Soma’s prototype Pick Up Artist is strong enough to carry a tall, overweight man
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the best thing about Soma’s new cargo bike was its name: the Pick Up Artist. But even with such an awesome moniker, the bike itself is even better.
Like other cargo bikes, the Pick Up Artist has a long wheelbase for stability. Unlike other cargo bikes, it achieves this length by shifting the front wheel instead of the back wheel. The small wheel is moved forward, underneath the load-bed, and is steered using a linkage system similar to the bakfiets bikes used to deliver goods and children over in Northern Europe.
This linkage also means that the wheel moves independently of the load above, which stays fixed to the frame. If you ever rode a Brompton with its frame-mounted front carrier, you’ll know that this setup is way more stable than a rack that moves with the wheel.
The Pick Up Artist will carry up to 200 pounds (91 kilos), which means that you could even load me on the front.
Soma is still undecided on whether to make the Pick Up Artist or not. I’d vote yes, if only because of the name. If it ever does make it into stores, it’ll cost around $1,500.
More Cargo Bike News [Soma via EcoVelo]
See Also:
- Amazing DIY Cargo-Bike Mods
- Zaftig Cargo Fork: Lowriding Load-Lifter
- Electra Delivery Bike is an Old-School Cargo-Carrier
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