Beyond "Regular" Bikes: Brompton, Cargo and Electric Bikes
BROMPTON FOLDING BIKE
YUBA SUPERMARCHÉ FRONTLOADER
GOCYCLE GX ELECTRIC FOLDING BIKE
So far in out Definitive Guide to Bike Commuting we’ve been talking about “regular” bikes, including hybrids, urban cruisers, touring bikes, and similar categories that most people are familiar with or may have hanging around their house. In today’s installment, we’ll talk about 3 types of bikes that can take your commute to the next level, expand your commuting horizons, or help you go where —for various reasons— you might not have been able to go before.
Brompton Folding Bikes
If ordinary bikes give you freedom to move around the city with ease and sidestep traffic woes, Brompton folders crank that freedom up another notch. For the urban commuter, they offer the ultimate in versatility and flexibility, allowing you to combine biking with transit, taxi cabs, and giving you access to storage and security options unavailable to standard bikes. Because they are easy to store at home or at the office, and relatively easy to take in and out of buildings, they never, ever need to be locked outside. They fit a wide variety of riders, and can be shared by members of the same household, or loaned to out-of-town visitors.
At the heart of Brompton's design is its ease of use, which --in turn-- creates a tremendous sense of independence in urban spaces. Bromptons are tough and nimble in urban environments, and they always facilitate --never impede-- your journey.
They fold and unfold in seconds flat. Really.
The fold really small. The folded bike fits in a space of 24"x24"x9".
They ride BIG. Unfolded, the bike has a wheelbase comparable to that of a standard bike, giving it sure-footed stability on the road.
They accommodate riders from under 5' to over 6'3” tall.
For those of us who can't commit 100% to commuting by bike (and even those who do), a Brompton gives you options to use other modes of transit when conditions warrant, for example in inclement weather, or when your schedule unavoidably changes to preclude biking.
For more details, please visit our Complete Brompton Buyers’ Guide.
Cargo Bikes
Looking to retire your minivan, or just replace some of the local car trips with quality family time? Until relatively recently, bike commuting parents had limited options when it came to shuttling small passengers. Now, with a proliferating variety of cargo bikes, you can remain pedal-powered even if your commute includes stops at school or camp, or if you’re a stay-at-home parent who prefers to, er… not stay at home.
Cargo bikes are the perfect urban movers for people, stuff, and even dogs, and turn schlepping chores into everyday adventures. Unlike standard bikes with a baby seat (which usually takes up available cargo space on your bike), cargo bikes allow you to carry passengers and stuff, which makes them unbeatable for trips to the grocery store or the beach. And, unlike child trailers (which are awesome for bike paths!), cargo bikes are well suited to traveling on urban streets. They easily accommodate one of two baby seats, and can be used with a combination of seating options for children of various ages.
The cargo bikes fall into three general categories:
Longtail cargo, such as the Yuba Mundo or Surly Big Dummy, have an extended, fully integrated rear rack capable of hauling heavy loads and up to 3 children. Some, like Yuba Spicy Curry, have lower rear decks, and may be more suitable for shorter riders.
Compact cargo bikes have a shorter wheelbase, which makes them easier to maneuver and store in smaller spaces. Some, like the Tern GSD or Yuba Kombi, can still accommodate 3 kids, others, like Yuba Boda Boda have a shorter rear rack, which can be used to cary 2 kids, or just one with plenty of cargo space.
Frontloaders feature a large front box that can carry 2-3 kids or a big dog. Yuba Supermarché has an integrated rear rack that also allows you to mount a baby seat, or carry additional cargo on the back.
Cargo bikes are available with or without electric assist.
Electric Assist bikes
In short, an electric bike lets you go further, longer and faster, making your life a little bit easier. If you commute by bike, the electric pedal assist system will transform your commute into the highlight of your day—and let you leave the change of clothes at home. Headwinds, climbs, heavy loads or riding with someone who is a stronger rider than you will no longer be obstacles.
Adding a motor doesn't mean sacrificing everything you love about riding a bicycle. Street-legal electric bicycles are equipped with pedal-assist features, and can be ridden solely on human power when desired. And for the pedal-assist to work, you must actually be pedaling -- the motor helps out by responding to the way you ride. E-bikes make it possible for some people to ride a bike in situations in which riding a standard bike would be impractical due to distance, terrain, heavy loads, young passengers, the rider's physical condition and other considerations.
Electric bikes come in a staggering range of options, from budget-friendly, reliable rear-wheel drive commuter bikes such as the Aventon Pace 500, to premium, lightweight, smart-phone-enabled and quick-folding GoCycle.