Oppi

Thought I'd do everyone a favour and put up an opinion on box bikes after researching for months and recently purchasing a bakfiets.nl cargo bike.

I couldn't find much online comparing these two bikes objectively. Mostly owners of one trying the other. So here's what I've learned.

1. The reviews that speak about the instability of the Bullitt are overstated IMO. I test rode a built up version and had zero trouble with it - I was up and running with my kid in the box immediately. It was a pleasant ride and different to the Bakfiets.

2. Where the Bakfiets is stable, easy to ride and stately (think Cadillac), the Bullitt is much lighter, more responsive and feels more agile (think BMW). The aluminum frame is a little buzzier ... but the payoff is a cargo bike that rides and handles more like a bike. It's also much easier to get up hills and you have more drivetrain options in building it up.

3. The Bullit has a lot less space and width than the Bakfiets in the builds that are available directly from LvH. It's not as kid friendly - no way for them to climb in on their own, good but less stable stand, etc. Two kids would be tight. Two kids and any cargo will be a nightmare. Seat belts are lap belts only (not 3 point belts like the Bakfiets).

4. The Bakfiets is heavy, larger ... but much more family/kid friendly. The weight and build give you a very smooth ride once you're rolling, and it is definitely a little easier to ride than the Bullitt ... but not enough to make a meaningful difference to an already confident cyclist.

5. Even mild inclines suck on the Bakfiets. Not impossible .... just not pleasant. Ours has the Nuvinci 380 hub. So lots of range - that's not the issue. She's just heavy.

I unfortunately test rode the Bullitt after already purchasing the Bakfiets. Not sure I would have chosen the Bullitt over the Bakfiets in hindsight (my wife is a less confident rider, and it is $1000 more in Canada when built to match the Bakfiets' utility) ... but it would certainly have been a contender.

Hope this helps anybody else out there comparing these two options. Big thing is to not discount the Bullitt because of supposed instability.

Cheers!