Best Cargo Bikes for Too Many Kids (3) with Off Road Ability

Had the hammer blow of impending twins to add to the existing toddler recently.

Sure it'll work out more surviveable than it seems at first.

It does at least seem a fine excuse to upgrade the existing cheap hybrid with weeride toddler seat to something more motorised and capacious.

I live a little bit in the middle of nowhere, there's lots of great riding nearby to local shops, parks and amenities, but mostly off road. Most of the Urban Arrows and Raleighs seem more suited to CS8 than the local bridleways.

I've noticed the Trek Fetch+ 4 has a suspension front fork which makes it look pretty appealing.

Any other suggestions for ecargo bikes which can fit 3 small people in and/or a load of stuff from B&Q or a combo of the two?

Good luck! I never had my three on a bike at once, but had a seat at the front and one on a rack at the back.

We had a trailer for a bit, one twin lobbed a helmet out of it which got stuck underneath. That aside, it was decent.

I borrowed a three wheeler cargo bike from the council, and a two wheeler, but both were for 2 kids rather than 3.

Divide and conquer is probably the most valuable advice I can offer. Mine are 10, 8 & 8, and although we are far from finished with all the fun and games, it does feel like the hardest times have passed. (Fingers crossed)

Off-road you said? A little video of my boss on the trails...
You can fit 3 Yepp seats on it, although the E-cargo might be better suited to your needs.

Impressive. Both the bike and the rider! I like the disclaimer at the end.

E-bike plus trailer, for sure. Get a Benno Boost or similar longtail and any complaining should be far enough behind you that you won’t need to worry about it.

One asleep, one comfortable, and room for one more on the top tube seat. About to head up the South Downs Way yesterday… Omnium (with motor) all the way.

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in real life you're going to need a normal front loader cargo bike for the twins and trailer for the toddler.

for cargo bike it's your choice. Trek, Urban arrow, bullitt, up to you. i am not sold on suspension forks for cargo bikes, but to each their own. I have found myself carrying a 40lbs of one child, to 120 lbs of three children, all the way up to 250+ lbs of bricks.... a suspension fork simply cannot perform consistently with that kind of variation.

i like the weehoo trailer things because the kids are super comfy and can pedal if they want to. they can go off-road. I have an acquaintance who literally takes his kid on mild single track with one.

What backrest/ seat is that?

It’s the Omnium backrest

i am not sold on suspension forks for cargo bikes

This. Absolute ruse on behalf of the manufacturers imo.

I'm assuming the Trek's front box max weight of only 80kg is because of the suspension fork. Will try give it a test ride with the 2 year old in there over some bumps to see how it feels, does seem unlikely that it would be that good for such a wide range of weights.

i like the weehoo trailer things

eye protection looks pretty necessary

Congrats.
The Riese & Muller Load 4 75 has full front and rear suspension and will take 3 kids. I know others aren't sold on suspension but if you're mostly transporting the kids you can dial it in for their comfort first and foremost. I can't imagine there's anything pleasant about being bounced around in a wooden box without suspension which is why I've got one on order. Happy to give you an update when it arrives.

just to add, suspension is useful on a cargo bike, particularly with kids because tyres spend more time in contact with the ground for better braking / control. Obviously there's some marketing guff going on by the manufacturers but I've gone for full suspension and ABS purely because an unloaded cargo bike isn't going to give you a lot of grip at the front

assuming the Trek's front box max weight of only 80kg is because of the suspension fork.

it's because the bike weighs 75 KG

I know my kids would love suspension on our Omnium, and on our road cargo bike (Butchers and Bicycles) which with three wheels is particularly rough as you can't avoid potholes, one of the wheels always goes in.

Most Cargo bikes come with super budget damper rod suspension. Decent suspension with at leaaast preload adjustment would make a huge difference.
Something with proper cartridge/air chamber and HI/LO damping would be even better. Dial it in depending on load and boosh.

This picture made me think there was a cable to the kids head for a second !

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sounds like a good option, intrigued to hear how you get on with it.

The least of your obstacles trying to take miniature people on complex outdoors adventures. Pop a wide fender on it and call it.

what bars are these? they look perfect

Stooge Junker bars

Decent suspension needs decent maintenaince tho. Conceptually speaking, suspension on a cargo bike isn't a bad idea. Practically, I'd rather that my daily ride doesn't have components that need servicing every 25 and 100 hours. It's bad enough on the MTB, and at least I don't need that thing to get my kids from a to b.

Don't think it will do off road, but some friends of ours has one of these and they've had their 2 + our 2 in it at the same time.

https://fudgescyclesonline.com/product/babboe_curve_e_g_7g_500w?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3fODssuGgQMVUT0GAB2SYQnYEAQYCCABEgJjb_D_BwE

Apparently, this will seat 6!

https://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/electric-bikes/cargo-electric-bikes/amcargobikes-deluxe-kindergarten-open-cargo-electric-tricycle-black?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImOqL3cuGgQMVP4toCR23DwbGEAQYAyABEgIe2fD_BwE

What about a longtail like yuba or something with propper esupension fork etc?

I can't imagine there's anything pleasant about being bounced around in a wooden box without suspension

What are the Dutch and the Danes thinking, ferrying masses of kids on bakfiets and Christianias daily for the last few decades...