Bicycle Network: Behaviour

The school run, grocery shopping, weekend sports, BBQ in the park: check, check, check, check – a cargo bike has them all covered. That big box or those capacious panniers can take a huge load – it’s a good thing there are also some strong, low-down gears to get you underway. The development of these bikes comes to us from those most transport-advanced countries of Denmark and the Netherlands, where for decades families have zipped about and proprietors have conducted their businesses using cargo bikes. Most models on test here come with seats and harnesses for kids and boxes that can be configured for many different commercial purposes. Luggage racks, handbrakes, lights and locks are usually included – not to mention mudguards and chainguards – because these bikes are intended to provide the amenity of a car. We’re using a general term of 'cargo bike' but there are really three main types:

1. Box trike: two wheels in front either side of a big box
2. Box bike: a box behind the front wheel and in front of the rider
3. Long bike: an extended rear rack carries the load behind the rider.

The long bikes ride the most like a conventional bike. The extra length has no impact on handling, though it can catch you out in constricted space though, such as lifts or tight chicanes of bollards. The box bikes are the next most conventional in handling, though they take a little getting used to. They are a bit twitchy to steer and this requires you to concentrate when taking off. The longer the wheelbase the more wobble they have. They also have a wider turning circle than a long bike or conventional bike. The box trikes are completely unlike conventional bikes. They are stable when stationary but when in motion and turning they feel like they will tip over at any speed greater than walking pace. They also feel unstable if the ground is not level. The steering is also surprisingly twitchy and this increases to something like speed wobbles when your speed picks up, such as enjoying a downhill. These are surely characteristics that a box trike owner will get used to but initially at least there’s little scope or motivation to go fast in a box trike. Cargo bikes generally give a more stable ride when you are carrying a bit of weight rather than nothing. The boxes are extremely convenient for throwing your cargo straight in rather than tying it to the long-bike rack or putting it in panniers. The boxes come with removable benches that also provide harnesses for kids. Of the long bikes, only the Yuba Mundo offers accessories for carrying children, including an infant seat but not harnesses for kids sitting on the padded rack. Even without loads, all cargo bikes are heavier than ordinary bikes and are low geared to deal with this and the loads you will carry. Most come in a version with an electric motor or have the capacity to be converted. This reputedly cancels their extra weight, making them as easy to ride as a conventional bike but with load-carrying capacity. The higher cost of cargo bikes compared to conventional bikes comes primarily from the high number of components required for each bike but also from the quality of components used. Carting big loads takes a toll on gear, so parts have to be better than base quality in order to last. The cheaper cargo bikes have lower quality parts and consequently can't guarantee to be as durable and trouble free as a more expensive model. That said, the distributors we visited take personal interest in every bike they sell and they make sure to choose the best components they can get within the cost constraints of their bikes. Most distributors were also amenable to customising their bikes. Many had produced boxes to accommodate wheelchairs and seats for kids with special needs. Most had adapted their bikes to become a coffee cart or flower vendor or some other business. Some offered alternative or upgraded parts as desired by the buyer. Once purchased, the bikes can be picked up from the distributor or delivered either to the customer who must complete the simple, final assembly of the mostly assembled bike or delivered to the customer’s local bike shop. Ask the distributors listed here if they know of a cargo bike picnic happening near you for a chance to test ride different brands at one event.

Yuba Mundo v4

$1,250 ($1669 as pictured) 2150mm long x 500mm wide (900mm with full panniers); 22kg

• Steel frame incorporates rack and is “practically unbreakable”
• 48-spoke rear wheel with a 14mm axle allows a 200kg carrying capacity, not including the rider
• Room for two child seats or padded seats without harnesses
• Panniers are supported underneath by extra frame pieces
• Panniers are sold separately and lack straps to minimise width
• Many accessories sold separately

96% An outstandingly versatile bike www.cargocycles.com.au

Christianiabike Model Light

$3,400 2080mm long x 865mm wide; 31kg

• The original box trike, now in aluminium
• 10-year warranty on frame and box, three-year warranty on equipment, gear and brakes, one-year full service
• Disc brakes, Schwalbe tyres, Spanninga rear battery LED light with incorporated reflector and sensor mode
• 24-inch for every wheel
• Fabric bench seats and 3-point harnesses for two children
• Box canopy sold separately ($300)

94% The outstanding box trike www.psbikes.com.au

Christianiabike 2wheeler

$2,800 2500mm long x 600mm wide; 23kg

• Most stable-handling box bike
• Disc brakes, Schwalbe tyres, Spanninga rear battery LED light with incorporated reflector and sensor mode
• 24-inch rear wheel, 20-inch front
• Aluminium frame and light overall weight
• Big carrying capacity of 80kg in box and 250kg overall
• Bench and three-point harnesses for two children, with seat and three-point harness for a third child sold separately
• Pedal and stand can contact ground when cornering
• Box canopy sold separately ($300)

92% The outstanding box bike www.psbikes.com.au

Bakfiets Cargo Bike

$3,150 2040 long x 630 wide; 35kg

• Very solid design but heavy in steel
• Big carrying capacity of 80kg in box plus 50kg on rear rack
• Rear drum brake, front rim, Schwalbe tyres
• Hub dynamo powers front and rear lights
• 20-inch front wheel and 26-inch rear
• Comes with bench and three-point harnesses for two children
• Box canopy sold separately ($300)

86% Very good box bike is steel dutchcargobike.com.au

Bakfiets Cargo Trike

$3,450 1740mm long x 720mm wide; 45kg

• Narrowest box trike at 720mm
• Tough steel frame but heavy, hard work to push up hills
• Rear drum brake, front rim, Schwalbe tyres
• Hub dynamo powers front and rear lights (front light on left side)
• 20-inch front wheels and 26-inch rear
• Comes with bench and three-point harnesses for two children, with bench and harnesses for two more sold separately
• Box canopy sold separately

81% Very good box trike is steel dutchcargobike.com.au

Kona Minute

$1,099 1830mm long x 400mm wide (650mm with full panniers); 18kg

• Rides like a normal bike, no learning curve
• Aluminium frame is short enough for bike to fit on a train
• Least carrying capacity: 130kg and shorter rack than the Yuba Mundo or the Kona Ute
• Could take one child seat
• Comes with panniers but they are not weatherproof and sag when full, with no support underneath them.
• Under geared. Needs a third chain ring

79% Great shopping and basic-utility bike www.konaworld.com

Winther Wallaroo

$3,750 2630mm long x 790mm wide; 33.5kg

• Longest bike on test at 2630mm
• Aluminium frame
• Hydraulic disc front brake, coaster rear, Schwalbe tyres, SRAM S7 hub gear and shifter
• Comes with seats and five-point harnesses for two children
• Made by the Larry vs Harry factory; Winther may not be available in future in Australia
• Box canopy included

78% Deluxe box bike if transporting children is main concern www.kornart.com.au

Larry vs Harry Bullitt

$3,750 2450mm long x 470mm wide; 24kg

• Easiest of the extended wheel base bikes to ride
• Light aluminium frame still carries 50kg in the box
• Hydraulic disc front brake, Alfine 8 hub gears and shifter, Schwalbe tyres
• Lots of different configurations available for carrying gear
• Room for two children sitting on floor or seats (sold separately)
• Expensive considering box and canopy sold separately

78% Flat-bar roadie of the box-bike world dutchcargobike.com.au

Zeitbikes Shorthaul

$1,599 2350mm long x 650mm wide; 34kh

• Steel frame with smaller box and shorter overall length
• Components suitable for most reasonable usage
• Box 400–720mm long x 510–630mm wide (at top)
• Comes with bench and three-point harnesses for two children
• Box canopy included

76% Best priced smaller-capacity box bike www.cargocycles.com.au

Zeitbikes Longhaul

$1,699 2580mm long x 650mm wide; 38kg

• Steel frame with full-capacity box
• Components suitable for most reasonable usage
• Box 690–1000 long x 510–630 wide (at top)
• Comes with benches and three-point harnesses for three children, all forward-facing
• Box canopy included

76% Best priced full-capacity box bike www.cargocycles.com.au

Winther Family Bike

$3,960 2180mm long x 860mm wide; 44kg

• Aluminium frame with torsion-bar suspension
• Hydraulic disc front brake, coaster rear, Schwalbe tyres, SRAM S7 hub gear and shifter
• Comes with seats and five-point harnesses for two children
• Only box trike with a nose stand to prevent kids overbalancing the bike forward
• The child seats slide forward or come out to make room for luggage
• Hydraulic steering assistance but handling is still surprisingly wobbly
• Box canopy included

75% Deluxe box trike if transporting children is main concern www.kornart.com.au

Kona Ute

$1,299 2150mm long x 400mm wide (700mm with full panniers); 23kg

• Avid mechanical disc brakes
• Comes with panniers but they are not weatherproof and sag when full, with no support underneath them.
• Could take one child seat
• Under geared. Needs a third chain ring
• Back end moves around a bit when heavily laden.

73% Very capable shopping and medium-utility bike www.konaworld.com

Mk3 Cargobike

$1,495 2220mm long x 880mm wide; 59kg

• Heaviest bike on test at 59kg
• Components suitable for moderate usage (3–5 kilometres a few days a week)
• Includes free Netti Helmet
• Front wheels 20 inch, rear 26 inch
• Comes with bench and 3-point harnesses for two children, with bench and harnesses for two more sold separately
• Box canopy included

72% Good budget, moderate-use box trike www.cargobike.com.au

Mk2 Cargobike

$895 2330mm long x 855mm wide; 55kg

• Economical eye-catcher for a business if parked more often than ridden
• Components suitable for light usage
• Relatively high above the ground due to 26 inch for every wheel
• Comes with bench and 3-point harnesses for two children
• Box canopy included

68% Very good value light-use box trike www.cargobike.com.au

See also

Gazelle Cabby Surly Big Dummy Xtracycle Radish Trisled Maxi Pegasus Tandems Buddy Bike Onderwater Family Tandem Can't decide which cargo bike fits your needs. Try this flowchart.