I’m planning to launch a new business early next year as a
mobile bike mechanic. I had thought of buying a 1990s Nissan Micra hatchback as
transport for the business but I’ve settled on a long tailed cargo bike instead.
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| The Xtracycle Freeradical |
A cargo bike has several major advantages over a car, the
main one being cost. Even a small used car like a Micra is going to cost over a
thousand euros to get on the road. And the costs are only starting then, fuel,
motor tax, insurance, road testing, repairs and servicing. I would have to make
several thousand euros a year just to pay the transport bill.
I had thought of buying an Xtracycle
Freeradical which is a frame that bolts onto the back of a bicycle, moves
the wheel back 15 inches and converts any bicycle into a long tailed cargo
bike. I decided against the Xtracycle Freeradical because some reviews
suggested there is some flexing of the bike frame when heavily loaded, the
accessories are quite expensive and it can only carry 85 kg (combined weight of
rider and cargo not to exceed 160kg).
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| The Yuba Mundo |
I’ve finally settled on the Yuba Mundo a purpose built long
tail cargo bike, which can carry up to 200 kg of cargo. I doubt I will ever carry
anything close to this kind of load but it’s good to have the option. For most
people the Xtracycle Freeradical will do the job.
I’m buying the Yuba Mundo frame set, wheels and kickstand from
Practical Cycles in Lytham, Lancashire, UK and will build the bike myself. I
have a second Raleigh Oakland and will strip it for handlbars, saddle, gear,
brakes, etc.
Unladen the Mundo will weight about 21 kg. My full bicycle
repair toolkit, workstand, spare parts and the framework I’m planning to build
on the back of the bike, will weigh about 30 kg. So I should be on the road at
51 kg. The countryside in which I live is hilly so I’m going to settle on a
maximum range of about 15 miles from home. If all else fails I could add electric assist to the bicycle and increase my range and cargo carrying capability.
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| The Yuba Mundo Frameset |
Perhaps the greatest advantage of a cargo bike from a
business angle is there are none where I live. A cargo bike will really stand
out and will be a great way to promote my business. What better way to run a
mobile bicycle repair business that with a cargo bike.
I’ve also started to notice that there is a lot timber along
the roadsides around home. So my first plan for the cargo bike is to make some
kind of frame for carrying firewood and to go cycling with a bow saw and haul
lots of free firewood home.
