Tern Cargo Bikes & Folding eBikes: Our 2026 Buyers Guide
A concise guide to the most capable and useful Tern eBikes for family, cargo, commuting and everyday riding.
Tern build eBikes for people who want to replace short car journeys with something more practical. Their range covers compact cargo, longtail family bikes, folding commuters and adventure-ready utility bikes, all built around real loads, tight storage and daily use.
Several key models in the Tern line-up are engineered and tested to DIN 79010, a cargo bike safety standard with tougher requirements on frame strength, braking, handling and passenger safety than usual bicycle regulations. Models such as the GSD, HSD, Quick Haul, and Vektron are designed to meet or exceed these standards, which is one reason they feel so stable under load.
Below is a guide to the key models from each family.
Longtail cargo: Tern GSD range
GSD models are Tern’s longtail family and cargo bikes. They’re compact in length, but designed to carry two children or significant cargo on a very stable rear deck. If you’re looking for a full car-replacement, this is usually where we start.
Tern GSD S10 Gen3
£5,900
Compact longtail for everyday family use.
The GSD S10 Gen3 uses a strengthened frame and Bosch Cargo Line Smart System motor to handle daily family use, steeper hills and multi-stop days. It remains short enough to store in small spaces, lifts and standard bike parking, but carries far more than a normal bike.
Key Specs
- Bosch Cargo Line Smart System motor, 85 Nm
- 545 Wh or 725 Wh battery options
- Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain
- 200 kg maximum system weight
- Rear rack designed for child seats, panniers and Tern passenger kits
Best for: Families who want a compact longtail that can cover school runs, shopping and daily logistics without needing a car.
Tern GSD R14 Gen3
£8,900
High-spec longtail for heavy and frequent use.
The GSD R14 Gen3 combines a Bosch Cargo Line Smart System motor with a Rohloff E14 hub and Gates belt drive. It’s aimed at riders who ride most days of the week, often under load, and want the lowest possible drivetrain maintenance over the long term.
Key Specs
- Bosch Cargo Line Smart System motor
- Rohloff E14 electronic 14-speed hub with Gates belt
- 725 Wh battery
- 200 kg maximum system weight
- Compatible with full Tern cargo and passenger accessory ecosystem
Best for: Daily users who want a longtail that will cope with high mileage, mixed weather and regular heavy loads with minimal maintenance.
Compact cargo: Tern HSD range
HSD models are shorter than a standard city bike, but built to take child seats, panniers and cargo with a high system weight rating. They suit riders who want serious capability but have limited storage space.
Tern HSD P10
£3,600
Short wheelbase cargo bike for mixed city use.
The HSD P10 is compact, easy to park and straightforward to store, while still taking child seats or larger panniers. Bosch Performance assistance and a Deore drivetrain make it comfortable on lumpier routes and longer days in the saddle.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line motor
- 400–545 Wh battery options
- Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain
- 180 kg maximum system weight
- Rear rack compatible with child seats and Tern cargo accessories
Best for: City riders who need a compact bike that still handles family duties and heavier shopping without feeling fragile.
Tern HSD P5i
£4,400
HSD with belt drive and Bosch Smart System.
The HSD P5i uses an Enviolo hub, Gates belt and Bosch Performance Line Smart System motor. It’s quiet, easy to live with and designed for riders who prefer simple, low-intervention ownership.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line Smart System motor
- 545 Wh battery
- Enviolo hub with Gates belt drive
- 180 kg maximum system weight
- Set up for integrated lights, mudguards and modular cargo accessories
Best for: Riders who value low noise and low maintenance in a compact cargo format, and want Smart System features such as app integration and security.
Tern HSD S00
£5,200
Compact frame with near longtail capacity.
The HSD S00 offers a high system weight rating in a short, agile chassis. Enviolo hub gearing and a belt drive keep things smooth under load and reduce drivetrain upkeep compared with a traditional derailleur.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line motor (65–75 Nm depending on model year)
- Enviolo hub with Gates belt drive
- 400–545 Wh battery options
- 180 kg maximum system weight
- Rear rack compatible with child seats, panniers and Tern passenger kits
Best for: Riders who want the carrying capability of a bigger bike, but need something that fits flats, narrow hallways or smaller bike stores.
Utility cargo: Tern Quick Haul range
Quick Haul models bring Tern’s cargo DNA into more affordable, lighter-duty platforms. They suit riders who want a practical everyday bike with cargo options, but don’t need full longtail capacity.
Tern Quick Haul D8
£2,700
Entry point into Tern’s cargo-utility range.
The Quick Haul D8 is a straightforward, lighter-duty utility bike. It keeps the strong rear rack and relaxed handling of Tern’s cargo platforms, but in a simpler package that works well for short commutes and errands.
Key Specs
- Bosch Active Line Plus motor
- 400 Wh battery
- Shimano 8-speed drivetrain
- 150 kg maximum system weight
- Rear rack designed for panniers and light child-carrying setups
Best for: Riders who want a robust, compact bike for everyday use, but don’t need the extra capacity of an HSD or GSD.
Tern Quick Haul P9 Performance
£3,100
Quick Haul with more motor support and range.
The Quick Haul P9 Performance upgrades to a Bosch Performance Line motor and a larger battery. It feels more confident on hills and under load, while keeping the same approachable, compact footprint as the D8.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line motor
- 545 Wh battery
- Shimano 9-speed drivetrain
- 150 kg maximum system weight
- Compatible with Tern front and rear cargo accessories
Best for: Riders who like the Quick Haul format but need stronger assistance for hills, headwinds or longer days.
View the Tern Quick Haul P9 Performance.
Tern Quick Haul Long D9
£3,500
Extended rack without going full longtail.
The Quick Haul Long D9 stretches the rear rack to carry more passengers or cargo, while staying easier to live with than a full longtail. It’s a good option for growing families or riders who want more space on the back without stepping up to a GSD.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line motor
- 545 Wh battery
- Extended rear rack
- Shimano 9-speed drivetrain
- Designed to work with child seats, passenger kits and larger panniers
Best for: Households that need more carrying capacity than a standard rack provides, but don’t require the full stiffness and capacity of a GSD chassis.
View the Tern Quick Haul Long.
Adventure utility: Tern Orox
Orox is Tern’s adventure cargo platform. It’s designed for riders who mix daily riding with rougher routes, touring and off-road tracks, often with bags and equipment on the bike.
Tern Orox S12
£5,900
Utility bike that also handles distance and dirt.
The Orox S12 uses a heavy-duty frame, Bosch Performance Line CX motor and high-volume tyres to manage rougher terrain and longer days. It’s built to feel stable when loaded, rather than twitchy, and works as well for winter commutes as for bikepacking trips.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor, 85 Nm
- 800 Wh battery
- Shimano Deore XT 12-speed drivetrain
- High-volume adventure tyres
- Heavy-duty frame with cargo mounting points
Best for: Riders who want one bike to handle year-round commuting, loaded touring and unpaved routes.
Folding: Tern Vektron
Vektron models fold quickly and pack down small, but are designed to ride like a stable, full-size eBike. They suit riders mixing train and bike journeys, or those who need to store the bike indoors in tight spaces.
Tern Vektron P5i
Price TBC
Folding eBike for multi-modal commutes.
The Vektron P5i folds in around 10 seconds and fits in most car boots, train luggage spaces and small flats. A Bosch Performance motor, Gates belt and Nexus hub give it a clean, quiet drivetrain that’s well suited to everyday commuting.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance motor, 75 Nm
- 800 Wh battery
- Shimano Nexus 5 hub with Gates belt drive
- Compact fold for cars, trains and small storage
Best for: Commuters who need a bike that can be folded quickly and stored easily, but don’t want to give up the feel of a full-size eBike on the road.
Accessibility: Tern NBD
NBD models are built around an ultra-low step-through and stable handling, making them easier to mount, dismount and ride at lower speeds. They work well for riders who prioritise comfort and confidence over outright speed.
Tern NBD S5i
£4,000
Low step, relaxed geometry, belt drive.
The NBD S5i has a 39 cm step-through height and a very stable feel at everyday speeds. The belt drive and Nexus hub cut down on noise and reduce the amount of drivetrain cleaning and adjustment required.
Key Specs
- Bosch Performance Line motor
- 400–545 Wh battery options
- Ultra-low 39 cm step-through frame
- Shimano Nexus 5 hub with Gates belt drive
Best for: Riders who want an easy step-through, predictable handling and a simple, low-maintenance drivetrain, and who may be sharing the bike between different heights and abilities.
Conclusion: The Fully Charged view
Tern’s range covers most real-world cargo and city use cases. The way we usually frame it is simple:
- If you need to move two kids regularly and want a car alternative, start with the GSD.
- If it’s one child plus shopping in a smaller space, look at the HSD.
- If you want something lighter and more affordable for everyday tasks, the Quick Haul range makes sense.
- If you split time between city streets and rougher tracks, Orox is the logical step.
- If your commute involves trains or very limited storage, consider the Vektron.
- If low step and confidence are the priority, the NBD is usually the right answer.
Across our stores and workshops we see how these bikes behave after years of real use: loaded racks, winter conditions, busy family routines and daily commuting. That experience is what sits behind this shortlist.
If you’d like to narrow it down to the right Tern for your routes, loads and storage, book a test ride at one of our 6 UK locations and we’ll talk you through it.
