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It sucks to waste time traveling to run unavoidable errands. Luckily, electric cargo bikes make it possible to travel light or skip the driving altogether and pedal (almost) anywhere. The latest generation of bikes are more customizable and offer electronic assistance and modular mounting systems, making modern bakfits and longtail bikes increasingly suitable for trading in your gas-guzzling SUV.
United Parcel Service and .css-f828e2{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem ; color:#067EA7;-webkit-transition:All 0.3 seconds easy in and out;transition:All 0.3 seconds easy;word-break:break-word;padding-bottom:0.05rem;padding-top: 0.05rem ; font-weight: bold;-webkit-background-size:0 0;background-size:0 0;background-image:linear-gradient (down, #7fdbfa,#7fdbfa);background-repeat:repeat- x;-webkit- background -position:0 100%;background-position:0 100%;}.css-f828e2:hover{color:#045976;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit -background-size: . 625rem 3.125rem;background-size:.625rem 3.125rem;} Cargo bikes are used by disaster relief managers around the world to transport supplies to areas inaccessible to cars, as well as to easily navigate bike paths with a loaded vehicle. week.products. Whether you’re shopping at IKEA or furnishing a room, the best electric cargo bike for you is probably on this list.
Looking for more bikes? Check out our selection of the best folding e-bikes, fat bikes and hybrid bikes.
Ross Evans, founder of Xtracycles and a pioneer of longtail cargo bikes, said cargo bikes had exploded in popularity both domestically and internationally over the last decade. There are generally three main types of cargo bikes: longtail bikes, front load bikes, and Buckfield bikes.
There are also tricycles for riders who need to carry a very heavy load or more than two children. Long tail cargo bikes are the most maneuverable and lightest, carrying cargo or passengers through a long tail behind the rider. Front loaders place their payload in front of the driver, usually on a low platform that can accommodate a variety of needs. Finally, there are bakfiyet style bicycles with a large basket (usually in front of the rider) used for carrying cargo or multiple passengers.
To understand the recent cargo bike craze, look no further than e-bikes. “E-bikes and cargo bikes go hand in hand, just like PB&J,” Evans said. Carrying hundreds of pounds on your bike is a great option if you want to get in shape. But electric cargo bikes like the Tern GSD and Benno Boost E use pedal-powered electric motors and have a range of more than 50 miles, making cargo bikes more accessible to riders who want the convenience of a car in a bike-sized package.
However, this technology comes at a price. Electric cargo bikes tend to be more expensive than non-electric bikes, but unless you live somewhere completely flat (and even if you do live flat), we think electric cargo bikes are still the best option. An electric cargo bike greatly improves usability, carrying capacity, and range, saving you money in the long run because it is a more efficient alternative to a car (compared to unassisted bikes, which require more effort to ride).
After purchasing a cargo bike, you will need the right accessories to maximize its utility. Start with the manufacturer’s website: brands like Tern and Benno sell panniers, racks and child seats to fit cargo bikes. Or, if your style is more of a drop-and-go, bakfiets like the Riese & Müller Load 60 use a spacious drawer for all your stuff (though your baby still has a seat belt). The best way to find out what style or bike you like is to test drive it.
Buy an electric cargo bike and accessories the same way you would buy a car. Try and test as many options as possible. Prioritize the most common cargo needs. While it can be fun to think ambitiously, having a bike that’s perfect for your everyday needs means you’ll use it more often.
These bikes have been thoroughly tested and reviewed by Bike Editors. We use them to buy groceries or take the kids to school and drive them as much as possible to see if they can replace our cars in everyday use. We also interviewed the product managers who make these bikes and compared them with competitors in the market. Do you have questions about one of these rides or why your favorite cargo bike isn’t on our list? Let us know about it in the comments.
The Specialized Globe Haul ST packs 419 pounds of cargo into a surprisingly compact frame. With powerful brakes, smart geometry and clever features, it’s ready for commuting, grocery shopping, social errands or taking the kids to daycare. Lacking active suspension, Haul uses large 3.5-inch tires that perform well on all but the roughest of roads.
In short, the reason for the Haul deal is that it’s a fun ride that you might not find amazing, but that’s not the case with many electric cargo bikes. The merits of an electric cargo bike often come down to practicality, and the Haul ST certainly delivers on that. But what’s great about it is that it’s incredibly practical and incredibly fun at the same time.
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At $2,200, the Abound is Aventon’s most expensive bike. But it’s also the second cheapest bike on this list. Abound looks great and is well prepared for the tasks assigned to it. The bike’s chunky looks and sturdy frame practically require you to load up every possible package, payload, or accessory. The Abound’s base price also includes a heavy-duty rear rack, passenger pegs, center bracket, and SR Suntour suspension.
The bike also comes with a dropper post. Commonly found on mountain bikes, this post allows the saddle to be raised or lowered while cycling (using a shift lever under the front of the saddle). When the Abound is fully loaded with cargo, a lift seat allows passengers to get in and out of the vehicle.
The e1.2 generation is the most affordable cargo bike on our list. Even at $1,900, it impressively comes with hydraulic disc brakes, head and tail lights, fenders, and front and rear racks as standard equipment.
Although its overall capacity is lower than other bikes on this list, it is ideal for riders who want to travel short distances, run errands, and shop with ease. It’s nimble and small enough to do double duty as a commuter bike. The E1.2 is a good choice for drivers who don’t need to carry passengers or frequently carry heavy loads. Click below to view our review of the Co-op Generation e1.1 model, which is similar to a cooperative.
The Tern GSD S10 won the 2018 Bike Gear of the Year award for its versatility and range as a replacement vehicle. The current GSD S10 builds on the success of the original and features a Bosch Cargo Line engine that delivers more torque and has a Walk Assist mode to make the bike easier to control. There is also a wide-range, single-speed flywheel that, when combined with the engine, allows you to climb any grade. Like its predecessor, the GSD S10 comes with two Bosch battery packs, and buying two battery packs increases the range to 155 miles but adds $800 to the price.
There’s something great about the clean design of the RemiDemi 10D that makes you want to take it with you wherever you go. Customize it with accessories like front racks, bag baskets and even child seats (it comes with a large rear rack). It’ll quickly become your favorite compact electric cargo bike for running errands, hitting the beach, or even commuting when the time comes (up to 62 miles per charge).
You’ll encourage friends and family to “give it a try” because you want to share the joy it brings. Its extremely low stand-up position and stable balloon tires make it easy for almost anyone to ride. You might not notice it at first, but over time you’ll come to appreciate the built-in headlights and the fact that its wheelbase is about six inches shorter than a typical cargo bike (a space-saving feature), but it’s also what makes the 10D so much bigger. Easier to maneuver.
The Momentum PakYak E+ Electric Bike is a durable and reliable way to transport loads or small people around town, allowing you to enjoy cycling without having to endure traffic and congestion on short to medium distance trips.
The PakYak E+ is an electric cargo bike with a medium tail length. It has a front basket, a rear shelf, a durable stand and lighting. Momentum offers a variety of options to customize your PakYak to suit your needs. The PakYak E+ is a Level 3 e-bike that provides power boost at 28 mph through five power levels. The bike is equipped with a 5-speed Shimano Nexus internal drive hub that will help you transport children or loads efficiently, comfortably and effortlessly.
Xtracycle RFA is designed to meet your changing needs. Adjustable dropouts allow you to shorten or lengthen the wheelbase by 5.5 inches. The shorter layout (called RFA Sport) has a smaller rear end. We’d go with the RFA Utility, which has a longer stance (and probably more capacity, right?), but you can always change the wheelbase length in an hour or so. The bike feels solid and rigid, and Xtracycle has one of the most user-friendly interfaces for selecting accessories and customization options for your bike.
The 2.5-inch-wide tires dampen road vibrations and make you feel like you can flip anything—a great feature on a bike designed to carry hundreds of pounds of cargo. The steel frame and fork combined with the front thru-axle gave our test bike precise, confident steering. Our test bike was equipped with a Shimano STEPS EP6 motor that can reach speeds of up to 28 mph, but in normal riding conditions the top speed is around 23-25 mph. Earlier versions of this bike did not come with factory fenders, but Xtracycle has now fixed that and also included a rear wheel skirt and pegs. Overall, the RFA is a smooth and durable bike that can be ridden for years. Xtracycle offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork, as well as a two-year warranty on the Shimano STEPS system.
The Tern GSD cargo bike deserves all the love we can give it for its load-bearing, kid-towing frame. But it’s a big bike, and unless you’re a family with several kids looking to swap out the machine, it might be a bit overkill. Quick Haul is similar to a mini version of GSD and has many of the same features. The Bosch Active Line Plus engine has a top speed of 20 mph and is as smooth as the 8-speed transmission. The 400Wh battery provides a range of up to 65 miles. The Quick Haul can carry up to 331 pounds (including driver), accommodates a child seat, and works with a variety of cargo accessories front and rear to spice up your commute and running errands.
The Yuba Spicy Curry is a practical electric cargo bike. Complete it with signature grab handles, sideboards, cargo bags and baskets, and the end result is as close to a two-wheeled minivan as you can get. “I’ll be riding my bike with my son to take him to school,” said Jimmy Cavalieri, bicycle video production manager. “The Bosch engine gets me up the 600-foot hill between home and work, and I stop at the grocery store to load it up on the way home.” The low-slung rear rack lowers the load’s center of gravity for improved handling.
The Fetch+ 4 is Trek’s take on the classic Dutch bakfiet, designed to be a minivan replacement for families with four kids. It is sold with two child seats, but the driver can add various accessories to make passengers more comfortable. This includes completely covering the basket so everyone is protected from the elements. The Trek uses Bosch’s latest BES3 system and a Bosch weight drive with a Gates belt drive for virtually maintenance-free operation.
Test Editor Dan Chabanov began his career as a bike courier in New York City but quickly transitioned to road racing and cyclocross, competing in professional cyclocross racing from 2009 to 2019 and winning the National Masters Championship in 2018. Dan became a member of the Red Hook Crit organization in 2021, works as an EnduranceWERX coach, and is a freelance writer and photographer.
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Post time: Apr-11-2024
