Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 vs Tern GSD P10: the family cargo e-bikes compared

A cargo e-bike that can take two children to school and bring the shopping home replaces a lot of short car trips. Rad Power Bikes' RadWagon 5 and Tern's GSD are two well-known answers, at very different prices: $2,399 against $4,999 at each brand's US store. They are built differently, and the price gap buys real things.

The short answer

The RadWagon 5 is a long-tail with a 750 W rear hub motor, Class 3 assistance and a stated payload of 375 lb, for less than half the GSD's price. The Tern GSD P10 is a cargo bike with a Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive, room for a second battery, a rating to 210 kg in total and testing to the German cargo bike standard. If the budget stops at $2,500, the RadWagon 5 is the obvious choice; if you will ride it every day with children for years, the GSD's drive, brakes and testing are what the extra money pays for.

Specifications side by side

	Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 Rad Power Bikes	Tern GSD P10 Tern
Price at the brand's store	$2,399 (United States)	$4,999 (United States)
Type	Cargo e-bike	Cargo e-bike, folding
Motor	750 W	–
Motor position	Hub	Mid-drive
Torque	90 Nm	85 Nm
Battery	–	1,000 Wh
Range per charge (stated)	60 miles (97 km)	129 miles (208 km)
Top speed	28 mph (45 km/h)	20 mph (32 km/h)
Weight	–	76 lb (34.6 kg)
Maximum load (stated)	375 lb (170 kg)	463 lb (210 kg)
US e-bike class	Class 3	–
Suspension	–	–
Water protection	–	–
Safety certification (stated)	UL 2271, UL 2849	UL 2849

Figures as each brand states them on its own store or product page. Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 · Tern GSD P10: full specifications, every market's price and where to buy.

How much each carries

The two brands state their limits differently, so read them carefully. Rad Power Bikes gives the RadWagon 5 a payload of 375 lb (170 kg), with a rider of up to 265 lb (120 kg). Tern rates the GSD to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 210 kg (463 lb), which includes the bike itself at 34.6 kg (76.4 lb), and allows 100 kg (220 lb) on the rear rack; take away the bike and about 175 kg remains for rider, passengers and cargo.

Motor, battery and range

Rad Power Bikes fits a 750 W geared hub motor with 90 Nm of torque and a 15 Ah Safe Shield battery, and states a range of up to 60 miles. The RadWagon 5 is a Class 3 e-bike, assisting up to 28 mph.

Tern's GSD P10 uses Bosch's Cargo Line mid-drive, with 85 Nm of torque and up to 400% support, which works through the gears and is made for heavy loads on hills. It comes with one 500 Wh Bosch PowerPack and a second battery bay: Tern states 25 to 63 miles of range on one battery and 51 to 129 miles with two. In the US its assistance stops at 20 mph.

Riders and storage

Rad Power Bikes states that the RadWagon 5 fits riders from 4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 3 in, and also sells it as a Family Bundle and a Passenger & Cargo Bundle. Tern's cockpit adjusts without tools for riders from 150 to 200 cm (4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 7 in) and up to 130 kg, so two parents of different heights can share it; Tern also gives the GSD Magura hydraulic brakes with a brake-light sensor.

Certification

Both brands state UL 2849 certification for the e-bike's electrical system. Rad Power Bikes adds UL 2271 for the battery; Tern adds third-party testing to DIN 79010, the German standard for cargo bikes. See what each standard covers in our certification guide.

Which to choose

• Choose the RadWagon 5 for a long-tail family bike at $2,399 with Class 3 speed, a 375 lb payload and UL 2849 and UL 2271 certification.
• Choose the Tern GSD P10 for a Bosch mid-drive, a second battery for up to 129 miles, adjustable fit for two riders and DIN 79010 testing.

Tern makes the GSD in further versions, from the GSD P00 at $5,999 to the GSD R14 at $10,999; compare them in our cargo e-bikes for families.