Although you showed preference for Madsen (it met all your needs, so I understand that bias), I’m glad you still shared your experience with the other cargo bikes. Plus, seeing videos of how they ride and hearing HOW it feels riding and parking them is good to understand beyond how fast they can go. Currently still shopping for my first cargo bike, so I thank you for sharing this (still on fence between long-john/box bike or 3-wheel cargo bikes for kids & snow…) Also gonna check out your other videos on Montessori & Waldorf. So glad I discovered your channel! ❤
Of course! I felt it was important to show the others since we put a lotttt of research and test riding into the decision! I cannot help with anything snow related haha but I know most of the Madsen owners are in snowy states (they're based in Utah). I would *think* the 3 wheel will feel more stable in snow, but also be a bigger headache if you actually end up in snow because it's already so heavy and hard to steer. Which im sure isn't helpful at all haha! Either way Madsen gave me a discount code for $200 off with code TCM if you go that route! Hope the montessori + waldorf videos are helpful!
UPDATE: So apparently the Madsen does NOT have suspension - which I'm shocked about? It rides like it does, maybe because the center of gravity is so much lower? Idk, we are about to break 1000 miles and still love it!
I never got a chance! They do sell some of that version on Ali express or Ali Bababa too. I did some research on it though and would def choose that over like the ferla or bunch for sure. If I recall it’s more expensive than the madsen
Great video… at what age did you start allowing your kids to ride in the madsen? My 16 month old seems a little too young but my 2.5 year old rides in it no problem.
Mine started at 20 or 22 months? and 4 years old. My younger one is pretty wild so I was nervous about him, and would cinch his seatbelt VERY tight so he couldn't wiggle or if he thrusted out a bunch of times he wouldn't be able to stand/loosen it and had no problems. Actually it wasn't until closer to 2.5 where he decided to start throwing his head (with all his weight) over the side and I'd have to stay on the ready to counterbalance his weight pulling the bike that I had any issues lol but it was short lived and never anything to crazy, just unexpected the first couple times
When factoring in cost, it makes it a toss up between Madsen and Radio. Trikes are too bulky and I wouldn't consider it unless stability was an issue. The mid-drive is sweet giving you additional torque but the drivetrain will take additional stress. The hub motors on the Radio will put extra stress on the rear tire and is much more economical to replace than drivetrain components. For my needs, I would want an extra battery, whether I have to swap it out or add it on. Didnt see that on Madsens website, whereas Radio does have that option. I imagine its possible, but dont know.
For Madsen, I have the back up battery linked in the blog post if you wanted a spare (linked in desceiption). Radio has to sell theirs direct I think because it's custom to fit specifically into their bike frame, Madsen just has a custom set up, not battery. Agree on cost, it's why we started with the Radio flyer and figured if that wasn't working for us with the kids/storage capacity, we'd get the Madsen and have the Radio as a spare e-bike since we knew ultimately we wanted two. Ultimately the Madsen won out obviously haha
Reddit is probably going to be your best place for searching more details on sellers and builds! I’ve seen posts over the years from others who have done it there!
Although you showed preference for Madsen (it met all your needs, so I understand that bias), I’m glad you still shared your experience with the other cargo bikes. Plus, seeing videos of how they ride and hearing HOW it feels riding and parking them is good to understand beyond how fast they can go. Currently still shopping for my first cargo bike, so I thank you for sharing this (still on fence between long-john/box bike or 3-wheel cargo bikes for kids & snow…)
Also gonna check out your other videos on Montessori & Waldorf. So glad I discovered your channel! ❤
Of course! I felt it was important to show the others since we put a lotttt of research and test riding into the decision!
I cannot help with anything snow related haha but I know most of the Madsen owners are in snowy states (they're based in Utah). I would *think* the 3 wheel will feel more stable in snow, but also be a bigger headache if you actually end up in snow because it's already so heavy and hard to steer. Which im sure isn't helpful at all haha!
Either way Madsen gave me a discount code for $200 off with code TCM if you go that route! Hope the montessori + waldorf videos are helpful!
UPDATE: So apparently the Madsen does NOT have suspension - which I'm shocked about? It rides like it does, maybe because the center of gravity is so much lower? Idk, we are about to break 1000 miles and still love it!
Very helpful! Did you every try a 2 wheeled front loader like the Urban Arrow? How did that compare to the Madsen?
I never got a chance! They do sell some of that version on Ali express or Ali Bababa too.
I did some research on it though and would def choose that over like the ferla or bunch for sure. If I recall it’s more expensive than the madsen
Great video… at what age did you start allowing your kids to ride in the madsen? My 16 month old seems a little too young but my 2.5 year old rides in it no problem.
Mine started at 20 or 22 months? and 4 years old. My younger one is pretty wild so I was nervous about him, and would cinch his seatbelt VERY tight so he couldn't wiggle or if he thrusted out a bunch of times he wouldn't be able to stand/loosen it and had no problems. Actually it wasn't until closer to 2.5 where he decided to start throwing his head (with all his weight) over the side and I'd have to stay on the ready to counterbalance his weight pulling the bike that I had any issues lol but it was short lived and never anything to crazy, just unexpected the first couple times
When factoring in cost, it makes it a toss up between Madsen and Radio. Trikes are too bulky and I wouldn't consider it unless stability was an issue. The mid-drive is sweet giving you additional torque but the drivetrain will take additional stress. The hub motors on the Radio will put extra stress on the rear tire and is much more economical to replace than drivetrain components.
For my needs, I would want an extra battery, whether I have to swap it out or add it on. Didnt see that on Madsens website, whereas Radio does have that option. I imagine its possible, but dont know.
For Madsen, I have the back up battery linked in the blog post if you wanted a spare (linked in desceiption). Radio has to sell theirs direct I think because it's custom to fit specifically into their bike frame, Madsen just has a custom set up, not battery.
Agree on cost, it's why we started with the Radio flyer and figured if that wasn't working for us with the kids/storage capacity, we'd get the Madsen and have the Radio as a spare e-bike since we knew ultimately we wanted two. Ultimately the Madsen won out obviously haha
Thanks for Ali Express tip! Has anyone bought a bike from Ali Express?
Reddit is probably going to be your best place for searching more details on sellers and builds! I’ve seen posts over the years from others who have done it there!