Cargo Rack Bike (Sport Hauler)

You can build a bike out of a commercially available bike extension cargo rack.
Normally this cargo rack mounts behind a standard bike to extent the back wheel 1.5 feet back and makes room for its own large panniers, it has a a wood deck on top and plenty of tie down points for heavy duty hauling.
This project is about minimizing the bike and having a compact "sport hauler" where the rider and passengers all sit on the rack. The rack is the only seat, but(t) it's big enough for a couple of people.

The other two bikes can be seen on my hobby website woodenbikes.com

Step 1: Start by looking at what you've got

This is the Cargo Bike I was given. The bike frame is too big for me. I had to turn the stem backwards to be able to reach the bars. The stick represents the ground line.
I wanted to make a compact sport hauler where I could sit on the rack and pedal semi-recumbent.

Comments

[tamasic1]

I like the one using the purple kids bike. It has a more comfortable riding position. I think changing to a 20" fork and tire up front would lift the cranks to keep from scraping the ground and provide less rolling resistance from a slightly larger wheel.

[slaitch]

Should have considered leaving it like this just for hilarity's sake.

[macrumpton]

I am not sure how this is better than just having a regular bike with a sturdy rack. It looks  about the same length as a regular bike. If you wanted  an extra long seat on  a regular bike you could just add the seat mount hardware to a board and attach a couple or 4 of support tubes  (or even plywood sides) from the board to the rear axle mount.

[Woodenbikes]

You are right that there are plenty of ways to make bikes, some of them better than the way I make them.  This bike has no separate seat.  The pilot sits on the rack.   Your suggestion of plywood wheel stays is a very workable one I've used on a half dozen bikes that can be seen at www.woodenbikes.com/ 
One plywood example is the bike in the background.
I often build bikes to explore ideas, not necessarily to be better than some other design.  I hope they inspire folks to have their own ideas.  Happy building.

[macrumpton]

I did not mean to come off snarky, as I do enjoy the look of the bike, but I just did not understand why it is the shape it is.

BTW I have spent literally hours being inspired by the bikes your site.

[maninvan]

If anybody is wondering the 'cargo bike kit' used it's an xtracycle. I have just installed a kit on my MTB and it's great... well worth the investment :-D

[maninvan]

Oops, fogot to mention the plans for the xtracyle cargo bike kit extension is here http://www.xtracycle.com/longtailtech/index.php/Main_Page

It's all open source for you to build compatible bikes for the accessories or compatible accessories for the bikes. Just awesome.

[trebuchet03]

Curious, do you not like the company that makes the extended cargo rack? I know they're pricey - that's why I made my variant - I'm just wondering if there's another reason :)

[Woodenbikes]

I like the product and the way it enables a car free or one less car per household lifestyle. It is very useful! I agree $350 is a chunk of change. But if it lets someone get rid of a car that pays back in 7 tank-fulls alone plus saved insurance avoided depreciation , saved maintenance expense, saved gym fees etc. I offered them a chance to co-sponsor the vehicle with me by providing a used rack. They declined saying they want to position their product as a more serious solution. I plan to approach them again before next Maker Faire on a new vehicle proposal for their fine product. I'm hoping they find what I do helps market their fine product and the one less car lifestyle. Until then the name is omitted to protect the innocent.

[trebuchet03]

I totally agree - I've got an instructable on moving house by bike in the works :)

Not that this isn't a masterpiece but the other day I a coworker said:
You gotta have the crap pieces before you have your master pieces."

Perhaps the cargo frame guys haven't heard that in awhile :p But to be fair, their design is well refined and appears to be well designed/engineered (I don't own one, but have used it before).

[pbchase]

It's definitely a good design. I too winced at the price, but it is so well thought out it is worth the money. I've had one of their sport utility bikes for over a year and am loath to go back to an ordinary bike. I'd have to be a big dummy to do that.

[altomic]

when I lived in Japan I had a standard housewifes shopping bike with basket on the front and rack on the back. It was way to small for me -6foot /183cms. If I wanted a bike to fit me then I would have had to pay more than $2 for it. no way. so i just took the seat off and padded the rack. easy peasy. I like the vespa-esqueness of your bike

[pmsfo]

Your introduction contains a small mistake, I think. You say "You can build a bike out of a commercially available cargo rack." but what I think you mean is "...commercially available cargo **bike**..." I was looking through your project, trying to spot the cargo roof rack... :)

[godsdog]

I'm curios to know the odds of a kid sticking their foot in the spokes.

[Woodenbikes]

The cargo rack has stiff barriers to keep stuff (feet and other valuables) out of the wheels and the company also sells foot rests. I could make some extended foot benches for the whole family. On the odds..., I have not calculated them, but so far so good. The cargo rack is back on a big bike since I use it a couple times per day during "June Bloom" of Dumpster Dipping at a nearby college campus.

[godsdog]

Dumpster dipping, huh? Say no more. ;)