The future. I've seen it.

Greg T
Greg T Posts: 3,266
edited September 2009 in Commuting chat
So then - little baby Bianchi is no longer a little baby. She's a massive boofer baby.

I'm considering how I'm going to bike her up before she's pulling her own weight and dropping me.

I've thought about putting one of those co-pilot contraptions on the back of an old Raleigh shopper thing that's hanging around my garage however this has come to my attention....

radish-spin-pplt-cargo-driveSide-650px.png

http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-utility-bicycles/peapod-pilot-program.html


Surly do a frame that takes the seat / loading system bits and pieces called the big dummy.

You can also get an extension kit thing which hangs off the back of a standard bike - like a road bike for instance....


http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-utility-bicycles/freeradical.html


I could drop Bianchi off at nursery before heading off into town.....

Anyone seen these?
Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

What would Thora Hurd do?
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Comments

  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    Greg T wrote:


    Surly do a frame that takes the seat / loading system bits and pieces called the big dummy.

    ?

    But have you seen the price of it :shock:
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    I quite like the Kona Ute...

    T2K9_UTE.jpg
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    will3 wrote:

    But have you seen the price of it :shock:

    Yes - cough - 765 quid for the frame and forks.....

    The extender thing may be the way forward - but it may be a false economy.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I've seen lots of people with children of various ages on seats attached to different part of the frame, without an extender at all.

    Or, y'know, there's always this:

    CargoBike1.jpg
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    The Big Dummy is one of my favourite bikes of all time! :)
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • blu3cat
    blu3cat Posts: 1,016
    I like the look of the Peapod for carrying the soon to be baby blu3cat, although can you imagine the look of terror on the passenger's face whilst engaging in a little SCR? :evil:
    "Bed is for sleepy people.
    Let's get a kebab and go to a disco."

    FCN = 3 - 5
    Colnago World Cup 2
  • jedster
    jedster Posts: 1,717
    Greg,

    Worth remembering that the thing about kids is that they keep growing - it's quite an investment when Bianchi will only use it for a couple of years. It's worth checking what the second hand values are like (ebay?).

    Our two have been carried about in seat tube mounted child seat and on a trailer bike. I reckon the long-wheelbase is only needed if you want to lug a load of luggage and a child at the same time. Or if you want an excuse for another bike, natch.

    J
  • kyoukoku
    kyoukoku Posts: 105
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I've seen lots of people with children of various ages on seats attached to different part of the frame, without an extender at all.

    Or, y'know, there's always this:

    CargoBike1.jpg

    I'd say this is a better option because at least when your little one has grown out of it you can still use it as a cargo bike.
    --
    2009 Ridgeback Flight 05 = FCN{7}
    twitter.com/kyoukoku
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,073
    Greg you've changed ....

    :lol:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    itboffin wrote:
    Greg you've changed ....

    :lol:

    I think that cutting a dash along the embankment on one of these is one of the best ideas I've ever had.

    The top end of the market is relatively sterile and the tyranny of exponentially increasing drag with speed is very limiting.

    I think that comedy cargo bike dueling is going to be the next Big Thing in commuting sports.

    In fact when Bianchi is big enough I'm going to teach her to say
    Little baby Bianchi wrote:
    Are you feeling alright - you don't look happy

    As we pass people.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • hoolio
    hoolio Posts: 139
    Look on You Tube for the Surly Big Dummy, there's a few interesting vids on the bike. If only I had the space, the money, and any realistic excuse for getting one.
    The rear rack is rated to carry 200lbs!
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Why just one? Where do her friends go when they want to come visit?

    family_bike_1.jpg

    http://www.tmannetje.nl/kindervervoer/k ... rzicht.htm
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    think laterally

    sidecar+sequence+013.jpg
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    will3 wrote:
    think laterally

    sidecar+sequence+013.jpg

    I like this - all I need is someone to pilot it and I'll stand in the chariot bit with a bag of spears and a bow and arrows.

    This really is the future.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • d21dga
    d21dga Posts: 113
    Greg T wrote:
    will3 wrote:
    think laterally

    sidecar+sequence+013.jpg

    I like this - all I need is someone to pilot it and I'll stand in the chariot bit with a bag of spears and a bow and arrows.

    This really is the future.

    Ha not bad although you might as well be in a pedal powered car! No way of getting past jams in that thing!
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    d21dga wrote:
    Ha not bad although you might as well be in a pedal powered car! No way of getting past jams in that thing!

    Obviously the requirements for a stable missile platform are not those for a nippy filter-able commuting bike.

    Horses for courses I suppose.

    Whilst you may be ABLE to pass us (me and my pilot - both wearing dish cloths on out heads and pretending we are in Ben Hur) as we run along with the traffic you may well think twice about it as you see me bring down my first Roadie with a Spear through his back wheel.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Greg T wrote:
    [Whilst you may be ABLE to pass us (me and my pilot - both wearing dish cloths on out heads and pretending we are in Ben Hur) as we run along with the traffic you may well think twice about it as you see me bring down my first Roadie with a Spear through his back wheel.

    Naturally, you'd need the spiky hub-cap things too. :D
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    Naturally, you'd need the spiky hub-cap things too. :D

    I'm attracted to them obviously but I think they'll get in the way when I'm trying to chain my War Chariot Bike up to the railings.

    I think we could increase the speed by lassooing Roadies - we can discourage Drafting fairies / attacks by Moped riding cavalry by developing some sort of James Bond oil slick / mine dropping device.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    Greg T wrote:
    as you see me bring down my first Roadie with a Spear through his back wheel.

    Aww common, front wheel for the comedy value surely...
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    I've seen one cargo bike a couple of times at the bottom of Rosebury Avenue.

    Rohloff *and* a cassette/derailleur system, proper crazy.
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    I think you should lasso the other roadies then use them to pull your chariot along, you can then whip them too if they look a bit tired :twisted:
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    chariotMerida-480-90-480-70.jpg
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    too far?

    look-out-for-the-turns.jpg
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    :lol::lol::lol:
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,508
    Greg T wrote:

    In fact when Bianchi is big enough I'm going to teach her to say
    Little baby Bianchi wrote:
    Are you feeling alright - you don't look happy

    As we pass people.

    You may like this thread http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12649667

    If you were cycling along Littlehampton seafront, last monday, I'm sorry, on behalf of my wife and 3 year old daughter.

    They happened to be out practising riding with a child seat.

    My competitive Wifey spotted you in front, and set off in hot pursuit. (Neither of us have done much cycling since the kids arrived).

    Sadly for me, her catching you isn't what I'm apologising for.

    I'm really really sorry that when overtaking my daughter pretended to 'zip up' before raising her fingers and pointing skywards, al a Alberto. (she enjoyed watching Le Tour).

    Sorry
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    will3 wrote:
    too far?

    look-out-for-the-turns.jpg

    :lol: I wonder if they sell those red mohawks at Wiggle
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Greg,

    You used to be cool, I looked up to you! We had a tender moment when you told me where my toblerone spot was. You 'introduced' me to the rusty trombone and taught me a valuable lesson as to why I should never try DIY cures on my genetalia ...

    You used to be cool.

    What happend?

    :cry:
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • laughingboy
    laughingboy Posts: 248
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Greg,

    You used to be cool.
    What happend?
    Still cool. What you perceive as a pathetic attempt to wrest a life from the clutches of a mewling infant, others see differently. For some, Greg is pushing the envelope, here. There was a Guardian bike blog recently about carrying a child on a bike. It included this classic quote - the epitome of uncool:
    I actually feel quite strongly that it is tantamount to neglect... You choose to go on a bike, but baby has no choice. Think how closely some cars/ coaches and lorries pass you - do you really want to take the risk with a baby on the back?

    Greg and baby Bianchi, on the other hand, are cool. Cycling with children is an extreme sport, dude.
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    D Cubed - you have been left behind, like a surfer who misstimes his run to catch the wave you've been left behind as all the hip cats surged away on a wave of power leaving you paddling - alone.

    We've seen it all.

    Mud Guards were dead now they are toasty (like my arse last night in the rain - dryer than a three week old Pitta bread left in the toaster in the Mohave desert)

    Fixed Gears were rocking then Road Bikes made a run - it's too close to call - but Hybrids are foul.

    For a good hour and half yesterday the smart money moved into cargo bikes and the like before very rapidly moving into chariot racing.

    I've just read in Cheekbone Magazine that Florence from Florence and the Machine has booked her spot in next month's Ben Hur-a-poloozah. She's so cool she liquifies air.

    D Cubed - you are wearing last seasons colours mon ami.

    I don't know how long Bike Chariot Racing is going to be hot for but right now it's Nuclear.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    That charioteering looks awesome.
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]

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