I'm thinking about buying the Kona Ute bike which is a cargo bike:
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=ute
I have several questions for you bike experts:
1) I can buy a used 2008 model for around 50% of the new price. Is that considered a good deal?
2) The main hauling I would do is for groceries. Is it overkill for that? If so, what would be a better alternative.
FYI...In general, I prefer comfort over speed in a bike.
Kona Ute bike
I'd only consider myself a bike "intermediate," but anyway here's my $.02:
1) Yes. If the bike has a lot of miles the wear parts (tires, brake pads, etc.) may be worn, but replacing those will cost a lot less than 50% of the price of a new bike.
2) I don't think it's overkill for a bulk stock-up kind of grocery trip. However any bike could handle 1-2 bags with a basket, pannier, or backpack.
If you want to cross-shop alternatives, you should look at mounting a basket e.g.:
http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wal ... asket.html
or rack/pannier system e.g.:
http://www.topeak.com/
to a bike with braze-ons.
Most bikes can pull a trailer:
http://www.bikesatwork.com/
http://www.biketrailershop.com/
There are utility tricycles:
http://www.industrialbicycles.com/platform_trike.htm
In addition to Kona, long cargo bicycles are made by xtracycle
http://www.xtracycle.com/ ,
Surly
http://www.surlybikes.com/
and probably others.
IMO if you will only have one bike, it should be a road/touring bike with racks, plus a trailer if necessary. If you'll have multiple bikes and no car, one of them should be a cargo bike or trike.
1) Yes. If the bike has a lot of miles the wear parts (tires, brake pads, etc.) may be worn, but replacing those will cost a lot less than 50% of the price of a new bike.
2) I don't think it's overkill for a bulk stock-up kind of grocery trip. However any bike could handle 1-2 bags with a basket, pannier, or backpack.
If you want to cross-shop alternatives, you should look at mounting a basket e.g.:
http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wal ... asket.html
or rack/pannier system e.g.:
http://www.topeak.com/
to a bike with braze-ons.
Most bikes can pull a trailer:
http://www.bikesatwork.com/
http://www.biketrailershop.com/
There are utility tricycles:
http://www.industrialbicycles.com/platform_trike.htm
In addition to Kona, long cargo bicycles are made by xtracycle
http://www.xtracycle.com/ ,
Surly
http://www.surlybikes.com/
and probably others.
IMO if you will only have one bike, it should be a road/touring bike with racks, plus a trailer if necessary. If you'll have multiple bikes and no car, one of them should be a cargo bike or trike.
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jacob
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1) I'd consider $5-600 a good deal for a cargobike. Compare to the cost of an xtra cycle conversion.
2) It depends on how much you're hauling. The alternative is standard panniers and standard racks. This one is about twice the carrying capacity plus you get disc brakes which is useful once you start weighing 200+ pounds total.
2) It depends on how much you're hauling. The alternative is standard panniers and standard racks. This one is about twice the carrying capacity plus you get disc brakes which is useful once you start weighing 200+ pounds total.