Based around a beefy aluminium frame, the Reid E20 compact cargo bike on review here is a head turner with its clean step-through lines, spar buttress between the head and down tubes, corresponding tube down at the cranks, and a tasteful matt French blue finish.
But cosmetics aside, the Reid E20 contains practical features which make it appealing to buyers who want to spend more time out of their cars or public transport, and by that we mean the ability to carry a decent load via its front basket and rear rack.
You can soon catch our Reid E20 review compared and contrasted against the best of the rest in our dedicated guide to the compact electric bike and short tail cargo bike segments. This style of bike is a modern take on the short wheelbase, easy to store in an apartment solution to cycling. They fit comfortably in many car boots, though they do not fold, all the while offering utility capability.
Geoff Waugh
£1,299 | View offer
Pros
Large carrying capacity
Great comfort points
One size fits most
Fat tyres offer plush ride
Cons
Could use a little more grunt on steep hills.
Spec
Stated weight: Not stated
Frame material: 6061 alloy
Motor: Ananda 36V 250W (430W peak) rear hub motor with 42Nm torque
Battery: Pod 36V 15Ah 540Wh
Controller: KD58c LCD handlebar-mounted display
Drivetrain: Shimano TY300 Seven speed 14-28T. Steel 48T chainring
Brakes: Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic Disc
Tyres: Kenda 2.4in
Saddle: Reid Comfort City
Included Accessories: Front and rear cargo rack /lights/ Mudguards/Kickstand
A 540Wh battery, tucked behind the seat tube, provides an estimated 30-mile range, making it ideal for local errands and short commutes on a single charge. For me, it was a worthy companion for photoshoots, able to carry my gear between locations comfortably and stay agile on shortcuts. Removal of the battery is a simple one-key operation for charging inside or to store it over colder months when temperature can have a detrimental effect on performance.
Locks, bags, waterproofs, shopping or whatever else can be stashed in the basket, rattle-free thanks to its four-point head tube fixing. The rear rack is certified to tote 25kg of luggage, be that strapped on, in side panniers or both.
The Reid E20 ride is planted and reassuring thanks to the upright position that makes scanning ahead to negotiate traffic a breeze, and to the Tektro hydraulic brakes, which contain enough power to moderate speed with a full load on board. And speaking of heavy load, the bike has a 42Nm motor and I found the best way to work the motor to extract the most out of the machine on steeper climbs was judicious switching between the power button and the gear shifter.
Geoff Waugh
With the gear spread of 14-28 teeth and five power levels it has probably got your town or city’s undulations covered, although steep and long climbs will definitely require a little more rider input, as I found on occasion. Achieving the 14/48 top gear means you will almost certainly be over the limiter, but don’t worry; the transition from pedal assist to ‘you’re on your own’ is a gentle one.
An adjustable angle stem – a simple 5mm Allen key process that drops or lifts the stem between zero and 60-degrees – along with a wide upswept riser handlebar allows the rider to fine-tune their position. This, coupled with a long seatpost, is what makes the bike a one-size-fits-all item.
The KD58c LCD handlebar-mounted display contains all readouts an urban bike needs, namely current battery status, power levels, speed, distance, trip and total distance. There is a walk mode activated by a long push on the minus button; not used during our test, but we can see that when heavily loaded it would be a welcome bailout option. A similar action on the plus button activates the built-in front and rear lights.
Geoff Waugh
The contact points are all Reid-branded components and, combined with the wide diameter, high volume tyres, supply a cushioned ride. The ergonomic soft rubber grips and well-padded saddle are welcomed, and specifying 2.4-inch treads on a 20in wheel removes a decent amount of jarring and rim protection from aberrations in the road surface, i.e., the dreaded potholes.
The fat tyres also make it possible to ride gravel roads and lanes in relative comfort, and the tough casings make punctures less of a concern when doing so, opening up so many more route options. The broad alloy MTB/BMX style pedals complement the rugged nature of the E20 and should last way longer than their resin counterparts.
Reid is an Australian company mindful of the environment and pledges to plant a tree with every bike sold. Thus far it has planted 400,000 trees and counting. Obviously, purchasing one of its bikes is an informed decision and the E20 is a worthy offering both as an urban commuter and freight transporter.
How about the competition?
If you’ve read our Reid E20 review and think a compact wheelbase or short tail style cargo bike is the right fit for you then we have some other options, tested in person by our team, that we also recommend:
ADO Air One Pro – £1,699
Another bike whose spirit animal would be the honey badger, the ADO Air One Pro is likewise far more capable than appearances may have you believe, so found Chris during his fully-loaded test. This is another well-priced solution, and this time it comes with a suspension fork out front to take the sting out of gravel path detours.
Read our full Ado Air One Pro review.
Tern HSD S-series – range pricing
With many smart features, such as automatic lighting, through to comfort perks like the Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost, Tern’s S-series HSD is the premium short tail cargo bike from a brand that specialises in carrying things by bike. With a folding handlebar, it’s especially easy to lift into a car boot for trips away, while at home it can store upright thanks to supportive props on the cargo rack.
Read our Tern HSD S-series review.
I:SY P12 ZR Pinion – €5,999
At the opposite end of the price spectrum to our Reid E20 review, the Pinion gearbox-driven I:SY P12 ZR build is the Lamborghini of compact bikes. Built to be totally uncompromising in build quality and with a service schedule that could span beyond a year of riding, this is your all-day, every-day commuter, with near zero fear of mechanicals.
Read our full I:SY P12 ZR Pinion review.
