"Enormously useful, surprisingly smaller"... the brand that brought you the Tern GSD has now launched a more compact version, called the HSD. The new bike is shorter in length but still has plenty of load-carrying ability, able to haul up to 170kg including the rider.
In congested urban environments, getting through tight gaps, easy parking and quick folding/unfolding become increasingly important, and that's where the HSD comes in: "We started the HSD project with the goal of designing a better, more useful, e-bike. That meant wiping away pre-conceived notions for things like frame design, riding geometry, and wheel size. The result is the HSD, a small bike that is just much more useful", says Tern's Josh Hon.
The HSD is just 170cm long, much shorter than most e-cargo bikes, and consequently Tern say it's also much easier to handle. It flips up for convenient vertical parking and taking up and down lifts on public transport, and it can also be flat-folded in as little as 15 seconds to fit in in cars or train racks.
The max gross weight is rated to 170kg, with the rear Atlas H Rack able to carry 60kg - this rack is also compatible with numerous different child seats such as the Thule Yepp and numerous Bobike rear seats.
Another big USP is the quick and easy resizing, with the quick-releases on the seatpost and front end allowing for a fit range to suit riders between 4'11" and 6'5". The frame also has an easy-step design so everyone can mount and dismount it easily, and the combination of a suspension fork, big tyres and a sturdy frame should add up to an easy and comfortable ride over all road surfaces.
The HSD comes equipped with an Abus frame lock for security during short stops at the shops, and all three models are powered by Bosch motors - Active Line on the entry-level model and the Performance Line on the mid and top-of-the-range bikes. Belt drives also appear on the S8i and S+.
The HSD starts at €3,099 with the HSD P9 model, that comes specced with a 400Wh battery, Bosch Active Line plus motor and Shimano's Alvio Shadow transmission. The S8i comes in at €3,699 with a Shimano Nexus hub and belt drive upgrade, and for €4,999 you can get the all-singing, all-dancing S+ with Enviolo auto shifting, Bosch Intuvia display and a Cane Creek suspension seatpost. Check out Tern's website for more info and buying options.
