Gazelle Cabby – A Quick Look :

The Cabby in blue.

I had a chance to check out the Gazelle Cabby at the Living Smart festival last weekend. It’s a variation of the Dutch “bakfiets” cargo or box-bike, fitted with hub gears and a collapsible cargo “soft box” with child seating. It is non-electric assist (there’s an idea !) and has a linkage from the handlebar fitted steering column to the steering head for the small front wheel. The great advantage of this arrangement is the low centre of gravity and high capacity for the load. Also the rider can keep an eye on the kids and/or cargo.

I thought it would feel strange to ride but I acclimatised to it in a few seconds and found it both enjoyable and easy to balance during a short ride unloaded. It also has a very wide and stable centre stand for parking.

Hail Cabby ! The rider's view.

The little front wheel looks strangely detached, and I found myself watching it in fascination as I rode along.

The hypnotic front wheel ...and a roller brake with cooling fins.

With a load, the Cabby feels a bit like riding a tandem with its long wheelbase and the feel of the extra weight. If you live near Newcastle, this bike is normally displayed at Civic Bikes in Hunter Street West for those who would like a closer look.

On the centre stand.

Advertisements

Read Full Post »

A Concept That Carries / Dutch-ID bike :

Dutch ID on a test ride (not me).

One of the interesting bikes I came across at the Living Smart festival was this hub geared cargo bike by DutchID – though I only took it on a very brief ride courtesy of the owner, I really enjoyed the concept and the ride. The most intriguing thing for me was the rigid front cargo rack that is attached to the frame, including curved front down tube extensions that support the weight of cargo.

The extended curved down tube.

This bike was fitted with Basil crates front and rear by the Newcastle owner. I would not even think of writing a review on such a brief encounter, though I came away very impressed with the concept. It was a strange feeling to turn the bars and have the rack and crate remain dead centre. The bike would surely be more stable when loaded than similar bikes with fork mounted racks. I found it a very easy bike to ride and really loved the upright handlebars, functional appearance and high riding position.

Plenty of carrying capacity here.

Thanks to the owner for the ride, it’s one that’s really worth investigating !

Love those 'bars !

Read Full Post »