HELP CHOOSING : cargo bike to carry 2 kids

[ebr-bilou]

Hi all !

I'm looking for my first ebike. I was considering buying the RadWagon 4, but it has been out of stock for a month now, and the accessories have also been out of stocks for 2-3 months at least, so I'm starting to consider other options.

MY NEEDS :
• shipping to Cadada
• carrying 2 kids at the same time : a 1.5 years old toddler that will need an infant seat, and a 6 years old that will be fine with just rear rack bars (what radwagon call caboose, or yuba call monkey bars) > see picture "carrying kids"
• I'd like to keep my budget around CAD $3 500 (+tx) including bike and accessories (around $2 800)

NICE TO HAVE :
• a bike that can run fully on battery with limited or no pedaling: my wife has some knee problems, and when it happens, pedaling hurts quite a bit. It would allow us to take some rides together, me with my regular bike, and her with the ebike.

As I said, I was considering the RadWagon 4 that I know check my whole checklist, but it has been out of stock for so long that I'm starting to think they'll do like last year and not stock it back before september.

I also considered the Biktrix Skycap and the Voltbike Kodiak, but I'm a bit worried as :
• there are no manufacturer approved infant seat, rear rack bars (for the Skycap) or spokes cover/protects (to prevent the kids from getting hurt), and it seems quite hard to find compatible third party accessories
• the rear rack bars for the Kodiak greatly reduce the space available on the rear rack according to the picture "kodiak-rear-bars" vs "radwagon-rear-bars", the rack itself being also 3" shorter than the radwagon one

Would you have any advice that could help me choosing the best option ?

Thank you in advance for your help

 

[Dewey]

This seems to be a common problem with cheaper longtails except the RadWagon. EBR's review of the Eunorau Max doesn't even mention if the rack can take a child seat. I'd consider converting a Yuba Kombi pedal bike version with a mid-drive kit motor with a throttle like a Bafang BBS02 and battery from EM3EV.com in China, you can get lots of accessories for Yuba bikes although that pushes the price up, but I think you could do it with your budget. Here's a photo of the Kombi with the monkey bars, soft spot pad and pegs (you can fit footboards), and a Yepp seat. You can add the front mounted Bread basket to carry stuff.

 

[ebr-bilou]

This seems to be a common problem with cheaper longtails except the RadWagon. EBR's review of the Eunorau Max doesn't even mention if the rack can take a child seat. I'd consider converting a Yuba Kombi pedal bike version with a mid-drive kit motor like a Bafang BBS02 and battery from EM3EV.com in China, you can get lots of accessories for Yuba bikes although that pushes the price up, but I think you could do it with your budget. Here's a photo of the Kombi with the monkey bars, soft spot pad and pegs, and a Yepp seat. You can add the front mounted Bread basket to carry stuff.

Thank you for your reply !

I've had a look at Yuba, but they are a bit outside of my budget at the moment. I'll check with your idea of taking a Kombi and transforming it if I can't find a better solution.

According to the pictures on eunorau-ebike.com, it seems the Eunorau Max can fit 2 infant seats, so that could also be a good option while staying within the price range, I'll read its reviews and have a deeper look then

 

[Dewey]

According to the pictures on eunorau-ebike.com, it seems the Eunorau Max can fit 2 infant seats

OK, the site lists two models, the hub drive EBR reviewed and a mid-drive that would be better for climbing hills, it seems they ship to Canada from the US.

 

[indianajo]

I've had a look at Yuba, but they are a bit outside of my budget at the moment. I'll check with your idea of taking a Kombi and transforming it if I can't find a better solution.

I bought a 2017 yuba bodaboda because it drop frame model was a stretch frame cargo bike suitable for my short legs. I paid $1900 with 2 panniers, 2 leg stand, front basket, free freight. No electricity at first. I got spokes that never stretched or need adjustment, rims that never fractured, and SRAM shifters & cables that never stretched and needed adjustment. Brake cables don't stretch, only need adjustment as the pad wears out, ~1000 miles. Check out of the count of known problems on rad (228 last time I looked) and some loose spokes & fractured rim in other messages that didn't make it to the brand forum.
BTW the spoke guard to protect little hands was free on my yuba bike. I have no children. Maybe you need to save up some more. I added the geared hub motor & 17.5 ah battery for $830.
Other stretch frame cargo bikes are magnum, M2s, blix packa, xtracycle, kona Ute (the original), pedego stretch, tern HSD. check the other brands for known problems on their brand forums, too. I could go 24" tires as packa or combi but I'm afraid 20" tires on the tern would rattle my teeth in my town. I can't spot the potholes in the rain or following cars through a traffic light.
Mid drives are only more suitable for climbing hills for total rises >1000 feet in an hour. I climb ~90 rolling hills in 3.7 hours with my geared hub motor.

 

[ebr-bilou]

@Timpo Thank you for the links to the reviews ! The Cargoroo also look like a great option to consider, a bit pricier but including quite a bunch. I'll keep an eye on it !

@indianajo I completely understand your point budget wise, and your arguments are very compelling, but as a completely new (soon to be) ebike owner that currently rides his bike for <10 miles a week, I am not yet confident enough in my use to make such a big commitment. All considered, buying 2 new yuba would cost more than our current car Thank you for the list of bikes, I'll check them out more thoroughly. I had actually noticed the blix packa, but didn'tfind any reseller in Canada.

 

[John from Connecticut]

Hi all !

I'm looking for my first ebike. I was considering buying the RadWagon 4, but it has been out of stock for a month now, and the accessories have also been out of stocks for 2-3 months at least, so I'm starting to consider other options.

MY NEEDS :
• shipping to Cadada
• carrying 2 kids at the same time : a 1.5 years old toddler that will need an infant seat, and a 6 years old that will be fine with just rear rack bars (what radwagon call caboose, or yuba call monkey bars) > see picture "carrying kids"
• I'd like to keep my budget around CAD $3 500 (+tx) including bike and accessories (around $2 800)

NICE TO HAVE :
• a bike that can run fully on battery with limited or no pedaling: my wife has some knee problems, and when it happens, pedaling hurts quite a bit. It would allow us to take some rides together, me with my regular bike, and her with the ebike.

As I said, I was considering the RadWagon 4 that I know check my whole checklist, but it has been out of stock for so long that I'm starting to think they'll do like last year and not stock it back before september.

I also considered the Biktrix Skycap and the Voltbike Kodiak, but I'm a bit worried as :
• there are no manufacturer approved infant seat, rear rack bars (for the Skycap) or spokes cover/protects (to prevent the kids from getting hurt), and it seems quite hard to find compatible third party accessories
• the rear rack bars for the Kodiak greatly reduce the space available on the rear rack according to the picture "kodiak-rear-bars" vs "radwagon-rear-bars", the rack itself being also 3" shorter than the radwagon one

Would you have any advice that could help me choosing the best option ?

Thank you in advance for your help

Hello,

My response is not intended to be negative or to diminish the cargo bike idea for carrying children . I have no knowledge
of the safety aspects and I really hope someone with that knowledge will respond.... With that said..

The average combined weight of a 6yr and a 1.5 year old child is approx 70 lbs / 32 kilograms. That amount of weight
with such a high center of gravity concerns me.

All the best,
John

 

[indianajo]

Hello,

My response is not intended to be negative or to diminish the cargo bike idea for carrying children . I have no knowledge
of the safety aspects and I really hope someone with that knowledge will respond.... With that said..
The average combined weight of a 6yr and a 1.5 year old child is approx 70 lbs / 32 kilograms. That amount of weight
with such a high center of gravity concerns me.
All the best,
John

I carried a 50 lb cabinet home, 30"x30"x16" last week, on the rack shown holding up the cardboard box in the picture. The week before I carried a 6000 btu air conditioner. I've carried a 75 lb pickup tire on the same rack. The dual leg stand helps with the loading.
I will say the 24" tire and 20" rear tire cargo models offer lower center of gravity: At the penalty of more severe shock hitting the potholes & high pavement separators. I chose the 26" model. If I was carrying children the 24" tire combi looks about right. 22" tire Radwagon 4 involves limited source tires (radwagon only based on my ebay search).
Yuba used to sell the Mondo with 26" front, 20" rear, which offered easy lift loading. The RTG bike pictured above is similar. The RTG does not have rear spoke guard, and speaking as a person whose fingertip was pinched off age 3, I view that as a serious hazard. A folding chair was a present for my 3rd birthday, after the party I also received an X-ray.

 

[Dewey]

The RTG does not have rear spoke guard, and speaking as a person whose fingertip was pinched off age 3, I view that as a serious hazard.

Also the specs list its weight at nearly 100lb, it’s very heavy

 

[John from Connecticut]

It's fine, you'll get used to it.
Have you ever tried it?
Or are you saying that by guessing / observation?

Meanwhile in Japan..

Hello,
I was asking purely from a generic educational standpoint. I have no need, just curious.
Thanks,
John

 

[joel52402]

Hi all !

I'm looking for my first ebike. I was considering buying the RadWagon 4, but it has been out of stock for a month now, and the accessories have also been out of stocks for 2-3 months at least, so I'm starting to consider other options.

MY NEEDS :
• shipping to Cadada
• carrying 2 kids at the same time : a 1.5 years old toddler that will need an infant seat, and a 6 years old that will be fine with just rear rack bars (what radwagon call caboose, or yuba call monkey bars) > see picture "carrying kids"
• I'd like to keep my budget around CAD $3 500 (+tx) including bike and accessories (around $2 800)

NICE TO HAVE :
• a bike that can run fully on battery with limited or no pedaling: my wife has some knee problems, and when it happens, pedaling hurts quite a bit. It would allow us to take some rides together, me with my regular bike, and her with the ebike.

As I said, I was considering the RadWagon 4 that I know check my whole checklist, but it has been out of stock for so long that I'm starting to think they'll do like last year and not stock it back before september.

I also considered the Biktrix Skycap and the Voltbike Kodiak, but I'm a bit worried as :
• there are no manufacturer approved infant seat, rear rack bars (for the Skycap) or spokes cover/protects (to prevent the kids from getting hurt), and it seems quite hard to find compatible third party accessories
• the rear rack bars for the Kodiak greatly reduce the space available on the rear rack according to the picture "kodiak-rear-bars" vs "radwagon-rear-bars", the rack itself being also 3" shorter than the radwagon one

Would you have any advice that could help me choosing the best option ?

Thank you in advance for your help

It took some time to get my RW4 also. I ordered it in October 2020 and got it in late December 2020. I did manage to get a $100 rebate for waiting so long. That's why calling them is always best! I ordered accessories too, not all were in stock. You get on a waiting list, they send an email & hop on fast! I'm only waiting on one additional part. I don't have kids, but the dual kid bike seat looks very nice.

When we had kids (a while ago) we used the peddle behind the pushbike, and a double trailer, and a single seat. All worked well. Work with them. All bicycle sales are just NUTS, and Rad is no different. The quality and price points can't be beaten. I did extensive research. Fortunately, these aren't "go to Walmart" bicycles. RadPower is direct to you, with no middle sales (bike shops) taking a cut. I mean this market it so lucrative, Harley Davidson has started an e-bike division. They are NOT a deal. My best advice is "patience grasshopper" Don't spend MORE, just be patient. Best Wishes, JLH No this is my humble opinion, not an affiliate with rad...