OMNIUM CARGO BIKE in-depth REVIEW

[@JesseMartindalemakingalivin]

AMAZING REVIEW! I bought my Omnium 1.5 years ago now. Use it daily for everything and do not own a car. When I was researching the bike it was very hard to find videos on all these details. I had to dig around in forums and guess at a lot of things. It was particularly challenging because I went the same route as you and just bought the frame and put it together myself with local parts. I got really lucky and found a local shop that was selling a used recumbant bike with all the same sizeds rims, tires, etc. for only $400! I only had to buy a seat and seat post. If the shipping is going to cost you a bunch, like me (cause I'm in California) then assembling it yourself is the way to go.

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi ! For us the bike is also a replacement of a car, for all the urban transportation needs. I’m curious to know how much does it cost to ship to the US ? and did tou have to pay taxes on top I guess ? and thank for your feedback on the video ! 🙌🏽

[@explosante]

Hi Bicycle Picnic! Great review - I just wanted to add that the Omnium Cargo is the primary cargo-bike of most bike messengers in the world right now, the company was even founded by a bike messenger champion. You can carry 8 full moving boxes if you extend the rack and have rigging so it stays where it is - that is if you're an experienced bike messenger. But I just wanted to let you know, that it IS possible to load it with more and I've carried 100kg, although it was a bit wobbly.

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi! That’s so interesting! I didn’t know the founder was a bike messenger champion. Your message makes me want to research more, thank you!

[@soulslide69]

C'est la 1ere fois que je trouve une vidéo de ce type vraiment intéressante, avec un avis très personnel et remarquablement documenté, argumenté. Merci beaucoup .

[@bicyclepicnic]

Merci beaucoup pour ce beau feed-back 🙌🏽

[@comounaverdura]

Hi. I think another option is to add a front and back rack to a hybrid to use it as a light cargo bike.

[@K1989L]

That was a great review! There is so few videos about the omnium. Good to see a proper review about it.

[@bicyclepicnic]

Cheers 🙌🏽

[@Ferrichrome]

The quality of your video is amazing and I love your city! It is so beautiful! This really captures the joy of riding a bike

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi ! Thank you so much 😊

[@raentmusic]

Great Video! Thank You!!

[@bicyclepicnic]

Glad it helps !

[@nehrutinajero5627]

Great video. I really appreciate the review.

[@friedrichkoenig6687]

I built a Omnium Clone on my own and i use it also for carriing my kids ( 4 and 7 Years) with the original omnium seat ( mounted with quick release) on the front rack.. I could say that the Omnium is really good to carry your kids and its a lot of fun to ride. I built it almost with the same parts like you! Thx for the Video Cheers

[@bicyclepicnic]

I like the QR idea ! So you can take it off easily I imagine. If I have kids I’ll definitely try to use my Omnium as a family cargo. Cheers mate 🙌🏽

[@PrinzEisenherz12]

amazing review

[@JustClaude13]

The chief competition of the Omnium Cargo isn't the Bullit or other Long John bikes. It's bikes like the Bilenky Sherpa or Ridgeback Butcher. The extended cycle truck are different from the other cargo bikes and serve a different purpose. It's closer to the cycle trucks like the Worksman Low Gravity. I'd like to try one, but I'd rather have something with the bottom bracket moved forward, closer to the front wheel, and the rear wheel pushed back to support an extended rear rack like a mid-tail cargo bike. It would be nice to be able to trim the weight distribution fore-and-aft. And the carrying capacity would be incredible.

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi ! Thanks for the valuable information, I will definitely extend the research for next videos. Cheers 🙌🏽

[@migrantfamily]

8:48 it’s true that a low centre of gravity is more stable at low or no speed. However, only a trike can stand still and not fall over. At speed, a higher cog translates to leaning less when turning and making smaller adjustments to maintain balance. Try balancing a broom vs balancing a baseball bat with the heavy and down and you’ll see what I mean.

[@bicyclepicnic]

Good point

[@migrantfamily]

@@bicyclepicnic Thanks for a great review. You give me hope that my dream of an Omnium may well be acheivable without selling vital organs.

[@tuttletuttle1284]

Very nice and helpful review! Thx.

[@TLP388]

That a thorough review! Great job super helpful!

[@bicyclepicnic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@antoinemercier9112]

Hey, did you put the spacers with your BB at 3:37 ? Or is it not needed ?

[@ViperNight7]

Good review, but I disagree with you about "who's this bike for?". It is great for professional use, the founder himself was a bike messenger and it was the primary goal of the omnium. It's just that the bike requires more skills to ride and handle when heavily loaded, but we bike messengers like it because it is so much faster and lighter than any other cargo bike. It also looks way better than the others :)

[@bicyclepicnic]

Yes, I think you’re right it’s just a matter of preferences. If I make another video a out this bike I’ll go deeper on that. Cheers!

[@mountainbikemike]

Agreed, but I don't see why it's harder to handle with more weight. I often have 3 adult women on the front, for a total system weight of 350kg and can ride it one-handed

[@esegeta]

I also have a Classic frame kit and to get a more comfy ride I swapped the rear wheel with a 650b and a chunky tyre!

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hey ! That’s a good idea! What are you able to fit with 650b ?

[@esegeta]

@@bicyclepicnic I got a Maxxis DTR-1 650x47B :)

[@bicyclepicnic]

@@esegeta might do the same

[@jeanguy977]

Salut, Dis moi lorsque l'on reçoit le kit cadre est ce qu'il y a le bouchon de potence et étoile de direction? Le jeu de direction est aussi livré ou non? Merci

[@mastedi]

Nice review. Thanks! What city are you?

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi thanks! This is Brussels, Belgium

[@Christian-fd2ct]

Thank you for this video. Would you mind sharing the component list with us?

[@simonrussell734]

Nice review; I've wanted one of these for a while, but the sizing and availability in Australia are a bit of a problem. I do see them around the place here though so I guess not impossible...

[@bicyclepicnic]

HI ! they are still "smallish" brand, I guess that's why they don't have distribution in Australia. The funny thing is; most good quality frames are welded in Taiwan so in theory they could just ship some directly to Australia

[@simonrussell734]

@@bicyclepicnic Yes, you'd think Australia would be well placed to get all sorts of things given we're right next to all the manufacturing hubs, but somehow we're still too far away from everything :D

[@kostyafedot551]

Thank you for the review. I'm 188m, so it is not for me. Do you have video for how to carry DLSR on the back? I would like to know for my Pentax K3.

[@ianski65]

Well thought out comments 🤙🏽

[@gungfuriceboy]

with the 'gearing'...how does this Cargobike Handle going up 'Steep' hills? ( loaded & unloaded...)...some future footage would be appreciated. Cheers Canada!..i prefer the 'Short-Mini'...with Internal gearing...& gates belt drive!! ( EZ 'maintenance'!! ).

[@Manetty6]

Try a shorter stem. A 50mm or less will give less cargo interference and the same time smoother handling bc of the wide bars. You can move in the brake levers so you can brake with one finger at the tip of the levers. If have enough courage you can try going tubeless. Better comfort, basically you can't get punctures.

[@goldfish75012]

Nice review ! i will get it or the mini max

[@bicyclepicnic]

The mini max is also a pretty good choice, easier to park 😉 and you can also use the extension bar to make the platform longer. Cheers!

[@mountainbikemike]

When was this video made? I bought my Omnium Cargo 4 years ago - now and at that time too there were 4 sizes to choose from.

[@pimsiebers7333]

Hi, thanks for the review. Question. Can you also take the load platform off easily? For instance for more easily loading it in a car or that it takes up less space when parked inside in the hallway?

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi! There are 4 screws that hold the platform in place, they are not super easy accessible. I think it would take me about 10 mins to take it off. I think the system hasn’t been designed for being taken on and off in regular basis, developing a system like that would be genius... i hope that helps 🙂

[@pimsiebers7333]

@@bicyclepicnic Thanks. Just saw a similar bike from a startup company called ten07 cycles today and that has a clever platform indeed. But the Omnium bikes are nice and have been around for a long time.

[@martincattoen8119]

Great work ! I guess I should build my own bike now 🫠

[@nicee_guys]

What have you used for the platform are these just used tubes ?

[@benjamindejonge3624]

All great but no drive shaft option

[@migrantfamily]

I think there’s a strong case for an internal gear hub on a cargo bike.

[@bicyclepicnic]

Absolutely

[@leon1997niklas]

Love this bike! Does anyone know if they still build the normal Classic one? There are none available on their Website :/

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi ! bike shops might still have the older version :) although the new version is quite nice: more tire clearance + through axles + nice color options

[@leon1997niklas]

@@bicyclepicnic thanks! I will then also take a look on the newer model!

[@frostskagg]

Oh, the prices for the frame has increased. But in your price comparison I can't se bottom bracket, headset, or discs ?

[@bicyclepicnic]

Hi ! The head set it’s included with the frameset. The bottom bracket is on the list together with drivetrain components, it was 18€ at the time. I forgot to put the rotors on the list 😓 … anyhow, all prices have gone up 30 to 50% it’s crazy. I know I would never be able to have this build again for the same price

[@frostskagg]

@@bicyclepicnic Ah, sorry. But I did a quick check on some parts. The have fallen (a super sale right now ). But I wonder , was the headset installation easy ? Did you need to put down a crown race ? I'm looking for my options to build or buy complete ;)

[@bicyclepicnic]

@@frostskagg that's good news ! If you find reasonable prices for the components it can totally be cheaper than the complete bike. The headset came already installed, both headsets, the one on little fork at the front and the one head tube (steering). I suppose they still deliver it like that, but if you want to be 100% sure you can send them an email, they are pretty reactive.

[@Larsmoons]

If you ever sell it, let me know!

[@ashpunting]

I would buy the cheaper option and turn it into an electric bike😊

[@bicyclepicnic]

That’s doable 👍🏽