Description
Specs
Size Guide
Brand
FAQ

The Babboe Big is probably the best selling cargo bike in the world and with good reason. It's well built, maintenance free, stable, easy to ride and best of all: affordable. Cargo bikes lend themselves to family engagement so you can start to enjoy not only the city in which you live, but your passengers up front.

The Big is a classic three wheeled "bakfiets" with a traditional box-steering mechanism; a cargo bike for those looking for sure-footed stability at a price that won't break the bank. The cargo box capacity is a whopping 100kg and comfortably sits four little ones on the two benches with ample room left over for cargo. The frame itself can accommodate riders between the heights of 5’, 4” and 6’, 4” with a quick adjustment of the saddle height and even the handlebar adjusts so you get the perfect fit.

Supplied with maintenance-free components and durable materials throughout, the Big keeps repairs to a minimum. Dependable Shimano roller brakes and Sturmey Archer drum brakes and the brilliant Shimano Nexus 7 speed internal geared hub means no worries year-round. The rest of the spec does not disappoint with a frame manufactured from tough galvanized steel that has a chip-resistant powder-coated finish and a marine-grade beech plywood box. The Big has been extensively tested by the German TÜV for safety and durability making it one of the safest cargo bikes on the road and is designed for perpetual outdoor storage and is a true four-season workhorse.

Classic "Bakfiets" three wheeled family cargo bike
Traditional box-steering mechanism. Stability is paramount
Upright “Dutch” riding position for all day comfort and visibility
Room for four little ones with dual three-point harnesses on two facing folding benches
Tough galvanized steel frame with a chip-resistant powder-coated finish
Marine grade beech plywood box
Shimano Nexus 7 internal gearing are extremely low maintenance and efficient
Shimano Roller and Sturmey Archer Drum brakes
Designed for perpetual outdoor storage
Fully enclosed chain guard to keep clothing looking fresh
Optional Rain Tent and Sun Shade for four season comforts
Maximum Capacity: 200kg (Box=100kg, Rider=100kg)
PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE

BABBOE BIG
FRAME	Hi-Tensile Steel, galvanized and powder-coated
BOX	Waterproof Latvian Marine Grade Plywood
HEADSET	Sealed
STEM	Stainless Steel quill stem
HANDLEBAR	Steel swept back
GRIPS	Leather with foam core
SEATPOST	Alloy micro adjust
SEAT	Selle Royale Drifter Comfort
BRAKES	Sturmey Archer XL-FD Drum front & Shimano Roller rear
BRAKE LEVERS	Alloy three finger
SHIFTER	Shimano Nexus 7
FRONT HUB(S)	Sturmey Archer XL-FD
REAR HUB	Shimano Nexus 7
SPOKES	Stainless steel, 36H, 13G
RIMS	Weinmann Double walled alloy 36H
TIRES	Kenda 26x2.125 (rear), Kenda 20x2.125 (front)
BOTTOM BRACKET	Shimano Cartridge Sealed
CRANKS	TCP Forged, 42T, 165mm
COGSET	Shimano 22T
PEDALS	Steel axle, resin top
KICKSTAND	None
RACK	Galvanized steel & powder coated - Max 25kg
FENDERS	Galvanized steel &Powder coated
LOCK	Abus Cafe Lock
LIGHTING	LED battery powered - 2 front and rear
STEERING DAMPERS	Gas assisted
ANTI TIP SYSTEM	Yes
KIDS STEP	Multiple Step Ups
SEAT BELTS	4X Three Point Harnesses
BENCHES	Two - Folding
BIKE DIMENSIONS	217 x 88 x 110 cm
BOX DIMENSIONS	+/- 90 x 58 x 53 cm
RIDER CAPACITY	100kg
BOX CAPACITY	100kg
WEIGHT

BABBOE BIG	FROM	TO
	5' 4"	6' 4"

BABBOE COMPANY HISTORY: Babboe is Europe's largest cargo bike manufacturer and you only have to spend five minutes in Holland to see five or six ride by. No one understands quality like the Dutch, or for that matter, thrift. In Holland, spending money is an act of saving money. Things are made to last, and while they may cost a bit more, they also don't cost a fortune. So, while more expensive brands exist with more bells and whistles, Babboe provides a high quality, low maintenance, rust resistant platform that features marine-grade impact-resistant boxes and Yamaha e-assist motors (which are the very best).

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 trikes?

Like other brands (Christiana, Winther, Wike) the Babboe Curve steers by swinging the whole box left or right. The Babboe features a much safer box (more coverage) than brands like Winther, a much more weather resistant frame and box than brands like Wike, and a much lighter and better feeling ride than brands like Christiana. And, because Babboe is the largest cargo bike maker in the world, the price is quite reasonable.

How does this bike compare to the Babboe Curve?

In Holland, people generally use two-wheeled bikes for kids and three-wheeled bikes for business or bulk cargo. The Big is a business bike design that’s been adapted to kid carrying whereas the Curve is a more thoughtful approach to kid-carrying. The curved wood of the Curve means there are no sharp edges as kids jump in and out. The pivot on the Curve is placed a little closer to the rider, lending a bit of a zippier feel than the Big. And finally, the Curve uses Shimano Roller brakes instead of Sturmey Archer drum brakes, basically a touch more power and more long-term serviceability.

Can I use this bike for a business?
The Big shares the same chassis as the Transporter and the Dog and yes, this bike is fantastic for business since the various boxes are highly modifiable or easily replaced with a custom box. Typically, the business using the Big is what we call a “mobile kiosk,” a bike designed to engage with customers as it moves from place to place. Email eric@curbsidecycle.com if you’re interested in discussing a business solution.

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. 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?

Nope. Only on the Curve and the City. However, the Babboe Baby Seat fits perfectly and is great for kids from 2-8 months (and takes up far less space than a car seat anyways). As you move from either of these options we recommend the Babboe Toddler seat which usually covers ages 8 to 18 months.

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.

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

THINKING OF BUYING A BABBOE? READ OUR BLOG POST WHY BABBOE?

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