Cargo Bikes

[Lt. Dan]

So the more I look at the area I’m in, the better the idea of getting a cargo bike sounds… Two miles from two different shopping centers, 4.5 miles from a large shopping center with stores, Target, and a movie theatre… The great thing about it though, everything is accesible by a large bike path, and minimal hills!! Does anybody in the Northern Virginia area sell cargo bikes? Anybody have a recommendation for a particular brand? Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

[jrenaut]

This thread may be helpful for you.

I have an Xtracycle that I use to haul two children, and to do the bulk of my errands. The other day I went to the hardware store for some PVC pipe and came home with a snow shovel and a 40 pound bucket of ice melt. My wife and i have put over 3000 miles on it since July of 2014. My only complaint is the brakes, which are garbage Avid BB5s. I’m not sure Xtracycle still sells bikes with those installed, though. Don’t get them.

[Rod Smith]

I’m a cargo cyclist who’s decided a trailer best meets my hauling needs. I have a B.O.B. Yak for light duty and a BikesAtWork 64A for bigger loads.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I’m a fan of short-wheelbase cargo bikes. I don’t have room for a long tail bike in my garage and I don’t need to carry multiple kids. Here’s my bike. My cargo bike doesn’t ride around on the car anywhere, so keep in mind the ability to transport if it if that’s something you’ll plan to do.

What I like most about my cargo bike (besides it can carry more) is that it’s set up to ride with street clothes (chainguard to keep pants clean) and it has a wheel lock (aka ring lock) that makes it quick to lock up when picking up carryout and the like. So this is something any city bike or Dutch bike can do.

I would probably get a cycle truck (small front wheel), folding cargo bike or Bike Friday Haul a Day if I had to do it all over again.

[vvill]

@Lt. Dan 133542 wrote:

Does anybody in the Northern Virginia area sell cargo bikes? Anybody have a recommendation for a particular brand? Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

I’d check in with Bikenetic, they carry Kona and Surly amongst other brands. I think at least a couple of forum members here have had XtraCycles built/ordered through them as well.

[dasgeh]

There are lots and lots and lots of options. There are some stores in the DC area that carry some of the options – Bikenetic, BicycleSpace, Daily Rider, Green Commuter & Hybrid Pedals (focused on e-assisted), plus some of the mainline brands have cargo bike options (Felt, Trek, Raleigh, Kona, Surly – some of those may not be currently do cargo bikes, but they certainly have) so any shop that’s a dealer for those brands should be able to order a bike for you. Plus, you can get lots of cargo bikes shipped directly to you (Workcycles). And there are some shops in Philly and NYC if you’re willing to travel.

It sounds like you need to figure out what type of cargo bike you’re thinking about: normal wheel base? mid-tail? long-tail? box? trailer?

Things to think about: budget? do you want to haul other people (not just kids – I’ve gone on dates as the passenger on a cargo bike)? storage? are you going to want to drive your bike anywhere? take it on MetroRail? on the bus? how much stuff do you want to haul, and easy do you want un/loading to be?

[Tim Kelley]

@Lt. Dan 133542 wrote:

So the more I look at the area I’m in, the better the idea of getting a cargo bike sounds… Two miles from two different shopping centers, 4.5 miles from a large shopping center with stores, Target, and a movie theatre… The great thing about it though, everything is accesible by a large bike path, and minimal hills!! Does anybody in the Northern Virginia area sell cargo bikes? Anybody have a recommendation for a particular brand? Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

If you’re looking for a box bike, Buc from Kasper’s Cargo/Bicycle Co-pilots will let you borrow a speedy Bullitt bike for a week or two: https://www.facebook.com/Bicycle-Copilots-415137771949988/?fref=ts

Are you in Del Ray/Old Town area?

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