new cycle truck
- Thread starter Graylock
- Start date
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Actually, there are a fair number built, they're just not popular here. Of course, Worksman makes one, but they are very uncommon. Schwinn quit making the old Cycletruck, presumably due to low sales. But a couple of years ago, when I was researching these, I found a number of companies in India still make the Low Gravity bicycles, and I have an Arpan version out in the garage. And I think some Chinese companies do, and a while back, I saw a Brazilian version for sale on the Houston Craigslist.
The Worksman model is a whole bunch cheaper, by the way.
Some thoughts on it. A 40-lb bicycle with groceries is not easily maneuvered around, contrary to the claims on the website. If you have a heavy bike with heavy load, it's hard to pick the whole thing up. If you have a light bike with heavy load in that style basket, then lifting up on the handlebars lifts the rear wheel off the ground, so it can be very hard to lift over curbs. With the load up front, you need the kickstand up front, not in the back like they have it, and the low-gravity and cycletrucks were generally built that way. With different size front and rear wheels, you also have to carry different size spare tubes.
The Worksman model is a whole bunch cheaper, by the way.
Some thoughts on it. A 40-lb bicycle with groceries is not easily maneuvered around, contrary to the claims on the website. If you have a heavy bike with heavy load, it's hard to pick the whole thing up. If you have a light bike with heavy load in that style basket, then lifting up on the handlebars lifts the rear wheel off the ground, so it can be very hard to lift over curbs. With the load up front, you need the kickstand up front, not in the back like they have it, and the low-gravity and cycletrucks were generally built that way. With different size front and rear wheels, you also have to carry different size spare tubes.
Ummm wow, what can I say.
I give the Ahearne folks a lot of credit for updating that market, but I just don't know about the price. It's right up there with custom-built track bikes. :shock:
It's a great idea, and as they indicate a perfect way to get the most use out of a commuter/work bike. But the cost of a finished bike is astronomical! Yes, it's custom built, made in USA, and high quality. As someone pointed out, the Worksman model is less than a third of their price.
It's very cool, I wish them the best of luck and applaud the fact that their building in the USA. Just not sure how many they can sell for used-car prices.
--Rob
I give the Ahearne folks a lot of credit for updating that market, but I just don't know about the price. It's right up there with custom-built track bikes. :shock:
It's a great idea, and as they indicate a perfect way to get the most use out of a commuter/work bike. But the cost of a finished bike is astronomical! Yes, it's custom built, made in USA, and high quality. As someone pointed out, the Worksman model is less than a third of their price.
It's very cool, I wish them the best of luck and applaud the fact that their building in the USA. Just not sure how many they can sell for used-car prices.
--Rob
A cycle truck trike w/a Nexus 7-speed would be cool though. Could probably run a pair of drum or disk brakes on the rear. Plenty of cargo hauling and gearing for hills/heavy loads. Gonna add that to the build list, along with a 1930's 'socialble', I hate having someone riding on a tandem behind me or steering for me.
hmmm..a sociable cycle truck with a motor, wait that's a car! :mrgreen:
hmmm..a sociable cycle truck with a motor, wait that's a car! :mrgreen:
A lot of the utility-type bikes like the bakfiets and Big Dummy are pretty expensive for what they are. But then you have people looking at using them in place of a car, and all the sudden they seem a lot more reasonable. I'm paying over $500 a month for car INSURANCE (4-cars, but still...). If I got rid of the cars, I could afford a heck of a fleet of bicycles.
