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Need a cargo bike but don’t want the extra weight all the time?

Shopping, kids, surfboard? Nothing too tricky for this neat little sidecar

Need a cargo bike but don’t want the extra weight all the time? Strap this new contraption to your normal town wheels and you’ll be able to carry all the shopping or kids you want to.

East Sussex based TR Fastenings has helped produce a push bike sidecar for the Swedish firm, Side Buddy.

The Swedish designer Jordi Hans set out to create a side trailer that can easily be attached and detached, with maximum flexibility for the ability to carry different loads.

It is hoped the contraption could help ease congestion while being a green option for future city transportation.

There were a number of design challenges, including finding a suitable way to connect the bicycle to the Sidebuddy, and steering issues.

The SideBuddy can be attached to either standard bicycles or electric models and fits up to three children or cargo weighing up to 120kg.

 

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18 comments

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Bikebikebike | 7 years ago
0 likes

The ability to to take it off and use as a buggy is pretty cool, if it's easy to couple and uncouple it to the bike. 

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Bristolbybike | 7 years ago
0 likes

Side cars on bicycles is not a new idea:

Pathe News: Cycling Family (1961)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M5hM-e_sjQ

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emishi55 | 7 years ago
2 likes

My issue with this is, it appears to have been designed for cycling where traffic overtakes on the left - ie your children don't have you on the bike acting as a buffer of sorts.

Can it be fitted in order to suit cycling in the UK? 

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Jordi Hans replied to emishi55 | 7 years ago
0 likes

emishi55 wrote:

My issue with this is, it appears to have been designed for cycling where traffic overtakes on the left - ie your children don't have you on the bike acting as a buffer of sorts.

Can it be fitted in order to suit cycling in the UK? 

Yes SideBuddy is prepared to be connected on both sides of the bicycle..  No problme for the UK traffic system.

https://www.facebook.com/Sidebuddy.se/   smiley

Like us on Facebook to get updated

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CygnusX1 | 7 years ago
2 likes

Think I've seen those before...

 

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kcr | 7 years ago
1 like

The killer for this in the UK is that it just won't fit most cycle paths, and will get stuck at the first pinch gate. Even in countries with better infrastructure, I think it will be cumbersome.
This design doesn't seem to offer a compelling advantage over existing trailer and cargo bike designs. I guess it would let me carry very long timber back from B&Q which I currently have to cut to fit the trailer, but that's a bit of a niche requirement!

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Jordi Hans replied to kcr | 7 years ago
0 likes

kcr wrote:

The killer for this in the UK is that it just won't fit most cycle paths, and will get stuck at the first pinch gate. Even in countries with better infrastructure, I think it will be cumbersome. This design doesn't seem to offer a compelling advantage over existing trailer and cargo bike designs. I guess it would let me carry very long timber back from B&Q which I currently have to cut to fit the trailer, but that's a bit of a niche requirement!

 

You will be able to carry up to 120 Kg.  , you can detach from side and connect on the back, Plus is collapsable 50 cm and can be used as a baby Stroller or Carrier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMQEIAqReso

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kcr replied to Jordi Hans | 7 years ago
0 likes
Jordi Hans wrote:

kcr wrote:

The killer for this in the UK is that it just won't fit most cycle paths, and will get stuck at the first pinch gate. Even in countries with better infrastructure, I think it will be cumbersome. This design doesn't seem to offer a compelling advantage over existing trailer and cargo bike designs. I guess it would let me carry very long timber back from B&Q which I currently have to cut to fit the trailer, but that's a bit of a niche requirement!

 

You will be able to carry up to 120 Kg.  , you can detach from side and connect on the back, Plus is collapsable 50 cm and can be used as a baby Stroller or Carrier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMQEIAqReso

Fair enough, I can see some potential as a large in line trailer, but I wonder how well the very small leading wheel would work on typical UK paths and roads?

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Recumbenteer replied to kcr | 6 years ago
0 likes

kcr wrote:

The killer for this in the UK is that it just won't fit most cycle paths, and will get stuck at the first pinch gate. Even in countries with better infrastructure, I think it will be cumbersome. This design doesn't seem to offer a compelling advantage over existing trailer and cargo bike designs. I guess it would let me carry very long timber back from B&Q which I currently have to cut to fit the trailer, but that's a bit of a niche requirement!

Even on the road, this design is too wide. I get held-up by traffic at times  when towing my Carry-Freedom Y-frame, but that's condiderably narrower than this monstrosity. Plus my Y-frame will  easily carry long items like 8 foot / 2.4m fence-posts and bicycles with ease

And kcr has nailed it, negotiating the crap  cycling infrastructure (that's clearly intended to hinder / prevent cycling) in the UK would make this a non-starter and the price is ridiculous. The Y-frame is much cheaper and better / more flexible (IMHO).

 

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Amphalon | 7 years ago
1 like

I've been considering one of these for a while: http://www.scandinaviansidebike.com/ which seems to be pretty similar.

It also converts into a sledge which is surely the clincher?

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handlebarcam | 7 years ago
1 like

The 21st Century: truly an age of wonder, when the kind of things that were once only seen hurtling down hills in Last of the Summer Wine, are sold over the Internet to people desperate for something new to relieve the tedium of their everyday lives. Still, at least it comes in twelve exciting colorways, whereas Nora Batty's sidecar was only available in black.

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ChancerOnABike | 7 years ago
0 likes

You wouldn't cycle to work with that unless it was only a few kms.  I take my kids jn a trailer then take it home as it's like cycling with a parachute attached

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hoffbrandm | 7 years ago
1 like

Good idea to carry kids to school, then cycle the rest of the way to work.

 

But the prototype couldnt look more shoddy if they tried http://www.sidebuddy.se/prototype/

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cyclisto | 7 years ago
4 likes

I am afraid that this thing will be too wide and too slow to move in traffic without making car drivers mad. Also not very sure how could I tackle curves without leaning.

Also it is very expensive, it costs twice the price of a decent commuter. A dedicate cargo bike like the Surly Big Dummy or Kona Ute would be better solution, even if they are also a bit overpriced

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Beecho | 7 years ago
3 likes

We don't have children, but I'm not sure we'd even put our cats in one of those.

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Jharrison5 | 7 years ago
2 likes

800 EUR. Pre order.

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rowes replied to Jharrison5 | 7 years ago
2 likes

Jharrison5 wrote:

800 EUR. Pre order.

+ Vat.

I do like the idea, but that price is the same as my next N+1. Sorry kids...

Avatar
Jordi Hans replied to Jharrison5 | 7 years ago
2 likes

Jharrison5 wrote:

800 EUR. Pre order.

Scandivatin quality production and first quality materials with a guarantte of  5 year minimum  product life on all the components..

Once we go over 200 Units,  the price will go down to 600 Euros.

Soon we will come in Kicktarter.. Thanks for your interest.

Like us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Sidebuddy.se/  

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