17 Things to Know about Cargo Bikes
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- Electric cargo bikes are becoming more and more popular. I wanted to make a quick video just discussing some of the tips to consider when looking to purchase an electric cargo bike. We hope you find this video to be helpful and if you have any other questions or comments, feel free to leave them below!
Below is a link to some of our favorite cargo bikes:
propelbikes.com/product-categ...
Timecodes:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Make sure the cargo bike fits you
1:50 Facebook groups for cargo bikes for support
2:00 Cargo bike adjustable features
2:30 Consider your current and future needs
3:00 Carrying kids in your cargo bike
4:20 Front loader vs long tail cargo bikes
5:40 Unique features of cargo bikes
6:00 Where do you store a cargo bike?
6:55 Consider your budget for your cargo bike
8:30 Where to service electric cargo bike
9:10 Consider the regulations in your area for bikes with children
9:50 Regulations with ebike speeds
10:50 Think about the specs that you need on your ebike
11:50 Which drive train to choose?
12:30 What type of terrain are you going to be riding on?
13:00 Cargo biking in different weather
13:50 transporting your cargo bike
Musicbed ID: MB01GQEPMAGJ1IC
#cargobikes #electricbikes #ecargobikes - Věda a technologie
Hope you guys enjoyed the video! ✌
If you're interested in learning more about our favorite electric cargo bikes, feel free to check out the links in the description.🚲
42 years ago I built a bike cart and used it to deliver tofu from my shop to restaurants and stores. I also hauled my daughter in it. 20 years later I was hauling my granddaughter in a Burley cart. I had to turn my head to talk to her. Once the right wheel of the cart hit a curb and put the cart on its side. She was strapped so no one got hurt. I also used a rear mounted child seat but again, I couldn't see what the child was up to without turning around. 15 years ago I got a Bakfiets. Having the box in front allowed me to carry 3 kids and to talk with them and see them while paying attention to what is in front of the bike. My main point is that front loading bikes have great passenger hauling advantage.
I'll post some photos on your FB page.
Where can I see your photos?
But isn’t this the same problem people in cars have? In fact people in cars can’t solve it(at least in today’s age) and have to turn around to see their child.
A 3 wheel cargo bike though is significantly less efficient than a 2 wheel one. Not only is it quite a bit heavier but it also has 50% more rolling resistance and it's wider frontal profile also means more drag.
@@MrMarinus18there are bakfiets with only two wheels and e assist
I'm a cargo ebike owner and the last segment has been the real difficult thing for me. TRANSPORTING that bike bike is NO JOKE. I can't take it on a train, or a bus, and to buy a rack for the car would be another grand. So, I've had the bike for 4 years and it has never left our local community despite living closeish to many really good bike paths.
Excellent segment Chris, and it caught my attention in light of something I noticed when a friend asked me to look at a popular and affordable cargo bike she just purchased that had protected seating for her two children. She'd Stop writing it after about a dozen rides and asked me to look at the brakes. I was surprised to see that factory installed disc brakes were typical of what you find on inexpensive big-box store bicycles. I replaced the pads and adjusted the brakes, but the stopping ability of the bike with just me on board was still concerning if not dangerous. I recommended she take the bike to a local bicycle cooperative, and they were able to upgrade the braking systems what is safe and reasonable for a cargo, for reasonable price and it's huge improvement.
about the kids in the back, I have heard another educative argument mildly against it: by having them in the front, they can see their neighborhood in the same way they will see it when they will walk or bike into it, it prepares them more to being in charge of their navigation.
Perhaps it's because you don't sell them, but something else that could have been touched on is tricycle cargo bikes. While I'm not really a fan of them myself because you have to go slower around corners, and can't filter through traffic like a bicycle, those are probably not downsides to an extra cautious parent who wouldn't be going very fast anyway, and combined with the ease of loading and unloading and slow speed maneuvers, I can see how they can be appealing to people who aren't already experienced cyclists, or have some mobility issues.
There's quite a lot of commercial cargo bicycles in London and not so many privately owned ones, but anecdotally, the private ones being used by families I do see are quite often Babboe, Nihola or Christiana tricycles.
Hi, I've just purchased a used e-cargo trike for me and my German Shepherd. Looks similar to the Babboe Dog set up. I can no longer ride a bike or walk on hard roads for long, so I'm hoping this trike will revolutionise our lives 😊
Thanks for pointing out these possible problem areas.
Only discovered the channel this weekend. Really like the presentation style and information. Appreciate the chapters. Not sure if any summaries would boost your views too, I always love them. Cheers for the content.
I live in the Midwest with a lot of great bike trails. I purchased a rear cargo bike. I’m so excited to have adventures with my kids 🙂 plus biking to go do errands. Yes, they’re expensive but it’s an investment.
I would love to know which one you purchased. I am a mom of two looking into purchasing one
Great video. I think you are one of the most forward thinking ebike entrepreneurs out there!
Even years after, your videos are so informative.
Thank you very much.
Very complete and very helpful!
Thanks !
Greetings from France.
4:40 literally yesterday a guy accused me of trying to kill people when he saw my homemade front load cargo bike. I understand the engineering of this fairly well, I’ve ridden it quite a bit and it feels safe and I really enjoy it. I wouldn’t ride it if it didn’t feel safe.
Great run-down Chris!
Well I built my electric cargo bike, and did it with a used adult trike and here is what I have to say. If you build your own electric cargo bike, spend a little more on the parts such as the conversion kit and the battery as you will be a lot happier in the end. If you go cheap, with a used frame which is OK. But buy cheap parts, like a cheap conversion kit and go with lead acid batteries which you can do. You are probably not going to be happy, with it if it's always breaking down due to the weight of the lead acid batteries or when the batteries die on a ride. Because that is what I did, and trying to ride a cargo bike that weighs 150 lbs empty is not fun. And it is even less fun when you have close to 300 pounds of cargo on the bike, along with the weight of the bike with those lead acid batteries. If I had it to do over, and had the funds I would buy a pre-built one from Propel or some other company with a good reputation.
12 kiddos here lol but 6 under 7. Thank you for the video
Interesting video, I love the wide range of cargo ebikes on the market now but I guess that makes choosing the best one for you very challenging.
Excellent video. If you ever make updated version of this video one thing to add is: How easy it is to maintain the bike over long period of time. Some manufacturers can be easily fixed and serviced for decades. Others are more problematic. How good is after sales service and end-of-life promise for components. There are even some cheap cargo-bikes that you are not able to find tires 5 years after purchase.
Hyper informative, thank you!
Thank you
The third option is the cycle truck, with a load platform over a smaller front wheel.
The traditional cycle truck is the same size as a normal bike. With a sturdy rear rack you can carry a heavy load over the rear wheel as well.
And with an extended cycle truck, with the front wheel pushed forward and connected with a push-rod, larger loads can be placed on the front and still be no longer than a mid-tail cargo bike.
Learn from the most frugal country in the world, the Netherlands.
Buy a quality bike, with a bit of maintenance it will easily last your life.
I like this strategy! I love the Netherlands!
I grew up with this mentality from my Dad. He always encouraged people to save and buy the best product they can after doing their research. I get people telling me I am being foolish looking at mostly costly bikes like Xtracycle, Gazelle, Tern, or Bulls when i can get Brand X for half the price - but how long will Brand X last? How much money I am spending down the road I likely would not be spending if I bought those other bikes (or, you know, sold a kidney to buy a Riese Muller...).
That mid steering bike looks very cool!
Thanks Chris, great video. We got rid of one car about 8 months ago and I have gone fill ebike as my mode of transportation and bus and taxi. One thing we discussed was when we have a kid we need to get them to day care. Should we use a come along? like how will we do that. then maybe upgrading it to a snapon tandom when they are older.. Get Ideas in this video. I personally want my next upgrade to be a variable transmission hub with a mid drive belt system and at min 20Ah battery.
Great video. Thank you 😊
That’s quite informative and complete tutorial to me. People often ask me which bike is best so I wrote a blog post that they should look at their own needs. And the main points are exactly the same. I could also add: the look and design :) Cargo bikes are supposed to be useful but they also look cool and you should like their design too.
Besides, some bikes are more DIY-friendly (open to modification) and some people just want a ready-made and developed product with minimal maintenance.
I just got a terko 20ah 500 watt electric arrow and strapped a double wide egg crate to the back ( hold two grocery bags ) it doesn't look like a motor cycle. It's very cheap and heavy but I love it , it does the job , powers up my big hill with groceries and maybe dodge the legal expenses of a car
Hey bro! we really need to bring down the cost of cargo bikes so more people can get access to them! particularly the secondary market. Cheapest front load bikes that are more family oriented are around $3000 not including shipping neither a reasonable electric assist power train. I want to make a open source design that would use gridbeam to lower carbon footprint and make it more modular so it can grow with young under served financially stressed familys vs urban and city hipsters.
You can buy a welder for $200 and build as many as you like from older steel framed mountain bikes👍
thank you. it was plenty of helpful info
I moved to Bogotá Colombia from the US a year ago and I’ve never seen so many cargo bikes in commercial use in my life.
the biggest issue with expensive bikes is 1. they are target for thieves 2. if you have one you probably don't let it out of sight ( i know i wouldn't ) I can't imagine locking a $10k bike to a street pole.
There are things you can do: 1. Insurance 2. Use a few good locks (at least three) 3. Always cover your bike 4. GPS Tracker
One point is if you live in a place with only a little elevation changes, the bike doesn't even need to be electric.
For example, the Bullitt is light enough front loader to be rode without a motor. However, living on top of a hill, I'm definitely considering either an after market motor, or a new bike.
I have been looking one to have fun with my babies in the spring, sumner and fall, but the price tags over $4K for front seaters, and electric motor(in case uphill).
Front loader should be easy enough takes apart for storage up stairs.
another thing to consider: a cargo bike instead of a car is much less fixed running costs to the family budget. I have already got rid of one car (of the 2 we have in the family) and am looking for a cargo bike for shopping of groceries - 3 km ride with a small hill. For commenting one day a week to the city centre - 15 km away - I can always take a bus, but also use the cycle lane that is presently paved between my small town and the city. I am presently considering the tern HSD but also the nihola low. I am looking for a bike which is light weight as in Denmark we are only allowed 250 watt motor.
HI PROPEL Great videos thanks I have a question what Mountain cargo ebike would u suggest I want a bike that very fast but also able to carry my small speakers and my saxophone so I need a basket in the front and in the back but sometimes I will be just riding so I do want it to be light and fast and powerful battery that last long thanks for your help and advice I wish u all the best Propel thanks Fan mike
I laughed at "that's the price of a used car" because that's what my client (senior with dementia) says every time I talk to him about ebikes I'm considering 😅. I always respond with yeah but without all the other costs that go with a car (especially since I don't have a license so there's even more costs involved if I wanted a car) and it's new 😅.
yeah and an used car needs oil change every 3 months and registration every year and depreciates in value
4:50
I would think the problem would be the opposite. The main thing keeping bikes upright is that the center of mass is behind the pivot point which is the front wheel so the inertia of the bike forces the wheel to be straight.
The more weight you have the more you have to fight to turn it.
Can you list some of the bikes featured? Interested specifically in the rear rack cargo bikes.
I need to securely store my load 75 in a small ground level yard that occasionally might be otherwise used for pressure dining and a car occasionally. How’s are people designing small yards around bike storage when the bike is used 3-5 times a day?
I'm curious mention two specific bikes but I'm looking to get a more broader reply from different bikes as well it's a really big dummy and a Larry versus Harry what is each one of them what is this sweet spot so where does the Larry reverse Harry Excel for a cargo concept and where does reload like the surly big dummy so where do each one of them Excel in being a cargo bike
Probably a year out from buying one, but I'm looking for recommendations for a front loader with locable box and ability (crazy I know) to mount/transport a Mtn Bike with it. Yes I'm considering a bike to carry my bike to the trail (I have my reasons). Longest trips would probably be 20 miles round trip with some fairly decent hills in places.
Curious to see examples of how people move cargo bikes with a car. Use of a small trailer? Is there a hitch based system you could use the walk assist function on the bike to get it up there?
Looking for a cargo bike that I can use for hunting . I have a disabilty have no feeling in feet have some amputations on feet. Want to not use bike trailer. Don't know if front cargo or rear would be best
Electric Tricycle cargo bikes? Been looking at these since I’m a senior and my balance isn’t as good as I would like. Are there any made as basic as the “grandmother” bike you talked about in your other video about the Netherlands?
You mentioned this in your video and I'd like to stress this: living in Berlin, which has bike shops every couple blocks, most challenging was, to find one, that will service my cargo bike. They apparently need special lifting platforms and right now only few special cargo bike shops have those. They already rise in number, since cargo bikes are really common now, especially for families. But it's still something I always tell others to consider. Best solution is to buy it, where you want it be serviced in the future. Usually they give you higher priority, if you bought it there and they should be more confident with the type of bike, since they sell it.
Need a tour bike style bike, Shimano plus type tires,trekker or butterfly bars max battery, not to wide, length not a problem,700 rims we ride 100 miles a day , full loads , strong rims a must ,low gears , what do you have for this
I’m a former Californian, and now live in San Antonio Texas. I would like to make that great bike trip alone to see family still in California, so if one were to buy a cargo bike, what brand would you recommend for traveling back to California
Yeah I'm looking for a cargo bike or some kind of bike where I can go shopping and do food shopping and have like a platform with maybe Rubbermaid bins built made to it so I can haul my frozen food and drinks and all that kind of stuff home by the way I do live in Florida so I don't know if there's a place down here in Florida
Looks like a good fishing, camping gear bike.
Hi Chris! I have an Urban Arrow family that I'm in love with. I have 3 kids, but am looking for a way sportier setup for my handlebars. Can you recommend some options, esp to bring the seat forward a ton in the cockpit, far beyond pushing it just on the seat's rails??? Thanks!
Hi Ben, I have an Urban Arrow too and wasn't really happy with the seating position myself. But after a while it occured to me that the seating position actually makes it possible to put your feet flat on the ground. If you'd move the seat more forward, you would have to move it up further too, making it harder to reach the ground. This convinced me to keep te seating position as is, and made me appreciate it more.
Really helpful, what's the max load a front loader can typically carry?
440 lbs - 100 lbs (bike weight estimate) - your weight. So over 150lbs variance in carrying capacity depends on your weight.
How does your ebike handle in snow/ice?
Seeing as these cargo bikes can replace a whole car in many cases, the price is a non issue. Even if the upfront cost is as much as an old, used car, fuel cost for the car is already gonna be much higher. Not to mention all the other costs.
I soup up my cargo ebike with a new controller and a new higher voltage V72 battery! It now goes 38 mph and accelerates 0-15 almost 3X faster then the V48 and 14ah battery that went only 20mph and acceleration from a dead stop was close to speed of a turtle! The controller was pricey at $400 and battery $700.00.
Ya, that was my next question. Do you have warranty's like TELSA cars that, owners can't work on their bicycle or it voids the warranty??🤔💵
Are there any brands that are known for needing alot of services? What brands should be avoided?
What types of brakes would you recommend and what should you avoid?
What brand is shown at 13"15'?
can you please make a video about how to lock and protect your cargo bike!?
Great comment Lana. Bike theft is also top of mind for me before investing in an e cargo bike.
A bit late, but here's how we do it: We have a ring lock which goes through the back wheel, a 1.30m (~4ft) chain that you can use to secure it to something and that also connects to the ring lock. And on top of that a GPS tracking device, hidden somewhere on the bike to track the bike in case of theft. All of which were necessary to get the bike insured, here in the Netherlands.
👍🏻👍🏻
I built me a bob trailer put it behind my mountain bike it does Great ...
From the long John cargo bikes. I wish there was more options than the Urban Arrow to carry 275kgs(two big adults). Since the Load 75 and Packster can only carry 200 kgs bike weight included, so it's mainly an adult and a few children or a lighter adult.
Ferla Family Electric Cargo bike can carry up to 350 lbs.
@@YourMajesty143 that's only 150kgsand 3 wheels. Even less than the options above. On the other hand its not under the Bosch or Shimano steps ecosystem
Larry vs. Harry?
are these easier to drift because of the wheelbase?
I bought a cargo bike from China. No one mentioned how difficult they are to control. It took me weeks before I could stay straight and not wobble all over the place. After two years of not riding I feel I'm starting all over again. Probably will get rid of it hate it.
@@danielnapoli649 The steering is all weird because there is no longer a direct connection from handle bar to frontwheel.
Where can I buy your hat? I did not see them on your website. 🤠 Thanks!
We finally found a new source for them and we will announce on the channel when they become available which should be a couple of months. I’m excited to expand our merchandise program over the coming months.
@@Propelbikes That's a +1 from me.
Any thoughts on carrying children in a trailer?
I own a Trek E-Bike and love riding it and before I retired commuted to work on it.
And I, personally, have no real need for a cargo E-Bike but never-the less think they are really cool.
As such I have been thinking that E-Bikes have a lot of potential to be used in military application and especially cargo E-bikes in that they can haul a lot of gear.
As such I am wondering just how well they work off road and how they compare with say a mountain E-Bike in that respect.
Also how easy are they to push over terrain that cannot ridden such as steep hills and dense vegetation?
And do any E-Bikes (Cargo or not) allow one to use the motor as an aid when pushing the bike, sort of a push assist similar to pedal assist other than say having to mess with a throttle?
@Ron Wilson I have a Batribike Sigma folder so only a little thing compared to these wonderful machines. It confirms to British regs so only 250w front wheel motor and no throttle but it *does* have a walk assist button. It moves the bike at about four mph which is actually too fast for me to walk with as I have compromised mobility but I do use it to shove the thing up steps! Crossing a railway bridge is one extreme example although that's the sort of desperate thing I'll only do once 😂
So yes, e-bikes with a "walk assist" feature are definitely a thing.
@@judebrown4103 From what you describe it sounds like the walk assist is either on or off.
If that is indeed the case it might be cool if it was say pressure sensitive so that the harder you push on the button the more power it produced so that you could adjust the force/speed as desired.
@@RonLWilson you have to hold the button down and walk at the required speed. So yes a pressure sensitive button would be ideal. I have balance problems and weak legs so I find it acts as a kind of "hill start" to get me moving. I sit on the bike with both feet down, start it moving with the walk assist and then get my feet on the pedals. Probably not the intended use but very handy!
@@judebrown4103 Thanks for the info! That is quite helpful for my research!
@@RonLWilson you're welcome, hope you find the ideal one for your needs.
Nobody has yet designed a cargo bike which can be used by a wheelchair user with a foldout market stall and craft work desk.
8:10
I think you should look at it more as a replacement for a second car.
Talking to your passengers being IN FRONT OF YOU is main reason i bought long john cargo bike
I'm 4'9 mom of 4 and wants to purchase a family cargo bike. I don't know which one to get that I can reach the pedal.
reaching the pedal is usually not the problem, the problem is not being able to reach the ground in a safe manner. As for which size bicycle to use is best for you is to go to a bicycle store and test them.
I have the same problem. My legs are too short
The conversation about price left out that these bicycles can replace a car. And they are much cheaper than a car. It may be the case that they cost about the same as a used car, but the cost of ownership is almost nothing compared to a car.
Rules, Regulations, more population more retrorick!! Can we still ride Donkey's and Mules without a seatbelt or helmet????🤔😲😉
Donkeys yes but you'll need both for ornery mules!
Can someone please make a video of this ebike that does NOT involve kids?
Against a car, any car, the justification for a cargo bike is a no brainer, if it means you don't need a car or another car.
@7:13 "That's as much as a used car..."
Really?
My electric cargo bike costs more than 6 times of what I ever payed for a used car in my life...
It's still a good investment, I guess...
Nobody is making composite bicycle's from their 3-D Printer?🤔🤫
buy a used pedicab, they can be found dirt cheap due to the pandemic shutting many pedicab businesses down and can haul up to 4 grown adults.
After watching this channel I now know Americans call their kids “Cargo”
The inseam factor is due to hips, mating needs- in the biological reproductive sense, and in general, woman have longer legs and men have longer torsos. Not always the case mind you. Over 20 years of fitting riders I have even come across people with two different leg sizes on a genetic level. Set her up with two different crank arms and voila- an happy roadie:)
Hey Chris, sent you email at "hello" and hope to hear from you. Got an idea for you.
Thanks Andrew! I’m into it! I’ll get back to you this week, but you can count me in
Not sure how pleasurable it would be to have five or six kids, full stop lol.
Still possible, could haul some in a bike trailer in the back.
$4000 for a used car will need, in the first 2 years, $4000 minimum in repairs and rebuilds.
Inseam? Woman don't have the same junk in-between their legs, maybe?🤔
A man's inseam is measured where the leg meets the body. "Junk" doesn't influence inseam measurement, it influences crotch depth measurement. I sew.
Electric Bikes Don't Need maintenance ⛑ 😈
R&M cargo bikes are the only R&M bikes you ever report on. Children should be learning how to ride bikes not be carried around and it look odd having lazy partners up front.
I hear that quite often but it’s far from understanding what a cargo bike is. Of course kids should ride a bike as soon as possible (we started before 2yo). But you also need to carry your kids to kindergarten, school, other ocassions, together with groceries, sport equipment and all other stuff. Ususally through few districts with limited time. That’s what you use cargo bike for. Weekend cruising is just additional activity :)
So I guess you make kids walk outside a car as well then?