdom to offer?

Cheers!

Have you thought about a Yuba, I have one at my shop waiting a gear part but your welbome to come see. Im in Brentwood on the southend victoria line or just off the M25

Single wheel trailers are good for a couple extra panniers, with the obvious benefit of being removable. Not sure about the dog though (build a rack?)

The Surly big dummy is a nice option too (really, really want one of these)

There was something somewhere about a Dutch couple who did a bike trip around the world (or at least over a very long distance) with their two dogs. I'll have a rummage (pre-Internet version of Googling, for the younger forumengers) and will report back.

For budget reasons, I would say go with the Kona Ute. A mate of mine uses it for his green handyman business, and it's doing him well.

If money is no object, get a Big Dummy. I LOVE the shop one.

There was something somewhere about a Dutch couple who did a bike trip around the world (or at least over a very long distance) with their two dogs. I'll have a rummage (pre-Internet version of Googling, for the younger forumengers) and will report back.

Ah yes, the article was in the recent VeloVision, and the related web-site link is:

http://www.cyclinggypsies.wordpress.com/

Specifically here:

http://cyclinggypsies.wordpress.com/dogs-bikes/

For budget reasons, I would say go with the Kona Ute. A mate of mine uses it for his green handyman business, and it's doing him well.

1+ and it's made from alu, make it stiffer and lighter, it's lovely to not have a lots of flex when you have too much alu.

also there's some good deal surfacing around the google of the world, something like £550 even.

the google of the world

I like this phrase and will be using it by way of subliminal advertising of the global corporate takeover assiduously in the future. :)

Ash Cycles have a 2009 ute at £470, which is a bargain. Their site seems to be down though. There are others at £550 from last year knocking about on the web. It only comes with a single bag, for some reason, but another bag for the other side (£57) isn't the end of the world.

I looked at the big dummy, but ruled it out on a cost basis. Totally awesome bike, though.

That said, having thought about it some more, rather than taking a whole load of stuff and forcing ourselves to think creatively with long bikes, and give ourselves problems for getting on trains, etc. we're just going to pare down what we take, and travel light(er).

I was thinking of a tubus logo rack, which gets the pannier tops down from the top of the rear rack so I can try mounting a carrier on there for the dog. Somehow. Rack and panniers for the wife, should be more than enough space for lightweight camping.

I need to get a rack on my mountain bike, road tyres, etc. Anyone know if a tubus logo can be mounted on a disc frame? Do I need the QR adapters, or the disco rack, the disc specific tubus one?

The good news is that my wife is so into cycling now that she's put me in charge of getting her a decent tourer. She's tiny (5'2"), so do I go for the surly LHT with the 26" wheels (£999), or do I go for the thorn audax roughly sjsc spec built by me (the same price, but 700c wheels)? Unfortunately for me, the thorn audax is available in bright freaking pink, and the LHT in that size that I've found is "truckaccino" or something -- beige. I have a feeling that careful explanations about geometry and proportional wheels may be in vain.

thanks for all the advice, peeps, invaluable as ever.

http://www.cetmacargo.com/index.html

also another option. I have one and it is heavy, but it works great and has plenty of room to attach everything you need. I put a basket on it with my dog one time, did a catering gig with it on. you can rig it up on the front or the back.its a perfect flat bed.

I would quite like a bike trailer - one that folds up and can be stored in a small place, but can also carry a lot of cargo.
Does anyone have experience of these?
Avenir Mule Trailer for Bike / Cycle: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

I like the elegant design of the CarryFreedom city trailer:

http://www.carryfreedom.com/city.html

Doesn't carry that much but is rather neat.

That trailer is pretty cool.

Final design = rear rack with panniers and one of these on top:

my stupid dog is permanently standing up anyway, and rarely lies down, so not having the space for her to do that is not a problem at all. I'll bodge something to let me fix the bag to the rack and take it off for train journeys.

If we go further afield with more gear, I'll invest in a big dummy and a basket on top like those bike gypsy folks (great read, by the way).

The good news is that my wife is so into cycling now that she's put me in charge of getting her a decent tourer. She's tiny (5'2"), so do I go for the surly LHT with the 26" wheels (£999), or do I go for the thorn audax roughly sjsc spec built by me (the same price, but 700c wheels)? Unfortunately for me, the thorn audax is available in bright freaking pink, and the LHT in that size that I've found is "truckaccino" or something -- beige. I have a feeling that careful explanations about geometry and proportional wheels may be in vain.

thanks for all the advice, peeps, invaluable as ever.

I'm pretty small (5'7") and would go for 26" wheels myself. I have a soft spot for the Soma Saga partly for this reason.

Only comes in manly blue though :S

The other option is a Kogswell Porteur (650B), which is design to carry front load, come with two fork for that purpose too i think;

Just need them to answer my bloody mail.

I like the elegant design of the CarryFreedom city trailer:

http://www.carryfreedom.com/city.html

Doesn't carry that much but is rather neat.

There are two things that immediately disqualify that:

1. It's over £350. The one I asked about is only £89.
   
2. If it's small enough to be used as a backpack, Then I don't need a trailer for whatever fits in there.
   

Fair eenoof.

This video just makes me happy.
Xtra cycle, with a fixed trick bike and a tent on the back. Then disappear!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bhSHg0QaII