aussie_grl14

So I'm doing a project for work which involves convincing the maintenance staff that they could use cargo bikes instead of their golf carts and trucks to get around campus. One of their big concerns is whether they could mount their toolbox on the rear rack and have it lock, but still be removable with minimum difficulty when they're done with the bike.

I'm pretty sure they already have toolboxes, so I'm just seeing if anyone has heard of a way to securely mount and lock it onto a bike. We're looking at longtails like the Yuba Mundo or the Kona Ute.

Thanks!

vik 

How secure? A cable lock through the handle to the bike frame will stop casual thieves. A pro thief with power tools is nearly unstoppable if they have some time/opportunity.

squirtdad

check out worksman both their Bikes and trikes...as long as you are not talking huge hills the trike would take about any size tool box. and give some really good locking options

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s.../indbikes.html

https://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_s.../indbikes.html

Nightshade

Yep, Worksman is made for the job that needs done. The Worksman Low Gravity - Model LGG is just what is needed or a Worksman industrial trike.

I've seen both carry loads that would collapse any other cycle and take abuse that would make you cry while still keep on rolling.

When the bikes get there take their carts away from them.

Burton

A toolbox on a rack on the back of a bike is too much weight too high regardless of if you can lock it or not. Trikes are used extensively at the international aeroport here in Montreal for a number of delivery and maintenance applications.

aussie_grl14

Well I highly doubt it's too much weight for the Mundo...those bikes can carry a hell of a load. And we weren't planning on putting it on top of the rack. The Mundo has sideboards.

Vik, thanks for that idea. We were thinking too complicated at first...if a cable lock is doable then we should be taking the easiest route. Unfortunately I don't know how big these toolboxes are but they're small enough that a golf cart can carry it around. I think the biggest problem is figuring out how to securely mount it but make it easily removable.

Nightshade, thanks for the recommendation. We can't take away their carts because I live in Michigan and we get a lot of snow in the winter. This is a voluntary program...

squirtdad

aussie girl....... don't know what your budget is, but you might try several bikes and see what works and what the target users find works for them, rather than go from an enthusiast point of view, which I think focusing on the mundo or ute is doing.

You might check out what other businesses do.

A better idea of what the usage is will helps also

form follows function. You will need to make sure that not only are tools lockable, but that the bikes are easy to use, easy to maintain, are totally durable, can carry the loads needed both normal and once in while bigger, are easy to park, have good kick stands, etc.

supplementing carts with trikes may be be the better solution than focusing on 2 wheels.

aussie_grl14

Squirtdad, we're actually working on getting a bunch of bikes to test out this summer. So far just the mundo and the ute. We'll be maintaining the bikes, not the users. Durability, performance, and maintenance tests are planned for summer.

We're hoping to expand this to more than just maintenance staff; other departments might be interested in using the bikes too. We're especially focusing on bikes that offer an electric assist since our campus is very hilly and we're trying to present a good case for everyone to use them That's the main reason I hadn't talked to Worksman yet but I can see what they offer too.

What do you mean by the enthusiast point of view?

Gareth

Try looking at tractor tool boxes, especially those from an Agricultural spares & parts factor rather than a tractor main dealer. These after market boxes have lockable lids, and a simple pin and braket arrangement to fix them in place. But the clever bit is the lid has to be opened to pull the pin from the bracket before and then the lid has to be closed again before you can carry the box away, and being designed for the agricultural industry, they will be both robust and cheap.

squirtdad

My view was (call it pedantic if you will ) was that the focus on the Yuba and Ute sounded like a decision that someone in this forum of enthusiasts would make..... but that focusing on those bikes might not be the best solution to the problem

this post gives a lot more info: Hills (meaning gears or electric assist), a wider user community (meanining different bikes maybe) I'm an IT guy and getting the requirements down first before defining the technicall solution (which bike or bikes) or even prototyping (bike tests) is important.

as for maintenance, depending on the fleet size you might also look at outsourcing.... my favorite LBS does all the bike fleet maintenance for a large Silicon valley company.

this does sound like a fun project.... good luck


ps: My suggestions to not dismiss trikes is based on a lot of factors: Load carrying.....just put stuff in the back basket, easy to lock a tool box to, easy of use....no "balance" concerns for those who have not ridden bikes a lot. No worries about falling over when parked... just lock the brake. Long history of success in insdustrial settings. And if I can get my 80 year old dad to use one for errands instead of his pickup and have fun at it...in the middle of nowhere in montana to boot....you might be able to get more acceptance/usage than just two wheelers. (and worksman has an electric trike )

aussie_grl14

Gareth, do you have a site I could look at? I'm not very familiar with that corner of the interwebs. Are you talking about something like this?
https://www.tractorsupply.com/agricul...-black-5303542

Squirtdad thanks for the help. Very good points, I'll check out some trikes too. Our decision to start with those bikes was probably (at least partially) influenced by the fact that my boss and his boss have been pretty involved in the bike industry.
Any brands you know of other than Worksman? I found their electric trike and it looks to be pretty light-duty.

vik 

One other idea is a cart/trailer that hooks up to a regular bike and which can be disconnected and wheeled into a building with the toolbox mounted on it.

Here is an example:

https://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_416/travoy.html

aussie_grl14

Yes good call. We have a Bikes at Work trailer, though that isn't as maneuverable as the one in your picture. To be honest we're wondering why they need the toolboxes to be lockable since I don't think there's been any mention of anything getting stolen...but this was their request so we have to try and honor it.

squirtdad

Worksman I know of because there were a lot of them around when I lived in NYC and they have a rep for being bombproof, if heavy

A quick google gave this

https://www.nycewheels.com/crave-elec...red-trike.html

https://www.meijer.com/s/e-moto-trike...&cmpid=****ase

https://www.amazon.com/EWheels-Electr.../dp/B004FWJ244

https://brandscycle.com/product/elect...otor-12060.htm



a good source for electric bike info is the electric bike forum, they might be able to help with more hands on knowledge

aussie_grl14

Thanks for the links! Time for some more research

Nightshade

If you need any info or help concerning Worksman cycles give them a call. Ask for Wayne Sosin (Pres. of Worksman) for help placing an order for any cycle you might need for your use.

BY MAIL:
Worksman Trading Corp
Worksman Cycles Industrial Park
94-15 100th St
Ozone Park, NY 11416
BY EMAIL:
Cycle Sales: cycles@worksman.com
Vending Cart Sales: vending@worksman.com
BY TELEPHONE(M-F 9-5 EST):
Toll Free (USA Only): 800-962-2453
Local Customers: 718-322-2000
BY FAX: 718-529-4803

Note: WORKSMAN is a very small company but they are wonderful helpful people to deal with !

Gareth

Hi Aussie Girl,

Yes that is the type of lift off, lift on tool box used in the Agri industry.