Bakfiets Cargo Bike

rflynnr

I could and did. My (badly worded) response only referred to the irrelevance of claiming VAT on delivery since the €90 transport charge only kicked in after I'd gone over the €1000.

thntp

Hi, if any of you guys who currently owns a cargo bike which has done serving its purpose, please keep me in mind. I'd be interested to get a used one.:)

Bluefoam

Theres a place selling Dutch cargo bikes/kid carriers in Dublin, its worth checking out:

http://www.bear-bicycles.com/bike-shop/15-delivery-bike.html

PS... I just read their site and its the Bakfiets brand you were asking about.

thntp

Thanks for the info Bluefoam. If you hear anyone who currently owns one and think of selling it just let em know i might be interested.

CramCycle

thntp wrote: »

Thanks for the info Bluefoam. If you hear anyone who currently owns one and think of selling it just let em know i might be interested.

Me to, they look awesome

dubmess

I've ridden one of these for just over a year now:
http://www.larryvsharry.com/english/index.html

Savage bikes...

Yvonne79

Hi there, I just tried a bakfiets at Bear bicycles www.bear-bicycles.com. Really like it! Perfect to bring kids to school. It is much easier to cycle then I had expected and not heavy at all (although I can imagine that it is a bit heavy when going uphill for a long time). If you're thinking of getting one I would definitely contact bear bikes for a test ride.

Planet X

Article in the Sunday Times about Cargo bikes in Dublin. The author on this forum?

Qualitymark

For sale in Ireland here http://www.bear-bicycles.com/bike-shop/15-delivery-bike.html

rflynnr

Haven't seen the article but pound to a penny it's written by Monument, the closest thing we have to a cycling-specific journalist in Ireland (well I guess Paul Kimmage sort of counts...).

Planet X wrote: »

Article in the Sunday Times about Cargo bikes in Dublin. The author on this forum?

monument

The one in 'cycle guy' space was me (There was also a small mention on cargo bikes in another article about active parenting including running with children, which was written by another journalist).

Any questions about the bike?

Harrybelafonte

So, more importantly, do we have enough cargo bikes in the country now for a race alla Cargo Bike World Championships.

monument

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

So, more importantly, do we have enough cargo bikes in the country now for a race alla Cargo Bike World Championships.

Bakfiets vs Bullit? Please don't do that to me.

mrsFitz

monument wrote: »

The one in 'cycle guy' space was me (There was also a small mention on cargo bikes in another article about active parenting including running with children, which was written by another journalist).

Any questions about the bike?

Is this the same article that was in the cycling in Dublin newspaper that was in the times yesterday. or do I need to go and find a copy of yesterdays paper?
Thanks

beazee

monument wrote: »

Any questions about the bike?

I've a trailer I pull in my son along. He's 3 and weights 17 kg (2.7 stone).
My daily commute is ca. 11km and the profile as below (top one being the most recent):


Any chance you've tried climbing up the Greenhills Road before with simillar load?


What hub you've there? And how is the climbing?
You can check the profile there: http://www.geocontext.org/publ/2010/04/profiler/en/

Harrybelafonte

monument wrote: »

Bakfiets vs Bullit? Please don't do that to me.

Looks like I'll have to stick to my plan to climb Howth Hill on it before the year is out so.

mrsFitz

If I can do chapelizod with 3 kids in a Babboe.... Howth hill with a bullit should be a doddle:D (feel the burn)

OssianSmyth

mrsFitz wrote: »

Is this the same article that was in the cycling in Dublin newspaper that was in the times yesterday. or do I need to go and find a copy of yesterdays paper?
Thanks

here you go

Harrybelafonte

I notice that he didn't give an Irish seller for Bullitts, and I can no longer see one listed on their website. There used to be someone, anyone know what happened?

monument

rflynnr -- might be able to give better advice on hills since his commute involved roads up to Ballymun?

beazee wrote: »

I've a trailer I pull in my son along. He's 3 and weights 17 kg (2.7 stone).
My daily commute is ca. 11km and the profile as below (top one being the most recent):

Any chance you've tried climbing up the Greenhills Road before with simillar load?

What hub you've there? And how is the climbing?
You can check the profile there:

I have been on the Greenhills Road with the bike -- while cycling all over Dublin with stacks of newspapers. Had about four or so stacks of papers with me at the time and I don't recall it been that much of a challenging. Sadly I did not have the GPS on at the time. Went back via the N81 -- so that's only from an outbound perceptive.

But as I said, rflynnr might be better to give a view on what's it like on hills a daily bases.

The Bakfiets is sold in Ireland under the Bear bicycles brand by Greenaer. They have a test model available.

Details of hubs options can be found here on Bakfiets.nl. Greenaer seem to mostly sell 7 speed versions, but the owner mentioned that they have also stocked the 8 speed one.

The Bullit might also be an option -- it's is lighter and quicker, but also a bit pricier. The basic model starts at €2,475* compared to €1,850 for the Bakfiets. It's starting to be sold by On Track, Dublin's singe speed bicycle shop. They told me last week that they don't yet have a test model -- but it seems like they will have one in the future. It's worth getting in contact with them.

*only got the Irish price confirmed after the article was past changing point

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I notice that he didn't give an Irish seller for Bullitts, and I can no longer see one listed on their website. There used to be someone, anyone know what happened?

See above.

Harrybelafonte

I live out by the same route rflynn would take and tbh it's not so bad. The Bullitt is lighter than his machine and he had a bit more of a load, but I definitely think it's doable. I commuted every day on the Bullitt from Ballymun area over to Donnybrook. Half that with a 30kg child in the seat. On the way back I'd have to go to Glasnevin and back, again half with the child. Gearing should make it fine. BTW, that includes Moibhi Road with the child.

rflynnr

Here's me. I went up Glasnevin Hill with two kids in the Bakfiets from Spring 2009 until last September (2011) at which point they weighed about 60kgs put together. At that point a chest complaint (since largely addressed made it difficult for me to continue doing the hardest part of the climb (just before the Met Office) and I sold the bike on (albeit reluctantly).

Now, I'm not an especially strong cyclist but I'm not too shabby either so it's possible a less experienced* cyclist might have faced issues at a lesser combined weight.

I still bring the kids up to school by bike but have now graduated to one of these.


* (Who am I kidding? I mean weaker.;))

rflynnr

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

BTW, that includes Moibhi Road with the child.

It may have been my imagination but Mobhi Road always felt like a gentler gradient than Glasnevin Hill but the latter route has a better bike path layout. (Actually almost anything would be better than the eccentric system which prevails on Mobhi Road.)

tomasrojo

Where do people store their cargo bikes? Do you need a garage? Any security issues locking up at home or in the street?

Harrybelafonte

rflynnr wrote: »

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

BTW, that includes Moibhi Road with the child.

It may have been my imagination but Mobhi Road always felt like a gentler gradient than Glasnevin Hill but the latter route has a better bike path layout. (Actually almost anything would be better than the eccentric system which prevails on Mobhi Road.)

Agree. I just hated trying to turn right up on to Ballymun Rd at the Met Office. The lane was always filled with parent's cars. It was easier to come down the mews.

Sorry to hear about the health issues. I had wondered why I didn't see you anymore.merlo I probably do but wouldn't recognise you without the bike, no offence. Luckily my guy cycles to school himself these days. I mainly use the Bullitt for errands, weekly shop, that kind of lark. I hold onto it as I have a garage to store it in and it's part of my plan for the no more oil apocalypse.

Pretty sure I passed someone on a Baksfiets last Wednesday maybe in Phibs. I had a full bike dodgily tied up in the Bullitt. May have been the author of the article.

Harrybelafonte

tomasrojo wrote: »

Where do people store their cargo bikes? Do you need a garage? Any security issues locking up at home or in the street?

I have a garage and lock it up with a motorbike chain lock and a smaller lock for the front wheel or it I know I'll be somewhere all day, I take the front wheel off, it's QR.

rflynnr

Our bakfiets was stored in the back garden, albeit under a cover. I can't speak for other brands but as far as I know, the Van Andel branded ones are more or less designed to be left outside. Certainly, in three years of owning one I never experienced any hint of rust and the paintjob was bullet-proof.

As for security:

a) They're pretty heavy/bulky. It would take at least two people to lift one over a fence.
b) I'm guessing there's a limited second-hand market for them relative to "ordinary" bikes so the incentive to steal one would be limited.

nak

tomasrojo wrote: »

Where do people store their cargo bikes? Do you need a garage? Any security issues locking up at home or in the street?

We keep our Bullitt in the hall. My husband uses it for work, so it's only home in the evenings. All our bikes live in the house even though we have a shed.

Harrybelafonte

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3993716

Long John for sale on Gumtree

enas

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3993716

Long John for sale on Gumtree

Wow, I'm actually very tempted to buy it. But there's actually not much info about it. Would you know anything about it? What do you think of it?

Harrybelafonte

enas wrote: »

Wow, I'm actually very tempted to buy it. But there's actually not much info about it. Would you know anything about it? What do you think of it?

Sorry, can't help you there, I might be able to guess, but that's all. If you're in cork, it might be worth just going and trying it. Considering the price of most cargo bikes new, it'd be worth a look.

Qualitymark

enas wrote: »

Wow, I'm actually very tempted to buy it. But there's actually not much info about it. Would you know anything about it? What do you think of it?

It's rather, er, good value...?

enas

OK let me be a bit more specific in my questions

Can you tell the make and model from the photo?

Doesn't the box look like it's too shallow for transporting kids? Wouldn't I need to replace it to transport kids? Is that possible, and where could I buy that?

Sorry for my questions, but I'm a complete ignorant in this area.

Harrybelafonte

enas wrote: »

OK let me be a bit more specific in my questions

Can you tell the make and model from the photo?

Doesn't the box look like it's too shallow for transporting kids? Wouldn't I need to replace it to transport kids? Is that possible, and where could I buy that?

Sorry for my questions, but I'm a complete ignorant in this area.

Make/Model: I can't tell you sorry. Others may be able to. There are plenty out there. You'd want to find out what groupset is used too. All I can see is that it seems to be using a BMX fork with canti brakes.

Also from the two photos it seems that there are two different types of boxes in both photos.

Kids: Depends on the size of the kids I guess, but a new box would be easily made, it's just wood, or you could simply add higher sides to the one shown. I'd also recommend throwing on a two point seat belt. It's easily done with an old car seat and some bolts.

monument

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3993716

Long John for sale on Gumtree

enas wrote: »

OK let me be a bit more specific in my questions

Can you tell the make and model from the photo?

Doesn't the box look like it's too shallow for transporting kids? Wouldn't I need to replace it to transport kids? Is that possible, and where could I buy that?

Sorry for my questions, but I'm a complete ignorant in this area.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like it's home built rather than factory built.

beazee

monument wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like it's home built rather than factory built.

Looks the same to me. Can't vouch for the frame reliability.

enas

beazee wrote: »

Looks the same to me. Can't vouch for the frame reliability.

Hmm... In the end I will pass this then. I don't think I feel that adventurous to tempt this. Thanks for your advices!

rflynnr

monument wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like it's home built rather than factory built.

If it is, it's a pretty much perfect match for early '90s Long John bicycles so either a) hats off to the diy-er or b) it is in fact shop-built. However, that it's approaching 2 decades old would be sufficient to give me pause for thought about buying it. The absence of any information about new parts wouldn't be encouraging either.

beazee

rflynnr wrote: »

it's a pretty much perfect match for early '90s Long John bicycles

Is it? Featuring rear derailleur, V-brakes, BMX fork+wheel, ordinary bike stand, MTB straight bar and the rear MTB triangle+wheel?

Here's what should you expect for a Long John:

http://longjohn.org/alter/alter_en.html
http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1970s-sco-long-john-carrier-ex-copenhagen-shipyard/

And a gallery of cargo bikes. Each one with rear derailleur is a diy job.
http://longjohn.org/galerie/galerie_en.html

rflynnr

On reflection - you may well be right. Even if someone had made their own alterations to an existing Long John, they seem unusual in that they downgrade rather than upgrade most of the original features. And I hadn't noticed the second picture with the close-up of the front fork which does look suspiciously like its taken from a BMX.

enas

Thanks for sharing your expert knowledge! So my question wasn't that stupid in the end

Speaking of home built cargo bikes, by coincidence I just stumbled on this post, which is already a bit more impressive:

http://larry-vs-harry.blogspot.ie/2011/09/le-copycat.html

Harrybelafonte

rflynnr wrote: »

On reflection - you may well be right. Even if someone had made their own alterations to an existing Long John, they seem unusual in that they downgrade rather than upgrade most of the original features. And I hadn't noticed the second picture with the close-up of the front fork which does look suspiciously like its taken from a BMX.

Bullitts use BMX forks too.

@Enas: I wouldn't turn my nose up at it tbh. Everyone is making comments on a pic. You should really go and see it. Plenty of cargo bikes use canti brakes, discs would be better, but I strongly suggest you go and see it for yourself and see how you feel about it. It all depends on what you want to use it for. Bear in mind, if you had a trailer with a child/shopping in it, you'd be relying on your regular brakes. If you do go and see it bring something about 20-30kg and throw it on and take it for a spin and see if it flexes or handles in a way you aren't comfprtable with.

enas

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Bullitts use BMX forks too.

@Enas: I wouldn't turn my nose up at it tbh.

Thanks for your very concrete and helpful advises! However, my initial excitement has now waned. I'm really interested in buying a new cargo bike, and obviously my interest goes towards the Bullitt

Would you have a picture of yours showing it set up for kids transportation?

beazee

enas wrote: »

and obviously my interest goes towards the Bullitt

Yeah, pity I can't afford it - GBP 1,530 for framekit or GBP 2,130 for 7-gear SRAM version

Harrybelafonte

enas wrote: »

Thanks for your very concrete and helpful advises! However, my initial excitement has now waned. I'm really interested in buying a new cargo bike, and obviously my interest goes towards the Bullitt

Would you have a picture of yours showing it set up for kids transportation?

There's a picture somewhere on the Larry Vs Harry site of mine, but tbh, I bought mine maybe three years ago and they weren't really marketing it at kids then, so I have a basic wooden box with a seatbelt screwed in.

Found what it basically is:

However, this was not ideal. There was no cover for when it was raining, which had school books ruined and I basically had to get waterproof bags.

In some of the earlier photos onthe pics page on their site, you'll see multiple solutions for carrying kids. The best solution would be to mail them. They're nice guys and were great when I was buying.

beazee wrote: »

Yeah, pity I can't afford it - GBP 1,530 for framekit or GBP 2,130 for 7-gear SRAM version

There's postage on top of that too of course.

dubmess

Here's a link to the new kid's setup for the Bullitt:
http://www.splendidcycles.com/products/bullitt-accessories/child-carrier-details/

Irish prices, including shipping, are as follows:

Basic 7spd bike: €2475
Honeycomb baseboard: €161
Child Seat: €195
Protective Sidebars and canopy: €375

hardCopy

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

In some of the earlier photos onthe pics page on their site, you'll see multiple solutions for carrying kids. The best solution would be to mail them.

What's the postage charge for a small child?

Harrybelafonte

hardCopy wrote: »

What's the postage charge for a small child?

Depends on weight, as with most packages. Of course, a pallet is cheaper.

Qualitymark

hardCopy wrote: »

What's the postage charge for a small child?

Heir mail?

Harrybelafonte

On the subject of cost.

I was lucky in that I had a full-time job when I bought the Bullitt. However, I was getting tired of spending money on so many of the car-related costs of living and working in the city.

For example:

About 60-80 a week on fuel (this was just to work and back)
7-10 a day on parking
800 a year on insurance and more on tax.

At first I went with the child trailer, but it has its short comings, limited weight capacity and awkwardness (couldn't fit the child and shopping in it and eventually the child was just to big for it). So, after gawking at the Larry Vs Harry site for months wishing, I saw the guys in Velocity with theirs and realised I could get one to here and bit the bullet (pun intended).

I managed without a car for over a year as a result. The savings I made in fuel alone for that year covered the cost of the bike and more. In that year and since, there has been very little I couldn't do on the bike, child to school every day and on to work, weekly shop and child still in bucket, helped someone move house (I even attached a trailer for this so as to move more and did it while still carrying the child), bought and transported shelving over 6ft long in Ikea, shopping in town a few times a month including large containers of various things. To be clear on carrying a child in it, my son is eight now and can still come with me in the bike if needs be, though with the box he's a little squished, he'd be more comfortable in the set up posted by Dubmess, especially in the rain.

But, most importantly, especially for the school run if that's what you're thinking of, I can sleep in for 20-30 minutes extra every morning, knowing that I don't have to worry about traffic. A few years of that has to be worth a couple of bucks.