where to get me a cargo bike

Funny enough, when I went to pick up my Bullitt, I cycled to the shop on a Brompton, and put it in the front to get home again.

I used to find it tricky going back to my flat bar road bike, after riding the cargo for a good while. The steering just reacted too quick for me. But it's something you get used to quickly enough.

I also collected our bakfiets by cycling over on a Brompton and bringing the Brompton back in the box. It's a great combo. If you're meeting people off a train, for example, you can both cycle to where you're going after.

Hi, can I ask where you test rode the Carqon? I can't find a dealer with a Google search and nothing on their own site about a dealer in Ireland. TIA

Thanks, I was hopeful I was missing something and there was a dealer here. Ah well.

I'm testing the Butcher & Bicycles, Riese & Muller and Urban Arrow at the end of the month with Greenaer. Really looking forward to test driving them

Still waiting on Delivery. Might be 2023 at this stage for the Workcycles FR8 RWD

Does anyone here have the Cube Cargo Hybrid?

I've been looking around and it looks like the best value (seems to be about 4799 online but I'd definitely be buying one of these from a shop in case of issues)

Also how important is it to go with a hub gear and belt drive as opposed to a derailleur? I have road and gravel bikes so I at least know how to clean and oil a chain

I've had a look around some of the main brands trying to compare cost (RRP based on the EU sites of each company, you can possibly find or negotiate discounts elsewhere)

To compare like with like as much as possible, I have gone for belt drive & internal hub gearing, and in all cases I have gone for Bosch Cargo Line motor (I think only the Bullitt doesn't offer this as they use Shimano motors but I've gone for the higher spec motor), and a single 500wh battery. I have added a rain cover and where necessary a double child seat and seat belts. I haven't yet included other add ons I'd probably need like a rack and maxi cosi holder.

Below the prices in case interesting to anyone

• Carqon Cruise 6388
• Urban Arrow Family 6889
• Cube Cargo Hybrid 6197
• Riese & Muller Load 60 7758
• Riese & Muller Packster 70 8849
• Bullitt Larry vs Harry 6952

Interested to hear any experiences on these (it would be for a creche run with a baby in the beginning so would need to be something that takes a baby seat). Once you add the basics that most people would need, prices suddenly look more similar (and more expensive!). It's only Riese & Muller that I'd probably leave out for cost reasons

I've mentioned elsewhere, I find the edit: trailer gets a lot of space from drivers when out and about on the road. I haven't had a single close pass on it, despite having to get up a steep hill out of the local village - I think most people are aware there are probably kid(s) on board and are patient.

Edit: the cargo bike is fine, but I don't think it's as obvious from behind with a passing glance from behind a windscreen that there are children on board.

You've made me realise that I mixed up the cargo bike and the trailer! Trailer gets lots of space, cargo bike is more 'normal'.

I've had nothing but positive comments from people about it. To be honest, I can't see how it's less safe than a kid on the back of a bike. But maybe the same people would complain about that as well.

Im dealing with a very sceptical wife who will be doing an inspection before we are allowed out on the road - so planning on something out of the box to try to convince her. She's probably the one who was making the comments above about them being unsafe

It does - as does the Carqon. Not sure about any of the others, I'd imagine the Riese & Müller might have something too