Is it a case of cutting corners or just providing a different option? True, their Bakfiets appear to have v brakes and derailleurs but so do most other bikes in the UK. Where does the idea come from that cargo bikes need to have hub gears & brakes? Sure, a decent hub gear will last longer but they cost 6x the price of a £25 derailleur! I’ve never refused to buy a mountain bike because it doesn’t have hub gears and they encounter far more dirt, muck and vegetation than a cargo bike ever would.
Just because Toyota Avensis doesn’t have a V8, carbon fibre glove box or a paddle shift gearbox, does it make it a crap car? In my view there are differently priced bikes and different depths of wallets but I would agree that there are a load of dodgy Chinese knock offs that I wouldn’t push let alone ride.
Their option list and photos appear to include mudguards, racks, rain hoods etc. It also appears that there bikes can be custom made rather than just having to chose one of the two Bakfiets bike sizes that Bakfiets.nl make.
But hey, never mind, lets not give that little British manufacturer a chance by reviewing a product that we haven’t had a chance to ride, lets pour our money into Europe instead, that’ll help solve the draining of UK manufacturing...... ! eek!
Do they do a try-before-you-buy option? I’d suggest you take a ride and make your own judgement. I’d recommend the Yuba, I borrowed one once from a mate and was severely tempted to get one.