Originally Posted by
memnoch_proxy
I got into a conversation with the farmer that I have a subscription with about putting bikes or trikes to use on his farm. I know that any mountain bike might do well, but the few times I've ridden my Xtra or hauled a trailer behind a bike on muddy unimproved trails, I tend to bog down quickly.
Have you seen bikes or trikes in use for hauling boxes of veggies on farms? Should one be avoiding small 20" wheeled trailers, or are cargo trikes more effective on unimproved roads?
It depends hugely on how firm, smooth and level the ground is that he would like to drive on. A front-box trike is a lovely way to move things around on rather firm, rather smooth and rather flat areas. It gets ugly if the ground is soft. Mud really brings things to a stop quick. On a trike when you get stuck you don't fall over, and you might be able to rock yourself free (and spin a tire!), but thats something you do to entertain the kids, not get work done.
For moving cargo in difficult terrain, despite my fondness for three wheels, I be inclined to get a Surly Pugsley or even more extreme, and a trailer with the biggest possible tires. (Hmmm, a Moonlander trike, that would be a nice option...)