My wife said guys don’t look cool riding rear loaders unless they’re carrying kids, and our garage is too small for a front loader. So looking at commuter ebikes with front and rear racks and panniers. More ebikes videos would be greatly appreciated.
Front-loaders for small kids and stuff; longtails for larger kids and “normal” feel Last year I purchased both a R-M Packster 70 front loader (later recalled) and a Tern GSD so I have recent practical experience with both front loaders and longtails. The plan was I would use the Packster and my wife would use the GSD, but I ended up using both. We have 4-1/2 year old twins so transporting them was the major reason for the purchases (they were 4 when we received the bikes). Here are some thoughts. Transporting children: The kids liked riding in the R-M front loader better than the GSD longtail. I also liked that bike better since I could interact with them and see them much more easily. I felt with the front loader they were riding with me while on the longtail they were along for the ride. HOWEVER, they started to feel squeezed in the front box fairly quickly. By the time they were a few months past their fourth birthday and about 100 CM tall they were fighting and pushing for more space. I can’t imagine using this front loader for children past age five. Also, beginning just after their 4th birthday, the kids prefer to ride their own pedal bikes instead of sitting in the box if we are just riding for recreation. They prefer to be on one of the cargo bikes for going to the store. Prior to buying these bikes I used a bike trailer. I much prefer the GSD or the front loader to a bike trailer due to the level of interaction and the handling and because I like feel the kids are bit safer on my bike as opposed to pulled along behind in a trailer. Transporting food and objects I like the front loader much better for transporting groceries and boxes. It is very convenient to be able to just throw a lot of stuff into the box. I have giant panniers on my GSD, but the front loader is still much easier than the GSD to use for hauling stuff. Ride handling The GSD handles pretty much like any bike. The front loader is not difficult to ride, but does take a number of rides to get used to it. My wife was not comfortable riding the Packster although she did ride it sometimes. Transporting the bikes The front loader is a beast and difficult to transport. Heck, it’s difficult to even move around in my garage since the bike is so large. It does not fit on hitch-mounted car bike racks and it would be difficult to lift such a heavy bike onto the roof of a car. The GSD, on the other hand, can fit on a some car bike racks. Many car bike racks cannot handle the weight of a GSD, but a few can. or you can use a motorcycle carrier. If you plan to transport your bike. The GSD is the better choice. Summary Overall I liked the front loader better, but felt that the kids were quickly outgrowing the box. I am very happy with GSD and feel it will fit my needs as my children grow. As I mentioned, the R-M Packster was recalled so now I just have the GSD. I do not plan to buy a new frontloader as the kids would out-grow the box relatively soon.
What about the GSD and a trailer to add as required? That would give you the option to carry any box you want or anything else. With the right trailer of course. And a pretty regular bike when you don't need to carry cargo.
Thank you for this very helpful comment. My children are 0 and 2 and so this will help me make a decision. With the children being different ages I think the front loader might be suitable for longer than your twins as one of my children will be smaller than the other for a while. However, although I am confident riding a front loader I worry that it might be too difficult for my wife. I don't mean to patronise her but she is not an experienced cyclist and with the learning curve for the size and the problems with the weight this might stop her using it as much as say a GSD. The front loader would be much easier for shopping though when you can just put the shopping back in straight away and not have to decant things into the panniers. Ultimately the fact they are difficult to travel with and the cost means I am leaning towards two e-bikes with a trailer so we can ride together as a family.
@@allthegearuk It has been a while since I posted my comment so perhaps you or others would like an update. My twins are now a few months past their sixth birthday. I continue to like the GSD because it has evolved with us. My children have outgrown the child seats and now simply sit on the pad in the Tern Clubhouse and hold onto the rails. They both can ride their own bikes well, but still very much enjoy riding the back of the GSD. I recently purchased the Tern Tail Hitch and the Bike Tow Kit. Now I feel like I have the best of both worlds. The kids get in the Clubhouse and I tow one of the kid’s bikes from my house, across the busy streets, and to a protected bike path or much less busy street. Then the kids take turns riding the bike we towed. I only wish I could tow two bikes so they both could ride their own bikes. Still, this has been great. Since they are much taller now and their feet had to go into the large panniers, I had limited room left for groceries in those bags (previously there was significant room under their feet). I added the trailer hitch for the bike trailer I used before I had the cargo bike and plan to use the trailer to hold the groceries when the kids come with me to the store. I have not actually done that yet, but I am confident that will work well. In short, I am still enjoying the GSD and happy I could adapt it as my children grew and my needs changed. I’m looking forward to several more years of riding it with and without my children.
I own a Load 75 and it has totally transformed how we get around our city with our kids. It has also enabled us to do all our food shopping, DIY store trips and general shopping trips without getting stuck in traffic. The cost to purchase a bike like this isn't cheap, but it is an long term investment and the memories you'll make will be priceless
Load 75 high speed is the best thing we bought in years. So much fun to ride, kids love it. Getting around Antwerp on a Saturday doing 40 km, no problem.
@@tomjanssens1498 I hope you local roads and paths are bike friendly. Australian does not have good bike infrastructure unfortunately. We have to ride with the car and buses too much. Not very safe.
I'm so in love with cargo bikes! I don't have any children, but, these make me want to literally borrow people's kids just to take them around on bicycles
I have the Bullitt non assist it is eight years old now and has traveled the world , l bought it in London and cycle toured from there to France and Italy then put it on a ship home and has been used everyday doing school drop off and pick up and grocery shopping . It changed my life !
Im considering this one due to the aftermarket boxes to increase width, and non electric for longevity and max customization. And I have three kids, 6,4,3 so a front loader is really the best solution.
I love my cargo bike! It's a 2018 Yuba Supermarche, a non electric, front loader. I've put in at least a 1000 miles per year with my daughter since she was 6 months old (I'd strap her whole car seat in the bucket until she was 2), that's a lot of miles for a baby! There's a canopy, I decorated the inside with LED lights, bunch of toys, 6 gallon milk crate on the back, nice bright lights for riding in the dark. I love the front loader design, it's easier to ride then it looks. I even have a trailer I can pull, bringing my total weight capacity to 700lbs. We turn heads everywhere we go!
Thank you so much for covering cargo bikes GCN, they're an important part of fighting climate change and making our street space safer for all. Top work 👍
I think GCN should make a video presenting and giving the people behind the production of most of the videos some room to interact with the viewers. They're an important part of GCN.
I have a Larry vs Harry Bullitt (non-electric) which serves as my family car, various load hauler, work vehicle (mobile bike repair shop) and even as a mobile bar occasionally. Reason I chose the Bullitt is because of the open cargo bay which offers endless possibilities for different (custom-made) boxes, seats and whatever you can imagine. It's also by far the sexiest, nippiest and lightest long john style cargobike in existence. Makes me happy every single day!
That's awesome! I have a Yuba Supermarche (also non electric), I should get a side hustle going on as a mobile bike repair guy! What a great idea! More power to you sir!
Another vote for the Bullitt (non-electric). I agree with all your points and in my view a motor is far from essential. I've managed to get mine (loaded) up the Kirkstone Pass, albeit slowly... very slowly!!!
I've had a Tern GSD as our 2nd car for the last 3 years. It's brilliant. Rides like a normal bike, carries tonnes of stuff, the kids love it. I can even fit it on my towbar mounted bike rack to take it on holiday. I rode it up a 1in3 hill with all the beach stuff and a kid on the back!
@@RyanBond I've got a 5 and 7 year old on the back of a radwagon 4, which is slightly larger than the Tern but not by much. Assuming your 9 year old and my 7 year old are both average, the extra 6 kilos and 12 cm are not going to be a problem.
What towbar bike rack do you have? I haven't been able to find one that can hold a single bike greater than 30kgs (the GSD is around 33.5kg). Total weight yes, but not a single bike of greater than 30kgs.
On our second Tern GSD, having upgraded from the truly excellent Gen 1 S10 to a Gen 2 R14 in early 2021. We’ve been a car-free family since 2009, and the Tern GSD is literally our workhorse…I’ve hauled 200KGs on many occasions. As Si said, so much fun to ride and amazing to see people’s reactions when you cruise past with two kids onboard
I too upgraded from my first ebike, a Tern GSD (with Enviolo hub) to the Gen 2 with 14 speed Rohloff hub. I loved the first one and love the second one even more! I rarely drive my car now and do virtually all errands with my Tern. I ride rain or shine - although if it is truly pouring, I will delay the trip or drive as a last resort. I made a few changes others my be interested in: I added the Tern extension arms to the factory kickstand. It was money well spent. I taped a garage door opener [Genie Universal series Model GU4TG-R] onto the stem of the bike using electrical tape. Very handy. When wearing gloves in cold weather I often miss-shifted. So I glued on tactile bumps onto the electric gear shift buttons. I used 3/8“ hemispherical cabinet drawer bumpers [Brainerd plastic bumpers P/N 429XC], with silicone adhesive [DAP 100% silicone clear adhesive]as the glue. (Don’t worry - it can be scraped off if you don‘t like it.) Finally, I used zip ties to mount a produce box onto the rear rack. I got it from our local grocery store as a favor. I tried many sizes and the one I liked best is: 23 1/2“ long x 15 3/4“ wide by 11“ tall. Drill holes in bottom and use zip ties to secure it to rear rack tubing. The point is, the rear box is super handy and fast. It has plenty of space for two stuffed full grocery bags plus a jacket, lock etc. I find the rear mounted box to be much much quicker than using the cargo side saddle bags. Oh: i also added a Kinekt suspension seat post; well worth the $200. (Tip: let your Tern dealer order the correct diameter.)
I have a Riese and Muller multicharger, which is a long tail cargo bike, for carrying my large dog (40kg) on longer rides. It's short enough to fit on a bike rack on the back of a car when necessary but still has plenty of carrying capacity. When Nacho (my dog) is riding, having a large, mobile weight high up at the back does affect the stability a bit, but it always makes people smile to see her sitting up behind me. I get lots of tandem style comments about how the one on the back isn't pedalling...
I am thinking about buying a Riese & muller multitinker for transporting 2 medium sized dogs. May I ask how you transport your big dog on the back of the long tail? Did you buy something designed for dogs or make something yourself? I can not find anything but something for 1 small dog. I ride an urban arrow family at the moment but very much like to get a long tail instead.
I'm over in the states so my options are a bit more limited. I have a RadWagon 4, which I've added their version of the clubhouse and a raincover that goes over that as well. I can easily fit my 2 older children (7 and 5) and can even squeeze in the 3 year old to boot in a pinch, but it's not ideal. Ultimately the reason I went with this one was the price- I'm at $2300 on this bike and that includes accessories and upgrades. The Urban Arrow starts at $6000, which is pretty steep for a guy whose wife wasn't convinced he'd ride it. All that said, I think if you have the space the front loader is the better option. The single biggest issue with my bike is that the weight is distributed up over the rear wheel. This is never a danger or a major problem, but it's definitely something I'd prefer not to deal with, especially when the girls decide that they need to get in a slap fight on the way back from school. From a usability perspective, it's much easier for your kids to turn around and talk to you from the front of the bike than it is for you to shout back at them, and being able to see them is really nice (maybe there would be fewer slap fights as well). For anyone thinking about making a cargo bike a family car- it's great! I live in a typical american car-dependent suburb nearish to Seattle whose only saving grace is a gravel biking trail that runs the length of town, then connects up with some longer trails if I feel ambitious. I have no issue getting the places I go most often- the kids school, the grocery store, and church- in virtually any weather. A decent raincoat, some of those earmuff things by freedom machine, and a handlebar cover for your hands and you are set for pretty much the whole winter assuming you don't have snow or your infra is properly maintained during it. I started riding in November of last year and it's the happiest I've been in a long time. I've lost a few pounds, the kids love having me take them to school and pick them up every day, and I'm much more in touch with the weather. I don't use my car within my city, so the furthest I go is about 4 miles (to the donut shop), and with the assist level properly set and 50 kilos of kids in the back I get a really nice ride in. Can't recommend it enough!
We’ve had a Gazelle Cabby for the last 6 years, brilliant fun! It gets used for everything, school runs, shopping, DIY stuff, all with minimal maintenance. The only difficulty now is to convince the kids to go on their own bikes. 😅
Thanks for a great video and for promoting cargo bikes and every day cycling. I have a Tern GSD because it is more compact, easier to fit on a train (not that I have yet), fits in a vehicle and does most of the stuff a front loader will. I still fancy a R&M Load though… I use it for all kinds of load carrying and it has done near 5000 miles in under 18 months.
My wife and I bought the GSD in the fall and love it so far. We originally got it because I wanted to bring her along on bike trips, she's really not comfortable riding a bike in general, let alone in a city. Basically, I was tired of driving everywhere when we went places together. We don't have kids at the moment, but if we do some day my wife and a kid could ride comfortably on the back with a weekly load of groceries in the panniers and the front rack. The GSD makes errands in the city fun. In a car, trips are a chore but on a bike the journey as part of the fun. Thanks for the video!
Front loaders rule I have one and it has been very useful and so much fun to ride . I got it because I used one for a job I had and I loved it. It is hands down my favorite bicycle to ride out of the 5 bikes I own. it is a standard cargo bike not a e-cargo bike
70+ years ago, when I was a kid, my parents had a tandem with a sidecar attached, which they would carry me around in. It had a cover, much like the one shown in this video, which I was terrified of being under. I still occasionally have nightmares about it... but I LOVED it when it was open. I can remember one specific trip from Luton (where we lived) to Whipsnade Zoo on a family outing (yes including a non-e-assist climb up Dunstable Downs) which I loved. I live in Santa Cruz California now... still ride quite a bit (2000Km ln in 2021) and e-cargo bikes are very popular around here (rain protection not needed most of the time). No, I don't have one. In fact I am just about to ride TdZ #2 on my Trek Domane SL mounted on a Tacx Neo 2T... I'll do an outside ride tomorrow... Keep these great videos coming guys!
We used a trailer and 2 bikes to get around with 2 small children, when our cars engine failed, there were a few downsides, like weight distribution and added width, but overall it was great. A big advantage was with the trailer I was the same speed as my wife (a bit like getting her an ebike, only cheaper and slower). #everydaylegday
For nearly 5 years I have had a 2nd hand Kona Ute (long tail) with Monkey Bars from SuperKnuckle, gradually upgrading parts as they have worn out. Dynamo lights, SLX gearing and hydraulic disc brakes (had cable discs) have improved the bike. Hint, when choosing tyres you need to check they are rated for the 200kg load. I think slightly smaller wheels (have 700c) would be better for stability as seen on on the Tern GSD and others. The ute is good because its quite light and rides well as a general town bike. Its rides well with 1 passenger but is becoming more tricky with 2 children as they are getting heavier!
I rode an Urban Arrow e-cargo bike in London for the last 3 years. I was working for Pedal Me delivering all sorts, from wedding parties to sofas. It was the most amazing bike. I now manage projects supporting businesses to adopt cargo bikes in their operations. I'm also in the process of building a bamboo cargo bike inspired by the Yoonit. Cargo bikes are amazing and it's great to see GCN promoting them. Great video.
I would love to see a video called something to the effect of “front loader shootout”. You could compare and contrast the different models available. Reese and Mueller, Larry vs. Harry, Urban Arrow, Bakfiets, and others… I have noticed that sadly you guys haven’t featured the Larry vs. Harry even tho it is the #1 cargo bike, preferred by most of all of the actual delivery guys because it is lightweight and fast.
We had a Bakfiets Long CargoBike (front loaded, non electric) to cart our kids around in London, Nursery runs etc. Paid £440 for it (many previous owners) and sold it for the same a couple of yrs later. Kids loved it with a canopy for grim weather. I also used it for trips to load up with shopping, DIY stuff etc instead of using the car. Clearly doesn't replace a car in all circumstances, but there are many when it did. They are a bit hard to come-by and a bit heavy (4-speed hub gear & drum brakes!) but so long as you're not somewhere too hilly then the weight's not a problem and it was one of my favorite and most useful bikes. Mine never got nicked in London but it's the same with any bike anywhere - you need to be mindful where/how you leave it and for how long, and yes Cargo bikes are a bit harder to store/squeeze through gaps. Sold it as the kids then wanted to ride their own bikes (that and the S-1 rule)
Started with a trailer, then a non-E Bullitt, and then added a Rad Wagon longtail. Bullitt awesome for just fun (training, clipped in) rides with kids, easy to talk with them. As they've gotten too big for the box, seating behind and with E assist the Rad has been great. Also got a Comotion Periscope tandem that the older kid rides now. N+1!! While they're young and love riding with you
What height/age did they max out? Were you using the standard larry v harry box? Splendid cycles has boxes that are almost twice as wide for more space
Thanks for sharing such great videos (and nice to see them shot in Bath where I grew up) - my Cargo Bike journey has been a bit bumpy along the way. We had a R&M Packster Load 70 that we adored but unexpectedly recalled never to be seen again. Then we joined the long queue to get the Load 75 but after never ending delays to the delivery date and our two kids rapidly growing we opted for the TERN GSD. Our kids are both quite tall (at 4 & 6 yrs old) and it feels like there's a fraction more space having sitting on the rear loader, we could see them potentially getting quite cramped in the Load 75. So far really happy with the TERN.
I owned a Gazelle Cabby for a few years, but I wish we would have waited for the electric assist to be available (as we live on a hill). Be wise about your choices of a cargo bike. We found that it just wasn't practical enough to warrant the difficult, fully-loaded uphill rides, as the center of gravity is way off, making for some unstable maneuvering. An electric assist would have alleviated this problem, or a rear-load cargo bike. I recommend a lot of test drives in conditions similar to what you want to use it for. Be patient. Be choosy.
I wanted a front loader, but unfortunately I live in an apartment and a long front loader just wasn't going to be an option space wise. I ended up with the 2019 version of the Tern GSD. Love my bike! I used it for taking my son to school, for buying a week or two of groceries. Pretty much everything you'd ever use a car for. The only thing I really would need a car for is picking people up from the airport lol. Electric cargo bikes sometimes get written off as "too expensive". Compared to a "normal" bike, especially one from a big box store, yes....they can be pricey. BUT comparing an electric cargo bike to a normal bike is unfair, they should be compared to a car. You could buy a couple electric cargo bikes and still have money left over compared to the cost of a car. (And that's before you consider maintenance, insurance, and fuel!)
The issue with traditional bikes is that you're supporting all your weight with your groin and your get sweaty. We need bikes with climate control and way more comfortable seating.
I got a Butcher's & Bicycles MK-1E so I can give my kid a friend and our dog a ride around town. Front loaders are much more dog friendly (especially with a door like ours has). I had some cheaper internet special cargo bikes before, but decided to return and upgrade to one that I could ride around and corner like a road bike. You definitely get what you pay for - especially with cargo bikes.
Got a Riese and Muller Multicharger - absolutely brilliant for carrying shopping and great fun to ride. The weight makes it a bit challenging to manhandle in and out of its storage but it rides like a normal bike.
My wife and I share a Voltbike Kodiak. My wife rides it to work with our 3 year old son in a Thule seat on the back. It's a rear load bike, similar to the tern but, uh, waaaaaay more affordable. Quality on the Voltbike is not great. I've had a charger die after 3 month and I had an intermittent electrical fault that I traced back to a factory defect. Getting support on the Voltbike is tricky since they're basically a mail order operation. Another problem is weight. The bike itself is heavy and with a 15kg toddler aboard it's pretty hard to move about. It's also gets a lot of attention. I don't mind it so much but if you ride one of these bikes you may get people commenting on it. In general though, it works well.
I had a Larry vs Harry eBullitt for 4 years in hilly Brussels. Wonderful, wonderful bike. 2 kids (ages 1-5 and 4-9). Went everywhere in that bike: commuting in a suit after dropping the boys at school, weekly shop, weekends in the woods… my wife could easily move it fully loaded up any hill. And it rode like a witch… think longboard surfing. Only sold it to move abroad. Took me some time to convince my wife and she loved it… my advice if you are in doubt? Do it !
Love love love my Load 60. Hate driving the car. It’s is a car replacement for any trips under 20 miles. I ride in all weather, haul 2 weeks worth of groceries, never search for a parking spot and my grandkids beg to ride with me. FYI I am 66 years old 108 pounds and live in a hilly community.
I own a Copenhagen Wheel (electric assist) that fit on my existing bike, as do many others. Unfortunately, the maker of these wheels, Superpedestrian, stopped making them. I have had mine for maybe 8 or 9 years and I love it, but I need to prepared for the day when I have to switch to some other manufacturer. Here in Colorado they are opening a new e-bike rebate program to help qualified applicants to buy an ebike. They are allowing $500 towards an ebike, and an extra $300 if you buy a cargo bike. I am very interested in a cargo bike, so thank you very much for this video - and your others too!!
I chose to go with muscular (non-electric) cargo front-loaded bike: the LarryVSHarry Bullitt that completely changed our life as a family. Every day we look forward to get out riding, my boy can now feel the joy of slow riding and I stopped my gym subscription since I ride enough every day. And now that we got a new family member, the bike developed with us: my boy rides on the bike frame and my baby girl will be enjoying the ride in the canopy. ❤️🚲
Big fan of cargo bikes. I prefer the long tail variety having Xtracycled a Kona Dew and replaced it about 3 years ago with a Tern GSD. It’s brilliant. Can carry two kids and a weeks worth of shopping (pretty much) and was commuting a 30 mile round trip for 6 months or so. The future of personal transport!
Bullitt, non-electric. LOVE IT!! Kids when they were smaller, my dog, shopping... load it up! No need to pay parking, lock the bike right in front of the store... Loads of nice comments and questions from people. These bikes are popular with the courier crowd for a reason.
The problem with the rear loader is that you cargo weight is higher and that makes it more unstable. I'd say the best type of cargo bicycle is the one with a sidecar.
I like the long tail cargo bike, the Tern. The odds and ends of bike lanes locally are narrow so that fits in. I've seen a few of these being ridden around the neighbourhood with two children at the back. Currently if need more carrying space I'll use a trailer with my usual bicycle.
The thing is, as they are so expensive it is a worry to use them as intended by leaving them outside a shop as in the UK it's likely been nicked by the time you come out
Thanks for the video, bringing awarness about those bikes! One big difference between a front and back loader, is that some longtail/back loader, you can actually put adults instead of children. With my Yuba mundo, I can carry 2 friends at the back. I can tell you that they love it!
@@michellebyrom6551 Of course my bikes are electric (I have a classic one also). :) It never wear out. Carrying one person dry, is HARD (ran out of battery once in 8 year), I couldn't go over 13km/h. 2 would be impossible. :)
My cargo-bike is a non-electric Elephant Bike, which is a reconditioned ex-Postmans Pashley Mail-Star, and I love it. It was a present for my 60th birthday in 2019, and I use it a lot for shopping, moving stuff, commuting, and for just generally getting around. It isn't the fastest or lightest bike on the planet, and could possibly benefit from having more than the standard three gears, but it's a real head-turner, and is a solid and reliable beast. I prefer to ride my totally zero-fuel bike, and whilst I think that e-bikes are better than cars, I still think of them as "the easy option" for unfit people, they are OK for those who are less able, the elderly, or overweight people wanting to get a bit more active, but I still don't want one.
I chose a Bullitt from Harry VS Larry frontloading cargo bike. Because it's much lighter(22kg) and a lot cheaper. Then chucked a cheap Chinese hub motor on it. But since it's so light I normally run it without the battery, unless I know I need to transport something heavy
I havea chike kids (non electric version) bike. The front can hold 60kgs and has a ton of space yet it is desiged specifically to be narrow despite having three wheels, and the length is only 190-192cm so it can park in normal city bicycle racks. You can put it into a rack rear tire first to make it fit. It also has a special tilting mechanism so it rides like a normal 2 wheeled bike. And the riding position is upright very comfortable and higher than most bikes. I customized it with a bshultz suspension sest post and spiderflex seat so i dont have butt pain. Its super cofortable. There is no other cargo bike like the chike as far as I could find. Three wheels makes it safer. Despite it being non motorized the human body is incredible and after about a month of frequent usage it is almost like I have an eassist motor now with the increased leg strength. I am able to carry a 48kg load in the front while going up steep hills. If it gets really steep you can stand to pedal. Or even just walk it up im not sure there would be much speed difference honestly especially on steep hills. I give my chike kids a 10 out of 10. You have to get used to going a bit slower tban your fast bicycles of course and there is not the same fun speed thrill sense but it is a different kind of fun nonetheless.
For many people a cargo bike makes sense. But if you have ridden all your life, a normal Dutch style bike with accessories may be the best option. I wanted to add a picture of a mum with toddler snuggly sitting just in front of her chest, both looking so alive! And the rack at back of the bike is available for groceries etc.
I've been doing a little research, I want to get a cargo bike that is good for both on and off road. I want something that can handle a lot of weight because I want to use it for long distance traveling and when I'm not traveling I want to use it as a replacement for a car. With all that said if your in a similar situation I think the back load one would be best. The main reason would be because expecily if your doing off road your going to be doing sharp turns.
My dog gets to ride on the back of my Big Dummy; she loves to stick her head under my arm for that front-seat view. Smiles from everyone we pass :) Also great for grocery store, etc.
Mongoose Envoy. It’s extremely functional, 24 gears provides a lot of range, and price wise its the best cargo bike on the market today. I even have a trailer set up to haul even more.
How does the GSD with the belt drive and hub cope with some of those steep bristol hills when loaded? Considering getting one but not sure whether to go belt+hub or derailer as lots of 20% grad hills round where we are.
Have a radwagon, bought due low price compared to other cargo bikes. Had it for about a year, it’s used for work, shopping, been on holiday on it. Ace bike, however the lights have stopped working so need to get in touch with rad.
I love the RM Load very much, but was hesitant on its size, so I bought a RM Multicharger, and while I do wish to have a front loader with a mini cabin in front for my kids especially in bad weathers, I do find having a cargobike closer to a normal size bike, like my Multicharger, is more practical especially in London. More than often I find my self having to maneuver carefully through some very tight area such as those Moped gate, or the ramp down to the subway crossing highway. It would be impossible for Load75 to go through these, so I imagine having a Load75, I would have to stick with mostly the vehicle route, or dedicated bicycle lanes, and that limits the freedom of routes. Tern GSD would definitely be a better choice than RM Multicharger, in terms of the size, and accessories, but at the time the wait time was way too long.
We got the Tern GSD for 2 kids. Our friends got the RM one listed here (2 kids also). If space weren't an issue and the infrastructure was good here in Glasgow I'd say the RM is the better option. However, space is an issue for us, and the infrastructure here is garbage, so the Tern feels way more comfortable and manageable here. I also think the Tern is more versatile since you carry stuff in the front and rear. The tern also has much more options to customise your own ride. Either way, they are both incredible.
I have a front loader Douze G4 brose with a lockable Rhino Berlin box. I chose this bike because I wanted a French brand. The engine is silent and powerful. I need a lockable box, I’m a photographer and I carry thousand of € of gear. The front wheel turns with cable, therefore the U turn is really really short. Only problem, the curvy battery without handle is a pain in the *** to carry!
The front loader certainly looks like the kinder transportation option for children. I think I would be terrified to be travelling that close to Si's bum on the rear loader!!
Done over 3000mls commuting on my Tern HSD and it’s been brilliant. But I have a yearning for a GSD now. I can’t think of anything else that is good enough to replace it.
I love my tern GSD, so much better than my old mini. We picked the GSD when the kids have a baby sitter I can give me wife lift to date night or to ParkRun and never need to worry about traffic.
My "cargo bike" (if you can call it that) is a kind of DIY project. I got a secondhand bike for about £150. Then got an e-bike conversion kit. Then I got a detachable back-trailer. I'm not sure if that technically counts as a "cargo bike", but, it works for me :)
I bought a Butchers&Bicycles tricycle cargo bike. Only have one regret.... that I did not buy one much earlier. Have hardly done any km with my car anymore since. Kids are adults already, but for shopping, transport etc its super practical and lots of fun.
You should do a vid about both versions of E cargo trikes, 2 wheels at the front with either a basket to carry kids/box or 2 wheels at the back with flatbed/box.
Long john (that’ll be the front loader): I will need to store a very, very small kid in there. But without electric motor: I’m going to put very tiny gears on it (which, after months of waiting, I was finally able to find) and… train. A lot.
We got a longtail (back loading) bike for our kids. Kids always come with cargo and longtails handle that better IMO. While the kids needed to be fully dressed for the weather, they only ever complained that we skipped the usual playground stop on the way home. I feel longtails also handle more like a bike, like taking informal paths through city obstacles (jumping off curbs, squeezing between cars).
It's also less dangerous. A bakfiets type would shove the low hard to see front basket into a blind corner first until you're able to see. That's dangerous in most places especially cities as you could hit a pedestrian or send the cargo part under a car.
I guess one important difference between a front-loader and rear-loader is the view of the passengers. I haven't rode a cargo bike yet but we have a tandem bike. My wife sits behind me and sees my huge back in front of her. She says it would be nicer if she could see the road instead.
One for Si - when you were out on the roads on the front loader, did you drivers notice you more than on the rear loader? I'm contemplating getting a front loader for the capacity (shopping), but also because in theory, it's larger size will make vehicles more aware of you.
Imo, go for the Tern and get a trailer. That will open up your carrying options dramatically. Take off the trailer and the large panniers and you still have a cool social and commuting bike. The other one is always a cargo bike all of the time.
@@allthegearuk I don't own an e-bike yet, I just have an ordinary pedal power only hybrid bike. But I have a variety of panniers and racks big and small for every occasion and a large sized Trixie dog trailer. I've carried up to 70kg in it but average 40-50kg for shopping and other cargo trips too big for a bike alone. With the trailer, large panniers and rack I can carry as much bulk or volume as any dedicated cargo bike. Or even a small hatchback car with the seats folded down! Hook it off and I've got my hybrid bike back again for commuting, socialising or just anything that's fun to do on a bike. I saw a video where a mother could carry herself and FIVE children on an e-bike similar to the Tern. One on a seat on the top bar in front of her. Two on the rack seat behind her and another two in a children's trailer behind. Very impressive. The same for cargo. But afterwards you have a nice cool e-bike for commuting or touring or anything else afterwards. That's just how I would choose because each of these bikes are very expensive and it's a big financial decision to choose either of them.
@@tconnolly9820 I have previously toured across Europe with front and rear panniers. Now I am less fit with children and line in a very hilly area. We want a bike we can use normally but also take the children to school and go to the garden centre. I think a normal e-bike like you said with trailers for children and big luggage and panniers for everything else is the way to go. I was put off by the small wheels on GSD for general riding
@@allthegearuk I'd definitely go with the Tern unless you needed a dedicated cargo bike every day. Actually, I decided I need another flat bodied trailer for large items that won't fit into or on the dog trailer. Like a walk behind lawnmower! I decided on the Duramaxx Mountee because it's still a bargain trailer compared to the high something from Burley but still got good reviews for utilitarian reliability and durability. Unfortunately it's out of stock everywhere. I'll wait for a while and hopefully it'll be back in stock soon. Good luck and happy biking, e or old style. Oh and a by the by, I read recently that just one Tesla car can supply enough batteries to power 80 e-bike's. There's a lot to think about there.
Wow. Really interesting for urban dweller, but then I saw the price. Riese and Muller, £6309-£11,200, the Tern £5400 to £8600. That really is a large amount of money for something which can only be used for local travel.
I ride a Babboe City Mountain everyday. I chose the bakfiets/long-john architecture because I like to have a look on my cargo. I don't transport children, only cargo.
The rear loader is obviously more efficient from a physics/machanics perspective? Centre of mass closer to rear wheel, better traction and less friction on front wheel? Personally I'd always choose rear loader.
I'm thinking of buying one of the front load ones, loading it up with camping gear and tour around, these would be perfect, although I can't seem to find a deaerl in Australia yet, but I'll keep searching
The problem with most cities is if they don't have decent segregated cycling infrastructure, then on one of these bikes, you're almost as stuck as the rest of the traffic in terms of being able to filter past lines of stopped cars. At least things are changing for the better in this regard. I do most of my shopping trips on a normal bike with a large backpack or a trailer if I need to carry more. Parking for long bikes or bikes with trailers is non-existent where I live, even where there are bike lanes and other facilities, so I always have to fold the trailer around the next rack over so it's not a trip hazard.
The Siborg strikes again with another great planet-saving vid. This is the future. The HIVE is pleased. All will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile. (we need a 5-on-1 challenge with cargo bikes btw)
Riese und Muller Packster 80 hs / 4 yrs / 17 000km, dual battery. Ultimate solution with 2 kids (5 and 8 yrs). I have no problem with the bike, I sold my car.
Do you have a cargo bike, or are you interested in buying one? Let us know which you'd choose in the comments!👇
The Load in the episode is the 60?
My wife said guys don’t look cool riding rear loaders unless they’re carrying kids, and our garage is too small for a front loader. So looking at commuter ebikes with front and rear racks and panniers. More ebikes videos would be greatly appreciated.
I'd be taking the Larry vs Harry Bullitt and the madjax cargo box! its an awesome combo!!👊👊
👌💯
Perhaps a camera person! 😁😁😁😁
Front-loaders for small kids and stuff; longtails for larger kids and “normal” feel
Last year I purchased both a R-M Packster 70 front loader (later recalled) and a Tern GSD so I have recent practical experience with both front loaders and longtails. The plan was I would use the Packster and my wife would use the GSD, but I ended up using both. We have 4-1/2 year old twins so transporting them was the major reason for the purchases (they were 4 when we received the bikes). Here are some thoughts.
Transporting children: The kids liked riding in the R-M front loader better than the GSD longtail. I also liked that bike better since I could interact with them and see them much more easily. I felt with the front loader they were riding with me while on the longtail they were along for the ride. HOWEVER, they started to feel squeezed in the front box fairly quickly. By the time they were a few months past their fourth birthday and about 100 CM tall they were fighting and pushing for more space. I can’t imagine using this front loader for children past age five. Also, beginning just after their 4th birthday, the kids prefer to ride their own pedal bikes instead of sitting in the box if we are just riding for recreation. They prefer to be on one of the cargo bikes for going to the store.
Prior to buying these bikes I used a bike trailer. I much prefer the GSD or the front loader to a bike trailer due to the level of interaction and the handling and because I like feel the kids are bit safer on my bike as opposed to pulled along behind in a trailer.
Transporting food and objects
I like the front loader much better for transporting groceries and boxes. It is very convenient to be able to just throw a lot of stuff into the box. I have giant panniers on my GSD, but the front loader is still much easier than the GSD to use for hauling stuff.
Ride handling
The GSD handles pretty much like any bike. The front loader is not difficult to ride, but does take a number of rides to get used to it. My wife was not comfortable riding the Packster although she did ride it sometimes.
Transporting the bikes
The front loader is a beast and difficult to transport. Heck, it’s difficult to even move around in my garage since the bike is so large. It does not fit on hitch-mounted car bike racks and it would be difficult to lift such a heavy bike onto the roof of a car. The GSD, on the other hand, can fit on a some car bike racks. Many car bike racks cannot handle the weight of a GSD, but a few can. or you can use a motorcycle carrier. If you plan to transport your bike. The GSD is the better choice.
Summary
Overall I liked the front loader better, but felt that the kids were quickly outgrowing the box. I am very happy with GSD and feel it will fit my needs as my children grow. As I mentioned, the R-M Packster was recalled so now I just have the GSD. I do not plan to buy a new frontloader as the kids would out-grow the box relatively soon.
What about the GSD and a trailer to add as required?
That would give you the option to carry any box you want or anything else. With the right trailer of course.
And a pretty regular bike when you don't need to carry cargo.
Thank you for this very helpful comment. My children are 0 and 2 and so this will help me make a decision. With the children being different ages I think the front loader might be suitable for longer than your twins as one of my children will be smaller than the other for a while. However, although I am confident riding a front loader I worry that it might be too difficult for my wife. I don't mean to patronise her but she is not an experienced cyclist and with the learning curve for the size and the problems with the weight this might stop her using it as much as say a GSD. The front loader would be much easier for shopping though when you can just put the shopping back in straight away and not have to decant things into the panniers. Ultimately the fact they are difficult to travel with and the cost means I am leaning towards two e-bikes with a trailer so we can ride together as a family.
@@allthegearuk It has been a while since I posted my comment so perhaps you or others would like an update. My twins are now a few months past their sixth birthday. I continue to like the GSD because it has evolved with us. My children have outgrown the child seats and now simply sit on the pad in the Tern Clubhouse and hold onto the rails. They both can ride their own bikes well, but still very much enjoy riding the back of the GSD.
I recently purchased the Tern Tail Hitch and the Bike Tow Kit. Now I feel like I have the best of both worlds. The kids get in the Clubhouse and I tow one of the kid’s bikes from my house, across the busy streets, and to a protected bike path or much less busy street. Then the kids take turns riding the bike we towed. I only wish I could tow two bikes so they both could ride their own bikes. Still, this has been great.
Since they are much taller now and their feet had to go into the large panniers, I had limited room left for groceries in those bags (previously there was significant room under their feet). I added the trailer hitch for the bike trailer I used before I had the cargo bike and plan to use the trailer to hold the groceries when the kids come with me to the store. I have not actually done that yet, but I am confident that will work well.
In short, I am still enjoying the GSD and happy I could adapt it as my children grew and my needs changed. I’m looking forward to several more years of riding it with and without my children.
Awesome review, thank you very much 👍🏽
Cheers Ron. Thanks for the reviews! Really helpful
I own a Load 75 and it has totally transformed how we get around our city with our kids. It has also enabled us to do all our food shopping, DIY store trips and general shopping trips without getting stuck in traffic. The cost to purchase a bike like this isn't cheap, but it is an long term investment and the memories you'll make will be priceless
Fully agree. Also own load75 and it reduced car trips about 85-90% (unfortunately not all of them). Turbo mode is incredible! :)))
Load 75 high speed is the best thing we bought in years. So much fun to ride, kids love it. Getting around Antwerp on a Saturday doing 40 km, no problem.
Which country do you live in? How much did you pay for the Load 75? They are $12,000 AUD. In Australia. I would love one but can not afford one.
@@rohanscaysbrook3364 , Belgium paid 11000 €, it is expensive but it was this or a new car.
@@tomjanssens1498 I hope you local roads and paths are bike friendly. Australian does not have good bike infrastructure unfortunately. We have to ride with the car and buses too much. Not very safe.
I'm so in love with cargo bikes! I don't have any children, but, these make me want to literally borrow people's kids just to take them around on bicycles
A day out on your bike with someone else's child...
th-cam.com/video/jj0CmnxuTaQ/w-d-xo.html
Nah, this can be better, you can carry adults!
With my longtail, I can carry 2 friends in the back.
It's great for going to parties.
Go for it!
Something a lady can say but as a man... 😅
Your welcome get 1 an take my girl 2 school 🤣🤣🤣
Me too 😂
I have the Bullitt non assist it is eight years old now and has traveled the world , l bought it in London and cycle toured from there to France and Italy then put it on a ship home and has been used everyday doing school drop off and pick up and grocery shopping .
It changed my life !
Im considering this one due to the aftermarket boxes to increase width, and non electric for longevity and max customization. And I have three kids, 6,4,3 so a front loader is really the best solution.
I love my cargo bike! It's a 2018 Yuba Supermarche, a non electric, front loader. I've put in at least a 1000 miles per year with my daughter since she was 6 months old (I'd strap her whole car seat in the bucket until she was 2), that's a lot of miles for a baby! There's a canopy, I decorated the inside with LED lights, bunch of toys, 6 gallon milk crate on the back, nice bright lights for riding in the dark. I love the front loader design, it's easier to ride then it looks. I even have a trailer I can pull, bringing my total weight capacity to 700lbs. We turn heads everywhere we go!
I bet she loves it!!
sounds great did you upload it on the app? would love to see it
I am looking at one of these right now. What's it like going up a hill when loaded?
Thank you so much for covering cargo bikes GCN, they're an important part of fighting climate change and making our street space safer for all. Top work 👍
quite right
I think GCN should make a video presenting and giving the people behind the production of most of the videos some room to interact with the viewers. They're an important part of GCN.
I found the writer's spoof account guys!
👌💯
😎👍
Blink twice if they are holding you hostage.
I have a Larry vs Harry Bullitt (non-electric) which serves as my family car, various load hauler, work vehicle (mobile bike repair shop) and even as a mobile bar occasionally. Reason I chose the Bullitt is because of the open cargo bay which offers endless possibilities for different (custom-made) boxes, seats and whatever you can imagine. It's also by far the sexiest, nippiest and lightest long john style cargobike in existence. Makes me happy every single day!
I have researched Cargo bikes for about 6 months now. The Larry vs Harry would be the one that I would buy!
@@MrParacristo just do it. You won't regret it, trust me!
That's awesome! I have a Yuba Supermarche (also non electric), I should get a side hustle going on as a mobile bike repair guy! What a great idea! More power to you sir!
I have to agree !
Another vote for the Bullitt (non-electric). I agree with all your points and in my view a motor is far from essential. I've managed to get mine (loaded) up the Kirkstone Pass, albeit slowly... very slowly!!!
Love my cargo bike (a front-loader Bullitt). It’s the ultimate utility vehicle and has turned commutes and errands into a small joy.
I've had a Tern GSD as our 2nd car for the last 3 years. It's brilliant. Rides like a normal bike, carries tonnes of stuff, the kids love it. I can even fit it on my towbar mounted bike rack to take it on holiday. I rode it up a 1in3 hill with all the beach stuff and a kid on the back!
How old are your kids? I've got 9 and 7 year olds, so wondering what the GSD will be like for them.
@@RyanBond I've got a 5 and 7 year old on the back of a radwagon 4, which is slightly larger than the Tern but not by much. Assuming your 9 year old and my 7 year old are both average, the extra 6 kilos and 12 cm are not going to be a problem.
What towbar bike rack do you have? I haven't been able to find one that can hold a single bike greater than 30kgs (the GSD is around 33.5kg). Total weight yes, but not a single bike of greater than 30kgs.
@@brendanerskine4158 look at motorcycle or dirtbike racks. There are single and double options and are usually cheaper than ebike racks.
@@BenjaminSjavik Will have a look around. Unfortunately I dont have a hitch which is the limiting factor
On our second Tern GSD, having upgraded from the truly excellent Gen 1 S10 to a Gen 2 R14 in early 2021. We’ve been a car-free family since 2009, and the Tern GSD is literally our workhorse…I’ve hauled 200KGs on many occasions. As Si said, so much fun to ride and amazing to see people’s reactions when you cruise past with two kids onboard
👍🏼 respect
I too upgraded from my first ebike, a Tern GSD (with Enviolo hub) to the Gen 2 with 14 speed Rohloff hub. I loved the first one and love the second one even more! I rarely drive my car now and do virtually all errands with my Tern. I ride rain or shine - although if it is truly pouring, I will delay the trip or drive as a last resort. I made a few changes others my be interested in: I added the Tern extension arms to the factory kickstand. It was money well spent. I taped a garage door opener [Genie Universal series Model GU4TG-R] onto the stem of the bike using electrical tape. Very handy. When wearing gloves in cold weather I often miss-shifted. So I glued on tactile bumps onto the electric gear shift buttons. I used 3/8“ hemispherical cabinet drawer bumpers [Brainerd plastic bumpers P/N 429XC], with silicone adhesive [DAP 100% silicone clear adhesive]as the glue. (Don’t worry - it can be scraped off if you don‘t like it.) Finally, I used zip ties to mount a produce box onto the rear rack. I got it from our local grocery store as a favor. I tried many sizes and the one I liked best is: 23 1/2“ long x 15 3/4“ wide by 11“ tall. Drill holes in bottom and use zip ties to secure it to rear rack tubing. The point is, the rear box is super handy and fast. It has plenty of space for two stuffed full grocery bags plus a jacket, lock etc. I find the rear mounted box to be much much quicker than using the cargo side saddle bags. Oh: i also added a Kinekt suspension seat post; well worth the $200. (Tip: let your Tern dealer order the correct diameter.)
I have a Riese and Muller multicharger, which is a long tail cargo bike, for carrying my large dog (40kg) on longer rides. It's short enough to fit on a bike rack on the back of a car when necessary but still has plenty of carrying capacity. When Nacho (my dog) is riding, having a large, mobile weight high up at the back does affect the stability a bit, but it always makes people smile to see her sitting up behind me. I get lots of tandem style comments about how the one on the back isn't pedalling...
I am thinking about buying a Riese & muller multitinker for transporting 2 medium sized dogs. May I ask how you transport your big dog on the back of the long tail? Did you buy something designed for dogs or make something yourself? I can not find anything but something for 1 small dog. I ride an urban arrow family at the moment but very much like to get a long tail instead.
I like the back loading bike, it's more compact and seems like it could be ridden in a city without any problems.
👏💯
Agreed
Truth!
a frontloader is actually the same width as a regular bike with shopping bags
So glad you have props to the camera person! Unsung heroes of GCN!
I'm over in the states so my options are a bit more limited. I have a RadWagon 4, which I've added their version of the clubhouse and a raincover that goes over that as well. I can easily fit my 2 older children (7 and 5) and can even squeeze in the 3 year old to boot in a pinch, but it's not ideal. Ultimately the reason I went with this one was the price- I'm at $2300 on this bike and that includes accessories and upgrades. The Urban Arrow starts at $6000, which is pretty steep for a guy whose wife wasn't convinced he'd ride it.
All that said, I think if you have the space the front loader is the better option. The single biggest issue with my bike is that the weight is distributed up over the rear wheel. This is never a danger or a major problem, but it's definitely something I'd prefer not to deal with, especially when the girls decide that they need to get in a slap fight on the way back from school. From a usability perspective, it's much easier for your kids to turn around and talk to you from the front of the bike than it is for you to shout back at them, and being able to see them is really nice (maybe there would be fewer slap fights as well).
For anyone thinking about making a cargo bike a family car- it's great! I live in a typical american car-dependent suburb nearish to Seattle whose only saving grace is a gravel biking trail that runs the length of town, then connects up with some longer trails if I feel ambitious. I have no issue getting the places I go most often- the kids school, the grocery store, and church- in virtually any weather. A decent raincoat, some of those earmuff things by freedom machine, and a handlebar cover for your hands and you are set for pretty much the whole winter assuming you don't have snow or your infra is properly maintained during it.
I started riding in November of last year and it's the happiest I've been in a long time. I've lost a few pounds, the kids love having me take them to school and pick them up every day, and I'm much more in touch with the weather. I don't use my car within my city, so the furthest I go is about 4 miles (to the donut shop), and with the assist level properly set and 50 kilos of kids in the back I get a really nice ride in. Can't recommend it enough!
We’ve had a Gazelle Cabby for the last 6 years, brilliant fun! It gets used for everything, school runs, shopping, DIY stuff, all with minimal maintenance. The only difficulty now is to convince the kids to go on their own bikes. 😅
Thanks for a great video and for promoting cargo bikes and every day cycling. I have a Tern GSD because it is more compact, easier to fit on a train (not that I have yet), fits in a vehicle and does most of the stuff a front loader will. I still fancy a R&M Load though… I use it for all kinds of load carrying and it has done near 5000 miles in under 18 months.
My wife and I bought the GSD in the fall and love it so far. We originally got it because I wanted to bring her along on bike trips, she's really not comfortable riding a bike in general, let alone in a city. Basically, I was tired of driving everywhere when we went places together. We don't have kids at the moment, but if we do some day my wife and a kid could ride comfortably on the back with a weekly load of groceries in the panniers and the front rack. The GSD makes errands in the city fun. In a car, trips are a chore but on a bike the journey as part of the fun. Thanks for the video!
Front loaders rule I have one and it has been very useful and so much fun to ride . I got it because I used one for a job I had and I loved it. It is hands down my favorite bicycle to ride out of the 5 bikes I own. it is a standard cargo bike not a e-cargo bike
70+ years ago, when I was a kid, my parents had a tandem with a sidecar attached, which they would carry me around in. It had a cover, much like the one shown in this video, which I was terrified of being under. I still occasionally have nightmares about it... but I LOVED it when it was open. I can remember one specific trip from Luton (where we lived) to Whipsnade Zoo on a family outing (yes including a non-e-assist climb up Dunstable Downs) which I loved. I live in Santa Cruz California now... still ride quite a bit (2000Km ln in 2021) and e-cargo bikes are very popular around here (rain protection not needed most of the time). No, I don't have one. In fact I am just about to ride TdZ #2 on my Trek Domane SL mounted on a Tacx Neo 2T... I'll do an outside ride tomorrow... Keep these great videos coming guys!
We used a trailer and 2 bikes to get around with 2 small children, when our cars engine failed, there were a few downsides, like weight distribution and added width, but overall it was great. A big advantage was with the trailer I was the same speed as my wife (a bit like getting her an ebike, only cheaper and slower). #everydaylegday
Children up to 1.30 metres tall? That's great, you could even fit Dan Lloyd inside it!
too funny
Or Manon. 😆
For nearly 5 years I have had a 2nd hand Kona Ute (long tail) with Monkey Bars from SuperKnuckle, gradually upgrading parts as they have worn out. Dynamo lights, SLX gearing and hydraulic disc brakes (had cable discs) have improved the bike. Hint, when choosing tyres you need to check they are rated for the 200kg load. I think slightly smaller wheels (have 700c) would be better for stability as seen on on the Tern GSD and others. The ute is good because its quite light and rides well as a general town bike. Its rides well with 1 passenger but is becoming more tricky with 2 children as they are getting heavier!
I rode an Urban Arrow e-cargo bike in London for the last 3 years. I was working for Pedal Me delivering all sorts, from wedding parties to sofas. It was the most amazing bike. I now manage projects supporting businesses to adopt cargo bikes in their operations. I'm also in the process of building a bamboo cargo bike inspired by the Yoonit. Cargo bikes are amazing and it's great to see GCN promoting them. Great video.
I would love to see a video called something to the effect of “front loader shootout”. You could compare and contrast the different models available. Reese and Mueller, Larry vs. Harry, Urban Arrow, Bakfiets, and others… I have noticed that sadly you guys haven’t featured the Larry vs. Harry even tho it is the #1 cargo bike, preferred by most of all of the actual delivery guys because it is lightweight and fast.
We had a Bakfiets Long CargoBike (front loaded, non electric) to cart our kids around in London, Nursery runs etc. Paid £440 for it (many previous owners) and sold it for the same a couple of yrs later.
Kids loved it with a canopy for grim weather. I also used it for trips to load up with shopping, DIY stuff etc instead of using the car. Clearly doesn't replace a car in all circumstances, but there are many when it did.
They are a bit hard to come-by and a bit heavy (4-speed hub gear & drum brakes!) but so long as you're not somewhere too hilly then the weight's not a problem and it was one of my favorite and most useful bikes.
Mine never got nicked in London but it's the same with any bike anywhere - you need to be mindful where/how you leave it and for how long, and yes Cargo bikes are a bit harder to store/squeeze through gaps. Sold it as the kids then wanted to ride their own bikes (that and the S-1 rule)
Great timing, I'm getting rid of the car next month and I'm considering getting a cargo bike for when a backpack/panniers are not enough
Started with a trailer, then a non-E Bullitt, and then added a Rad Wagon longtail. Bullitt awesome for just fun (training, clipped in) rides with kids, easy to talk with them. As they've gotten too big for the box, seating behind and with E assist the Rad has been great. Also got a Comotion Periscope tandem that the older kid rides now. N+1!! While they're young and love riding with you
What height/age did they max out? Were you using the standard larry v harry box? Splendid cycles has boxes that are almost twice as wide for more space
Thanks for sharing such great videos (and nice to see them shot in Bath where I grew up) - my Cargo Bike journey has been a bit bumpy along the way. We had a R&M Packster Load 70 that we adored but unexpectedly recalled never to be seen again. Then we joined the long queue to get the Load 75 but after never ending delays to the delivery date and our two kids rapidly growing we opted for the TERN GSD. Our kids are both quite tall (at 4 & 6 yrs old) and it feels like there's a fraction more space having sitting on the rear loader, we could see them potentially getting quite cramped in the Load 75. So far really happy with the TERN.
I owned a Gazelle Cabby for a few years, but I wish we would have waited for the electric assist to be available (as we live on a hill). Be wise about your choices of a cargo bike. We found that it just wasn't practical enough to warrant the difficult, fully-loaded uphill rides, as the center of gravity is way off, making for some unstable maneuvering. An electric assist would have alleviated this problem, or a rear-load cargo bike. I recommend a lot of test drives in conditions similar to what you want to use it for. Be patient. Be choosy.
You can easily get a befang mid drive for the cabby.
I wanted a front loader, but unfortunately I live in an apartment and a long front loader just wasn't going to be an option space wise. I ended up with the 2019 version of the Tern GSD. Love my bike! I used it for taking my son to school, for buying a week or two of groceries. Pretty much everything you'd ever use a car for. The only thing I really would need a car for is picking people up from the airport lol.
Electric cargo bikes sometimes get written off as "too expensive". Compared to a "normal" bike, especially one from a big box store, yes....they can be pricey. BUT comparing an electric cargo bike to a normal bike is unfair, they should be compared to a car. You could buy a couple electric cargo bikes and still have money left over compared to the cost of a car. (And that's before you consider maintenance, insurance, and fuel!)
The issue with traditional bikes is that you're supporting all your weight with your groin and your get sweaty.
We need bikes with climate control and way more comfortable seating.
I got a Butcher's & Bicycles MK-1E so I can give my kid a friend and our dog a ride around town. Front loaders are much more dog friendly (especially with a door like ours has). I had some cheaper internet special cargo bikes before, but decided to return and upgrade to one that I could ride around and corner like a road bike. You definitely get what you pay for - especially with cargo bikes.
Got a Riese and Muller Multicharger - absolutely brilliant for carrying shopping and great fun to ride. The weight makes it a bit challenging to manhandle in and out of its storage but it rides like a normal bike.
My wife and I share a Voltbike Kodiak. My wife rides it to work with our 3 year old son in a Thule seat on the back. It's a rear load bike, similar to the tern but, uh, waaaaaay more affordable. Quality on the Voltbike is not great. I've had a charger die after 3 month and I had an intermittent electrical fault that I traced back to a factory defect. Getting support on the Voltbike is tricky since they're basically a mail order operation. Another problem is weight. The bike itself is heavy and with a 15kg toddler aboard it's pretty hard to move about. It's also gets a lot of attention. I don't mind it so much but if you ride one of these bikes you may get people commenting on it. In general though, it works well.
I had a Larry vs Harry eBullitt for 4 years in hilly Brussels. Wonderful, wonderful bike. 2 kids (ages 1-5 and 4-9). Went everywhere in that bike: commuting in a suit after dropping the boys at school, weekly shop, weekends in the woods… my wife could easily move it fully loaded up any hill. And it rode like a witch… think longboard surfing. Only sold it to move abroad. Took me some time to convince my wife and she loved it… my advice if you are in doubt? Do it !
Wasn't the seat uncomfortable and don't you get soaked in the rain?
Love love love my Load 60. Hate driving the car.
It’s is a car replacement for any trips under 20 miles. I ride in all weather, haul 2 weeks worth of groceries, never search for a parking spot and my grandkids beg to ride with me. FYI I am 66 years old 108 pounds and live in a hilly community.
I own a Copenhagen Wheel (electric assist) that fit on my existing bike, as do many others. Unfortunately, the maker of these wheels, Superpedestrian, stopped making them. I have had mine for maybe 8 or 9 years and I love it, but I need to prepared for the day when I have to switch to some other manufacturer. Here in Colorado they are opening a new e-bike rebate program to help qualified applicants to buy an ebike. They are allowing $500 towards an ebike, and an extra $300 if you buy a cargo bike. I am very interested in a cargo bike, so thank you very much for this video - and your others too!!
I chose to go with muscular (non-electric) cargo front-loaded bike: the LarryVSHarry Bullitt that completely changed our life as a family. Every day we look forward to get out riding, my boy can now feel the joy of slow riding and I stopped my gym subscription since I ride enough every day.
And now that we got a new family member, the bike developed with us: my boy rides on the bike frame and my baby girl will be enjoying the ride in the canopy. ❤️🚲
I usually just have to have my camera person ride their own bike. Thanks for the great tip!
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Big fan of cargo bikes. I prefer the long tail variety having Xtracycled a Kona Dew and replaced it about 3 years ago with a Tern GSD. It’s brilliant. Can carry two kids and a weeks worth of shopping (pretty much) and was commuting a 30 mile round trip for 6 months or so. The future of personal transport!
Bullitt, non-electric. LOVE IT!! Kids when they were smaller, my dog, shopping... load it up! No need to pay parking, lock the bike right in front of the store... Loads of nice comments and questions from people. These bikes are popular with the courier crowd for a reason.
Same here!
Nice video. I was just too distracted recognizing parts of Bath I know. Lovely city and a great backdrop for the video. 🙂
The problem with the rear loader is that you cargo weight is higher and that makes it more unstable.
I'd say the best type of cargo bicycle is the one with a sidecar.
I like the long tail cargo bike, the Tern. The odds and ends of bike lanes locally are narrow so that fits in. I've seen a few of these being ridden around the neighbourhood with two children at the back. Currently if need more carrying space I'll use a trailer with my usual bicycle.
our family loves our Big Babboe. three wheels were key for us because our kids often climb on it when we are not close by
The thing is, as they are so expensive it is a worry to use them as intended by leaving them outside a shop as in the UK it's likely been nicked by the time you come out
Thanks for the video, bringing awarness about those bikes!
One big difference between a front and back loader, is that some longtail/back loader, you can actually put adults instead of children.
With my Yuba mundo, I can carry 2 friends at the back.
I can tell you that they love it!
Yes, but do they take their turn carrying you when they've got you worn out?
@@michellebyrom6551 Of course my bikes are electric (I have a classic one also). :)
It never wear out.
Carrying one person dry, is HARD (ran out of battery once in 8 year), I couldn't go over 13km/h. 2 would be impossible. :)
My cargo-bike is a non-electric Elephant Bike, which is a reconditioned ex-Postmans Pashley Mail-Star, and I love it.
It was a present for my 60th birthday in 2019, and I use it a lot for shopping, moving stuff, commuting, and for just generally getting around.
It isn't the fastest or lightest bike on the planet, and could possibly benefit from having more than the standard three gears, but it's a real head-turner, and is a solid and reliable beast.
I prefer to ride my totally zero-fuel bike, and whilst I think that e-bikes are better than cars, I still think of them as "the easy option" for unfit people, they are OK for those who are less able, the elderly, or overweight people wanting to get a bit more active, but I still don't want one.
That's awesome! Replacing all the journeys you would have done with fuel, without it!
I chose a Bullitt from Harry VS Larry frontloading cargo bike. Because it's much lighter(22kg) and a lot cheaper. Then chucked a cheap Chinese hub motor on it. But since it's so light I normally run it without the battery, unless I know I need to transport something heavy
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Have a non-electric larry vs harry Bullitt with a 2*8 alfine. Perfect for shopping trips here in the Netherlands.
I havea chike kids (non electric version) bike. The front can hold 60kgs and has a ton of space yet it is desiged specifically to be narrow despite having three wheels, and the length is only 190-192cm so it can park in normal city bicycle racks. You can put it into a rack rear tire first to make it fit. It also has a special tilting mechanism so it rides like a normal 2 wheeled bike. And the riding position is upright very comfortable and higher than most bikes. I customized it with a bshultz suspension sest post and spiderflex seat so i dont have butt pain. Its super cofortable. There is no other cargo bike like the chike as far as I could find. Three wheels makes it safer. Despite it being non motorized the human body is incredible and after about a month of frequent usage it is almost like I have an eassist motor now with the increased leg strength. I am able to carry a 48kg load in the front while going up steep hills. If it gets really steep you can stand to pedal. Or even just walk it up im not sure there would be much speed difference honestly especially on steep hills. I give my chike kids a 10 out of 10. You have to get used to going a bit slower tban your fast bicycles of course and there is not the same fun speed thrill sense but it is a different kind of fun nonetheless.
For many people a cargo bike makes sense. But if you have ridden all your life, a normal Dutch style bike with accessories may be the best option. I wanted to add a picture of a mum with toddler snuggly sitting just in front of her chest, both looking so alive! And the rack at back of the bike is available for groceries etc.
I've been doing a little research, I want to get a cargo bike that is good for both on and off road. I want something that can handle a lot of weight because I want to use it for long distance traveling and when I'm not traveling I want to use it as a replacement for a car.
With all that said if your in a similar situation I think the back load one would be best. The main reason would be because expecily if your doing off road your going to be doing sharp turns.
My dog gets to ride on the back of my Big Dummy; she loves to stick her head under my arm for that front-seat view. Smiles from everyone we pass :) Also great for grocery store, etc.
Mongoose Envoy. It’s extremely functional, 24 gears provides a lot of range, and price wise its the best cargo bike on the market today. I even have a trailer set up to haul even more.
This cargo bike looks really good, and our company happens to be producing this type of car as well. If you are interested, you can come to me.
How does the GSD with the belt drive and hub cope with some of those steep bristol hills when loaded? Considering getting one but not sure whether to go belt+hub or derailer as lots of 20% grad hills round where we are.
Living in London, if I took one of these shopping I'd be certain that someone was stealing it as I perused fruit and veg in Waitrose.
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100% mate. That's why cars are king
But with so much carrying space you can take a really big f off lock or two!
@@Goriaas No, a lot of those get stolen here too
@@whatwelearned so your car getting stolen while"you "perused fruit and veg in Waitrose" is comparably likely?
I disagree. Vastly less so
Have a radwagon, bought due low price compared to other cargo bikes. Had it for about a year, it’s used for work, shopping, been on holiday on it. Ace bike, however the lights have stopped working so need to get in touch with rad.
I love the RM Load very much, but was hesitant on its size, so I bought a RM Multicharger, and while I do wish to have a front loader with a mini cabin in front for my kids especially in bad weathers, I do find having a cargobike closer to a normal size bike, like my Multicharger, is more practical especially in London. More than often I find my self having to maneuver carefully through some very tight area such as those Moped gate, or the ramp down to the subway crossing highway. It would be impossible for Load75 to go through these, so I imagine having a Load75, I would have to stick with mostly the vehicle route, or dedicated bicycle lanes, and that limits the freedom of routes.
Tern GSD would definitely be a better choice than RM Multicharger, in terms of the size, and accessories, but at the time the wait time was way too long.
We got the Tern GSD for 2 kids. Our friends got the RM one listed here (2 kids also). If space weren't an issue and the infrastructure was good here in Glasgow I'd say the RM is the better option. However, space is an issue for us, and the infrastructure here is garbage, so the Tern feels way more comfortable and manageable here.
I also think the Tern is more versatile since you carry stuff in the front and rear. The tern also has much more options to customise your own ride.
Either way, they are both incredible.
Taking us back 50+ years, to the days of "Open All Hours" and Granville.
I have a front loader Douze G4 brose with a lockable Rhino Berlin box. I chose this bike because I wanted a French brand. The engine is silent and powerful. I need a lockable box, I’m a photographer and I carry thousand of € of gear. The front wheel turns with cable, therefore the U turn is really really short. Only problem, the curvy battery without handle is a pain in the *** to carry!
The front loader certainly looks like the kinder transportation option for children. I think I would be terrified to be travelling that close to Si's bum on the rear loader!!
Done over 3000mls commuting on my Tern HSD and it’s been brilliant. But I have a yearning for a GSD now. I can’t think of anything else that is good enough to replace it.
The best type is the type you can use for both work and a social life mobile camper.
I love my tern GSD, so much better than my old mini.
We picked the GSD when the kids have a baby sitter I can give me wife lift to date night or to ParkRun and never need to worry about traffic.
My "cargo bike" (if you can call it that) is a kind of DIY project.
I got a secondhand bike for about £150. Then got an e-bike conversion kit. Then I got a detachable back-trailer.
I'm not sure if that technically counts as a "cargo bike", but, it works for me :)
You’re right Si, that front loader is so cool! You know what else is cool? Your trainers! Really
I bought a Butchers&Bicycles tricycle cargo bike. Only have one regret.... that I did not buy one much earlier. Have hardly done any km with my car anymore since. Kids are adults already, but for shopping, transport etc its super practical and lots of fun.
Great to hear you've made the switch!
The future is E-bike Campers with fold down seating that creates a single or double bed
You should do a vid about both versions of E cargo trikes, 2 wheels at the front with either a basket to carry kids/box or 2 wheels at the back with flatbed/box.
Now we need someone to design and make a kids playhouse on wheels!!!
Long john (that’ll be the front loader): I will need to store a very, very small kid in there.
But without electric motor: I’m going to put very tiny gears on it (which, after months of waiting, I was finally able to find) and… train. A lot.
Love the video just in time since my husband and I are looking to get a cargo bike.
We got a longtail (back loading) bike for our kids. Kids always come with cargo and longtails handle that better IMO. While the kids needed to be fully dressed for the weather, they only ever complained that we skipped the usual playground stop on the way home. I feel longtails also handle more like a bike, like taking informal paths through city obstacles (jumping off curbs, squeezing between cars).
It's also less dangerous. A bakfiets type would shove the low hard to see front basket into a blind corner first until you're able to see. That's dangerous in most places especially cities as you could hit a pedestrian or send the cargo part under a car.
I guess one important difference between a front-loader and rear-loader is the view of the passengers. I haven't rode a cargo bike yet but we have a tandem bike. My wife sits behind me and sees my huge back in front of her. She says it would be nicer if she could see the road instead.
regular bike with removable kids trailer is what i like the most. very flexible and easier to control
One for Si - when you were out on the roads on the front loader, did you drivers notice you more than on the rear loader? I'm contemplating getting a front loader for the capacity (shopping), but also because in theory, it's larger size will make vehicles more aware of you.
Imo, go for the Tern and get a trailer. That will open up your carrying options dramatically.
Take off the trailer and the large panniers and you still have a cool social and commuting bike.
The other one is always a cargo bike all of the time.
@@tconnolly9820 I was just thinking about this as you can also take it on holiday with you.
@@allthegearuk I don't own an e-bike yet, I just have an ordinary pedal power only hybrid bike.
But I have a variety of panniers and racks big and small for every occasion and a large sized Trixie dog trailer.
I've carried up to 70kg in it but average 40-50kg for shopping and other cargo trips too big for a bike alone.
With the trailer, large panniers and rack I can carry as much bulk or volume as any dedicated cargo bike. Or even a small hatchback car with the seats folded down! Hook it off and I've got my hybrid bike back again for commuting, socialising or just anything that's fun to do on a bike.
I saw a video where a mother could carry herself and FIVE children on an e-bike similar to the Tern.
One on a seat on the top bar in front of her.
Two on the rack seat behind her and another two in a children's trailer behind.
Very impressive.
The same for cargo.
But afterwards you have a nice cool e-bike for commuting or touring or anything else afterwards.
That's just how I would choose because each of these bikes are very expensive and it's a big financial decision to choose either of them.
@@tconnolly9820 I have previously toured across Europe with front and rear panniers. Now I am less fit with children and line in a very hilly area. We want a bike we can use normally but also take the children to school and go to the garden centre. I think a normal e-bike like you said with trailers for children and big luggage and panniers for everything else is the way to go. I was put off by the small wheels on GSD for general riding
@@allthegearuk I'd definitely go with the Tern unless you needed a dedicated cargo bike every day.
Actually, I decided I need another flat bodied trailer for large items that won't fit into or on the dog trailer.
Like a walk behind lawnmower!
I decided on the Duramaxx Mountee because it's still a bargain trailer compared to the high something from Burley but still got good reviews for utilitarian reliability and durability.
Unfortunately it's out of stock everywhere.
I'll wait for a while and hopefully it'll be back in stock soon.
Good luck and happy biking, e or old style.
Oh and a by the by, I read recently that just one Tesla car can supply enough batteries to power 80 e-bike's.
There's a lot to think about there.
Can you get the GCN jackets on the store that Si is wearing in this video? Ideally with some different colour options
Wow. Really interesting for urban dweller, but then I saw the price. Riese and Muller, £6309-£11,200, the Tern £5400 to £8600. That really is a large amount of money for something which can only be used for local travel.
I ride a Babboe City Mountain everyday. I chose the bakfiets/long-john architecture because I like to have a look on my cargo. I don't transport children, only cargo.
The rear loader is obviously more efficient from a physics/machanics perspective? Centre of mass closer to rear wheel, better traction and less friction on front wheel? Personally I'd always choose rear loader.
But then you don't see the things as they fall off!
I'm thinking of buying one of the front load ones, loading it up with camping gear and tour around, these would be perfect, although I can't seem to find a deaerl in Australia yet, but I'll keep searching
I've taken my Larry Vs Harry Bullitt on extended camping tours and it's worked great. I highly recommend it.
I have an idea for a new race event - cargo cross.
Thanks for you
Iam fron Egypt 🇪🇬 here we haven't any kind of cargo like there you have can I get the one and how much please
The problem with most cities is if they don't have decent segregated cycling infrastructure, then on one of these bikes, you're almost as stuck as the rest of the traffic in terms of being able to filter past lines of stopped cars. At least things are changing for the better in this regard. I do most of my shopping trips on a normal bike with a large backpack or a trailer if I need to carry more. Parking for long bikes or bikes with trailers is non-existent where I live, even where there are bike lanes and other facilities, so I always have to fold the trailer around the next rack over so it's not a trip hazard.
My Bullitt filters fine and with a big orange metal box on it I get more space from drivers who worry about their paintwork
Do you have any updates about what new cargo bikes and trikes are out on the market including cube bikes and the vok bikes please
hi，Our company happens to be producing this type of car as well. If you are interested, you can come to me.
I have a Radwagon by RAD and when carrying a case of bananas crosswinds are challenging.
We need a cargo bike where the box folds out into a camp bed for long bike camping trips.
My entire early childhood was spent in one of these xD a three wheeler though
I prefer the front loader design, the weight distribution is more equal when loaded, put too much pressure on the rear side isn't ideal
I loooove my BATAK cargo bike,not electric but still a very nice ride😉
The Siborg strikes again with another great planet-saving vid. This is the future. The HIVE is pleased. All will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile. (we need a 5-on-1 challenge with cargo bikes btw)
Coincidentally have seen both these around south Bristol a lot lately🤔
Riese und Muller Packster 80 hs / 4 yrs / 17 000km, dual battery. Ultimate solution with 2 kids (5 and 8 yrs). I have no problem with the bike, I sold my car.
What kind of cargo bike would be best for rural commuting with kids?
hi，Our company happens to be producing this type of car as well. If you are interested, you can come to me.
@@Nancy-g3s2jwhat? Haha
If you are on a flat street, is it cool just peddling?
Gostei das duas! Quando vai chegar no Brasil? 🇧🇷?