Sustainable cycling

Soon after we moved to Syston, (just outside Leicester on the North East side) 15 years ago I bought a Larry vs Harry Bullitt Cargobike because it was quicker to cycle to the churches I served, to my colleague on the other side of the River Soar, to Loughborough Crematorium, and into Leicester Centre. To be able to cycle everywhere, I needed to carry stuff that wouldn't fit in panniers (eg laptop + projector + screen + guitar amp speaker). The routes included a lot of ridiculous cycle barriers that I couldn't get a recumbent trike or trailer through, hence the cargobike.

After 14.5 years it is time for it's biggest upgrade so I that can pass it onto one of our sons—more in a moment.

Mine was a Clockwork Orange which, at the time, meant it had an 8 speed Alfine Hub gear - it was a slightly older frame design than what they are now selling as the "original",. For example, it didn't have swappable dropouts. Over the years I've upgraded quite a lot of things:

• from Shimano disc brakes to Hope (with an extra upgrade to braided hose)
• from Alfine 8 speed to Alfine 11 speed gears
• An aluminium cargo box (I had mind altered to have side opening which I think is much better, you can even disconnect the gas strut and fold it right open so you can carry tall items sticking out of the top)
• Soft cargo pouches behind the cargo box
• Schmidt front hub Dynamo and very bright dynamo front light (I have it on all the time)
• Books Flyer leather saddle with springs
• Upgraded the cranks to Shimano Saint
• Upgraded to the Bottom Bracket to a nice ceramic Hope on
• Added nice Ergon grips

The bike has been brilliant, typically I do maintenance about once a year (mainly a wash). The frame has a lot of scrapes, but it still works beautifully.

As part of moving onto the boat, I'm passing the bike onto one of our sons, as part of that, I have upgraded it to a full, legal eCargobike.

So I have fitted a Bafang motor. It's road legal (so limited to 15.5mph, no throttle, pedal assist only). As well as a speed sensor, I've fitted a gear sensor (so it cuts out when you change gear to protect the gears) and brake sensors (the motor cuts out when you brake). I've also fitted front and rear lights (the rear also acts as a brake light) powered by the 250AH battery. The range should be well over 50miles even with full assist (there are 5 levels), I've not tested the range much yet, but on a 10mile ride I still had 90% battery left. I've fitted heavily modified chain tugs to hold the back wheel in position (they needed to be able to fit around the anti-rotation washers rather than the axle).

At the same time I've replaced the stops and feet on the kickstand (after 14.5 years they were rather worn out).

Some pictures of the conversion (yes I know the wiring isn't the neatest ever)

A selection of photos from the past to enjoy