[quiff]

Talk to me about cargo bikes! Following cargo related comments in the live blog today, I thought I’d spin it off into a forum thread for people to share experiences of cargo bikes. Front-loaders, long-tails, electric and acoustic, all welcome.         

Topic

[Steve K]

Accessories delay was an

Accessories delay was an issue for me, too (I waiting for them to arrive before picking up the bike).

[quiff]

Hopefully soon, as it’s an in

Hopefully soon, as it’s an in-stock S8i model (end of Generation 1) – belt drive and the confidence-inspiring Magura brakes. Three key factors in choosing the HSD over the GSD – (a) we only have one small child, so the extra capacity of the GSD would be surplus most of the time; (b) it’s intended to be a family bike, and my wife was less comfortable handling the extra weight of the GSD; (c) it just sneaks under my cycle to work limit. 

Getting hold of the accessories may delay using it as intended though! 

 

[Steve K]

quiff wrote:

Pushed the button on a Tern HSD… I was initially thinking of a GSD or even an Urban Arrow, but with the sensible hat on, both are overkill for our use. Borrowed an HSD for the weekend and it does everything we realistically need.             

Sounds sensible (I might well have done the same if I hadn’t had such a good offer for a GSD).  When do you get it?

[quiff]

Pushed the button on a Tern

Pushed the button on a Tern HSD… I was initially thinking of a GSD or even an Urban Arrow, but with the sensible hat on, both are overkill for our use. Borrowed an HSD for the weekend and it does everything we realistically need.             

[quiff]

Great stuff! Let us know how

Great stuff! Let us know how it goes.

My own cargo journey has been paused as my little one has just got her first pedal bike and currently looks like she might be able to ride to school without a Tern. Curses. Journey times quite variable dependent on her mood though…   

[Steve K]

I finally picked up my GSD

I finally picked up my GSD yesterday (it was delayed as I waited for various accessories, which themselves were delayed because of Moore Large going bust and then, apparently, because of the floods in Italy).

Only a couple of short runs so far – including with the kids (individually) on the back.  I – and they – love it (the wife thinks I’m mad).  My only issue is getting the hang of starting off with a kid on the back.  I think this is because the way I normally push off is seated, with the bike leaning slightly.  That obviously doesn’t work with a child on the back, so it’s getting used to starting from standing and then sitting down (if that makes sense). 

[andystow]

quiff wrote:

Sorry, last one, I promise. Back on the topic of cargo bikes, from Rad Wagon vs Tern GSD, 7 key differences:

• Tern GSD is a folding bike (ok, I’ll let them have that on a technicality) that’s perfect for carrying around on public transport
• Radwagon is a recumbent
• Tern GSD does not have a rack or fenders. But also, it has a strong rack and fenders.
• Tern GSD does not have a throttle. It is designed to be used in conjunction with a gas pedal on your vehicle.

ChatGPT is going to turn the Internet into 95% absolute rubbish.

That’s a big increase from the current level of 82%.

[quiff]

Sorry, last one, I promise.

Sorry, last one, I promise. Back on the topic of cargo bikes, from Rad Wagon vs Tern GSD, 7 key differences:

• Tern GSD is a folding bike (ok, I’ll let them have that on a technicality) that’s perfect for carrying around on public transport
• Radwagon is a recumbent
• Tern GSD does not have a rack or fenders. But also, it has a strong rack and fenders.
• Tern GSD does not have a throttle. It is designed to be used in conjunction with a gas pedal on your vehicle.

[quiff]

I really don’t understand it

I really don’t understand it – there’s not even any advertising on the site to monetise this bilge. I am now slightly obsessed with their comedy bike comparisons.

[brooksby]

perce wrote:

I wouldn’t tell her, just disguise it as something else.

“That?  Nah – I’ve had that for ages….”

[Steve K]

Was that written by a really

Was that written by a really poor AI programme?

[quiff]

quiff wrote:

You could say it’s a Tern HSD – a bit cheaper and plausible deniability.  

Actually, not sure this will fly. In my researches, I found this helpful (=spectacularly unhelpful) article which made me realise how different the GSD and HSD actually are: https://www.stringbike.com/tern-gsd-vs-hsd/. Some of my favourites:  

• GSD has a lower price tag than HSD. But the GSD is also more expensive (be careful which bit of the article you show)  
• GSD is aluminium, HSD is carbon.

• GSD has 26″ wheels, HSD has 28″ (or possibly the reverse, depending on which bit of the article you read)

• GSD has disc brakes, HSD has V-brakes

• GSD is Shimano 10 speed; HSD is SRAM 11 speed

• GSD has a derailleur, shifter, crankset and cassette because it uses a road bike groupset. The HSD does too, but because it uses a mountain bike groupset, it also has a bottom bracket and chainring.  

• HSD is a lightweight bike (despite the weight penalty of having a bottom bracket and chainring)  and is ideal for racing and long-distance riding. However, the GSD is a bit lighter.

• HSD are some of the fastest bikes on the market, and have set new speed records

[quiff]

You could say it’s a Tern HSD

You could say it’s a Tern HSD – a bit cheaper and plausible deniability.  

[quiff]

Excellent! Look forward to

Excellent! Look forward to hearing your views…

[perce]

I wouldn’t tell her, just

I wouldn’t tell her, just disguise it as something else. I don’t actually know what to disguise it as, I’ve not thought that far ahead.

[Author]

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