Comments on: Dawn of the (U.S.) cargo bike revolution http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/ cargo bikes, family bikes, electric bikes and complete streets Fri, 17 May 2013 12:53:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Don http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/#comment-97 Don Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:31:55 +0000 http://mycargobike.net/?p=116#comment-97 Putting the motor on or near the crank has some interesting advantages over hub motors. The problem, in my opinion, is that the available options have been more functional than aesthetically pleasing. I’m thinking specifically of the Stoke Monkey and EcoSpeed. However, if someone were to mate a Kalkhoff/Panasonic drive with a decent cargo bike, the result would be interesting. Especially if this were an option offered by a well-known manufacturer, so customers didn’t have to build it themselves.

The ideal cargo bike faces difficult trade-offs: price, power, range, weight, and overall elegance are factors that must be balanced to address as broad a market as possible. Not an easy task!

]]> By: Fanny Assingham http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/#comment-96 Fanny Assingham Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:17:15 +0000 http://mycargobike.net/?p=116#comment-96 I’m wondering how these hub motor driven e-bikes compare to the Kalkhoff Pro-Connect S with its Panasonic bottom-bracket chain drive system. The Panasonic system has been around for a long time and appears to be very reliable and produce good hill-climbing torque. Have you had an opportunity to test this system? It might be possible to outfit a Kalkhoff or Raleigh Panasonic-drive bike with an Xtracycle kit which, in my mind, might be the ideal cargo bicycle.

]]> By: Don http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/#comment-95 Don Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:26:42 +0000 http://mycargobike.net/?p=116#comment-95 I agree: the distinction between bike and motorbike is becoming less obvious. However, my main interest is how useful the bike is, how often I can use it instead of our mini-van, and how practical it might be for others to use in my hilly neighborhood. That’s why I cheer any development that reduces time and effort, increases the amount I can carry, or widens the market for people of all ages and body types.

BionX claims that people who ride electric bicycles are, on average, more fit than those who don’t. I think it makes sense. The electric motor removes obstacles and makes it practical to spend more time on your bike. It’s not even clear that you’re using more resources, because the electric motor is more efficient than human muscle when it comes to CO2 emissions. At least, that’s a claim I’ve heard.

]]> By: Mark http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/#comment-94 Mark Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:49:09 +0000 http://mycargobike.net/?p=116#comment-94 The Kona Ute looks a great simple, neat single passenger option; at 250watts it might even make it to Australia! However the Yuba although a little more agricultural in execution would go great at 750watts. I can only imagine how my yuba would go with an extra 550watts, but it does beg the question as to when does a bike become a motorbike?

]]> By: Don http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/#comment-93 Don Sun, 30 May 2010 05:08:27 +0000 http://mycargobike.net/?p=116#comment-93 I’ll be following your blog with great interest! The reason for the question mark on my availability chart is that May is almost over, and the Electric Ute is still not mentioned on Kona’s web site other than in their newsletter (as far as I can see). I’m hoping I can find one to test drive at a dealer in the Seattle area. Maybe Kona is trying to gauge demand before they go “full throttle” with this product, so to speak. :-)

]]> By: Opt Out En Masse http://bikes-as-transportation.com/dawn-of-the-u-s-cargo-bike-revolution/#comment-92 Opt Out En Masse Sun, 30 May 2010 03:52:29 +0000 http://mycargobike.net/?p=116#comment-92 Keep an eye on my blog at http://www.KonaUte.com for upcoming photos and video of the new Electric Ute. My experiment this past year of adding an eZee electric hub system to last year’s non-electric Ute was a dismal failure. The Ute performed great, but the eZee system is buggy (went through two batteries and two wiring systems to no avail).

You can update your May? estimate for availability to a solid May. They are shipping. I’ve already received my new Electric Ute from Kona and my local shop is swapping out all the customizations from the old Ute to the new one. Get to pick it up this week.

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