Their versatility is one of the things we love most about second-hand cargo bikes.

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People use electric cargo bikes for all sorts of tasks that regular bikes simply can't fulfil. Be that a day's work as a courier around the city, or as a carbon-free way of getting the kids to school on time.

What is a cargo e-bike?

A cargo e-Bike is a machine built to help carry both the rider and a cargo load. This is typically achieved with a long platform or high-sided 'bucket' placed on the front of the bike, however there are all sorts of clever solutions that fall under the cargo bike umbrella. The rider steers and pedals, while the electric motor adds power to that provided by the pilot. This last part can be particularly valuable when you consider that cargo bike users sometimes have two or three times their own weight carried in the cargo section.

Unlike other categories of bicycle, it is far more common to find cargo bikes with electric assist than without.

How to choose the right used cargo e-bike?

When selecting an e-cargo bike from our wide range of options, the array of choice might be a little overwhelming.

The easiest way to narrow things down is to consider how much cargo you wish to haul, and also what kind. After all, your needs will be drastically different if you're transporting super heavy beer kegs to if you're taking the kids to school. We actually carry some models with a built-in canopy to protect your children from inclement weather conditions, and others that have built-in child seats!

It's also important to give some thought to where on the bike you'll be carrying your cargo. Some models have the load out front of the handlebars in a box or flat bed. Others put the majority of the load on the back of the bike. Some even have both front and rear racks, which really dials up the versatility to another level.

You may also want to shop by brand. At Upway we stock some of the most respected names in e-cargo bikes, including Riese & Müller, Specialized and Benno.

What makes a good used cargo e-bike?

Cargo is perhaps the broadest, most diverse category of bikes we stock. That means that what makes one bike great for its role, may not work for another type of user. That being said, there are some unifying features that every great e-cargo bike can point to.

Motor and battery

A powerful motor is perhaps the most important feature of a good used cargo e-Bike. It's what will help you up the hills with a heavy load on the bike, as well as get you up to speed after you stop at a traffic signal en route. You can filter your search on our online store by both motor power and torque, which really helps you hone in on the post powerful drive systems.

Battery removability is also an important feature, because otherwise you will be extremely limited in where you can store your bike to charge it up. If you have space in your garage at home, and power outlets to which you can connect it, this is less of an issue.

Motor position is another thing to consider. Higher quality and more performance focused e-Bikes (not just the cargo kind) tend to place the motor in the frame (known as mid-drive sometimes), rather than the rear hub. With cargo bikes it's rare to find a rear hub drive as the smoothness offered by mid-drive motor placement is a major boon for this type of riding.

Comfort & stability

A comfortable ride and stable handling can be a huge boon for e-cargo bike riders. With the extra load on the bike, you don't want any surprises in the way it steers after all. It's also important to consider whether the cargo area of your bike is suitable to the type of item you carry most often. A huge cargo bed might be overkill if you typically use the bike for collecting groceries, while if you're using the bike to carry kids or pets you'll certainly want to consider their comfort and safety when onboard.

Most cargo bikes will give the rider a nice upright riding position, which makes for both better visibility of the road around you and a more comfortable ride experience.

Affordability

Cargo bikes are generally speaking pretty expensive. They require more tech, more material and they're often used by commercial companies – all factors that can push the price up. As a result, affordable cargo bikes can be hard to find, but at Upway we offer a good range – thanks largely to the fact we sell refurbished or pre-owned models. We have electric bikes for sale to suit most cargo users, from families to last-mile delivery. Some of our models are up to 60% off their original retail price.

Find your perfect used cargo e-bike at Upway

We have one of the best ranges of used e-cargo bikes anywhere in North America, with a wide selection of lovingly refurbished second-hand models, as well as some ex-demo bikes that have barely been ridden. Start searching for your dream e-cargo bike today and don't forget to use those filters!

Used Electric cargo bike: carrying passengers, gear or groceries

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