2025 Tern E-Bike Buyer’s Guide for Beginners

This article covers all Tern e-bikes except the Orox adventure e-cargo bike.

We know that choosing your first e-bike can feel a bit overwhelming, but we’re here to help you! At Tern, we offer a variety of e-bikes built for comfort, versatility, and sharing with family and friends. While getting a new bike is exciting, we understand there’s much to consider. This beginner's guide covers Tern e-bike basics to help you find the right one for your needs.

Contents

• Our Questions to You

  • How will you use the bike most of the time?
  • How much are you willing to invest in a bike?

• Tern E-Bike Lineup

  • GSD: Our Most Popular E-Cargo Bike
  • Quick Haul Long: Our Best-Value E-Cargo Bike
  • HSD: Our Most Comfortable E-Bike
  • Quick Haul: Our Most Affordable E-Bike
  • NBD: One of the Easiest Premium Bikes to Ride
  • Vektron: Our Folding E-Bike

• Tern E-Bike Accessories

• More Information

Our Questions to You

A Tern bike is built to last and meant to be by your side for many years. We’d like to motivate you to make the right choices, so we’ve compiled the following questions for you to ask yourself.

How will you use the bike most of the time?

We have e-bikes for all kinds of purposes, but in the end, it really depends on how you are going to use the bike 90% of the time. Shuttle your kids to school? Hauling your craft beer across town? Or commuting to work, where there’s no dedicated bike parking space?

For serious hauling, our e-cargo bikes, such as the GSD, Quick Haul Long, HSD, and Quick Haul, are up to the task. However, if you're looking for something more compact without heavy-duty carrying capacity, consider the NBD or Vektron, our folding electric bike. These options offer a balance of convenience and functionality for everyday riding.

How much are you willing to invest in a bike?

When deciding on your budget, consider your personal priorities. We offer e-bikes at a range of price points, from more affordable options to premium options. The price reflects the specs, performance, and durability of the bike.

While higher-end models come with advanced features, we still offer great budget-friendly options that can fulfill your needs. Choose a price range based on what’s most important to you, whether that’s affordability or top-tier performance.

Tern E-Bike Lineup

Below is an introduction to each of our e-bike platforms. For specific information about the models, check out their webpages.

GSD: Our Most Popular E-Cargo Bike

The GSD has made a lasting impact on families worldwide, helping them spend more time with loved ones, carry everything they need, and go more eco-friendly. Now in its third iteration, it still Gets Stuff Done. 💪✨

It’s an electric cargo bike designed to grow with your family and adjust to your changing needs. It’s great for daily school runs, commutes, errands, and adventure seekers planning bikepacking or camping trips. The GSD also offers an expandable range with the option to add a second battery for longer journeys.

The GSD Gen 3 comes with two Bosch system options: the Bosch eBike System 2 for those preferring no-fuss e-biking, and the Bosch Smart System with advanced security features. These include connectivity to the Bosch eBike Flow App for riding customization, ABS (anti-lock braking system), eBike Alarm, and GPS tracking.

Its travel-friendly design, featuring a folding handlepost and stem, allows for easy transport in cars or other vehicles. With a max gross vehicle weight of 210 kg (463 lb), the GSD can carry up to two children, one adult passenger, or tons of cargo. Consider it as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to a second car.

Quick Haul Long: Our Best-Value E-Cargo Bike

The Quick Haul Long is an adaptable e-cargo bike made to meet your family’s changing needs while delivering a premium experience without the bells and whistles of a GSD. If you want a reliable yet simple cargo bike that can handle it all—big or small—the Quick Haul Long might be just the bike for you.

Whether you're starting a family or if your family has grown, customize the Quick Haul Long into the best vehicle for your family. Choose from our passenger-carrying accessories to transport up to two kids, or give your +1 a lift when it’s just the two of you. If you need extra cargo space, attach a trailer and haul away!

Transport your kids year-round, enjoy a fun ride with your spouse on date night, and run errands efficiently. The Quick Haul Long helps you discover how life is better by bike.

HSD: Our Most Comfortable E-Bike

Mini but mighty, the HSD delivers performance in a slightly smaller package than the GSD. It's exactly what you need for city cruising, family adventures, or Hauling Stuff Daily—ready to tackle any journey with ease.

This multi-use e-bike comes with a robust cargo setup, ideal for hauling groceries or gear. It's also great for bringing company along—you can add a child seat with panniers, or opt for a seat pad or Captain's Chair for older kids or adults.

The HSD also takes things up a notch with the Bosch Smart System. It offers a customized ride experience, a more powerful motor, and enhanced security features. For those interested in a cargo bike but hesitant about larger models, the HSD strikes a good balance between capability and ease of use.

Quick Haul: Our Most Affordable E-Bike

The Quick Haul is simply capable—it’s the go-to choice for an adaptable, budget-friendly e-cargo bike for everyday convenience.

More compact than the Quick Haul Long but just as practical, the Quick Haul effortlessly handles your daily commutes and can even help you with small moves. Its shorter frame and sporty riding position ensure easy maneuverability while accommodating a child seat and panniers.

It's versatile enough for various tasks and easy to share with family and friends—including your furry companions. For those who appreciate simplicity and practicality in their e-bike, the Quick Haul is the right fit.

NBD: One of the Easiest Premium Bikes to Ride

The NBD is sure to make you smile more with every mile you cover. Whether you're a cycling newbie or a seasoned expert, it’s here to make your rides a breeze. It's not only comfy for leisurely cruises but also ready to help your parents rediscover their pedaling pizzazz. We designed the NBD to accommodate riders of varying sizes and abilities and make cycling enjoyable for more people.

With its low stepover and stable ride, you'll feel like a pro in no time. You can also outfit the bike with the accessories you need for your daily life, including a child seat. From coffee breaks to park adventures and quick shopping trips, the NBD is ready to roll you through life's daily adventures. Pedal with ease, and ride with confidence—no big deal.

Vektron: Our Folding E-Bike

The Vektron offers a balanced and solid ride and takes you from your front door right to your destination, where you can easily fold it and go about your day. You’ll feel like you’re gliding through the streets and discover why we called it our ‘Accelerator’. With its powerful but quiet Bosch motor, the Vektron will help you get over the final hill or tricky turn to reach your destination. It’s also ideal for those in-between situations—too far to walk, but not enough public transport.

When you need to fold it, the Vektron’s compact design makes it easy to tuck away—whether that’s under a desk, in a hallway, or by your front door. And while it’s a top choice for mix-mode commutes, you’ll love the Vektron for its versatility: it’s a bike you’ll want to ride the whole way and can store almost anywhere.

Tern E-Bike Accessories

Did we already mention that our accessories can be mixed and matched across different e-bikes? With so many options, you'll be sure to find the best setup for you. Here are just a few examples of passenger and cargo configurations you can consider.

Passenger Setups

Date night on wheels

Pick up your +1 in style! The Captain’s Chair has space for an adult, and you can leave your bag (and any gifts you may have prepared) on the Transporteur Rack in the front.

Two kids, one smooth ride—rain or shine

Keep your kids dry and their nagging out with the Clubhouse Fort or Clubhouse Fort Mini compartment for our cargo bikes.

Quality time with your sidekick

Enjoy the park with Junior—pack some snacks in the WeatherTop Bag or Cooler, and stuff a tarp and toys in the Cargo Hold 28 Panniers for a great afternoon.

Pets are passengers, too!

Don't let your four-legged friends miss out on an adventure! Our Soft Crate Mini and Clubhouse Mini help your dog tag along while doubling as a handy shopping crate. Add the Dog Roof Mini to turn it into a Doghouse Mini—a cozy travel cabin for your furry companion.

Cargo Setups

Expand your cargo space… with a trailer

If your bike’s front and rear racks are occupied, why not attach a trailer with the Tail Hitch L for extra room?

Tow an extra ride

If you can tow a trailer, you certainly can tow an extra bike, too. We have the Bike Tow Kit to help you with just that!

Carefree moving and delivery

The waterproof Storm Box and Storm Box Mini easily fit big houseplants or multiple packages, ideal for moving and small business deliveries. Why would you need a car?

More Information

To experience the potential of a Tern e-bike, we encourage you to visit your nearest Tern dealer for a test ride. This will give you the best sense of how the bike performs and allows you to ask questions.

In the meantime, if you want to learn more about our safety features and the Bosch E-Bike System, be sure to check out our electric bike safety articles. You can also visit our e-bike overview page and use the "Compare" feature (located just below each bike icon) to create a comparison list of up to five bikes.

Happy shopping!