Bike Pittsburgh

cargo bike

Does anyone know of a good place in town to buy a cargo bike, like the Dutch-made Bakfiet?

RE: cargo bike

As far as I know, there are 3 US dealers for the 2 wheeled bakfeitsten, Clever Cycles in Portland, A shop in LA that I don't recall the name of and these guys.

For the price of these bikes and shipping $3000+ you could get a bike beter suited for PGH. The dutch bikes are 7 speed, have a bolt upright riding position and a 20" front wheel.

If I was going to spend $3000 on a dutch style cargo bike I'd get a Bilenky. They'll build you one and stick it on the train, you ride down to the station, unbox and assemble, throw you bike in and ride off into the cargo-bike sunset.

Also see Center for Appropriate Transport's bike.

Don't forget the Xtracycle or Kona's new Ute. They could make for fine cargo haulers in the city. Honestly I think the longtail design is superior for cargo hauling, the Bakfeit wins for kid hauling.

RE: cargo bike

are you opposed to making one? looks like a bike, a shopping cart, some extra steel and a weekend with a welder and it could be done.

alternatively, i could make you one.

RE: cargo bike

There's also the Worksman Low Gravity, which is pretty cheap and reputed to be a tank of a bike.

RE: cargo bike

There has been an on-going discussion on the Kogswell Owners Group about cargo bikes. Lots of opinions there, including from a guy who uses one as a messenger in San Francisco. I believe there's a photo or two or some converted Raleigh 20s (or other folders).

I'll also cease being lazy and just link to the search results.

RE: cargo bike

I saw that R20 photo and am tempted. I bet Chris@Thick could do it up nicely. Or perhaps I should talk to the welder-wielding residents of this forum -- a winter project. Interesting...

RE: cargo bike

I don't get the 20" cargo bike deal personally. They don't look like they could carry much, the weight is way out over or in front of the axles, and those tiny wheels will be sloooooowwww with a big load.

The Xtracyle and Bakfeit keep the load between the wheels and low, making for a much more stable ride, and the big wheels make riding longer distances more bearable.

This is all theory though and if someone has or builds a 20" cargo bike, I want to give it a spin.

RE: cargo bike

Just to add to the cargo bike mix, RANS (folks in Kansas who make aircraft, crank forwards, and recumbents) is apparently working on a prototype of a long-tail crank forward bike.

Got no pix or linx, but the quote from a guy who rode the prototype was "the first revision of the long tail prototype was lighter then expected, had predictable handling (pavement, gravel, rough grassy slopes), and made you want to sprint on it like a dragster. CF's already have the long wheelbase advantage as part of their geometry, so this could be the ultimate calling of the crank forward design eh.".

We'll see what comes of it...knowing RANS, it won't be cheap, but should be rock-solid.

RE: cargo bike

older post, but this possed up on craigslist today, http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/794133996.html

RE: cargo bike

if youre into the whole 3 wheeled bike there is a guy around that will build them for you. His name is Sketchy, but hes a good guy. He hangs out at Kraynicks a lot and is really approachable about the bikes he builds. I know he made one for Garfield Art Works which sits in their foyer and they might have his number.