Modern butcher’s bike

Following on from a thread earlier, dies such a thing exist? I reckon something with a normal wheelbase, a 16” front wheel and a decent sized platform/basket would be quite practical, but all my Google-fu can find is retro style stuff.

Ex Royal Mail bike / elephant bike?

Bullitt e-cargo bike?

We have an Elephant bike. It weighs a ton. I’m sure a much nicer modern version could be possible.

Look to dutch cargo bikes. something like this?
https://workcycles.com/
https://workcycles.com/product/workcycles-fr8-commute/

Ridgeback Butcher E-cargo bike?

That Ridgeback is probably the closest, but it’s still got linkage steering – is that as vague and slop filled as I think it is?

Have a look at the Orbea Katu.
Little wheeled town bike with a headtube mounted basket.
Comes in normal or electric versions.

I have an electric one with a Bafang motor. Have got rack/panniers/rack bag on it as well as a Pashley Euroload trailer. Quite versatile for doing the shopping etc!

…it’s still got linkage steering – is that as vague and slop filled as I think it is?

Not in my experience of recumbent steering, and that was a few years ago. Would it really be a deal breaker on a 100% utility bike anyway?

Bombtrack from Germany: 2021 Munroe Cargo. No E-version.
https://bombtrack.com/2021-munroe-cargo/

Omnium from Denmark: Various styles, E-versions, and even Ti [rolls eyes]
https://omniumcargo.dk/shop/product-category/bikes-and-frames/
The Omnium Mini has a very modest cargo platform; the Mini-Max has much more capacity (and is much more popular amongst actual couriers). The Mini-Max does have a steering linkage, but they ride very normally — proper hooligan machines (as are Larry versus Harry Bullitts). Omnium has [very belatedly] introduced “Wi-Fi” versions of their frames, which finally have clearance for usefully wide tyres.

Those are just two fairly “fashionable” options. There are plenty more options out there from more utilitarian European brands that have been doing this for ages.

Basically, with a “butcher” style bike, the weight is carried lower and hence more stable, but it won’t give you much more cargo space than a normal bike fitted with a large porteur rack… unless you go for something more dedicated to actual cargo carrying, like the small-wheeled Orbea (or similar, e.g., the Soma Tradesman, etc.) or something with a larger platform (and probably a steering linkage).
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/product/soma-tradesman-frameset-orange-5424?category=990

Another option is to fit a Crust Clydesdale cargo fork to a normal bike.
But then the weight is on the fork and therefore negatively affects the steering. Probably the worst option in most ways.
https://crustbikes.com/collections/forks/products/clydesdale-cargo-fork

A normal bike can carry a lot (although maybe not optimally, unless you go for a heavyweight Dutch roadster).

Butcher bikes have similar capacity, but may (or may not) carry that load slightly better (if the geometry isn’t sorted, that front wheel can be squirrely).

And dedicated cargo bikes are great at what they do, but can be overkill for everyday use (and not well suited to the appalling design “standards” of most of the narrow, tight, crap UK bike infrastructure).

Horses for courses…

Probably not exactly what your looking for but I have one its ace for carrying loads around town and on my short commute.

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/genesis-brixton-vargn21270

I was at a Car boot yesterday (Don’t ask) and saw what looked a lot like a RM bike with a smaller front wheel and porteur type rack, it had been rattle-canned black…

Best bet I reckon is hunt for one of those, second best option is make your own:

Sort of the same principle: longer/extended fork in a normal sized frame, smaller wheel (Disc or Drum brake might be good), fashion a robust rack from steel…

That Bombtrack or that Soma are pretty much what I had in mind – thanks all!

After @ratherbeintobago’s mention of the Pashley trailer, have you checked out the
Pashley carrier bikes? Some really good looking ones there.

I don’t know how much you want to carry, but what about a traditional ‘shopper’? We have one of these (notionally it was bought for MrsIHN, but I got a longer seatpost and a seatpost QR so we can both use it):

https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/dawes-duchess-2020-womens-bike

Don’t underestimate:

a) how much you can carry on it (especially this newer version with two racks, ours just has a front basket)
b) how much of a hoot it is to ride

Sounds like you need an OFO bike. Available for ~£100 brand new on eBay. You will also need a £5 Draper security bit set from Toolstation for assembly and maintenance.

Front basket, has rear dropout pannier mounts (needs a seatclamp rack addapter). Nexus 3 speed. Nexus Dynamo hub. Solid puncture proof tyres. It even has a dropper post so the whole family can borrow it.

The only bit of maintenance mine has had in years is chain oil and I reinforced the front rack after it cracked due to overloading it.

Could do with a rear dynamo light though. The solar powered one is useless.

I do like the look of that Soma… but by god it’s expensive.