Hey Everyone,
I'm thinking of buying one of these - An Xtracycle Cargo Joe - basically a folding bike that turned into a cargo bike with the Xtracycle Free Radical extender.
From the website:
http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-bicycles/xtracycle-cargo-bicycles/cargojoe.htmlA positive review:
http://momentummag.com/gear/bikes/xtracycle-tern-cargo-joe-review/#sthash.1Yh3B1NB.dpbsI already have a road bike I use for commuting. The reason I want a cargo bike is mainly to transport my 3 kids! With the above bike, I'd be able to put two kids on back, and one in the rear. At a certain point the kid would age out of the front seat and I'd have two on back with a third maybe riding with my wife or something. The bike also comes with bags for groceries, etc.
Reasons:
Primary: For the kids - They love riding, and I want them to have fun and enjoy cycling. I'd be able to take them on joy rides, and also shuttle them places like grandparents, swimming, etc.
Secondary: Save on gas and driving; I'm not really sure how much this bike would replace car rides, but I'd like it to - I'm really sick of the strap the kids into the carseat-process; I live very close to a bike path so that makes it extra easy.
Tertiary: I can use it to haul groceries, either with or without the kids. This isn't a big reason because I already have a trailer
Drawbacks:
Cost: Once I add on the kid-oriented items, like seats (the Yepp Peapod is $200! and the front carrier is $160!) things start getting kind of pricey - in the $1400 range. I tell myself that this is a lot less than a car, that it is a healthy option that doesn't pollute the environment, that it will last a long time (I had my former bike for 18 years)
Alternatives:
-Buy a used mountain bike and have it converted
-(my old road bike could be converted but the added cost of new components would make buying a mountain bike just as cost-effective)
-Just keep using my trailer - this is the most mustachian thing to do - I could just strap a seat onto my rear rack and put the other two kids in the trailer. I'm wondering if I'm stupid for even thinking of spending and extra thousand dollars to "upgrade." And yet... I think it would be a lot more fun with them all on the bike!
Looking for any thoughts, from those who have cargo bikes, who transport kids by bike, or for anyone who can offer a useful face-punch/encouragement.
(In case you are wondering about my financial standing, I have no debt; this $$ would otherwise be going straight into my stache)