Cargo Bike or Trailer: Which One is Right for You?

In recent years, the cargo bike has become a popular choice for many families and urban professionals. Whether it's a longtail, a cargo bike (or both!) , this XXL bike stands out! Practical, safe, and perfect for everyday travel, the cargo bike is the opposite of a trailer . The latter, appreciated for its flexibility of use, is still favored by many parents and cycle logistics professionals. Are you hesitating between a cargo bike or a trailer? You'll see: your choice will be determined mainly by your lifestyle. We'll explain everything!

The cargo bike: a practical and multifunctional city bike

The Formidable, a cargotail that rocks!

Since 2020, the year of the health crisis, sales of electric bikes and cargo bikes have continued to increase. And while it was customary to pedal alone (or with your toddler behind you), large families also wanted to get involved!

In this sense, the cargo bike seems like a perfect solution. Between the pros and cons, find out if the cargo bike is right for you.

The advantages of cargo bikes

You may already know this, but there are not just one type of cargo bike, but several. Whether it's a two-wheeler, a three-wheeler, a longtail, or even a cargotail, this category includes all bikes that can carry heavy loads .

It must be said that the cargo bike has many advantages 😁:

• It ensures the safety of all its passengers (especially in urban areas): protected by the front body compartment or by the rear guardrail, your children are less exposed to impacts.
• It carries heavy loads: Specifically designed to support a significant weight, the cargo bike is the ally of families and urban professionals. Depending on your needs and uses, there is bound to be a model that will suit you.
• It's practical: for everyday life, the cargo bike adapts to your needs. Whether it's to transport your children (or even your partner for some models) or to go to the market, your trusty steed will satisfy you every time!
• It's comfortable: its padded seats in the front and/or back guarantee comfort for all its passengers. Your children will be delighted (and they'll also get a good breath of fresh air!).
• A canopy is compatible with almost all models: thanks to this rain shield, your children are protected from the rain and wind. In autumn or winter, it's great!
• It's easy to ride: most are electrically assisted. What's more, thanks to recent technological advances, motors and other equipment are increasingly efficient. You can pedal easily, even with a heavy load to carry!

💡 Did you know? Some cargo bikes can carry up to 200 kg of payload ! This is the case with the Formidable, our cargotail (cargo and longtail in one!) which can carry up to four children (two in the front and two in the back). Your little tribe will be delighted! 🌟

The disadvantages of cargo bikes

Despite its clear advantages, the cargo bike is not for everyone:

• It can be expensive: The price of a cargo bike varies greatly. If you're on a budget, you can get a muscular cargo bike for around €1,000. However, if you want a high-end, high-performance electric-assist model, the price can exceed €10,000.
• It is more cumbersome: due to its larger dimensions, it is preferable to have a garage or personal space to park it. In addition, when you pedal alone, it will always be less maneuverable than a conventional bicycle.
• It is not easy to transport: due to its size, it is not possible to transport your bike by car. Moreover, trains currently cannot accommodate them (the same is true for trailers).

When should you choose a cargo bike?

The great thing about a cargo bike is that it can be useful in a wide variety of situations. Whether you're a private individual or a professional, your trusty steed will be indispensable in your daily life !

You are an individual

With a cargo bike with a front box , you can, for example:

• take your children to school, to their sports lessons and of course go for a walk with them to the other side of town!
• take your dog or cat to the vet;
• go shopping;
• transport various materials for your hobbies (sports, DIY, creative hobbies, musical instruments: the list is long!).

With a longtail bike with an extended luggage rack , you can:

• add bike bags to carry everything you need;
• carry up to three children depending on your bike model (or one adult if it is designed for this).

You are a professional

With a professional cargo bike , you can:

• Get around town easily, while avoiding traffic jams. The cargo bike can carry heavy loads and remains very maneuverable. No more delays for your appointments!
• Carry heavy loads on the front or back of your bike. There are many models of professional cargo bikes on the market. You're spoiled for choice.

💡 Did you know? Some users of Galian's Formidable have a dual use for their cargotail:

• Every day, they transport their children and do their shopping.
• On the professional side, they visit their clients or patients, deliver small items or even act as taxis for their colleagues.

For urban use, the cargo bike seems to be winning the battle. But even so, the trailer is still the most popular! Let's see why. ⬇️

The bicycle trailer: a versatile accessory perfect for sporting leisure activities

The trailer, a perfect accessory for your bike rides

From entry-level bike trailers to high-end all-terrain models, there are many types of trailers. Particularly popular with cycle tourists and runners, this accessory has both strengths and weaknesses. We take a look.

The advantages of the bicycle trailer

Bike trailers are popular with many families. And given their benefits, it's not surprising:

• It's flexible: the trailer attaches and detaches easily from your bike, regardless of its model. Some can also be used alone and transform into a stroller .
• It's versatile: you can carry up to two children in a trailer. But it also doubles as a trunk when you want to do your shopping.
• It protects from rain and wind: almost all trailers have a rain shield that protects your children from the elements.
• It's less expensive than a cargo bike: the trailer is an accessory. Its price remains lower, with a range varying from approximately €100 to €1,000.
• It's space-saving: Compared to a cargo bike, the trailer is still space-saving. Some even have the advantage of being foldable. Practical for train travel!

The disadvantages of the bicycle trailer

Although economical and versatile, the bicycle trailer is not suitable for all uses:

• It's difficult to maneuver in densely populated areas: in cities, most bike lanes are narrow. The trailer is wide, and merging into traffic can be more difficult.
• It's not designed for city riding: In a bike trailer, your children are behind you, out of your field of vision. They're also at road level, which increases the risk of accidents. To minimize the risks, add as many visibility accessories as possible, especially if you're cycling at night .
• It can't carry more than two children: the payload of a trailer is less. Depending on the model, you can carry one or two children maximum.
• It accommodates your children up to 4 or 5 years old maximum: apart from certain XXL trailers, a classic model is limited in size. Beyond 4, or even 5 years old, your children will be too big to be transported in a trailer.

In which situations should you prefer a trailer?

Whether you're a private individual or a professional, you'll use your bike trailer differently depending on your profile. While some trailers are specifically designed for cycle logistics (some models can support up to 300 kg), those designed for transporting children are designed for journeys outside of urban areas.

You are an individual

The trailer is made for you if:

• Do you enjoy playing sports with your family on weekends or during your holidays ? Whether you're cycling, mountain biking or even hiking, the bike trailer is multifunctional and perfect for playing outdoor sports with your family!
• You live in a medium-sized city with light traffic. You use it to take your kids to school, go to the library, do your shopping, etc.

You are a professional

The trailer is suitable for you if you work in the city or in a suburban area.

Every day, you need to transport bulky and heavy loads that don't fit on a cargo bike. Find out more; custom-made bike trailers are available (think of the Rennaise Toutenvélo cooperative).

Cargo bike or trailer: in the end, it all depends on your lifestyle!

As you have seen, the cargo bike and the trailer , even if they can both transport your children , do not meet the same needs.

The cargo bike, whether you are a professional or an individual, is suitable for urban use . In dense areas, there are very maneuverable cargo bike models that can slip through everywhere, even on the narrowest cycle paths. We are thinking of longtail bikes or even the Formidable, our super cargotail , which can carry up to four children, while remaining extremely maneuverable (its steering angle is 90°!) 😁.

As for the bicycle trailer, it is more suitable for cycle touring or occasional urban use . Models for the city exist, but are intended for cycle logistics professionals. For safety reasons, it is best to ride on cycle paths separate from roads or in areas where there is little traffic.

In the meantime, with a trailer or cargo bike, ride happily!