Bicycles For Freighting

[NC Ken]

In my youth I did a tour in Vietnam, and on several occasions ran across bicycles used by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) to transport food and ammunition along Laotian trail networks, which varied from hard-packed and easy going to barely passable mud and rock tracks in the mountains.  These were very sturdy and substantial bikes modified for hauling freight of considerable weight for considerable distances.

I am doing some research on the use of bicycles used as freighters, and wonder if anyone has any experience or insights along these lines.

Thanks in advance.

[pptouring]

Surly Big Dummy

[Shane]

[whittierider]

I expect that's Gimped or Photoshopped though.

Otherwise:
http://www.xtracycle.com/freeradical/
http://www.ibike.org/library/bike-manufacturers.htm (scroll down to "Cargo Bikes, Cargo Trailers & Infant Trailers Technology")


Instead of using the bike for freight, how about trailers?  www.bikesatwork.com looks great:



(Yes, that's a refrigerator and file cabinets.)

Also:
http://www.bicycletrailers.com/Bicycle-Cargo-Trailer/Cargo-Trailers/index.cat
http://www.biketrailershop.com/
http://www.biketrailerblog.com/2008/07/bike-trailer-brands/
http://www.burley.com/products/cargo-utilities/nomad.cfm
http://cycletote.com/index.php?page=productsTouring
http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/index.php
http://www.carryfreedom.com/Y-Frame.html
http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bicycle_trailers.htm
http://www.catoregon.org/ (scroll down)
http://www.quik-pak.com/
http://www.tonystrailers.com/ (includes a tent-trailer!)

[sanuk]

Wonder what the reaction would be if that Chinese camper bike rolled up at a US national park and asked for a hiker/biker site?

[NC Ken]

Thanks for the inputs.  Some great links there, as well.  Amazing photos.