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Child Item

Long tail electric cargo bike recommendations?

the_amazing_raisin

Hi folks,

I'm looking around for a longtail cargo bike that I can bring the kids around on. Something like a Radwagon, only not a Radwagon since they're leaving the EU

I had my eye on the Decathlon R500 cargo bike, but unfortunately my employer won't do the bike to work scheme with them so looking around for other options

Budget is €3k, which rules out a lot of the options from Tern or others. I could raise the budget but there's a point where I might as well just get the Decathlon bike without the tax savings

Probably the closest I've found is the Yuba Kombi, which is only slightly over budget 😕

There's also another one by Whale (never heard of them) but it can only carry 120kg, which doesn't leave much for kids after my fat 100kg a$$ is on the bike 😭

Any other recommendations?

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the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051126#Comment_121051126

You can pay more but it'll be from your own pocket and not through salary sacrifice

To give a worked example, if you buy a bike and accessories for €4k, you'll have €250 deducted from your gross salary for 12 months (which is more like €125 deducted after tax) and you'll pay the €1k balance directly to the bike shop

wallabitom

Hi did you purchase a bike yet?

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121084914#Comment_121084914

I put down a deposit, not going to get it until December probably. I'm not in any hurry anyway

I decided to go for the Yuba in the end, the extra weight capacity will be handy for the growing kids and I'm going to get the towing bracket so I can tow my son's bike back from school after the drop off

The school doesn't have any bike parking for kids before 3rd class, because this is Ireland and apparently a school in a major town not having enough bike racks makes sense 🙄

I was tempted by the Sona but the lower weight threshold made it a no go

The Decathlon bike was my 2nd choice but couldn't get it on the bike to work scheme

fits

I asked my school to put in a bike rack before the summer and they did. Two bikes in it today. Hilly rural village so there are barriers to cycling.

I bought a tag along trailer thing for my boy with special needs that works up to the age of nine but it’s coming in handy for dropping the typical boy off to school too on the days his childminder is collecting him. The other boy goes to a different school by bus

pegdrums

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121084940#Comment_121084940

Can I ask where you got the Yuba from? Online or a shop?

Curious to find out how you get on with it.

Im trying to decide between the Yuba and the tern quick haul. Yuba wins for the payload but the tern will fit on the bike rack on the back of the car, handy for greenway spins. The Yuba seems to be quite a bit longer I think.

Hard to decide these things with limited shops nearby. I like the idea of the higher payload as its gonna do more for ya. And combined with a trailer would make garden centre/ hardware shop spins doable too.

Utter Consternation

My two kids are getting to big/heavy for the trailer. I'm getting very interested in these long tail bikes as they'll fi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121084940#Comment_121084940

Let us know how you get on with it. My kids are getting too big for the trailer and i still want to avoid using the car dropping them to the creche/school.

I'd be very interested in getting the Yuba too. Think it's a far better option and means i could still leave the kids off and travel on to work.

Peterx

The Yuba Combi is available to lease by the week from Bleeper - try before you buy.

On my commute into work this morning I passed/got chatting to a Decathlon longtail owner - 4000km with no issues, plenty of ooomph for his usage (carrying one child to school) and a Yuba Combi leaser - delighted with it, carrying two kids.

The Decathlon bike still looks the best option IF you have side access and are happy without the easy step through and the weight.

I am pretty happy with our Trek Fetch, it's shorter overall length was/is still the big advantage for us. It's super powerful but the flipside is that the 500Ah battery does run to a low level pretty quickly and there's no real storage option.

Utter Consternation

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121373520#Comment_121373520

That is an excellent option to try before you buy. I'd definitely consider that, even just to see how the kids like it. They don't mind the trailer. I suppose we'll have the option to get them cycling in a little while, but from all the bad driving i see on the road, i'm not sure i want that. Which is absolutely awful.

I've seen a good few of those Decathlon bikes around the place. They're good value if they come with the front basket, rear foot rest and retention bar on the back included.

I've a 2.5km commute to the creche with the kids and would then be going another ten solo into the city centre. A long tail would be ideal for that i think, plus i'd be able to get it up the side of the house and into the garden shed.

Goughr

Hi there, I had the same dilema...I'm now buying a yuba kombi and I'm delighted with it. I found decathlon bike huge, heavy and choppy, hard to make tight turns, the tern short haul and hsd for me were unstable, the gsd more stable but a monster of a bike for me to wheel and control. I'd pretty much given up and then went to rothar, was delighted to find a shop that specialises in cargo bikes, most other shops don't stock many...I test rode the yuba kompact and it was light which was really important for me but also felt really safe and stable with my little boy (age 5 23kg) on the back...all shimano, holds 200kg, bike only weighs 29kg...no brainer.. .

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121820583#Comment_121820583

So I actually went with a Yuba Kombi too, and I'm delighted with it

The kids love it, I was worried they'd be put off by the cold in winter but they're both shouting for the bike in the mornings

I did lay off the cycling for the past few weeks because everyone has been taking turns being sick

In general I'm very happy with the Kombi, it's my first ebike and is exactly what I was looking for

If I have some complaints, it would be the size and the general build quality

Obviously it being a cargo bike, I knew this ahead of time. What I didn't count on were the crappy bike rails around the place being too close together to fit the bike into with the kids frame and basket attached. So locking it up can involve chaining it to a lampost literally beside an empty bike rack

The size also means that those anti bike gates you'll find in parks are effectively impossible to pass. You'll either be lifting a 30kg bike over the gate or finding another way around

As for the build quality, I don't really have a specific issue, but it doesn't seem as sturdy as other bikes I've had in the past. It's my first cargo bike, so I don't know how it compares to others, but I feel like I've had more breakdowns with the Yuba in 3 months than I had with my Giant in 3 years

A lot of it is bad luck, for example I've had two punctures, one from running over some broken glass (thanks to whatever drunk threw a bottle there). The chain also came off once, which was probably my own fault, seems starting in a high gear with max assist is a bit stressful on the chain

Again because the bike is a lot bigger than most, it makes things like getting the wheels off more of a challenge. For example, take the video below of how to remove the rear wheel

https://youtu.be/2pnbJ64zvME?feature=shared

Easy on a lightweight road bike, but it's almost a 2 person job with a cargo bike

One thing I found out (after changing the wheel) was you can sit it on it's back, which can help with maintenance a bit

Overall I am really happy despite the couple of annoyances. Having the bike as an alternative to the car is brilliant, it beats the traffic and as long as it isn't icy or pelting rain it's a lot more enjoyable

the_amazing_raisin

One buyers tip for the Kombi, if you're looking for decent sized panniers then the set for the Decathlon cargo bike can be made to fit with some cable ties and a bit of imagination

https://www.decathlon.ie/p/335528-167443-2-x-50-l-longtail-cargo-bike-pannier-bag.html#/demodelsize-254no_size/demodelcolor-8667277

They're handy because they're a lot bigger than most panniers, could probably fit a weeks shopping for the family onto the bike between the bags and the basket

You'll want the foot plates attached because they'll be taking the majority of the weight if the bags are loaded

They fold up nicely when not in use as well so you aren't dragging massive empty bags around

They're also reasonably priced compared to some of the branded bags around the place

emmacoll

Is it possible to use 2 vouchers for the same bike? We were thinking of this option last year but didn't think it would work. Didn't buy last year, but come September our school run will only be possible by bike or 1 hour round trip twice a day by foot or car so anything to help with the cost would help!!

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122087136#Comment_122087136

You'd probably want to read the terms and conditions, but offhand I'm pretty sure you can't

The idea is one bike per applicant

Now, I've heard stories of bike shops accepting a voucher for the full amount and delivering two kids bikes and a lawnmower to the customer instead

However I probably wouldn't base my plan on the bike shop being unscrupulous

FWIW, I'm finding the bike very helpful for the school run. It's faster than both walking and driving, plus the kids love. They give out whenever we take the car now 😀

It also saves me listening to my youngest complaining her legs hurt if we walk the whole way. Given you mentioned an hour walking, I'm guessing you're looking at around 4-6km? That's a significant enough walk for a younger child, they'll probably do your head in with the foot dragging

I'd like to get my eldest cycling his own bike to and from school and I can tow his bike home with my bike. Unfortunately the school doesn't have enough bike parking for the students so they don't allow the younger kids to keep their bikes there

We've done a few demo cycles together, I'm not sure I'd trust him on the open roads just yet 🫣

emmacoll

Only 2.5km from home to school and then 6km from school to work and crèche. Dublin traffic and restrictions on parking close to the school leads to a 1 hour minimum car trip, walking is about 25 minutes to the school and then getting to work or creche from there means i need a car or bike anyway. The walk is also down and uphill, which leads to high risk of heel dragging. In contrast, Google maps is saying 11 minutes by bike to the school, which sounds ideal! I've convinced myself it's the only option! . We're looking at the options with the front bucket as I don't think I can trust my 5 year old with the 1 year old on the tail together!

Another option to manage the cost is loosing the second car, currently used for that 6km work/crèche trip and trips to the bottle bank. It's worth less than the bike at this stage...I'm sure it'll be easy to get my head around no second car once we have the bike! Looking forward to a school run where we're noticeably moving towards the school as opposed to sitting in the various queues at the various traffic lights.

Thanks for sharing your experience, helps us make the move!!

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122091763#Comment_122091763

It'll be a bit of a shock moving from two cars to one, but it sounds like you're reasonably central in the city so it should be doable

I agree that a bike is the only way to get around the city at a reasonable pace. Over the past year I've driven, gotten the bus and cycled into the city and the bike was way faster

The front loader style is generally better for younger kids, plus a lot of them have a rain hood so at least the kids will be dry if the weather turns

On the flip side, they're awkward beasts to get around. My long tail is already a bit of a pain at times so just be prepared for what you're getting into

I'd recommend talking a stroll along your route and look for potential choke points where the bike will struggle. Things like gates, narrow pavements, rough streets aren't friendly to cargo bikes

If possible, stick to segregated cycle lanes even if it adds a few minutes. It'll just be a lot less stressful getting around and you'll feel safer

omri

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122092732#Comment_122092732

It's not as bad as stated above. I had my kids until the age of 6-7 in a cargo, after which older had own bike so I had to carry just one. I would definitely go for the front loader style, make for a way better experience for the kids and you'll be able to have great chats during the ride.

Going electric might be worth considering, easier to start at junctions. Other than that if you're going for single front wheel version it just eats up any type of road, so I wouldn't necessary worry about doing reconnaissance of wherever it is you will be going. Even in traffic you can get through the choke points fairly easy. I think bikes with 2 front wheels might be bit wider and bit more cumbersome to turn but way more stable, worth considering if you're not feeling too confident.

I'd worry more about traffic joining from the side roads as it happened to me on few occasions that drivers would check the opposite lane and ignore the one they were immediately joining/crossing. So I would always slow down and make sure the driver sees me. Getting onto sidewalk is something you'll have to plan as you won't be able to go over the curb. I always used the parts for pedestrians/wheelchair where it was same level as the road.

In general it will take you some time to get used to the cargo bike. They're over 2 meters long and weighing around 25kg or more. You will have to adjust your riding style and expectations, other than that they're great. We had great time commuting to creche, school, parks and playgrounds, rain or shine kids were always happy.

Cabaal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122100888#Comment_122100888

Three wheel cargobike (two at front) seem to be consider less stable if anything, I've only test rode one once but that was certainly my experience and they are also dislikes by not just bikes (see video).
As well as being less stable when turning they are also wider which very much limits where you can go with them.

If a normal bike can go through a gap then 95% of time my cargobike can as well,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQhzEnWCgHA

Have been using a bakfiets.nl two wheel cargobike for almost two years and have to say its very stable, turning circle is a little wider but other then that it basically rides like a normal bike and you get used to it in a day or two.

omri

Doubt you'll be going that fast to tip it off.

Cabaal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122101201#Comment_122101201

They doesn't really have to be going that fast, its on the turns that will get you due to the weight distruption.
Outside of that if the wider bike that is the biggest thing to put me off.

If it suits people thats fine, but I'd suggest they factor these things in before buying

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122102557#Comment_122102557

I find the long tail is alright around corners for balance, but I do take it fairly slow when the kids are on

Dunno what the front loaders are like

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122100888#Comment_122100888

I'll stand by my comment about them being awkward, but I'll clarify that I meant more when you're moving the bike around on foot than when cycling

I find my long tail is grand when it's moving

The issue is more about bringing it down the side passage and around the driveway. The bike being longer and wider makes it that bit trickier

I've also noticed that there's effectively no way to get through those buggy gates in some parks. A normal bike you can dismount and get it through but my cargo bike has no hope to fit

Parking spaces for bikes can also be a hassle, a lot of them can be too small for cargo bikes to fit properly so you can't lock it up

I had to take the rear wheel off a while back which was a bit of a pain. The bike weighing over 30kg just makes it difficult to lift up. I found the kids stools from IKEA actually make great bike props, jam them under the kickstand and put something heavy in the front basket and the rear wheel just lifts up

I probably seem like I'm complaining a lot, but don't get me wrong, I love cycling around on my bike and it's absolutely brilliant for bringing the kids around or doing a big shop

I'm just trying to make sure people are aware of the realities of using one before they take the plunge

omri

I kept it in my hall in a council built house from 1960s so whatever the width of the door frame is, it was a tight fit to park it but it fit. I would bring it backwards, so I was was literally able to cycle out of the house.

Never really had an issue parking maybe apart from one time when there were too many bikes chained, but I always locked it to the post with rear wheel/frame so I could always position it in a way it wouldn’t obstruct pedestrian traffic too much. Never hand any complaints.

For the rear wheel removal, I would park the stand legs on bit of wood and put something heavy at front of the bike - 20kg bag of rice worked well to tip the front down and I could do the work on the rear of the bike.

Basically its a big heavy bike so you just have to find some workarounds and understand that it wont behave like a regular bike, thats light and small etc. Once you get used to it and know it strong and weak points, it will feel like any other bike. I mean it paid for itself just on daily commutes i the amount of time and petrol it saved me. Not to mention taking kids out to playgrounds you just dump all the crap into the canopy and off you go. So as you said its well worth the investment.

Pastey

Im looking at a long tail cargo bike for taking the kids to school. One is almost 4 and the other is 6. I saw the sum alpa on kumabikes. Only 27 or so kg and has a little cage on the back where a cushioned seat can be added and foot rests. My biggest concern would be stability and I just can't find any reviews at all on it. Any suggestions on reviews or has anyone looked at this bike themselves?

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122467574#Comment_122467574

It looks similar to any long tail cargo bike, so I'll add my experience from a Yuba Kombi with a 7 and 4yo

In general the stability is very good, I was worried the kids would be hanging out of it and knock the bike over but they're very good and generally sit still

I do feel the bike veering to the side of one if one or both of them lean out to the side. They figured this out one day and started trolling me by trying to make the bike turn. A short discussion about whether they preferred walking put an end to most of that

It pretty much depends on how responsible your kids can be. I'd say 4 is about the youngest I'd let them out of a child seat and just sit on the seat pads.

I got my 4yo a set of higher up foot pegs since she couldn't reach the foot boards

I worked up to carrying both kids, given the size and weight of the bike. I cycled a few laps with the bike empty, then with the older kid and finally both kids. Once we'd gotten used to it it was a dawdle

I'm also pretty strict about them getting in and out of the bike, I have to be beside it and make sure it's stable before they climb in or out

I'd recommend taking one for a test ride and see how you think. Some shops might have one set up for kids so you can bring them along as well for a few laps around the block

smackyB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122467574#Comment_122467574

I have a long-tail from Decathlon that I have both kids on the back of (albeit younger ages than yours) and find it great stability-wise. They have a test track out the back of the shop where you can try it out for yourself.

trinewbie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122467574#Comment_122467574

I picked up one two weeks ago and am delighted with it . I got the range extender battery (additional e300 or so ) to bring the battery life up. For 3300 including the range extender ,mudguards , stepping boards,monkey bars and front rack , it’s very keenly priced . I had been looking for a budget friendly bike capable of school run , the weekly shop and general errands : I couldn’t get the decathlon bike as my bike to work scheme didn’t deal with them. The alpa checks all the boxes , the lightweight 27kg means the 45nm torque is plenty for us for carting 6&8 year old around and getting up all the hills in locality with ease . The frame is more step through than the decathlon bike , which again helps stability when mounting / dismounting / stopping at lights with cargo on board ..overall it’s super stable as the 20inch rear wheel keeps the centre of gravity down , and geometry and front rack are well placed to optimize stability …. Depending where you are based , bear cycles in Rathgar and Hollingsworth in Templeogue have demo models and well worth taking for a spin . The stand is also well designed and will hold both kids steady when parking up . Have found battery life excellent . When riding without any cargo it’s very nimble , torque sensor works very well . The litttle Lcd on downtube is a bit finnicky and I’d question its longevity . The BAFANG wheel spokes needed to be tensioned up a bit ,but it’s common enough on these hub drives . Apart from the decathlon bike ,we also tried more “premium “alternatives including the the yuba kombi , spicy curry , trek fetch 2 an ebullit and the cannondale long tail , and couldn’t justify the extra € as the Alpa checked all the boxes and quality seems on par . (Obv no mid drive on the alpa, but hub with torque sensor does the job perfectly)

wersal gummage

Hi folks,

Have read all of this. In similar boat to many and considering options.

Can anyone's comment as to likely upper age range for kids on the back ? I've a 6 and 9 year old and planning to use a long tail rear carrier for school run etc. don't know what exact height and weight they are but prob in the average/ upper range for height and average for weight for age. Our kids are picked up and brought to an after-schools provider so as they get older cyclists themselves to school is not an option.

The trek fetch 2 looks good but rear seating area looks small ? And not sure where they'd fit school bags. Decathlon looks great but also heavy. Will do more research on the yubas. Any comments or thoughts from people who have been using these a while ??

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122597906#Comment_122597906

There's some very big long tails which can fit up to 3 people, the Yuba Mundo comes to mind

They've the price tag to match of course, and would obviously take up a lot of storage

I've a 8 and 5yo on my Yuba Kombi, I'd say they'll be grand for a year or two but beyond that they'll probably outgrow it.

Ideally by then the eldest will be cycling himself which is why I got the towing hitch for another bike. Haven't gotten to try it out yet

I'd recommend getting one with a big front basket add-on, it's a handy place to chuck school bags and helmets

wersal gummage

Thanks.

I was getting interested in the Cannondale Cargo wagon Neo 2, but having read over the manual (I was actually trying to find something about its specifications) it says it is only suitably for carrying one child over 6 at a time.... And a child over 6 must not be at the back of the rack but must be over the wheel etc.... and the bike appears to be a fairly whopping 39kg so I'm surprised they are concerned it could tip backwards. Anyway, that appears to be crossed off the list now.

Peterx

The Trek Fetch 2 is fine for a 6 and 9 year old, they fit easily in the cage. Loads of power in the Bosch motor. It states the load in the cage can be 75kg but I'd imagine that's conservative. My bigger issue is that the 9 year old doesn't want to sit in it anymore - he prefers to walk or cycle than be seen in a cargo bike with his brother going to school.

There is no useful storage whatsoever when carrying 2 children, a biggish downside. I carry one of their school bags and other bag is in front of the front child.

When carrying no children the cage can hold a 60x40cm box BUT the back cushion impedes the box sitting easily so in reality you need a 58x40cm box - which my butcher kindly gave me when he saw I'd cut a hole out of the 60x40cm box.

The Fetch is brilliant for commuting home uphill and slower than commuting downhill than an ordinary bike. I'd imagine all the eBikes are though. When you are used to cycling up a slight hill into a headwind for years after work it's an absolute pleasure to motor on at 25kph. As the assist stops at about 25kph you quickly realise there's no point pushing 32kg of pig heavy bike any faster.

We are getting good use of the longtail cargo eBike and it has definitely replaced quite a few car journeys.

We always had 1 car but this gives us greater flexibility - especially on the likes of bringing 2 children 2 different places on a Saturday morning