I have a new obsession.
I’m in love with cargo bikes.
More specifically, I’m in love with the Monopole No 01 Cargo Bike.
Why?
Because it’s a practical mode of transportation that raises its usefulness because of the extra space that you can load stuff on in front.
That’s basically it.
So, how’d this happen?
Window Shopping for Bicycles
My son is 3-years-old right now.
He’ll be 4 in a few days.
At 4, he should have his own bicycle. Ideally. That’s how I envision it.
I know what I’m getting him. I already have it earmarked for me to buy once we get back home to Davao.
Oh yeah, we’re in Manila right now and he can’t have a bike here because it’s too dangerous.
Now, I’d also like to get in on some bicycle fun when he goes riding but I’m looking at more practical options for myself.
Ok So What Do I Need?
- A practical bike that I can use for both work and leisure – I’ve owned several bikes all throughout my life and they were mostly for leisure. My priorities have changed and I would like something
- A bike that can handle heavy loads – every Saturday, I throw out the garbage and lugging it from the house to the recycling area 3 blocks away can be tiresome and hard on my fingers. Being a musician, I would like to save my fingers from unnecessary stress.
- A bike that looks good – I would love to have a practical bike that looks good. I guess every bicycle owner wants that. But then again, what could look cool to you may not really appeal to me and vice versa…
- An affordable bike – I should be able to justify the purchase of this bike because I’m going to put it through its paces.
So, I went online and eventually chanced upon what is probably the coolest bicycle for this day and age. Well, at least to me.
The Monopole No 01 Cargo Bike
The Monopole No 01 Cargo Bike
If bikes had personalities, this one would be the friendly neighbor who’s always ready to help you carry stuff from point A to point B. the cool, lean but muscular neighbor everyone has a crush on.
The “man” that all the housewives step out of their homes for just to witness his wiry frame while he lugs the garbage from the driveway to the street corner.
Yeah…
With that in mind, what does the monopole have to offer?
The idea for the Monopole bicycle came from founders Nicola Stäubli and Daniel Freitag who enjoy the cycling lifestyle. When asked to define what a bike was, Nicola came up with the very basic design of a tube connecting the front and rear wheels.
Hence the name monopole.
At first glance, it doesn’t really look that different from a regular bike until you reach the front part. That’s where the main difference between this cargo bike and a regular bike becomes more evident.
In front, you have an extended portion which is effectively camouflaged by the carrying platform if you have a crate on top of it.
Other than that, there’s really not much that would make it seem odd to the regular person who sees it.
Monopole Cargo Bike Specs
I just got this from the The Radavist website because the spec sheet on the official Monopole website is kind of confusing…
- S, M, L sizing. Large reviewed here
- Multiple color options
- Frameset: $2,680 (or around Php 140,000.00)
- Built with a belt drive singlespeed: $4,780 (or around Php 240,000.00)
- Built with Mahle X35 e-bike system electric assist, Pinion, Dynamo, fenders, and more: $7,180 (Php 370,000.00)
- Mini Velo Cargo: 24″ rear wheel, 20″ front wheel
- Modular drivetrain: Pinion® gearbox or BSA adapter
- Purpose-built: Interchangeable cargo racks – Shopper Rack or Platform Racks available – and a total payload of 160kg
- Innovative: Precise steering via a toothed belt by Gates®
- Long-lasting: Made of aerospace-quality steel
- European: Swiss design, handcrafted in France
Ok… so everything in my wish list checks out except for the price… that price tag is just beyond what I would be able to pay for right now. But man… those specs, right?
So Help Me Justify my Future Monopole Purchase to my Future Self
It’s cool, does what it’s supposed to do and is suited for fun and hard work.
If I don’t want to use a car or a motorbike, I can just use this for short runs like bringing the garbage to the recycling center or go to the bakeshop to buy some bread.
And if my son wants to go riding on his bike, I can use this and not look too out of place.
Maybe I’ll even get a few admiring looks from bike enthusiasts who know what it is.
Oh if i was only more affordable…
Alright, that’s enough daydreaming for now… time to bring the kid to the pool and get a few laps in.
