Best Cargo Ebike
Xtracycle Stoker
On a tandem bike, the person who sits in the front and steers is called the pilot, while the person in the back who only pedals is called the stoker. That’s where Xtracycle’s longtail ebike gets its name; not because the person sitting in the back has to do any work (it’s an e-bike!) but because the Stoker can accommodate two adults comfortably. Of course, the adult pilot can also carry a couple of wriggly kids, a week’s worth of groceries, overnight camping gear, or bags of soil from the garden center. The rear footrests and expandable cargo nets that encase the back wheel come standard, then you can further trick out the bike with options like a padded rear set, handrails, panniers, or a front rack. That versatility makes it one of the better options for people who like to use their family ebike for way more than just school drop-offs.
Even fully weighed down to the 400-pound limit with two adults and their backpacks, the Stoker feels safe and stable, thanks to the 24-inch wheels that provide a low center of gravity and the powerful Shimano EP8 mid-drive motor that delivers tons of torque and up to 400 percent pedal assistance. The 630-Wh battery goes about 45 miles on a charge (or 60 miles if you ride conservatively), which is a week or two’s worth of rides for most people. Just know that you’ll need to be taller than 5 feet, or 6 inches to comfortably pilot a Stoker. Shorter humans should check out the Swoop ($4,999), which has the same motor and battery, and many of the same configuration options, but uses a step-through frame and smaller wheels. —Michael Calore