Recommendations for a cargo ebike

Like everything else, I wrote something up about that :)


It was written in 2021 and since then I have settled more or less on three of the Blinder Squares, two steady and one blinking. I don't use the Big Cobber in the center anymore. Not because its anything but the best at its job, but its easier to have three of the same light to deal with on a day to day basis. Also the Blinders are a lot cheaper.

There is a companion piece you can click on for front lights. In 2024 I am mostly relying on the Fisher Fab House BBSHD version of their dual headlight, which costs a lot but is permanently installed and runs off the main battery. For other bikes the cheap but brilliant Te-Rich lights do the trick when used as a pair with the beam focus angled a hair outboard to each side to make up for their narrow beam.

I used Niterider Luminas and a few others for years but they had a limited lifespan, batterywise. Since they cost so much that made for more sadness than necessary versus the $30 Te-Rich lights.
 
Good looking bike you settled on there.

As for luggage, don't forget the front mounts. If you put too much weight out back, steering will get nervous, as you're unloading the front wheel. I looked, and Fucare does make a front rack that bolts right onto the head tube. This will keep the front planted as you distribute the load evenly. Putting all the weight on the back of an already rear-biased bike will make the steering pretty loose:
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The tail bag you picture there is good for small day-to-day items, but probably not even big enough for your work boots. I have an MTX trunk bag by Topeak with fold down panniers. For my day-to-day commute, the trunk part is enough. It expands a bit if needed. For grocery trips, the panniers are folded down. It latches onto a rail; you'd need to mount the MTX adapter to your bike's rack to accommodate that, but it's nice because when you get to work, you can just unlatch and slide the bag off and take it with you. I envision a work boot in each pannier. Then, when you get to work, fold up the panniers and put your shoes in the trunk portion?

By the way, why not just WEAR your work boots to work? Do they need to be spotless? Carrying footwear back and forth and filling up luggage with it is a woman thing to do. ;-) If it's a sweat issue, I used to change socks midday when I worked on my feet as a technician.

A tip on range and pedaling efficiency: I see by your pix that you have the seat slammed all the way down. You're not getting any power out of your legs like that. Raise the seat until you JUST have a slight bend in your knee at the bottom of your pedal stroke. Or if it won't got that high, raise it as high as it'll safely go. (there's usually a mark on the seat post for this) You'll have to lean forward more, but you'll be contributing so much more power with the same effort. You'll likely get more range because you'll be helping the motor more.

A good overall luggage arrangement might be:
  • Front & rear racks/baskets as shown in the pic above
  • A bungee net for each one (they're cheap, maybe $10 ea for good ones)
  • For commuting duty, just bungee net your backpack onto the front rack
  • Idea 1 for shopping trips: bungee net your shopping bags to the racks/baskets and carry your backpack for extra capability.
  • Idea 2 for shopping trips: find a couple of plastic Rubbermaid totes that fit the racks nicely. Bring them in with you and put them in your cart, and you'll have an idea that the stuff you're buying will actually fit. Bungee them to the racks/baskets when you go.
Do you have a good lock yet? A folding lock or U-lock from the frame to a bike rack or post would be a good idea. Do NOT rely on a cable lock. I had an eBike stolen, most likely by a hobo, in CO Springs when I was there.

Here are some things I bought from Amazon that I consider required for my nice commuter eBike:

 
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If you want a lock with some of the flexibility of a cable, but with a lot more security, consider the FoldyLock Forever folding lock. It comes with a holder that perfectly fits water bottle bosses. If your bike doesn't have any, you can just put it in your bag. It's the heaviest-duty folding lock you can get.


Here's a review on it from a trusted source: https://electrek.co/2024/01/15/foldylock-forever-bike-lock-review/

The lock is expensive, but so is your bike. I bought two more holders to put on my other bikes, so it can move back and forth when needed.
 
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Hello all, I came across this website while looking at ebikes to get to commute to work with, I'm thinking a cargo ebike as that way I can load up on some groceries and such as well.
Where I work is About 9.6miles one way (so almost 20 there and back) and going too work is at a slight incline almost the whole way except for a section near the end that is a bit extra hilly.
I don't know my inseam but I'm 5'11" if that helps and I weigh about 205 (been a week or two since I've weighed in haha)
So far two that I definitely have my eye on are the Aventon Abound and the Lectric Xpedition. But I'm open to recommendations for other bikes that I may not have come across yet.
I'm looking to spend at max about 2.1-2.2k USD but ideally around the same price as the two I'm looking at. Anything in that price range that you think will get me there and back would be a good shout. Also, I don't exactly need a cargo ebike, I mainly wanted it for the added utility; so any other ebikes within that price range can also work.

Added a picture of the incline i will be looking at going to work if this helps any, and unfortunately this is the safest and least hilly route for me to take getting there. As I said, it's all pretty much small incline changes until near the end where there is an extra hilly section
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If yall need any more info from me let me know.

Oh, I was told there shouldn't be a problem with me charging it at work as well, so that is also a consideration.

Also, cheaper ebikes that can definitely get me there and back are also good shouts.
Wallke and Aniioki both make comfortable powerful ebikes.
 
You might like the Packer 1 from Velotric. I have their smaller cargo ebike and it is of very good quality. The Packer 1 is a mullet, the front wheel is a 26er and the back is a twenty. You are taller, but still want to have a lower center of effort for cargo and also want to commute, so this might be a good fit for you. You can watch some reviews on YouTube, or "Electric Bike Report" has a write up on it and Velotric has good fall sales.
 
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