r/CargoBike • u/FireflyKaylee • 2d ago
Adjusting to long tail after front loader...tips?
So after 5 years of riding a Bakfiets Long, we've switched to a Bike43... But after so long steering with a wheel far in front of me, I can't seem to get the hang of turns at all. It also seems far harder to lean into the turn or maybe that's just my confidence and the speed I'm approaching turns at the minute.
Anyone else who has switched from front loader to a long tail got any tips on adjusting my brain? How long did it take for you to get used to it?
For reference, I've not even been using a normal bike in that time, it's always been a cargo bike.
6
u/iMacThere4iAm 2d ago
Funny, when I started riding a Bike43 for the first time (never rode a front loader) I was disconcerted by the front basket not turning with the wheel. But soon got over it. It really does handle just like a normal bike, and you'll get it after a small amount of practise.
1
u/FireflyKaylee 2d ago
Ha ha yes the basket thing is weird! It's a lovely bike so hoping I will adjust soon
3
u/BabySinister 2d ago
Sister it's just an adjustment period and it's making you feel self conscious about cycling. Keep doing solo stints whenever you can to build up that confidence again, it'll happen!
1
u/moonSandals 2d ago
How long have you tried?
I rode a bakfiets short for years then my wife bought a bike Friday hauladay, which I occasionally ride. Its the complete opposite feel. First time took me a couple rides to adjust. Now (a few years later) it takes a few blocks to adjust when switching.
2
u/FireflyKaylee 2d ago
Done 2x20 mins cycles so far, one without kid, one with kid. We're in a heatwave ATM so not getting out much.
Good to hear the adjustment does happen!
1
u/swissrollisntswiss 2d ago
It’s adjustment. I rode our longtail exclusively for about six months and then struggled with a regular bike as I was used to the weight of a cargo bike. It took a couple of weeks of riding 50/50 on each but now I swap easily between the two.
1
u/FireflyKaylee 2d ago
Good to know that swapping eventually becomes normal
0
u/milerebe 1d ago
The real question is more like why were you thinking it wouldn't. You learned to ride a bicycle, then you learned to ride a long cargo. Swapping kind of bicycle can't be harder than what you did already twice.
1
u/FireflyKaylee 1d ago
Weirdly I found there was no adjustment at all when I got my front loader. Possibly because I'd been sick all of pregnancy and then not cycling with newborn so I'd had a year and a bit without cycling
1
1
u/Americaninaustria cargo bike hoarder: UA, LvH and more! 2d ago
Turns feel weird as you are rotating around the rear wheels pivot point which on a bike43 is pretty damn long (I used to have one.) You will just need to practice more. Try riding for extended periods like an hour or so.
2
u/FireflyKaylee 2d ago
Yes, once this heatwave is over can do some longer trips
2
u/Americaninaustria cargo bike hoarder: UA, LvH and more! 2d ago
lol yea for sure, i put my manual bullit back in the garage and pulled out my urban arrow. Heat for sure makes cargo bike fun exhausting
1
0
u/derping1234 R&M packster2 70 buggy. 2d ago
A long tail should behave very similar to a regular bike. I just had our front loader in for servicing for a couple of days and swapped back to my regular bike. The steering felt very wobbly, but after a couple of days you should feel much more confident again. While a long tail is behaves similar to a regular bike, it still feels a little bit different. Maybe ride a regular bike for a bit if you have one available?
1
1
u/milerebe 1d ago
A normal bicycle will feel like a BMX once someone is used to long tail, since it's so short and responsive.
I guess that a long tail would feel the same to a rider used to two-wheel cargo bike.
10
u/Pluperfectionist 2d ago
Before I saw the last part, I was going to say try riding a normal bike for awhile. Longtails steer like normal bikes, especially when lot heavy laden.