Best cargo bike for kids?

[okgo]

Hi all,

Currently my son is 3 and weighs about 14.5 KG so he can stay in the Hamax seat I've got on my single speed for a while yet, however... in a years time he will be going to school and the single speed (Gensis flyer) isn't really a great ride with a kid, the geometry isn't really suited to it, bike wants to wheelie all the time when manoeuvring it with him on, and it having one gear means undulations can be difficult, plus the brakes aren't designed for a what is now nearly 17-18 stone of combined weight with his bag etc.

For that reason I'm considering a proper cargo bike type affair so that I can make light work of the either 1 or 3 mile journey to the schools he will be going to - routes are within inner London so pretty flat. I was looking art the Tern HSD (I think this is the GSD but for one kid?) which looked good and would last years until he was old enough to cycle himself with me/get the school bus, but wondered if I'm missing a trick and there is something better or nicer to ride as they do look a bit 'frankenstein' and maybe don't ride all that nicely? Trek make one called the Fetch 2 which looks smart.

I'd rather he was behind me than in front so any impact was me taking the hit, and in London it is mostly stuff in front I've found, idiot pedestrians/other cyclists etc rather than being rear ended. And I'd quite like something that rides nicely/stable and can be ridden at a vague pace, i.e. I'm a competent cyclist so if there is clear road I'd want to be cycling around 20mph vs 10mph like maybe my wife would if she rode it.

Any ideas/reviews would be appreciated!

Edited by okgo on Wednesday 4th October 11:36

[RedWhiteMonkey]

We have a Tern GSD. Its a great bit of kit, my wife uses it everyday to go to work and our two kids (7 and 3) fit on the back of it when needed. In fact you can put up to 100kg on the back of it so it is amusing to stick an adult on the back every now and then. As you say the HSD is basically a smaller version with slightly less carrying capacity (I think 80kg on the back). You can get a rack to carry 20kg on the front as well, its the same rack as the GSG and exactly the right size for a crate of the beer!

The HSD actually looks a better design than the GSD, we are thinking of swapping over to it as some point as our eldest rides most places now and 80kg will still be plenty of carrying capacity for us. Despite its looks the GSD rides like a normal bike and is very steady, it is just sensible to have the seat at a height that allows both feet to be flat on the flat when stationary. I have not ridden one but I expect that the HSD would very similar, if not better. I would go for a belt driven one if you can afford the extra cost, less hassle than a long chain. The GSD comes with a guard for back wheel as standard, it seems to be an accessory for the HSD, if you are carrying children on the back I would definitely get that.

Here is a decent review (its in German but the English subtitles will work well) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J63siJwpk2c

Here is a comparison video of the GSD and HSD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfKod3tifQo

Edited by RedWhiteMonkey on Wednesday 4th October 12:46

Edited by RedWhiteMonkey on Wednesday 4th October 12:55

[Craikeybaby]

I know you want a cargo bike, but I had a MacRide for both of my boys, and it was a lot easier to manoeuvre the bike with the extra weight centred between the wheels, rather than over the back. We used it for both MTB and the school run, although they are both riding themselves now.

[okgo]

Thanks Monkey, will take a look at that.


Craikey - tbh with the amount of hazards I would face in London I'd rather avoid my kid being the first thing to get the impact should that happen (it has happened once already), also I think I'd still likely ride him in until year 3 which is when they can get on the bus so not sure that would fit a kid of that size very well.

[Craikeybaby]

MY eldest is in year 3 and he's definitely too big for it.

[okgo]

Craikeybaby said:

MY eldest is in year 3 and he's definitely too big for it.

Yeh, the issue here is that just because he could ride a bike, having him ride on inner south London roads is not for the faint hearted (aka a lot of drivers are total s), I'd probably cycle him until he's very capable on the road so would need something that would last until that point.

[cabitup]

I've got a Reise and Muller multicharger which would do that job easily.

I've not got the kit for kids but have had plenty of stuff on the back and it's managed easily and feels very stable.

Have had adults in the back for short trips were they have just clung on for dear life and we made it in one piece.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

cabitup said:

I've got a Reise and Muller multicharger which would do that job easily.

I've not got the kit for kids but have had plenty of stuff on the back and it's managed easily and feels very stable.

Have had adults in the back for short trips were they have just clung on for dear life and we made it in one piece.

The Multicharger is nice and having full sized wheels makes it easier to ride faster.

Not sure on availability in the UK but Benno bikes are pretty smart - https://bennobikes.com/e-bikes/

[bigdom]

After spending a week in Antwerp earlier in the summer, I saw so many children being transported in Cargo bikes.

Not sure if any of these tick your boxes? They do a hire before you buy option on a number of bikes.

https://www.londongreencycles.co.uk/shop/bikes/yub...

[RedWhiteMonkey]

I'd recommend sticking to something with a Bosch motor, they're the market leader and have developed motors specifically for cargo bikes.

[okgo]

Yeh, I’m leaning towards an HSD actually. I think the combination of reputation and accessories and residuals make it tough to beat.

Just now the debate of whether to stump up for a new one or go used. Some alright deals about - do you think the belt drive is worth it then?

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Our GSD is chain drive but if I could have afforded it at the time I would have gone for belt drive. A lot less hassle and less maintenance than chain drive.

[okgo]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Our GSD is chain drive but if I could have afforded it at the time I would have gone for belt drive. A lot less hassle and less maintenance than chain drive.

My only concern is when/if one of those hubs developed a problem I wouldn’t have a clue how to fix it vs a regular chain and mech

[Mars]

I rode for a few thousand miles with my (then young) daughter in a trailer. I never took her on the road though because I feared what I couldn't see behind me (and trailers are low in relation to cars). Cargo bikes weren't well known over here back then but if I had a youngster today, I'd want her in front of me where I can see what's ahead of me. I'd likely buy a Bullitt Bike.

[cabitup]

okgo said:

My only concern is when/if one of those hubs developed a problem I wouldn’t have a clue how to fix it vs a regular chain and mech

Mine's got an Enviolo Hub and in general it's great but it's an absolute bd to get the rear wheel off in the event of a puncture. Not sure I'd be able to do it roadside at all.

[okgo]

cabitup said:

Mine's got an Enviolo Hub and in general it's great but it's an absolute bd to get the rear wheel off in the event of a puncture. Not sure I'd be able to do it roadside at all.

Looking at the tyres they ship them with I think you’d probably be able to ride through almost anything without getting a flat though!

[demic]

Mars said:

I rode for a few thousand miles with my (then young) daughter in a trailer. I never took her on the road though because I feared what I couldn't see behind me (and trailers are low in relation to cars). Cargo bikes weren't well known over here back then but if I had a youngster today, I'd want her in front of me where I can see what's ahead of me. I'd likely buy a Bullitt Bike.

I have a Cargo Bike for this reason (having used a trailer). I can see what’s coming and react, something rear ends me the first thing I’ll know about it I’ll be in a heap on the the floor.



I have a Bullitt and it’s awesome, kitted out with deore groupset it’s very reliable and easy and cheap to repair/replace parts. I often ride it just for fun although it seems better when laden. When it is laden all the weight is low down so it still handles nicely

It’s also a bit “punk” compared to the Dutch style cargo bikes which have a air of the posh yummy mummy from a well to do London suburb trying to make amends for the skiing trips, holidays, SUVs and £5 cups of froth in throw away cups.

Just be prepared for wannabe alpha males taking out their insecurities on you!

[troc]

For the last few years, the Urban Arrow has been the cargo bike of choice for the discerning parent in the Netherlands. They are everywhere!

Here’s the dedicated cargo bike parking at my office:



The bullet as posted be someone else is slowly taking over as the designer cargo bike of choice mind you

[okgo]

I do like it.

But the smaller Tern is shorter than a regular bike which does appeal somewhat given I live in a London house with Victorian design and angles. While I expect whatever I buy would love outside mostly at least the option of bringing it in would exist with a small bike. I keep all my other bikes on the first floor in my study but there’s no chance I’d get that thing up the stairs!

[TheInternet]

You'd be wise to think about security for a Tern (or any of them), unsurprisingly they seem to be thief magnets round here and I daresay in your neck of the woods too.