where to get me a cargo bike

Duckjob

tomasrojo wrote: »

Angle grinders are more commonly used than they used to be, especially by professional thieves, but most thieves are opportunists, and it's still lower risk for them to use bolt cutters and snips, and there are plenty of bikes for them to choose from that are vulnerable to those low-noise, low-conspicuity tools.

Think this is largely accurate:
https://thebestbikelock.com/best-bike-lock/who-is-trying-to-steal-your-bike/

The problem area is more for e-bikes and attractive bikes, where the risk-reward ratio merits the use of angle grinders.

I don't know how attractive cargo bikes are, because, although they are expensive, they're probably a pain to store and slow to sell on. I'm not taking any chances myself, because, as I said, I'm very dependent on the cargo bike.

eBikes can be made significantly less attractive to any clued in bike thief though by the removal of the battery and display controller. You're probably talking the guts of a grand to replace both of them. Without them all you've got is a heavy lump of a bike.

Effects

tomasrojo wrote: »

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I don't know how attractive cargo bikes are, because, although they are expensive, they're probably a pain to store and slow to sell on. I'm not taking any chances myself, because, as I said, I'm very dependent on the cargo bike.

Makes sense about them being harder to store and slow to sell.
Also less of them, so easier to find yours for sale if it comes to that.

Tested out the chain from a clamp earlier and it took 10 seconds to get through it. Another ten seconds for a second cut to make enough room to remove the link.

Tried to get a decent padlock today, but didn't have much luck.
Two locksmiths I went to tried to pretend that padlocks can't be picked.

tomasrojo

The Abus 20/70 Diskus Plus is a great padlock. Handy Hardware do them. I don't know what that outlet is like generally, but I was able to order one from them and pick it up at their store near Dundrum.

tomasrojo

Another good thing about that Abus 20/70 lock, apart from having a proper, hard-to-pick disc detainer mechanism, is that the cover of the core isn't made out of zinc alloy. Zinc alloy has quite a low melting point, which is a vulnerability for a lot of padlocks, though I'm not sure that vulnerability is exploited that often in reality.

It's a few years ago, but the LockPickingLawyer mentions in this that he can't pick the Abus 20/70. I suspect he can now, as he now has a custom-made tool for picking disc detainer cores.

Effects

So after watching a video on youtube, I had a go at picking the hardened steel lock I have, that used to be on a DCC car clamp.
First time trying to pick a lock, and it took me about 10 seconds. Really makes me worry about the quality of locks in general.

As for insurance, I'm with Aviva, who only cover bikes up to €1600. So my broker has given me some options to take a look at.

tomasrojo

Effects wrote: »

So after watching a video on youtube, I had a go at picking the hardened steel lock I have, that used to be on a DCC car clamp.
First time trying to pick a lock, and it took me about 10 seconds. Really makes me worry about the quality of locks in general.

As for insurance, I'm with Aviva, who only cover bikes up to €1600. So my broker has given me some options to take a look at.

Bike locks with a minimum of two stars from ART or a silver rating from Sold Secure should be harder to pick than that. Cheaper off-the-shelf padlocks are mostly, by reputation, quite easy to defeat, including by picking.

I think insurers usually insist on a minimum of a silver-rated lock. So I've read, but I've never bought bike insurance.

Picking is quite a rare method of stealing bikes. Just breaking the lock in some way is way more common.

tomasrojo

If you want to get an idea of how hard a lock is to pick, you can search the LockPickingLawyer's videos on YouTube. He might have already done whatever lock you have in mind.

He doesn't take more than about 20 seconds on most locks (apart from the Altor SAF) but he's very talented, and has specialised, custom-made picking tools.

Effects

I've ordered an abus granit chain, so that'll offer decent protection alongside a second lock.
I'm a big fan of the lock picking laywer, and have been watching him for years.
When I stripped the clamp lock apart, I could see all the different defence mechanisms that I've learned about from him.
But none of it matters when the cylinder is so flawed. I'm going to get a replacement cylinder online, as I'm not sure the locksmiths here in Dublin are of much use.

tomasrojo

Looks as if Raleigh are launching an e-cargo bike.

https://twitter.com/bikesandbabies/status/1418256980167340034

tomasrojo

Looks as if the auto industry might be trying out the research equivalent of push-polling, hoping, presumably, people will start talking about how dangerous they are, and putting images of carnage in the minds of prospective buyers.

https://twitter.com/OConnorOisin/status/1430284282803728385

dingbat

Howdy folks.

dingbat and Mrs. dingbat are getting a cargo bike for the school run and two days a week for dingbat's own work commute. We have one car and will not have a second. We both cycled around town (Dublin) for years when living in and around the city centre. We cycle to get from A to B, not to race from A to B (hope that makes sense).

Between friends, acquaintances, and shops we have tried a few different models over the last month. Based on those experiences we're definitely going two wheels, and electric (mid-drive).

Looking for a bit of help on the last mile of the decision, and it's funny how much it's kind of important: cycling position. Upright vs Sporty.

The Cube cargo hybrid is a lot of bike for the money. Great company. Quality is awesome. But I can't help feel I wish it was more "Dutch". The more upright cycling position of the Workcycles/Bakfiets/Urban Arrow looks as if it might be better suited for us; on the other side we'd lose the Cube's front suspension.

Essentially it's a €5.5k investment either way, or an extra grand for an Urban Arrow (none coming in until December anyway according to Greenaer), so with that kind of cash involved I want to make sure this is as well thought through as I can make it...

tomasrojo

I have a bakfiets (standard one, no assist) and I find the upright posture fine, and I do many hours on it. I did put a nicer saddle on it than the one it came with though, which was pretty cheap and didn't suit me.

I don't think of cargo bikes for carrying kids as sporty. Brisk is about as fast as you want to go with a heavy bike with limited turning, I think. But if you find the sporty posture more comfortable, go for that.

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117946270#Comment_117946270

It's kind of the opposite - we think the upright posture will work better :-)

How has your Bakfiets aged? Gracefully? Still solid like a tank?

tomasrojo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117946411#Comment_117946411

Still going after over five years, and about 40000km.

I've replaced the chain about four times, the tyres twice, the inner cables once, and the inner dynamo assembly of the front wheel once. And had the rear hub gear serviced twice. It's a solid bike. I've no complaints about it at all. Maybe they could seal the bottom of the steering assembly at the back of the box a bit better from the spray off the front wheel, but it's a minor issue.

tomasrojo

And, as of this hour, I have replaced the front roller brake.

Fairly low turnover of parts, given the distance, I think.

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117946893#Comment_117946893

Defo - you're definitely putting up more Ks than we'll be doing. That's fantastic.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117946893#Comment_117946893

Is that a job you done yourself? or the LBS?

tomasrojo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117949280#Comment_117949280

Did it myself. I only get Dara in Bee Cycles to service the rear hub. I'm ok with all the other stuff. I had to order the new roller brake from the Netherlands though.

Top tip: if a site in the Netherlands is in Dutch and no other language, it doesn't export outside Belgium and the Netherlands. Would have saved me a bit of time if I'd known that to start off.

tomasrojo

(Roller brakes are not that difficult to replace, I should point out! Figuring out how to decouple the cable easily took me a little while, but the brake itself is modular, and you can just remove a lock ring, take it off and slot in the new one. With a cargo bike, you also have to find somewhere where you can hang the wheel over a drop, as you're not going to get the bike onto a bike stand, or turn it upside down.)

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117949292#Comment_117949292

Thanks, I have rollerbrakes myself, don't need changing yet but was wondering how difficult it was.

Great tip on the NL language-did not know that.

Since BR***T, Dutch and German sites have been using for specialist bike items

tomasrojo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117950075#Comment_117950075

Well, it's only based on me trawling through Dutch bike sites last week, but I reckon it's very good rule of thumb!

Yeah, me too, as regards the German and Dutch sites. I feel sorry for places like SJS Cycles though, as they often stocked a lot of less common parts, and I assume they must get no business outside the UK now.

Ferris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117946223#Comment_117946223

More sporty than the Cube but have you thought about an eBullitt? I am surprised that these are under 5k tbh. I just have an ebike but its worth remembering the effect wind resistance has on range - sleeker may indeed be better.

eBullitt STePS 6100 Bluebird w/ Shimano Alfine 11 Di2 (thinkbike.ie)

Also like the look of the Carqon, like a more refined Urban Arrow, but not sure you might buy one in Ireland.

Carqon® - Electric Cargo Bike | Carqon

Ferris

Other option is the Riese & Muller Packsters but presumably you saw those in GreenAer. Very expensive but beautifully built

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117959608#Comment_117959608

The R&M are sweet but cannot get to that price without my wallet attacking me with knives.

Looks like Batavus/Raleigh are now in the game. These are coming to Ireland soon. Raleigh Stride 2 AKA Batavus Fier 2. Me like.

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117959606#Comment_117959606

Bullitts look awesome but not for us - me and Mrs. dingbat are sedate, upright cyclists and definitely want step-through frame and non-sporty riding position. We are very boring indeed 😁

Ferris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962653#Comment_117962653

That Raleigh looks good, be interesting to see how it measures up to the UA with covers canopies etc. Wonder if you can put a twin battery on it?

I really spend too much time looking at cargo bikes…..

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963022#Comment_117963022

Seems so. Superb specs on the thing. Here's what the rain tent cover looks like (photo with rolled up cover is of the Batavus Fier 2, but it's the same bike).

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117436614#Comment_117436614

On topic of locks, my cargo bike will be left outside the house when not in use. We are fortunate to have an old cast iron fence between ourselves and our neighbours. My thinking is to have a NY Noose plus D-lock securing bike to said fence.

Allowing for the fact that if someone with tools and determination wants to steal your bike they will steal your bike, is this setup reasonable for overnight storage?

tomasrojo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117968143#Comment_117968143

Problem with iron fences is the rails can be snapped quite easily. Often without tools.

The NY noose is very good, but get a good ground anchor if you can instead of using the fence.

https://thebestbikelock.com/ground-anchor/

dingbat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117968247#Comment_117968247

Thanks. Very good link. Much obliged.