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Turn a normal bike into a cargo bike with TreGo – a trolley that replaces your bike's front wheel (+ video)

Can also be used as a trailer to carry heavier loads

A detachable trolley that turns a normal bike into a cargo bike (or more accurately a cargo trike) has almost reached its $80,000 funding goal on Kickstarter in just one week.

BikeBiz reports that the load-carrying trolley started out as an academic project at Jerusalem's Bezalel Academy but designer Yadan Ofir is now looking to start mass production.

TreGo’s big selling point is that it turns an ordinary bike into a cargo bike in seconds. No tools are needed and no permanent modifications need to be made to your bike.

You either pop out the front wheel and replace it with TreGo, or it can be combined with a towing cart kit and used as a trailer. It can also be used as a standalone trolley to take with you on foot.

TreGo’s wheels tilt, allowing you to lean into turns and there are two hydraulic disc brakes, one on each wheel. The brakes are part of the trolley and are controlled by a separate brake lever.

You can carry up to 25kg on the rack or 40kg if you’re towing it.

Brace yourself though. Backers will need to stump up $700 (about £550) to secure themselves a TreGo trolley and the Kickstarter page suggests an eventual retail price of $1,260 (£980).

It does come in a choice of colours though, so that’s something.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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6 comments

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Christian Coan | 5 years ago
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Recent Update:

Despite my repeated valid complaints to the creators regarding the shortfalls of the TreGo.

They have not made any attempt to correct any defects or to even apologize for their use of such low quality components.

Additionally, when I canceled half of my order, they only reimbursed me 1/3 of my investment,

So to add insult to injury, they won't stand behind their product, and they won't give you your money back and they won't even apologize for selling you inexperience, ineptitude, and defective material.

You're on your own.  Buyer beware!

I would never trust any of these three guys again.  

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Christian Coan | 5 years ago
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I finally received my TreGo!

What a disappointment!  After waiting over 10 months for delivery beyond what was promised, I opened the package and was immediately upset with myself for having wasted so much money.

In addition to having been charged over $1200 for this contraption, I was taken aback when the bolts I was tightening were turning the locknuts which were not being held fast by their plastic housing. Hence, there is no way to tighten the bolts without replacing them and the nuts and adding washers.    Great Design !!!!!    Even Better Execution!!     Plastic POS!!!!

Then while riding, the weight of the unit is substantial all by itself despite the aluminum parts, You won't want to actually carry anything as the added weight will make the front of your bike extremely heavy and unmanageable, not to mention dangerous.

Because the front of the bike now has two disc brakes in lieu of one, and because the brakes are positioned lower at the front of the bike, any sudden stopping can easily carry you and your cargo over the handlebars and headlong into the traffic you were trying to avoid. 

Another fault is that the Quick Coupler which is supposed to act as a stand when the TreGo is disconnected from the bike does not stay in an upright position, but it flops around like a wet rag,  so in addition to it's uselessness as a stand, it also makes the connection of the TreGo to your bike difficult at best,  at times almost impossible.

This does not seem to be a good design, and an even worse execution due to the substandard parts used in critical areas.

The most useful aspect of this contraption is how NOT to build something.

The producers ought to be ashamed of themselves for trying to push this on an unsuspecting public. 

Anybody want to buy a TreGo?   I know of one for sale!!

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VonPinkhoffen | 6 years ago
0 likes

No boost axles!? I'm out!!

But seriously, great for those who don't have the space to store a cargo bike and would allow a hefty load when combined with panniers. I might get one for trips to the garden centre etc.

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1961BikiE | 6 years ago
1 like

I like it and as said we'll engineered. Like it for shopping and I'd be more confident on UK roads with one of these rather than towing a trailer. Drivers have enough trouble seeing me on my bike up high. I'd be paranoid with a trailer that someone isn't going to see it and run over/into it. At least having the load close and at the front keeps it in my sight.

Lot of money though compared to a rack and panniers.

Wish them well though.

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DoctorFish | 6 years ago
0 likes

It is hard enough avoiding potholes with one large wheel, let alone two small ones.

 

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CygnusX1 | 6 years ago
3 likes

The engineering looks good, it's one of the better ideas to come to Kickstarter, but ...

1. I'm not sure I would want to trust the little kickstand to keep my forks getting bashed on the ground. 

2. Video only shows a QR attachment, what about bikes with maxles? Do they offer more than one type of fork attachment?

3. It's going up against bike cargo trailers that you can get for between £70 and £300 and which allow you to use your bike as normal once detached.

4. The RRP of £980 is only a few quid short of a full cargo bike, e.g.  http://www.cargobike.co.uk/product/tamar-cargo-trike/ 

 

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