Ridgeback Errand review

Ridgeback has been a stalwart of British commuter bikes since 1983. Initially specialising in classic-style touring bikes, it moved into the burgeoning commuter market with the original flat-bar Ridgeback Genesis Day 01.

Ridgeback’s new Errand is the British brand’s take on an urban utility bike.

While its low-slung frame, generously sized front rack and 20-inch wheels have all the hallmarks of an electric cargo bike such as the Mycle Cargo, the Errand is lighter, nimbler and yet still a very practical ride.

It’s ideal for mid-length commutes and as a bike to replace short car trips.

Ridgeback Errand frame, motor and spec details

The Errand comes in a single size, but the extra-long 400mm seatpost and the stem that adjusts from 0 degrees through to a 40-degree rise mean the bike can accommodate riders from 5ft (153cm) to 6ft 4in (194cm) according to Ridgeback.

I’m 6ft 2in in my socks, my partner is 5ft and we were both able to find a comfortable ride position on the Errand.

That makes the Errand a great option as a bike for the whole household, or even for shared office transport.

The heart of the bike’s electric system is a rear-hub motor from Danish e-motor company Promovec. I've never used it before, but I came away impressed by the peppy performance of this compact electric bike motor.

The 250W motor generates 54Nm of torque. On the road, though, it feels the equal of nominally more powerful systems – especially up in the highest settings.

The motor assistance is minimal in levels 1 to 3, while level 4 will see you up the steepest ascents without breaking too much of a sweat.

I reserved level 5 for getting away from the lights ahead of traffic, or for those moments when you want a bit of fun.

Controlling the motor is a breeze with the small ring-shaped bar-mounted controller. This comes with an on/off button and up and down buttons to cycle through the five modes.

The controller has five blue bars denoting battery level. These switch to green when you shift through the modes.

However, the glossy black curved screen on the control suffers from reflections, making it harder to read on brighter days.

The battery also has five LEDs indicating the charge level, and the Promovec system is paired with a free accompanying app (IOS and Android) that gives a more accurate battery level. It also displays information on speed, distance, range, light control and even mapping.

You can also alter some of the motor settings to tune the bike to how you like to ride. The app is excellent, especially on an electric bike at this price.

The external battery states 316.8Wh on its label, which is a little lower than the 500Wh capacity of similar Bosch-equipped bikes such as Cube’s Compact, the Benno RemiDemi and the Tern Quick Haul.

That said, those alternatives are significantly more expensive.

This led me to believe the chink in the Errand’s armour would be a lack of range. That wasn’t so, however, with the bike managing a respectable 34.8 miles/56km over rolling terrain with 1,952ft/595m of elevation.

The charger for the Errand is a pocketable 12x6x3.5cm. A full charge takes just shy of four hours, and it’s easy to charge at work because the battery can be removed with the turn of a key.

The big tyres help make the ride comfortable, even during the odd excursion onto towpaths and unpaved roads.

While the squishy gel saddle wasn’t a personal favourite, my partner had no problems with it – showing just how personal choosing a bike saddle can be.

The textured handlebar grips work well with ungloved hands, and the Errand is well stocked when it comes to accessories.

Solid mudguards, front and rear lights powered by the battery system and even an AXA frame lock come supplied.

The lock pushes a bar through the rear-wheel spokes, which has the effect of immobilising the bike.

The key lives in the lock until secured. You shouldn’t ever lose it when the lock is disengaged, then, but naturally you’ll need to be sure not to misplace the key when the bike’s locked.

Ridgeback Errand geometry

Ridgeback Errand ride impressions

Perhaps my favourite part of the Errand package is how well it rides.

The bike's compact wheel size makes it very easy to handle at low speeds, and ensures tight turns through gateways are a doddle.

It’s also an easy bike to handle when walking beside it – it feels a lot lighter than its near-20kg weight would suggest.

Yet even with the light, quick steering, the long wheelbase makes for a bike that’s very stable.

When I loaded up the front rack with a crate full of shopping, while wearing a backpack, it continued to ride predictably – even with the added weight.

I’d ideally have liked the Errand to come equipped with a rear rack for more out-of-the-box capacity. Plus, it would have been helpful for Ridgeback to include some bungee straps for the front rack to secure what I was carrying more safely.

The drivetrain is a mash-up of an 8-speed SunRace cassette (11-32t) and a large 44-tooth Prowheel chainring, a Shimano Acera derailleur and a Microshift trigger shifter.

This is all very much budget stuff, but I’ve been thoroughly impressed with how well it works together. I experienced accurate gear changes and a nice spread of gears for urban and suburban miles, while it was fundamentally easy to use.

The Clarks hydraulic disc brakes are just as impressive, with bags of power and plenty of feel.

On inspection, our in-house mechanic, Will Poole, felt the brakes' ultimate build quality is arguably a little lower than mainstream rivals such as Shimano, but the brakes never skipped a beat in testing.

It’d be easy to dismiss the Errand out of hand as something practical, simple and perhaps a bit boring. But I’d counter it’s good fun to ride and easy to live with.

Ridgeback Errand bottom line

If you’re looking for a bike multiple riders can use, that's a viable alternative to using a car or expensive, overcrowded public transport, the Errand is a sure-fire winner that won’t cost huge money.

If Ridgeback added a rear rack and a nicer (for me) saddle, I’d consider it nigh-on perfect for the asking price.

The fun handling and relative simplicity, combined with a powerful motor and decent practicality, make it a great option as an office or family communal ride.