BULLITT Cargo Bike

BULLITT Red

While a number of North American designers have developed "longtail" cargo bikes, where the kids or freight are carried in back, the Dutch and Danish prefer keeping things up front. LARRY VS HARRY, a shop in Copenhagen, designed the BULLITT to be a relatively light-weight and speedy way to transport cargo and children.

Most of the models come standard with a 7 or 8-speed internal gear hub in the rear, disc brake in the front, a custom kick-stand and fenders. Derailleur gearing and e-assist are also available. The riding position is somewhat leaned-forward, especially for taller riders, and there is no step-thru frame option. The modern-looking aluminum frame is meant to be extra stiff, to prevent twisting even with heavy loads.

I had a chance to test-ride this bike alone and with kids in the front (in a version that has an added kid seat); the handling is similar to a road bike, with responsive (or twitchy) steering which takes a minute to get used to. Disc brakes are a good idea on a bike meant to carry weight at high speeds.

These bikes have been reviewed by:
Totcycle
Josh Volk
Lovely Bicycle
Momentum Magazine

Many of the Bullitts in the USA are sold by Splendid Cycles in Portland, Oregon, but they are also available in a few other cities. The bike comes as shown, but most people pay for a child seat or cargo box to be added, and an electric bike version with a lithium battery pack is also very popular. A frameset costs $2350 alone. The complete bike with Alfine 8-speed hub is $3500. The e-bike version with a BionX rear hub is a grand more, $4500. Dynamo hubs and lights are an option.

Due to the relatively narrow cargo deck (no wider than the handlebars), one child can fit easily, but only small kids can double up.  Winther, another Danish bike company, makes an adaptation of the Bullitt frame called the Wallaroo, which has a wider child carrier included, to fit two kids side-by-side. However, there is only one current USA dealer, JC Lind in Chicago.

BULLITT Specifications (ALFINE 8 version):

shifter	Alfine 8 speed
rear drivetrain	Alfine 8 speed
crank	Alfine
bottom bracket	Alfine
chain	SRAM 9-speed
brake levers	Avid
brakes front	Avid BB7
brake rear	Avid BB7
rotors	Shimano centerlock
Headset	FSA Pig
stem	Civia Midtown 25.4
handlebar	Civia
grips	Civia Ergo
seatpost	FSA
saddle	LvH
pedal	Wellgo Platform
fenders	20″ front/26″ rear black
tire front	Schwalbe Marathon 20×2
tire rear	Schwalbe Marathon 26×2
tube front	Slime tube 20″
tube rear	Slime tube 26″
rim strip	Schwalbe rim liners
wheel front	Alfine/Alex DM24 rim/stainless spokes
wheel rear	Alfine/Alex DM24 rim/stainless spokes

BULLITT Geometry:

Kinn Cascade Flyer

Kinn is new company with 1 model of family oriented bike in Oregon. The frame, wheels and many other parts are made locally.

The Cascade Flyer is part of a new class of bikes called "mid-tails", shorter and lighter than a "long-tail" cargo bike, such as Yuba Mundo or an Xtracycle, but long enough to carry a kid plus a couple of panniers. And it comes with everyone you need, except for lights: integrated rack, fenders, chainguard, dual kickstand, 8-speed internal gear hub, disc brakes and a leather saddle.

The designer wanted a bike that was sturdy and long enough to carry his grandkids along with a couple of bags of groceries, but short and light enough to ride to work and around town. It also is just short enough to fit on a bus rack for bikes, with the front wheel turned backwards: this explains the curve in the down-tube. The geometry is designed to handle similarly to a modern hybrid or city bike, with 72 degree frame angles, and full-size 700c wheels (built by hand in Portland).

Front wheel twists so the bike can fit a standard bus rack

The 8-speed Alfine IGH version costs $2350 for a complete bike as shown. A 27-speed derailleur option is the same price. Unfortunately, there is no small size; riders shorter than 5'2" are out of luck, but medium to tall people should fit.

This can be a good option for a person who wants a made-in-the-USA, fully equipped bike that can haul groceries and a kid, and also serve as a commuter bike and city bike. I wish the complete build included dynamo lights. Considering that the wheels are hand-built locally, it may be possible to add this on to the order for an additional cost. If not, the front wheel should sell easily on Ebay.

You also get some fancy extras, like the bamboo rack top with hidden lockbox:

This bike has been reviewed by Lovely Bicycle and covered by Bikeportland

Specs:

FRAME FORK	Hand made in Portland Oregon from heat-treated Cro-moly steel tubing. Fits tires up to 1.75″ wide (700x42mm) with fenders. Fork has eyelets for front rack at dropout and mid-blade.
Sizes	Regular  (5’2”-5’10”)  or  Large (5’8”-6’4”)
Three Colors	Sardinian Sea, Red Earth, Clean Slate
Built-in Rear Rack	Rated for 130lbs (60kg) to easily carry a child and groceries. 21″ rack with bamboo deck.
Child Transport	Built-in Yepp EasyFit window for direct child seat mounting. Integrated footpeg mounts.
Cargo Capacity	Pannier rails fit standard panniers even with a Yepp child seat attached

GEARING	27 SPEED DERAILLEUR	ALFINE 8 SPEED INTERNAL
Cranks	Shimano triple 44-32-22	Kinn 36t Aluminum Crankset with Ring-guard
Cassette	Shimano 9 spd 11-34 Cassette.	Shimano Alfine 8-speed Internal hub with 20T cog
Shifter	Shimano Alivio 430 trigger shifter	Shimano Alfine Trigger

WHEELS	Hand-built in Portland by Sugar Wheelworks
Rims & spokes	Alex DM-18 700C silver rims, with 36 14G stainless steel spokes
Hubs	Shimano SLX  or Shimano Alfine hubs
Tires	700c x 35mm, with reflective sidewall and puncture guard
Brakes & Levers	Avid BB5 mechanical disk brakes for all weather stopping power
Levers	Tektro 3 finger levers
Pedals	VP-560 silver alloy platform pedals
Handlebar, Grips & Bell	Alloy touring/city bar and lacquered cork grips and classic brass bell
Saddle	Velo comfort saddle
Seatpost	Silver alloy 27.2mm x 350mm
Stem	Polished aluminum stem. 90mm (small) 110mm (large)
Fenders	Alloy full coverage fenders with mud flaps and rear reflector.
Other:	Chainguard, double kickstand, footpegs

Biria CitiBIKE

Biria CitiBike 700C Step-through 3 Speed - Orange

While priced the similarly to most entry-level hybrids ($545 shipped from an online shop), the Biria CitiBIKE is much more useful, due to the inclusion of a front rack and rear rack, full fenders, a kickstand and a chainguard, with a 3-speed internal gear hub. A 7-speed derailleur version is also available. The components are not the most expensive, but should be reliable if looked over by a quality local bike shop. And the steel frame, especially the step-thru version, has a timeless look, and should last if you don't leave it out all winter.

Like this diamond frame, the step-thru is also available in a lovely sky blue; the fenders are also painted on that model, unlike the silver fenders on the diamond frame model:

Specifications:

Frame:  Hi-ten Steel, with cromoly seat tube

Fork:  Steel Unicrown

Rims:  Aluminum, black with CNC wall, 700c

Tires:  700c x 32 mm, Tan or black

Front Chainrings:  Single

Rear Hub: Shimano 3-speed

Pedals:  Platform

Front & rear Brake:  Alloy V-brakes

Shifter:  Revo Grip Shifter

Handlebar:  Aluminum alloy

Stem:  Aluminum alloy, threadless

Grips:  Brown

Saddle:  Brown cruiser w/ springs (Lady's), Brown unsprung (Men's)

Chainguard:  Chainring only on Men's, partial chainguard and chainring on Lady's

Kickstand:  Yes

Fenders:  Yes; painted metal

Rack:  Front and Rear (Lady's only)

Lights:  No

Colors:  Black, Sky Blue, Dark Green

Sizes:  44cm, 48 cm (step-thru), 46cm, 56cm (diamond)

Lady's Sky Blue - Lovely!
[But note the real bike has linear cantilever brakes, not roller brakes]

We previously mentioned the unusual looking Biria Easy Boarding bike, which is also still available.

Xtracycle Edgerunner

Xtracycle Edgerunner 27D Lux XO

Continuing our overview of cargo bike options, the relatively new Edgerunner is a Longtail cargo bike from Xtracycle.

Xtracycle founded the current Longtail cargo bike craze, with their FreeRadical. This frame extender attached to a standard bike, converting it to a longtail. An ecosystem of accessories, bags, decks, lights and kickstands was developed around this standard, which Yuba later adopted for their Mundo bike, as have some other manufacturers. Now Xtracycle is making their own complete bike, the Edgerunner. 

The 27D Lux features fenders, a double kickstand, disc brakes, a front dynamo hub and high-end dynamo-powered lights. It has a 3-speed front and 9-speed rear derailleur, for a wide range of gears. 

It uses a smaller, 20 inch rear wheel to keep the center of gravity lower. This make it easier for kids to mount the bike by themselves, and improves handling with carrying heavy loads. It also lowers the effective gearing, which will be a big help when hauling 2 kids and a week of groceries.

Options include huge cargo bags for the rear rack, rails for kids to hold, toddler seats, hydraulic instead of mechanical disc brakes, internal gear hub, and electric assist with the BionX system. The price can vary from $1500 for the basic 24D, to $2500 for a special version with Alfine 8-speed hub at Splendid Cycles, to $2900 for the 27D lux with dynamo lighting and high-end derailers. E-assist is $1000 extra.

Edgerunner Electric 24D Family

Reviews: 

Bicycle Times

Bike Radar

Davey Oil

Hum of the City

Specifications: (24D Family)

Frame & Fork
Paint
Brakes
Front Rotor
Rear Rotor
Brake Levers
Headset
Handlebar
Stem

Grips
Shifters & Derailers
Crank
Chainring
Bottom Bracket
Cassette
Chain
Front Hub
Rear Hub
Front Rim
Rear Rim
Spokes
Nipples
Front Tire
Rear Tire
Seat Collar
Seatpost

Saddle
Pedal
Kickstand
Front Light
Rear Light
Fenders

100% Chromoly
Black, White, Blue, or Orange + clear coat
Avid BB5
180mm
160mm
Avid FR5
FSA Mallet
31.8 clamp alloy
65mm ext (16.5”)
95mm ext (19”)
Velo Duracork
Acera 8s
Altus 8s 170mm
Steel 48-38-28
JIS - 68 x 125mm
Acera 11-34 t
KMC Z72 8-sp
Sealed Bearing 36h
Sealed Bearing 36h
36h Double Wall
36h Double Wall
14g Stainless
Brass
Schwalbe Big Ben 2.35
Schwalbe Big Ben 2.15
34.9 alloy allen
31.6, 300mm (16.5”)
31.6, 400mm (19”)
Velo
Resin, Cromoly Axle
Alloy black
Optional Luxos U
Optional B & M Std.
Optional Upgrade

Bike Friday

Many have lamented the decline of American bike manufacturing, as most production frame builders have moved work to Taiwan or mainland China in the past 2 decades. Now most custom USA built frames will cost over $1000. Folding bikes or frames designed for traveling can cost even more. But it is still possible to get an affordable American-built frame on a Bike for the Rest of Us.

Bike Friday has been building frames for small-wheeled, foldable bikes in Eugene, Oregon for the past 22 years, and have gathered something of a following for their unique, customizable designs. Although most of the models do not fold as quickly and compactly as a Brompton folding bike, they are all designed to fit in a standard-sized suitcase for plane or train travel. A high-end Bike Friday with expensive components will cost $2000 or more, but they now offer an entry-level model with the same type of frame, hand-made in Oregon, matched with affordable parts (and an 8-speed rear derailleur), for as little as $798

They will add fenders, a kickstand, bell, and rear rack for a nearly complete 8-speed Bike for the Rest of Us priced at $920.95: the Pocket Companion (above)

They also will build you a "New World Tourist Nexus 8" with the premium "red-stripe" 8-speed Shimano nexus internal gear hub and rollerbrakes, Schwalbe Marathon tires, rear rack, fenders, kickstand, bell, water bottle, and a high-end front dynamo hub for about $1700 (not including the price of lights). The bike pictures has the Nuvinci hub instead:

And at the high end there is always the Infinity Drive Silk, with a Nuvinci continuously variable internal hub, Gates carbon belt drive, front and rear racks, and optional dynamo lighting for $2700.

Bike Friday makes it very easy to customize each of their models, or design a completely unique bike for people with special needs, so all of their models could be shipped to your door with a full complement of fenders, kickstand, dynamo lights, racks and bell, if desired. The Pocket Companion is cheaper due to using standard parts.

Here is the Silk 8sp (slct) with a Shimano Alfine hub and full dynamo lighting system:

They just unveiled a new "long-tail" cargo bike model, stay tuned for more about this.


Pocket Companion basic specifications:

2A MAIN FRAME:	04 New 2014 Poc Companion EP 1 1/8, 1.75 (to 220lbs)
2B FORK:	40 Companion /OSATA/HaD "V" Black 20"- 406-1 1/8
2C REAR END:	1.5 Pocket Companion - 2013-14 left fold 406V
2D SEATMAST:	01.21 EasyPack mast 1.25 X .055 (4130) x 13" Black
2E STEM /BF MADE:	BF 25.4 Adj Riser & clamp Black- Companion/OSATA quill/ahead
BARS:	MTB flat Kalloy 15degree flat bars,25.4 x 560mm
BB BEARING:	111.5mm BF Sealed 68xEnglish
BOTTLE CAGES:	Velocity Bottle Trap Black Cage
BOTTLES:	BF 21oz. water bottle white w/black lid - black logo
BRAKE LEVERS:	Alloy V brake levers
BRAKES:	Alloy V brake for one wheel - Black
CABLES:	Cable - Housing Black std w/ Decals Black or White
CASSETTE:	11-28 8sp Shimano Oem
CHAINS:	KMC Z-51 8sp chain
CRANKS:	Alloy 170mm crank 44T- DD,Tan front & other w/plastic guard
DERAILLEURS REAR:	Shimano TZ50 34T, 43 teeth - Change to SRAM for DD shifter
DESIGN / INTERNAL:	NO Front Derailleur Hanger -NONE on this bike -add if need
HEADSET, THREADLESS:	1 1/8" FSA Tap Adjust threadless, black, headset
HUB FRONT:	BF Select 28o 100mm FRONT Silver w/QR
HUB REAR:	BF Select 28o 130mm rear-Silver w/qr
MISCELLANEOUS:	Optional fenders, kickstand, bell
PEDALS:	Wellgo MTB Style (Pair) Pedal
RIMS:	Weinmann TM19 (406) 28o Black
SADDLE:	BF padded & bumpered saddle .
SEATPOST:	Kalloy #243 Sil adjust post 28.6 x 350mm
SHIFTERS/CONTROLS:	MicroShift twist 8 speed
SPOKES:	Spokes DT 14 ga. Stainless w/ brass nip
STEMS F:	Kalloy 22.2, 60mm quill, silver or black
TIRES:	Sunlight Kontact 20 x 1.75" (406) 40psi blk. hybrid tread
TUBES:	20x1.5 to 1.95" SV (406)

Infinity Drive Silk (baseline specifications without rack or lights) $2250

2D SEATMAST:	01 .1 Left Fold Mast 2010> Silk/NWT/ PR / PL std .055 CrMo
2E STEM /BF MADE:	BF Stem Riser, Adjustable for / Ahead,1 1/4" SVS
ACCESSORIES:	Custom Engraved Name Plate. Optional: fenders, racks, kickstand, bell
BARS:	MTB flat Kalloy 15degree flat bars,25.4 x 560mm
BB BEARING:	111.5mm BF Sealed 68xEnglish
BOTTLE CAGES:	Bottle Cage , Cateye Flexible
BOTTLES:	BF 21oz. water bottle white w/black lid - black logo
BRAKE LEVERS:	Tektro "V" style Brake Levers (TS360A)
BRAKES:	Avid Disc Brake, MTB F/R BB 7 w/160 Cable
CABLES:	Cable - Housing Black std w/ Decals Black or White
CASSETTE:	Carbon drive, centertrack, 24 tooth cog for Nuvinci
CHAINRINGS:	Carbon Drive Centertrack 60T 130BCD, Gates
CHAINS:	Carbon Drive belt, centertrack, 115 tooth, Gates
CRANKS:	Alloy single 170mm 130 53t crank w/chain guard
HEADSET, THREADLESS:	1 1/4" BF Threadless cartridge, alloy, black
HUB FRONT:	SRAM 406 32o front disc black
HUBS GEARED R:	Nuvinci 32o, black (w/ shifter, disc brake) (135)
MISCELLANEOUS:	BF Head Badge Brass -Yellow,Navy,White, w Gold trim
PEDALS:	None supplied std.
RIMS:	Alex X-101 Alum (406) 32o 20 x 1.5" Silver
SADDLE:	BYOS - NONE SUPPLIED
SEATPOST:	Kalloy #243 Sil adjust post 28.6 x 350mm
SHIFTERS/CONTROLS:	Supplied with hub
SPOKES:	Spokes DT 14 ga. Stainless w/ brass nip
STEMS F:	BF 25.4 Ahead for Adj Riser(we will size w/ bike)
TIRES:	Primo Comet 20 x 1.35" (406) 100psi Blackwall tire
TUBES:	20x1.125-1.5" SV (406x32-37)

Jamis Commuter 4 - 2011

Jamis Commuter 4 - winter blue - 2011

For 2011, the Jamis Commuter series has been updated. We previously reviewed the Jamis Commuter in 2008, when the Commuter 4 was equipped with a derailer set-up. Now the top-of-the-line Commuter 4 sports an 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub, a rear rack, and a headlight powered by a front hub dynamo, for only $750. 

Unfortunately, the flat fenders and thin chainguard are still there, more for style than for function, and the riding position is rather leaned-forward, in the Hybrid bike form. But for someone who lives in a dry climate and likes that riding posture, this is a good-looking bike that will get you home safely at night, and it's a good deal for a bike with an 8-speed internal gear hub and a hub dynamo.

Jamis Commuter 4 - step-thru, white

The women's version, common on hybrids, is not my style, but may be perfect for someone who wants the lower standover, but does not like the swoopy, loop frame look.

Jamis provides plenty of information about components and geometry:

Specifications:

Frame	6061 triple gauge aluminum main tubes and stays, sloping design, rear carrier and fender mounts, forged dropouts with double eyelets
Fork	Jamis City/Cross radiused aluminum blades, forged dropouts with single eyelet
Headset	VP Slimstak threadless, 1 1/8”
Wheels	Alex ID-19 double-wall rims, 36H, with Shimano Nexus Inter-8 rear, Shimano DH2N35 Dynamo front hub, 14g stainless steel spokes.
Tires	Vittoria Adventure Touring, 700 x 32c, with Rubber Shield puncture protection, reflective safety stripe
Shiftlevers	Shimano Revo-Shift SL-8S20 for Nexus hub, 8-speed
Chain	KMC Z410
Cassette	Shimano Nexus 20T
Crankset	Forged alloy crank, single 42T chainring, 170mm (14-18”), 175mm (19-23”), with full length chainguard
BB Set	Sealed cartridge, 68 x 122.5mm
Pedals	City style, full alloy, with TPE non-slip insert
Brakeset	Tektro linear pull brakes with Tektro Tenera Levers
Handlebar	Jamis ARC, 6061 aluminum, 580mm x 27º sweep
Stem	NVO Components adjustable threadless system (ATS) aluminum stem, TM-4, 90mm (14/15/16/17/18”), 105mm (19/21”), 115mm (23”)
Grips	Jamis anatomical, dual density, with stitched synthetic leather cover
Seat Post	Jamis alloy micro-adjust, 27.2 x 350mm, alloy clamp with QR seatpin
Saddle	Jamis Metro Sport, with memory foam, gender specific
Accesories	Dynamo-powered headlight, chainguard,
Sizes	M: 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”, 23” F: 14”, 18”
Color	M: Winter Blue F: Pearl White
Weight	30.75 lbs

The commuter 3 drops the dynamo, lights and rack; the rear hub is a Shimano Nexus 7.

Jamis Commuter 3 - sky blue - 2011

Frame Geometry

SIZE	SEAT TUBE	TT* LENGTH	HT ANGLE	ST ANGLE	CHAIN STAY	WHEEL BASE	FORK RAKE	BB HEIGHT	HEAD TUBE	STAND OVER
15	340	547	71˚	74˚	445	1041	45	285	100	700
17	388	562	72˚	73.5˚	445	1057	45	285	120	735
19	436	571	72˚	73.5˚	445	1053	45	285	140	771
21	487	585	72˚	73.5˚	445	1068	45	285	180	815
23	528	595	72˚	73.5˚	445	1079	45	285	200	844

*Theoretical flat top tube length

Unfortunately, the 14" and 18" women's frames do not have the geometry listed, but it should be similar to the 15" and 19" diamond frames. The rather steep seat tube angle and the low, straight handlebars lead to a half-leaned-forward position.

A derailer version is still available on the Commuter 1

Jamis Commuter 1 - Red - 2011

Reviews: 

DVHART.com - Jamis Commuter 3 ride report

Sheldon Brown on the 2007 Jamis Commuter 3

If anyone has seen a review of the new Commuter 4, or had a test-ride this year, please leave a comment.

2017 tweet:

Nice set-up on this Jamis Commuter 4: headlight, coffee cup holder, swept back handlebars, rear baskets, fenders, chainguard #BFROU pic.twitter.com/l6DHADXeSd

— Bikes4TheRestOfUs (@Bikes4RestOfUs) September 29, 2017