Utility Cycling - Grocery Cart Bike Hybrid

Check out this beast of a bike (http://www.bicyclelaneindustries.com/bli/cartbike/)

It seems silly, but this could be really useful!

I stayed at a resort in Quintana Roo, Mexico, and the maids rode around on carts like this with sheets and cleaning supplies in them. A very good idea.

that is awesome.

I don't know. I think the general idea is OK but the article says that its really hard to ride. Doesn't sound useful to me. I'd rather build a trike (and am thinking about it).

I am taking my Norco trike into the shop tomorrow to get some ideas on how to 'cool' it up. It looks too much like an old ladies bike at the moment. I already have it modified from 5 to 15 speed, but I need new rims, maybe a springer fork, new handle bars, a new seat and maybe new fenders

I saw a cart bike that had the wheel in front of the basket and was steered by a couple tie rods that ran underneath the basket. Pretty cool.

I don't know. I think the general idea is OK but the article says that its really hard to ride. Doesn't sound useful to me. I'd rather build a trike (and am thinking about it).

Only when there's no weight in the cart. They said it was easier to handle after they put the young lass in :p

Check out this beast of a bike (http://www.bicyclelaneindustries.com/bli/cartbike/)


This is great!!! I'll have to post up some pics of my old homebuilt trailer.

There is a homeless man that I've seen riding a similar rig around the loop. He doesn't have the forks on the cart, just a plain old shopping cart hooked to the front of the bike. It seems that the unmodified cart would be more stable: the fixed wheels are closer to the old front wheel position and the casters in the front to steer.

There are some slightly similar versions of that bike being used around Chicago. They are really growing in popularity. Thank you, OPEC! :)

Koffee

It seems like attaching it to the back like a trike would make more sense... but hey, cool bikes are cool bikes!

I'd urge anyone who is interested in welding to just jump into it, weldless designs are cool, but don't let that hobble your creativity. Take a community college course, get a book on it (the Haynes welding manual is pretty good, and your library probably has a bunch of practical welding books), get a basic torch or MIG welder, and go to town, it isn't as hard as it looks!

peace,
sam

The ones in Chicago have the cart in the back, not the front. They are super cool, really.

Koffee

I'm sure it is unbelievably hard to steer... if not impossible. It may inspire them to design the next incarnation!

I think a long steerer tube, ending in a gear which moves a rack which in turn rotates smaller forks by menas of connecting rods which have the smaller front wheels (about 10" if possibe) would do this huge justice.

That's sweet! Gas? Who needs gas?? Kids will have to ride to their own dam soccer game though.

this uses the same principle as the Christiania trike from Denmark. it's actually really stable as long as the front steering is damped somehow. there is less stress on the front than with a two-in-back trike, since the steering doesn't have to take the forward force of the bike on one wheel.

http://www.workcycles.com/Products/Christiania/images/crst-hbox420.jpg

this uses the same principle as the Christiania trike from Denmark. it's actually really stable as long as the front steering is damped somehow. there is less stress on the front than with a two-in-back trike, since the steering doesn't have to take the forward force of the bike on one wheel.

http://www.workcycles.com/Products/Christiania/images/crst-hbox420.jpg

Much as I love those bikes, I could not imagine climbing a hill with groceries in them! :D

Koffee

Much as I love those bikes, I could not imagine climbing a hill with groceries in them! :D

Koffee


Ah but think about the wild ride on the other side!

Much as I love those bikes, I could not imagine climbing a hill with groceries in them! :D

There aren't many hills in Denmark! Certainly not in Copenhagen.

At one point I was trying to find out if there was an operation in my area that supported these so I could have a fun little second job. But alas... no such luck.

This is the bike parking area in the lobby of the hotel in Palo Alto, CA that my company always puts me up in. I think they rent out that trike.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/visual_tao_of_cycling/PICT0001_002.jpg

This is the bike parking area in the lobby of the hotel in Palo Alto, CA that my company always puts me up in. I think they rent out that trike.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/visual_tao_of_cycling/PICT0001_002.jpg

That's the bike I've been seeing pop up around Chicago lately.

Koffee

Much as I love those bikes, I could not imagine climbing a hill with groceries in them! :D

Koffee

for that we use the ol' Bikes at Work trailer (http://www.bikesatwork.com)

the christiania is for carryin' kids/chickens/etc . . . on the flats! three speeds, 75 pounds, no messin around.