Does your cargo no longer fit in the cargo box? Then you have three options. You can use the cargo box more efficiently, add a carrier or bag that stays within that accessory’s weight limit, or adjust your schedule by splitting your trips or using a second cargo bike. Loading the cargo box heavier or higher than intended is not an option. For the CargoX, the limit is a maximum of 100 kg in the cargo box. That limit remains in place, no matter how efficiently you stack your load.
First, check: Do you have too little space or too little load capacity?
Anyone looking for extra cargo space for a commercial cargo bike will run into one of two problems: not enough volume or too much weight. That difference determines the solution.
- Volume shortfall; weight well below the limit. For example, you might be transporting large but lightweight boxes. A better layout or an extra rack for lightweight items could help here.
- Weight close to the limit. More space won't solve anything, because you're already at the limit. The solution here lies in your planning.
- Both are tight. In that case, you're consistently handling more than a single trip can handle. Splitting the load or scaling up is the obvious solution.
Not sure? Weigh a representative shipment for a week—for example, using a luggage scale to weigh each crate or box. That way, you can see whether these are occasional spikes or part of a consistent pattern. If you’d like to know what typically fits inside first, read how much fits in a 100-cm container. For the basics on weight, check out the payload capacity of a commercial cargo bike and the payload capacity of an electric cargo bike.
Securing extra cargo without crossing the line
Are you mainly short on space? Then start with what you already have. An extra accessory comes later.
First, get more out of the container itself
The CargoX has a cargo area that is 100 cm long and 70 cm wide, with a non-slip floor. Loose boxes of various sizes quickly leave gaps. If you use crates or boxes that fit the cargo area exactly, you’ll make better use of the space and everything will be more stable.
Place heavy items at the bottom and as close to the center as possible; place light items on top. If you're driving in the rain, a box cover will keep the load dry and secure. To learn how to secure loose packages, read Securing Packages in Your Cargo Bike.
A carrier or bag for light overflow
A luggage rack, crate, or bag can hold light items that no longer fit in the basket. Please note: such accessories have their own weight limits. One example is the Cargo Tray from the bicycle brand Tern. It can According to Tern, it can carry up to 30 kg and meets the ISO standard for luggage racks. That number applies to that product on a Tern bike and says nothing about what a carrier on your cargo bike can handle.
To see which carriers and bags are currently available, check out the accessory shop. Check with a dealer to see if an accessory fits your CargoX and how the additional weight compares to the bike’s total weight capacity. It’s better to have that combination verified by a professional rather than estimating it yourself.
What you better leave
- Stack the cargo higher than the edge of the container without securing it.
- Items that stick out sideways beyond the frame. This makes your bike wider than you're used to, and you'll notice it when passing bollards and through narrow passages.
- If you plan to drill holes yourself or attach structures to the bed or frame, check first to see how this will affect your warranty and insurance.
| Option | Helps with | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Organize Your Oven More Efficiently | Volume Deficit in Individuals of Normal Weight | Heavy at the bottom, everything secured |
| Carrier or bag | Slight overlap | What is the accessory's weight limit, and will it fit on your bike? |
| Splitting Trips | Weight close to or above the limit | Plan charging times and route |
| Second cargo bike | A structural increase in cargo volume or the number of delivery addresses | Additional rider, parking, and fees |
What happens if you end up taking more than you're supposed to?
A cargo bike that's being ridden beyond its limits handles differently. You don't always notice it right away, but it does make a difference when it counts.
- Braking requires more space. In a loading guide for one of its cargo bikes, Tern states that with a heavy load you need extra time and space to slow down and stop. The manufacturer recommends braking earlier and more gently, especially at intersections. The heavier the vehicle, the more important this becomes.
- The center of gravity will shift higher. A load stacked high makes the bike more sensitive when cornering and in crosswinds.
- The cargo will shift. A full, overloaded container leaves little room to secure items properly.
- Parts are being put through more. The frame, tires, and brakes are designed to handle a certain load. If you exceed that load, you can't count on them to perform as intended.
The CargoX is equipped with Tektro hydraulic brakes, designed to provide controlled braking even when fully loaded. “Fully loaded” here means: within the 100 kg limit in the cargo box. If you exceed that limit, you can’t count on them working properly. Be sure to review your warranty and insurance terms and conditions to see what they say about overloading.
When Splitting Rides Is a Smarter Choice
If you’re consistently at capacity, the question isn’t how to carry more. The question is how to carry less per trip. Splitting the load is the obvious solution if you recognize one or more of these signs:
- You weigh around or above 100 kg more often than you do below that weight;
- You regularly stack things over the edge;
- Loading and securing the cargo takes longer than the trip itself;
- Your route takes you through busy intersections where you often have to brake hard.
A practical approach is to take a round trip with a stop at your workshop, store, or warehouse. That way, you can restock halfway through instead of carrying everything at once. The CargoX has a range of up to 80 km. How much of that you actually get in practice depends on your load, route, and conditions, so plan with a margin. Tips for organizing your stops can be found in Planning a delivery route with a cargo bike.
European pilot projects demonstrate that intermediate stops in the city are being tested and used in practice. The European Commission’s Urban Mobility Observatory describes that Many cities are testing or using micro-hubs for last-mile deliveries by cargo bike. In the Berlin BentoBox pilot, more than 650 deliveries were made within three months—either for pickup by customers or for last-mile delivery—mostly by cargo bike. Your own distribution hub doesn’t have to be that big. The principle is the same: shorter trips from a location closer to your customers.
Second cargo bike or other use
Do you have more cargo every day than one cargo bike can handle, or do you want to make more stops each morning? In that case, getting a second cargo bike often makes more sense than overloading the first one. Two riders can split the load, and if one is unavailable, your schedule won’t come to a complete standstill.
Having multiple bikes does raise some questions about storage, charging, maintenance, and who rides which bike. You can read more about that in manage a cargo bike fleet. Don't want to make a one-time investment? You can lease the CargoX through New Mobility Lease, available to self-employed individuals and businesses. You can start your application via the Lease Page.
In short: if you need more space, look in the container and in your schedule—not beyond the limit.
Test it with your own load
Not sure whether an extra rack, a different configuration, or a second bike would work best for your rides? Bring your actual load with you and Schedule a test drive at a dealership. That way, you can feel how the bike brakes and handles with your crates, and you can ask right away which accessories fit your CargoX.
