Bike to carry 8 -10 year old

[Fizz]

Hello! Very excited to discover the e-bike community!

I’m new to all this but hoping to get a bike that’s fun and straightforward both when cycling alone and with my 8 year old on the back. He is a competent cyclist but our route to school is a bit dicey in places and as he lives some of the time with his dad his bike isn’t always at the right house. I’ve got a flexible budget up to about £1800. Currently considering the Juicy Roller (but concerned it might be a bit big for me- 165cm tall) and the Volt Burlington. Both would need a stronger rear rack fitting (to take up to 35kg) for a junior seat like the Qibbel or Yepp. My head has been turned by the Radwagon, however - shipped from Holland so harder for aftersales and I can’t test ride it but I really like the look of it and the longevity for transporting my son. If someone has experience of some of these options or any suggestions I would be very grateful. Thanks a lot!

 

[Fizz]

Hello! Very excited to discover the e-bike community!

I’m new to all this but hoping to get a bike that’s fun and straightforward both when cycling alone and with my 8 year old on the back. He is a competent cyclist but our route to school is a bit dicey in places and as he lives some of the time with his dad his bike isn’t always at the right house. I’ve got a flexible budget up to about £1800. Currently considering the Juicy Roller (but concerned it might be a bit big for me- 165cm tall) and the Volt Burlington. Both would need a stronger rear rack fitting (to take up to 35kg) for a junior seat like the Qibbel or Yepp. My head has been turned by the Radwagon, however - shipped from Holland so harder for aftersales and I can’t test ride it but I really like the look of it and the longevity for transporting my son. If someone has experience of some of these options or any suggestions I would be very grateful. Thanks a lot!

Should add that I live near Cambridge so would use the bike all the time, mainly on flat roads with cycle paths (and strong wind!)

 

[vfr400]

See whatever is in your local electric bike shop or Halfords if you need support for fixing and servicing.

 

[Fizz]

Thanks - good advice. Both Juicy and Volt are covered locally. But presumably the Radwagon could be serviced locally too, despite there not being local stockists?

 

[flecc]

Should add that I live near Cambridge so would use the bike all the time, mainly on flat roads with cycle paths (and strong wind!)

One thing to note Fizz is that the Radwagon, though looking ideal, isn't legal as a pedelec here, due to its 750 watt motor. Also motor spares could be a problem if they were required. The legal limit in the UK is 250 watts nominal. In your fairly flat Cambridge area a good 250 watt rated bike will be adequate.

All 250 watt e-bikes aren't the same in this respect, some have far higher peak powers than others, so if possible try out as many options as you can. If in doubt ask in here about any particular e-bike.
.

 

[Fizz]

Thanks for that - I have checked and it looks like the legislation here is more relaxed than elsewhere in the EU and that bike is exempt? But I may have misread it. It does apply to the other bike they do, one with massive tyres.

 

[Fizz]

Any opinions of the Juicy Roller/Volt Burlington? Or alternatives? I want a battery that’s not on the rear rack and a step-through frame. Thanks

 

[flecc]

Thanks for that - I have checked and it looks like the legislation here is more relaxed than elsewhere in the EU and that bike is exempt? But I may have misread it. It does apply to the other bike they do, one with massive tyres.

No , they both use the same 750 watt rated motor. That rating makes it a motor vehicle in UK law, requiring registration, number plate, third party insurance and appropriate driving licence.

Bureaucracy free pedelecs operate under an exemption from being motor vehicles in the type approval regulations, here it is:

(h) pedal cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h.

Can you tell me where you've done your checking that says the fat tyred one is legal?
.

 

[Fizz]

Sorry, I thought the Radrover (with fat tyres) did require the license etc but the Radwagon didn’t. But I may well have misunderstood. I’ll check where I read it.

 

[flecc]

Any opinions of the Juicy Roller/Volt Burlington? Or alternatives? I want a battery that’s not on the rear rack and a step-through frame. Thanks

I don't personally know either of these, but Juicy do have a good reputation in here.

Step through e-bikes without a rear rack battery at under £2000 are fairly rare, but maybe others will know of further choices.
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[Fizz]

I think you’re absolutely right about both Rad bikes being classed the same

I’m not sure if this rules it out though or if it’s a tolerable inconvenience? Will have to do some more research tomorrow, not finding the DVLA website very clear...

 

[vfr400]

Any opinions of the Juicy Roller/Volt Burlington? Or alternatives? I want a battery that’s not on the rear rack and a step-through frame. Thanks

Both are good bikes. I tried the Juicy at the last bike show. It's really nice - quiet too. Also, Juicy have been supporting this forum for many years and they'll answer any queries you have.

 

[Woosh]

Hello! Very excited to discover the e-bike community!

I’m new to all this but hoping to get a bike that’s fun and straightforward both when cycling alone and with my 8 year old on the back. He is a competent cyclist but our route to school is a bit dicey in places and as he lives some of the time with his dad his bike isn’t always at the right house. I’ve got a flexible budget up to about £1800. Currently considering the Juicy Roller (but concerned it might be a bit big for me- 165cm tall) and the Volt Burlington. Both would need a stronger rear rack fitting (to take up to 35kg) for a junior seat like the Qibbel or Yepp. My head has been turned by the Radwagon, however - shipped from Holland so harder for aftersales and I can’t test ride it but I really like the look of it and the longevity for transporting my son. If someone has experience of some of these options or any suggestions I would be very grateful. Thanks a lot!

step through with rear rack and good motor for two: Woosh Santana3, Big Bear LS and the Santana CD (crank drive). They are perfect for your height.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana3
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear-ls
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana-2018

 

[sjpt]

You might be better off with a tagalong rather than an 8 year old in a child seat.

 

[flecc]

I’m not sure if this rules it out though or if it’s a tolerable inconvenience?

You can be sure that I do know the law in this area, having closely followed its development since my trade days many years ago.

I wouldn't class breaking it as an inconvenience. Under normal circumstances it's unlikely that it would be detected, so you could risk riding one anyway. Quite a few risk riding similarly illegal e-bikes. But if you were involved in an accident it may well come to light then and the consequences then could be serious.

They can be legally used if registered in their correct class, which is L1e-A, (bicycle based Low Powered Moped). How easy this would be depends if they come with a certificate of conformity which the DVLA will then accept. But as mentioned before, this means number plate, insurance, helmet wearing and an appropriate driving licence which you may already have.
.

 

[Fizz]

You might be better off with a tagalong rather than an 8 year old in a child seat.

He can ride independently, it’s more the logistics of having his bike in the right place. I want to be able to use my bike like a car if you know what I mean, and not always have to factor in the time and other elements of him cycling. He’ll still do lots of cycling but more recreationally.

 

[Fizz]

You can be sure that I do know the law in this area, having closely followed its development since my trade days many years ago.

I wouldn't class breaking it as an inconvenience. Under normal circumstances it's unlikely that it would be detected, so you could risk riding one anyway. Quite a few risk riding similarly illegal e-bikes. But if you were involved in an accident it may well come to light then and the consequences then could be serious.

They can be legally used if registered in their correct class, which is L1e-A, (bicycle based Low Powered Moped). How easy this would be depends if they come with a certificate of conformity which the DVLA will then accept. But as mentioned before, this means number plate, insurance, helmet wearing and an appropriate driving licence which you may already have.
.

I would only buy it if it was straightforward/affordable to register - definitely wouldn’t do it illegally. Main issue seems to be with not being allowed to ride on some cycle paths. Is this correct? If so then sadly it wouldn’t be viable. Thanks

 

[Fizz]

step through with rear rack and good motor for two: Woosh Santana3, Big Bear LS and the Santana CD (crank drive). They are perfect for your height.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana3
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?bigbear-ls
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana-2018

They look really nice but I’ve been aiming for a battery somewhere other than the rear rack. Would these not make the position of a child seat rather high? Thanks

 

[Fizz]

One thing to note Fizz is that the Radwagon, though looking ideal, isn't legal as a pedelec here, due to its 750 watt motor. Also motor spares could be a problem if they were required. The legal limit in the UK is 250 watts nominal. In your fairly flat Cambridge area a good 250 watt rated bike will be adequate.

All 250 watt e-bikes aren't the same in this respect, some have far higher peak powers than others, so if possible try out as many options as you can. If in doubt ask in here about any particular e-bike.
.

Do you know if there’s any scope to customise a bike like this and swap the motor for a 250watt one? Not sure why it has such a powerful one given the speed is capped the same as any other electric bike.

 

[soundwave]

over budget but road legal maybe look for last years model or 2nd hand.

https://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/ele_0004_ne/tern-gsd-s10-blue-electric-2019-electric-bike