I am considering a cargo bike for nursery and shopping run.

We have child seats and Burley trailer already but not sure how to load two childern on to current bike with child seats on front and rear and the wife doesn’t trust the trailer on the road without her as an escort.

So thinking either a bakefiet (two wheeled), elephant bike or Kona Ute type cycle and would like any real life experiences? Interested in how you cope with loading and on the road experience / cycle barriers etc.

Thanks

I’ve got an Xtracycle and have ordered one of the new S8000 (Xt level ebike) Bullitts.

The Bullit was just such an impressive bit of kit and totally changes your attitude to short and medium length journeys, carrying stuff and life in general.

Downsides of Bullitt is that it’s a big thing to store. And expensive relatively.

I’ve only carried children by having them sit in the space at the front. Seat and canopies are available.

Consider steering damper and brake upgrade for uk use compared to Holland. Though I am in the Pennines.

My real life experience of the Ute was not so great, the loading deck was too high for purpose (29er) and the bike was noodly as hell under when loaded. Apart from these deal-breaking (for me) shortcomings I loved it for bimbling, but I love the replacement (Batavus Personal) more. I can do all of the shopping on the Batavus and it excels at carrying weight in comfort. It has stepthru frame, integrated locks, hub-gear, always on dynamo lights and heavy duty racks and stand are all included and I recommend all of these things for a utility/cargo bike (whatever style) as in real world use I discovered that they are all such useful features that I’d now choose nothing less.

Not a fan of kids riding high up on the back of a bike it’s an extra safety hazard, hence backfiets are the sensible tools of choice in Places Where People Customarily Use Bicycles. But, as you say, cycle barriers and if there is a way around that?

A mate has a Surly Big Dummy that he carts his kid and gear around on.

Amazing bike, feels just like a bike. I had ride on it to John o’Groats from near Thurso and was really impressed. The long wheelbase also irons out road surfaces nicely.

About the only objections would be its weight, but it’s there for a purpose, and you only notice it when you go to lift it. Then there’s its length. But all cargo bikes are much the same.

BTW it is an amazing training device. My mate has got a lot stronger and he was no slouch before. 🙂

I intend buying one, but first there needs to be some N-x reductions because it’s a big lump, and need a bit of space to store.

Forgot to say, when I opted for a Ute, it was against advice but pro my budget (ex-demo). The advice I was given was to go for a Gazelle Cabby (sp?) so worth a look?

We used a converted 90s Orange Clockwork with Xtracycle kit.
Was superb. Not too heavy, carried the kids until they were 9&5.
Didn’t bother with seats – just put them on the bench with a rear set of bars and footpegs.
Plenty of room to store 2 picnics and loads of clothes and use it as a sag-wagon for a small bike.

It was a while ago now though, so I don’t know if other brands have stepped-up. The Yuba range was starting to expand when I bought mine, but were heavy and I the conversion kit was al I needed really.

Carried some daft big loads (just because I could) using a borrowed xtracycle wideloader and longloader.

Miss it to be honest.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAnRDfb4BiE[/video]

I have a kona minute. Slightly shorter than a ute. Its brilliant for everyday life. I have had it for 5 years and it is my default go to bike. Perfect for dropping the kids off at school then commuting to work. I have covered an average of 8k miles on it a year over the last three years. Like previous comments, the rear deck is fairly high but I have never considered it unstable. The wide centre stand is perfect for loading and unloading. Its also good for touring. Its not as big as an all out cargo bike but this can be seen as a bonus as it makes it more usable in everyday life.

People round here use bakfiets (both 2 and 3 wheeled flavas) and seem to get on ok

If cost wasn’t an option and I was looking to replace the minute I would get a circ Helios.

http://www.circecycles.com/products/solutions/child-carrying/

We’ve got a gazelle cabby, having had trailers, seats etc. It’s ace. That’s all.

I would have loved to have the bullit but wasn’t available when my 2 were small. Budget for the canopy. The city here is full of parents doing the school run on them now, it’s great

We used a trailer with 2 in until the oldest was 5. Benefits are less storage space and I just locked it at school so could then scoot on to work.

thanks all.

I am no stranger to utility bikes – i have a pashley roadster and 90’s touring bike for dragging loads that others would load into the family saloon.

I wasnt aware of the Gazzelle Cabby – it looks like the thinking mans baekfit. The folding sides are a deal clincher for me – I need to find a dealer unless anyone is selling one here?

thanks again

Ben

Recommend trying a Yuba Mundo, I went and test rode lots of bikes and didn’t like the kona’s as they felt top heavy and flexi.

Go to somewhere like Practical cycles or really useful bikes and test ride loads….

Also hub gears are really good on cargo bikes the ability shift when stationary is invaluable

Highly recommend a bakfiets, i made one based on a bullitt but with a larger frame. The ability to see what your carrying is perfect and the wtf factor from car drivers means you get given more room

I picked up a yuba mundo after trialing the concept with an xtracycle.

Concept is amazing, love it.

My advice buy a stout one piece frame, the xtracycle flexed when loaded up which you’re going to do.

The Yuba whilst rock solid is a lump, but I wish I’d bought it first

I had a Yuba Mundo for a few years, to transport my twins around.
It was a fab bike and got lots of use. I’ve had all 5 of us on there (along the flat) with no issues. It can be a little too heavy, but after a few rides you get used to it. Never dropped it with the twins on.

I ran cheap 36 spoke wheels and other cheap build kit, and providing you don’t have to lift it up any steps to the house, you won’t really notice the (huge) weight. I used a Surly Big Dummy fork, rather than the stock one, running 200mm discs. Stopped very quickly when needed.

Let me know if you want any tips. Although Practicle Cycles were fab and very helpful.
It’s a blast, so get one.

Ps, I also have two child’s seats that fit it perfectly if you needed them.

I have a Ute and it’s been great for what I needed it for, doing the nursery/school run has meant we aren’t a two car family – but it’s true that its a bit of a bugger to store and the high deck isn’t the stablest method. However the 2nd hand price from the classifieds here was the deal sealer. having had a cargo and googling the cost of those front low loaders, they are about the same as a complete surly from CTBM so a low loader seems like a great choice

one thing I would say about the ute is that you have to be careful about where the load is placed on the deck, some of the deck is behind the back wheel and this makes it tail happy and light steering

I had a Bakfiets when my kids were younger, and it was great fun. I’ve owned quite a few bikes over the years and I’d say that’s the only one I actually miss.
It’s great being able to chat to the kids up front as you are cycling. It’s also a very practical design, and the folding rain hood attaches in seconds to provide a completely weatherproof compartment. The double leg kick stand is very stable for loading, and kids can clamber all over the bike without tipping it.
The genuine Dutch Bakfiets are really well built, with sturdy frames and marine ply boxes; designed to be stored outside if necessary. They are not light, but with the 8 speed Nexus hub and low gearing I found I could ride just about anywhere (including a 50 mile hilly route with with two kids). They also make good cargo transporters; lots of space in the box, and you can lash long items like planks to the sides.
I didn’t have any access problems on cycle paths with a short wheelbase Bakfiets, and was only defeated by one narrow opening on a gated road. You should be fine on normal paths.

Found a picture from a trip to B&Q on an old thread:

Hi

Xtracycle free radical conversion on a gt donor frame here. Love it. My boys are 6 and 9 now and mainly ride their own bikes but can still haul both on the back. When younger I built a guard rail round the back of the rear platform from lightwieght key clamp and rapped in pipe lagging to give them security on the back. Worked well.

I don’t have a car, use it for some stupidly big shops and tip runs. Can be a little flexy but fine if you expect it.

Great bike to ride unladen too, really fun.

Its been at the centre of many a picnic / day trips etc for years and always gets lots of attention.

i have a surly big dummy i’m looking to move on. sadly just didn’t work out for my intended use ( karting the dog about. she just wouldn’t have it ).
it’s basically brand new and has the xtracycle centre stand, guards, etc.
£950 shipped. i’m in devon.
if it’s of interest shout and i’ll let you have the full details.

Never used one but for what you want it has to be the bakfiets surely.

Moved house by xtracycle. Twice.

I was a cargo-bike courier for a bit and have ridden most bikes over the years. The ones that really impressed me were the bullit and the omnium.

I never got on with the handling of any of the rear loaders, the handling varied too much with the load. With the exception of the 8freight, though the handling on that didn’t feel right at any time (no feedback through the handlebars).

the MSC truck was a dangerous flexy monstrosity that most in our company would refuse to ride, it was as if somebody had described what riding a bicycle should feel like to someone who has never ridden one.

The bullit is a proper van replacement for working delivery people, though overkill for most. the omnium rides mostly like a normal bike but with huge rack space and is best for most.

We’ve got an urban arrow. It’s great, but in a class of its own in a way. The bullit is 23kg ish. The UA is 45kg! (I found out after doing some post purchase research, we bought it second hand on a whim)

My OH won’t ride it. It doesn’t “nip” through traffic, it’s a second car replacement rather than a bike really. The electric motor and nuvinci hub make it easy peasy to ride, even up fairly steep hills, but without the battery I think it would kill me quite quickly on even a mild incline. The bullit has the same 125kg load capacity, but that’s totally ridiculous without the electric assist of the UA, unless you live somewhere pancake flat.

Also, it’s taken me a while to get over the attention you get. Lots of “wows” from kids, and “that’s great” from adults. I guess the people saying “****” keep their windows wound up.

It is/feels 1000 times safer for the youngling than a bouncy seat with a rucksack to the face, or a 2 foot tall trailer.

To answer your questions, it fits through barriers, but is a squeeze through staggered gates. Its narrower than my mountain bike bars. It’s great to load as it has a monster double kick stand, which is also handy for maintenence. It has two steps up the side for kids to clamber in, I’ve never felt it might topple over while parked.

Im in Exeter, you’re welcome to test drive if you’re local.

I love my cargo bike – Kona minute…

I’ve fitted wheel skirts, a handlebar for the deck passenger, a (Yuba) deck cushion, and have a wee ride on the front..

twice a week I carry my son (8) and daughter (3) on the school run… people love it!! There;’s a sense of pride/smugness in having MORE passengers on your bike than are in most of the cars you pass!!

Whatever option you go for, you’ll love a cargo bike!!

DrP

The bullit has the same 125kg load capacity, but that’s totally ridiculous without the electric assist of the UA, unless you live somewhere pancake flat.

New S8000 ebullitt on order. 🙂

I’ve had a Ute for a few years. It does have a high load deck but both kids are tucked in behind you, visible to following drivers and above car bumper height. Overtaking drivers give loads of space. It has a stoker bar and foot pegs for the older child and a proper seat for the young ‘un, so the kids are pretty secure. The long wheelbase makes it noodly when accelerating hard but very comfy on poor surfaces. Unladen, It’s just a LWB hybrid, so the only bespoke part is a longer chain. Kids are too old to carry on it now and my health isn’t great so I’ll probably sell it next spring.

Before buying any kind of cargo bike, you need to consider storage space, they’re all big and some of them are a weird shape. Financial outlay versus other savings; none of them are cheap and some have non-standard parts. Feasibility of transporting it by car is another factor. The Ute is about 17Kgs so can be lifted onto a roof mounted tandem rack for Center Parcs type holidays. Rear racks aren’t an option for most cargo bikes, they’re too long or wide. So while all of them are very practical and a great way of pootling about and bonding with the kids, they can be a bit expensive and cumbersome if not used regularly.

Just looked it up, that is mighty pimpin. Though looking at the pictures I think ive found the weight difference. Other than the step through frame, it’s the size. The UA will take 4 kids, or an adult in reasonable comfort. The bullit looks quite a bit smaller.

Not that everyone has 4 kids.

I occasionally see a tiler riding through town on a Bullit. He always looks really happy. He has his cutting machine and loads of tiles and grout like up.

Make perfect sense.

Oh, I’ve also ridden the urban arrows. The riding position is not an athletic one, it’s a sit up and beg dutchbike position. This means if your e-motor ever packs in they become borderline unridable as there’s toomuch weight and an inability to make power due to the position.

I was not a fan

I can agree with this. The Dutch position lends itself very well to one size fits all though. I think the bullit might feel a bit small in the frame for me at 6’4″ (not tried one mind)