Cargo? Long-tail? Tag-along? Which should I buy? This article explains the difference between some different types of city cycle we see on Oxford\u2019s streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bike vs trike? (two vs three wheels)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Emily](\"https:\/\/www.cyclox.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Trike-235x300.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAdult trikes are great for people who never learned to ride a two-wheeler and can offer additional stability. You can stay seated on them when you stop, and the big baskets are great for shopping. However, trikes are \u2018dynamically unstable\u2019 \u2013 the faster you go, the more wobbly they are (the exact opposite to two-wheelers). So they\u2019re less suitable if you go fast and far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
E-bikes vs acoustic (non-electric) bikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
E-bikes are a game-changer. Research shows people actually exercise more on e-bikes<\/a>, because they\u2019re so easy. Most of the bike types below are available in e or non-e versions. You can also get a conversion kit to upgrade your acoustic cycle (around \u00a31k fully fitted in-store, cheaper self-fit kits available) .<\/p>\n\n\n\nFolding bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Brilliant for taking on trains and also bringing inside if you don\u2019t have secure outside storage. Folding bikes start at around \u00a3400 new and e-bikes at around \u00a3850. Decathlon and Halfords do good ones, Brompton<\/a> brand is the gold standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrailer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trailers are both cheap and versatile \u2013 they can be used for kids or light cargo. They clip to an adult bike, and get pulled along behind it, with the child protected by a metal cage. Many people attach large flags to make them extra visible. They fold up so they can be easily stored inside. They range from about \u00a340 second-hand on eBay to about \u00a3300 for a new Burley<\/a> <\/a>brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTag-along\/follow-me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An attachment which fixes to an adult bike and allows children aged around four to eight to pedal behind the adult. The adult provides most of the power, and as the child\u2019s bike is attached to the adult bike you don\u2019t have to keep checking their road position. Tag-alongs are an extra bike, and follow-me is a conversion kit which allows the child\u2019s existing bike to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bucket cargo bikes and trikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The traditional cargo bike has a large box at the front, and is generally either by businesses<\/a> or by people transporting children. The key choice is two vs three wheels, and the same dynamics apply as bike vs trike, but heavier loads are easier with a trike. They\u2019re hugely versatile and can carry loads, but they require parking space and are relatively expensive (around \u00a3600 for a second-hand acoustic, up to around \u00a34k for a brand-new e-version).<\/p>\n\n\n\nLong-tail cargo bikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAdult trikes are great for people who never learned to ride a two-wheeler and can offer additional stability. You can stay seated on them when you stop, and the big baskets are great for shopping. However, trikes are \u2018dynamically unstable\u2019 \u2013 the faster you go, the more wobbly they are (the exact opposite to two-wheelers). So they\u2019re less suitable if you go fast and far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
E-bikes vs acoustic (non-electric) bikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
E-bikes are a game-changer. Research shows people actually exercise more on e-bikes<\/a>, because they\u2019re so easy. Most of the bike types below are available in e or non-e versions. You can also get a conversion kit to upgrade your acoustic cycle (around \u00a31k fully fitted in-store, cheaper self-fit kits available) .<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brilliant for taking on trains and also bringing inside if you don\u2019t have secure outside storage. Folding bikes start at around \u00a3400 new and e-bikes at around \u00a3850. Decathlon and Halfords do good ones, Brompton<\/a> brand is the gold standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trailers are both cheap and versatile \u2013 they can be used for kids or light cargo. They clip to an adult bike, and get pulled along behind it, with the child protected by a metal cage. Many people attach large flags to make them extra visible. They fold up so they can be easily stored inside. They range from about \u00a340 second-hand on eBay to about \u00a3300 for a new Burley<\/a> <\/a>brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An attachment which fixes to an adult bike and allows children aged around four to eight to pedal behind the adult. The adult provides most of the power, and as the child\u2019s bike is attached to the adult bike you don\u2019t have to keep checking their road position. Tag-alongs are an extra bike, and follow-me is a conversion kit which allows the child\u2019s existing bike to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The traditional cargo bike has a large box at the front, and is generally either by businesses<\/a> or by people transporting children. The key choice is two vs three wheels, and the same dynamics apply as bike vs trike, but heavier loads are easier with a trike. They\u2019re hugely versatile and can carry loads, but they require parking space and are relatively expensive (around \u00a3600 for a second-hand acoustic, up to around \u00a34k for a brand-new e-version).<\/p>\n\n\n\nFolding bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trailer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tag-along\/follow-me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bucket cargo bikes and trikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Long-tail cargo bikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n