Glad to see CAT came to their senses.

....so, when are we going to see these cargo bikes in Michigan????

My understanding is that he makes them one at a time on special order, so the answer would be "When you or some other Michigander orders one."

Okay. Great. I've been granted the right to do what I already had the right to do in the first place.

Here's my "official" response to this saga. I'm going to briefly respond and then drop it. I don't plan to make a big(ger) deal out of this situation. I am NOT bitter.

I've never experienced a greater sense of relief, buoyancy, and vindication in my entire life. I'm elated this saga is over, and thrilled to know future ex-employees of CAT will never have to hassle with this.

Jan/CAT has caused me very real anguish. I've been severely insomniac for nearly a month, wondering if my dream-come-true was about to be stomped on. I've developed odd stomach pains, which I've been embarrassed to tell anyone about. I haven't had a truly relaxing moment since this began. I've become boring, uninspired, and unable to think about anything other than my impending ruin, day and night. My marriage has been affected. My wife and I canceled a romantic trip to Japan four days ago in order to save money for a ****ing lawyer. It's too late to go now.

It infuriates me to think that I went through this while Jan might have never even intended to follow through with his threat. And it makes my blood boil to know that he nearly extracted $10,000 from me under the false threat of litigation, apparently BEFORE he "review(ed) the current thinking regarding the use of Non Compete Agreements...". NOW he "examine(s) the pros and cons of these agreements". It would have spared me a mountain of grief if that had been done FIRST.

Make no mistake, CAT would have steamrolled me had it not been for this thread and the concerned folks who contributed their opinions. The ending to this story would've been very different without y'all.

Thank you sincerely to Jan for releasing me from the non-compete agreement, and more importantly for withdrawing the non-compete clause from CAT's employee contracts. I am satisfied with your decision, and again, NOT bitter or resentful of you. Honestly.

I am going to leave this story here. All of the above is gone from my mind, to be replaced with clarity and peace. It's now time to resume doing what I love, riding bikes and making things.

Anyway...

Here's the newest development. It's a jog-stroller add-on which allows the secure and easy attachment of most popular jog-strollers on the market. This video features the popular Chariot Cougar. The wheels are removed, and the carrier locks into place in seconds. This would eliminate the need for a box, bench and/or canopy for many parents wanting to carry kids. Eh?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YuZ_45zYOM

i feel for you lance. i have quite a few friends who have worked and volunteered at CAT, and the general consensus is that Jan is impossible to work with. too big of ego, acting like a child at times. an example of this can be seen in the high employee turnover rate that CAT has. props are due i guess for his work with CSA's in this country, but other than that the way CAT is run is a joke. also, the last time i was in the know, the program basically only stays afloat due to the taxpayer money received by the "school" they run. and i have seen the way they have dealt with clients. they make revolution cycles look like they should be up for an award from the bbb.

Thanks.

The few times I have bought from them I had no problem. I bought a raincape, helmet cover, and set of overshoes, which I liked very much. I then bought a Tritan for my aunt, which was built and delivered in a reasonable amount of time, and, after assembly and adjustment was a very good machine. (My aunt ended up selling it, though, as she is a very timid woman and was too nervous about taking it on the street; but it was a good machine, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for that sort of thing.) I've been talking to them about possibly getting a Tri Hauler.

That's brilliant! Do the sticky-up post things that the pushchair sits on get in the way of adding a basket or flatbed later? A fully interchangeable thing would be ideal. Maybe you could also find somewhere to store the wheels from the pushchair?

Good thoughts. Fortunately, the sticky-up things are removable. The assembly unbolts from the frame. As far as the wheels go, this particular model has built in pockets for storing the wheels when they're off the stroller. Not sure about other brands, but I'd imagine they've all got similar pockets.

Looking really good. Much more versatile than a simple box. I see only two small problems.

1 - the Chariot is facing backwards. This is not a big problem unless it gets cold in which case the breeze comes through the ventilation mesh in the back (which is facing frontward) and chills the kiddies. On the other hand, it facilitates conversation. It also looks aerodynamically questionable.

2 - Looks like you have a single wide chariot on there. I want to put my double chariot on there (either 2 kids + 72 beer or 1 kid and even more beer). If I can do that you've sold me a bike.

Doug

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Lane,
First, your design is hugely inspiring. As an environmentalist and advocate of lower-impact living on our beautiful planet, it's clear to see that designs like yours are part of the solution. Thank you so much for building this bike, and especially for posting the photos so we can learn. I wish you great success in seling these bikes so more folks do transportation with their own power rather that petrol fuels.

Second, I am so sorry to hear about your story of the legal nightmare. I have been sued once; it was remarkable how hard it was. I am a ox-like healthy guy, but I would wake up at night in those years with crazy belly pain and clenched jaw. Eventually, like your case, the plaintiff dropped the case when it was clear to the courts that they were being ridiculous. The tragic part of our legal system was that two years of agony would have been spared if the plaintiff would have just dropped by or made a phone call in the beginning. Once lawyers get involved, the simple human and humane solution seems to get farther away. Anyway, years later, it all just seems like a distant bad dream. It seems like you are able to leave this behind you and this is good. In the long run, you will be remembered for your good spirit and good work.

Thanks for posting your photos and thanks for posting your story. Good luck in your business.

- jc (Doc on a bike)

You're in luck. The add-on mechanism can adjust to accommodate the single or double wide Chariots (which are about 7" wider). Also, with a slight mod, they can also be ordered to work with nearly any brand of jog-stoller.

Here's a detail shot. Note the double-sets of slotted holes for the "sticky-up" things.

Thanks very much. I appreciate that. Yesterday, a guy on a bike passed me, turned around and said, "Hey man, congratulations! I heard about what happened,...that's cool!!"

Made my day.

Put something for a big plastic bucket on there... but make it removable.

So how does the other end work? as I recall, the axle bounces up and down when the suspension on the chariot compresses. I assume it does not attach to the axle bar but to the other bar below. I guess my real question is will it work with my 2008 model CX2 ?

so, i'm wondering why the sudden interest in jog-strollers? maybe you're expecting a little bike messenger?!?!?

Here's another angle showing the other end. This add-on will work with your CX2. No problemo, my friend.

Hey folks! I'd love to hear your opinions regarding this box prototype, which attaches to the bike using the same brackets as the jog-stroller points. A bag-thing is coming soon, which will also attach to these points.

I think it is damn pretty.
If you ever decide to make an electric assist version under the box's seat would be the ideal place to store the batteries.

If you tell me that the seat in the box folds up and there is a tool box underneath I am going to be too impressed to maintain consciousness...
If I were picking nits, I would say that my kids prefer higher backrests.

Doug

No toolbox...YET! Higher backrest. Got it.

Stokemonkey?

I believe so. Ask Todd at the world famous Clever Cycles.