BABBOE CITY
FRAME	Hi-Ten Steel, galvanized and powder-coated
BOX	PEFC Certified European Marine Grade Beech Wood - Pressed & Curved
HEADSET	Sealed
STEM	Stainless steel & Alloy Quill
HANDLEBAR	Alloy City - Swept back
GRIPS	Foam with leather
SEATPOST	Alloy
SEAT	Selle Royale Drifter
BRAKES	Shimano IM-40 Roller Brakes
BRAKE LEVERS	Alloy three finger
SHIFTER	Shimano Nexus 7 Revo
FRONT HUB(S)	Shimano HB-IM40
REAR HUB	Shimano Nexus 7
SPOKES	Stainless steel, 36H, 13G
RIMS	Weinmann Double walled alloy 36H
TIRES	Schwalbe Big Apple 26x2.1 (rear) 20x2.1 (front)
BOTTOM BRACKET	Shimano Cartridge Sealed
CRANKS	TCP Forged, 42T, 170mm
COGSET	Shimano 22T
PEDALS	Steel axle, resin top
KICKSTAND	Integrated spring loaded
RACK	Optional
FENDERS	Galvanized steel, Powder coated
LOCK	ABUS Cafe Lock
LIGHTING	LED battery powered front and rear
STEERING DAMPER	NO
KIDS STEP	Integrated Mouse Holes on either side
SEAT BELTS	2 x Three Point Harnesses
BIKE DIMENSIONS	255 x 65 x 110 cm
BOX DIMENSIONS	+/- 99 x 64 x 50 cm
RIDER CAPACITY	100kg
BOX CAPACITY	80kg

BABBOE	FROM	TO
CITY	5' 3"	6' 4"

Will this take up a lot of space on the road?

Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Babboe is only 110cm wide, leaving plenty of room for other transport users to pass.

Two-wheeled or three-wheeled?

It really comes down to how much of a learning curve you’re OK with. Trikes like the Nihola and Babboe Carve have the lowest learning curve since they are remarkably stable and feature highly intuitive independent steering. Bikes like the Curve are equally stable but require some learning curve in the steering, since the whole box steers and not just the wheels. Two-wheeled bikes don’t have the stability of the third wheel so they build stability through a long wheelbase (Bullitt bikes are the exception here). This requires a bit of a learning curve, especially when riding at slow speeds since the bike can feel a bit wobbly. But, the advantage of a two-wheeled is that it’s terrific for longer rides (less drag) and it feels the most like a regular bike (if that matters).

Should I consider an e-assist cargo bike?

It’s a lot more money but it can be worth it. If you carry a lot of weight up in the box an e-assist really helps. Another reason may be that you commute longer distances or have to deal with hills. When buying a cargo bike we recommend not always thinking about the short-distance errands that constitute most urban life, but also its use for all-day weekend adventures. 

How does this compare to other two-wheeled cargo bikes?

The City competes heavily with other brands like Bakfiets.nl and Wike. The City is very similar in quality to brands like Bakfiets.nl since both use the same durable frames and finishes, internal gears/brakes and European-sourced marine-grade plywood plywood. However, because Babboe flat-packs for shipping, we can put triple the units into a container which lowers the unit cost significantly. We recommend staying away from brands like Wike since they don’t use the same chip and rust-resistant finishes nor the same waterproof of wood.

Can I store it outside?

You bet! All Babboe bikes are built for perpetual outdoor storage. The steel frames are coated with an anti-rust undercoat and the frame features a super-tough and chip-resistant powder-coat. The box is made of marine-grade plywood sourced from Finland meaning it won't rot. And, all the mechanical parts are sealed inside the hubs. That means drum brakes (just like a car) and internal gear hubs.

What is the maintenance like?
Very low! Because the Babboe uses internal gears and internal drum brakes the intervals between tune-ups are few and far between. We recommend oil on the chain and air in the tires every three weeks. We also recommend re-varnishing the wood box every 4-5 years.

Can I put a car seat inside?

You sure can. We recommend the Maxi Cosi brand since Babboe makes a very clever adaptor that bolts to the bottom of the box (which features suspension to reduce strain). The other option is the Babboe Baby Seat which is good for kids from 2-8 months (and takes up far less space). As you move from either of these options we recommend the Babboe Toddler seat which usually covers ages 8 to 18 months.

Can I add more seats?

You sure can! Babboe makes an extra bench that installs easily, bringing the kid count from two to four!

What ’s the rear wheel lock good for?

The rear-wheel lock is a clever design built for short in-and-out errands where finding a locking-pole may take longer than the errand. The rear-wheel lock lets you momentarily lock the bike to itself. It’s great if you need to quickly dash in and out to grab a coffee or at the park having a picnic. 

Can I use this bike for a business?
Absolutely! We have sold the City to many companies, most typically as a high-impact delivery vehicle since it tends to be more efficient than three-wheeled options. The general rule is: if the bike is making money by constantly moving (usually deliveries), consider two wheels. If the bike is making money by stopping and engaging with customers, consider three wheels. Email aaron@curbsidecycle.com if you’re interested in discussing a business solution.

This is expensive! Will it get stolen?

Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and this (unfortunately) makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good U-lock or a chain and your bike will be safe. You can read more about bike theft here.

What’s the warranty?

Five year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, one year on parts (including wood box). Does not include wear and tear