Cargo Bikes.
- Thread starter fiftyv8
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I can't even find a picture of one, but the old cargo/newspaper bikes were built like a brink **** house ! Extra heavy duty frames, giant basket on the front with a tiny wheel underneath. The kick stand was around the front wheel so that it supported the load while holding the load level.
They stopped making them in the 50s or 60s.
They stopped making them in the 50s or 60s.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
The ones I have discovered are the;
1. European long john with the load out front 2 wheels.
2. The NYC version of a long john that carried the load behind the rider 2 wheels.
3. The universal articulated with 2 wheels up front.
4. The unit you refer above which was something universal and a more sophisticated version 2 wheels was most likely found in the streets of the London business district for many years.
5. There is the version seen during the Vietnam war time used by the North as transport for
the war effort, not sure if it was also used down south larger than a long john,
more like a truck in comparison 3 wheels.
6. Finally from the list I know is the American cargo bike that seemed to grow with the hippy movement that was more like a normal bike frame extended at the rear and
kinder bagged in some examples 2 wheels.
1. European long john with the load out front 2 wheels.
2. The NYC version of a long john that carried the load behind the rider 2 wheels.
3. The universal articulated with 2 wheels up front.
4. The unit you refer above which was something universal and a more sophisticated version 2 wheels was most likely found in the streets of the London business district for many years.
5. There is the version seen during the Vietnam war time used by the North as transport for
the war effort, not sure if it was also used down south larger than a long john,
more like a truck in comparison 3 wheels.
6. Finally from the list I know is the American cargo bike that seemed to grow with the hippy movement that was more like a normal bike frame extended at the rear and
kinder bagged in some examples 2 wheels.
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I should qualify that I use the term bike loosely since some are trikes.
Examples of the variety and innovation in this cargo bike movement can be seen by clicking the link.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...XSsKHUp_DSUQ_AUIESgB&biw=1344&bih=727#imgrc=_
With advent of electric powered hubs and the like moving cargo by bike seems in some cities to see a revival.
The other obvious part that I have forgotten about until now is the use of trailers attached to bikes and again the variety is mind boggling...
Examples of the variety and innovation in this cargo bike movement can be seen by clicking the link.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...XSsKHUp_DSUQ_AUIESgB&biw=1344&bih=727#imgrc=_
With advent of electric powered hubs and the like moving cargo by bike seems in some cities to see a revival.
The other obvious part that I have forgotten about until now is the use of trailers attached to bikes and again the variety is mind boggling...
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Look at Surly Big Dummy.
Bighead38
Well-known member
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Bigblockyeti
Banned
I still have the kid carrying trailer for pulling behind my bike, they grew too quickly to get significant use out of it and it'll hold a ton of ****. Everything from hitting up garage sales to heading to the pool complete with all the floating toys, water guns, towels and lunch in tow, it's handled it all. The only thing that could be better is if it had brakes.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
Last years trip to Amsterdam we were surrounded by loads of them. None home built, but loads were modified for specific purposes.
You can fit a lotta stuff on a bike.
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2010/09/chinas-overloaded-bicycle-carriers.html
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2010/09/chinas-overloaded-bicycle-carriers.html
I am not big on bike riding for fitness and recognise the dangers of being in traffic.
However these cargo bikes, especially if they were electrically assisted could be a cheap and fun way of doing some local short trips and be able to carry stuff.
Stuff like rims, tires, car battery and other small hardware item.
You could even throw the old mother in-law in the front of some of those articulated units and always jump off when going down hill, she would never know you had left her.
Hahahahahah!!!!
However these cargo bikes, especially if they were electrically assisted could be a cheap and fun way of doing some local short trips and be able to carry stuff.
Stuff like rims, tires, car battery and other small hardware item.
You could even throw the old mother in-law in the front of some of those articulated units and always jump off when going down hill, she would never know you had left her.
Hahahahahah!!!!
The bent tube is the handlebars, the whole front pivots under the box, not just wheels.
Bullnerd, I knew that, I was talking about those other odd looking units I posted previously where the wheels kinder tilt was well.
However I am warming to the unit you posted there since it seems the most practical storage wise and very manoeuvrable in my view.
Could you image this thing with a pair of electric hub motors in each front wheel and a battery in the floor of the box.
Be like owning a Dodge Ram pickup in the bike world...
However I am warming to the unit you posted there since it seems the most practical storage wise and very manoeuvrable in my view.
Could you image this thing with a pair of electric hub motors in each front wheel and a battery in the floor of the box.
Be like owning a Dodge Ram pickup in the bike world...
Bigblockyeti
Banned
I'm still trying to figure out how to hide a motor on a regular two wheeled bike. More and more places aren't allowing motorized vehicles of any kind and I'm ok with that 99% of the time, the other 1% being when I'm pulling the kid trailer full of whatever, I could use a little help on the hills every now and then and asking forgiveness is sometimes easier than asking permission.
I've thought of hiding a long, thin motor with a planetary gear set in the down tube with a 90 degree bevel gear drive at the bottom bracket but the tooling to get everything fixtured and aligned to the required tolerances would be cost prohibitive. The simplest solution I can think of is a motor hidden in a bag on a pannier rack, mounted close to the seat post, driving a chain run around a sprocket on the leftcrank arm. It would require most of the reduction to be taken care of in a gear box with another 1:4 or 1:5 between the gearbox spindle and the crank arm sprocket. The given speed of the crank arms doesn't change significantly as we just shift gears to maintain a comfortable rpm and it could have tremendous motive force in first gear on a 24 speed mountain bike.
I've thought of hiding a long, thin motor with a planetary gear set in the down tube with a 90 degree bevel gear drive at the bottom bracket but the tooling to get everything fixtured and aligned to the required tolerances would be cost prohibitive. The simplest solution I can think of is a motor hidden in a bag on a pannier rack, mounted close to the seat post, driving a chain run around a sprocket on the leftcrank arm. It would require most of the reduction to be taken care of in a gear box with another 1:4 or 1:5 between the gearbox spindle and the crank arm sprocket. The given speed of the crank arms doesn't change significantly as we just shift gears to maintain a comfortable rpm and it could have tremendous motive force in first gear on a 24 speed mountain bike.
This would get you close to the crank.
https://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bicycle-Triangle-Cycling-Corner/dp/B00SA4KSPA
https://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bicycle-Triangle-Cycling-Corner/dp/B00SA4KSPA
sqznby
Well-known member
Look for hub drive electric conversion kits. They make them for front and rear drive for bicycles.
Bigblockyeti
Banned
I'll look into that, it may be too conspicuous though if I'm riding somewhere a motorized vehicle isn't allowed.
sqznby
Well-known member
Its worth a try. Some are so small they are very hard to notice.
They make crank mount ones as well but, I think they would be more noticeable for sure.
https://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/grin-kits.html
https://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/geared.html
They make crank mount ones as well but, I think they would be more noticeable for sure.
https://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/grin-kits.html
https://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/geared.html
banjopete
Well-known member
Cargo bikes are pretty awesome these days. Larry vs. Harry make a bullit that really changed the game. Riess and Mueller also make some nice stuff. Good places for ideas. With the weight a motor is nice. I tried out an e-assist bullit with my two kids and it was pretty awesome. I'm a daily chariot puller though still.
Sent from my SM-G960W using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my SM-G960W using The Garage Journal mobile app
My preferred design is pictured below.
I see a need for the front wheels to tilt during turns, but so far I not found any close up pic's for me to get my head around how it is best worked out.
This design is not the articulated type it has it own front axle with individual turning wheels like a car or go cart, with the exception that they tilt as well.
I figure if I have an electric powered version it will need to be able to cope with speeds faster than pedals alone and the articulated style which I actually like is not up to the task in my view.
If any body finds helpful pic's please post them here for me.
I see a need for the front wheels to tilt during turns, but so far I not found any close up pic's for me to get my head around how it is best worked out.
This design is not the articulated type it has it own front axle with individual turning wheels like a car or go cart, with the exception that they tilt as well.
I figure if I have an electric powered version it will need to be able to cope with speeds faster than pedals alone and the articulated style which I actually like is not up to the task in my view.
If any body finds helpful pic's please post them here for me.
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I hope a mechanical engineer/applied physicist will chime in, but I think having the mass behind you would be easier to steer? I imagine the box in front version grew out of a vendor's need to be able to sell their products. They'd be able to stay on the bike and pop the lid open and make sure the shop lifters didn't take any items.
I believe that two smaller wheels up front should allow for what I am seeking until dissuaded otherwise.
I really like those long john Dutch style bikes, but at my age and pace they are probably a little out of the question now.
I'd like the axles to balance the load and not have to worry about manging it with only 2 wheels...
I really like those long john Dutch style bikes, but at my age and pace they are probably a little out of the question now.
I'd like the axles to balance the load and not have to worry about manging it with only 2 wheels...
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banjopete
Well-known member
The weirdest part about the bullitt style bikes is the steering wheel being so far forward from where you're used to having it. It's hard to describe but the turn initiates so far forward from where you're used to pivoting. If you use instagram there's a good cargo bike feed there with all sorts of in progress build stuff there too to reference. Please do post up if you find something fun. I've been looking at tig welders for this bike building purpose alone. I can't justify the $$ of a purchased one but if I can cobble one together from other bikes...
I hear you banjopete, sadly I do not do Instagram and would have no idea where to look.
But if what you say is there it sounds like a great resource.
If anybody out there knows what banjopete is referring to and can post some of the interesting pic's I'm sure that I am no the only person here that would like to see some...
I always wondered what the steering sensation would be like on one of those long bikes!
I can see how the concept of those long bikes came about, after I watched a documentary on transporting of cheese by foot in villages throughout Holland and Belgium.
But if what you say is there it sounds like a great resource.
If anybody out there knows what banjopete is referring to and can post some of the interesting pic's I'm sure that I am no the only person here that would like to see some...
I always wondered what the steering sensation would be like on one of those long bikes!
I can see how the concept of those long bikes came about, after I watched a documentary on transporting of cheese by foot in villages throughout Holland and Belgium.
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Rick B.
Well-known member
I rode one all around a large factory delivering parts and supplies a couple of summers. They actually steer quite nicely. You just can't lean into a turn.
If I was to build an articulated 3 wheel cargo bike similar to that posted above by Rick B., what do folks think about the idea of using an existing pedal crank cut out of a frame and turned vertical and the articulated pivot point?
Would that be strong enough or am I dreaming...
Would that be strong enough or am I dreaming...
Bigblockyeti
Banned
As long as the propulsion/braking force was equal from both at the same time, it shouldn't cause a problem. If you wanted to get real fancy, differential power/braking could be applied when turning to make it as if it had power steering.
banjopete
Well-known member
I think youd run into issues with gear binding as you have two wheels making turns at a different radius. Maybe not a big problem but i would not want expensive motor driven wheels involved. Especially since you could do all the driving with the rear easily with conventional parts.
Sent from my SM-T820 using The Garage Journal mobile app
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
It's been done. Google Tour de France electric motors.
All of it fits in seat tube/seat post. Bevel gears to bb spindle.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
IMO you are better off making a nice trailer. Many of these cargo bikes/trikes are huge and take up a fair bit of space, can be difficult to load into/onto a vehicle, etc.
With a nice trailer you can just take it off and have a 'normal' bike. Two wheels with careful attention to tongue weight and the trailer transmits very little of the load to the bike other than pulling/pushing.
I made one with a removable tongue and then handles can be added to turn it into a hand cart.
With a nice trailer you can just take it off and have a 'normal' bike. Two wheels with careful attention to tongue weight and the trailer transmits very little of the load to the bike other than pulling/pushing.
I made one with a removable tongue and then handles can be added to turn it into a hand cart.