Reviving a modular cargo bike design from the 1930s

Trike Stability and Handling

• Many commenters argue three-wheelers (especially with two wheels at the back) are inherently tippy in turns because they can’t lean, and are particularly dangerous at speed or on hills.
• Others counter that with heavy rear loads and low speeds (the intended use), they can be very stable; instability mainly appears when unloaded or driven too fast or sharply.
• There’s discussion of which wheel lifts in a turn and why, and how trikes can briefly “become” bikes on two wheels. Leaning trike designs are highlighted as solving much of this but at added complexity and cost.
• Several people note that trikes are fine for short, flat, urban trips, but not for fast riding, steep hills, or “sporty” use.

Use Cases and Real-World Cargo Experience

• Everyday uses cited: hauling multiple kids, groceries, or very heavy loads where not having to balance at stops is a big advantage.
• Some see large trikes as overkill unless you regularly haul very heavy loads, comparing them to oversized pickup trucks; others reply that cargo bikes are expensive enough that people only buy them for recurring heavy use.
• Trikes and cargo bikes are described as common in parts of the Netherlands, Denmark, London and elsewhere for family and last‑mile delivery, though opinions differ on whether 2‑wheel or 3‑wheel designs dominate.

Drivetrain, Hub Gears, and Front-Wheel Drive

• Concern: pedals directly on the front wheel plus a custom 3‑speed hub could be underpowered on hills, expensive, and hard to service.
• Others point out that internal hub gears are mature, low‑maintenance tech and not inherently unreliable; debate centers on friction, repairability, and cost vs conventional chain + derailleur.
• A key skepticism: a coaxial pedal/drive hub (more like a geared unicycle) is rare and pricey compared to using standard bike parts with chains. Some doubt a small company will really ship such a bespoke hub.

Modularity and Design Tradeoffs

• The core innovation—separating the powered front unit from a modular rear cargo module—gets mixed reactions.
• Critics argue most users won’t actually swap between, say, courier and food‑stand modules, so modularity mainly adds cost and complexity.
• Supporters liken it to tractors or flexible computing gear: detachable “tools” can be valuable if you have several different cargo needs over time.

Steering, Ergonomics, and Riding Feel

• The steering wheel and high rider position over the front wheel look “alien”; people speculate it’ll feel strange vs normal countersteering on bikes. Others note trike steering is already car‑like and most riders adapt quickly.
• Some worry about the rider’s legs hitting the trailer in tight turns; others think the geometry and normal turn radii will mostly avoid this, or that it’s fixable with small design tweaks.

Alternative Cargo Platforms and Comparisons

• Commenters reference existing cargo trikes, leaning trikes, 4‑wheel cargo bikes, pedicabs, and postal/delivery trikes as more proven and often more practical configurations.
• Some feel this revived 1930s concept is charming but underbaked compared to modern cargo bike engineering (frame strength, geometry, braking, etc.).

Context, Culture, and Miscellany

• Several threads contrast US “fitness/recreation” cycling culture and hilly, spread‑out cities with European utility cycling in compact, flatter cities where such vehicles fit better.
• Website UX (heavy, crashy, hard‑to‑read cookie dialog) drew notable annoyance, independent of the bike itself.