The electric bike cargo is increasingly making its mark in the streets of our cities. Faced with this enthusiasm, one question keeps coming up: is it better to choose a biporteur or a triporteur? Between maneuverability, stability, transport capacity, and bulkiness, the choice is not so obvious. To help you see more clearly, here is a comparison of these electric bikes of the cargo type. Let's go!
Biporteur and triporteur: two visions of the cargo bike
Before embarking on the choice of your future road companion, it is essential to understand what distinguishes a biporteur from a triporteur. These two types of electric bike cargo each have their particularities and meet very different needs.
What is a biporteur?
The biporteur is a two-wheeled electric bike cargo with a box usually placed at the front. Its greatest asset is its maneuverability. Lighter and more agile than a triporteur, it easily weaves through crowded streets and offers an intuitive ride, close to that of a traditional bike.
Ideal for urban and daily trips, the two-wheeler allows you to easily transport 1 to 2 children, or groceries.
What is an electric bike?
The electric bike, on the other hand, rests on three wheels, with two at the front supporting a large transport box. Its great strength lies in its stability; even fully loaded or stationary, it remains perfectly balanced.
It is the ideal bike for large families, professionals, or those who need to transport bulky loads. More bulky and imposing than the two-wheeler, it is reassuring and practical in situations where stability is essential.
Two-wheeler vs electric bike comparison: advantages and disadvantages
To properly choose between a two-wheeler and an electric bike, it is important to review the main criteria that make the difference in use. Stability, maneuverability, transport capacity, or bulk: each has its strengths and limits.
Stability and safety
If you are primarily looking for flawless stability, especially when stopped or in case of heavy loading, the electric bike is unbeatable. Thanks to its three wheels, it remains perfectly stable, even on uneven terrain.
The two-wheeler, for its part, is more compact and can be less reassuring when heavily loaded or at low speed. It requires a bit of practice but then offers smooth and lively driving.
Maneuverability and driving
In terms of maneuverability, advantage to the two-wheeler. Its two-wheel configuration and more compact size allow it to easily slip through narrow streets, negotiate tight turns, and park without difficulty.
The electric bike, wider and longer, requires more space and a slight adjustment period to handle its driving, especially in turns.
Transport capacity
If your priority is to transport many people or goods, the electric bike wins. Its large box can accommodate up to 4 to 6 children or bulky loads up to 250 kg depending on the models. The two-wheeler, more limited, is perfect for 1 to 3 children and generally supports up to 100 kg of load.
Dimensions and weight
In terms of size, the electric bike is significantly more imposing with a width between 88 and 95 cm and a weight that can reach 75 kg. The two-wheeler, slimmer and lighter, ranges between 65 and 76 cm wide for an average weight of 30 to 40 kg.
Passenger comfort
For children and passengers, the electric bike offers superior comfort. The boxes are often equipped with benches, seat belts, and sometimes protection against rain or sun. The two-wheeler remains more minimalist but still ensures the essentials for daily trips.
Electric biporter or tricycle: which to choose?
Electric assistance has completely changed the practice of electric bike cargo. It improves daily comfort and makes trips much more accessible, especially when the load is substantial. But its effect differs depending on whether you ride a biporter or tricycle, with very distinct sensations and energy needs.
Electric biporter: agile and responsive
With its reduced weight and smooth ride, the electric bike biporter is lively and maneuverable, even with a substantial load. Less energy-consuming than a tricycle, it offers good autonomy and allows you to easily cover long distances in urban areas. Its responsiveness in traffic and moderate size make it an ideal ally for your daily trips.
Electric tricycle: sturdy but energy-consuming
The electric tricycle, for its part, is designed for transporting heavy and bulky loads. Its stability remains its major asset, but its weight and wind resistance put more strain on the battery.
Electric assistance quickly becomes essential to avoid getting out of breath, especially on rough terrain or with several children on board. In return, you enjoy a bike with excellent comfort and unmatched loading capacity.
Which cargo bike for which profile?
Every cyclist and every family have different habits. Before choosing your electric bike cargo, think about what you will transport, the distance traveled, and the traffic conditions. These are the elements that will guide your choice between maneuverability and capacity, lightweight biporter or ultra-stable tricycle.
For families with 1 to 2 children
If you live in the city and need to transport one or two children daily, the biporter is undoubtedly the most suitable solution. Its maneuverability, compact size, and ability to weave through traffic make it a valuable ally for home-school-work trips or for stress-free shopping in the city center.
For large families with 3 children or more
For larger families, the tricycle naturally stands out. Its spacious box can accommodate up to four, or even six children depending on the models, with secure benches and seat belts. Its stability when stopped is also reassuring when installing or unloading several passengers. An ideal choice for group outings or long family rides.
For professionals
If you are a craftsman, home nurse, delivery person, etc., the electric bike biporter proves perfect for regular and quick trips. Its compact size and sufficient loading capacity allow you to easily transport equipment, tools, or parcels while moving freely in urban areas.
On-site activity (food-bike, mobile salesโฆ)
For mobile trades and nomadic merchants, the three-wheeler is the most suitable model. Its large box offers a stable stand that is easily adaptable to display your products or set up a temporary sales point. Its stability and ability to carry bulky equipment make it a must-have for this type of activity.
Ease of riding outside urban areas: two-wheeler or three-wheeler?
When leaving the paved city streets to head onto more varied or sloping paths, the characteristics of each electric bike cargo model play an important role. Depending on the terrain you take, one of the two models could offer a more pleasant and suitable riding experience.
On less paved paths
The two-wheeler, although agile in the city, can encounter some limits on rougher terrain. Its lightness allows it to maintain some flexibility, but it can become less comfortable on bumpy paths, especially when loaded. You may need to invest in tires suited for uneven surfaces to get the best out of it.
On the other hand, the three-wheeler excels on this type of terrain thanks to its three wheels and wide base. This configuration offers increased stability, even on less maintained trails. However, due to its larger size, the three-wheeler can be more difficult to maneuver on narrow or winding paths.
Climbs and slopes: what performance?
Uphill, the two-wheeler is responsive, but its limited load and lighter weight can make slopes difficult to climb, especially if the bike is loaded. Electric assistance helps compensate for this lack of power on moderate climbs, but the cyclist will sometimes need to put in a bit more effort.
The three-wheeler, on the other hand, better supports heavy loads and remains stable even uphill. However, due to its weight and aerodynamics, it can put more strain on the battery, making electric assistance more essential. On steep slopes or rough terrain, it is therefore more comfortable but requires more energy, which can reduce range.
Conclusion
So, two-wheeler or three-wheeler? It all depends on what you expect from your electric bike cargo. If maneuverability and lightness are priorities for your city trips, the two-wheeler is made for you. If, on the contrary, stability and carrying capacity are your priorities, opt for a three-wheeler. Discover a wide selection on Weebot, with brands like Garrett Miller or Onemile, and book your test without delay to find the model that suits you.