Bicycles

Butchers & Bicycles' Mk1 offers a new angle on cargo trikes

Butchers & Bicycles' Mk1 offers a new angle on cargo trikes
The Mk1 cargo trike leans like a bike
The Mk1 cargo trike leans like a bike
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The Mk1 cargo trike leans like a bike
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The Mk1 cargo trike leans like a bike
The ABS cargo box has a front access door along with mounts for childrens' car seats
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The ABS cargo box has a front access door along with mounts for childrens' car seats
The base Mk1 incorporates their proprietary Balance Point Tilting system, allowing for not only a more "spirited" ride, but also increased stability in corners
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The base Mk1 incorporates their proprietary Balance Point Tilting system, allowing for not only a more "spirited" ride, but also increased stability in corners
The trike also features a parking stand
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The trike also features a parking stand
Optional extras include a two-person seat with 3-point seatbelts
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Optional extras include a two-person seat with 3-point seatbelts
The Mk1-e has a maximum motor-only speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph)
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The Mk1-e has a maximum motor-only speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph)
View gallery - 6 images

Cargo trikes may be very practical, but unfortunately they can also be pretty slow and dumpy. This is particularly noticeable when taking corners, as they can can't lean into the turn like a regular bicycle. The designers at Denmark's Butchers & Bicycles, however, have decided to change that, with their Mk1 leaning cargo trike.

Named for its location in Copenhagen's meat-packing district, Butchers & Bicycles is headed up by entrepreneurs Morten Wagener, Morten Mogensen and Jakob Munk.

The base Mk1 incorporates their proprietary Balance Point Tilting system, allowing for not only a more "spirited" ride, but also increased stability in corners. Some of its other features include a powder-coated 7005 T6 aluminum frame, an infinitely-variable NuVinci N360 planetary hub transmission, an ABUS frame lock, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels, and Schwalbe puncture-proof 20- and 26-inch tires.

Its ABS cargo box has a front access door along with mounts for childrens' car seats, and a maximum load capacity of 100 kg (220.5 lb). Additionally, a lockable glove box (with cup holder!) is provided for the rider.

Should all that stuff make unaided pedaling just a little too difficult, there's also an electric-assist model known as the Mk1-e. It has the same specs as the Mk1, but with the addition of a 250-watt center-mounted motor, a 12-Ah lockable lithium-ion battery pack, and a backlit control unit. It has a maximum motor-only speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph), and a claimed "uphill, headwind and fully loaded with max assist" range of at least 15 km (9 miles) – obviously, its range would be considerably longer under less demanding conditions. Recharging the battery takes three to four hours.

The ABS cargo box has a front access door along with mounts for childrens' car seats
The ABS cargo box has a front access door along with mounts for childrens' car seats

Optional extras include a Gates belt drive, a rainproof cargo box hood, and a two-person seat with 3-point seatbelts.

Both models are available now in the company's Copenhagen showroom, and should be ready to ship to other markets as of this spring (Northern Hemisphere). Prices for the Mk1 start at €3,395 (about US$4,600), with the Mk1-e entering at €4,995 ($6,770).

The Mk1 can be seen in use in the video below.

Source: Butchers & Bicycles via Inhabitat

MK1-E CARGO TRIKE - BUILT TO TILT™ CHANGES EVERYTHING

View gallery - 6 images
9 comments
9 comments
jeremy.davies
I spent three years making a tilting cargo trike with a front box and concluded that whilst cornering is better, the increase in cost and restriction to what can be carried in the front outweighs any benefit. The problem I also found was that as you have no control over the mass in the front when you are on a tilt, it is really hard to judge how you handle a corner especially if your mass moves (eg kids/dog).
Saul Griffiths from Otherlabs has made something similar, again with a tiny cargo box. From my research I think the best value for money is a standard cargo trike with electric assist. I bought a Velo Electrique from the UK which does the job perfectly.
Mel Tisdale
I imagine that keeping the thing vertical when heavily loaded and stationary and canted at just the right angle when on the move is essential, otherwise I just cannot see those front wheels taking the side loads, especially if spoked, as shown. (Jeremy.davies' comment is especially pertinent here.)
While it is officially limited to 100 kg, the temptation will be to carry as much as there is room for. Two tubby teenagers would flatten the two seat option at worst and leave it with some very loose spokes at best..
Richard Guy
Lovely it its way but you could bodge together something very similar for half the cost, using a sistema noomad converter and an electric bike of your choice. Admittedly, it wouldn't be as slick. If I were using this set up for carrying children, I might spend the extra to get the very nice looking cargo box. As Jeremy says though, you wouldn't want to be hauling great weights in this thing: better off with a trailer.
Rehab
So much by so many going into new bike design, any bike is a step in the right direction. Get 50% of cars off the road will benefit any city. This is the direction to travel.
agulesin
"Optional extras include a Gates belt drive, a rainproof cargo box hood, and a two-person seat with 3-point seatbelts."
Can we have an Airbag and stereo system as well, please?
Hundy
'From my research I think the best value for money is a standard cargo trike with electric assist. I bought a Velo Electrique from the UK which does the job perfectly.' jeremy.davies 21st January, 2014 @ 05:00 am PST
Come come Jeremy, let's be honest here and admit you didn't just buy a Velo Electrique but you are in fact the owner of Velo Electrique. Shameless plugs aside, your rides look great.
mojerry
This is really expensive. I'll stay on my urban arrow project...
Nohj Yesdnil
I need to see some photos of the tilting mechanism. I have some ideas, but I really need to see how it is done.
unklmurray
I wasn't going to say anything but when I read the posting about having ''Two Tubby Teenagers'' in the box.....those Tubby Teenagers should be on their own bikes,they might be a little less tubby, As soon as the children could ride their own bikes I never had them on the bike ever again,You can ride from Vanita,Oregon [West Eugene]] through Eugene,Oregon, and into & through Springfield,on bike trails and never have to go out on the streets,You can do so from west Eugene to north Springfield faster than you could drive it!! I loved living in the Eugene area!!!..........LOL :-)