Utility Cycling - New Civia Front Loader Cargo Bike

Per their web site Civia has announced a new steel frame front loader cargo bike, the Halsted. Classic small front wheel configuration like a lot of front loader bikes but with a load platform above the wheel rather than a huge basket.

From the top photo they may be offering a basket which fits the platform.

http://civiacycles.com/bikes/halsted/

It looks to me like this could easily be combined with a Xtracycle kit to give a nice cargo bike with front and rear load capability.

The Civia models I've looked into have all been disappointing. They look good, but they are slow and heavy with poor attention to detail. To me they seem like bikes designed by an architect. Pleasant to the eye, but not impressive from the saddle. Surly's bikes are the opposite - not that amazing to look at, but from the saddle you know guys that actually ride bikes a ton designed them.

My friends own two designer bikes from Holland. They are uber proud of how they look and all the little design elements that are built in. I took one for a spin and it was slow, heavy, uncomfortable [poorly designed stiff frame] and handling was nothing special. I took it back and commented that it was an expensive poorly performing bicycle which they argued fiercely, but every time I go to their house I check those bikes out and the dust gets thicker and thicker on them.

A local shop here is bringing a bunch in this coming spring, i'll let you know how they are if there's no comprehensive knowledge by that time :)

I like the price considering the usual tag on a cycle truck, the parts are decent enough. Civia usually isn't very reasonably priced, so this is a nice change. It only comes in one size, which isn't particularly good for a lot of people, but I suppose it will probably fit most average sized men, which is most cyclists right away (this is a sad statement on its own)

Having a front loading bike like one of these is great for things where you need the cargo to stay upright and where floor space beats out total weight capacity (like carrying pizzas, plants, boxes of recycling, etc). Outright deck space is the big benefit of front loaders like this, to me. That's why I like my Globe Live so much, I can just take my open top recycling box and scoot it to the depot without anything spilling out or the need to secure / seal it madly. Carrying my fire dancing fuel without it spilling because it tipped over is a snap. Cake doesn't do the sideways shuffle either :)

Cycle trucks are nice in some ways. I have a bike right now with the same weight capacity as the Halsted, a Globe Live 2. But the basket on the Live is fork mounted and the load affects the handling somewhat. While it isn't bad at all on this bike, having the load off the fork altogether means the handling should be quite good in general if the bike is designed well. Plus, it shouldn't flop over if the cargo isn't nearly centered. And the floor space on the Halsted rack is undoubtedly bigger than that on my Globe Live.

On the other hand, the Live is a much more gorgeous bike, also has great features, and is fun to ride. I would probably pick the Live again, unless my cargo needs became more hardcore, in which case the Halsted would have some extra merit for sure.

I think its alright so far. Initial impression makes me think it could be a good stop gap in price between a worksman cycle truck, and a more artisinal offering like an Ahearne.

Not sure about Civia as a brand, haven't seen many of them, and have only tried out one so far (Hyland). It wasn't incredible, it wasn't horrendous either. I thought it was a bit expensive for what it was, but it wasn't the worst thing i've ever seen.

Vik, which ones did you try? What sorts of things did Civia miss out on, detail wise?

For a well proven work bike (over 100 years in production !) consider a Worksman Low Gravity bike.

http://worksmancycles.aitrk.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/indbikes.html

Per their web site Civia has announced a new steel frame front loader cargo bike, the Halsted. Classic small front wheel configuration like a lot of front loader bikes but with a load platform above the wheel rather than a huge basket.

From the top photo they may be offering a basket which fits the platform.

http://civiacycles.com/bikes/halsted/

It looks to me like this could easily be combined with a Xtracycle kit to give a nice cargo bike with front and rear load capability.

This is a short bike, where would you put an Xtracycle kit? Am I looking at a wrong bike? Also, the only use I can for this is pizza delivery. I wouldn't want all my load in the front. It needs a tough, integrated rear rack to make any sense to me.

This is a short bike, where would you put an Xtracycle kit? Am I looking at a wrong bike? Also, the only use I can for this is pizza delivery. I wouldn't want all my load in the front. It needs a tough, integrated rear rack to make any sense to me.

A full Xtracycle kit turns a normal wheelbase bike into a longtail as it includes a bolt on rear frame assembly. It fits most frames with 135mm dropout width.

Heavy front load bicycles are nothing new. French Porteur bikes routinely carried up to about 110 pounds on front racks. It does require different front end geometry for reasonable handling compared to a normal bike. Basically reduced trail and a fairly steep head angle. Front loading at least allows you to watch your cargo while riding.

Silly Civia! They should have put a disc brake on the rear as-well.

A full Xtracycle kit turns a normal wheelbase bike into a longtail as it includes a bolt on rear frame assembly. It fits most frames with 135mm dropout width.

Heavy front load bicycles are nothing new. French Porteur bikes routinely carried up to about 110 pounds on front racks. It does require different front end geometry for reasonable handling compared to a normal bike. Basically reduced trail and a fairly steep head angle. Front loading at least allows you to watch your cargo while riding.

Ah, sorry, I misunderstood you: I thought you meant the longtail rack kit, while you meant the Free Radical "extension", sorry about that. Yeah, that makes sense.

Hey, a quick update on this! I went to the shop today and tried the bike out - long story short, I liked it enough to buy one. So, expect a short term review soon!

The "model" riding the bike has a Surly jersey on, wonder if he owns a Big Dummy

Hey, a quick update on this! I went to the shop today and tried the bike out - long story short, I liked it enough to buy one. So, expect a short term review soon!

Cool! Looking forward to it.


The "model" riding the bike has a Surly jersey on, wonder if he owns a Big Dummy
LOL.

I want one. It will be easy to mount a fairing on the front end. 'Course it will need a bigger chainring.

Thank you for posting.

Question of the day: What do you think will happen to the car if you get doored or right hooked riding this bike?

I know the answer, I want to see if anyone can guess.

It looks to me like this could easily be combined with a Xtracycle kit to give a nice cargo bike with front and rear load capability.

Psst. It had to happen eventually. It just did :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Civia-Cycles/76537914685#!/media/set/?set=a.10150203296979686.328751.76537914685 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Civia-Cycles/76537914685#%21/media/set/?set=a.10150203296979686.328751.76537914685)

Van der Tuin at HPM in Eugene built some of those
20 26" frame loaded bikes many years ago,
hope he sorted out the front end shimmy on his..
put a hydraulic steering dampner to control that.



Civia, another QBP Import label..

I noted a Kickstand made to grip the current, External bearing cup,
I don't get it, strangely enough there was no thought
to instead using the bolts already holding the sliding dropout on the frame...
Pletcher already makes a KS that fits to the chainstay.

Or a common .. kickstand plate chainstay bridge would have made it simpler.

There's a normal kickstand plate on the Halsted, and on all of Civia's bikes save for the Hyland. As for why the Hyland was designed with the kickstand as such, I don't know.

The HPM Express is a pretty nice looking bike too. The Halsted actually shimmies a little if you take your hands off the bars completely, I experienced it personally and confirmed that with another owner. You can actually ride the bike no-hands and still stay in control, it's just a bit weird to watch the steering not wanting to settle in center.

The handling is one of the things I'm not 100% pleased with on the Halsted, but it isn't horrible. I'll provide an update soon, am doing a short term review.

How about a steering damper/lock to prevent it from flopping over while loading and at slow speed.

It looks like a Civia front loader has been recalled, I am not sure if this is the same model we've been discussing:

http://www.newyorkinjurynews.com/2011/06/11/Product-Recall-Civia-Bike-Racks-by-Quality-Bicycle-Products-Pose-Fall-Risks_201106116530.html

Quote:
"....The product recall was issued after discovering that the bicycle rack’s mounting bracket can crack or break, which can cause the rack to fall onto the bicycle’s front wheel, posing a fall hazard to the consumer.
“This recall involves Civia Loring bicycle racks. They have black aluminum tubing with bamboo panels and mount to the bicycle’s front fork. The word ‘Civia’ is printed on the rack’s side panels,” reported the CPSC..."

The recall was on a different bike.
I test rode a Halsted last week and I quite liked it. It rides a bit like a BMX, it is a tiny bit jittery and corners quickly. It doesn't hold much by my standards (I ride a CETMA), but if I could get out of the habit of carrying so much, I would seriously consider adding one to my collection. Finny wanted to buy one on the spot.

206680