Advice about buying an electric bike to transport two children in a trailer

Jonah · May 22, 2020

chem said:
Hello, My 4 year old is about to start school 2.5 miles away (uphill) and I'm looking at ways to get to school with her and my 1 year old that doesn't involve driving. I am not a cyclist and the thought of trying to cycle uphill with just me (let alone two kids in tow) is slightly terrifying. Until my oldest one is able to ride a bike to school herself I'm looking at the possibility of an electric bike / conversion kit and trailer (or would two child seats / child seat and tag along bike be better). I have a very unused hybrid bike, am not an experienced cyclist and am not sure I can justify buying an electric bike as the upfront cost is so big. Would a conversion kit be good enough (and which one? I've read good things about the Swytch kit but it's pricey - currently £400)

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

In terms of practicalities (short journey, all weather, Inexperienced cyclist) a trailer is probably most suitable. Unless you can get one used, they are quite costly, decent ones can cost getting on for £1000 (Halfords do a basic model for £99).

A kit should be fine for this purpose, Woosh are recommended for kits and also decent quality ‘value’ complete bikes. Take a look at their website. If you can provide details of your bike (with photos) that would be helpful for more specific advice. Although it is possible to put a kit together for less than £400, this is at the cheaper end of the price range.

Although difficult at the moment, it would be best to try out a bike and trailer (many bike hire businesses have them) before you make the plunge.

Benjahmin · May 22, 2020

Hi Chem,
Realistically you're looking at 5-600 pounds for a conversion. There are cheaper ones (especially on fleabay)but they are cheap for a reason. Direct drive motors(no good for hills), dodgy electronics and poor low quality batteries.
I know it seems a lot as an up front cost but consider, no tax, no insurance, no MOT and little or no running cost apart from charging. I thought the same 6 years ago but I've done around 9000 miles since, using the bike far more than I ever thought I would 'cos it's so pleasant.
You would get a lot of guidance here for a conversion but do ride you're bike first to see if it suits at all.

Jonah · May 22, 2020

chem said:
Thank you both, I'm hoping this will be the start of us all becoming cyclists as we're keen environmentalists and have access to lots of lovely countryside around here too. I have a Specialized Crosstrail, probably an old design as it's been in the garage for years but hopefully with a bit of TLC (I'll take it to Halfords for a service) still in fairly good condition. I'd probably go for the £99 Halfords trailer. Going to take it out for a ride today and see how I get on riding to the school and back.

Looks like a nice bike. Because of the trailer hitch needed on the rear axle, it would probably be best to fit a front hub motor like the Swytch one you have seen or the XF07 from Woosh https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits#xf07kit

Both are decent products. In my experience Swytch product availability is variable (You need to be certain product is actually in stock if you don’t want a long wait) and support is not always as quick as you would like, but a nice neat product and informative fitting guide / diagnostics on website. Woosh provide first class service and support and regularly contribute advice on this forum. Tony (from Woosh) will be able to advise of any complications regarding fitting with your bike. If you can, I suggest you check the gap between your front forks (probably 100mm) and the depth and diameter of the dropouts (were the axle sits at the fork ends). Also, a picture from above / below of the bottom bracket area (where the pedals fit into the frame) showing the space available on either side.

Nealh · May 22, 2020

I have trailer hitches on two 700c bikes both use a rear hub with 12 x 10 axle, just a case of drilling the 9mm hole for QR axle to 12mm.

Nealh · May 22, 2020

chem said:
Thank you both, I'm hoping this will be the start of us all becoming cyclists as we're keen environmentalists and have access to lots of lovely countryside around here too. I have a Specialized Crosstrail, probably an old design as it's been in the garage for years but hopefully with a bit of TLC (I'll take it to Halfords for a service) still in fairly good condition. I'd probably go for the £99 Halfords trailer. Going to take it out for a ride today and see how I get on riding to the school and back.

Taking it to Halfords might easily mount up as they will likely replace items just fr the sake of it and easy earner.
Look locally to see if you have a community cycle workshop where users/members help each other/give advice on how to repair bikes and keep costs down.

For a good ebike kit a realistic budget of £600 is a better figure, a geared hub high torque low rpm speed is ideal for towing. Woosh sell some with very high torque specs ( low motor rpm) ones which aren't seen for sale elsewhere. A hub means less wear and tear on the drive chain.
Mid drive after market kits are also popular but do rely on the rider selecting low gears or the correct gears esp on inclines, drive train wear is higher and relaibilty is suspect at times compared to geared hub motors.
I have had three after market mid drives and all have failed due to reliability two barely clocked up 350 mile between them, compare that to my various geared hubs and all are still in working order whether in actual use or not.

sjpt · May 22, 2020

Note the Swytch kit comes with a very low capacity battery (250wH). Battery capacity is a significant proportion of a kit cost.

For an idea of range look at https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/service/range-assistant/
and put in details for your total weight, bike type and environment (such as hills) and halve the result.
(Maybe even a fraction less than 1/2. The default battery for the assistant is 400wH, things like a trailer will reduce distance by more than just the weight, and a hub drive won't be operating as efficiently on the hills as a Bosch or other crank drive would as it will be spinning slower than its optimal speed.)

Muddyfox · May 22, 2020

Anyone else think she should budget to upgrade, at least the front brake, to disc brakes ?
At least once a day she will be descending the hill with a trailer and two children "pushing" her.

esuark · May 22, 2020

surprised no body else has said this but front forks are back to front

Nealh · May 22, 2020

WIth hubs along as you can spin them at 50% of the optimal speed then they will be in the sweet spot for efficiency hence using a high torque one with low rpm (160 - 230rpm and lower optimal speed will be suitable, a low torque 270 - 330rpm hub would be less efficient as the optimal speed is higher.

Muddyfox · May 22, 2020

esuark said:
surprised no body else has said this but front forks are back to front

My thoughts exactly.

Jonah · May 22, 2020

esuark said:
surprised no body else has said this but front forks are back to front

Must have been bought from Halfords!

Nealh · May 22, 2020

I haven't looked at the pics as a bike is a bike being an older one will be suitable for most kits, but yes have had a butcher's and looks like it has already been to Halfords.
Not the first time I've seen a bike with reversed forks.

I once rode a mtb with front hub motor like that for 20 odd miles after the d/o of the front forks snapped and the motor kept popping our even with a T/A. It was the only way I could ride the bike back home with the hub staying put, one reason why ali forks shouldn't be used for hub motors unless they are heavy meaty ones with plenty of d/o material.

Nealh · May 22, 2020

Towing I would go for rear hub or mid drive in that order.

Andy-Mat · May 22, 2020

chem said:
Hello, My 4 year old is about to start school 2.5 miles away (uphill) and I'm looking at ways to get to school with her and my 1 year old that doesn't involve driving. I am not a cyclist and the thought of trying to cycle uphill with just me (let alone two kids in tow) is slightly terrifying. Until my oldest one is able to ride a bike to school herself I'm looking at the possibility of an electric bike / conversion kit and trailer (or would two child seats / child seat and tag along bike be better). I have a very unused hybrid bike, am not an experienced cyclist and am not sure I can justify buying an electric bike as the upfront cost is so big. Would a conversion kit be good enough (and which one? I've read good things about the Swytch kit but it's pricey - currently £400)

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

The very first consideration that you should make is what type of road are you going to be riding on. If its a main road, with the usual morning and afternoon traffic, you should seriously consider the dangers or idiotic car drivers, who do not like being slowed down by any bikers.
If there is a back road way, with light traffic, thats something else.....
Trailers are often inherently unstable, are the first thing possibly hit by a car approaching from the rear. My thoughts are more for the old fashioned way, a rear seat for the older child at the back of a bike, and a front rear facing seat for the younger, on a strong stable, purpose built, strong e-bike frame, is my personal recommendation.
Secondhand e-bikes, with usually a defective battery, possibly a defective motor, should be very cheap, as they are worth very little. like under 100 UK Pounds.
For best traction, and reasonable price, look for a rear hub motor. I have been using two such bikes for many years, and the "experts" often talk a "Load of C**P", about them being unable to climb hills! They climb well! Otherwise why should so many be seen on the road!
If you stay with the trailer idea, do buy something very, very stable.
regards and do let us know how you get on!
Andy

Amoto65 · May 22, 2020

I think your original idea of a trailer is probably the safest idea, due to the fact as you stated before you are not a cyclist so trying to balance a bike with 2 wriggling children sounds a bit precarious to say the least.

Nealh · May 22, 2020

Find a good independent bike repairer not Halfords, not only do they not know what they are doing you will also need unnecessary deep pockets.
A work colleague too his young lads bmx type bike in to them only to walk out after they quoted £200 to repair it, he asked me as I'm known for my ebikes at work.
I did it for £25 and took about an hour and a half.
Regreased all bearings, head set, 2 x wheel hub and loose BB that needed adjusting.
Oiled/cleaned the rusty looking chain and adjusted the brakes front and rear.

Advice about buying an electric bike to transport two children in a trailer

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