cargo

The best electric bikes in 2023 for every type of rider

From TechCrunch.com

By Rebecca Bellan

Commuter, mountain lover, delivery worker? There’s an e-bike for you.

With summer well underway and a federal e-bike incentiveback on the Congress floor, it’s time to start thinking about electric bikes — and what might be the best one for you and your lifestyle.

We’ve rounded up the best e-bikes for your specific needs, whether you’re commuting to work and need to keep your cool, toting around children, delivering pizzas or traversing mountains. How did we make our picks? Our recommendations are based on a combination of our own experience on the bikes, industry research and talking with experts and our readers about what they love to ride.

Our guide is broken up into several categories, starting with the diverse array of cargo bikes. From there we provide recommendations for commuters, seniors, folks looking to scale mountains, people living in small spaces and those who are on a budget.

Best cargo e-bikes

Electric cargo bikes are taking off as people look for ways to carry kids, gear and groceries. At the same time, the rise in e-commerce and fast delivery has led to an uptick in urban couriers delivering everything from pizzas and groceries to headphones and alcohol.

There are two main types of e-cargo bikes: front loaders and rear loaders. Each has its own strengths. Front loaders, for example, are often better if you’re carrying small children or large, bulky items. However, some people might be initially put off by the larger turning circle and the size — they are much longer and require more storage space.

Rear loaders feel more like a normal bike and allow you to stack cargo behind you. When it comes to transporting kids, rear loaders are better for older children who can be trusted to keep their seats.

We’ll break down some of the best cargo bikes we’ve found for different demographics.

Image courtesy of Trek

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6 commuter bike accessories I couldn’t live with out

From BikeRadar.com

Deputy editor Jack Luke on his essential kit for any commuter bike

Cycling to work comes with many benefits – it will save you money, it’s good for the environment, it’s beneficial for your physical and mental health, and is usually faster.

While any bike can be used for commuting duties, it’s worth buying (or building) a dedicated commuter bike if it’s a regular fixture of your working week.

A specific commuting bike prevents wear on your pride and joy, and you’re more likely to fit dorky practicality-boosting accessories without the fear of abuse from friends.

That final point is critical – carefully selected accessories are what separates a run-of-the-mill bike from a true super commuter.

If you’re setting up a commuting bike, these are the six must-have accessories that will make your ride more enjoyable, safer and, in the long run, cheaper.

1. Mudguards

I’ve said this many, many times before, but life is simply too short to ride without mudguards.

The best mudguards keep you and your bike dry, prolonging the life of consumable parts and boosting morale.

You are much more likely to commit to riding year-round if you know you’ll arrive dry(ish). It also usually negates the need to change clothes when you arrive at work.

Provided they’re installed well, full-cover mudguards will last for years of rattle-free service.

2. Cargo-carrying capabilities

There’s nothing wrong with carrying your stuff in a backpack but, if you’re a regular commuter, it’s worth investing in some kind of luggage system for your bike.

There are many ways to carry stuff comfortably on your bike, shifting weight off your back.

Pannier bags mounted to a rack are good for heavier loads. If you only have a small amount of stuff, a little handlebar-mounted basket will suffice.

I prefer a large platform-style front rack with a basket. A custom-made bag then fits inside this.

This is a better option for me, because I don’t like the ‘tail wags the dog’ sensation of riding with rear-mounted panniers (particularly on a flexible frame). I like being able to see my stuff when riding, too.

I also think this setup looks cool – and I’m a fashion victim. Make of that what you will.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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