Utility Cycling - Best Cargo Bike for a Short Rider?

I'm 4'11" and in the market for a kid-carrying cargo bike. The bakfiets, while fantastic, is too big for me. The Christiana is also too big, but is built in such a way that I could probably get a friend to cut down the seat post some. Any ideas about good kid carriers for short folks? It would be nice to be able to reach the pedals!

You could look at the Madsen kg271. Its for people 5.0" to 6.6". You're just one feet under the height specifications. Perhaps you might want to look into going custom if its too big.




http://www.madsencycles.com/bikes/

That would be one inch, not one foot.

By "Christiana", do you mean the cargo tricycles (which is what I see when I google them)?
I would suggest to test-ride something like this before buying, especially new. I say this because I have a Worksman cargo tricycle, and riding it is different from what you might expect- primarily, because you're going to "take the lane" whether you want to or not, due to the width.

A nice Mixtie with a kid trailer would be my suggestion.

Depends on where you live also I guess (shipping cost /fitting). If you are close to the makers of Christianiabikes there is several similar small companies it the area and I am sure at least one of them could make some modifications.

Then there is this one..
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=8570315#post8570315

Order the x-tra atatchment and add it to any bike that fits you.

Also I agree to a mixte (or any bike your size) w a trailer. Remember that folding bikes are great utility bikes! Visit the folding forums. http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=221

AllenG: ANY mixte is a nice mixte :D
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=227038&highlight=show+mixte

Electra makes some 24in wheel bikes. I don't remember if you can get the 8 speed nexus but I know for a fact they had the 3 speed available for the 2007 model year.

How many kids? Do you have a regular (non-cargo) bike that fits you well now? Sounds like you like the idea of having your kid(s) in front of you while you ride, based on the two bikes you mentioned above. If you are interested in having a custom bike built shoot me an email at: mtsfabman@yahoo.com I enjoy designing and building cargo bikes, take a look at the CETMAcargo bike, I designed and build that one.

+1 on the Electras.

A friend is 4'11" and rides a Raleigh 3 speed. Cheap since you can only get them used, and very capable cargo bikes. Hers is a step through, and she *must* have the seat as low as it can go to make it just barely fit her. Because of the swept bars, the reach isn't unreasonably long.

A kid trailer will work with them, and they can handle both front and rear child seats.

I'm 5'7" and as a guy, I can barely straddle my 23" Raleigh Superbe. The seat is almost into the tube. It barely fits me but it still rides well.

So many great replies! Thanks!

Right now I have no kids - we're getting ready to have our first and plan on having 3, hopefully. I definitely want them in front of me, especially if I'm taking more than one somewhere. It's also important that I can bolt in an infant car seat, since I don't want to be without my bike for several months.

The CETMA is lovely! I'm in the UK, though. Shipping would probably be really, really expensive.

So many great replies! Thanks!

Right now I have no kids - we're getting ready to have our first and plan on having 3, hopefully. I definitely want them in front of me, especially if I'm taking more than one somewhere. It's also important that I can bolt in an infant car seat, since I don't want to be without my bike for several months.

The CETMA is lovely! I'm in the UK, though. Shipping would probably be really, really expensive.

Hi RetroFemme,

Check out www.yubaride.com

The Mundo Cargo bike may fit you just fine, it's worth a try. It fits riders in the range of 5' to about 6'3".

For those in the U.S., check out www.rockthebike.com