Worksman Cycles of Queens, New York—U.S.-Made Heavy-Duty Cargo Bikes

Part 22 in an ongoing series highlighting Northeast-based gear companies. Living a car-free, bicycle lifestyle has certain limitations. Adding a load-hauling cargo bike to your rack eliminates several of them.

Need to stock up at the grocery store with a week's worth of food for the entire family? No problem. Worksman Cycles manufactures a wide range of heavy-duty bicycles and tricycles that can handle several hundred pounds of cargo.

An article in the Wall Street Journal turned me on to this 115-year-old company (and provides a very entertaining overview of its staff and operations), but was light on details regarding the specific models available. Turns out there are literally dozens of different configurations and styles. Here's a quick overview, though it's well worth the time to browse their site to get a sense of the myriad options, both ultra-functional and outrageously silly. 

Industrial tricycles are the company's specialty. Designed to haul major loads, their super heavy-duty Mover Tricycles feature extra-thick rims ("50% thicker than any other brand"), lots of solid steel components, and extra beefy 3/16-inch chains.

The single-speed Mover Industrial Tricycle M2626-CB ($869, pictured above) is the company's most popular. The large rear platform accommodates several accessories for easier hauling, including a large-capacity rear basket ($129, pictured), as well as an optional front basket ($25 to $35). For $60 more, you can upgrade to a three-speed option (the Mover Industrial Tricycle M2626-3C).

Worksman also offers a range of Front Loader Tricycles, including the standard Model STPT ($899, pictured right), as well as lighter-duty models that are a bit less expensive ($449 to $599).

For those not in need of a load-hauling bike, Worksman produces a line of recreational bicycles and tricycles as well.

Pedal on!

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 21 I've profiled to date:

• Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
• Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
• Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
• New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
• Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
• Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
• Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
• Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
• STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
• Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
• Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)
• New Balance (Boston, Mass.)
• Sterling Rope (Biddeford, Maine)
• Stephenson's Warmlite (Gilford, N.H.)
• Crazeeheads (Port Washington, N.Y.)
• Equinox Gear (Williamsport, Pa.)
• We-Flashy (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Evelo Electric Bicycles (New York, N.Y.) 
• Vargo Outdoors (Lewisburg, Penn.)
• Hubbard Blueberry Rakes (Jonesport, Maine) 
• Wild Things (North Conway, N.H.)

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.