Cargo Bike SHOWDOWN - Tern GSD x Riese & Müller Load4 75

YOU asked for it! Front loader or longtail? Compact or full size? Our customers are always looking for a breakdown between two of the best e-Cargo bikes available: the Tern GSD and the Riese & Müller Load4 75. Both are very similar in what they allow you to do, but also super different in how they help you do it! Join Owen in going through the similarities and differences, along with some important considerations you should make before buying your next e-Cargo bike!
Check out our site to see current available inventory!
www.ucycle.com/
CHAPTERS
00:00 - 01:36 Intro
01:37 - 03:53 Bike Styles
03:54 - 04:18 Frame Features
04:19 - 06:45 Suspension considerations
06:46 - 08:03 Bosch Cargo line
08:04 - 10:00 Max Gross Vehicle Weight
10:01 - 10:48 Max Accessory and rider Weights
10:49 - 13:32 Max load area + MATH
13:33 - 15:13 How many Passengers? Handling notes
15:14 - 16:09 Storage considerations
16:10 - 17:10 Accessories and order timelines
17:11 - Test rides and conclusion
Thanks to Leland Whitty for supplying the music!
lelandwhitty.bandcamp.com/alb...
Thanks to Brian-Rey Ejar for the illustrations!
www.brianreyejar.com/
#cargobikes #ebike #torontocycling #bakfiets #tern #rieseundmüller #fahrrad #electriccargobike #pedelec #familybikeride

[@tconnolly9820]

Fabulous machines but I'm more than a little disappointed with their weight capacities.
These are often described as bicycle mini vans.
Ok, so I may not be a typical customer.
I'm 2 metres tall and 120+ kg. Not fat for my height. Plus clothes and whatever because I'm not going to be riding naked.
So that means the R&M rounded at an even 40 kg for simplicity and add another 10 kg for locks and accessories that's 170kg already.
So strictly speaking I can only carry another 30 kg of luggage or cargo. That is really very very little and extremely disappointing.
I am going to presume that those weight recommendations are not absolutes and are capable of being exceeded by at least another 30 kg if necessary? Possibly more? I mean, it's not going to just bend or snap in two if the entire weight reaches 230 kg or more?
To put this in context.
I currently have an aluminium frame hybrid bicycle. No "e" just me.
I have many times carried over 30 kg of cargo on that bike on the back rack alone. Obviously excluding me, racks, bags, locks and accessories and anything else.
And with one of my fairly large bike trailers which weigh 13 kg each unloaded, I have had over 70 kg of cargo behind me not counting the trailer weights.
My average load using the trailers is generally between 30 to 50 kg excluding the trailer weights.
Granted I don't have fun sized little people to carry but it is more than disappointing that a €600 bicycle with a €131 trailer (or even without as I said) can carry as much or considerably more than an almost €8,000 cargo bike.
This is not an attack and I would absolutely love to own particularly a bakfiets but I had expected the total loaded vehicle weight to be closer to 250 kg.
So if you want to carry your plumbing tools and equipment to work on a bakfiets, first of all make sure your small and skinny to begin with???

[@urbane-cyclist]

I understand what you are saying but in fairness you are the absolute maximum rider height limit for these which does limit your options a bit along with being close to the max listed rider weight. As someone who is also 6'2" and over 100Kgs I totally get that it feels like I should be able to carry TONS of stuff, but for most people they should *not exceed about 75-80% of their body weight* to safely handle the bike. But for larger folks like you and I that percentage *feels* like its not that much (although it would push you into exceeding the MGVW of the bike)! I think the Mini-Van analogy is fair, but keep in mind...its not sold as a "work-truck" more of a family vehicle generally (we have all seen those overloaded mini-vans with sagging suspension used WELL beyond their intended usage). The weights they list will also handle fairly normal paced riding, once you get into weights beyond you would need to adjust riding speed and style significantly (Aka slow and steady). If you are trying to setup something more like a "work truck" I would still recommend using a heavy duty trailer to spread out weight on more wheels and axles! If you are set on an electric assisted front loader you might want to look at something more like the Riese and Muller Transporter series which add another 20Kg to the MGVW

[@tconnolly9820]

@@urbane-cyclist Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Very much appreciated.
I don't have any intentions of investing in a dedicated cargo bike and particularly not a bakfiets type in the foreseeable future. The reason I use trailers is because I really only need the capacity of a large cargo bike approximately just one in every five rides. Because I don't have to transport children, I find trailers to be a fabulous solution for carrying bulky and/or heavy cargo or luggage. I can even fit a massive 400 litre plastic tub into the cargo trailer secured by mini ratchet straps.
I am well aware because I did admit straight away that I'm not a typical customer. And I have been searching for a first e-bike and I have discovered that my options are very much limited compared to the average customer. But then, it's the same when I go shopping for shoes or shirts or pants. Welcome to my world!
I'm not going to press this issue but it honestly did come as a surprise to me that I have had about 35 kg more on the road using pedal power only than the Load 75's maximum recommended total vehicle weight. I forget the correct abbreviation.
Granted I am well aware that I am regularly exceeding my trailers maximum recommended weights. And I think reading from your reply that the Load 75 would probably easily handle another 30+ kg as long as it was handled with due care and control. Which I think would be much easier for someone like me to handle and control than someone else who was just 5'6 and 60 kg?
Thank you again for your reply.
My surprise and consternation had already mellowed to acceptance. It is what it is.
They are both fabulous machines and who knows what the future may bring my way one way or another. They are both the very best bikes of their respective types money can buy.
Good luck and every success.

[@teenagedancer]

Why comparing 2 completely different bikes?

[@urbane-cyclist]

Our customers asked for it! We often compare these two bikes in the shop. Both are great ways to carry cargo and kids and obviously very different but both very capable!