Where can I buy an adult seat for the back of a bicycle?
January 12, 2008 11:35 PM Subscribe
Where can I buy an adult seat for the back of a bicycle (like a boda boda)?
My main transport while in Kenya was riding on the back of a boda boda, and I was hoping that I could buy a seat like that to put on the back of my bicycle here in the US (from online, or I live in SF). My only luck online is to find things that have a 20 or so pound limit, but 200lb guys could ride on the back of boda bodas and be totally fine.
You can see from this picture that the boda boda seat is attached both to the frame under where the main bicycle seat is and then 2 metal attachments to the frame at the same place the back wheel attaches - I presume these latter attachments allow much heavier loads.
Any suggestions? I have no tools or expertise to be able to make it...
My main transport while in Kenya was riding on the back of a boda boda, and I was hoping that I could buy a seat like that to put on the back of my bicycle here in the US (from online, or I live in SF). My only luck online is to find things that have a 20 or so pound limit, but 200lb guys could ride on the back of boda bodas and be totally fine.
You can see from this picture that the boda boda seat is attached both to the frame under where the main bicycle seat is and then 2 metal attachments to the frame at the same place the back wheel attaches - I presume these latter attachments allow much heavier loads.
Any suggestions? I have no tools or expertise to be able to make it...
Thirding. Xtracycle's S.U.B. is the only commercial boda-boda like solution I'm aware of. They're explicit that their product is designed to serve as a seat, too. 200lbs is the upper limit on cargo, according to them, mind.
Slightly OT, and nowhere nearly as simple a solution as a boda-boda, there are adult-sized passenger trailers as well.
posted by mumkin at 11:28 AM on January 13, 2008
Slightly OT, and nowhere nearly as simple a solution as a boda-boda, there are adult-sized passenger trailers as well.
posted by mumkin at 11:28 AM on January 13, 2008
I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for, advice-wise, but why not try to find people who're going to Kenya? Someone might be willing to try tracking one down if you give them hints on how. I sure would if I was making a short trip and didn't have to lug it around for weeks.
posted by soviet sleepover at 3:19 PM on January 13, 2008
posted by soviet sleepover at 3:19 PM on January 13, 2008
Something to be aware of is that the bikes sold in North America are not usually made to carry that much weight, so you'll have to check whan kind of capacity your rear wheel has, and you will probably end up having to get a stronger one (or it will taco if you hit a big bump, as someone else pointed out).
The bikes in developing countries tend to be made much stronger (and, consequently, are much heavier).
posted by Emanuel at 3:51 PM on January 13, 2008
The bikes in developing countries tend to be made much stronger (and, consequently, are much heavier).
posted by Emanuel at 3:51 PM on January 13, 2008
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One day I'm going to get a cheap bike I can bear doing that to, and then I will be king of the beer run, and my back will probably never stop thanking me.
NB: never ever go off a curb with a passenger on the back. Your wheel will taco. When this happens [it will, sadly], go to a bike shop [not a shop that also sells bikes] and let them know what kind of load you're putting on that back wheel.
If the xtracycle is not your style, I recommend just visiting a welding shop [do you have a technical / arts school in your town? They love this stuff] and explaining your needs. Then get some foam and vinyl and upholster it yourself.
It sounds like a fun project.
posted by Acari at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2008