Signe Brewster/NYT Wirecutter Signe Brewster/NYT Wirecutter Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterTop pickThis iconic frontloader has a roomy front basket that can fit up to three kids or lots of stuff. It costs more than twice as much as the Quick Haul Long, though.I see far more longtails than frontloaders on American streets, and I get it: Longtails are easier to ride and park, and they’re generally cheaper.But over the course of working on this guide, I fell in love with frontloaders, long johns, bakfiets, box bikes — whatever you want to call them. I loved chatting with my kids, who remained in sight, safely ensconced in their big foam box. I loved gaining admission into a whole world of bakfiets families, whom I encountered at bike shops, parks, and the grocery store. And I loved the feel of riding such a huge bike, not to mention the ability to pick up a friend or a whole week’s worth of groceries.In short: Don’t rule out the Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro until you try it. You might just be a bakfiets person, too.It’s the most comfortable bike for kids. I’ve heard the FamilyNext Pro’s foam bucket described as a giant upside-down bike helmet, and for a mom, that’s a comforting comparison. When I (unintentionally) tipped over a FamilyNext Pro loaded with three kids, they simply looked at me, confused. The high foam sides do a bit more to keep kids protected and contained, and the cushy, easy-to-clean bench seats and three-point harnesses are the best designed of any cargo bike we tested. The FamilyNext Pro’s suspension also makes the ride much more comfortable in comparison with models in Urban Arrow’s less-expensive Family line.It’s comfortable for adults, too. Urban Arrow bikes are built in the Dutch style, with an especially upright seating position and handlebars that curve toward you. Most of the bikes we recommend encourage you to sit upright, which increases visibility and helps with safety. But the FamilyNext Pro is built so that all of your weight rests on the saddle, and you can remain seated while you plant your feet at a stop sign. Like the Tern Quick Haul Long D9, Urban Arrow bikes are Class 1. The Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro, however, can fit a wider range of rider heights, from 5-foot-2 to 6-foot-6. Its 20-inch front wheel keeps cargo close to the ground, while its 26-inch rear wheel smooths the ride.It hauls a lot. The FamilyNext Pro can carry 276 pounds in its front box — the highest cargo-area limit of any of our picks — and can hold up to 439 pounds total. You can toss all sorts of cargo into the bucket; when my kids and I visited a pumpkin patch, hauling our future jack-o’-lanterns home was easy. Because the cargo area sits so low to the ground on a frontloader, the bike feels much more stable than a longtail while carrying heavier loads. You can fit three passengers (including a baby in a car seat, a dog, or an adult) in the front, plus an additional kid if you install a rear rack.The accessories are thoughtfully designed. Urban Arrow’s rain cover is sturdy yet easy to install, and it leaves room for a passenger to sit on the extra bench. You can also find a fun ecosystem of third-party accessories: party lights, a drink holder, hooks for a stroller or a child’s bike, and so on.The Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro uses a carbon-fiber belt drive instead of a chain, and it has an Enviolo internally geared hub instead of a rear derailleur. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterOn the FamilyNext Pro’s display, you can see the bike’s battery charge, assist mode, distance traveled, ride time, and odometer. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterThe Bosch controller for the FamilyNext Pro, which you use to switch the assist modes, is separate from the display. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterYou twist the control for the Enviolo hub to prepare for going up or down hills. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterThe FamilyNext Pro’s cargo box comes with one forward-facing bench, and you have the option to add a second, rear-facing bench to the front of the box. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterThe three-point harnesses on Urban Arrow bikes are easier to use than those found on other box bikes. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterA suspension fork on the FamilyNext Pro helps smooth the ride. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterThe Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro uses a carbon-fiber belt drive instead of a chain, and it has an Enviolo internally geared hub instead of a rear derailleur. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterIt comes with a Bosch system. The FamilyNext Pro that I tested had the Bosch Cargo Line motor (same as in the Tern Quick Haul Long D9) and a PowerPack 545 Wh battery (which is larger than the Quick Haul Long’s battery, though this bike also weighs more). You can look through the different Urban Arrow models to find higher- or lower-powered Bosch motors, though, and you can choose from several battery sizes.It has a nice warranty and support. The frame and fork are covered for five years; other components and accessories get two years of coverage. However, while Urban Arrow builds its models with many standard bike components, the company doesn’t guarantee that parts will remain available like Tern does. Urban Arrow models are easier to find in American cargo bike shops than other frontloaders, so you will have an easier time getting yours serviced.Flaws but not dealbreakers It’s not always easy to park and lock up the FamilyNext Pro. Signe Brewster/NYT WirecutterIt’s big. The FamilyNext Pro weighs 112 pounds and measures 102 inches long. That’s heavy and long even for a frontloader, and it’s a dramatic change in size from a longtail. Some of my smaller test panelists had trouble starting and stopping on this bike and strongly preferred a smaller longtail. I think nearly anyone can learn to ride a frontloader — riding the FamilyNext Pro was second nature to me after a few miles — but it can feel more like captaining a boat. And all frontloaders add inconvenience to finding a spot at the bike rack, as well as storing or transporting the bike.It’s expensive. Anyone who buys an Urban Arrow model is probably thinking in terms of buying the bike instead of a car, which is when the price tag might start to make more sense. If you’re looking to spend less, we also tested and liked the Urban Arrow Family, though that model’s lack of suspension makes it a bumpier ride, and we missed the integrated lights.It has fewer options for customization. While the FamilyNext Pro’s Enviolo hub and Gates belt drive are easy to use, durable, and ideal for getting a heavy load going from a standstill, they aren’t perfect for every situation. Someone who climbs lots of hills or wants to ride fast might find that the gear range isn’t wide enough, for instance. The option to choose a chain and a cheaper motor is coming later this year, though, when Urban Arrow plans to release the FamilyNext Advanced.
Source link