Benno Boost

There's a review here:

https://singletrackmag.com/charged/2021/09/benno-boost-e-cargo-bike/ .

I've had one for around 3 months, it handles pretty much like a normal bike and is easy to live with on a day to day.  It's working quite well for transporting kids (3 & 4.5) around and they seem happy enough on the back, the rear rack also takes 2 Yepp seats without any extra mounting plates which is handy.  We went for the step thru frame, which avoids kicking the front child in the face when mounting and dismounting, but the crossbar is relatively high for a step thru.  Depending on load/distance your riding you may want to consider adding a second battery, although the second battery being in does mean that the bottle carrier mount doesn't really work for a bottle anymore.  We've used it as a car substitute a fair bit, as it avoids having to take a car into town and allows us to swap kids at their weekend activity when in different age groups.  Probably haven't used it as much as planned as I broke my ribs about halfway through ownership, but it has meant that I can ramp the power up and keep riding to work and back.  We went for one with the rear rack and wrap around to go round the cargo area, which protects the kids in case of a fall etc, this does make it a bit trickier to park on some bike racks.

Happy to answer any other questions.

I bought the one I tested. It’s now at nearly 5000km. It’s had the chain replaced twice, brake pads twice, and an upgraded front brake. Needs new cassette and pulleys now as well as another chain. It gets used a lot for hauling stuff, often along the tow path, so I can’t say it’s had an easy life! Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Another newish Benno owner here.

Mainly use it for child hauling and errands running but it gets used almost every day. We got the 'fully loaded' version with a step-thru frame and all the gubbins.

Top advice:

Get the longest drop dropper post you can fitted, not only does is make sharing  the bike with your other half a breeze, being able to drop the post a bit and get your feet flat on the ground at junctions when loaded or when older kids are clambering onto the bike is great.

The front utility rack is designed to take a standard 300 x 400 x 220 mm Eurocrate, which will set you back about £15. Drill a few holes for drainage and velcro straps/zip ties and just leave it on there, super handy, maybe line it with something squidgy to reduce bounce and rattling.

Be prepared to take longer if you have to stop anywhere parents congregate, you will get asked about it.

Thanks everyone. Any quirks or issues to be aware of? The idea would be to use as daily commuter for a round trip of about 26 miles depending on the day. Carrying laptop and other office type stuff along with change of clothes depending on weather. Route is mainly off road on a route that gets seriously messy in winter or after heavy rain.

Weekend and evening duties would be taking the kids to swimming lessons, cubs etc and general exploring with one or both of them. Likelihood would be purchasing on a credit deal with money normally used for diesel and train fares used to pay it off. Whereabouts did you all buy yours from and did you buy stock or purchase additions at the same time? What are they like to ride in terms of effort and sweaty mess level when compared to a normal bike.

Hannah, I loved the format of your review with your husband also giving his take. A very amusing and informative read.

Thanks again everyone. This would be a substantial purchase for me if I go ahead so apologies for the daft questions.

Ask away

It was a serious purchase, at least partially funded by going down to 1 car.

We reckon it'll take about 2-3 years to pay itself back, it's well on track to do so.

And the kids LOVE it to the point that I'm currently dealing with a very salty 8 year old because her brother got a ride on it today and she didn't.

Only quirks I can think of are:

-the front rack stays still as the bars turn, so you  can’t turn easily if you load up with a very tall box (like a cool box) on the front.

-the panniers have some sideways straps that aren’t immediately obvious but help support the front of the bag when loaded. Worth taking the time to get them fitted right, mine have developed holes at the stress points on top.

- I find the front light a little low down, and the rear light a little small. Be prepared to add something extra in winter months.

- cleaning the chain and cassette properly means you have to take the pannier off, which is quite a fiddly pita.

I have the slick tyres, they’re fine and very durable, but if I was going to ride a muddy off road route all the time I think I’d opt for the slightly knobblier ones they offer. A dropper post is pretty essential if you’re sharing it imo. We have a basic crotch grab one on ours.

Not sure how old your kids are, but the weight limit on the rear rack is lower than some others so if they’re approaching teen years that’s something to be aware of. My 13 year old was just over the weight limit.

Mine gets used a lot, and has seen me through two spells a without a car. It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever bought.

@funkmasterp just seen on the other ecarho thread that someone bought a cargo bike with an energy saving trust loan. Might be worth looking into?

I  terms of 'sweaty mess' it depends, if you're not in a hurry and want to retain your composure you can select a lower gear, click the assistance up to sport or turbo and lean hard on the motor, doing this eats battery faster but you don't have to work any harder than if you were walking really.

If you're in a hurry or just want more of a workout you can adjust to suit, depending on route and how much you're carrying.

And yeah the integrated rear light is a bit weak but a Knog Cobber fits nicely onto the raised rear rail on ours and gives me a very very bright and high-mounted option for murkier rides.

My wife and I love ours. Step thru frame was a good choice in terms of usability. Keep on top of maintenance, like any ebike or cargo bike. Definitely get the double kickstand - it's a game changer. Plenty of power in the brakes and motor. We've done 550 miles on ours in a few months, most of which would have been done by car.

I've cable-tied bungees onto the front rack for ease of adding a rucksack etc but a box would be good too as mentioned above. We've had a weekly shop and two children on ours and it coped well. Also been wild camping in the Black Mountains with it - it went fine off road on the chunky slicks.

Hannah, what dropper are you using on yours? That's the only thing ours needs now to make it work for both my wife and I.