Building a Cargo Bike

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iandusud
Posts: 1577
Joined: 26 Mar 2018, 1:35pm

Re: Building a Cargo Bike

Post by iandusud »

Thanks for those Brucey. The one with the fabricated truss carries the load a bit high compared to trad design, thus raising the COG, which somewhat defeats the object. Interesting though.

I like the detail that you point out re the bracing where the steerer tube passes through the main spar - a good point.

Ian
Brucey
Posts: 44515
Joined: 4 Jan 2012, 6:25pm

Re: Building a Cargo Bike

Post by Brucey »

http://grindinggears.co.uk/how-to-build-a-cargo-bike/

quite funny; the bike itself is far from perfect but it shows what can be done on a budget.

'Cargo bike collective' described here

http://velo-city2013.com/?p=2906

maybe this is what is needed in many towns and cities? Most people only need a cargo bike a fraction of the time.

This is an interesting idea

https://argobikes.com/

but the load capacity is limited and there may be fundamental problems such as
a) how the thing attaches at the BB (where all the twisting loads are borne); you need to be able to fit a ~2mm bracket each side and many current BBs won't allow that
b) there may be a basic problem with the steering if the head angles don't coincide accurately or the fork offset isn't set properly

The cable splitter for the front brake is pointless BTW; if you have flat bars you may as well disconnect the cable at the lever in most cases.

So it is expensive for what it is, and as a DIY proposition has limited appeal; more complexity for little gain. If the conversion folded to a small size it might have more attraction to folk with limited storage space. If considering a DIY version you would weld beefy brackets to the BB shell so that the loads were better accommodated.

cheers
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
iandusud
Posts: 1577
Joined: 26 Mar 2018, 1:35pm

Re: Building a Cargo Bike

Post by iandusud »

All food for thought. Thanks.
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