Utility Cycling - Reverse Bakfiet

I have been following the posts here since Cargo bike are my favorite. I found this on the net some time back. I have the pdf files too. I so wish I had the skills. Maybe someday I will find someone to build it for me. I hope you enjoy it too.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rodtermaat/CargoBike/photo#5113942307558822258

ok - help for the image flunky? I uploaded it to

http://picasaweb.google.com/rodtermaat/CargoBike/photo#5113942307558822258

You've discovered the xtracycle!

www.xtracycle.com

Seriously, these are available commercially.

While I do like the xtracycle, I would not equate the tow. This design has the cargo area down low and 3 foot long. The xtracycle has storage on the top board and in panniers. Again, don't get me wrong the xtracycle is cool solution, but not the same. I just think it would be a cool alternative to build or have built.

While I do like the xtracycle, I would not equate the tow. This design has the cargo area down low and 3 foot long. The xtracycle has storage on the top board and in panniers. Again, don't get me wrong the xtracycle is cool solution, but not the same. I just think it would be a cool alternative to build or have built.
The practical problem with bikes that have rear-cargo areas (baskets or trailers) is that should something fall out, you're unlikely to see it and may not even hear it....
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While I do like the xtracycle, I would not equate the tow. This design has the cargo area down low and 3 foot long. The xtracycle has storage on the top board and in panniers. Again, don't get me wrong the xtracycle is cool solution, but not the same. I just think it would be a cool alternative to build or have built.

Sorry, didn't mean to belittle the design, just seems to be an alteration of the xtracycle design.

True about the rear basket and not seeing your cargo. I typically use a basket on my commuter and just ordered a garment bag for work cloths. That will be a real upgrade to the grocery bag I was using. My wife requested that I at least look somewhat respectable riding to work - go figure. Someday I would like to ride a real bakfiet. I an not sure I like the 3000 price, but I have been know to make silly decisions before.

Sorry, didn't mean to belittle the design, just seems to be an alteration of the xtracycle design.

Oh, I don't think you did. Xtracycle is very cool, especially the fact that it's a retrofit that makes an MTB useful (what a concept!). But what rodtermaat posted is, I think, way cooler. I especially like the small wheels; you could use BMX wheels with 48 spokes, practically indestructible.

Rodermaat, do you have more information on this bike -- who designed it, has anyone built it, &c? Do you have more drawings? I want one!

Xtracycle is very cool, especially the fact that it's a retrofit that makes an MTB useful (what a concept!).

MTB's are one of the best candidates for conversion to utility bike, if you don't include bikes that are already designed as a citybike/utility bike. Though the stock rigid-MTB's typical tire tread and lack of utilitybike accessories is unhelpful, several other features are usually perfect: good brakes, strong wheels, strong frame/fork, heavy (i.e. somewhat flat-resistant) tires, and usually good mounting points for accessories.

I can't abide by MTB handlebars for onroad use myself, but you can put on different handlebars.

I have 3 jpg's of slightly varying designs and 2 pdf files. Let me know and I can send them. add @gmail.com to my user and you are golden - rod

If you go to www.catoregon.org (http://www.catoregon.org) and follow the links to Human Powered Machines, you will find that they make several utility bikes. Perhaps you could submit your design to them.

Looks similar to a Burrows 8-Freight, a somewhat famous cargo bike from the UK.

http://www.bikefix.co.uk/i/art_8_freight.jpg

the only thing i don't like about the original design is the extra long chain. i would rather have a heavy duty trailer. i'm going to work on a three or four wheel trailer for heavy loads.

Sorry, didn't mean to belittle the design, just seems to be an alteration of the xtracycle design.
The problem with the Xtracycle is that the cargo area isn't clear--there's a big ridge in the center where the wheel has to go. Heavy loads are a lot more stable when carried low, and that's more convenient to do when the cargo area is wide open.
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the only thing i don't like about the original design is the extra long chain. i would rather have a heavy duty trailer. i'm going to work on a three or four wheel trailer for heavy loads.

Trailers bounce around, and are often difficult to navigate around corners, and going down hill have a tendancy to jack-knife.

I have an Xtracycle now, and plan to get a Big Dummy when/if it finally comes to market ("jam yesterday, jam tomorrow, but never jam today," as the White Queen said), but one think I like about the Bakfiets is having the load up front where you can see it. (This is particularly good if the load is alive.)