Search found 1128 matches

by Elizabethsdad
20 Jul 2019, 7:48am
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Help me! Complete novice who needs to travel with toddler.
Replies: 46
Views: 9474

Re: Help me! Complete novice who needs to travel with toddler.

I am a big fan of the long john style of cargo bike - I currently have two although I am trying sell one at the moment - a Bakfiets which is designed exactly for the sort of journeys you are talking about. Other similar makes would be Baboe, Gazelle Cabby and Urban Arrow. That last one is a dedicated electric assist bike so a bit more expensive but good if you have any hills or longer distances to travel. I have taken my bikes to events where people have had a go on them and not everyone has got on with them, so definitely try before you buy. Probably their main disadvantage is their size making secure storage at home an issue if you have a flat or small house without a garage.
An alternative that might suit you would be the Big Billy from Rodford bikes:-
https://www.rodfordbuilt.co.uk/
If you are very unsure about cycling you might prefer a box trike, three wheel stability and large carrying capacity but again harder to store securely at home and they do not take corners so well. I see someone else has mentioned Circe Morpheus and I have quite a number of posts in various forums from people who like the Circe Helios tandem.
The main problem with getting a cargo bike in the UK is their are only a handful of dealers - I was fortunate to have one fairly local to us where I could go to try some out. London and Cambridge are the two hot spots, otherwise there's Practical cycles in the north west, Really Useful Bikes in Bristol, Kids and Family Cycles near Bournemouth and possibly Kinetics in Scotland.
Be interested to see what you end up going with.
by Elizabethsdad
18 Jul 2019, 7:27pm
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Bakfiets Long john cargo bike - Southampton
Replies: 0
Views: 1365

Bakfiets Long john cargo bike - Southampton

Advertised for sale in the complete bikes for sale section
by Elizabethsdad
18 Sep 2018, 7:21am
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: any experience with cargo style child carrying bikes?
Replies: 25
Views: 3617

Re: any experience with cargo style child carrying bikes?

I have used a Bakfiets Long for about 4 years now for taking my daughter places and doing the shopping. Also good for taking stuff to household waste recycling centre. I got this new for £2,250 delivered from Kids and Family Cycles. It is unassisted so a bit slow going up hills, but otherwise no issues. Bakfiets now do electric assist versions of this bike which are more cost effective than R+M bikes. Another model to consider would be the Urban Arrow. If you like your bikes to be more sporty then it's a Larry vs Harry Bullitt.
Earlier this year I had the flu followed by pneumonia which meant that the hills I could climb on the Bakfiets I could no longer manage for quite a while. Browsing on e-bay I saw a Hercules Cargo bike - very similar to a Bullit - with electric assist and won the auction. It is now my main ride and definitely easier on the hills. Still got the Bakfiets - partly as back up and partly out sentimentality.
For electric assist Iwould say get a bike built around either the Bosch or Shimano Steps crank drive systems, as these add there power to yours and then put it through the bikes gears. for gearing on a cargo bike hub gears are going to be your friend - Shimano Alfine/Nexus 8sp or Nuvinci N380. Both my bikes have the Nuvinci N360 (now phased out in favour of the N380) and I would recommend it.
When looking to buy don't forget to budget for options such as child seats and rain covers. When you get one be prepared to love the way it 'swoops' round corners and for your journies to take a bit longer when people want to stop and ask you about your 'unusual' bike.
by Elizabethsdad
7 Aug 2017, 8:31pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Trike needed borrow/ hire
Replies: 10
Views: 2179

Re: Trike needed borrow/ hire

gaz wrote:
Elizabethsdad wrote:With the quad that I have it might be that the cargo area at the back is big enough for your pig without need ing the trailer

It's a very big piggy bank.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGfAqo7XYAEtC_s.jpg

Yeah, Rosie sent me a picture after I got in touch by e-mail with a picture of my 'bent quad. It's certainly going to get noticed.
by Elizabethsdad
5 Aug 2017, 7:31am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Giving a helping push
Replies: 16
Views: 2823

Re: Giving a helping push

Perhaps it would be worth looking at a Circe Morpheus tandem? For electric assist, I'd recommend a crank drive system like the Sunstar SO3
by Elizabethsdad
2 Aug 2017, 10:50am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Visiting Hotels and B&B with a large trike
Replies: 5
Views: 1616

Re: Visiting Hotels and B&B with a large trike

It's going to vary depending on the hotel/b and b. Some hotels will have a secure garage - I once stayed at the Adelphi in Liverpool and they kept my bike in their garage. I once went to a convention on my Ice Trike and the hotel let me bring it inside and keep it under some stairs. There wer actually two other 'bent riders there with their trikes and we did a V formation lap of honour round the hotel. Probably best to e-mail in advance with a photo so they know what to expect.
by Elizabethsdad
1 Aug 2017, 7:17pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Trike needed borrow/ hire
Replies: 10
Views: 2179

Re: Trike needed borrow/ hire

FullReach wrote:
Elizabethsdad wrote:is this the pig thing posted in 'does anyone know'? I replied to that with the offer of a recumbent quadricycle cargo carrier - based in Southampton. Otherwise have you tried posting on the British Human Power Club? google BHPC. ICE trikes could also be worth contacting.


Thank you so much! I tried a recumbent bike, but it didn't work with the trailer, it needs to attach higher up if that makes any sense. I just can't find anywhere to hire one

Trailer attaches to the seatpost? I have only ever had trailers that attach at the rear axle as I have heard that they are more stable and handle better. With the quad that I have it might be that the cargo area at the back is big enough for your pig without need ing the trailer
by Elizabethsdad
1 Aug 2017, 5:56pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Trike needed borrow/ hire
Replies: 10
Views: 2179

Re: Trike needed borrow/ hire

is this the pig thing posted in 'does anyone know'? I replied to that with the offer of a recumbent quadricycle cargo carrier - based in Southampton. Otherwise have you tried posting on the British Human Power Club? google BHPC. ICE trikes could also be worth contacting.
by Elizabethsdad
1 Aug 2017, 5:47pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: towing a BIG trailer for charity
Replies: 5
Views: 971

Re: towing a BIG trailer for charity

Have you already got your trike and trailer sorted and had a go at riding with it? If it's that wide I guess that means it is quite long and high as well - could be an issue with any cross winds. When will you putting up details of this challenge on your website? If you need any help or advice about moving big loads by bike then Rob Bushill at Really Usefull Bikes - http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/ - will I am sure be only too happy to help. I could also offer you the loan of a recumbent quadricycle that has approx. 3' x 4' load area which your piggy might fit on without needing a trailer - it also has electric assist which will help getting up any hills. Lastly, when are you planning to do this ride? I live quite close to Eastleigh and wouldn't me seeing the spectacle as you pass through.
by Elizabethsdad
30 Jul 2017, 12:37pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: The Cyclist Strikes Back
Replies: 21
Views: 3096

Re: The Cyclist Strikes Back

There are just too many bloody loonies out on the roads these - both on bikes and in cars/vans. Last night I was driving along a 30mph stretch and ask my wife 'Is there dirty great magnet in the boot?' as there is a car behind us sitting right on the rear bumper. We get to a 40 limit - before I can speed up car behind speeds past nearly clipping the front of our car before cutting in coming to a halt and the driving getting out and having a go at us for driving within the speed limit. If I got his number plate I might have reported him.
by Elizabethsdad
30 Jul 2017, 7:59am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why are Shimano hub bearings tight from the factory?
Replies: 28
Views: 3751

Re: Why are Shimano hub bearings tight from the factory?

I don't suppose this is the reason at all, but it occurs to me that by shipping out the hubs in a stiff to turn state means to end user will more likely notice this and set them correctly. If they were sent out less tight, they would more likely get used as is, which might be a bit too loose.
by Elizabethsdad
30 Jul 2017, 7:51am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Why no enclosed bicycles?
Replies: 23
Views: 3548

Re: Why no enclosed bicycles?

They are called velomobiles and there are plenty of models available. As the previous post said they are larger and heavier than a conventional bike so not as manouverable and harder to get up hills. On, the flat and downhill they can go faster and as you say you do get weather protection. In warm weather though they can get very hot inside. They are also considerably more expensive. If you want to know more and maybe see tehm in action checkout the British Human Power Club - just google BHPC
by Elizabethsdad
22 Jul 2017, 8:46am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: HPVs classification.
Replies: 17
Views: 1364

Re: HPVs classification.

Your best place to go for advice is probably these guys:-
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
Most of the issues are going to be more of a practical nature - such as turning circle, getting in and out, reversing, overheating (you get very warm inside one), rolling it by taking a corner too fast, getting your line right to miss pot holes (problem with any trike) and more that I can't bring to mind straight off. Basically you will need to read the road ahead and think ahead and anticipate a bit more.
by Elizabethsdad
20 Jul 2017, 8:07am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycle parking...
Replies: 37
Views: 8032

Re: Cycle parking...

I could measure the spacing of the Sheffield stands where I work - and then add a bit more to that as they seem a bit too close together. I have seen people struggling at times just to get ordinary unencumbered bikes in and out. I don't bother with them myself as my bike has a kick stand and nurse lock and the whole site is secure. I haven't seen any kind of provision anywhere for more unusual machines like bents and cargo bikes, probably a decent sized covered area with some heavy duty lengths of chain anchored to the ground would do the job.