My Ketta and I (Hauling Edition)
This is one of my recent favorites.
It’s a Hunter Cargo Bike I commissioned to overcome the greatest challenge for any bicycle: carrying stuff.
To keep the front deck as low as possible, it uses a 20-inch front wheel and a 26-inch rear wheel. The design doesn't sacrifice performance, and the handling is as neutral as can be, so anyone can ride it easily as long as the size fits. The rod-actuated steering for the front wheel, which ensures plenty of cargo space, really appeals to the inner child.
Personally, I’ve recently started taking bowling seriously, and this bike really shines when it comes to hauling my 15-pound personal ball. (I’m currently considering buying a second one... I guess I’m more into bowling than kendama after all.)
#campvibes
#hurricane
The front cargo space can easily handle even the largest duffel bag from Poler Stuff, and it’s possible to increase capacity further if you add an optional outer frame (which I’m currently planning). The kickstand is nice and large, making it very stable and convenient to use; when riding, it tucks away neatly along the frame. For the rear, it's fully equipped with a SimWorks OnTheRoad RearRack and JANDD Hurricane Panniers.
I’m planning to use this bike for a two-night camping trip during summer vacation this year.
I think it would really liven up the streets to see more bikes like this, so if you run a business, this is definitely more affordable than buying a car, and depending on how you display it, it’s sure to make quite an impact on the market. If you’re interested, we’d be more than happy to consult with you.
My friend Randi Jo also uses this bike to take her kids into the mountains to play. It’s an excellent cargo bike that handles light off-road sections without any issues—exactly what you’d expect from Rick Hunter.
via Randi Jo’s Flickr
I’ve built mine mostly with spare parts, but if I had to emphasize one thing, it’s the Alfine internal gear hub. It keeps the chain from jumping, and after overcoming what I assume were two initial assembly defects, it’s been running extremely well. Also, the SuperNova Airstream rechargeable light is so bright it actually makes people on the street grumpy—which is great! You can adjust the brightness across four levels in addition to a flashing mode, and it lasts for a long time (7 to 24 hours depending on the lumens used) on a single charge, so I’d recommend it for 24-hour races too!
Also, the Freight Baggage Road Soda is indispensable for this kind of upright bike.
| Frame | HunterCycles | CargoBike |
| Headset | Canecreek | 40 |
| Hubs | SHIMANO | F:Deore XT R:Alfine 8S |
| Rims | Velocity AERO | F&R:32H |
| Saddle | WTB | SST COMP feels not too bad… |
| SeatPost | Kalloy | SuspensionPost |
| Brake | AVID | F:BB5 R:SingleDigit SL |
| RearRack | SimWorks | OnTheRoad CP |
| PannierBag | JANDD | HurricanePannier |