Originally Posted by
CliffordK
I carry enough cargo, that it is pretty easy to hit 40 lbs of cargo, but one certainly starts noticing it, especially when one hits the hills (they seem to have cut most of the hills out of the rental zone).
That's the key - the bike share bikes are not designed for hilly areas. Most stay in the flat, downtown sections of their metro areas. Even in San Francisco they're generally used along Market Street or the Embarcadero - not up and over the hilly parts of town. On flat ground the weight is far less important. I sometimes tow my 100 lb. boat behind my bike and it only slows me down a little on flat ground (I tow it back after paddling downstream with the current - but riverfront roads are usually pretty flat). But it was a real struggle towing it to a local reservoir with a 1200' climb in the way.