Cargo Bikes: Long Tail vs. Front Loader (The 2026 Rothar Guide)
So, you've decided to ditch the car for a cargo bike? Bravo! That’s a fantastic step toward easier commutes, happier kids, and cleaner streets. But now comes the big question: Which one do you choose?
The market has exploded in recent years, offering options that range from compact folding bikes to massive family haulers. At Rothar, we don’t carry three-wheelers (they’re too wide for Dublin’s cycle lanes), but our curated lineup of two-wheeled electric cargo bikes covers every lifestyle.
The main decision usually comes down to two designs: Longtails (cargo behind the rider) or Frontloaders/Bakfiets (cargo in front). Let’s break down how they compare, specifically looking at the models currently available as demos.
1. The storage question: do you have space?
In Ireland, and especially in Dublin, where many families live in terraced houses or apartments with limited storage, this is often the dealbreaker.
The longtail advantage
Long tails are designed to be as narrow as a standard bicycle.
Storage: They fit through standard doorways, into elevators, and can lean against a wall in a hallway.
Some of our models:
- Veloe Multi / Tern HSD: At just 180cm long, they're incredibly compact.
- Tern GSD Gen 3: A "short-form" cargo bike that folds down further than almost any other long tail, making it ideal for tight urban living.
- Bike43 Long: The longest of our models, it will transport 4 people and is still incredibly manoeuvrable.
The frontloader dilemma (and solutions)
Traditional front loaders (like old-school Bakfiets) are huge. However, Rothar carries brands that have solved this problem:
- The folding champion: The Muli. This is the only front loader that truly folds. Its basket collapses, and the handlebars swing 90 degrees, shrinking the width from 1.5m down to just 276mm. It fits into trains and apartment hallways.
- The mid-size compromise: The Omnium e-Mini-Max V3. It offers a smaller box than the giants, making it easier to store in a garage or shed without needing the full folding mechanism.
- The full-sized giants: The Lovens Explorer 2 and Dolly Joy. These are non-folding. If you choose these, you need a dedicated garage, shed, or secure outdoor space. But if you have the space, they offer unmatched stability and capacity.
Note: We don't sell three-wheeler cargo bikes because typical Dublin northside cycle lanes aren't wide enough for them safely. All our models are agile two-wheelers.
2. Center of Gravity & Handling
Longtails
Because the cargo is high up on a rack behind the rider, older long tails could feel "tippy." Modern engineering has fixed this.
- Veloe Multi: Uses smaller 24" rear wheels to lower the stand-over height and center of gravity. It feels stable even with wriggling toddlers. Veloe's other model even uses the mullet system, with a smaller rear wheel, making it perfect for stability for cargo and great maoeuverability with a larger front wheel.
- Tern GSD: Features a low-step frame and short wheelbase that makes it surprisingly nimble.
Frontloaders
These naturally have a lower center of gravity because the cargo sits on the ground level (no wheel beneath the box).
- Stability: the Lovens and Dolly Joy handle fast corner incredibly easily despite their size.
- Electric assist: With a powerful Bosch mid-drive motor (found on all our electric front loaders), balance is instant. The motor compensates for the weight immediately, making loaded turns feel light.
3. What Will You Be Carrying?
This is the most important question. The shape of your load dictates the bike.
Longtails excel at:
- Elongated items: Christmas trees, lumber, surfboards, ladders.
- Dogs: Easy to strap a dog crate to the rear platform.
- Mixed loads: You can carry a child in a seat at the back and have space on the rack above for bags or gear.
- Modularity: With any of these models, and thanks to well designed accessories, you can swap out racks, seats, and baskets instantly to change the bike's function day-to-day
Frontloaders excel at:
- Bulky items: Boxes, small furniture, tools, large grocery bags.
- Young Children: The box is a contained, safe environment. Kids feel like they are in a "car" rather than perched on a seat.
4. Carrying Children: Age Matters
Young Kids (9 months – 6 years)
- Frontloaders: Once a child can hold their head up (approx. 9-10 months), they can sit in a front-mounted seat. The Lovens and Dolly Joy can accommodate up to four people with the right configuration! The enclosed box keeps them protected from wind and rain.
- Longtails: On age appropriate childseats and accessories like a rain cover and a lower big bag, the Veloe Lungo or Tern QuickHaul are rated for two children up to age 10 on the rear rack plus. The Veloe Lungo can also take one younger child in front (with an add-on seat), totaling three kids.
Older Kids (7+ years)
- Longtails: As kids grow heavier and bigger, long tails often become more practical. There is more room for movement, and older kids enjoy facing forward or backward. Two older kids side-by-side in a front loader box can become cramped; on a Tern Quick Haul or Bike43 Long, they have plenty of legroom.
5. Meet the 2026 Rothar Lineup
Here is exactly what is currently in stock at our shop, categorized by your needs.
🚲 Longtail options
| Model | Best For | Key Specs | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veloe Lungo | Compact storage, customisable | Bosch Smart System, 24" and 20 wheels, 200kg max load. Fits 3 kids. | €4,200 - €5,900 |
| Tern GSD Gen 3 | Ultimate urban flexibility | Folds, modular racks, 20" wheels. Blue color arriving April 2026. | ~€5,900+ |
| Tern Quick Haul D9 | Reliable daily driver | Mid-drive, proven components, spacious rear deck. | €4,199 |
| Vello Sub | Small spaces | Stores small. Very light | €6,000 |
📦 Frontloader options
| Model | Best For | Key Specs | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muli (Muskel/Motor) | Apartments / Public Transport | Folds flat! Manual or Electric | €5,500 |
| Omnium e-Cargo V3 | Small families / Urban delivery | Mid-size electric, Bosch motor, fits 1 kid. | €6,199 |
| Lovens Explorer 2 | Large families (3-4 kids) | "Cargo Bike of the Year 2026", huge 100cm box, Bosch CX. | €6,099 |
| Dolly Joy | Steep hills / Heavy loads | High torque Bosch motor, robust build, 4-child capacity. | €4,999 |
6. Budget & buying tips
Electric cargo bikes are a significant investment, ranging from €3,700 (entry-level Veloe) to over €7,000 (top-tier Tern GSD or fully kitted Muli/Lovens).
However, remember:
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Workers in the high tax bracket can save up to 52% on these bikes. Even the lower bracket saves 31%. This drastically reduces the real cost.
- Nationwide delivery: Rothar delivers fully assembled bikes across Ireland for just €50 (Dublin) or €90 (Rest of Country).
- Local expertise: We are the only cargo bike-specific shop in Ireland. Our team services Bosch, Shimano, and Pendix systems, ensuring you have support long after purchase.
Final verdict: Which one is right for you?
Ask yourself these three questions:
Where will I store it?
-
- Apartment/Elevator: Muli (Folding) or Veloe/Tern GSD (Compact Long Tail).
-
Garage/Shed: Omnium, Lovens, or Dolly Joy
How many kids/what load?
-
- 1-2 Kids + Groceries: Veloe or Omnium.
- 3-4 Kids or Bulky Gear: Lovens, Dolly Joy, or Tern OROX.
- Surfboards/Construction: Long Tails.
Do I need power?
99% of what we sell is electric, except for the Omnium models. If you want to future proof your purchase, go electric.
Come Test Ride
What feels manageable on paper can differ when you're actually carrying a sleeping toddler and a week's worth of groceries. We invite you to visit our Dublin shop to test ride all these models. Our experts can help you spec the right accessories—child seats, rain covers, locks, and racks—to get you rolling safely.
Visit Rothar today. Whether you need a folding bike for your morning commute or a 4-seater family hauler, we have the perfect machine waiting for you.
