Splitting hairs? Where do utility riding and cargo riding diverge?

[Pax]

Not that it really matters, given that this sub forum is for both types or riding, but I wonder how we’d differentiate between Utility and Cargo riding?

I’m thinking that the difference is all about volume of cargo carried & the requirement for some kind of special load carrying gear.

If I go shopping for a small number of items and take the Brompton (folding bike), its definitely “utility riding” because I’m mainly riding for the purpose of shopping (not for the fitness or the fun...though it is fun!), and I can do it with no special load carrying gear, other than a simple bag.




BUT, if I crank the load up to a level that I need something purpose built for loads eg a trailer or large panniers, or the cargo bike...then its definitely “cargo riding”






Needless to say there is a big grey area between those two things... not to mention cross-overs into other types of riding like touring and commuting.

Thoughts?

[RobertL]

My first thoughts are the same. If it's a "standard" bike, maybe with a basket or rear rack, then it is utility cycling. Cargo cycling involves a specially designed bike (or maybe a trailer).

I'm not sure of the exact cut-off between the two. For example, you could use an unloaded "cargo" bike for a "utility" ride if you don't actually carry anything in it.

[Thoglette]

My first thoughts are the same. If it's a "standard" bike, maybe with a basket or rear rack, then it is utility cycling. Cargo cycling involves a specially designed bike (or maybe a trailer).

I'd tend to agree (in terms of my using this thread).

The exception that proves the rule is the porteur bike, with a properly built (e.g. 50kg capacity) front rack. Or maybe the semitransportfiets.

[Pax]

The exception that proves the rule is the porteur bike, with a properly built (e.g. 50kg capacity) front rack. Or maybe the semitransportfiets.

Yes, I think they are cargo specialist bikes due to their rack, but would cross over into simple utility riding easily enough..
So a grey area... I’m sure we can live with a bit of grey

[terryc]

I've never been a fan of any "type" of bicycle and thus classifying a bicycle by its use. My interest is is what I can build/hack together rather than classifying a commercially produced product which rely heavily on being something/"a product"

Cargo to me is carrying something and like bicycle "stuff' its horse for courses. I'm more about what you do with it.

One of the first "cargo" bikes that I became interested is was how to solve the problem of carrying your surfboard and later on canoe/kyaks. I've seen designs that mounted them both outrigger and trailer (one and two wheel). Doing that made it a "cargo" bike to me.

The next problem/challenge was carrying the weekly shopping for 4 or six people, which was solved on my utility bicycle by racks front and back with large panniers and a weekly cardboard box or two from the grocery/supermarket. That was when I started looking a e-assist and tricycles(stability), aka what most people think of as a "cargo" bikes these days.

[zebee]

Well.. if you are using a bike to move cargo then it is utility isn't it?

Tomorrow I am off to Bunnings for Stuff. It will probably all fit in the Arkel Shopper pannier, but I'll take the trailer just in case as a) too many things come in awkward packaging and b) Mum has been wanting a lidded bucket of a certain size so if they have one... So is that utility or cargo?

If I take the Radical Design 70l pannier pair instead of the trailer does that qualify as cargo?

I think utility cycling is more about what it isn't: "not touring, not racing, not recreation" and so is a quick nick to the shops for a loaf of bread or today's trike and trailer outing for the full week's shop. I might be moving a lot of stuff, but it is still something in the normal routine.

A cargo bike is a specific kind of bike, but a cargo ride is just using your bike for a job rather than for recreation.

Is commuting utility? I'd say yes in that it is part of the daily ride. Some will do it on a racer, keep their clothes at work, and never stop off for a load of bread on the way home but they aren't racing and it isn't recreation it is the daily grind.