cargo e-bikes - anyone got one?

[inactionman]

Our eldest starts school later this year and will have to do a circuit from school to nursery. Parking is a problem, and walking a bit far, so looking at a cargo e-bike where the kids can sit on back and kick me in the back the whole way

Something like this:


Has anyone used these? Anything to look out for? I know the Tern range are good but not going to pay 5 grand for these, so will be looking a bit more cheap and cheerful.

(Yes, I know I'll look a dick but needs must - and I fancy a bit of exercise)

[Kawazaki]

I'll look a dick

[weegie01]

Our eldest starts school later this year and will have to do a circuit from school to nursery. Parking is a problem, and walking a bit far, so looking at a cargo e-bike where the kids can sit on back and kick me in the back the whole way

Something like this:


Has anyone used these? Anything to look out for? I know the Tern range are good but not going to pay 5 grand for these, so will be looking a bit more cheap and cheerful.

(Yes, I know I'll look a dick but needs must - and I fancy a bit of exercise)

How old is the child?

That does not look like it is meant to carry a child. We used child bike trailers and those things where the there is one wheel at the back which the child pedals with the front attached to your bike.

[inactionman]

That one doesn't have the seat, running board or caboose (yes, that's what they've decided to call it) fitted.

Looks more like this:



Kids are 4 and 5 so might opt for kiddie seats instead (the pic above has one fitted for the girl at the back):



I'm not putting turn-ups in my jeans though. I have some standards.

[weegie01]

OK, that makes more sense.

[dpedin]

That one doesn't have the seat, running board or caboose (yes, that's what they've decided to call it) fitted.

Looks more like this:



Kids are 4 and 5 so might opt for kiddie seats instead (the pic above has one fitted for the girl at the back):



I'm not putting turn-ups in my jeans though. I have some standards.

Where's the cup holder for the double Iced Honey Almondmilk Flat White with extra sugar?

[Lobby]

That one doesn't have the seat, running board or caboose (yes, that's what they've decided to call it) fitted.

Looks more like this:



Kids are 4 and 5 so might opt for kiddie seats instead (the pic above has one fitted for the girl at the back):



I'm not putting turn-ups in my jeans though. I have some standards.

You might want to add this to the caboose in case they misbehave

[Uncle fester]

Wheelbarrow from b&q not good enough for you?

[Mr Bungle]

I've never seen those style of bikes. Even in far away NZ, the predominant kids electric cargo bike is the Dutch style. 3 family friends have these.

[fishfoodie]

I've never seen those style of bikes. Even in far away NZ, the predominant kids electric cargo bike is the Dutch style. 3 family friends have these.

Christ, it'd be like steering a fully laden supertanker, riding that !

Hardly ideal.

[Mr Bungle]

They feel a little awkward at first, but you become accustomed to them quickly. Those that have them love them.

[fishfoodie]

Why not just get a decent trailer, & attach it to your existing bike ?

Then you're not stuck with a useless bike in a couple of years rime

[Guy Smiley]

Why not just get a decent trailer, & attach it to your existing bike ?

Then you're not stuck with a useless bike in a couple of years rime

Nah... go with the cargo bike and you gain a very useful bike instead of a useless trailer.

Agree with Bungle about the rideability of the style pictured... I tried one out at my local bike shop a few years back, it was easy and....

fun.

[inactionman]

Why not just get a decent trailer, & attach it to your existing bike ?

Then you're not stuck with a useless bike in a couple of years rime

Although I appreciate I could always buy one I don't currently have an electric bike, and to be honest those always looked a little too low and near roadwheels for my liking.

[inactionman]

I've never seen those style of bikes. Even in far away NZ, the predominant kids electric cargo bike is the Dutch style. 3 family friends have these.

There's options both in front and on back, I think the ones with the load on the back are just to keep the bike a little bit shorter and it's maybe a bit easier to ride with everyone in line rather than side-by-side. I've seen both options in the UK.

In terms of rideability, I'm not expecting great shakes but I've been advised to avoid trike-style ones - as below - unless they're the more advanced ones that lean into bends.

[Blackmac]

Looks like a brilliant solution to your situation. I hate those trailers, they probably aren't any worse than riding tandem but kids just seem far too low and vulnerable. Plus they spend most of the time sitting nicely at exhaust height.

[fishfoodie]

You need to think Green, & get yourself one of these little beauties !



Includes very helpful anti-theft capabilities, & I've been reliably informed, the cruise control works even if the driver is extremely intoxicated.

[Kawazaki]

How heavy are these bikes? Even without a couple of passengers on board they look like they'd be a bastard to cycle up hill and into a breeze, it didn't look very aerodynamic either!

[inactionman]

How heavy are these bikes? Even without a couple of passengers on board they look like they'd be a bastard to cycle up hill and into a breeze, it didn't look very aerodynamic either!

The ones I'm looking at are electric for that very reason. Makes them v pricey, sadly, but a UK company (Mycle) have released one for less than £2k.

(I think about 35-40kg is the going rate btw)

[LenCohen]

Get a trailer, you can use it as a pram as well. Anyone buying an electric bike needs to hand in their man card

[Guy Smiley]

Get a trailer, you can use it as a pram as well. Anyone buying an electric bike needs to hand in their man card

[petej]

I would say check the 2nd hand market as it is the sort of thing that people sell on after a few years.

I've got a kids ride shotgun seat on my bike which he seems to enjoy and prefer to balance biking up hill or a seat on the back that is too bouncy and he can't see where we are going.

Electric bikes have their place (ie for commuting or cargo bikes or laps on downhill circuits where uplift isn't available). I have issues with those on electric bikes on cross country uphill sections single track which seems pretty pointless as the bike eliminates the challenge and they might as well just go up the fire road.

[mat the expat]

I'm not putting turn-ups in my jeans though. I have some standards.

Plenty of those around the Latte-sipping Inner West