Maximum distance with kid on board?!

Hi there,

Completely new to ebikes so apologies if I come across as a bit of a muppet! Our school/work commute has become increasingly nightmare-ish by car. Public transport not a option from where we are & it's too far to do it all by regular bike so - ta da! - am looking into getting an electric bike. However, not sure if it's feasible so thought I'd post on here & seek some advice if that's ok

Q1 - What are my options re. transporting a 9 y.o boy on the back?! Would you recommend any particular models in terms of comfort, balance etc.?

Q2 - How far would be a reasonable commute with said child on board? We have a 10 mile ride to school, which says 50 minutes on google maps for a regular bike but assume it should be a bit less on an ebike?

Q3 - I have an additional 8 miles to work after dropping at school. So this would make my commute 18 miles each way. There's no way I would contemplate that on a regular bike but is it feasible on an electric bike? I'm pretty fit from other sports but haven't cycled much since my youth

Like I say, apologies if I sound naive. Just had a lightbulb moment sat in a jam this morning - there must be more to life than this!

Thank you for your help!

your requirements are a bit more than most bikes can do. Most rear racks are not strong enough to carry a 9 year old and fast growing boy. You'll also need a strong motor and a 15AH battery or better for the distance.

Best bet is to convert a bike that you know your child and you are going to be happy riding.

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by trex

Have you considered getting an ebike for yourself and joining your bike to his with one of those joining bars that makes 2 bikes kind of like a tandem with a hinge?

(e.g. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3334577.htm )

that way you can teach him road safety, he can cycle to school too (so the power requirement from the battery won't be quite as high), you'll both get fitter and you can leave his bike and the joining bar at school when you drop him off.

If you do this you just need to spec your e-bike. I'd recommend going for something with a minimum range of 40miles (battery drop off over time should cut range by about 2/3 over a year from what I have read and you want to have backup power to get you all the way each way.)

I carry at least 15kg of clothes/laptop/lunch with me on my commute and at close to 100kg for myself, my ebike can handle it when the weigth gets high and the hills get big on the 20mile trip!

approx. 20miles over hills at about 15mph I have got the trip to about 1hour 15mins + changing time

Have you looked into ebike/bike/folding bike -> train routes to see if you can knock some time off.

Hi both,

Great, very helpful advice thank you. We already have a decent bike so could look at converting. And hadn't at all thought about the idea of a joining bar - good idea! The guidance about speed is helpful as well - doesn't sound too bad. If I leave at the wrong time in the car it takes me 2 hours to get to work so 1'15 sounds very reasonable! The train/bike combo would definitely be an option as well so lots of things to consider.

Thank you!

The joining bar is called a trailgator. I use one with my 6 year old, but I'm not sure how long we will be able to continue. We also have a Kona Africa that I have fitted with a rear seat, and electrified. My wife says that he's getting too big for her to handle.

I would have thought a long tail cargo bike is the best bet - like a Yuba elMundo, Kona Ute, XtraCyle kit (there are others). Then add a conversion kit (I'd go for a BPM kit on the front).

Or go ready build with an Ezee Expidir......

I noticed a few Kona Utes on Ebay lately, and I've always thought that would be a good family hauler.

I have an Xtracycle, a Burley Piccolo (http://www.burley.com/page_776/piccolo.html) and a tandem.

Having covered a lot of miles on the Piccolo with my son, who's now 10, I'd thoroughly recommend it. However in a year or so your nine year old will be getting a bit big for it.

I used to use the cargo bike carrying my kids on short journeys but don't think they'd appreciate nearly one hour sitting doing nothing.

I think a tandem fitted with a good conversion kit might be the best option for a more stable ride.

I think a tandem fitted with a good conversion kit might be the best option for a more stable ride.

A tandem could be a good bet - and they're lots of fun. Adjustable to a growing child. :-)

Quite reasonable models available very reasonably and loads of friendly advice from the Tandem Club. Electric assist a good idea - Tandems a bit slow uphill but wonderful* going down!

*terrifying even. Other emotions are available!

If you are considering a tandem this might fit your requirements, crank drive and large capacity battery to fulfill your journey distance:

http://lufan9432.en.made-in-china.com/product/VKaEjfCJaHcr/China-Tandem-Mountain-Electric-Bikes-26-Inch-SD-024-.html

They sell a lot of non standard bicycle setups.

Edited November 19, 201411 yr by shemozzle999

Hi Newbie101,

Cyclezee stock the eZee Expedir and the eZee powered Yuba el Mundo which can be fitted with a range of seating options.

We also have conversion kits to power utility/cargo bikes, tandems and normal non powered bikes.

I'd thought a tandem too, seeing this thread. I often see a lady dropping her son off at school on the tandem whilst I'm commuting and have thought how effective it is. However I'd see how good one is to ride solo before committing - I see from your original post you'd have a fair few miles to do on your own.

Michael

Hadn't thought of a tandem. When I used to work just 500yards from home at the local science park, I used to see a couple cycle to work together. the husband would cycle past, drop off his wife and continue to his own work on the tandem alone. I remember thinking how nice it must have been to be able to do that with you husband/wife and how eco-friendly it was. There was not battery involved and I saw the actual tandem appear on Gumtree 9 months ago as they retired but was unsuccessful in persuading my wife to allow me to but it for £200.

Since reading this thread I do have serious bike envy for a long cargo bike like the Yuba Mundo but have trouble justifying it again.

I seem to be remember hearing that the correct number of bikes is N+1. I think I would amend that to N+3!

Get yourself an electric bike to accompany your kid on a normal bike to get him fit & healthy.

Here's a news story of a six year old cycling 10 miles to school with his dad.

http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/9155643.Ewan__six__is_forced_to_cycle_ten_miles_to_Heathlands_Primary_School_every_day/

Hadn't thought of a tandem. When I used to work just 500yards from home at the local science park, I used to see a couple cycle to work together. the husband would cycle past, drop off his wife and continue to his own work on the tandem alone. I remember thinking how nice it must have been to be able to do that with you husband/wife and how eco-friendly it was. There was not battery involved and I saw the actual tandem appear on Gumtree 9 months ago as they retired but was unsuccessful in persuading my wife to allow me to but it for £200.

 

Since reading this thread I do have serious bike envy for a long cargo bike like the Yuba Mundo but have trouble justifying it again.

 

I seem to be remember hearing that the correct number of bikes is N+1. I think I would amend that to N+3!

Looking at all these cargo bikes with seats I can't help thinking that if you're going to carry a passenger then they might as well be pedalling too. With a motor to help a tandem would be easy to ride alone I should think.

I wonder why no one retails an e tandem?

I wonder why no one retails an e tandem?

Flyer make this Panasonic powered one, but it's very expensive. There's also a ladies version without the upper crossbar.

.

Looking at all these cargo bikes with seats I can't help thinking that if you're going to carry a passenger then they might as well be pedalling too. With a motor to help a tandem would be easy to ride alone I should think.

 

I wonder why no one retails an e tandem?

and there is this one which is a folder

and there is this one which is a folder

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That might be one for the OP to think about. Must be a market for these things at a fair price.