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July 22, 2012
Cargo Bike Review – Metrofiets Standard
Momentum Mag reviews the Metrofiets Standard.
Price $3,995 USD (complete) / Framesets start at $2,495 USD
Find it at metrofiets.com online and frames at select US bike stores
Metrofiets hand-manufactures “Long John” cargo bicycles – Dutch bakfietsen (“box bikes”) inspired with American flair. The large cargo area in front of the handlebars can hold up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms). Various custom options are available for the “Standard” chromoly steel frameset. The “Standard” comes with swept-back handlebars, Shimano Alfine internal eight-speed hub, front and rear disc brakes. Made in Portland, Oregon. The reviewed bike, a North American Handmade Bike Show special with top-end components, custom cargo box and custom detailing would cost about $6,900.
Tell Your Friends
The 24-inch front tire differentiates the Metrofiets from many other front loaders, which traditionally use 20-inch front tires. The larger wheel improves handling, comfort and tracking. This dirt-capable bike bombs downhill with surprising agility in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Wish List
Bike theft is a real problem in the city of Santa Cruz. Even high-quality U-locks didn’t reassure me when Paul of Bay Area Cargo Bikes left a pair of Metrofiets bikes locked outside the Octagon in downtown Santa Cruz. I would love some way to ensure the security of the bike and its components.
Ideal Rider
Front loaders like the Metrofiets work for all stages of human development: the young single totes party supplies; young couples bring Marmaduke to the beach; and young families with small children are a natural fit. Middle-aged farts like the reviewer can haul home loads from Trader Joe, Costco or the farmers market. The frame design can comfortably fit the tiny at 4 ft 5“ to the mighty 6 ft 7”.
Overall
Any work bike can provide sturdy utility, but Metrofiets gives you classy cargo hauling capacity on a gorgeous platform.
This bike was generously provided by Bay Area Cargo Bikes in San Jose, California.
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Adriiene’s bike was built for the 2009 Oregon Manifest, a design competition formed to push the limits of design for the builders involved. As such we built the shortest lightest cargo bike we could build and still make it work. The result was a frame that had quite a bit more “flex” than any of our other builds before or after. The thing is it is the very fact that this one off experimental bike still running after so many years of use is a testament to the longevity of our produce even when we are pushing the envelope. We are stoked that Adrienne is so happy with it. Thank you Adrienne! -Phil
Yep. My Metrofiets flexes! It is part of what makes it a great bike. It takes some getting used to, that is for sure. The first time you ride one of these you will try to fight the bike, thinking you have to work harder to get it going. Once you get past that silliness, you figure out really quick it rides just like…a bike! I have a 2009 model that was designed to be a bit smaller than standard and since it was built it has been on the STP ride twice (not by me), it has been to numerous rides all over San Francisco with San Francisco Bike Party (totally by me, and yes, I ride it up EVERY HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO), I have carried kids/Christmas trees/bikes/bike parts/movie cameramen/photo shoot equipment/…and one time a random guy talked me into letting him surf the front as I peddled him down the Waterfront. The first time I rode it I carried my drunk, full grown friend around Portland without any problem! Sometimes I attach a vintage Coleman stove to the front and take my kettle and french press and set up shop in the park to make coffee for whoever wants some (I have met a ton of people that way). My next Metrofiets project is to turn my bike into a mobile art gallery! How many bikes can you do all this with? Really. I want to know!
It would beat the crap out of you if it were stiff.
I ordered my metrofiets 3 years ago and took possession of it 6 months later. I have one of the earlier frame designs. Since then I’ve ridden over 6000 miles on it. The longest ride has been about 40 miles. I’ve ridden in sunny weather, rain, snow, 100+ degrees and down to 20. I’ve brought home 3 Christmas trees. 20 bags of concrete in 4 bag trips. I take two kids to school most days. I hual other bikes on it. I hual groceries, recycling. And it fits kegs of beer well.
As for ride quality. I was able to ride it right away, but it took me about 10 miles to understand its quirks that all bikes have. My other bike is a brompton so I’m used to quirks.
Honestly the biggest problem I have with it is that it rides so well. My daughter cheers me to go faster, to catch the other cyclist or car. This gets me pumped up and I forget I’m riding an upright cargo bike, so when I take that turn too sharp and scrape the box on the corner I just think to myself how awesome it is to be ridding around in a giant cargo bike.
If you get on this bike thinking its like your $3000 carbon bike you will be disappointed. This is the bike to replace your minivan, but sportier.
Bob from Delaware
In contrast to the commenter below, I have actually owned a Metrofiets for the past five years and am exceptionally pleased with our bike. Even our version, which is the oldest they have made, is lighter than a Bakfiets, and handles extraordinarily well. Among other things, I’ve carried both teenagers and toddlers, incredible amounts of groceries, loads of sand, buckets of water (in a cargo bike race), straw bales, wood, and at least a couple kegs of beer. My partner once hauled a 13 foot cedar log(with a burley trailer assist). Given the fact that we ride our bike hard and loaded every single day, we have had surprisingly few problems over the past five years. And those that have come up were fixed immediately, and easily, by the guys at Metrofiets. We don’t have to drive, our children love riding, and the bike is a dream. I’d call that one of the best values going.
I have a cargo bike e assist and tote my kids around town. It can haul two kids totalling 100lbs and a few grocery bags. When I rode the bike for the first time it felt a bit wobbly due to the longer wheel base but this can be expected from a longer wheel base typical of this style of bike. Once fully loaded the metrofiets stabilizes and rides like a smooth gravy boat. The metrofiets crew work out of veloucoult in PDX and I have had quality improvements to handle changing baby sizes. BTW a standard graco car seat is the perfect ‘snap’ distance for placement on top of / perpendicular in the box. Aka, daddy can ride that newborn home on a bike. It’s that solid. My non-bikey babysitter also hauls the kids in it, so it is accessible to most riders. I like the big 24″ wheels, as I can still get through bumpier park terrain. The rain cover could use a redesign, or perhaps I have an older model.
We’ve had our Metrofiets for a year and a half now and and I really cant imagine life without it. In fact, last holiday season our car was totaled and we went completely carfree. With two kids, a job at a farm (with plenty to haul to and fro), and all the other possibilities that come up during the day–I never felt limited because I could get it all done with my beautiful Metrofiets bike.
It has needed very little maintenance, rides smooth, is a workhorse, and looks really stylish. I cant praise this bike enough.
We’ve saved up to purchase a Metrofiets before our daughter was born and couldn’t be happier. I can easily haul her and a full load of groceries … in the pouring rain (thanks to the cover). The construction is top notch. So far it’s needed zero maintenance, with the exception of pumping up the tires a few times.
This is what I love about Metrofiets: their construction is top-notch and they come with high-end components installed. Sure, they are a bit pricer than some of the other options, but you really do get what you pay for – an awesome, all weather ride.
Frankly, I’m not sure that the comment from Zinguvok is legit. Anyone who has ever ridden a Metrofiets knows the high quality that I am talking about. These bikes look and ride like a dream!
Test-rode one and watched it ridden a few years back. Heavy as hell, flexy as hell, and the maker tries to sell these as “features”. 400lbs must include the rider — if he means in addition, that’d scare the crap out of me. For the money, probably one of the worst values in cargo bikes in the US, and that includes the Chinese ones.
I’ve had a Metrofiets for two years. It is our primary vehicle and everyday we use it to criss cross San Francisco loaded with soccer balls, boogie boards, groceries, you name it, and two children. This bike is awesome, it has enabled us to live car free. We demand a lot from our bike and it has never broken down. We frequently ride loaded down on trails in Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, not to mention taking on some of the nations steepest hills (with help of the electric assist) and vicious pot holes. The flexing contributes to the strength of the vehicle and the comfort of the ride. If the bike didn’t flex we would have snapped it in half ages ago! The bike was a major purchase for us, we did our homework and have not been disappointed. It is simply the best, most durable and comfortable cargo bike and the best way for this family to get around town!
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