A lot of cyclists would probably like to have the hauling capacity of a cargo bike, and plenty of parents can get behind the idea of lugging kids around in a Dutch box bike. But when it comes down to it, the cost of entry is so high, and the bikes are so big and unwieldy that it is usually pretty hard to justify. Enter Taga, the company that developed a convertible stroller that could do double or even triple duty as a kid-hauling bike or cargo bike.
They’ve now developed a new iteration that simplifies things a bit, but still keep all of the good bike functionality. In the process the new Taga 2.0 drops in price by around a third, putting it in reach for a lot more cyclists. Taga took their new family bike to Kickstarter to get it off the ground, and has had a pretty unbelievable response. See how you can get in on the action too, plus full details on the bike after the break…
Taga thought they would use Kickstarter to gauge interest in the new Taga 2.0 bike, and in less than 24 hours they had already been backed for over $1 million, 10x their funding target. Since then, the Taga 2.0 has continued to draw in supporters. Needless to say, this project is going ahead. And since Taga already has experience developing and producing their similar convertible stroller/bike, it’s a pretty low-risk Kickstarter to get in on.
Taga wanted a new and more affordable option for parents looking for an easy-to-use and safe way to get around town with their kids, either shuttling them to school and activities or running errands. Their own convertible stroller Taga bike is a popular option, but at $1500/1600€ it was still priced out of reach of many people.
So the Taga 2.0 pares it down to just the bike functions and goes with a more conventional load box design to drop the price down under $1000. You still get family and cargo hauling flexibility, but at a more manageable price.
Now to the details. The new three-wheeled bike builds in adaptability out of its large steel-reinforced plastic and fabric cargo box, which can include two kids seats that can face forwards or backwards and can be covered with either a light sun shade or an all-weather full-coverage canopy for year-round riding. You can also mount a regular infant car seat to move the little ones safely. The Taga 2.0 also has an optional accessory bar for the cargo hold that lets you attach things to keep the kiddos entertained and actually includes the option for an integrated water gun!
The bike itself is hi-ten steel with a chromoly fork, so don’t expect anything too light. It rolls on 20″ wheels and Kenda slicks, uses a 3 speed Shimano Nexus rear hub to move around and Promax mechanical disc brakes to come to a stop.
The bike has a claimed weight of 22kg/49lbs, and adds another 5kg/11lbs for the cargo box and 3kg/6.5lbs for the kid’s seat. Max rider weight is set at 110kg/240lbs; max kid seat weight of 35kg/77lbs; and max total cargo load of 70kg/154lbs. While not quite as foldable as their previous generation, the 2.0 is still collapsible (with the front and rear frame sections separating and the cargo hold folding down) and can fit into a car’s trunk, once you detach the box and manage its heft.
Plus, in an application that we can all agree electric-assist is made for, an electric motor add-on can turn the Taga into a family moving e-bike. The optional 250W motor claims a 32-45km/20-28mi range on a single 5.5hr charge. It is a standard EU-style speed limited pedal assist setup and adds just $550 at the crowdfunding stage (while it’ll add $800 at retail.)
If you get in on the Kickstarter campaign, a new Taga 2.0 cargo bike will only set you back $650 for the base bike and box. It’ll go for a cool $1000 when it comes to market. Most family accessory setups will then probably total up to another hundred dollars or two, and don’t forget about shipping to get the base bike delivered wherever you are in the world. The Kickstarter runs through the end of July, so you still have some time to decide. Estimated delivery time is slated for October 2016.
