Dutch-style cargo bikes, in which the payload is carried low and in front of the rider, are becoming increasingly popular outside of The Netherlands. That said, they can be pretty pricey (around US$2,000 or more), plus they're a lot of bike to be riding around when they're not carrying anything. Well, that's where The Lift comes in. It lets you temporarily convert your regular bike into a cargo bike as needed, in less than a minute.
You start the conversion process by removing your front wheel, mounting the fork into The Lift's steering mechanism, securing the bike at the bottom bracket, then attaching an extension cable to your front brake (cable-activated brakes are required). From there, you can turn The Lift's front wheel by turning your handlebars, and activate its 160-mm disc brake via your front brake lever.
Once you're done schlepping things around, you just take off The Lift and stick your regular front wheel back on.
Its frame is made from TIG-welded and powder coated chromoly steel, while the cargo box is constructed from UV-protected outdoor grade plywood. Other features include an extra-wide kickstand, a 4-ply thorn-resistant tire, and sealed headset bearings.
If you're interested in snatching one up, The Lift is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of $725 will presently get you one, when and if they reach production. The planned retail price is $899, which is still a lot less than you'd pay for a full-on Dutch cargo bike.
You can see a bike being attached to The Lift, in the following video.
Source: Kickstarter
