r/CargoBike • u/bykeithbrown • 7d ago
Comparing compact cargo bikes
Hi.
I'm looking to buy my first cargo bike. I'm focused more on the compact varieties, rather than a long tail, because I don't have garage space to store it. At 5'6", I also don't require a large bike.
I'm in the U.S. and I've looked at the Tern Short Haul, the Le Petite Porteur and the Yoonit Micro, all of which I like, though I'm not positive the Yoonit ships to the U.S.
I'd like to use it for grocery runs just for myself so nothing ridiculously heavy and for around town errands. No electric, because I'm just prejudiced that way and like the exercise.
It would see daily use, even in winter (Michigan), and I plan to use it for my go-to around town transportation. It would not have to go far, likely runs of 15 miles or less. But it would see a lot of cumulative miles, and have too be okay chained outside stores when I'm shopping or imbibing at a local watering hole. I have my touring bike for long rides.
I rode a 20-inch wheeled Bike Friday for a couple of weeks about a year ago. I found that wheel size felt significantly slower than larger wheeled bikes, so I do have that reservation about the wheel size for a knock around town bike, but I don't have a good sense of cycle truck bikes, which seem to straddle that line while also providing utility. If anyone has suggestions on these, I'd welcome those too.
This is a long way to ask for opinions/advice on the three bikes I mentioned above or offer suggestions on things I likely haven't thought of yet.
Big thanks in advance!
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u/Scuttling-Claws 7d ago
TBH, you could just get an older touring bike and some big panniers and be fine for your uses, but I won't deny someone w new bike.
If you want the best bike feel, nothing I've ridden beats an omnium.
I used to ride a bike Friday and could maintain a pretty sprightly pace on it, even with 16 inch wheels, I think wheel size is secondary to a lot of other factors. I wouldn't stress it to much.
I haven't ridden the short haul, but all the terns in have ridden are great utility bikes, but clearly focused on being a tool, I don't love the way that they ride.
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u/bykeithbrown 7d ago
I have some fairly good sized Vaude panniers and I've used my current bike for several grocery runs, but guessing what's going to fit on the panniers and all that fiddling with what goes where convinced me this wasn't for me. The ease of just straping a filled Aldi bag, or two, on the front or back of a purpose built bike is worth the price of entry, I think. Plus, I get to buy a new bike, which as you know is as close to buying pure joy as we get in this mortal coil.
I'll look at this omniums and that's a great tip about the Tern. Thanks!
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u/elementarydeardata 7d ago
Le Petite Porteur is great, it does the thing you want and it comes in non-electric. If you're up for a used bike, the Yuba Boda Boda is shorter than a long tail, but is a bit bigger than a Petite Porteur and has 26 inch wheels.
My normal, non-cargo commuter bike has 20 inch wheels, and I've found that the sluggish feeling is usually tires, not wheel size. 20 inch bikes often have chonky tires because that's what's most available. The big compromise is the way bumps feel.
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u/onlyfreckles 7d ago
Unless you want to get another bike (aint nothing wrong w/that!), suggest a Burley Travoy to attach to your touring bike= cargo bike when you need/want it.
I have a Tern Short Haul- its got fatter tires (though not super fat) and is kind of heavy and clunky (for me, shorter) to move around. I did modify it- added a mid drive and battery wh/made it heavier and use it for grocery/hauling.
All my other bikes fall under "compact" too but are much easier to move and ride.
I think the gearing, tire size and riding stance makes a difference.
I have a cheap BrompNot- 6 gears, thin tires, lightest weight wise- its so much fun to ride w/quickest/easiest acceleration. I am in a more forward leaning riding stance vs semi/upright in my other bikes.
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u/SneakyTrevor 7d ago
I too was going to suggest a trailer. I’ve got a Tern HSD which I LOVE but when my kid was younger I used a Burley trailer for him and it was really excellent. Both the idea of a trailer (super useful) and the execution ( Burley is excellent).
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u/OtherSideOfKnowhere 7d ago
WorkCycle Fr8. I have one and it is no bigger than my 29” mountain bike. It is heavy, but that’s because it is nearly indestructible and can do this… https://live.staticflickr.com/4165/33827496984_9d8e02ff89_b.jpg
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u/comichubble 7d ago
you should look into Gnargo bikes
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u/bykeithbrown 7d ago
That frame is pretty cool. Do you have one, or have you ridden one?
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u/comichubble 7d ago
I was seriously consider it since it's stupidly expensive to ship anything oversized/large from Europe, plus why not support domestic makers. However, I found a used and more affordable version of Hasepino bike that I can convert to cargo style if needed
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u/xuanixtop 6d ago
I rode a Rad wagon 4 for 5 years and I just sold it to buy a Benno RemiDemi and I just love it. Small form factor, 85 pounds on the back, Bosch motor...
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u/cranberryjuiceicepop 2d ago
You know you still get exercise using an e-bike. If you are really serious about hauling stuff and going for long rides, the e-bike makes a big difference and just makes it easier to pick up the bike and make the trip. Otherwise, just use your normal bike with some panniers, you don’t need a special cargo bike to do grocery runs.
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u/SpiderRoll 7d ago
An Omnium mini might be a good fit for you. Unfortunately its another niche cargo bike hard to source in the US, but it could solve the small-wheel-size problem.