We’d opt for the RFA Utility with its longer rack (might as well have more capacity, right?), but you can always change the wheelbase length in about an hour. The shorter layout (dubbed the RFA Sport) comes with a smaller rear deck. Its adjustable dropouts allow you to shorten and lengthen the wheelbase by 5.5 inches. The Xtracycle RFA is designed to evolve around your changing needs. Have a question about one of these rides or why a cargo bike you love didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments. We also interviewed the product managers who build these bikes and compared them to competitors in the market. We used them to fetch groceries or take kids to school, riding them as often as possible to find out whether they can replace our cars for daily use. These bikes have been thoroughly tested and vetted by Bicycling editors. While it can be fun to think aspirationally, getting a bike that’s perfectly suited to your daily needs will mean you use it more often. The best way to figure out which style or bike you prefer is by getting out for a test ride.Īpproach an e-cargo bike and accessory purchase the same way you would if you were buying a car. Alternatively, if your style is more “dump it and go,” bakfiets like the Riese & Müller Load 60 use a single spacious box that’ll fit all your stuff (there are still seat belts for your kids, though). Start on the manufacturer’s website: Brands like Tern and Benno sell panniers, racks, and child seats to match their cargo bikes. Once you’ve purchased a cargo bike, you’ll want the right accessories to maximize its utility. The vastly improved usability, carrying capacity, and range of e-cargo bikes save you money in the long run by being more effective car substitutes (versus non-assist bikes that requires more effort to ride). E-cargo bikes tend to be pricier than their non-electric counterparts, but unless you live somewhere completely flat (and even if you do), we think an e-cargo bike is still the way to go. But e-cargo bikes like the Tern GSD and Benno Boost E use pedal-assist electric motors with more than 50 miles of range to make cargo bikes more accessible to riders who want the convenience of a car in a bike-sized package. Schlepping hundreds of pounds on a bike is great if you’re looking for a workout. “Electricity and cargo bikes go together like PB&J,” Evans says. To make sense of the recent cargo bike boom, look to e-bikes. Last is the bakfiet style bike with its large basket (typically in front of the rider) for carrying cargo or transporting multiple passengers.Ī bakfiet style bike has a large front basket or platform for cargo and passengers. A front loader places its payload in front of the rider, generally on a low-slung platform adaptable to suit many needs. The longtail cargo bike is the most agile and lightweight, and it transports cargo or passengers on an extended tail section behind the rider. There are also trike varieties for riders needing to transport very-heavy loads or more than two children. There are generally three main styles of cargo bikes: long tail, front loader, and the bakfiet. Best Small-Wheel Cargo: REI Co-op Cycles Generation e1.2ĭomestic and international cargo bike popularity has exploded in the past decade, says Xtracycles founder and longtail cargo bike pioneer Ross Evans. Best Overall: Specialized Globe Haul ST.Whether you’re picking up supplies or furnishing a room from IKEA, there’s a good chance that the perfect e-cargo bike for you is on this list.īrowsing for more bikes? Check our picks for the best folding electric bikes, fat bikes, and hybrid bikes. The United Parcel Service and disaster relief managers across the globe use cargo bikes to transport goods where cars can’t go, and it’s freeing to breeze by traffic in the bike lane with a week’s worth of groceries packed onto your ride. The latest generation of these bikes are more customizable and offer e-assist and modular mounting systems, making today’s bakfiets and longtails increasingly viable trade-ins for your gas-guzzling SUV. Luckily, electrically assisted cargo bikes make it easier to go car-lite or to ditch driving altogether and pedal (almost) everywhere. Losing riding time to run unavoidable errands sucks.
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