If you live in, or close to, an urban area Tern’s GSD is absolutely worth checking outRussell Eich / Immediate Media
A Bosch electric motor provides four levels of helpful assistanceRussell Eich / Immediate Media
There’s an option for two batteries to expand the electric assist rangeRussell Eich / Immediate Media
With purposeful cable management, the view is decently clean and unclutteredRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The seatpost is telescoping to fit a huge range of rider heights as well to make the bike smaller when foldedRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The kid’s seat footrests are adjustable for height and shoe sizeRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The Yepp kid’s seats attach to the rack with what’s possibly the easiest, best designed attachment I’ve ever seenRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The big, cushy saddle has a very useful handleRussell Eich / Immediate Media
There are plenty of reflectors on the rearRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The GSD’s party trick is standing vertically on its own rackRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Three color options are availableTern
Even though she rides bikes, my wife typically humors me when I get excited by whatever latest superbike comes in for testing. All that changed though when she saw a very different looking bike built up with two kid seats.
Tern’s GSD is a 20-inch wheeled electric, cargo, folding bike that can be configured with all sorts of human- and stuff-hauling accessories.
Immediately she asked if she could ride it. Then she preceded to ride it by herself, then loaded up the kids, and then she had her friend ride it. It’s an understatement to say Tern’s GSD is unlike most other bikes.
There’s an option for two batteries to expand the electric assist rangeRussell Eich / Immediate Media
So what is the Tern GSD?
Tern labels the GSD as a compact utility e-bike for families. It features 20-inch wheels, a long rear rack and a folding stem and handlebars.
The motor is a Bosch Performance unit adding assistance up to 25kph in Europe and 20mph in the US. The available dual battery set up is claimed to allow a range of over 250km/155mi.
The GSD can be configured with up to six panniers, one or two kid seats, front and rear baskets, a rear rack seat cushion and has space for two batteries. It supposedly can haul up to 181kg/400lbs including rider weight.
The telescoping seatpost and adjustable stem/bars are reported to allow riders from 1.5m to 1.95m (4’8″ to 6’4″) to ride the GSD.
The wheelbase is similar to a regular bike at 1,240mm, but unlike a regular bike the stem and bars can be folded down to make the overall height of the GSD low. The GSD’s other party trick is that it can be stood up on end, resting on its rear rack.
While the small-wheel, cargo e-bike niche is decidedly unique, the GSD isn’t alone. Yuba’s el Boda Boda V2 takes on similar errands although it has larger 26-inch wheels and tires. And it doesn’t fold.
Urban Arrow’s take on the e-cargo bike goes along the lines of the Dutch-styled bakfiets type of bike where the cargo is in front of the rider.
The GSD’s party trick is standing vertically on its own rackRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Additionally, a lot of the big and small players have tried their hands at the long-wheelbase cargo bike category including Surly with its Big Dummy, Felt’s cleverly named Bruhaul, Trek’s Transport+, and various Xtracycles.
Tern’s GSD does have one feature that none of the others can boast; it can be tilted up on end for easier storage if your horizontal space is more limited than your vertical space.
Tern GSD pricing and availability
In terms of replacing a car, the GSD seems like an absolute bargain at $3,999 for the single battery, and $4,799 for the two battery GSD (international pricing TBD). Of course the bags, child seats and other accessories tack on additional dollars.
