A bike with the Argo Cargo Bike Kit installed in Oakland
An Argo Cargo Bike at the park
Bike adventures are big fun. Bike adventures with kids are even better. I'd seen the original Argo Cargo bike Kickstarter for their "Lift" product and thought it was a neat idea to be able to turn any "regular" bike into a front-loading cargo bike. They had a successful campaign and raised $105,429 for their front-loading cargo bike conversion kit. Many front-loading cargo bikes cost $3000+, so a kit that adds on to an existing bike for $1149 is compelling.
The Argo Cargo bike attaches mainly at the front fork and the bottom bracket, and requires a minor modification to the brake cables to connect your brake lever to the brake on the front wheel.
I saw a parent ride in on their Argo Cargo Bike with their kids in the front, and asked about it, since I had never seen one in person. She said it was great for taking her two kids around, and that her partner and her had set it up on her hybrid bike so she could take the kids around together. The Argo Cargo bike has enough room for two children to sit side by side in front of the parent riding.
An Argo Cargo Bike Conversion Kit in Park Slope
While walking around Park Slope in Brooklyn, I came across another Argo Cargo conversion. It was set up pretty nicely, with a nice fat tire in the front, a Light and Motion headlight, and a raincover that was locked in place but partially dislodged by the wind. I'd feel a little weird leaving the headlight on the bike after having lights stolen in the past. The bike itself was an old hot pink Alpinestars bike, likely from the early 90s? I'm not sure if there are many branded Alpinestars bikes out there as I think they were mostly a mountain bike and BMX clothing brand. (Others are wondering as well what happened to the brand)
Anyway, this Argo Cargo bike looked like a great way to convert that old-school Alpinestars bike into a car replacement.
Other Cargo Bike Conversion Kit options
There are some kits where you remove your fork and 700c or 26" front wheel, and replace it with a 20" wheel with a front rack.
Crurst Bikes Clydesdale Fork (front cargo kit)
For example, there is this Crust Bikes Clydesdale Fork conversion kit:
It allows you to carry some cargo in front. Space is made available above the wheel by using a smaller 20" wheel.
Husky Bike Tech electric cargo kit (front cargo kit)
Husky Bike Tech is developing an electric version of this idea, which they call the CargoDrive.
Husky's is especially interesting, because you don't need to remove your own fork. The smaller wheel, rack, and motor and batteries all attach to your existing fork.
The Original: The Xtracycle Free Radical
An Xtracycle Free Radical attached to a Trek 820 taken by Degen Earthfast https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xtracycle_Free_Radical.jpg
The Xtracycle Free Radical replaced your rear wheel with a half-frame that attached to your bottom bracket and rear dropouts to extend the length of your bike. It allowed you to put on a larger cargo rack and carry bigger things, like a surfboard or kids. It bolted on pretty easily and was available at a fairly low price ($300 when first introduced!) Xtracycle no longer makes them, but they can be found used for a very affordable price.
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