Swapfiet - The cheap man's family cargo bike?
Swapfiet review - a bit of a fudge but a workable and economical alternative for a commute with a bigger toddler
To cargo or not to cargo
Despite loving the simplicity of the Buzzbike, anyone who moves a child around London by bike will come to a point when they are just too heavy for an ordinary bike.
We have reached that point and had to move on, but to what? The roads of Hackney and Islington are packed with cargo bikes of all varieties, from the purity of young couriers on Bullitt bikes to parents on £5,000 Tern GSDs to amazing bikes which appear to have a small shed on the front.
But due to a compromise of cost and size and also delaying making a decision, I have gone for a bit of a kludge, a brilliant Swapfiet electric bike with a kid's seat screwed on the back and a huge basket on the front. It might not be pretty, but it is getting the job done.
Swapfiet - Who they are and what do they offer
You have probably seen Swapfiets bikes around (big blue tyre on the front wheel). They are a Dutch bike rental company with operations across Europe. Apparently, London is one of their biggest market outside of the Netherlands. I suspect this is due to the bikes being popular with both middle-class people who like the look of the Dutch-style pedal bike and Uber/deliveroo delivery guys who love the electric version.
As with Buzzbike, Swapfiets offer a subscription-based model. You pay a monthly fee to rent a high-quality, custom-made Dutch-style bike. The great thing, in my opinion, is subscription includes regular maintenance and repairs, although not insurance.
I have used the bike for the last six months, communing five days a week from Fish Island to Clerkenwell to drop Violet at nursery and then on to work in Bloomsbury. A journey of between 24 and 45 minutes each way, depending on the route.
Swapfiet - The bike
The bikes are distinctive; in addition to the blue tyre, they are all dDutchtch style bikes - upright riding position, comfy saddle, large. They are manufactured in the Netherlands, and they seem high-quality and durable, although we did have to get a saddle replaced.
The upright riding position seems to have several advantages. It's comfortable; you can speak to the little passengers in the back (as long as they aren't in a mood). But most of all, I like being as big as possible when riding with Violet. I want drivers to see us.
The bikes come in several colours and sizes. However, the Power 7 ebike, which we went for, only comes in black. I had only ever ridden a Lime Bike before, so my experience of e-bikes was quite limited. But I found it pretty easy; the oddest thing about the bike is probably the main break, which is operated by pushing backwards on the pedal. At first, it seemed very odd, but I soon got used to it and have come to see its strengths.
I think the most obvious and the thing that defines the Power 7 is that it's massive, really, really huge. It also weigts a ton. Now I'm 6'3", and its pretty big for me, do not rent this bike if you are short. But luckily, some of the other bikes available are smaller.
The weight also means that a lot of the motor's power is devoted to moving around the huge weight. It gives you assistance up to 22 Km/jouse. But it's hard to get it much faster than that.... especially with a heavy three-year-old on the back. It doesn't have that fun kick of power the Lime Bikes have.
Now, I never thought I would have a basket, but again, I have come to love it. It is brilliantly handy just to be able to chuck a bag in the front. Swapfiet will provide a sturdy metal basket (at an extra cost). It's amazing how much you can fit in it (see embarrassing photo).
The bike comes with a built-in lock. At first, I thought this was a bit of a gimmick. But again, it's great. The lock is integrated into the bike frame and consists of two elements: a wheel lock and a chain. That said, I also tend to take the battery out when I park on the street.
How does it work
Cost
I thought the costs seemed pretty reasonable. The current monthly cost for the Power 7 e-bike is £79.90 per month. But remember, you pay a bit extra for a basket, and then there are some other upfront costs.
They always seem to have special offers, especially on the Power 7. I got a 15% discount for the first six months and no upfront membership fee. Full pricing is on their website.
Ordering and picking up
Super easy, I booked online and arranged to do a test ride two days later in their shop in Spitalfields. The team member was knowledgeable and attentive. Despite it being a busy day, I was able to take the bike out for a 15-minute test drive.
I signed up and was able to take the bike home there and then. Just remember your photo ID.
Repairs
One of the main reasons for renting a bike like this is the ease of maintenance and repair, which is all included in the fee. We haven't needed to use it much as the bike is sturdy, but as I mentioned, a saddle broke; I phoned and was able to get it replaced within an hour.
Conclusion
So to conclude, the bikes seem well-made, comfortable, and designed for everyday use. With the basket on the front and a seat on the back, they make a pretty good temporary alternative to a more traditional family cargo bike.
I am not saying it's as good as a Tern, and it won't last much longer. But then it only got £70 a month and saved us a fortune in the cost of busses and trains. Plus, there is no worry about maintenance and repair. But one thing you will need some gear for colder weather; who knew you could buy a pink ski mask
Chris Lloyd
