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.

Tern Link P7i and Swoop D7

Tern is a new folding bike company, which split from Dahon. They now offer a wide range of folding bike designs. Similar to Bike Friday and Brompton folding bikes, there are meant for people who want to travel with their bike, who need to keep a bike in small space, or who have a multi-modal commute which does not allow standard-sized bikes.

Tern Link P7i

The Link P7i, "The equipped one" as they say, comes with almost everything you could want. Dynamo hub and lights, a Shimano Nexus 7-speed internal gear hub, rear rack, fenders, and chainguard  (attached directly to the chain) are included. There is a bracket on the front of the frame to attach a bag or front basket, which does not affect the steering. It is available for $1200 at Clever Cycles and other shops.

Tern also sells the Swoop d7i for $1000. It also has a rear rack and optional dynamo lighting, with a 7-speed hub, and a standard chainguard.

Tern Swoop d7i

And at the high end, they offer an Alfine 11 speed IGH equipped bike with disc brakes and dynamo lighting, the Eclipse S11i:

Tern Eclipse S11i

Reviews: 
NYCEWheels Video - Eclipse S11i
Lovely Bicycle - Swoop d7i
London Cyclist - Link
Turbo Bob - Link

Specifications: 

Link p7i

GENERAL INFO Color:  (Black/Grey) Wheel Size: 20 inch wheels Speeds: 7 Weight: 14.2 kg Folding Time: 10 sec Folding Size: 38 x 79 x 72 cm Frame Sizes: One size Gear Inches: 33" - 81" Rider Height: 142 - 190 cm Max Rider Weight: 110 kg FRAME Frame: 6061-Alumnium Fork: Aluminum, 6061-AL COCKPIT Handlepost: Physis T-Bar, aluminum,  Stem: Andro Headset: cartridge bearings Handlebar: K6061-AL Grip/Bars Tape: BioLogic Arx Saddle: BioLogic Como PRM Seatpost: BioLogic PostPump 2.0 Seatpost Clamp: Syntace, stainless bushing BRAKES Brakes:  V-brakes Brake Levers: BioLogic integrated bell

WHEELS Front Hub: BioLogic Joule II dynamo Rear Hub: Shimano Nexus 7  Spokes and Nipples: Stainless steel, brass nipples Rims: Kinetix Comp by WTB, doublewall, CNC sidewalls, powder finish Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, 42-406, RaceGuard puncture protection, Reflex TRANSMISSION Shifter(s): Shimano 7 spd twist Crankset: Kinetix Supra, forged 6061 cranks, 6061 chainring, CNC chainguard Cassette/Freewheel: SRAM for hub gear Bottom Bracket: Cartridge, sealed bearings Chain: RustBlock, GST coated, 3/32" Pedals: Suntour folding, alloy body EXTRAS Chainguard: BioLogic FreeDrive Kickstand: Premium single, aluminum Clip System: Magnetix 2.0 Luggage Socket: Yes Front Light: Valo, HiLux LED with StandLight Rear Light: Spanninga Premium, LED Fenders: SKS, stainless hardware Rack(s): BioLogic Portage 20, tubular aluminum, KlickFix compatible

Eclipse

GENERAL INFO Color:  (Black/Polish) Wheel Size: 24 inch wheels Speeds: 11 Weight: 14.7 kg Folding Time: 10 sec Folding Size: 42 x 89 x 76 cm Frame Sizes: One size Gear Inches: 30" - 120" Suggested Rider Height: 148 - 195 cm Max Rider Weight: 115 kg FRAME Frame: 7005-AL TIG welded  Fork: aluminum, 6061-AL COCKPIT Handlepost: forged aluminum Stem: Andros, Headset: cartridge bearings Handlebar: double-butted 7050-AL Grip/Bars Tape: Ergon GP1 BioKork Saddle: Kore Sola for Tern Seatpost: 7050-AL Seatpost Clamp: Syntace, stainless bushing BRAKES Brakes & Levers: Avid Elixir

WHEELS Front Hub: BioLogic Joule HG, disc Rear Hub: Shimano Alfine, 11-speed Spokes and Nipples: Double-butted 18/10 stainless, Rims: Kinetix Pro, niobium alloy Tires: Big Apple 50-507 TRANSMISSION Shifter(s): Shimano Alfine, 11 spd. Crankset: FSA Vero, ISIS BB, CNC Guard Cassette/Freewheel: Shimano for hub gear Bottom Bracket: American Classic, ISIS Chain: RustBlock, GST coated, 3/32" Pedals: MKS EZY QR Shifter Cable & Housing: Shimano EXTRAS Chainguard: BioLogic FreeDrive Kickstand: Premium single, aluminum Clip System: Magnetix 2.0 Luggage Socket: Yes Front Light: Valo, HiLux LED with StandLight Rear Light: Spanninga Premium, LED Fenders: SKS, stainless hardware Rack(s): BioLogic Portage Racks