How do I choose the right cargo bike? The comprehensive guide to choosing

You would like to buy a cargo bike. But what exactly do you have to take into account? We have many years of experience in the production and sale of cargo bikes. To make it easy for you, we have listed everything for you. Your wishes are central. Together we investigate what you will use the bicycle for. Give you information about the prices. And tips to keep the purchase affordable. With or without an e-bike? Safe transportation of kids. And what are the best brands? It’s all covered. choose the right cargo bike If you’ve read this blog, you’re ready to make the right choice. If you need a four Wheeler for your Children then click here

How do I choose the right cargo bike?

It was probably not that long ago that you shouted very loudly: ‘A cargo bike? No, that’s not for me.’ And now you’re sifting through the web looking for a cargo bike. We find that very understandable. Because we have, of course, seen for a long time that a cargo bike has great advantages.

Save time and costs with the cargo bike

Do you run every day to get the children to school or daycare on time? And do they look at the clock at work when you come in painting and are slightly sweaty, but are still just a few minutes late? Or do you find yourself in a traffic jam every day, wondering if this is the best way to spend your morning? Or from that day, when you are on the road for work or your own company? You think this mainly happens to you, but for our customers, this is the daily reality. Until they decide to take the bike more often.

Because you are faster with a bicycle. You can get pretty much anywhere. You are dependent on nothing and no one. And what does it show? Yes, it rains a lot in the Netherlands. But the moments when you get on your bike, while it is raining, are much fewer than you think. And when it rains, there are plenty of opportunities to still appear dry. If you opt for the bicycle, you save time. Time to enjoy. For example, from your family. But you also save money. Apart from the purchase and some maintenance, you have virtually no costs. You can get rid of the (second) car, or cut your OV chip card in half. No more waiting for the tram. Never switch again. Yes!

Save time and money. Who would not want that? But it gets even more beautiful. You also think about your footprint. my what? Your ecological footprint. Cycling is a sustainable alternative. Better for the environment. And above all good for your health.

The cargo bike that suits me best

We are specialists in the field of cargo bikes and are happy to help you choose the cargo bike that suits you best. Quality is our most important pillar. That is why we mainly purchase Dutch brands. The Netherlands is a cycling country pur sang and a guarantee of quality. We see the bicycle as an extension of your personality. And because we like to color outside the lines ourselves, we sell special bicycles from unique brands. When you ride away on your Free Wheely bike, you will not only be cycling on a very good bike, but also on a super nice bike. Not entirely unimportant, right?

What am I going to use the bike for?

Your new bike should make life easier. Add something, be an enrichment. The first question we always ask our customers is: What are you going to use the bicycle for? This is also the best way to find out whether you really need a cargo bike, or whether a regular bicycle with a front and/or rear carrier, the so-called transport bike, will suffice.

I use the bike for commuting

If you only use the bicycle for commuting and do not want to transport more than a backpack or a laptop bag, we advise you to choose a transport bicycle. We will then place a transport carrier and possibly a basket or crate so that you can safely store your belongings. We have a wonderful selection of transport bicycles in our range. Do you not only want to enjoy cycling but also want to stand out a little bit, with a super sleek design bike? Then choose BRIK , Achielle , or Roetz. BRIK is minimalistic modern, Achille really retro, and Roetz makes stylish design bicycles from recycled bicycles. Do you want a more robust bike? Then choose Azor. Or for De Fietsfabriek, also known as the Volvo of bicycles. Are you going for a sportier look? Then draw the brand for you.

I want to take my child to school by bike and go straight to work

Do you use the bicycle for commuting, to take your child to school, and to do the daily shopping? Then it is important that the bicycle is not only comfortable, sturdy, and reliable. But also that you have sufficient luggage space. The transport bike meets all these requirements. Do you have a child that is older than six months (and can therefore sit up) and do you have no plans for the further family expansion? Then the transport bike can also be an excellent solution for you.

View our women’s and men’s bikes

I want to take children and things with me on the bike, carefree and comfortable
Do you already want to be able to cycle if your child cannot yet sit independently (<6 months), do you have several children, and do you want to be able to take a lot of groceries with you? Then a cargo bike is really a solution. You have much more cargo space, your child can comfortably take a bike ride in the Maxi Cosi (short rides for children under three months due to vibrations), and you can cover the box when it rains. This way the children and any groceries come across as dry.

I want to use the cargo bike as a business transport bike

Do you want to transport goods quickly and efficiently for your work or your own company? Then the cargo bike is a perfect alternative to the delivery van. Waiting on the canal for a truck to unload, or joining at the back of a traffic jam? That is now a thing of the past. And you immediately make an important contribution to a liveable city. Interesting for our business customers is that you can sticker the cargo bike with your own logo, or fully customize it in your house style. This creates visibility for your brand and the cargo bike becomes what we call: a marketing bike. Not only sustainable and cost-effective, but also beautiful advertising.

I want to go for a bike ride every now and then

It is of course very possible that you do not have to stand in traffic at all, have a perfect public transport connection, or cover most distances on foot. And that you just want to cycle every now and then. For a bike ride to the forest, with the family and the dog, for example?
For occasional use of the cargo bike, we advise you to be more strict with yourself when choosing options and accessories. This can significantly increase the price. And that ties in nicely with the next part. The finances. Because: what does a cargo bike actually cost?

What does a cargo bike cost?

A cargo bike has a higher price tag than the average city bike. This bike, therefore, belongs to the higher segment. Not entirely illogical, given the multifunctional character and size of the cargo bike. You can transport not only yourself but also children and goods safely and comfortably.

A good cargo bike can take a beating

A good cargo bike is made of durable material. And it has to. Because it carries quite a few kilos. When parking, he sometimes comes into contact with a wall or other obstacle. It regularly serves as a climbing frame for children getting in and out. And most cargo bikes are outside day and night. So the cargo bike has to endure quite a bit. We therefore only purchase quality cargo bikes that can take a beating and have low maintenance costs. Our experience is that cheaper cargo bikes often require more maintenance.

The different price categories of our cargo bikes

Yet you can already ride a cargo bike at Free Wheely for 1,645 euros. You then ride a two-wheel cargo bike from Bakfiets.nl, the Cargobike Classic Short. A comparable cargo bike from De Fietsfabriek costs 1,695 euros. The price of a tricycle cargo bike is slightly higher. You pay 2,045 euros for the CargoTrike Classic Narrow from Bakfiets.nl and 2,095 euros for the Classic from De Fietsfabriek. The Danish manufacturers Winther and Nihola produce three-wheel cargo bikes made of aluminum. This makes them super light, and you notice that in the price. The purchase value of the Cargo and the Kangaroo Lite is 2345 euros. The Urban Arrow Is a two-wheel cargo bike and yet the most expensive we have in our range. The Cargo Flatbed costs 3,690 euros. For the complete Urban Arrow Family, you pay 4,390 euros. It is therefore the absolute Rolls Royce among the cargo bikes. Beautiful design, standard equipped with an electric motor and an aluminum frame, and therefore very light. And it drives so well! Really like the sun.

How do I keep the cargo bike affordable?

The purchase of a cargo bike can actually be compared very well with the purchase of a car. Something you may have already done. Or experienced it up close.
The size of the bin affects the price. The larger the box, and thus the bicycle, the higher the price. You also pay more for a large car than for a small car. And do you go purely for functionality? Or do you also like a bit of luxury? In a middle class, you transport four people from A to B just as safely as in a top-class car. And yet every driver has his reasons for choosing one car or the other. And then you have the extra options and accessories. These can make the vehicle considerably more expensive. With a cargo bike, think of more gears, more expensive brakes, or an electric motor.

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