A brief look at the history of bicycle wheels and their adaptation for cargo bikes

Historical background

More than 200 years have passed since the invention of the bicycle. The very first bicycles (from 1817) were made of environmentally friendly material – wood. And the wheels were created using the same technology as the wheels of horse..

Even penny-farthing bicycles (with a huge front wheel with pedals and a small rear wheel) in the 70s of the nineteenth century had rigid metal wheels.

That all changed in 1888 when Scottish inventor Dunlop invented and patented the rubber pneumatic tire. Inflatable tires made cycling comfortable, and contributed to the popularity of bicycles in later history.

The familiar bicycle design (wheels of the same size with steel spokes, chain drive on the rear wheel, saddle in the center of the frame) appeared in 1884 in England. It was brought to life by inventor and entrepreneur John Kemp Starley. The model was called “Rover” and bicycles of this design were called “safe”.

The next hundred years of bicycle improvement followed the trend of this safe design, materials were changed and design units were finalized.

Modern wheels

On modern bicycles, the classic wheel design is settled: rim-hub-metal spokes. On the rim is a protective tape (names rim tape), then comes the tire.

For adult sport bikes (MTB format) now the most common wheel sizes is 29“, for road and hybrid bikes 28” or 700C. Material for rims: steel (heavy duty), aluminum alloy (the vast majority of models), carbon (sport models).

There are also options for cast rims and spokes at once, made of  magnesium on ultra cheap or rental bikes. They are heavier than the abovementioned variants.

Why do cast wheels lose out to spokes?

• They are heavier if aluminum alloy is used
• They are much more expensive if carbon is used.
• Increased sailing in side winds.
• They have a higher moment of inertia, impairing acceleration dynamics.
• Impossibility to correct rim bending, unlike spokes.

There are attempts to get rid of spokes in general and make the wheels hollow, without a center hub. It is technically possible to do this, but how to do it cheaply and reliably has not yet been invented. Beyond the impressive but impractical concept bikes (Nulla, Cyclotron, and so on), the matter has not progressed to mass production.

Tubeless wheels

MTB bicycle wheels are gradually adopting the tubeless technology that has won out over car wheels.

This technology requires a specially designed rim, a rim tape, a tire and a sealant that is injected inside the wheel. Getting rid of the rubber chamber inside the wheel, it seems to be convenient and easier, but there are its own peculiarities of operation.

First about the pluses of the operation of tubeless wheels:

• Most of the small annoying punctures are no longer happening
• No “snake bites” when the rim punctures the tube.
• Ability to set low pressure for better road contact
• Tubeless wheels are lighter

And cons:

• Special tubeless tires, rims and sealant are more expensive in total than tubeless wheels
• More difficult to install with high pressure
• You’ll have to carry a tube to repair a large tire cut.
• tyre pressure needs to be adjusted more often due to micro leaks
• Servicing tires with sealant is not the cleanest job

Airless tires

Engineers’ imagination on the subject of getting rid of tire tubes has been running wild in recent years. They’re adding things to the tube and instead of the tube to the rim. Inserts made of porous materials, springs, rotating plastic wheels, etc.

For example, the budget version of (perforated) airless tires for the bike. They are made of thermoplastic elastoplast and work in a wide range of temperatures. Such technology has migrated to bicycles from the wheels of scooters.

But whether the comfort of riding on ordinary pneumatic wheels can be compared with such non-punctured wheels is a big question.

Another interesting variant from the American company Britek is Energy Return Wheel. Instead of a camera there are springs from elastic rubber, which keep potential energy in the wheel, returning it like a slingshot.

But mass adoption of airless technology in bicycles has yet to be seen.

Cargo bike wheels

Cargo bikes, especially long-tail models like the Bike43, have wheels that differ significantly from standard bicycles to accommodate the extra weight, load stability, and specific handling needs. Here are some typical and critical aspects:

Strength and durability

Cargo bikes need stronger wheels to handle the additional weight from cargo and passengers. This is especially important for the rear wheel on longtail bikes, which often supports the majority of the load.

Wheels on cargo bikes often feature reinforced rims and thicker spokes (typically 13-14 gauge spokes), designed to withstand higher stress and prevent bending or breaking under heavy loads.

Rims are made wider to accommodate wider tyres, and they are also made stronger because a wider tyre inflated at high pressure increases the stress levels in the rims.

Wheel size

Many cargo bikes, particularly long-tail models, use a combination of smaller rear wheels and larger front wheels. For instance, a 24-inch front wheel and a 20-inch rear wheel. This smaller rear wheel lowers the bike’s center of gravity, enhancing stability, especially when fully loaded.

Smaller wheels also provide more torque and stronger support for heavier loads but may increase the rolling resistance compared to larger wheels.

Tire width

Cargo bikes generally use wider tires (2.0–2.5 inches or more) to provide better traction, shock absorption, and stability and strength when carrying heavy loads. The extra width also offers improved grip and control over different terrains, essential when riding on rough surfaces or in urban areas with uneven roads.

Wider tires are also inflated to a lower pressure, increasing comfort for the rider and passengers, while also helping distribute the weight more evenly.

Puncture protection

Tires on cargo bikes often come with extra puncture protection (like Kevlar lining) since they are expected to carry more weight and traverse various terrains, making punctures more problematic.

Cargo bike tires are designed for durability over long distances and with high loads, so longevity is critical.

Disc brakes and hub compatibility

Due to the higher weight, cargo bikes often require disc brakes, which are more powerful and reliable than rim brakes. Wheels must be designed to accommodate these braking systems, particularly in high-end electric cargo bikes, where additional stopping power is essential.

Hub spacing on cargo bikes might differ, as they may need to accommodate larger, stronger hubs, especially for bikes equipped with electric assist motors.

Electric hub motor compatibility

If the cargo bike is electric (e.g., with a rear hub motor or mid-drive system), the wheels need to be designed to handle the additional torque from the motor.

Some wheels on electric cargo bikes, like the Bike43, need to integrate with mid-drive motors (e.g., Bosch or Shimano), which put additional stress on the rear wheel.

Weight distribution and stability

Cargo bikes are designed to handle asymmetrical loads (more weight in the rear), so the wheels must provide greater stability under these conditions. This is also why many cargo bikes have longer chainstays or wheelbases compared to normal bikes.

In short, cargo bike wheels are specifically built for strength, load capacity, and durability to handle heavy-duty transportation, unlike normal bikes, which focus more on speed, agility, and lighter loads. These characteristics ensure that cargo bikes remain safe, efficient, and comfortable even when heavily loaded.