Weird Specialized discovery....

[mschwett]

The deeper level of funny is that actual elite cyclists don't prescribe to that. I know several very dedicated cyclists with cargo bikes (as in live partially car-free, ride like 10k+ miles per year and are competitive local racers). None of them are riding anything particularly fancy in the cargo bike department. They'll have fancy 5 figure racing bikes with carbon everything, but their cargo bikes are utilitarian with pedestrian parts. Its the bike they use to get groceries and schlep their young kids around in, theres no point in getting anything expensive.

yep! everyone i know who is into serious road riding or mtb also just generally loves bikes and has a commuter, a clunker, a cargo if they have kids, etc. it’s about the bike being fit for the purpose and enjoyable to ride for that purpose. for long, spirited road roads that means light and aero (the rider and the bike!) and easy rolling with small steps between the gears and so on. people who mock a bike or rider like that just becuase of the style either don’t really understand or have some other personal issues. ditto someone who things a bulletproof, heavy, powerful cargo e-bike is somehow embarrassing.

my hub drive commuter with child seat took both my kids and i all over for fun and utility, i still ride it for errands and commuting and it still works well for that purpose. it’s about 50% harder to pedal for the same speed at higher speeds, so there’s no way i would ride a bike like that 30 or 50 or 100 miles!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

They'll have fancy 5 figure racing bikes with carbon everything, but their cargo bikes are utilitarian with pedestrian parts. Its the bike they use to get groceries and schlep their young kids around in, theres no point in getting anything expensive.

I do all my grocery shopping using two panniers on my big Vado and a big backpack (if necessary). I do 100% groceries this way.

 

[mschwett]

I have never seen a cargo bike in my city or suburbs, not even in the trendiest downtown areas.
Rental scooters with a giant box jammed against the bar stem.. yes...but no cargo bikes.
All our progressives drive Range Rovers

i will probably see 50 cargo bikes today…

 

[RunForTheHills]

yep! everyone i know who is into serious road riding or mtb also just generally loves bikes and has a commuter, a clunker, a cargo if they have kids, etc.

This is the best way to justify buying a another bike to your wife. Horses for courses...