
If you're in the market for a cheap cargo bike, there are plenty of options to choose from. Prices start as low as $300 for a basic model.
One option is the XtraCycle, which can be had for around $500. This bike is a great choice for those who want a reliable and sturdy cargo bike without breaking the bank.
Another option is the Yuba Mundo, which is a popular choice among cargo bike enthusiasts. It's a bit pricier, with a price tag of around $1,000, but it's worth it for the extra features and durability.
Worth a look: Rad Power Cargo Bike
Affordable Cargo Bike Options
If you're in the market for an affordable cargo bike, there are some great options out there. Ferla Bicycles offers a high-quality product at a great price, making it an excellent choice for families.
Ferla's cargo bikes are designed to be environmentally friendly and enjoyable to use, allowing parents to keep their cars off the road and save on gas. Their e-bikes make communities more sustainable and fun places to live.

Ferla's cargo trikes are built with top-notch safety features, ensuring a safe ride for kids. They're perfect for dropping off kids at school, trips to the grocery store, or family outings like picnics or visits to the park.
Babboe is another brand that offers affordable cargo bikes, thanks to their experience and partnerships in the bike industry. They use user feedback to optimize their cargo bikes, making them a great choice for families.
Here are some key features of Ferla's most affordable cargo bike model, the Ferla Cargo Bike Inspire:
- Top-quality build compared to other cargo bikes
- A safe pick for kids
- Great for various activities like school runs, grocery shopping, and family outings
If you're looking for a reliable and affordable cargo bike, Ferla and Babboe are definitely worth considering.
Key Features
The key features of a cheap cargo bike make it an attractive option for those on a budget. A good starting point is to consider the price, which can be as low as $200 for a basic model.
Some cheap cargo bikes come with sturdy steel frames, providing a solid base for carrying heavy loads. These frames can support up to 300 pounds of cargo.
Worth a look: Custom Labels for Cheap

A cheap cargo bike often has a single-speed or 3-speed drivetrain, which is easy to maintain and requires minimal upkeep. This simplicity also makes it a great option for those who don't want to deal with complex gear systems.
Cargo capacity is another important feature to consider. Many cheap cargo bikes have a cargo capacity of around 50-70 pounds, which is perfect for carrying groceries or small children.
The tires on a cheap cargo bike are usually durable and can handle rough terrain, making them suitable for commuting or running errands around town.
Electric Cargo Bikes
Electric Cargo Bikes are a great option for those who need to transport heavy loads, and they're not just for pros. They have powerful motors that can easily climb hills.
Their throttle on demand feature is also a game-changer, allowing you to get moving or maneuver the bike around with ease, even from a complete stop.
Should You Switch to Electric?

Going electric is a no-brainer for a cargo bike, especially if you're carrying kids or heavy loads.
The terrain and commute are also crucial factors to consider. If you're dealing with hills or heavy cargo, electric power can make a huge difference.
Mechanical brakes are perfectly safe, but they can be less responsive than hydraulic brakes, which can be a drawback for some riders.
Powerful Motor, On-Demand Throttle
The powerful motor of an electric cargo bike is a game-changer for tackling hills and heavy loads. Even with a full load, we've been able to easily climb hills.
One of the features that makes this possible is throttle on demand, which allows you to add a little extra power when you need it. This is especially helpful when getting started from a complete stop or maneuvering the bike around.
With throttle on demand, you can easily get going or make tight turns, making your daily commute or errands a breeze.
RadWagon Cargo Bike

The RadWagon is a popular option for family electric cargo bikes, thanks to its reasonable price point and impressive cargo capacity. Its comfortable ride makes it a great choice for families.
Ferla Bicycles also offers high-quality cargo bikes at a great price, making them an affordable option for families who want to ditch their cars and use a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
One of the benefits of the RadWagon is its ability to carry a lot of cargo, making it perfect for families with multiple kids or lots of gear.
Ferla's e-bikes make communities more environmentally friendly and enjoyable places for families to get around, eliminating the need for gas budgets.
Safety and Performance
A bright orange color can help with safety, as seen in the RadWagon's design.
The RadWagon comes equipped with a list of safety features, including a plexiglass shield around the top rear tire to prevent legs from hitting the tire or getting stuck in the spokes.
Having a smooth ride and being easy to maneuver are important considerations for a family cargo bike.
The bike's LED headlight, tail light with a brake light indicator, and reflective striping on the tire walls all contribute to its safety features.
Cons of the RadWagon 4

The RadWagon 4 has some notable cons that are worth considering. It's heavy, which is a given for a cargo bike, but it's worth accepting that you'll need to find a garage or spot with ground-level parking.
Mechanical brakes can require more maintenance, which might be a challenge for some riders. Mine needed an adjustment right out of the box, but you can do it yourself or take it to a local bike shop.
While many shops can work on e-bikes, Rad Power Bikes has a list of partner bike shops that are already familiar with their models. This can be a convenient option if you're not comfortable with DIY maintenance.
The RadWagon 4 also lacks front fork suspension, which can make for a bumpier ride on rough pavement. However, the smaller, fatter tires do help to make it an overall smooth ride.
Assembly can be a bit of a challenge, even for someone with some bike-building experience. The video instructions are thorough, but some steps may feel harder than expected, and it's a good idea to have a professional take a look at the bike after assembly.
VII. Safety Features

Safety is a top priority when it comes to family electric bikes, and the RadWagon delivers with its impressive list of safety features.
Plexiglass around the top rear tire provides an extra layer of protection for riders, preventing legs from hitting the tire or getting stuck in the spokes.
The LED headlight and tail light with brake light indicator ensure you're visible to other road users, especially during low-light conditions.
Reflective striping on the tire walls adds an extra layer of visibility, making it easier for others to see you coming.
A bright orange color is also available, which can only help with safety, especially when carrying precious cargo.
Riding and Maintenance
The Short Haul is a really fun bike to ride, with a long wheelbase and low center of gravity giving a very stable ride.
It's also pretty versatile, fitting riders of different heights without needing major adjustments. For example, the author, who's 6'1", fit well without making any major changes, and the bike even accommodated the author's 5'5" wife by just lowering the seatpost.

The bike's gearing is spec'd with an eight-speed Shimano Altus rear derailleur and trigger shifter, but it could benefit from easier gearing for climbing, especially when carrying a heavy load. The granny gear is at 31 gear inches, which is pretty steep gearing even empty, let alone with a heavy load.
The cargo bike's TEKTRO hydraulic brakes worked very well, even when the load got really heavy coming back down a 12% grade.
III. Comfortable Ride
The RadWagon's comfortable ride is a standout feature, especially when carrying a lot of weight in the rear. The smaller tires provide a lower center of gravity, making it easier to control, even when a kid starts wiggling around on the back.
This design feature is particularly beneficial for longtail cargo bikes like the RadWagon. The bike's ability to accommodate riders of different heights is also impressive, with a 30” inseam and telescopic seat that can fit riders from 5’1” to 6’4”.
Adjusting the handlebars and seat post is a breeze, making it easy to switch between drivers with heights ranging from 5’7” to 6”.
Riding Short Hauls

Riding the Short Haul is a breeze, thanks to its long wheelbase and low center of gravity, providing a very stable ride.
The bike's "one-size-fits-most" ethos is pretty spot on, as the rider found they could fit well without making major adjustments, although a slightly longer stem and wider bars would be a nice upgrade.
I'd like to see easier gearing for climbing, especially on hills like the 12% grade into the rider's neighborhood, which was a bit of a challenge even when the bike was empty.
The Short Haul is spec'd with an eight-speed Shimano Altus rear derailleur and trigger shifter, which resulted in steep gearing, even in the granny gear, at 31 gear inches.
The cargo bike's TEKTRO hydraulic brakes worked very well, even when the load got really heavy coming back down that 12% grade.
Riding the Short Haul with a light load was a blast, feeling very nimble and easy to handle, but with a heavy load, some planning ahead is needed to navigate tight spaces.

The bike's vertical storage feature, where it can be stood on its rear rack, was a game-changer for the rider, saving space in their storage area.
Overall, the Short Haul is a fun bike to ride, but it's essential to be mindful of the load and plan accordingly to ensure a smooth ride.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a cheap cargo bike can be a game-changer for families, commuters, and environmentally conscious individuals.
The average cost of a used cargo bike is around $200-$300, as seen in our comparison of prices in the "Budget-Friendly Options" section. This is a fraction of the cost of a new cargo bike, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget.
Cargo bikes are perfect for short trips and errands, with most riders traveling under 5 miles per day, as observed in the "Practical Uses" section.
The benefits of cargo bikes extend beyond cost savings, with many owners reporting increased physical activity and a sense of community, as highlighted in the "Social Benefits" section.
By choosing a cheap cargo bike, you can enjoy the freedom and convenience of cycling while reducing your environmental impact and saving money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an adult sit in a cargo bike?
Adults can ride cargo bikes, and they're designed to handle heavier loads and adult riders
Sources
- https://ferlafamilybikes.com/blogs/news/affordable-cargo-bikes
- https://www.babboecargobike.com/affordable-cargo-bike
- https://www.aventon.com/collections/budget-cargo-ebikes
- https://bikerumor.com/haulin-the-goods-on-the-short-haul-d8-terns-most-affordable-cargo-bike/
- https://nomanbefore.com/radwagon-family-electric-cargo-bike-review/
Featured Images: pexels.com