CETMA cargo bike: First impressions

Posted on November 2nd, 2011 by

It’s finally rolling. The CETMA Largo I ordered last May is on the road.

I’ve been riding it for a few weeks, but added the box and harness to ride with Luci on Friday. I’ve put a decent amount of miles on the bike and have a few impressions.

Check out the video to get a few more details and see what it looks like on the road.

It’s a good thing I like to chat — unless I am at a bike event trying to get work done for the site — because people have lots of questions. Here are a few of the most common ones:

Where did you get that crazy contraption?

I ordered it from CETMA Cargo, which is run by Lane Kagay in Eugene, Ore.

How does it ride with the wheel so far up there?

When you first get on, it’s quite a different feeling, but after 30 seconds or so you can go pretty straight with a few wobbles. After a few days, you can put the bike anywhere you want.

What is interesting is if you switch back to a regular bike shortly after riding it, the regular bike feels really odd.

Now that I have a box, which was built by local bicyclist and carpenter, Larry Robinson, it handles even better. The more weight the easier it is to ride and keep straight.

The turning radius is really impressive, which comes in handy when trying to maneuver in tight spaces.

How much does it weigh?

A lot. It’s a huge cargo bike, what did you expect? You really don’t notice the weight unless you are trying to pick it up and move it around. Riding on relatively flat roads, it doesn’t make much of a difference. I might think twice about trying any portion of Mt. Lemmon on it though. The bike probably weighs closer to 100 pounds than 50 pounds with the box and components.

What components did you use?

I didn’t skimp too much on this thing. I went with an 8 speed internal gear hub, which I absolutely love. I wanted the 11 speed, but the price was just too much. If I had the funds, I would switch two of my bikes to IGHs. In the front, I went with the Alfine hub generator. Both rims are Sun Rhynolytes with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. I also added tire liners. I have already gotten a flat on the front, but it was from a two-inch thorn. For the cranks, I completed it with the Alfine external bottom bracket crank set.

I went with Shimano SLX hydraulic brakes because I’d read that hydraulics are preferable to cables because the length to the brake is so long. Lane Kagay, who makes the bikes, said he has been more than happy with traditional cable actuated disc brakes.

I am trying out the Velo Orange sprung saddle, which is nice.

For the bars, I went with the Origin8 Citi Classic bars. I’m still waiting on a stem that is shorter and has a steeper angle to it. If Luci were much taller, I’d hit her in head when I turned. The stem should provide a little more clearance.

I went with an aggressive mountain bike pedal to keep my feet in contact without having to use toe cages.

I have a Busch & Mueller headlight and tail light on order.

How much can it haul?

Officially: 250 pounds. Unofficially: Kagay says he hasn’t broken one yet.

Does Luci like it more than the Xtracycle?

It’s hard to tell right now because we’ve only been riding with her since Friday, but I think the does. She has more room to play, she can move her legs and feet more and she has a much better view.

I certainly love having her up front. It’s nice to be able to hear her talking and checking out what she is up to. It’s also cool to see what catches her attention.

I like the Xtracycle and recommend it a lot of people. Even though we have the bakfiets, I think we will still use our Xtracycles a lot.

How much did that thing cost?

I haven’t had the guts to tally up the total cost yet. The frame is $1,850 plus shipping. I had Kagay add a custom rack and went a little crazy with the components. Kagay just introduced a complete bike with good components for $2,850 plus shipping, which is $300.

I probably spent somewhere around $3,500 on it. It’s worth it to us because this will allow us to remain a one car family regardless of any future additions to our family. Plus I’m a bike nerd.

Overall, given the short time I have been riding it, I am thrilled with it. We took it out on Halloween and had balloons, jackets, pumpkins, bags, candy, stuffed animals and more in it with plenty of room left for Luci.

Feel free to add questions in the comment section and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Also, big thank yous to Duncan who helped me build the bike and Larry for building the box.

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Post a comment below or discuss in the Tucson Velo forums
Posted on November 2nd, 2011 by
  • Colby

    Nice bike Mike! Cool that you’ll get to interact with Luci more.

    (Thou shall not covet, thou shall not covet, thou shall not covet…)

  • George

    Were you out riding this on Mountain Ave Saturday? I thought I saw someone with this bike (and a child in the front). 

  • http://www.bicyclestockimages.com Martha Retallick

    Okay, Mike, how much weight have you hauled?

    I’ve been able to load about 50 pounds into my Burley trailer, but since it’s just heavy grade material with an aluminum frame, I’ve hesitated to go above 50.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, that was probably me. I would have been heading north about 11:30ish.

  • Anonymous

    Before I put the box on it, Irene sat with Luci in the cargo area, but since Irene is thin and beautiful, it couldn’t have been very much.

    I haven’t had the chance to load this up beyond that.

    I’ve had the Xtracycle loaded up pretty good: http://tucsonvelo.com/news/why-use-a-car-when-you-can-do-it-by-bike/5351

  • 3wheeler

    I’m struggling w/ the coveting thing right now too, Colby.

  • 3wheeler

    Mike, that’s a masterfully worded response.  You are a world-class husband.

  • 3wheeler

    I love the bike, Mike.  Are you letting anyone take it for test rides?  I’d love to.

  • Psibley

    This is a genius move. Orange is appropriate, too.

  • Anonymous

    Sure. Catch me when you see me. You break it, you bought it. A bunch of people tried it out at the biking with kids event.

  • Anonymous

    I’m going to make sure Irene sees your comment ;)

  • 3wheeler

    Excellent!  I agree, I break it, I buy it. 

  • Taiwoon

    reposted on my blog.  I have the same needs as u and looking at ordering one. I love ur blog and how u are advocating on cycling for everyone. Keep it rolling Sir! 

  • George

    Maybe not….this was around 545ish….and heading south. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NPMEMIPZENY2IDUBYWYN7HUWZE straw

    I’ve had 100 plus pounds in a Burley.  I’ve had mine 3 years now and other than the time the wheel came off it and I dragged the fabric over pavement at speed the material has held up well.  I regularly carry weight in the Burley.  My only complaint about the Burley is the hitch doesn’t work super well with Phil Wood track hubs.  

  • Red Star

    Some questions:

    How difficult is it for the rider to spot road hazards (such as two-inch thorns, carpet tacks, screws and the like) in time to take evasive action? And, if such hazards are spotted, how difficult and safe is it to abruptly maneuver around when the bike is under load especially when carrying precious cargo? Perhaps it takes rehearsal.

    Also, parking. How bike rack-compatible is the bike? Especially in close quarters as bike parking areas usually are? What locking strategies are used? Is it legal to park the bike in a car space?

  • Red Star

    Some questions:

    How difficult is it for the rider to spot road hazards (such as two-inch thorns, carpet tacks, screws and the like) in time to take evasive action? And, if such hazards are spotted, how difficult and safe is it to abruptly maneuver around when the bike is under load especially when carrying precious cargo? Perhaps it takes rehearsal.

    Also, parking. How bike rack-compatible is the bike? Especially in close quarters as bike parking areas usually are? What locking strategies are used? Is it legal to park the bike in a car space?

  • Anonymous

    I don’t think road hazards are any more difficult to spot actually. I generally look pretty far ahead on my regular bikes as well. Glass is usually easier to spot. Carpet tacks would be difficult no matter what.

    It is harder to maneuver quickly because a quick action makes a big adjustment in the bike, which means you can end up farther left or right than you intended.

    Generally, though you I’m riding slower so I have more time to see objects in the way.

    The parking is a good question. I haven’t actually parked it attached to a rack. I generally consider the bike to be it’s own rack. As long as you lock it so it can’t roll away, I think it is pretty secure.

    I usually lock both wheels so they can’t roll. It’s even better when I lock another bike to it. it certainly isn’t a bike you would steal on a whim, plus it would be hard to sell.

    That being said, I haven’t ridden it to the UA and left it there all day either.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t think road hazards are any more difficult to spot actually. I generally look pretty far ahead on my regular bikes as well. Glass is usually easier to spot. Carpet tacks would be difficult no matter what.

    It is harder to maneuver quickly because a quick action makes a big adjustment in the bike, which means you can end up farther left or right than you intended.

    Generally, though you I’m riding slower so I have more time to see objects in the way.

    The parking is a good question. I haven’t actually parked it attached to a rack. I generally consider the bike to be it’s own rack. As long as you lock it so it can’t roll away, I think it is pretty secure.

    I usually lock both wheels so they can’t roll. It’s even better when I lock another bike to it. it certainly isn’t a bike you would steal on a whim, plus it would be hard to sell.

    That being said, I haven’t ridden it to the UA and left it there all day either.

  • Red Star

    City of Tucson pot holes, speed humps and alligators are easy to spot and evade in theory, using medium to long vision. The evil little things (thorns, glass etc.) are spotted using short vision. We all eventually learn to do these rapid eye movements on road bikes and conventional commute/utility bikes.  Red Star was wondering about short vision with a “long-john” cargo bike and stability. Perhaps the key is keeping speed down (duh, when hauling) and awareness, as you suggest.

    It would be interesting to learn what happens when a long cargo bike is presented to UA bike valet…

    And what happens if you park the bike in a dedicated car parking space at the shopping center, u-locked to the gills?

  • Lane

    Regarding free-locking the bike short-term:   The best way is to lock the front wheel to the frame.  It’s almost impossible to walk away with the bike like this.  Locking the rear wheel to the frame still makes it relatively easy to lift the back off the ground and walk the bike forward.

  • dangerous mcb

    thank you for the excellent and comprehensive post.  the more i read about these bikes the more the line between want and need is blurred.  what do you think are the possibilities that the rear wheel base could be extended as well so that you could use xtracycle accessories on the back of the bike?  maybe even putting on an xtracycle freeradical?  would this make it too unruly?

  • dhin

    Congratulations! Nice bike! I can’t see you worrying too much about the cost in the future — I think it was worth it to get the setup you did. We use a similar cargo bike all the time, every day, and we were looking at the Cetma as a possible second bike. They look terrific. I guess you can get a smaller Margo front on it if you want later, too…  We’re at chicargobike.blogspot.com
    Did you consider other hubs besides the Shimano 8 and 11? I’m wondering about the NuVinci that some Bakfiets come with now. And, do you notice any springiness in the frame? The CETMA is made with thinner but harder (cr/mo) tubing than the gas pipe the Dutch use. If it is springy, does that bother you?
    We always tell people it’s like driving a van after using a compact economy car.
    It’s great to be able to carry our kids, their friends, and all their stuff across town and still get groceries without needing to go get a car. I think it beats an Xtracycle by a mile.
    I look forward to reading more about it!

  • Anonymous

    Hi, dhin, Sorry for the late response. Been busy around here. I love your blog’s name.

    I really only looked at the Shimano hubs.

    It does have spring to it especially when it is weighed down. The only time it bothers me is when I have a high cadence and I start bouncing. Don’t notice it otherwise. I also have a a sprung saddle, so it’s hard to know what is bouncing.

    I’m really really really enjoying it. I’ve ridden a Bakfiets.nl and I prefer the CETMA. It feels more sporty if that is possible.

  • Anonymous

    Hi, dhin, Sorry for the late response. Been busy around here. I love your blog’s name.

    I really only looked at the Shimano hubs.

    It does have spring to it especially when it is weighed down. The only time it bothers me is when I have a high cadence and I start bouncing. Don’t notice it otherwise. I also have a a sprung saddle, so it’s hard to know what is bouncing.

    I’m really really really enjoying it. I’ve ridden a Bakfiets.nl and I prefer the CETMA. It feels more sporty if that is possible.

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