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A longtail that is just a bit too short, it’s a problem many parents still encounter. You buy a longtail for two child seats, and then suddenly realize thereโs no room left for cargo, school bags, a backpack, or simply the items you need along the way.
In this article, we will explore extra-long longtail bikes with an extended rear rack suitable for 2 to 3 children. Interestingly, our research shows that Belgian brands have been the quickest to address this issue.
Recently, we’ve seen various brands offering an extra-long rear rack for up to three children. Their consumer research revealed that parents had just slightly too little space for two children and their luggage.
Electric Longtails for Three Children (or More)
- Best Longtail for Three Children: Bike 43
- Best Buy: Oxford Bike Cargo Plus
- Best Rear Hub Motor: Monkey Bike MonkeyTail (XL)
- New on the Market: Veloe Multi Lungo
Bike 43
(For some time now) the best longtail for 3 children:
Bike 43 is a truly (Belgian) longtail bike brand that was already working on building a longtail variant even before the advent of the electric bike. The founder designed the bike with the goal of having a means of transport for his wife and two children, even as they grew older and heavier.
The Bike 43, which was initially popular mainly in Brussels, is now known worldwide. The Bike 43 is a classic and the best in its category. This is due in part to the design and in part to the quality of the components.
This electric longtail has a low step-through of 52 centimeters and, at 2 meters in length, is not much longer than a regular electric bike. The 24-inch front wheel combined with the smaller 20-inch rear wheel (mullet design) also ensures that you can ride comfortably, even with a lot of weight. The low center of gravity is a big advantage when riding with three children on the longtail.
The seat post and handlebars can be adjusted to suit all users within the family. Thus, their “one size fits all” model is suitable for riders from 1.90 to 1.45 meters tall. The bike’s carrying capacity is 170 kilograms, while the bike itself weighs 30 kilos.
In addition, Belgian Bike 43 particularly excels in its accessories, all self-built, which make the bike more user-friendly. They were also the first to introduce adjustable safety rails or monkey bars.
A drawback of this bike is, of course, its high purchase price, especially with all these accessories included. However, the price can be influenced by the choice of motors, such as Shimano or Bosch, and by omitting unnecessary accessories.
Oxford Cargo Plus
The Best Buy, Affordable with Mid-Drive Motor
If the best on the market is too expensive, you can always look at a lower price segment. The Oxford Cargo Bike Plus N5, at half the price, might be twice as appealing to some.
However, along with a lower price, you will also have to settle for slightly less quality options and reduced ease of use. There are fewer accessories available, and the motor is less powerful. This is all understandable when compared to the best, the Bike 43, with its extra-long rear rack.
You can also look at it the other way around. For just 3,600 euros, you get an electric longtail bike with an extra-long rear rack for two child seats plus their cargo, powered by a still reasonably powerful Shimano Steps motor with 60Nm torque and a 504Wh battery.
The Oxford Cargo is equipped with 24-inch wheels, a good midpoint between the small 20-inch and large 26-inch longtails. Of course, you should keep in mind that the higher center of gravity has more influence while riding. In other words, the higher the cargo, the more youโll feel the movement or wind during the ride. At 24.5 kilos, the Oxford Cargo is also a lightweight longtail.
Monkeybike Monkey Tail (XL)
An Affordable Longtail for 3 Children, with Rear Hub Motor
Cheaper or affordable can also be achieved in another way. The mid-drive motor, especially when it comes to Bosch or Shimano, immediately adds an extra cost to the purchase price of the longtail bike. By opting for a rear hub motor with fewer technological features, you can further reduce the price.
This is exactly what the Belgian company MonkeyBike has done. For certain routes (read mainly flat), there is no need for a powerful mid-drive motor. Here, the MonkeyTail is an excellent alternative as a longtail for three children. The load capacity is very high, and the riding comfort ensures relaxing trips. We were able to test this fully in our extensive road test and review.
If itโs not long enough, you can extend the rear rack (the longtail) to an XL version, giving you even more space.
The downside of this bike is the performance of the motor and the choice to place it in the rear wheel. As long as a mid-drive motor is not an absolute must, we recommend giving this bike a try. More information can be found in our review. Additionally, itโs a Belgian brand. They will deliver a test bike to your home, so you donโt have to go out of your way.
Veloe Multi Lungo
The Latest Arrival as a Longtail with Extra-Long Rear Rack
Veloe is an Italian brand that has introduced a good longtail bike to the market with the Multi. They also noticed that their relatively small Multi didn’t quite have enough space for some parents who saw the longtail as a real alternative to the car. The children fit on it, but not the cargo. Therefore, Veloe has adjusted their design with the Multi Lungo to address this issue.
They also offer the option to choose between a Shimano motor or the Bosch motor. To support the extra-long rear rack, they followed Bike 43โs lead and reduced the size of their rear wheel to 20 inches. They retained the 24-inch front wheel from the original Multi.
The rear rack is now 77 cm long, although youโll notice that a small portion of this space is under the saddle. The bike itself is only 186 cm long, weighs 26 kg, and has a carrying capacity of 200 kg. Weโre curious to see how this longtail performs in our test.
