These machines have been in use for many decades in Europe and are known as LongJohns. They can carry a considerable weight of cargo with remarkable stability and safety. Once popular for delivering luggage, groceries and as tradesman's vehicles. They are still made over here and are even used for carrying kids to and from school. Mine is rather old and rather heavy thanks to its huge, steel, cargo rack and stand. Great fun but hard work uphill!
Front load nice for keeping an eye on your load for extra safety. I think the steering would be a slightly awkward though - different from normal bike, therefore you couldn't as easily or safely hand it to a new user to ride in traffic, say. Tall loads would block view - I carry a guitar & banjo vertically mounted on rods at back on my carrier. I'd rather have the same excellent frame at the back, with normal steering. Bruce Thomson in New Zealand (YouTube see cheapest strongest bike trailer)
@PalmyBruce I own a bakfiets similar to this. A new user on any special bike like this will have to learn how to use it - same as you did on your bike. As for being visually obstructed, it is not as much of an issue as you might think on streets in the developed world. I carry large, heavy, bike boxes on mine that I can barely see over. Go slow and steady and it's not that big a deal. The benefit is it is fun to ride bikes and not have to use a car.
These machines have been in use for many decades in Europe and are known as LongJohns. They can carry a considerable weight of cargo with remarkable stability and safety. Once popular for delivering luggage, groceries and as tradesman's vehicles. They are still made over here and are even used for carrying kids to and from school. Mine is rather old and rather heavy thanks to its huge, steel, cargo rack and stand. Great fun but hard work uphill!
Tricyklist 10 months ago
Front load nice for keeping an eye on your load for extra safety. I think the steering would be a slightly awkward though - different from normal bike, therefore you couldn't as easily or safely hand it to a new user to ride in traffic, say. Tall loads would block view - I carry a guitar & banjo vertically mounted on rods at back on my carrier. I'd rather have the same excellent frame at the back, with normal steering. Bruce Thomson in New Zealand (YouTube see cheapest strongest bike trailer)
PalmyBruce 1 year ago
@PalmyBruce I own a bakfiets similar to this. A new user on any special bike like this will have to learn how to use it - same as you did on your bike. As for being visually obstructed, it is not as much of an issue as you might think on streets in the developed world. I carry large, heavy, bike boxes on mine that I can barely see over. Go slow and steady and it's not that big a deal. The benefit is it is fun to ride bikes and not have to use a car.
ubrayj02 9 months ago
how much do these cost?
Visualsilva 1 year ago
are there tube sets to buy for this?
Axbent 1 year ago