Winther CX Winther

Will this take up a lot of space on the road?

Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Winther is only 85cm wide, leaving plenty of room for other transport users to pass. 

Two-wheeled or three-wheeled?

It really comes down to how much of a learning curve you’re OK with. Trikes like the Winther have the lowest learning curve since they are remarkably stable and feature highly intuitive steering. Two-wheeled bikes don’t have the stability of the third wheel so they build stability through a long wheelbase (Bullitt bikes are the exception here). This requires a bit of a learning curve, especially when riding at slow speeds since the bike can feel a bit wobbly. But, the advantage of a two-wheeled is that it’s terrific for longer rides (less drag) and it feels the most like a regular bike (if that matters).  The advantage of three-wheels is that they are simply more stable, and thus, more safe. 

How does this compare to other three wheeled cargo bikes?

It really comes down to steering. There are three types of steering for trikes: pivot steering, independent steering, and tilt steering. Tilt steering can be found on performance bikes like the Butchers and Bicycles MK1E and is designed for high speed cornering. Independent steering is found on bikes like Nihola. This is designed for highly reactive handling in cities, but isn’t designed for high speed cornering because Nihola would view high-speed cornering in the city as fundamentally unsafe (they have a point). Winther uses pivot steering. This isn’t quite as reactive as Nihola steering, but in the case of Winther, it’s pretty darn close. Pivot steering means that the whole box steers rather than just the wheels. Most Dutch bikes use pivot steering but also use heavy wood boxes, making the handling feel quite heavy. The lightweight ABS plastic box on the Winther makes for handling very much on par with Nihola models and many of our customers have said they can’t tell the difference.

Can I store it outside?

You bet! All Winther bikes are built for perpetual outdoor storage. The aluminum frames are naturally rust-resistant and yet are still coated with a super-tough and chip-resistant powder-coat. And, all the mechanical parts are sealed inside the hubs. 

What is the maintenance like?
Very low! Because the Winther uses internal gears and hydraulic disc brakes the intervals between tune-ups are few and far between. We recommend oil on the chain and air in the tires every three weeks. 

What ’s the rear wheel lock good for?

The rear-wheel lock is a clever design built for short in-and-out errands where finding a locking-pole may take longer than the errand. The rear-wheel lock lets you momentarily lock the bike to itself. It’s great if you need to quickly dash in and out to grab a coffee or at the park having a picnic. 

This is expensive! Will it get stolen?

Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and this (unfortunately) makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good U-lock or a chain and your bike will be safe. You can read more about bike theft here.

What’s the warranty?

Five year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, two years on Shimano e-assist and one year on parts (including wood box). Does not include wear and tear.