Utility Cycling - New American Cargo Bike

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4390397115_994624460a.jpg

Alrighty. It's been a while since I've contributed new content to this thread--I suppose it's time for an update!

The blue bike was finished not long ago. A local family bought it for local errand-running, etc.

The box has been enlarged from its prototype. A padded removable bench has been added, and a custom waterproof canopy was made to fit it. The canopy has a zippered door on one side for easy access, and has an elastic strip around the edge, which keeps it secured to the box with stainless hooks.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4391171606_d745c1e6e0.jpg

A frame mounted Axa Defender lock was fitted to the bike...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4419111756_79391e1fda.jpg

...as well as a DIWA light system from Peter White Cycles. The tail light brightens when the bike decelerates. Pretty slick.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4391166048_a223c98efe.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4391166592_1f25d2f038.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4391169096_580a456d43.jpg

This one was REALLY hard to let go!

saw one of your bakfiets at the lorax a while back. nice of you to sell the co-ops one of your bikes. i am sure they'll get a lot of use out of it.

saw one of your bakfiets at the lorax a while back. nice of you to sell the co-ops one of your bikes. i am sure they'll get a lot of use out of it.

Hey thanks! Yep, haven't seen it in a while since moving across town.

Here is a quick test to see if you are, in fact, competing with CAT:

1. Do you respond to Emails?
2. Do you respond to telephone calls?
3. Do you deliver product to your customers in less than a year's time, provided that they have paid you for it?
4. Do you make an effort to stay on good terms with other individuals and companies in the bicycle industry, including other builders, retail shops, distributors and riders?

If you answer "Yes" to two or more of these questions, you are really not in CAT's league at all, and should not be considered to be competing with them.

I have always had good experiences with CAT; they've always responded to my e-mails, returned my 'phone calls, and delivered what I ordered in a timely manner.

Howdy, Elkhound. Wondering how the bike hunting search went?

Can you give me a ballpark figure for the price of one of your cargo bikes? Very cool design.

Can you give me a ballpark figure for the price of one of your cargo bikes? Very cool design.

Thanks. Just sent you a message.

That's a beauty!

Happy new year, everyone. New development for those interested.

For a while now I've realized that the full-size CETMA cargo bike is more than I need. I don't have kids, and only occasionally need to haul really huge stuff. For my needs, a smaller, swifter, and lighter cargo bike is adequate. A vehicle fit for groceries, delivery, and stuff rather than people would suit me fine. So I made one, liked it, and now offer it as a regular alternative to the larger bike featured earlier in this thread. I've decided to name each bike: Largo and Margo--large and mini.

Introducing the Margo!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/mar56.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/mar55.jpg

I'm really loving this bike as it's lighter and more suitable for my lifestyle. The Margo is about six inches shorter in wheelbase and width, and weighs about 10 pounds less than the Largo. While it can't carry huge volume, the ride is more nimble and easier to manage than the Largo.

Here they are together:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/forUV2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/forUV1.jpg

Here's a video of it in action:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-X8vF-rnbE


And here's Margo with 160-something pounds of tire:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/ops11.jpg

I'd love to hear opinions regarding this new version. It's kind of funny--the original prototype of this bike was about this size (and color). I doubt everyone reading this remembers.

Thanks as always for your feedback, everyone. I was recently reading through this thread and reminiscing. The evolution, thoughtful input, and drama makes for a fun read, if not a good record of the beginning of this bike.

Happy 2011 to all of you!

Fun read indeed, I forgot all about this thread.... I really enjoyed helping you get this project rolling and very happy to see it growing so well for you. It was an adventure and major learning experience for sure!!! Hey what's life other than some evolution, thoughtful input, and drama?? LOL.. I do miss the late nights of dreaming up designs and building prototypes, I'm gonna have to get back into it someday!!! Great job Lane.

I'm Lane. I started this thread three years ago. It's been about a year since I've posted here. I sometimes refrain from adding updates because I don't want to seem commercial or spammy or whatever. However, since this thread has always been popular and seemingly welcome, I feel okay adding to it occasionally. I think the content is relevant to this forum. No one has complained.

For those that remember, this thread was sort of the birthplace of the CETMA Cargo bike. The design evolution grew from prototype to current model here, spanning seven pages.



The bike hasn't undergone any huge design changes lately--mostly minor tweaks and improvements. I've incorporated these clever eccentric bottom brackets (from Co-Motion, here in town) into all bikes. They're incredibly simple and require no shell split like many popular EBBs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/CorvallisLargo117.jpg

I make boxes for them now, in house. Marine-grade plywood, biscuit joints, water-proof glue, and stainless screws.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/DSCF2500.jpg


Here are two complete bikes outside my shop: The orange one is a Margo (mini). The blue one is a Largo (large).


For those that helped contribute to this thread over the years, THANK YOU! It's been great fun and excitement. Please say hello. I'd love any feedback, as always.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/DSCF2562.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/lancekagar/clr40.jpg

I like the little seat in the box....nice detail. Can't tell if the box edges are routed or not.... if not routing would be a nice detail.

I like the little seat in the box....nice detail. Can't tell if the box edges are routed or not.... if not routing would be a nice detail.

Thanks. The edges aren't routed, just sanded real good. I know a routed edge would be nice, but I had to decide where to draw the line between good, functional box and full-on elaborate wood project. My line was somewhere short of routed edges. Also, since I've got a metal shop going simultaneously (welding, flame, sparks), I try to keep the sawdust to a minimum. Who knows, maybe I'll throw in the extra step some time later.

keep up the good work Lance

i've been considering one of these for a year or so and just found this thread. I also coincidentally just moved to San Jose Ca from Philly, Pa and my situation lends itself to a family sized cargo bike even more. I'm just waiting for my house to sell back east and I'll be ordering one. A few questions: Can they be built to order? Can I get a braze on the fork for a light for example? Maybe I can get this info from the website, but I just wanted to say if nothing else, great job! I'll probably go up to that shop in SF who has one to take a test ride soon.