![]() ![]() ★ Alternative: The most direct competitor to the Aventon is the Lectric XPedition ($1,399). Even then, you’ll still get nearly 20 miles out of the 720 watt-hour battery. Your mileage drops if you load the bike up to its 440-pound capacity, liberally thumb the bar-mounted throttle, or blast around town in Turbo mode at the max speed of 20 mph. In the lowest of the four assistance levels-the power-sipping yet capable Eco mode-you can eke out 50 miles on a charge. The Abound’s pedal assistance system uses a rear hub motor with a torque sensor, a design that adds a smooth and even boost based on how hard you’re cranking. The easy-riding stepthrough frame fits pilots up to 6'3". Blissfully child-free? Install front and rear racks ($70, $159) to haul groceries and garden supplies. Carting the kiddo to school? Add a back seat ($63) and a handrail ($123) to the long rear platform. ![]() Gear editor Michael Calore is a fan of the first cargo bike from Aventon, one of the leaders in competitively priced, direct-to-consumer ebikes. ![]() It's worth noting here that Rad Power has recently undergone a tumultuous series of lawsuits and layoffs however, we've tested these bikes and know a number of people who have owned and operated theirs responsibly for years with no problems. Probably the most popular is the big, powerful, and disturbingly affordable Rad Power RadRunner 2 ($1,249). ★ Alternative: You do have a few direct-to-consumer options. Just attach two front panniers ($80) for tossing in snacks and water bottles and you're good to go. This is the bike that everyone in my family-me, my husband, and my two kids-asks to ride whenever we leave the house. However, Specialized uses quality components and has a large network of affiliated shops to get routine maintenance. I just have two small qualms: There's no suspension, which can make a difference if you're carrying a lot of things and people, and there's no belt drive. The compact 20-inch multi-terrain wheels are maneuverable and feel stable on roads, dirt, and gravel. The display is intuitive and the pedaling feels natural. The powerful 700-watt motor relies on a IPX7-rated battery that has a remarkable range of well over the stated 60 miles. This sleek, black daily driver fits a wide variety of heights my 5'10" husband and my 5'2" self can switch it in the same day. That, my friends, is the Specialized's Globe Haul ST. I have been waiting for a major bike manufacturer to release an affordable, reliable daily driver that can be a car substitute. However, as a smaller person, I find the Load to be comparatively easier to ride and more maneuverable. R&M makes several different sizes and styles of box bikes if you want something with a larger capacity, you might want to consider the Packster or the Transporter. However, if the roads are rough where you live, you'll probably want the R&M Load's full suspension. It also has a continuously variable shifter that lets you downshift from a standstill, so you're not frantically downshifting while trying to muscle uphill with your children shrieking and wobbling in the box. A lower center of gravity makes it easier to steer. First, the box sits slightly lower, on the bottom of the front chassis instead of the top. There are three reasons the Family is my favorite. It just depends on what characteristics you're looking for. ![]() The two electric cargo box bicycles that I've tested, the Urban Arrow Family ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends) and the R&M Load ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends), are both top of the line. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. This includes unlimited access to and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated August 2023: We added the Specialized Globe Haul ST, the Lectric XPedition, and the Aventon Abound. Need a smaller vehicle? Check out our roundups of the best electric bicycles and best bike accessories. Once you have a bike, check out our guide to family biking with kids. I regularly tote kids, groceries, and bags of who-knows-what around town on some of the best (and worst) electric cargo bikes around. We've reviewed ebikes for a few years here at WIRED. Mine has transformed my life, turning my dull, daily errand-running into a multitasking combination of joyride and workout. If you're trying to reconcile your carefree biking days of yore with your current life as a family chauffeur-or even if you don't have kids and just want to go to the hardware store-I highly recommend getting an electric cargo bike. And yet, somehow, it's easy to ignore all this when you're late to work and have yet to wrestle pants onto your screaming toddler. There are a number of physical, philosophical, environmental, and logistical reasons why it’s better to hop on a bike than it is to drive a car. ![]()
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