Mighty But Mini: Tern Launches the New HSD Compact Cargo Bike
HSD is completely re-worked and upgraded, and includes the new Bosch Smart System
June 7, 2023 — Urban mobility specialist Tern today unveiled the new HSD compact cargo bike. Since its first launch in 2019, the HSD has helped families and businesses around the world replace car trips with bike trips. The new HSD retains its compact size and convenient features, but is now stronger and smarter.
“The HSD is for people who want the hauling capacity of a cargo bike, in a package that is much easier to ride and easier to handle,” stated Josh Hon, Tern Team Captain. “This new generation HSD adds improvements based on feedback we’ve collected from riders and our own team over the last 4 years. Plus, the new Bosch Smart System is a fantastic upgrade in pure power and also electronic smarts.”
Just the Right Amount of Bike
Traditional cargo bikes are heavy and bulky. Typical city e-bikes, on the other hand, are easy to ride and handle but offer very limited carrying capacity. Riders who want all the benefits of a cargo bike in an easy-to-ride, compact package will find that the HSD is just right—shorter than a regular city e-bike, yet capable of hauling a hefty max gross vehicle weight of 180 kg (397 lb).
Stronger & More Powerful
To handle all that weight, the HSD frame is now 15% stiffer at the head tube and 39% stiffer at the bottom bracket. The rear rack has also been upgraded, and now carries up to 80 kg (176 lb), offering space to comfortably fit an adult passenger. All of these improvements mean a smoother ride and better handling when carrying heavy loads.
The HSD also features Bosch’s latest Performance Line motor, which delivers up to 50% more torque in comparison to previous HSD models—for easier climbing up hills, even when fully loaded.
Smarter & Connected
With Bosch’s new Smart System the rider’s smartphone becomes the hub to control all aspects of the HSD—from electronic locking and unlocking, to tuning motor performance, to location tracking, to over-the-air firmware updates. The eBike Flow app also makes it possible to track fitness data like calories, heart rate and watts, map cycling routes, and integrate with other apps like Strava and Komoot.
HSD S-Class models also include the Bosch ConnectModule for enhanced security features like motion sensors, a high decibel alarm, push notifications, and GPS location tracking.
Tailored to Life's Needs
In addition to all the upgrades, the HSD retains all of the convenient features Tern cargo bikes are known for:
- Vertical Parking: The HSD stands upright to go into elevators and small apartments, removing the worries of parking the bike outside.
- FlatFold: Lower the seatpost and fold down the handlepost, and the HSD fits easily into an SUV or train compartment for an expanded travel range.
- Adjustable Cockpit: The HSD resizes in seconds and without tools to fit riders 150 - 195 cm tall (4’11” - 6’5”), making it extremely easy to share with friends and family.
- Accessory Ecosystem: A wide range of modular accessories means the bike can be outfitted to match the rider's needs, whether that's carrying a kid, an adult, a pet, or lots of cargo.
- Ready for Business: Built to last and to carry heavy loads with ease, the HSD is also a great alternative for business, whether as a delivery vehicle for a side hustle, or as part of a larger commercial fleet.
Tested for Safety
To ensure a reliable ride day after day, the HSD is designed to exceed the already demanding German standard for cargo bikes (DIN 79010:2020-02). The frame, fork, and structural components have been rigorously tested for durability and strength at EFBE Prüftechnik—one of Europe's leading bicycle testing labs—using a custom testing protocol that builds upon this standard but adds even stricter requirements. And to ensure peace of mind for the rider, the bike's Bosch motor system has also been tested and certified to the UL 2849 safety standard for protection against potential fire hazards.
“Safety is so critically important with cargo bikes, especially if you are using them to carry your kids,” stated Hon. “Yet there are no mandatory cargo bike test standards—and we see lots of brands claiming really high loading weights. The best thing out there right now is the German Cargo Bike standard, and that’s why we’ve worked with EFBE to create custom tests for our bikes that are based on that new standard.”
Pricing & Availability
The new HSD models start at $4,299/€4,699 and prices may vary according to the region. Production has already started and bikes will begin to arrive in bike shops in Europe this summer and in North America this fall, with other markets following later in the year.
More Information
