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The Ultimate Guide to Cargo E-Bikes by Momentum Biking

Ready to take your biking adventures to the next level? Find out why e-bikes are the ultimate way to explore and have fun on two wheels with our guide. A little bit of know-how will take you a long way when it comes to cargo e-bikes and our guide explains the different types of e-bikes, cargo e-bike safety tips, cargo loading techniques plus much more.

Whether you're planning a picnic, a camping trip, or just running errands, an electric cargo bike can make life a lot easier! These e-bikes can handle it all, from hauling groceries to taking your kids to school. These sturdy, powerful e-bikes are designed to make transporting extra weight - and cargo - totally effortless.

It’s not just day to day adventures that can get upgrade, buying a cargo e-bike can be life changing for some. Just check out our article Why a Cargo Electric Bike Changed My Life for some serious inspo.

Pakyak E+ cargo e bike

photo by @laducb

Often with handy features that help compensate for their heavier weight, like a sturdy kickstand, extra battery storage and battery itself for extra range, plus endless passenger and cargo accessories, a cargo e-bike will very quickly become your e-bike of choice.

Like any new e-bike, it’s important to test the electric bike - and all its features - to check it meets all your needs; plus check out its accessory line-up so you can customize your ride to suit you.

Our cargo e-bikes come with such an impressive accessories line-up (even if we do say so ourselves!), why not check out the 9 Best Electric Cargo Bike Accessories to Spice Up Your Ride and explore our range?

Momentum e cargo bikes

Discover Compakt E+, Pakyak E+ and Cito E+

Types of cargo e-bikes

All cargo e-bikes are not the same but they are similar, offering a powerful transport option for you and your precious cargo - kids, pets and more! A longtail e-bike places the majority of cargo at the rear; whereas a long john e-bike is a front loader. The one you choose really comes down to preference and handling, so booking in for a test ride - with a little bit of light cargo on board - is a great way to narrow down your options.

For a more detailed buyer’s guide, you should take a look at these 8 Features To Look For When Buying an Electric Cargo Bike.

Cargo e-bike weight capacity

Cargo e-bikes are often promoted on their Max Gross Vehicle Weight and you need to stay within this limit to be able to safely ride your cargo e-bike. This limit includes your front and rear rack limits too.

An e-bike’s Max Gross Vehicle Weight is the combined weight of your e-bike and its battery; plus you/you and any passengers; plus cargo; plus a trailer.

A cargo e-bike’s load capacity isn’t the only thing to consider when assessing what - or who - you’re carrying. Although most riders can carry up to 80% of their bodyweight, it can feel a little unnerving when you first start carrying cargo and definitely takes some getting used to.

Our advice: build up gradually. Start with light cargo, over small, familiar distances. Practice loading and unloading, and even parking your cargo e-bike. Once you're confident in how it all feels, then you can go to town and invite the whole family - not literally but you get the gist!

Electric cargo bike for families

Known affectionately as the ‘school bus’ in a lot of households, cargo e-bikes are replacing cars for a greener - and much more fun - way to get you and your family around. Designed to carry one, and sometimes two kids, safely and comfortably, cargo e-bikes are fun for all the family. With an extensive range of passenger options to suit a variety of ages and stages, passengers travel in comfort and reassuring safety, while you can keep your eyes - and ears - on the road.

Younger kids can enjoy a fully encapsulated child seat that fits on the rear, while older kids and passengers can sit on the luxe passenger pad and pop their feet on the foot pads. There’s even a passenger bar for little ones to hold onto while they sit on the passenger pad.

If transporting your family around is the main reason you’d like a cargo e-bike, then just be sure to check any local restrictions on carrying passengers before you purchase one.

One family activity we’ve always been in awe of, is a shopping trip with the kids in tow! Just look at how easy influencer Weelicious makes her cargo e-bike journeys look when she packs the kids - and her weekly groceries from the farmers’ market on board!

If you’re good to go, then be sure to follow these cargo e-bike safety tips:

1. Choose an appropriate rear-mounted seat for children between 12 months and 4 years.

2. Ensure all passengers wear helmets and choose appropriate passenger accessories to keep passengers safe - and clean. Wheel guards, foot rests and panniers are all great options.

3. Never leave kids unattended on your cargo e-bike and . remind kids about staying safe on the bike. No wiggling, waving arms around etc - all of these things can be distracting and throw you off balance.

4. Remember, carrying cargo can affect your steering. Get comfortable with loading and unloading. Practice makes perfect.

Safe cargo loading techniques on an e-bike

Follow these cargo tips and tricks when loading up your cargo ebike and you’ll enjoy a hassle-free ride:

1. Spread out the weight evenly: put the heavy stuff low and towards the middle, and the lighter stuff higher up and towards the edges. This keeps your bike balanced and stops it from tipping over.

2. If you're using a rear rack, keep the load close to the centerline to avoid swerving and make steering easier.

3. Watch out for bulky or weirdly shaped items that can mess with your balance – if you can, break them down into smaller loads.

4. Front racks and panniers are handy for carrying stuff, but they can affect how your bike handles, so keep that in mind.

5. Always keep an eye on your cargo while riding and adjust as necessary. If your bike starts acting wonky, stop and rearrange things.

6. Remember, good load distribution is key for a safe and smooth ride with cargo on your bike.

The new Compakt E+ is a small bike with a big personality! With a focus on utility and adaptability for urban environments, its compact design fits neatly into limited garage or storage spaces, or can be stashed in RVs for adventures.

Its clever single-size, low-step frame caters for a wide range of riders, thanks to its tool-free adjustable handlebars and stem, and range of seat adjustments. This folding design makes it easy to store and guarantees a comfortable fit for short, medium, and tall individuals.

Discover why the Compakt E+ is such a great electric cargo bike

Impressive Payload Capacity :

With a payload capacity of 180kg, with the front rack 15kg, rear rack 27kg, the Compakt E+ surpasses its top competitors. You can confidently carry your gear, groceries, or even your little one with ease.

Customizable Accessories :

Tailor the Compakt E+ to your specific requirements by adding accessories. Equipped with Momentum’s MIK-HD compatible rear rack as standard, you could adopt any third-party accessories whether they’re a rear basket, a Euro crate or a child seat etc that are compatible with the MIK-HD system. Or you could also buy the L rack and front basket for even more options.

Enhanced Performance and Safety:

Compared to its competitors, the Compakt E+ offers more range, a higher maximum payload capacity, lighter weight, and long endurance 500wh battery capacity. Its easy maneuverability is thanks to a lower center of gravity, and a sturdy double kickstand, providing excellent stability.

Superior Components:

Its powerful mid-drive motor will support your ride; and the smart assist tech offers you an effortless ride experience with up to 75Nm of torque and 400% support. The Enviolo Trekking Automatic geared hub on the Compakt E+1 provides automatic shifting, which feels effortless, even under load.

Designed to be maintenance free, its 380% gear ratio lets you ride up hills with ease and its smooth, silent, clean and durable belt drive means you can spend more time riding and less time cleaning and lubing your bike chain. Its hydraulic disc brake means you can stop with confidence and control in all conditions.

Enviolo, mid drive motor, belt drive

Enviolo auto shifting, Yamaha mid-drive motor, Gates Carbon belt drive

If you’re after a compact and versatile cargo electric bike, you’ve found it. Its neat size, rider adaptability, ease of transportation, removable battery, and convenient mounting points for accessories make it an excellent choice if you’re looking for a practical and affordable compact electric cargo bike.

To launch the Compakt E+ we collaborated with talented German illustrator Amrei Fiedler, who really helped bring the versatile nature of the Compakt E+ to life. If you’re curious to learn more about her and The Creative Life of Amrei Fiedler then you can because we interviewed her about her life and inspirations, so you can find out what makes her tick!

Momentum x Amrei Fiedler

Amrei Fiedler