Cargo Bikes for Touring?
#26
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#27
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The Europeans have been using bikes like first discussed for decades, so long as the territory they intend to ride is flat. Never say them in the mountainous areas, but certainly along French rivers. Also, they proved to be popular for carrying children, who eventually move on to their own bikes as they get bigger and more capable of riding.
#28
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It certainly is an interesting idea if you had the right terrain, didn't want to make lots of miles each day and wanted to do a very posh type tour. It would be a real conversation starter in campgrounds.
#29
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I'm still stuck at the point of seeing the only benefit to this bike would be the cargo box vs panniers.
#30
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of course its doable, and makes a good feb winter talking point for us, but I certainly wouldnt want to tour on one.
#31
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Regarding the big box, on one of the ACA trips I did, there were two riders with Bike Fridays and their travel trailers. It was a big Samsonite suitcase. You could do that instead of the cargo bike. Or forgo the box and use a trailer with a giant duffle shaped drybag.
Djb point about bringing it into a motel room, the last trip I did it was easier to bring my folding bike up the stairs to the room folded, so that is what I did. On that trip at a different motel we used an elevator to go up to our rooms, even regular bikes fit a bit tight in the elevator.
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I was thinking more of a Danube river route sort of thing, toodling along. Table clothes and picnic baskets. I also wouldn't want to ordinarily do that but, if my wife ever decided to tour with me I could probably ride that and still match the mileage. No offense meant to her of course but a hard core cyclist she is not. Just imagine how many cyclists would come over at camp sites to chit chat.
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On level ground it would be a fine way to travel with 100lbs + of gear and bulky items, kids. Not on level ground and you’re pushing a lot of weight uphill.
Basically it’s a moving truck and if you aren’t carrying a truck load why bother? If your loads are all pannier size and you’re carrying 75lbs I’d start with a bike and wheels for that load, more than that get an extrawheel trailer, more than that a cargo bike. Any of that with mtns and you’re hurting.
Basically it’s a moving truck and if you aren’t carrying a truck load why bother? If your loads are all pannier size and you’re carrying 75lbs I’d start with a bike and wheels for that load, more than that get an extrawheel trailer, more than that a cargo bike. Any of that with mtns and you’re hurting.
Last edited by LeeG; 02-19-19 at 11:25 AM.
#34
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I certainly do not carry any loads above 50lbs myself, but I look at people who travel a diamond frame bike, loaded with four panniers and everything else they can pack onto the bike and they look like they are dwarfed behind the huge bags as they slowly wobble uphill. I only offered this style of bike as perhaps a more-elegant solution to touring in which people feel like they DO need to carry bigger loads. And even not, a bike like this with a "trunk" of sorts may offer a better solution to expensive panniers and racks and all the other bits and bobs we tack onto our bikes. I'm not saying that I would rush out and buy one of these, but I'd love to just ride one for a day.
#35
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Three pictures I took when in France for the 2003 Paris-Brest-Paris randonnee. Kids are adult now, and the last time I was in France in (IIRC) 2012, the taxi bikes still existed.
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I took this photo in Prague in 2011.
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#40
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To be fair, I have seen trikes set up in more traditional ways with an upright rider and passengers in the back around some of the waterfront areas of the US. They seemed to do pretty well, too with either their mini-taxi services or tours along the wharves.
As to converting for touring as suggested at the start of the thread, I think yes, of the terrain is suitably flat most of the time.
#41
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Passengers on this one are more upright, at least at the start. Short youtube video.
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The kayak paddle didn't come apart in 2 pieces most do.
On another note I have a kayak trailer that i can tow behind my bike. I use this to get around the shuttle on some river trips when I'm by myself. I only do this when there is a bike trial that rides along or nearby the river I want to paddle on.
On another note I have a kayak trailer that i can tow behind my bike. I use this to get around the shuttle on some river trips when I'm by myself. I only do this when there is a bike trial that rides along or nearby the river I want to paddle on.
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My cargo bike is some grocery panniers on the back of an early 90s Bridgestone mountain bike that I picked up at a garage sale for $5. (But it took about $50 in parts and supplies to make it functional.)
But the time that I bought a kayak paddle and rode home with it would certainly have worked out better with one of those long wheelbase cargo bikes than it did with my vintage Bridgestone.
But the time that I bought a kayak paddle and rode home with it would certainly have worked out better with one of those long wheelbase cargo bikes than it did with my vintage Bridgestone.
On another note I have a kayak trailer that i can tow behind my bike. I use this to get around the shuttle on some river trips when I'm by myself. I only do this when there is a bike trial that rides along or nearby the river I want to paddle on.
#44
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I think you have to question the validity of a product by a company who uses a chick in the advertising who's never been on a bike in her life!
#45
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A four foot box sticking out the top of the pannier was a bit unwieldy for the ride home. For reasons I will never understand, they put it in a box that long. It is a four piece paddle, but for shipping they had the blades attached to the two halves of the shaft in the box. When the store contacted me to say the paddle was in so I could come and pick it up, I assumed it was in a box no longer than about 30 inches, thus rode the bike there instead of driving my truck.
#46
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#47
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#48
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