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Study finds that once people use cargo bikes, they like their cars much less (arstechnica.com)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/micromobility@lemmy.world
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[–] 14 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I got a fixed gear bike last year and a trailer to pull my kids around in (when they want to go with me).

I pretty much exclusively use that to get around and get groceries instead of my car now.

Even in the rain, it's just so much more fun to be on a bicycle than to drive.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (3 children)

    fixed gear bike last year and a trailer to pull my kids around

    Please explain! I've been looking at single speed bikes, but I keep hearing "it's too hard" and "you'll never be able to carry weight with it!".

    I'll admit that I ride with a cargo trailer (groceries), and I do have to use gears or it would be impossible to climb some of the hills we get.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Where I live is mostly flat and am running 46x16. Hills really wouldn't scare me too much (I still have brakes)

    The biggest limiting factor I have found in towing is that there is a point where the trailer will unload my front wheel and then my steering becomes more of a suggestion (about 100+ lbs... I am routinely exceeding the suggested limits)

    Here is an article about ratios. It's really about finding the least worst setup for your needs; easier hill climbs means more spinning when going down hills and lower top speed.

    https://fixedgear.life/best-gear-ratio-for-commuting-single-speed/#:~:text=Common%20gear%20ratios%20for%20commuting,higher%20ratio%20like%2046%3A16.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    The biggest limiting factor I have found in towing is that there is a point where the trailer will unload my front wheel and then my steering becomes more of a suggestion (about 100+ lbs… I am routinely exceeding the suggested limits)

    I read somewhere that the safe cargo limit for a bike trailer is approx. half the weight of the rider + bike.

    So, if you weigh 160lbs, and your bike is 30lbs, the max recommended weight of the trailer and cargo should not exceed 95lbs.

    I've hauled over 115lbs with my bike (loaded panniers + trailer), but never exceed 65lbs in the trailer due to size/volume limits of the trailer itself.

    But I do find that heavy weight causes the trailer to "push" the bike in ways that feel unsettling. 100+ lbs would make me uneasy! It's amazing that you're doing it! Kudos!

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago

    Thanks for that! I didn't know the math to work that out!

    The pushing is not as scary because I don't exceed 10mph when that heavy of a trailer and because I can resist that pushing quite a bit with the pedals... which is a great feeling.

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