I researched and tested ride several cargo ebikes before making my choice... went through 3 states and tried the tern gsd, the Riese and Muller Load and Packster, the yuba spicy curry and the benno boost, among others. Also I considered and discarded a few cheaper options like the radwagon. I was looking for a perfect ebike to minimize the use of my car, that allows me to bring my kid to nearby places, do groceries, take fido to the dog park, commute, etc. I ended up getting the Benno Boost which I've owned for several weeks now with no complaints so far. On paper I thought the tern gsd would be my choice, but I found the ride very stiff and heavy to maneuver in tight spaces. In real world the roads have cracks and bumps and the small 20 inch wheels were not up to the challenge. I could not get used to the weird handling of the riese and muller long johns. Tried also the pedego Stretch and found it a bit too big and heavier than expected. I discarted the radwagon cuz the higher center of gravity with the 26 inch wheels and also I'm a believer of getting what you pay for. I guess the point here is yes, one can watch a million videos on TH-cam and do your perfect research online, nothing can replace a through test ride to find the bike that fits you and your needs. Hope this helps, peace...
thanks! this is exactly the answer I was looking for. I'm researching whether to get GSD or Benno Boost e. I can test ride tern however can't with Benno... have to order it argh!
Also, thanks Court (and Chris) for the awesome reviews! I don't even have an ebike (yet) and I watch all of your vids lol. The GSD will be my first I hope! So long as I can get one out to me in Hawaii.
I love your reviews but I'd really like to see you load up all of the bikes that come with racks. It would be very informative to see the responsiveness and power when they're loaded with what they claim is a max load.
Thanks Fred, sorry that hasn't been a focus for me. I'd like to do all kinds of things but am often limited by time and the state of the product (like is it a brand new unit being sold or is it a demo that I can actually beat up a bit if an accident happens). In any case, I'll keep trying and appreciate your thoughts
I've reviewed lots of products in the past (mostly firearms and associated products, not on this name) so I understand the constraints. No worries at all and I look forward to seeing more reviews in the future!
Yeah, I was wondering about brake fade for 400 lbs on a steep grade- where I live, think ~1500' el. drop over about 10 miles. Also, climbing that grade with 400 lbs rider/cargo, what would be the real-world battery range, eco mode, light winds?
Great review of a very interesting bike. More bikes should have the upright storage system, particularly for apartments and cycle sheds where cargo bikes tend to be a bit long to store. Also a nice insight into a Summer's day in Brooklyn!
This is a great design , but one thing that is missing is an adjustable stem the moves forward and backwards. Riese and Muller has this function on their bike and it would not be difficult for Tern to incorporate it in their design . Commenters are complaining about the hefty price ,but considering the uniqueness of the design and having one of the best motors on the market, it is not totally outrages. I suspect when this bike is copied a few times , it will bring the price down.
Anyone know the US release date? I'm so excited for this bike. I've been shopping around for an ebike for nearly a year now and haven't quite been able to find what I need. This is exactly the bike I've been looking for!
Sure thing, not super clear on the state of walk mode legality in NYC but they aren't allowing throttles. Nobody has ever questioned the bikes I have reviewed there and I have passed many police officers. I think it has more to do with how you are riding. There are clearly illegal e-bikes all over the city and I have never seen them being chased or ticketed by officers during my visits, but that could change for the scooter type models in the future
Very interesting bike. For a bike like this, it would be great to include a average sized woman trying this out to get their take on how the compact cargo bike is to handle.
New ebike rider. Had my Radwagon for 3 weeks and 150 miles. Love. It. With the caboose/added accessory rack/2 pads for my 2 toddler nieces to sit on it was $1950 shipped. They love to go on rides with me. For the same set up with this one it would be bike with 2 batteries ($4800) and 2 yepp maxi’s ($240 each) for a total of $5280. Things I would love with the Tern: 1. RANGE. I get a little less than 20 miles on a charge now that the weather is around freezing in Missouri. Which means charging at least once a day on my 4 mile commute to work. 2. STEP-OVER. The RadWagon can be a beast to swing my leg over when it’s loaded. 3. WEIGHT. The RadWagon is about 75 lbs with the caboose, and the walk assist isn’t enough to get it up my apartment stairs like I’d hoped. I have to carry it by hand, and it is a monster (that’s not even counting any gear like the heavy lock I carry to keep it from getting stolen around town). The wagon also takes up a lot more room in my apartment than this thing would. Things I would miss with the Tern: 1. THROTTLE. Twist the throttle anytime on the wagon, and you get the full 750 watts from the motor, which is awesome for starting from stop and also cruising after a long day of work. Sometimes it’s nice not to pedal. The throttle alone is a deal breaker for me. 2. PRICE. I can do a lot with the $3330 difference in price, including a second RadWagon completely fitted out and 1330 snickers bars :) Love. My. RadWagon. Hope this helps.
Nuncle Cleent thanks for the thoughtful comparison. I would recommend you try one if you get the chance. You might find there are somethings you’re missing as I don’t think it’s really apples to apples here. We’ve built and serviced several Radwagons and I can assure you that this is a very different animal. It would also be great to have you report back when you’ve had the bike for sometime.
I will definitely give you that. It seems like a Toyota to Lexus kind of comparison, and there is certainly some “you get what you pay for” in this equation :) I was frustrated by how little real-life info I could find on these types of bikes when I was shopping. So I hope it’s helpful. As the experts, I would love to hear some of your comparison info and recommendations. I’ve never heard a “don’t buy this bike” on the channel, even on the super 73 which I could tell you weren’t psyched about. For the record, there would be NO Info on e - bikes without this channel. So THANKS! Just some feedback from a customer. :)
Nuncle Cleent -you’re right, at $5000 for this dual battery model - you could buy a Radwagon ($1600), completely strip it, upgrade all of the bike components ($1000), install a bbshd kit ($875) and still have $1500 left over for extra batteries. The only advantage the Tern has is storage size.
It sounds like Q1 2018 but I cannot say for sure, they sent the unit you see in this review out to Chris's shop just for the review and they have had other demo bikes at Interbike etc.
It's not just the magnet of the wheel, it's also measuring the cadence as well as the torque which is probably the most frequent measurement since it fluctuates the most. This is how they're able to deliver such a refined experience.
Great to hear, thanks for the feedback! I think Rad Power Bikes hit a sweet spot with that price and design, this one is different and it does some things better and some things worse (like price) but that's okay, nice to have choice :)
It may be a reasonable price if it will do what you need it to do. You are not ill-informed, you are asking a reasonable question. From the options available for $4,000, I'm looking at used cars, new/almost new scooters/motorcycles, and ebikes. The ebike choice has to have enough positives/versatility to overcome what ICE motors can do easily, but bikes can't. This one is almost there, but not quite.
It is way over-priced! There are EV motorcycles and scooters for half the price with good materials and workmanship...at least have full-suspension and/or regenerative cycling system to charge the batteries as long as the wheels are spinning.
Close, but no cigar. I won't buy and ebike that has pedal assist limited to 20 mph- period. I ride faster than 20 mph regularly in critical situations, like through busy intersections. This bike is what I want in many ways, but that one limitation is one I won't accept. Too bad that they didn't use the new Bafang Ultra motor- it may not be as good a motor as the Bocsh, but I could learn to fix the Bafang- I'm tired of proprietary over-priced junk like the Bionx I currently have. I refuse to buy anything that I must send back to awful manufacturers who won't honor the warranty.
Shockingly Over priced. I had welder steal company build me a cargo bike frame . £200 with all components I had round total £425 around $600 and it's way better than this. Don't be riped off.
@@keithATL604 How can you call someone cheap? What if this person is broke? Yeah, he knows the value of avoiding scams...it saves money... You make it seem like $4k is nothing to you, probably cause you're a privileged spoiled brat who lives off mommy and daddy.
$4000 is too expensive for the spec tha's on this shit bike. If you think that is not expensive enough, go buy an even shittier bike with even less spec, the Peble/Elf bike. It is very cheap, only US$9875 for basic version. Since it is so cheap buy a dozen....
This review had so much passion to it. This is a guy who is doing this for the sheer love of bikes
I researched and tested ride several cargo ebikes before making my choice... went through 3 states and tried the tern gsd, the Riese and Muller Load and Packster, the yuba spicy curry and the benno boost, among others. Also I considered and discarded a few cheaper options like the radwagon.
I was looking for a perfect ebike to minimize the use of my car, that allows me to bring my kid to nearby places, do groceries, take fido to the dog park, commute, etc.
I ended up getting the Benno Boost which I've owned for several weeks now with no complaints so far.
On paper I thought the tern gsd would be my choice, but I found the ride very stiff and heavy to maneuver in tight spaces. In real world the roads have cracks and bumps and the small 20 inch wheels were not up to the challenge.
I could not get used to the weird handling of the riese and muller long johns.
Tried also the pedego Stretch and found it a bit too big and heavier than expected.
I discarted the radwagon cuz the higher center of gravity with the 26 inch wheels and also I'm a believer of getting what you pay for.
I guess the point here is yes, one can watch a million videos on TH-cam and do your perfect research online, nothing can replace a through test ride to find the bike that fits you and your needs. Hope this helps, peace...
thanks! this is exactly the answer I was looking for. I'm researching whether to get GSD or Benno Boost e. I can test ride tern however can't with Benno... have to order it argh!
I love their colors and cargo accessories, they did a good job adding utility in the design.
Yeah, to me this ebike is inspiring, something completely creative and well thought out :)
Also, thanks Court (and Chris) for the awesome reviews! I don't even have an ebike (yet) and I watch all of your vids lol. The GSD will be my first I hope! So long as I can get one out to me in Hawaii.
Hi Kris - the GSD will definitely be available from your local Tern dealer on the island.
This is awesome, definitely something my girlfriend and I have been looking for in the ebike realm.
I love your reviews but I'd really like to see you load up all of the bikes that come with racks. It would be very informative to see the responsiveness and power when they're loaded with what they claim is a max load.
Thanks Fred, sorry that hasn't been a focus for me. I'd like to do all kinds of things but am often limited by time and the state of the product (like is it a brand new unit being sold or is it a demo that I can actually beat up a bit if an accident happens). In any case, I'll keep trying and appreciate your thoughts
I've reviewed lots of products in the past (mostly firearms and associated products, not on this name) so I understand the constraints. No worries at all and I look forward to seeing more reviews in the future!
Yeah, I was wondering about brake fade for 400 lbs on a steep grade- where I live, think ~1500' el. drop over about 10 miles. Also, climbing that grade with 400 lbs rider/cargo, what would be the real-world battery range, eco mode, light winds?
Great review of a very interesting bike. More bikes should have the upright storage system, particularly for apartments and cycle sheds where cargo bikes tend to be a bit long to store. Also a nice insight into a Summer's day in Brooklyn!
Yeah, I think it's a fantastic idea... and it felt pretty solid in that position
Tern make good bikes and good accessories. This looks like a really cool bike.
your reviews are the best
I love it! Very versatile and worth the price on what ur getting quality wise. Im kinda biased coz i own a non e-bike folding bike :)
You do great reviews!
This is a great design , but one thing that is missing is an adjustable stem the moves forward and backwards. Riese and Muller has this function on their bike and it would not be difficult for Tern to incorporate it in their design .
Commenters are complaining about the hefty price ,but considering the uniqueness of the design and having one of the best motors on the market, it is not totally outrages.
I suspect when this bike is copied a few times , it will bring the price down.
Anyone know the US release date? I'm so excited for this bike. I've been shopping around for an ebike for nearly a year now and haven't quite been able to find what I need. This is exactly the bike I've been looking for!
Hi Kris - we should have these ready to go by early Spring.
Joshua Hon Awesome, I'm stoked! Thanks!
That's one tough looking little bike!
Indeed, the parts they used are mostly from mountain bikes and the extra bar reinforcements on the cargo rack are extreme
This one is actually accurate, thank you.
Thanks so much for the test ride on rough street and honest details about tradeoffs.
P. S. New York fixed its bungling ban on walk mode?
Sure thing, not super clear on the state of walk mode legality in NYC but they aren't allowing throttles. Nobody has ever questioned the bikes I have reviewed there and I have passed many police officers. I think it has more to do with how you are riding. There are clearly illegal e-bikes all over the city and I have never seen them being chased or ticketed by officers during my visits, but that could change for the scooter type models in the future
Very interesting bike. For a bike like this, it would be great to include a average sized woman trying this out to get their take on how the compact cargo bike is to handle.
Great point! Thanks for the suggestion, I'll work on getting more guest perspectives and ladies in particular :)
Must be difficult driving this
New ebike rider. Had my Radwagon for 3 weeks and 150 miles. Love. It. With the caboose/added accessory rack/2 pads for my 2 toddler nieces to sit on it was $1950 shipped. They love to go on rides with me. For the same set up with this one it would be bike with 2 batteries ($4800) and 2 yepp maxi’s ($240 each) for a total of $5280.
Things I would love with the Tern: 1. RANGE. I get a little less than 20 miles on a charge now that the weather is around freezing in Missouri. Which means charging at least once a day on my 4 mile commute to work. 2. STEP-OVER. The RadWagon can be a beast to swing my leg over when it’s loaded. 3. WEIGHT. The RadWagon is about 75 lbs with the caboose, and the walk assist isn’t enough to get it up my apartment stairs like I’d hoped. I have to carry it by hand, and it is a monster (that’s not even counting any gear like the heavy lock I carry to keep it from getting stolen around town). The wagon also takes up a lot more room in my apartment than this thing would.
Things I would miss with the Tern: 1. THROTTLE. Twist the throttle anytime on the wagon, and you get the full 750 watts from the motor, which is awesome for starting from stop and also cruising after a long day of work. Sometimes it’s nice not to pedal. The throttle alone is a deal breaker for me. 2. PRICE. I can do a lot with the $3330 difference in price, including a second RadWagon completely fitted out and 1330 snickers bars :)
Love. My. RadWagon.
Hope this helps.
Nuncle Cleent thanks for the thoughtful comparison. I would recommend you try one if you get the chance. You might find there are somethings you’re missing as I don’t think it’s really apples to apples here. We’ve built and serviced several Radwagons and I can assure you that this is a very different animal. It would also be great to have you report back when you’ve had the bike for sometime.
I will definitely give you that. It seems like a Toyota to Lexus kind of comparison, and there is certainly some “you get what you pay for” in this equation :) I was frustrated by how little real-life info I could find on these types of bikes when I was shopping. So I hope it’s helpful. As the experts, I would love to hear some of your comparison info and recommendations. I’ve never heard a “don’t buy this bike” on the channel, even on the super 73 which I could tell you weren’t psyched about. For the record, there would be NO Info on e - bikes without this channel. So THANKS! Just some feedback from a customer. :)
Nuncle Cleent -you’re right, at $5000 for this dual battery model - you could buy a Radwagon ($1600), completely strip it, upgrade all of the bike components ($1000), install a bbshd kit ($875) and still have $1500 left over for extra batteries. The only advantage the Tern has is storage size.
When will be the new Vektron be avaible?
It sounds like Q1 2018 but I cannot say for sure, they sent the unit you see in this review out to Chris's shop just for the review and they have had other demo bikes at Interbike etc.
Hi Patrik - the Vektron is in stock now.
Joshua Hon yes but for 2017-2018 there were some more models released
Ah yes - the new P9 and D7i models should be in stores by the Spring.
What does the "walk mode" do?
The most appealing part of this video: doggie costume contest! haha..
36:09
The most important on this bike is the weight distribution with out it the bike will tear itself apart
The panniers are so huge that the backlight cannot be seen from the side anymore. Really? These kind of mistakes in that pricerange?
Your comments seem to not take into account that it’s a cargo bike.
Very good heavy duty bike.
Yeah, this thing was built to last ;)
The 1000x per second sounds nonsense ... the magnet passes the sensor only few times per second.
It's not just the magnet of the wheel, it's also measuring the cadence as well as the torque which is probably the most frequent measurement since it fluctuates the most. This is how they're able to deliver such a refined experience.
I really like my RadWagon cargo bicycle for half the money....
Great to hear, thanks for the feedback! I think Rad Power Bikes hit a sweet spot with that price and design, this one is different and it does some things better and some things worse (like price) but that's okay, nice to have choice :)
Cannot see considering a $4 grand mini ebike. OVERPRICED!!!
It may be a reasonable price if it will do what you need it to do. You are not ill-informed, you are asking a reasonable question. From the options available for $4,000, I'm looking at used cars, new/almost new scooters/motorcycles, and ebikes. The ebike choice has to have enough positives/versatility to overcome what ICE motors can do easily, but bikes can't. This one is almost there, but not quite.
It is way over-priced! There are EV motorcycles and scooters for half the price with good materials and workmanship...at least have full-suspension and/or regenerative cycling system to charge the batteries as long as the wheels are spinning.
way too expensive and no suspension and you can get half the price of similar bike!
Close, but no cigar. I won't buy and ebike that has pedal assist limited to 20 mph- period. I ride faster than 20 mph regularly in critical situations, like through busy intersections. This bike is what I want in many ways, but that one limitation is one I won't accept. Too bad that they didn't use the new Bafang Ultra motor- it may not be as good a motor as the Bocsh, but I could learn to fix the Bafang- I'm tired of proprietary over-priced junk like the Bionx I currently have. I refuse to buy anything that I must send back to awful manufacturers who won't honor the warranty.
Wow. 2 400wh 36v batteries for $5000? That’s a real world range of about 40-50 miles if you do any speed at all. Cool bike, lame drivetrain.
Shockingly Over priced. I had welder steal company build me a cargo bike frame . £200 with all components I had round total £425 around $600 and it's way better than this. Don't be riped off.
Typical comment from a cheapskate who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
@@keithATL604 How can you call someone cheap? What if this person is broke? Yeah, he knows the value of avoiding scams...it saves money... You make it seem like $4k is nothing to you, probably cause you're a privileged spoiled brat who lives off mommy and daddy.
$4000 is too expensive for the spec tha's on this shit bike. If you think that is not expensive enough, go buy an even shittier bike with even less spec, the Peble/Elf bike. It is very cheap, only US$9875 for basic version. Since it is so cheap buy a dozen....