Brakes, just to give you a rough idea of how the thing fits in. I have no car (can’t drive), and live in a house with a big shed and a garden about 5 minutes ride from the station and an 11 mile commute from work. I use the Dummy for pretty much all my commuting and general mucking about by default, so I’m always on it if I need it. A lot of the time, agreed, it isn’t strictly speaking necessary, but it is incredibly convenient.
Jobs include:
– frequently picking my wife up from the station, she really appreciates this
– shopping – I can do a week’s shop for 2 of us effortlessly. I probably could do it with panniers and a rucksack, just. On the dummy it’s effortless, the bags for life just go into the expandable panniers and the bike’s handling is hardly affected by any sane amount of weight
– B&Q trips – I have easily carried enough paint etc for a full redecoration of the ground floor of the house, and can do garden centre type trips etc no problem. Again, not essential, just convenient.
– off-licence – you really can haul as much booze as you feel decent buying, again, easily rather than with difficulty.
– odd stuff – 4 x goods palettes to build a compost bin, 2 x dead bikes to the Recycles, shonky old ebay folder hauled home etc
– Camping – I can carry all the junk for a comfortable trip, while herself can just ride light. Not actually done this yet.
– bulky bits – I often have to commute lugging change of clothes plus books and papers etc etc. All that just drops into my (heowge) messenger bag and it sits into the pannier and just gets pulled out at the other end. It doesn’t hurt the handling, is perfectly stable etc.
Today I’ve had to buy a new wheel, which wants taking home. I won’t notice it at all, it’ll just be there with no bother.
This is the thing. In terms of pure load-hauling, no, you don’t necessarily need it every trip. It’s just well worth having. I’ve always had commuting bikes which tried to be mountain bikes or whatever as well. It’s fine, but having a dedicated bike that will carry anything I want to carry is marvellous.
Don’t at all underestimate the pleasure of carrying people as well. I basically transport my wife, but have hauled brothers and friends short distances from time to time as well. Xtracycle half suggest that random cute girls will want to ride on the back and maybe make out with you. That hasn’t been my experience yet, but I live in hope. It’ll also haul 2 kids if that ever becomes an issue.
🙂