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I’m thinking seriously about getting an e-bike to help with commuting duties now that a change of job role means I regularly need to transport tools and the like. I currently ride in on my gravel bike a couple of times a week, but a 40k round trip with a heavy load isn’t something I’d seriously contemplate. The obvious solution would be a cargo bike, but my preference would be to get a full sus, which can tow a trailer, which then means I can use it for more than just commuting.
The commute is virtually pan flat, mostly along the Forth & Clyde canal, so currently looking at some of the deals on alu Kenovo SLs, which sounds from reviews like the sort of bike I’d like to be riding for mountain bike duties, given I’m not really a ‘wheels in the air’ type of rider. Anyone doing this sort of thing already, or seeing any obvious flaws in the plan?
40km with a load? Batteries might struggle, especially in this cold weather.
Modern axles can be expensive and difficult to get a trailer hitch. Id go for the biggest battery you can get as well.
I've an eBullit.
Can highly recommend.
Upto 180kg load (including rider, so 110kg for me), 40km easy on medium, especially if flat.
Have rigged up the Bob trailer to it a couple of times.
If you have a cargo bike you'll likely use it as much as possible because it's a laugh.
I've ued a full-sus to to a trailer and it works great. Extra weight helps it feel more stable too. I used this thing to attach it https://www.kidsbiketrailers.co.uk/products/hamax-trailer-thru-axle
The small chainring of an EMTB means you'll be in the smaller cogs of the cassette when commuting, often just 1 or 2 of them, and they will wear out qucickly. Depends how often you do it I guess.
Are you self employed? There are all sorts of Scottish loans / HMRC tax etc which could be used to buy a cargo bike.
Even without that, you can as an individual get C2W or Scottish loans to get an ebike for such things - and keep your nice bike for the weekends...
Battery will indeed be a limiting factor. When towing the kids in the Chariot my Whyte would max out at about 18 miles range. You can get maxle adapters for two wheeled trailers, which I used with our Thule, but as TJ says hitches for single wheeled trailers seem to be non-existent. Keeping on top of drivetrain wear will be hard - the extra torque (~3x a person) will chomp through cassettes.
I’ve an eBullit.
Show off 😆