E-bike suggestions for riding around with a toddler

[IJWS]

My friend lives in an extremely hilly area but would like to be able to go on rides with his 2 year-old without blowing his heart out of his chest.

So basically, I was asked a question about bikes that I couldn’t answer. I don’t know what the go-to e-bikes are. I also don’t know what the preferred method of kid-hauling is. Are people into trailers/handlebar seats/rear seats? I would love any feedback other paceliners have for this very specific use.

I saw reasonable looking bikes from Spec/Cdale/Giant. I have heard that bottom bracket motors are better but again, I don’t know.

[rinconryder]

I just went through this and have my set up dialed.

How serious are the hills and is the commuting with the kid just for fun/weekend deal or like full on car replacement.

I have a giant quick e for commuting to work. It has a Yamaha motor and is awesome. When we ride as a family my wife goes on my giant and I use the rad power bikes rad wagon. It’s a utility bike that runs $1500. This is about $2500 cheaper than the next electric Ute bike out there. If this is more of a casual thing I say get the rad wagon but your buddy should definitely rent/demo one first to see if he likes the feel. It’s not nearly as fluid and integrated as the trek/giant/specialized but for me it gets the job done.

If cost wasn’t an issue I would go with one from the big three, put a stout rack on it and then mount the Thule yepp seat. Or go with a utility bike from surly or Kona.

If cost is a concern, check out rad power bikes.

[Ralph]

My wife....who is not a cyclist...and who wanted a cruiser E bike to ride the trails and maybe to the local store has an Electra Townie 8D (Electra is a subsidiary of Trek). It's E assist only (Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo) and relatively inexpensive to buy. She likes it fine. And it has a 250 watt mid motor. However...where we live it's not hilly.

I'm not sure her bike would be powerful enough for really steep hills pulling a trailer. If you wanted easy pedaling. So I would advise your friend to test ride any bike with a 250 W mid motor before he buys one. It's more than Ok where we live though as when I ride it I'm usually in Eco or Tour assist. It will climb OK in turbo....but may not be enough for some.

[jimcav]

I saw a guy on an e-bike with a infant seat up by the bars--crazy as it was a very rocky, switchback trail. he was walking a lot. e-bikes are heavy and then he had the high center of gravity kid position. for roads, i'd be less worried, but still...

When my son was tiny i got a cougar chariot side car--loved it as i could see him and talk to him down next to me, vs a trailer behind. I don't believe they make them now, so you'd have to scour ebay or CL.

I traded my higher-end long travel MTB towards an Liv e mtb, it would definitely pull a trailer. They are pricey, got mine at year end sale and with the trade-in, or I would not have done it.
if the newer handlebar seats can go into the 3-4 yr weight range, that would be enjoyable as far as interaction, as then you can transition to a bike.

[azrider]

I highly, highly recommend Burley trailer for transporting kids. We have gotten crrrrazy amount of use with ours and the kids love it.

My BIL is somewhat avid cyclist and he had a very unfortunate experience with an Ibert when a dog got away from its owner and farted in front of him with toddler in tow. Scary stuff. All are ok though [emoji6]

But Burley is pretty much the safest route to go, plus there’s just so much room and kids can sit back there and play or sleep or do whatever.

Both our kids were riding by 3 but lacked stamina.....so on family bike rides I’d still pull the trailer and just pick them up like “Broom Wagon” as they tuckered out. [emoji4][emoji4]

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[scoobydrew]

What are some other requirements? What about size? Cost?

For cargo bikes that offer more utility, I'd check out the following. First couple options aren't cheap, but they offer a good balance between performance and utility.

One of my coworkers has been hauling his kid around on a Benno Boost (https://www.bennobikes.com/e-bikes/boost/) for the past couple years or so. He lives in the East Bay hills and seems to have no issues.

The Tern GSD (https://www.ternbicycles.com/bikes/gsd) is a popular option and I've seen them pop up more recently in the city. If size is a concern, check out the more compact HSD (https://www.ternbicycles.com/bikes/hsd) model.

For a budget option, check out the Rad Power RadWagon (https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radwagon-electric-cargo-bike).

[hokoman]

If my kids were younger (they are 5 and 6), I would bite my lip and get a Riese & Muller Load 75 or Packster 80. I would get a front load, and the biggest one possible. I have a Bosch powered Xtracycle and also a Nihola Family that I am putting a 750w Bafang mid drive on for my wife (she wanted a trike and didn't like the leaning Butchers and Bicycles - it also helped we got a great deal on a new one). Just from a couple random rides with the kids in front on the Nihola, a much nicer experience and totally worth it.

The price is hard to swallow, but why not? Our single bikes cost as much.