Cargo Bikes

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Fundamentally the riding position. It’s too upright for my liking and there is very little adjustment available.

I thought spreading the load would be beneficial but so far it’s more of a frustration. I’m sure I’d get more used to it or find a better loading plan but it’s a faff to Load four different areas. Access to The panniers is compromised by the rear cargo space. On occasion I have been hitting the load in the rear space with my heels which is more of an annoyance than a real issue.

Also the battery access is a bit fiddly. The battery can only be released if the rear wheel is locked. The lock location for the rear wheel is on one side of the bike whilst on the other for battery release. The battery can't come out with any load in the rear space.

also being a shorter wheel base even with the mudguards I've had serious puddle splash resulting in sodden feet this week.

finally i don't really see the foldable steerer as much of a benefit as it makes very little difference to the size of the bike.

oh and finally finally.... aesthetically its not ticking my boxes.

Thanks!
I don't know if I will ever buy a cargo bike, but I was looking at the tern.

I don't know if I will ever buy a cargo bike,

The amount of time you are taking to think .. your kids would buy you a range rover soon

I'm stalling.

they will soon buy a cargo bike to carry you

What, like in that poem on your fridge?
"where you see one set of bike tyre tracks, that's where we stuck you in the cargo bike and carried you"

"where you see one set of bike tyre tracks, that's East Dulwich where we stuck you in the cargo bike and carried you to Sydenham"

All the good stuff I heard about the Tern was from parents who primarily carried their kid(s) with it. For everything else I'd think there are better options.

Or Bellingham. Where our bike was nicked.

Given that it's designed to carry children and has a suspension fork, I'd try biasing the load toward the back and so how that goes.

Yeah, i am definitely heading back to a box bike but With the weight difference comparing the Bullitt to other options I can see myself going back to a Bullitr

Get the bullitt.

I respect your decision to do this; you could have bought a van and got it over with ages ago.

Can i ask why are you pursuing the bike route? Genuinely keen to know.

And I do keep thinking maybe I should just get a van... perhaps a lease vehicle.

The bike will have it limitations on jobs and tools I can carry that’s a fact.

But the cost of parking both my residents and at jobs, petrol, insurance, maintenance. Congestion/ULEZ charges. And driving stresses is something I’d like to avoid.

My power tools are going cordless electric so I’d like to cut out petrol use alltogether. I like the idea of being a green gardener as possible. A possible usp.

And I want an excuse to get a Bullitt! Trying to justify it as a business decision for it to turn into a family use tool. To use for the grocery run, large shopping trips, taking the wife and the dog out. General cargo bike usage.

And I want an excuse to get a Bullitt!

This is why I had a child

I think you’ve already listed a lot of reasons why a Bullitt is completely justifiable. Can you do a Zip Van for days when you need a van? I mean, if it’s for days when you need a cement mixer, most plant hire places deliver and collect.

Yes, this is possible and has been planned as a solution. Thankfully there is a zip van parking bay very close to home too so I just need to get organised as and when it’s needed

My wife insists we need a honeymoon before she’s pregnant so.... the child is on the back burner for a few more months at least!

Have you thought about trying a cargo bike larger than a bullit? Like an Urban arrow XL? Possibility at carrying larger / heavier things and better as a family vehicle.

With any cargo bike you can get a trailer too for when you’ve really got a lot of stuff to haul around :)

I have and I will try to rent one as my next test. My main turnoff is the weight. At 50kg (correct me if I’m wrong) it’s 20kg heavier than the Bullitt. But I will test one, as this last week, has been really beneficial at ruling the Tern out. Making my decision (whatever I go for) more sure and informed.

Nice, yeah worth giving one a go for sure. Understand your weight concerns, it is a lot heavier. I’d say it’s not that big an issue with the mid drive motor, particularly with the newer Bosch Gen4 cargo lines they all come with now - they’re plenty powerful enough ime. Worth the trade off if you need the extra capacity.

The older ones are great but do struggle a little bit up hills when you’re pushing close to the max load (150kg payload ish)

Took son’s old bunk bed back to this grandparents house today. Partner didn’t fancy cycling so chucked her on the front too :)

That is a serious load! Will defo try one. On that note does anyone have a recommendation of a good place to rent one?

And I do keep thinking maybe I should just get a van... perhaps a lease vehicle.

You can lease a cycle from EAV solutions
https://www.eav.solutions/our-range

Update on the slowest burning bike box project on the planet: cut another pair of handles in the front and back panels and managed to get the first coat of varnish on. Currently drying in the shed. I deliberately put a very thin first coat on because BOY does varnish dry slowly.

Also took the top brace bars out the frame which takes 1kg out the weight.