Using Child Seats on the Tern GSD Gen 2 Cargo eBike

This article refers to Tern GSD Gen 2 cargo ebikes. If you'd like to use child seats on the GSD Gen 1, click here.

If you want to carry young children on your GSD, you'll need a child seat or two. This article will discuss child seat compatibility and offer guidelines for safe child seat use. 

Contents

• I want to use child seats without passenger rails—which ones fit the GSD?
  • If you only need one seat
    • For other child seats, check compatibility
  • If you need two seats
• Which child seats can I use with the Clubhouse Gen 3?
• Which child seats can I use with the Clubhouse+?
• Need something quick to help you decide which Clubhouse or child seats to get?
• Can I use other rear-rack accessories with child seats installed?
• Can I put a child seat somewhere other than the rear rack?
• What else should I know about using child seats safely?

I want to use child seats without passenger rails—which ones fit the GSD?

Several rear rack-mounted child seats work well with the GSD. Which is right for your family depends on a few different factors, including your desired child seat setup, rider size, and passenger size.

If you only need one seat

If you only need one child seat and can place the seat in the rear position, you can choose pretty much any compatible seat you like, as heel clearance won't be an issue (but keep in mind that if your family grows and you need to add a second child seat, the first seat you choose may limit your options).

Child seat models including Thule Yepp Maxi (version 1), Yepp 2 Maxi, Yepp Nexxt Maxi, and Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi, as well as Bobike GO Maxi and Urban Iki rear seat (carrier mounting), will work great for younger kids, while the Qibbel Junior 6+ and the Polisport Guppy Junior can be used for older kids.

Different seats may offer different features (e.g., suspension, reclining), so you'd want to have your child test out a few to see which best suits your family's needs.

Note: All compatible child seats mentioned in this article fit the GSD rear rack without the need for an adapter.

For other child seats, check compatibility

If you have a different child seat model you prefer, check the manufacturer’s guidelines and the GSD rear rack specs below for compatibility before purchasing. Whichever child seat you decide to purchase, ensure that it comes with the required elements for safe passenger carrying: seating, safety harness, foot support, and foot & leg protection.

If you need two seats

If you need two child seats, the Thule Yepp Maxi (version 1) is a convenient choice for many because it offers plenty of heel clearance for riders of all sizes. It's also compatible with all Tern passenger accessories (including those that make up the Clubhouse Fort), which may not be true of every child seat on the market.

However, if you're a small-footed rider carrying a very young passenger in the front child seat, the Thule Yepp 2 Maxi, Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi, or Bobike GO Maxi may also work—check with your local dealer for assistance. You'll want to test out these seats on your GSD before purchasing to make sure your heel doesn't strike the leg supports or the passenger's foot when pedaling (if you are sharing the bike, make sure all riders participate in testing).

Which child seats can I use with the Clubhouse Gen 3?

If you only need one child seat, any child seat that fits the GSD may be used with the Clubhouse Gen 3. Swap out the Flat Bar for the included Child Seat Expansion Bar to make room for two compatible child seats—Bobike GO Maxi, Urban Iki rear seats, and Thule Yepp Maxi (version 1), Yepp 2 Maxi, Yepp Nexxt Maxi, and Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi have all been tested to work in pairs with this carrier model.

You’ve read it right. Using the Clubhouse Gen 3 will allow you to fit two child seats from a wider variety of models. If you're considering a pair of seats that wouldn't normally fit on a GSD without passenger rails, check if they are compatible when the Clubhouse Gen 3 is installed—see the compatibility chart for more.

Which child seats can I use with the Clubhouse+?

When the Clubhouse+ is installed with the included Child Seat Expansion Bar, you can either use one GSD-compatible child seat in the rear position, or two Thule Yepp Maxi (version 1) child seats.

Need something quick to help you decide which Clubhouse or child seats to get?

Here’s a handy chart we’ve created to help you find the right Clubhouse and/or child seat(s). Save it on your phone or print it out for something quick you can refer to when you visit your dealer.

Can I use other rear-rack accessories with child seats installed?

Yes! It’s definitely possible to use other rear-rack accessories with child seats.

(I know what I want for my setup—take me directly to the compatibility chart!)

You can use the Clubhouse Fort with up to two child seats to ensure your kids stay protected from the elements. In a one-seat setup, any child seat that's compatible with the GSD will work. In a two-seat setup, which child seats to use will largely depend on the Clubhouse model your Fort is built upon.

If you want to haul lots of groceries while carrying child seats, you can install the Cargo Hold 52 Panniers. Again, in a one-seat setup, any child seat that’s compatible with the GSD will work. In a two-seat setup, which child seats to use will depend on your shoe size, as it affects the heel clearance for safe riding.

For a smaller alternative that works with one compatible child seat and can also be used when towing a trailer, we recommend the Cargo Hold 37 Panniers. Your preferred position for the child seat determines where you should place these panniers—for more on this, here’s a handy guide on how to install the Cargo Hold 37s on the GSD Gen 2.

Whether you choose to go with the Cargo Hold 52s or the Cargo Hold 37s, you’ll want to use them in Bucket Mode so there’s room for your kids’ feet. Some setups will also require the use of a Pannier Adapter or two. Additionally, whether you need the Pannier Adapter Gen 1/Gen 2 may also depend on which Clubhouse model you have, if any.

Check out our chart below for more info on accessory compatibility with child seats, Pannier Adapter requirement, and more:

¹ Requires one set of Pannier Adapter Gen 2.

² Requires two sets of Pannier Adapter Gen 2.

³ Requires two sets of Pannier Adapter Gen 1 or Pannier Adapter Gen 2.

^*May require one set of Pannier Adapter Gen 1 or Pannier Adapter Gen 2, depending on your child seat and pannier placement. Please consult with your dealer.

Again, you'll want to test out your child seat setup with all the add-ons on your GSD before purchasing to make sure there’s enough heel clearance to ride safely.

Can I put a child seat somewhere other than the rear rack?

No, we don't recommend using child seats that attach to places other than the rear rack (e.g., handlepost- or seatpost-mounted seats).

We haven't tested these types of seats with the GSD, and they may pose safety risks. Please see this article for more information.

What else should I know about using child seats safely?

• Check your local regulations to make sure carrying passengers on a bike is legal in your area.
• We recommend using child seats that conform to EN 14344 standards to carry your child.
• Children in child seats (or on any other form of seating) should never be left unattended on the bike, even if it is on the kickstand. Wriggling children can upset the balance of the bike, and a fall may result in serious injuries.
• Ensure that the combined weight of the bike (including battery), rider, passenger(s), accessories, and cargo does not exceed the GSD’s maximum gross vehicle weight of 200 kg (441 lb).
• Do not exceed the GSD's 100 kg (220 lb) rear rack load capacity.
• We recommend that all rear passengers, including those riding in child seats, wear helmets.