A couple years ago, I did a head-to-head comparison in cargo bike design between the long tail design made popular with the Xtracycle and the Bakfiets, the traditional box bike of Amsterdam and Copenhagen. At the time, I gave the Xtracycle the edge in its balance of day to day utility with generally fun ride. Sure the Bakfiets could carry more stuff, but when not hauling kids or groceries, they are a bit of a bear to push around. Well, the Gazelle Cabby might come close to the fun of the long tail with the capacity of the Bakfiets.
As you may have seen elsewhere, I am working with Keith Byrd on some test events for a new bike shop that’s in the works. Since Dutch style city bikes will be the focus of the shop, we’ve gotten some Dutch-made demo bikes as well as a couple Electra Amsterdam Royals, the closest approximation from a U.S. manufacturer. We’ve been letting folks on our social rides test ride these bikes as well as during a demo day this Sunday at BoConcept. Part of the demo bike lineup was a WorkCycle Bakfiets on loan to us from Constructive Ventures. After our first event, Dutch bike maker Gazelle contacted me about getting some of their bikes in the testing mix, and in addition to a standard Dutch bike, they sent me a Cabby, their take on the box bike.
Having now put the WorkCycle Bakfiets, Madsen, Yuba Mundo, and Xtracycle to the test (plus building an Xtracycle frame to boot!), I was eager try another cargo bike out. I have to say I was extremely impressed with what I got (full disclosure: we are considering carrying the Cabby in the new shop, so I may not be an unbiased source.)
The nylon box is about the same size as a traditional Bakfiets. My children loved the soft seat.
Stylistically, the Cabby is decidedly modern compared to other Bakfiets with metallic finish, missing seat tube, and different take on the box. The Cabby forgoes the traditional wooden box for a tarp-like nylon cover and steel skeleton. Not only does this save quite a few pounds, but the box actually folds up to save space when you need it. My children especially liked the fact that the seat is padded, and the numerous pockets in the cargo box allows for places to store small things (something I had missed from the Xtracycle.) Gazelle also recognizes that cargo bikes are often a multi-user bike, and the large, ratchet style quick release lever made changing the seat height a breeze. There were other nice details like the build-in frame pump, twist shift bell, steering lock, and serial number cut out in the steel of the seat stays (try filing that off, chump!)
The ride was quite spritely compared to the solid, steady feel of the traditional Bakfiets. When I needed to get up to speed quickly, the Cabby responded nicely instead of feeling like a struggle. As with all Long John designs, the Cabby has an unbelievably tight turning radius for it’s length. Also, the geometry of the bike as well as the placement of the box allows for stable out of the saddle pedaling and no knee slapping on the box!
The non-filable serial number carved in the steel seat stays.
The Cabby was not without some down sides though. While it does come with a dynamo hub with internally routed wires for the front light, curiously the rear light is battery driven (this appears to be the way Gazelle sets up most of their bikes.) If you’ve got a dynamo, you might as well be powering both lights. The cargo weight limit is a little on the small size for a cargo bike at 165 pounds (though just 10 pounds less than a traditional Bakfiets.) Also, the gearing is definitely more Dutch in outlook. The Cabby is equipped with a 7 speed Shimano Nexus internal hub. You are limited to 3 rear cog sizes with Shimano’s system but unfortunately, Gazelle did not pick the largest, 21 T, opting for the 19 T instead. Sometimes the full chain guard limits your choices, but there appeared to be plenty of room for the larger cog. An upgrade to Nexus 8 would also be a slight help in lower gear range. I love the simplicity of an internal hub and the usability of a full chain guard, but it is something to seriously think about on a cargo bike. Bail out granny gears are nice to have on a standard bike, but almost a necessity on a cargo bike in hilly terrain. The Cabby handled our neighborhood hills fine unloaded, but when I added the combined 100 plus pounds of my children I was grinding up hills.
All in all, I’ve found the Cabby to be tremendously fun. I actually haven’t minded just hoping on it to ride places instead of just riding it when I need it. The details and features are a positive evolution in cargo bike design.
Want to test ride the Cabby, Bakfiets, or other Dutch bike? Stop by our Dutch Bike Demo Day this Sunday, April 25 from 1-5 PM at BoConcept, 430 W. 2nd Street, or sign up for one of our spring social rides.
on May 12th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I test rode one a couple of years ago (review here – http://measured-response.com/bakfiets/?p=14). My recollection is that the steering was a bit twitchy, and that the stand was barely adequate. The price was great (£1000 back then), but they hadn’t released the raincover, so we went with a DeFietsfabriek 995 (and later a bakfiets.nl cargobike long, and even later a Mummybike then finally a Madsen KG271).
There are not many of the alternatives to a bakfiets that I’d recommend to a friend, primarily because the accessories bakfiets.nl do cover every eventuality, but Gazelle seem to be doing a good job too. If Gazelle keep the price down, it’s well worth considering.
FWIW, if you want the Cargobike to feel sportier, pop a brompton seat pin extender on the post. I can’t get my head around why a foot-forward effect makes it feel quicker (change in weight distribution, more arm extension?), but it works for me.
on May 12th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
DrMekon,
When you test rode the bakfiets, was it under load? My experience has been bakfiets are a little twitchy when empty but extremely stable when carrying a load or people. The geometry is designed for maximum stability when loaded.
The kickstand that came with this Cabby was certainly less robust than the one on the WorkCycle bakfiets, but so far it’s held up well when the bike is loaded and pedaling forward from the “parked” position.
on Jun 28th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Hi there, we have owned a Cabby for a year now and agree with your assessment of it. We have loved the easy on and off, and generally smooth ride that it provides. It was pretty easy to learn to use, and our daughter (at a mere 26 lbs.) loves it!
We have noticed, after a year in the Boston area, some problems with it, hopefully they will be corrected on the next issue. The steering arm “clangs” sometimes, and the commitment to the step through frame (good for getting out of trouble in a hurry while stopped at a light) has made it pretty heavy.
It’s tough to resume pedaling that weight from a standstill without wobbling, and it’s hard to pull it up on the kickstand (Though we are strong bikers and I have a strong upper body, we are nevertheless middle aged parents and have tweaked our backs while parking it and engaging the kickstand, even with a light 26 lb. daughter load). I agree with your assessment of the kickstand. Wider feet on the kickstand would make it better on snow, ice, and the occasional dirt/sawdust scene at the playground.
Without a raincover (they weren’t available, they were redesigning it when we bought the cabby, and we want to see that the redesign is easy to use before we buy), the seat cannot be left outside because it’s made of wood and covered in padded fabric without water resistance.
The “sport utility” figure-8 handlebar option is not great because there is too much flex in it for such a heavy bike, making an inefficient pull for your arms.
These sound like lots of complaints, and it’s true we have a few, but overall it’s been really fun to have a cargo bike around Boston. We ride in all seasons except when there is ice on the roads.
I hope our two cents are helpful. Thanks for reviewing the bike. We’re excited that more cargo bicycle options are entering the scene in this country.
Peace,
Tracy
on Jun 28th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Tracy,
Thanks for your thoughts on the Cabby. I too have experienced the steering arm clanging, though the placement of the soft side of a velcro strip would address that I believe. I may be a strong rider, but I am actually able to pop up the kickstand by simply pedaling forward while the kickstand is engaged.
Based on my experience as a frame builder, I’m not sure the step through frame is creating any more weight than a diamond frame would. Even if it does, this bike is still lighter than a comparable traditional wood box bakfiets, and for a cargo bike, I’d prefer a step through.
I haven’t had any flexing problems with the handlebars, but maybe it’s a different handlebar on mine.
I’ve found the bike to be the most wobbly when it is unloaded, a feature I’ve found common with bakfiets. They are designed to be the most stable when carrying a load. Otherwise, I haven’t really had problems with steering after I got used to the bike.
Great comments from you, and I’m glad to hear other people are discovering what useful bikes these are.