Cargo Bike vs Cargo Trike

Cargo Bike Advantages (Two Wheels)

• Lighter: With a smaller box and frame, the weight of the bike is less than a 3-wheeled option.
• Faster: Less weight and less friction from a third wheel allows for an easier and faster ride. Cornering can also be done at a higher speed than on a 3-wheeled cargo bike.
• Better on uneven surfaces and with road camber: It is a common misconception that a tricycle provides more stability when riding. On an uneven surface or on a slanted roadway or cycle path a 2-wheeled cargo bike provides more stability.
• Narrow: Most cargo bikes are only as wide as the handle bars of a mountain bike. This allows for the bicycle to maneuver through traffic and tight spaces with ease.
• Rides like your every day bicycle: The learning curve is low. The wheel base is slightly longer and changes your turning radius, but other than that, the balance of the bike is what you’ve always known.
• Low step over: Get on and off the bike with ease. This also allows for a large height range for the rider.

Cargo Trike Advantages (Three Wheels)

• Balanced loading: There is no need for a kickstand on a cargo tricycle. You can load your cargo with ease and not worry about having an unbalanced load.

• Shorter wheel base/tighter turning: Cargo trikes generally have a shorter wheel base which allows for a tighter turning radius compared to the 2-wheeled cargo bikes.

• Are easy to walk/push while loaded with cargo: Having the third wheel to help with balance, it easy to push a bike through a crowd while loaded with cargo.
• Balanced when stopped or moving slowly: When travelling at slow speeds, a 3-wheeled cargo bike is more stable than its 2-wheeled counterpart. When completely stopped it isn’t necessary to put your foot down to balance the bike.
• Larger capacity: The width of the front tires on cargo trikes allows for a larger box, increasing capacity and weight of the cargo that can be carried.