Tern Buyer's Guide
WHICH Tern is right for you?
Every family is different, and that's why Tern makes so many bike to choose from. Whether you're looking to haul the whole family, or just need a bike to do your grocery shopping with, Tern makes a bike and series of accessories designed to help you get stuff done.
Here's a quick breakdown of some of our most popular Tern bikes:
GSD
Get Stuff Done! This is your two kid car replacement bike that does it all. The rear cargo tray hold a massive 220 lbs of whatever you're trying to haul. Upgrade to a second battery to double your range for all day riding, or just in case you for forget to charge your bike every now and then. Class 1 (max 20 mph of pedal assist) and 85 nm of torque powers this bike virtually anywhere you need it to go.
HSD
Haul Stuff Daily! This is your one kid or small adult hauler - the new gen2 version carries cargo up to 176 lbs or one passenger up to 165 lbs. One of our most versatile bikes, it clocks in with a seven inch shorter wheelbase than it's big brother the GSD. The new gen2 features a brand new Bosch smart system with a nearly 10% bigger battery and tons of smart phone integration. Class 1 or Class 3 available (max 20 mph or 28mph of pedal assist) and all gen2 models have a zippy 75 nm of torque to help get you up and over most hills with ease fully loaded!
Quick Haul - Regular and Long
Fast, lightweight, and light on your wallet. This regular version fits cargo or one passenger up to 110 lbs, while the long can handle up to 2 passangers and a whopping 198 lbs! Use it to haul your kid around town until they're old enough to be embarrassed to be on a bike with you, or for errands around Alameda and beyond. Class 1 or Class 3 available (max 20 mph or 28mph of pedal assist). Adjustable, but not as much as its big brother the HSD. 50-65 nm of torque on the regular - gets the job done, but not as zippy as the HSD. For those larger loads, the long has 85 nm of torque. Rigid fork only helps keeps it a svelte ride.
NBD
No Big Deal! This is by far the easiest ebike for just about anyone to get on and ride. It has the lowest step through and lowest center of gravity for very easy on and off, and fits riders as short as 4'10". Class 1 (max 20 mph of pedal assist) and 50 nm of torque gives you a nice, gentle assist around flat and moderate hilly areas while still being able to carry up to 60 lbs of whatever on the rear rack - including a smaller kid on a Yepp seat! Are you curious about ebikes but have been a bit nervous about riding one, or are you tight on storage space? The NBD would be our first recommendation to you.
Vektron
Tern's folding compact commuter ebike! This zippy bike is perfect for tucking into small spaces at home or in the office, taking with you on BART or Caltrain as a first mile/last mile means of travel, or throwing on a car when you're on vacation or visiting friends and family. It's also the perfect college dorm bike you can take with you everywhere and not need to leave locked up outdoors, as well as folks in Alameda living on a boat or in a small apartment. Just like the NBD, the Vektron is Class 1 (max 20 mph of pedal assist) and 50 nm of torque gives you a nice boost around flat and moderate hilly areas while still being able to carry up to 60 lbs of whatever on the rear rack - including a smaller kid on a Yepp seat!
Short Haul
An acoustic quick haul! Perhaps you need a grocery getter or kid hauler, but you don't need the extra assist from a motor and battery system. This tiny, super affordable cargo bike may look mini, but with a rear rack capacity of 110 lbs and optional front rack capacity of 50 lbs, you'll run out of things to load on this bike before it's at capacity! This is a perfect utility bike for getting things done around Alameda!
make it your own - accessories tailored to your family
Choosing your Tern is the first step, customizing it to your needs is where the bike truly becomes special. It's important when you're carrying passengers to make sure you have all of the accessories you need to keep them riding safely and in comfort!
Here are some things we've got to find out about you to meet your needs:
What or who are you looking to carry on your Tern with you?
Yepp Maxi seats - Kids 9 months to 48 lbs
Locks into place on all Tern cargo trays listed above - no adapters needed. Up to two fit on a GSD, and up to one fit on HSD and Quick Haul.
Clubhouse+ (GSD only) - Pad and rail system for kids between 5 and 10 years old
For once your kids graduate from the Yepp seats, or used in conjunction with one or two Yepp seats. Provides a rail to hold onto and pads to sit on.
Clubhouse Mini and MadPad (HSD and Quick Haul) - Pad and rail system for kids over 5 years old
Same as the plus, just smaller. Will take up to one Yepp seat, or with the MadPad (sold separately) provides a rail and seat for a big kid to use.
Captain's Chair (GSD, HSD and Quick Haul) - Comfy and roomy seat for kids starting at age 8
Mutually exclusive from the the Clubhouse, this chair is what you're going to want for older kids - starting at ages 8 to 10. Best paired with some sort of seatpost mounted handlebar (see section 2 below)
For most folks, having a Clubhouse system will provide you with handholds. For those who just use a pad or a Captain's Chair, check out these options:
Sidekick Joyride Bars - Great in conjunction with a Captain's Chair or Pad
Sidekick Flat Bars - Better in smaller spaces with a big kid or adult
Sidekick Wide Decks (GSD only)
While your GSD already comes equipped with a footrest option, these wide decks allow for a much larger platform for your kids to step on and off of the bike with ease, and provides a bigger base for cargo panniers when they get fully loaded on a grocery trip. It's one of my personal favorite upgrades for the GSD.
Sidekick Footrests (HSD and Quick Haul only)
Give your passenger a place to put their feet while you ride! Mutually exclusive with the Cargo Hold Panniers
Sidekick Stirrups (HSD and Quick Haul only)
A place for your kids feet to go that works in conjunction with Cargo Hold Panniers
Have a GSD? You're all set with the built in wheel guards that the bike comes with! But many of the protective items double as storage and transportation options:
Cargo Hold 52 Panniers (GSD only)
How are you going to get a weeks worth of groceries home? Or all that sports equipment and your kid to their sports practice? The Cargo Hold 52 is one of the best accessories you can get for your Tern. Each bag holds a wild 52 liters of cargo. It works to protect your passengers legs and feet from the wheels, and is compatible with one or two Yepp seats while set up in bucket mode with the use of Pannier Adapters (sold separately).
Cargo Hold 37 Panniers (GSD, HSD and Quick Haul)
Just like their 52s, only smaller. These are the bags you are going to want for your HSD or Quick Haul, but also if you're looking for a smaller footprint for a GSD - perhaps with one Yepp seat to avoid needing the Pannier Adapter. Works on the HSD and Quick Haul to stop feet and legs from getting into wheels.
Sidekick Wheel Guard (HSD and Quick Haul only)
Don't have need for panniers but you still want to transport passengers? These wheel guards have you covered.
Duostand Gen2 Double Leg Kickstand (HSD and Quick Haul only)
A must have upgrade. Greatly increases the stability of the bike, especially when loading kiddos onto the rear cargo tray. We highly encourage every Tern owner to upgrade to this two leg kickstand and extenders.
Along with an existing Atlas kickstand (standard on GSDs) or upgraded Duostand, these extenders greatly increase the stability of your parked bike. Like the Duostand, we highly encourage every Tern owner to upgrade using these.
A good size front rack without rails along the edge, this rack will carry medium sized loads up to 44 lbs. Use its included bungee to strap down a purse, backpack, or oddly shaped item onto its flat surface.
Very highly recommended! Bigger version of the Hauler, this rack has a rail system running around its edge. It wont hold flat objects as well, but it's bigger footprint is perfect for a bag or a wooden or plastic mail crate to get attached to. Holds up to 44 lbs of your stuff!
The perfect bag for your Hauler or Transporteur racks. Having quick access to items on the front of your bike - locks, kiddo helmets, snacks - makes every trip so much easier. This bag has a roll top, is waterproof and holds up to 45 liters of all of your things. A top recommendation!
Cargo Tray (HSD and Quick Haul only)
Looking for a large platform for the back of your Tern strap down oversized gear. The ideal accessory for taking a cooler to the beach, Costco bulk purchases, or carrying around anything bulky or long that might not travel well in a pannier or front rack.
Kryptonite New York Cinch Ring
Some of the best peace of mind for locking your bike up outdoors, and the most practical lock for this kind of bike. With the cinch ring, you can loop one end through the other to form a lariat with a one very long arm. It makes the lock perfect for locking up a bulkier bike to just about anything, as well as locking multiple bikes together if your partner or kiddos bikes are with you. It's not lightweight but it is very secure, and the weight doesn't matter as much on an ebike.
A lighter weight lock option that doesn't require a separate key! This lock plugs directly into the wheel shackle equipped near one of the wheels on most Terns. These shackles are keyed alike to your Bosch systems battery. Just Plug it in, engage the shackle and you're all set!
Knog Scout Bike Alarm and Finder
Have an iPhone? This device has two great features. First, its a "Find My" compatible device. What does that mean? It works just like an AirTag, but this device you can recharge via a USB-C connector. Second, it has a loud alarm you can set when you park your bike through the Knog app. If someone tries to move your bike while it's set it will go off. Finally, it can be hidden discretely behind a water bottle cage. Fantastic piece of mind.
Or are you the type of person who would rather buy one thing that lasts forever? With bicycles, money spent up front on a complete bike with nicer parts will always cost less than an upgrade later. Bicycle companies have a lot more spending power than any of us do, and they get their parts at a better deal we can offer you on an upgrade later.
NOW TEST RIDE THE BIKE(S)
There is no substitute for getting on a bike. Don’t buy a bike without riding it first, and trust what you feel on a test ride. Few of us are “car experts,” but we all honor what we feel when taking a car out for a test drive - the same goes for a bike. We can only tell you so much - you do have to go out and spin the cranks.
If you’re ready to begin test-riding some bikes, get a personalized recommendation online, text us or stop by when we’re open. We're happy to get your Tern set up with any in store accessories ahead of time. So feel free to schedule a ride with you and your kid to see how it feels!
All ebikes we sell have a $15 per battery fee per bike battery. This pays for end of life recycling of the battery. You can take these batteries in to virtually any local bike shop when the time comes. Additionally, all cargo bikes we sell have an $85 destination and assembly fee.
