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I have to ferry kids around to and from clubs and activities. They often can't cycle themselves because they're too tired or they've got a lift with someone else one way, so I end up driving. Max distance is only about 3 miles and it's pretty flat so don't need electric (but might fit a conversion). They're currently 10 and 12 and I only have to take 1 at a time. I expect in a few years the 12 year old will get the bus himself.
I'd love something like the Decathlon long tail e-bike but that's well over budget, and not something I'd want to risk locking up outside my house.
I've just seen someone selling a Kona Minute which looks perfect - but they're after £950 for it which seems mad for a old bike. I've also looked (not in person) at the Kona Ute and Yuba Boda Boda. A Surly Big Dummy will be too expensive. I haven't seen anything near me (in Brighton).
I'm wondering if there's some Dutch brand that I'm not seeing. Most of the cycle will be on segregated bike lines so a slightly dodgy child-perched-on-rear-rack is fine by me.
I could get it through cycle-to-work if there was anything new to buy.
Anyone any thoughts on what I should look at?
Even on the flat, with a 10 year old on the back that will be hard work.
We recently borrowed a Benno Boost and lugged my 8 and 11 year old around with it, it was flippin' brilliant and I now really really want one.
Massively over budget but it makes buzzing around town with a nipper a true pleassure.
I think 10 and 12 are mostly expected to cycle themselves. Have similar issues with sports and after school clubs, swimming, scouts, athletics, karate, band practice etc etc. my two (10 and 6) have two options: like it or lump it. They crack on rain or shine.
A 2nd hand tandem? Or even one of those cheap go outdoors ones if they still do them.
I think 10 and 12 are mostly expected to cycle themselves.
Issue is what you do with the bike if there's nowhere secure to leave it or if they're getting home via other means.
bicacapace justlong? yuba kombi?
good list here https://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/cargo-bikes/best-electric-longtail-cargo-bikes-to-carry-kids/ - a bunch are probably available without electric assist, but it might be pretty rare these days
Circe Helios
this looks like just the right thing..
https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/bikes/471/cargo-node
or
https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/bikes/471/short-haul-d8
I had a Yuba Mundo for just this purpose. Seat on the built in rack, stoker bars for the passenger to hold on to and foot boards for them to stabilise on. Might be worth checking eBay. They’re heavy, steel beasts, but fab to ride (I’m also in brighton, Hi)
Issue is what you do with the bike if there’s nowhere secure to leave it or if they’re getting home via other means.
Thanks all. The Tern Short Haul D8 and Yuba Kombi both look like possibles. And @lardman thanks had seen that Yuba on ebay and pondering a trip to Bristol but that will take all day and I might be paying £700 for just a frame if everything needs replacing.
Second the tandem suggestion. A 6-7 year old on the back of a tern is one thing, but at 12, they are potentially bigger than the parent, so own seat & bars will at least keep the weight in one place even if they are not productively pedaling.
A cheap tandem will likely weigh no more than a cargo bike and works fine with no stoker. Doesn't need electric assist either as the passenger does some of the work.
Another possible bike option is Rodford in Bristol:
https://www.rodfordbuilt.co.uk/
I had an xtracycle free radical for a while. It worked fine bolted to an old Rock hopper. Sold it to someone on here. You may get one second hand. They are heavyish and flexyish though. I got a kiddyback tandem instead. Brilliant machine.
When my kids where 5 and 9 respectively they pedalled the three miles to the childminder and back in the evening every day apart from a couple of snowy days where I thought it was a bit risky. If they were too tired they got dropped! Soon caught up after a brief stamping session! I wouldn't worry about the distance.
Now 7 and 11, they would be mortified at the prospect of me giving them a lift in a cargo bike - what if their friends saw them?!
If it's on footpaths etc what about scooters (proper ones not e scooters)? Makes it easier to carry if needed
I have a Kona Ute. Even as one of the lighter long tails (it's alloy rather than steel) it's pretty darn heavy.
Radwagon is the affordable e bike option. Base price is £1500, shouldn't need too many expensive accessories to seat the older passengers.
Radwagon has been creeping up in price. Now starts at £2000 I think.
findthatbike is useful
https://findthatbike.co.uk/search.php?searching=yes&s=cargo+bike
There is a radwagon for sale edinburgh
https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/radbike-radwagon-3-cargo-bike-e-bike/1456563874
I've from time-to-time pedalled the 12 year old half a mile sat on my luggage rack and it was fine so I'm fairly sanguine about it. Both boys are pretty skinny. But yes this will only be for a few years till the youngest is too big so I don't want to spend too much. If it worked well for us I could add a motor later.
A tandem won't work because they're too long for parking. I've just about got space to lock up a full long tail. Something like the Yuba Kombi...
...would fit perfectly.
Radwagon seen and I'm tempted but it's expensive and I fear it would get stolen from outside my house where the bike's going to have to live. Radrunner would also work I think. Can't do cycle-to-work scheme with these.
does anyone do a tandem where the rear pedals overlap with the wheel? If you look where a kid would be sat on that bike ^ it'd be possible to mount some cranks that each drive a chain back to the main chainset (ie no axle between them), which would solve the length problem
Was going to suggest Tandem too but that's been vetoed.
Went from Big Dummy, to Thorn Kiddiback and then bought the Polygon one from Go Outdoors on Black Friday for a song. It's been brilliant and we'll be off to the Welsh Ride Thing on it this weekend. 😀
Kona Utes are reortedly quite flexy. More of a bike with a long rack, than a cargo bike.
Weve got a 10+ yur old Yuba Mundo with a Bafang front hub conversion on and its excellent.
While they might be a bit more pricey than you had hoped, i would counter with the suggestion that an electric long tail opens lots of doors for use.
With the poke of an e-bike, and the extra carrying capacity that brings (as well as they extra carrying capacity of a long bike with a solid rack, big bags or even a cargo crate on the back) youll probably find it goes out much more often than you expect, further than you expect.
I really dont think you'll regret extending your budget a bit, if you can afford to of course.
Mycles, Rad wagons are both great value. Not really "nice" bikes, but its a utilitarian vehicle not a toy.
Tandem too long?
My Circe Helios tandem is only a little bit longer than my full sus (XL Bird)
super versatile. Can be a tandem (kid and adult), cargo (flat bed etc) separable options etc and come up for reasonable money second hand. And new in ordinary and E assist.
https://www.circecycles.com/products/helios/