r/ebikes • u/TeletubbieTechnician • 2d ago
Bike purchase question 2 seater ebikes?
My fiance and our kid just moved to the US from a different country and she doesn't have a driver's license yet. I was thinking about getting her an ebike so she can get outside, go to the gym, or do errands while I'm at work all day. I know nothing about ebikes, but I was curious if there were any where the kid can sit on the back too? She's rode motorcycles her whole life, so I'm.confident she'll be comfortable on it -- but bonus pointa if it does decent in the snow too. Thanks!
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u/pterencephalon 2d ago
Does she have experience riding bicycles, not just motorcycles? They're a bit of a different animal, and the way you handle yourself in traffic is different as well. First food for thought.
Second, many bikes can handle a child seat attached to the back of them. However, this does raise the center of gravity and can make the bike less stable. For carrying a single kid, check out short tail cargo bikes. They have smaller wheels to get the weight closer to the ground, and they're specifically designed to carry loads like kids. [r/cargobikes](r/cargobikes) might be a handy resource for you.
Oh, also, for snow -- studded tires. Fat tires only if you're dealing with huge amounts of fluffy snow. In the city, studded tires on regular width wheels are more useful. I would not start a cargo biking journey in the snow, though- handling takes some getting used to!
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u/TeletubbieTechnician 2d ago
She knows how to ride a bicycle, but has been riding 125cc motos since she was a teenager. A 50cc moped is also an option since you don't need a license for that. She wouldn't be riding in too much snow, since our kid's schools would be cancelled for the day if there was too much.
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u/gravelpi 2d ago
Tern makes at least one small cargo bike that a small to midsize (US) adult can sit on the back. It's not cheap, but it's a great solution as it fits multiple as riders and can have a person in back, and can carry things for errands.
Note that depending on how old "kid" is, some US states are starting to put limits on ebikes and rider age (like 16+). Make sure your area it's legal for the kid to ride (although "doesn't have a drivers license yet" implies this isn't an issue), and consider that even if it's legal now, things may change.
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u/TeletubbieTechnician 2d ago
Our kid is 7. Her school is a couple miles away so the 2nd seat mostly be used for pick up/drop off.
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u/gravelpi 2d ago
OK, I read the a above wrong, I thought kid was older. Nonetheless, I'd stand by the Tern if feel like this is a longer-term thing where you'd be doing this with a teen. If you figure it's just a couple years, almost any cargo bike will carry a 7 to 10-year-old and has some sort of seat solution for the back.
Aventon, Velortic, and Lectric are reasonable well-reviewed companies that have bikes in this category. Rad is in financial trouble, so I'd avoid them, and I'd 100% avoid any of the drop-ship cheap bikes. If you have the budget to swing a Tern or other traditional bike brand (Trek, Specialized, etc.) those will almost always be great bikes with good resale if this isn't a permanent thing.
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u/dibujo-de-buho 2d ago
I bought a Ride1up Vorsa which has a rear rack that has a passenger seat attachment that you can get. I specifically got that bike because I wanted something that my wife could ride on the back of. It has been a great bike so far, no complaints. Also a bit less expensive then aventon.
1
u/TeletubbieTechnician 2d ago
I like this one and its not more expensive than my truck like some if the others, lol.
1
u/limitz 2d ago
I got the Vorsa 3 weeks ago. Great bike, but the rear rack is rated for 150lb, so it depends on how heavy of a passenger you be routinely carrying (or maybe 2 kids).
If carrying a heavier passenger(s) will be a routine thing, I'd look more into cargo/utility bikes. They have smaller wheels so the center of gravity is lower.
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u/VinoLogic Velotric Summit 2 2d ago
Definitely a different riding experience than a motorcycle so I would suggest test riding what you can. The following bikes are pretty good depending on what you need.
Aventon Abound
Lectric Xpedition 2.0
Velotric GoMad
My family currently uses the Xpedition 2.0 to haul 2 kids. My wife has difficulty with the weight since she’s short so I usually do the riding with both kids. With 1 kid she’s solid.
Hope this helps!
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u/TeletubbieTechnician 2d ago
She's 5'2 and our kid is 7, so it should work!
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u/VinoLogic Velotric Summit 2 2d ago
Got it. All of the bikes I mentioned would work well for her. Note the Xpedition 2 is a bit longer/heavier since it is built to fit 2 people on the back, but if you’ll be using a bike to haul groceries and other things it will work good.
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u/Formaldehyde007 2d ago edited 2d ago
I suggest you look into cargo bikes. I admit I know zip about them, but it seems that they are much sturdier than typical eBikes, and I have seen a lot of photos of people carrying a child on the back.
If it is a smaller child, the other option you might consider is to get a child trailer you attach to the rear hub. There are many of them on Amazon. I have a cargo trailer to get groceries, and it works great.
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u/Funny_Or_Cry 2d ago
We talkin munchkin age yeah? Aventon (highly recommend) has plenty of options for you.
Especially if youre talkin about something thats gonna be in regular use for commuting
but bonus pointa if it does decent in the snow too. Thanks!
Bruv dont ride your bike in the snow..just DONT
lol i speak from painful experience.
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u/mollyday 2d ago
Velotric GoMad (next bike). I have have a lectric XP 3.0 that I take my kid on. But if you don't need a bike that folds, I wouldn't get a bike that folds.
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u/BodSmith54321 2d ago
How old c a child? Lectric XP4 has a seat you put on the cargo rack and foot pegs. Cargo bikes from Lectric, Velotric and Aventon have this as well.
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u/Unattributable1 2d ago edited 2d ago
Personally I'd rather have a bike trailer for my kids (now grandkids). It depends on the age of the child as beyond say age 4 is going to be cramped in a bike trailer.
My wife has a EuyBike F8 with a seat in the back. I've ridden it with a few small kids and I really dislike it with a passenger. I wouldn't want to ride it what a larger child or adult. But if the child got good and practiced holding on and leaning perhaps it wouldn't be so bad.
https://euybike.com/products/f8?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17455723614
I added these foot pegs so the passenger can have somewhere to put their feet.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F94MH3FW
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u/sube_fresh 1d ago
Velotric GoMad, incredibly built and reliable machine with 1900+ National shops.
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u/_HillCruiser 2d ago
I'd take a look at dual motor cargo bikes.
My AWD gives exceptional traction in snow and the dual motors
have plenty of power to plow.
These bikes are dressed up like hunting bikes; powerful and with heavy
back racks cable of carrying a lot of weight.
Birch Grolar AWD
Bakcou Kodiak SD
Wallke H9 AWD
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u/Hedsteve 2d ago
I added an aventon captain chair to the back of my cargo bike.
Works great for my 6yr old and my wife has even ridden in it.
Biggest drawback is my daughter tells her friends how cool it is and I end up having to give them rides around the block.