Building My Cargo Bike Wishlist

Let’s build a checklist, so you can decide if a particular cargo bike will work for you. This is purely about function, not whether a cargo bike appeals to you.

The Goal: you will be able to look at a listing of a cargo bike and decide if it will work for you and your lifestyle.

The primary things we are going to look at are:

Budget – Am I being realistic about costs?
The Ride – will I be confident riding this cargo bike?
Use Cases – will my cargo bike work for my needs?
Storage – How big is this cargo bike anyway?

Budget

You probably have an idea of what you want to spend, realistic or not. Let’s examine some hidden costs.

Budget Questions:

How much do I need to spend? Am I saving now only to pay later?
What other costs am I not seeing right now?

Budget Answers:

I cannot tell you what your budget should be. But I can tell you this:
- Virtually all the cargo bikes I have ever seen at every price have been right for someone.
- The more money you spend, the fancier the box and bike parts get.
  - This can add to usage and longevity
  - It can also be more expensive to maintain later
- The frames themselves are rarely much different between different cargo bikes.
Other costs to consider when budgeting include
- Assembly
  - Some cargo bikes will need to be assembled.
    - Will that be you or a professional?
    - If it is DIY, do you have the tools to assemble your cargo bike?
    - If you assembled it, do you need to have it checked by a professional?
- Accessories
  - Weather related items such as rain/snow canopies and tarps/covers.
  - Lights for seeing or for being seen
  - Locks
  - Speakers or other fun items
- Shipping
  - Shipping can be very expensive for a cargo bike, so check that price when considering your budget
  - Many local bike shops will NOT charge the shipping of a product to you, but some will. Find out before you “find out”.

The Ride

Cargo bikes features and intended use change how they ride.

Ride Questions:

Is this a 2 wheeled or 3 wheeled cargo bike?
Is this cargo bike in the range of my cargo carrying needs?
Will it fit my body?

Cargo Answers (and questions):

The difference between a cargo bicycle and cargo tricycle are dramatic.
- 3 wheel cargo bikes often appeal to people who do not feel confident that they can balance.
  - 3 wheel cargo bikes are more stable at VERY SLOW speeds, which has a few great applications.
  - They are less likely to tip over
- 2 wheel cargo bikes are more nimble and can be ridden at higher speeds more safely
  - 2 wheel cargo bikes are more stable at average and higher speeds
  - After the first ride, 2 wheel cargo bikes are no longer a challenge to keep upright. (It is just like riding a bike… a long bike).
Cargo Capacity should be thought of as a range
- An empty cargo bike (riding to work after dropping the kids) will handle differently.
  - Typically, the steering feels more quick and nimble with less weight
  - More weight creates a few extra aspects that slow steering down
- Choose a cargo bike that realistically matches your needs, as opposed to one that leaves an additional several watermelons worth.
Bicycle fit is its own art and science. In short, there are two fit questions.
- Can I sit on the cargo bike and ride it safely?
  - Can the seat height be adjusted so I can ride it?
  - Is the top tube length the proper distance so I am neither cramped for space (too short) or reaching really far (too long)?
- Can I get on and off the cargo bike?
  - Do I need a step thru design?
  - Do I need to change much about the cargo bike to make it work for my body?
    - Saddle
    - Bars
    - Pedals
    - Other

Use Cases

How will you use your cargo bike? A simple question. This is more often “How do you imagine you will use your cargo bike?”.

Cargo Questions:

Are you carrying kids? Do you want safety harnesses? How many kids?
Are you carrying dogs? Do you want to add a leash/harness system?
Are you moving other stuff? Think about errands, business needs, etc.
How much weight does that cargo add up to?

Cargo Answers:

If you are carrying kids, look at the cargo part of the bike and imagine your kids sitting in the bucket or on the platform. Older kids often (in my experience) do not want any safety harnesses.
As for dogs, the hardest part is training them to stay in the bucket. A wooden bucket is easiest to modify with harnesses and restraints.
Groceries, backpacks, picnics, etc all fit on most cargo bikes. Use your imagination to see if this prospective cargo bike will work for your stuff.
Capacity in cargo bikes has a wide range: some cargo bikes are intended to only hold a lightweight item, while others can move refrigerators. Keep in mind, the less weight you have, the more nimble the cargo bike will handle.

Storage and Parking

While this seems obvious, I have heard from many owners that they did not plan how they would store their cargo bike.

Storage and Parking Questions:

How large of a space do I need for this cargo bike?
Can I park this cargo bike safely at work or school, etc?