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Bike Best
There’s nothing like a bicycle for threading your way through today’s clogged streets. Cycle couriers the world over can vouch for it, but sometimes the load is bigger than a normal bike can manage. Enter the Bike Best!

With a lockable and waterproof luggage compartment securely mounted in the tubular steel subframe, the Bike Best (Bicycle Extending Shopping Trolley) mounts securely to most mountain-bike frames. A standard hub bolts into the rear dropouts, and the subframe attaches to this hub and to the seatpost of the bicycle. The rear wheels and derailleur are transferred to the back of the subframe, and a second chain connects the new, central, hub to the rear gears. This is an easy job for any experienced cycle mechanic, and extends the machine to about the length of a conventional tandem.

The steel subframe weighs 10kg and the 10kg moulded plastic container provides a 120-litre secure cargo area. With the load below the saddle and between the wheels, the bike is very stable on the road and also when you’re loading up: a spring-loaded two-point stand will easily keep the laden machine upright. The box comes with a lockable lid, but can be adapted to take a car child seat and a clear rain hood; it’s called the Bike Best Guardian.

The rigid subframe provides considerable protection for any passenger, and looking backwards gives a clear view of the world going by. At present the Bike Best is only available in blue, with a light or dark blue carrier, but other colours are available to special order. And soon, even the largest of pets may be able to join the ride: a ventilated plexiglass cover for animal transport is under development.

Sidebar
Michael Brigden works from his own workshop in Norwich. He invented and patented the Bike Best subframe to help him carry home an average weekly shop on a bike, and believes that with more than three-quarters of modern traffic involving shopping, the bicycle must be able to carry serious loads if it is to compete.

After investigating various ideas, Mike has gone into production himself. He’s concentrated on the extension kit rather than complete bikes, because he’s found that most cyclists prefer to keep their own favourite gearing, brakes and riding position, adding the subframe when extra load-carrying is needed. The Bike Best is already popular with members of the Norwich Cycling Campaign, and the local Greenpeace shop are also interested in Mike’s developments.

Bike Best is actively seeking partnerships with manufacturers and agents both in the UK and abroad. Manufacturers interested in licensing or agents with an existing distribution network who wish to add the Bike Best to their range should contact Bike Best.

In the UK, the Bike Best conversion kit costs around £340 retail, and prices will vary worldwide.


Manufacturer

Bike Best Ltd.
71 Wroxham Road
Sprowston
Norwich
England
NR7 8TW
UK

phone: +44 1603 405 918
email: info@bikebest.co.uk
web: www.bikebest.co.uk


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