Argomenti trattati
The idea began with a simple problem: how to operate a compact, transportable workstation at festivals, markets, and pop-ups without paying for a pricey prebuilt cargo bike. Designer and builder Andreas Larsen answered by combining an IKEA BROR workbench with a VEVOR bike cargo trailer and sheet materials to produce a tidy, functional unit that can be towed by bicycle or pushed by hand. The project is published as an open source build so others can copy, adapt, or remix the design.
This article summarizes the concept, lists essential parts and tools, outlines the main assembly steps, and highlights practical tips learned during the build. If you want a portable repair stand, a market stall, or a pop-up bar, the same base idea can be customized: the core hardware is affordable (about €450, roughly USD 520) and the instructions are written for beginners.
What goes into the build
The heart of the conversion is the IKEA BROR workbench paired with a VEVOR bike cargo trailer. For structure and storage you will need a single sheet of 12mm plywood, various battens and trim pieces, and pegboard elements: two white IKEA SKÅDIS pegboards (30 x 22 inches) plus two smaller black SKÅDIS (14 1/4 x 22 inches) for the sides. Hardware includes eight D-ring anchors, a jockey wheel, clamp bracket, and a selection of screws, nuts, washers, bolts, and angle brackets. Optional additions that improve usability are IKEA UPPDATERA cutlery inserts, light reflectors for evening events, a right-angle toggle clamp, and a 30cm support handle for manual pushing or pulling.
Tools and electrical notes
Basic and metalworking tools are required: grinder, circular saw, jigsaw, clamps, adjustable wrench, hex key set, center punch, metal file, and the everyday set of a power drill, screw gun, tape measure, pencil, hammer and marker. The cart also includes a small built-in electrical network: an IEC male plug input and four accessible outputs, so light or small devices can be powered when you park near a wall outlet using an extension cord.
Step-by-step assembly overview
First, assemble the BROR workbench and the bike trailer following manufacturers’ instructions. Customize the BROR by removing the four drawers and the rear stabilizing crossbar; reinsert the screws where needed. Lower the remaining drawer rails by one level, cut the legs beneath the frame so the lower faces align, and smooth any sharp edges with a file. On the trailer, remove the metal inner frame and set aside the factory plastic mat and the twenty self-tapping screws you won’t reuse.
Plywood panels and fitment
Cut two plywood panels: one sized to sit on the trailer floor over the plastic mat, leaving a small perimeter, and another to act as the BROR base backing. Mark screw placement carefully and fasten the trailer panel to the frame. Position the BROR frame onto the second plywood sheet, align to the bottom and sides, and secure. Use angle brackets to marry the workbench to the trailer frame and clamp wooden trim where the SKÅDIS pegboards will mount. Many original mounting holes in the BROR can be reused by swapping to longer bolts rather than drilling new large holes.
Finishing touches, usage and caveats
Complete the cart with organizational accessories: drawer inserts, containers, hooks, and the SKÅDIS system for flexible tool storage. Fit reflectors if you plan to operate at dusk or in busy event spaces and install the 30cm support bar to make hand-pushing easier. Expect the build to cost approximately €450 (tools excluded) and to take about eight hours for one person or roughly half that with two people sharing the tasks.
Two practical limitations emerged during testing. First, the bottom drawer cannot be fully extracted because of the wheel and trailer frame; store infrequently used items there and access them by removing the drawer above as needed. Second, some builders prefer to oil wooden parts before final assembly and to refine how the side SKÅDIS boards are mounted for cleaner aesthetics. Andreas notes the overall simplicity as the best part: visitors instantly understand the cart’s purpose, and it functions both as a bike-towed trailer and a hand-pushed unit.
Ideas for adaptation
The modular nature of the design invites many uses beyond the initial mobile bike repair concept: a pull-out tool cart for home projects, a portable craft stall for markets, a pop-up library at community events, or an outdoor gardening station. Because the build is released as an open source guide, you can follow the original instructions or modify dimensions, add power upgrades, or swap storage layouts to match specific needs. If you build one, the author encourages sharing improvements and photos of your customized version.