The Viral 'Apocalypse Bike' Is Way Better Than It Looks

Quick Overview

The custom three-wheeled, two-wheel-drive fat cargo bike, nicknamed "Tomo" by its builder Jonathan, proved remarkably capable and stable during testing, successfully navigating rough terrain, deep water crossings, and steep descents, ultimately winning second place in the Bespoked Apocalypse Build Off competition.

Key Points: The bike, named "Tomo" after custom frame builder Jonathan, placed second in the Bespoked Apocalypse Build Off competition. Tomo features a unique three-wheeled, two-wheel-drive system with fat tires, designed for apocalypse-level survival transport. The bike successfully navigated a deep stream crossing (07:37) and steep, uneven terrain (04:26) while carrying a heavy wooden log as ballast (02:23). The rear suspension linkage allowed the two rear wheels to articulate independently, providing excellent stability and ground clearance even over obstacles (06:28). The builder noted the bike's low center of gravity due to the low-slung cargo platform contributed significantly to its stability (10:05). Despite being heavy, the builder found the bike surprisingly manageable, even successfully riding it up a set of concrete steps (12:12) and down a steep drop (14:17).

Context: The video documents the testing and performance of an extremely unconventional, custom-built three-wheeled fat cargo bike named "Tomo." The builder, who received the bike from frame builder Jonathan, subjects it to a challenging off-road course designed to test its advertised apocalyptic survival capabilities, which included traversing water, climbing obstacles, and managing heavy loads. The bike's design heavily emphasizes redundancy and stability, featuring two driven rear wheels and a unique trailing link suspension for the rear axle.

Detailed Analysis

The video showcases the testing of a highly custom, three-wheeled, two-wheel-drive fat cargo bike named "Tomo," built by Jonathan for the Bespoked Apocalypse Build Off competition. The bike features four large fat tires, with the two rear wheels being powered via dual chains running from the front crankset to two separate rear cassettes. A unique trailing link suspension connects the two rear wheels, allowing them to articulate independently, which proved crucial for handling uneven terrain. The creator notes that the bike's low center of gravity, achieved by mounting heavy cargo (like a large wooden log) low on the frame, contributes significantly to its stability (10:05). During testing in a rough outdoor environment, the bike successfully navigated obstacles, including a deep stream crossing where the rider had to walk (07:42) and steep, rocky descents (12:50). The builder expresses surprise at how well the bike handles despite its weight and unconventional steering linkage, stating it rides smoothly (09:14) and handles obstacles better than expected (15:38). The builder mentions that the bike placed second in the competition (00:35) and was designed to be extremely capable in various post-apocalyptic scenarios, such as navigating deep water (14:55) or rough terrain, even when carrying heavy loads.