FAQ
Materials
Front brakes
The type of front brake to be fitted to your Christiania bike varies according to your needs. We offer either mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotor. Both the mechanical and the hydraulic disc brake have a direct and very powerful braking performance. Alternatively, it is also possible to mount mechanical roller brakes as a front brake. The roller brake requires minimal maintenance, will not tend to make noise and has a smoother braking action.
Lights
For all cargo bikes with an electric auxiliary motor, two integrated headlights are mounted under the box. Each headlight is StvZO, CE, RoHS certified, has a power of 1.2 watts, provides 40 Lux with a visibility of 150 meters.
Tires
We fit black CST tires with reflectors on all our cargo bikes. The tire is 24×2.15 (55-507) and can carry up to 145 kg. It has a TPI of 60 and is produced with the highest possible anti-puncture properties including double woven carcass, thin layer of aramid fiber and 3mm anti-puncture layer. The tire is designed for cargo bikes with anti-puncture level 7 and is ECE-R75 approved.
Theft
Prevent your Christiania bike from being stolen
Get an approved lock that is permanently mounted on the bike.
Buy an extra chain lock
Lock the cargo bike to something solid.
Save your paperwork after you have bought the cargo bike.
Take a photo of the cargo bike and of the VIN number.
Personalize your cargo bike.
Insurance
We recommend taking out insurance for your model. In the unfortunate event that your model is stolen, insurance companies will usually require you to provide the frame number of the bike and your receipt. Contact your insurance company for more information.
Maintenance
Where can I get my model serviced?
We recommend having our models serviced by one of our authorized dealers. You can find dealers near you here.
How often should my model be serviced?
Of course, how often your model needs servicing depends on various factors. For example, if your model is used in a hilly area or used to transport heavy loads on a daily basis, your model will need servicing more often as the brakes are under more stress. Our general advice is to have your model serviced twice a year.
Tyres and wheels
All tires are inspected for wear and holes. All tires should have a pressure of between 4 - 6 bar. Check the wheels for both loose spokes and play in the wheel bearings. If the spokes are loose, they should be tightened by your dealer. If there is play in the wheel bearings, have the wheel checked by your dealer as soon as possible.
General maintenance
The frame, wheels and box etc. are regularly washed and cleaned of dirt. Wipe the parts with a damp cloth. Avoid dirt in joints. Check regularly for loose parts and have them tightened by a bicycle dealer if necessary.Lubricate all visible moving parts: cables, adjustment screws, moving brake parts (NOT brake disks), chain, pedals, bell and lock regularly with bicycle oil. Screws, threads and axles can also benefit from a few drops of oil, and the chain should be tightened if necessary.
Maintenance of wood
Wipe the inside and outside of the box with a damp cloth. The box can be sealed with a thin film of linseed oil applied with a cloth; the bench is also sealed with linseed oil, also in the grooves of the side panels.
Canopies and cushions
Canopies and cushions can be hand washed in lukewarm water (max. 40°C). Excessive washing weakens the canopy's resistance to water penetration; it is therefore recommended to wipe it lightly with a damp cloth or sponge instead.
Braking systems
The braking system is very important to maintain regularly to keep you, your children and your environment safe. To ensure maximum safety, our braking systems should only be maintained by qualified technicians. Please contact one of our authorized dealers if the braking power is reduced or the braking system brakes unevenly.
Safety conditions
How should the box be loaded
First of all, load the box carefully. We always recommend loading the box - and especially very heavy items - closest to the end (i.e. closest to the handlebar) and lighter items in the front of the box.
General driving guidelines
How you prefer to drive our models is, of course, a matter of individual preference. We recommend the following:
Don't speed - the cargo bike must always be under control.
Sit up straight in curves and allow the front part to swivel.
Do not stand up while driving as the cargo bike may start to sway.
Always drive as straight as possible on up/down ramps.
Do not roll backwards while seated on the bike; this can damage the rear suspension.
Regulatory aspects
How many children can I transport?
The Danish Transport Authority's Bicycle Order states the following:
Chapter 2: § 3. A bicycle shall not be designed for more than three persons. However, in addition, there may be room for up to four children not older than 7 years, cf. § 25.
Chapter 8: § 25. No more persons may be carried on a bicycle than it is designed to carry. Children not older than 7 years may only be carried on the bicycle when a special seat is provided for them.
Paragraph 2. Special seating for children shall be adapted to the weight and height of the child and shall be shielded from the wheels.
Paragraph 3. Children carried on bicycles shall be securely restrained.
Paragraph 4. The carriage of children shall not prevent the driver of the bicycle from having full control of the bicycle or from giving appropriate signals.
Paragraph 5. The driver of the bicycle must be at least 15 years of age when carrying children on the bicycle.
This means that if the children are under 8 years old, the law allows six children on a cargo bike - if it is equipped for it! So there must be a special space for each of the children and they must be buckled in.
For example, you can use our child bench or child seat with harnesses for the children, or you can attach a car seat or lift for the small child.
The driver of the Christianiacycle keeps the child/children safely in front of him/her on the load, so you can keep an eye on them at all times, and the solid box construction provides good protection for the children.
Do we follow directives and standards?
All our electric versions are classified as EPACS (Electrically Power Assisted Cycles) with a maximum speed of 25 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW. This classification means that our electric versions must comply with the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC). To comply with the Machinery Directive, we have chosen to follow the European standard, EN 15194 - and thus also the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. To comply with these directives, we perform our own tests, ensure that our subcontractors comply with the requirements and use independent experts in the field in Denmark.
All our products for children comply with Directive 2005/84/EC, which ensures that children are not exposed to hazardous substances.
Historical facts
Why are we called Christiania Bikes?
Our company was founded back in the seventies in Smedien in Christiania. We started producing bicycles for the residents of Christiania, and therefore it came very naturally to call our models Christiania bikes. When we started exporting our models in the early nineties, we also started using Christiania Bikes, which has subsequently become our registered trademark in virtually the entire world.
When was our first model produced?
The first model we produced was our bicycle trailers. We started producing them in 1972. Our first cargo bike was produced in 1984.
Extension number
Where is the chassis number located?
The frame number is located in different places on our cargo bikes and trailers. On the trailers, the frame number is knocked into the side of the base frame. On the yellow galvanized steel frames, we have knocked the frame number into the left side of the plate that sits between the top and bottom tubes. On aluminum frames for rearDrive or frames for cargo bikes without a motor, the frame number is stamped on a plate under the bottom bracket. On midDrive aluminum frames, the frame number is stamped on the seat tube just above the motor housing.
What is the chassis number?
Every bike and trailer from us has its own unique number, called a frame number. Our frame number consists of our own manufacturer's mark 'CS', a serial number and a year mark. We keep track of all our models using the frame number.
How old is my model?
If you send us your VIN number, we can give you an exact date when your model was produced. You can also find the year yourself by looking at your VIN. The last letter of the frame number indicates the year of manufacture. You can use the following guide to find out when your model was produced. The letters A-Z are used except for I,O and Y.
1985: A
1986: B
1987: C
1988: D
1989: E
1990: F
1991: G
1992: H
1993: J
1994: K
1995: L
1996: M
1997: N
1998: P
1999: R
2000: S
2001: T
2002: U
2003: V
2004: X
2005: Z
2006: A