Years ago I built a front loader cargo bike with a bed the size of a sheet of plywood. It was awesome and easy enough to make. Here are photos of a more sensible replica.
Here is a link to the CAD file. I chose a mid BMX bottom bracket because they’re the only bottom bracket I can’t kill in a season, and BMX stuff is both inexpensive and durable. I run it single speed, with a coaster brake. It’s geared super low. Like 24 to 18 low. It’s about 4 feet wide outside the front wheels, so it’s basically a critical mass ride of one. It’s pretty great to haul all of our beach stuff and the kids to the beach too. I don’t know many other bikes that will carry a full cooler.
It has worked great since May. I started with a 26″ wheel on the back and broke spokes all the time because of the loading perpendicular to the plane of the wheel. Because it doesn’t lean into turns it’s loaded differently than a regular wheel. I changed to some kid’s BMX wheels with a coaster brake and had much better luck.
Paul Carson Designs 