My thoughts on geometry, specs when it comes to cargo bikes.

[inoy]

It began with a low slung recumbent; the first of a few bikes that I would build. Because I was dictated more by my purse strings and the knack for being different, my foray into DIY mode was met by a steep learning curve. And the internet was obviously the tool to flatten that graph.http://flic.kr/p/cuVn6A

A few years and half a dozen bikes later has led me to realize that 1) I am not a well tuned machine as previously thought and 2) well you can just read on…http://flic.kr/p/cuW1iA

Weight. Not really a factor unless your into portage. If you live in a high rise building of any sort, then I guess your choice of cargo bike will matter. On the other hand, a cargo bike was meant to carry you and your load, and not vice versa. And the added weight makes you slightly faster on the declines. Barring headwinds of course.http://flic.kr/p/cuWkJL

Wheelbase and the oh-so-famous chainstay length. A few years back and still very much into mountain biking, I would obsess about the chainstay length of the different bikes that I lusted for; imagining how easy it would be to pop a wheelie or loft it over obstacles because of the aforementioned shortness. I’d visualize as I read magazine reviews of how a short wheelbase dirt jump bike was ultimately “flickable”, and how a longer wheelbase downhill bike would be stable in flight. Best to throw those numbers away when you start hauling stuff. Your position relative to your load is what makes the handling “normal” or “sheesh I have to relearn this $#!%!”. Trust me on this one: load on the back is a facebook like, load up front is akin to unfriending.http://flic.kr/p/cuANTm

Geometry and tube angles. Except for head tube angles, you can play around with the rest. Longtails will benefit from slacker angles while a long john or bakfiets would generally feel more maneuverable with steeper angles. This holds ‘truer’ if the bicycle sports disparate wheel sizes.http://flic.kr/p/cAt7S3

Kickstand. You used to chuck them away as soon as you got your traditional bikes out of the store. This item on a cargo bike either makes it or not. Prepare for spilled loads or worse, irate passengers.http://flic.kr/p/cuRkih

Geared or singlespeed. Ha!. Enough said.

Brakes. I for one have had an aversion to tattoos. Why? Because I’ve already marked myself countless times from accidents due to inadequate brakes. Add more weight and ‘conscious’ handling and you get a statement that reads: “Get the best brakes you can possibly buy”.

This is by no means an exhaustive account. These are MY opinions riding my cargo bikes. And a lot more opinions will come out as more of us start replacing our cars with these.

One thing is for sure: my body didn’t know whether it was 71 or 72 degrees, whether it was 26 or 29 inches, or whether it was 45 or 60 lbs. It was too much of a cheapskate to care; so I’ve built my own. And ride them.

[egpamatmat]

I can't see the images Sir?.... =)

[Xtyling]

where's the pictures?

at least the links work..

that's an interesting build. but if you will be carrying odd or unbalanced cargo, you might be better off with a tri-cycle.

[simplej0ys]

very intersting indeed!
what would be more interesting is to actually show us the pics.

[van]

Akala ko po kulang sa apps mobile ko haha kabitin naman po sa pix hehe

[jims]

Nice bikes! you are the brains behind re-engineering cargo bikes for Philippine road (and off-road) conditions... we wish you more investors and buyers for your prototypes...

Just in case you haven't seen these links on DIY cargo bikes before:
http://www.tomscargobikes.com/BUILD_YOUR_OWN.php
http://www.cheaphack.net/2010/07/diy-bakfiets.html
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/cont...DavidMahan.htm

And of course http://cargocycling.org/ for more great ideas
* (7/26) update: cycle chic supercargo dads

These can be great for our narrow urban streets; better than the wide pedicabs or tricycles.
The surplus bike shops should be a good source of parts for building more of those prototypes.

[inoy]

guys, sorry if i didn't imbed the pictures. honest lack of technical prowess.

jims, thanks for the kind words and links. gotta love that swiss-knife of a bike.

[wheeliam]

The geometry of those cargo bikes looks cool and interesting. You surely had put lots of time, talent and treasure on that, very creative indeed.

However, I noticed one thing, in this particular cargo bike of yours,


where will you put the cargo? I don’t see any hole on the frame (except 1 big hole on the downtube which I’m not sure what it is for) that may be used to mount a rear luggage rack.

[inoy]

thanks for the interest wheeliam. i hope the drawing is understandable. http://flic.kr/p/cC5u63

am actually still deciding whether the luggage will be soft shell like canvas or nylon, or a hardcase like fiberglass. the bag slips over the curved seatpost tube. the inside of both left and right pieces will be rigid so as not to rub the rear wheel when loaded. it will have straps to affix to the chainstays, seatstays and seat tube post, so it doesn't slip of when moving. and since left and right pieces are connected via the handle, i can easily pull off the luggage should i want to take it with me while the bike is parked elsewhere. what do you think?

[inoy]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

may binunga din pala kadadaldal ko dito sa forums. another cyclist has built a longtail cargo bike and it looks like a knockout.

check out his build in the link.

Sugod Pinoy!

[inoy]

apologies to Andrei Salud for effing up...
Kung yung kay Buck Pago, knockout; ito bombshell!
http://www.hocusmanila.com/main/junior-cargo/
Trinifecta na nang Pinoy!

[IstongKowldPaR]

nice one!!!

made me remember to buy the racks for my ogre!

have you seen the bakfeits in yehuda moon?

[inoy]

hey nice share Istong! feel ko na tuloy si Yehuda.

[IstongKowldPaR]

hehehe i've been following that comic for a while.

keep us posted in your project!

[inoy]

Istong, the last two posts were not my creation. they were Buck Pago's and Andrei Salud's respectively.

Two Pinoy built trailers.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater this was done by Donald Uy, while this was done by Freddie Valenzuela.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Dumadami na utility cyclists dito. My fervent wish though is that utility doesn't just become a new fad to collect and show off, but an actual step towards finding solutions to our present ills by lessening our carbon footprints by easing off the use of the car.

If this is the case, a ton more power to Pinoy utility bike builders, users, etc.