Recently, I’ve been trying to drive my car less and ride my bike more. Part of this is for the environment. Part of this is to save money (gas is getting expensive). And part of this is to just get outside more and stay healthier.
A couple of years ago, I managed to consistently bike to work for an entire year, but since then, things have gotten considerably harder now that my son has entered pre-school, work has gotten significantly busier, and I’ve lost a lot of fitness. I own a Burley trailer, but unfortunately, I simply lack the time and energy these days to shuttle my son to school by bike, ride to work, ride home, and then pick my son up again by bike. So my lazy ass ends up driving.
This year, I wanted that to change, so I asked the product managers here at TPC to help by getting me a cargo E-bike. My goal: test whether an E-bike is a good solution for regular commuting by bike with my son. My hope was that the boost of a pedal-assist motor would remove the barriers of time and fitness. Did it work? Mostly Yes! I’ve been testing a Benno Boost E for the last couple of months and have been super happy.
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A Little Cargo E-Bike: The Benno Boost E
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Why did I decide to test the Boost E? Because it’s a cargo bike with massive carrying capacity, but a relatively small footprint. I specifically wanted a cargo E-bike because my intent was to carry my son on the bike, rather than in a trailer, along with other potential cargo like groceries.
Originally, I was considering a cargo E-bike like the Urban Arrow, which has a large tub. Unfortunately, my garage has limited space, and after measuring and rearranging things, I realized the large cargo tub was too wide to slot in the one free spot I had for an additional bike.
When searching for alternatives, I discovered Benno Bikes and the Boost E. The Boost E checked all the right boxes. It takes up about as much space as my enduro mountain bike, but it has massive front and rear racks that can carry a total of 400 pounds of cargo. Conveniently, TPC was going to start carrying Benno bikes and products in the spring, so I began floating the idea of reserving two Boost Es to test early in the year.
Why two? Well, One went to me, and the other went to my co-worker and project manager Ellie Horn. Like me, Ellie was looking for a new bike commuting solution. Unlike me, Ellie is brave enough to not own a car and actually live car-free. Since moving to Colorado, she’s been riding her old Cannondale Synapse to the office and the long trips were starting to wear her down. Ellie needed a bike that could carry a lot, but still park in cramped spaces, so the Boost E seemed like the perfect solution for her as well.
What Did We Like?
- Switching to an E-Bike made daily commuting MUCH easier and more pleasant.
- We had more energy for work and home life.
- I had more energy to focus on training on my “acoustic” bike for my race season.
- The Boost E can carry A LOT of cargo.
- The big rear rack is perfect for carrying family and friends.
- The Boost E has a ton of accessories to customize the bike for your needs.
- The Boost E is surprisingly maneuverable.
- We had A LOT of fun.
What Didn’t We Like?
- Turbo mode (the most fun mode) drains the battery quickly. If you don’t stay on top of charging, your battery can die when you are far from home.
- While the Boost E is “compact,” it still may be too big for some.
- The Boost E is relatively expensive.
- I didn’t like the saddle.
Our Benno Boost E Commuter E-Bike Review
Overall, both Ellie and I loved Boost E. It’s practical, easy to ride, and most importantly, a lot of fun. Neither of us expected to have this fun on a cargo bike. This is where a bike like the Boost E differentiates itself from larger cargo bikes like the Urban Arrow. It’s shorter and has small 24” wheels and tires that keep it maneuverable. Combine that with the pedal-assist motor and you have a recipe for fun. Even completely loaded up, it was a blast to zip around town on.
On that note, the thing that impressed us the most was just how much the bike can actually carry. I was able to fit a full week of groceries into the front bag and pannier bags, while also carrying my son on the back. On weekends, my wife and son were both able to sit on the back (note: there’s a 130-pound weight limit for passengers on the rear rack) and I could pedal them to parks or to the farmers market.
The front rack and bag were particularly impressive. The front rack is mounted to the frame rather than the fork, so the weight doesn’t shift around while turning. This means you can load it up with heavy cargo and the bike stays incredibly easy to handle. For example, I was able to easily carry a heavy 5-gallon water jug on the front with very little effort and space to spare.
Of course, having a pedal-assist motor made commuting much easier. For both Ellie and me, it saved a significant amount of energy and time every day. For Ellie, this meant she had more energy for work, and she would get home without feeling wasted. For me, this meant the structured training plan I was sticking to for upcoming races wasn’t affected by a load of “junk miles.”
So what were the downsides? Both of us loved using the Turbo mode. It provides the most assistance and fun, but it also drains the battery quickly. As a result, we both managed to run the battery dry at some point. The Boost E isn’t that hard to pedal without the motor, especially since it has ample gearing, but it is much slower. Both of us learned to be much more diligent with our charging.
Overall though, my only real complaint is that I find the saddle quite uncomfortable. But saddle are very personal. I'd prefer less padding and a narrower width. Otherwise, I love the Benno and will likely purchase it after my test period. My wife an kid love it too!
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As for Ellie, while the Boost E has been perfect for her needs, she wonders if she might want something smaller. When it comes time for her to return the Benno, she is considering purchasing the much smaller Specialized Globe Haul ST, which will be easier to stash in her apartment or in the office at work. The Globe Haul ST is also appealing because it’s significantly more affordable than the Boost E.
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