lets be honest: a trike, despite having three wheels, is never design for speed; its greatest strength, i.e. stability, is also its greatest weakness when it comes to high speed cornering because it can’t lean like regular two-wheeled bicycles and a cargo trike is anything but aesthetically pleasing. those are two problems that we see in a cargo trike and so does the folks at Copenhagen-based Butchers & Bicycles, and hence, the birth of the Butchers & Bicycles Mk1 Cargo Trike, which will forever change the way we perceive a cargo trike. the Mk1 is a leaning cargo trike which incorporates the firm’s proprietary Balance Point Tilting system (think of it as independent suspension for the front wheels, where the cargo box is) that allows for “a more spirited ride” and at the same time, boost the stability during cornering.
other highlights include a power-coated 7005 T6 aluminum frame, an ABUS frame lock, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes all-round, and Schwalbe puncture-proof 20- and 26-inch rubbers. naturally, the first thing that draws us to it is the beautiful cargo box, which is unlike any we have seen to date. this ABS box features a front access door and mounts ready for child’s car seat, so it could be use to ferry your kids around. however, there is an option for a two-person seat, complete with 3-point seat belts, for children who are old enough to travel without car seat’s supports (needless to say, a cooler option).
naturally, if you are going to max out the rated 100 kg load capacity, pedaling will no doubt be a daunting task (especially when ascending slopes), which is why there’s also an electric-assist model, dubbed the Mk1-e that will aid in pushing along the cargo with its 250W mid-mounted motor, juiced by a 12 Ah lockable lithium-ion battery pack. the electric-assist model also has an essential backlit control unit and is has enough grunt to make a motor-only speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph). regardless of the model, each cargo trike will come standard with a lockable glove box with cup holder (!) for storage needs. there are also a couple of options available, including a Gates belt drive and also a rainproof cargo box hood (why do we feel like this is a pedal-powered Ute?).
the Butchers & Bicycles Mk1 Cargo Trike is available now, but only from the Butchers & Bicycles’ Copenhagen showroom, but it will be available to other markets sometime this spring. prices start at €3,395 for the Mk1 (about US$3,600) and €4,995 and up (around US$6,770) for the Mk1-2. you can catch the Butchers & Bicycles Mk1 Cargo Trike in action in the product promo video below.
