Tern GSD S10 Gen 3 Electric Cargo Bike

It would be very hard to say the Tern GSD isn’t the best bike in the world for carrying two kids. I’ll be honest, when Tern announced the Generation 3, I think a lot of dealers like me said, why? What’s wrong with the Gen 2? It’s the best bike in the world for that. And the Gen 3 just improves on it.

If you see a bike around London with two kids on the back, it’s probably a Tern GSD, and for good reason. They ride really well with or without passengers on, they’re super well made and really well tested, they hold their value, they look good, they come in colours, and they are the bike that defined the compact cargo bike. A lot of people think, oh, it’s a big bike, but if you measure it, it isn’t any bigger than a normal hybrid, maybe marginally, and that’s because of the small wheels. A cargo bike is so good in the city, but you don’t want a big bike. That’s the category Tern invented, they were first to market with it, and they’re now on their third version of it.

It’s just really easy to live with. The stand is great, you don’t need a lot of body strength to get the bike on and off it. The accessory ecosystem is fantastic. If you want a bike to carry two kids on, it’s really hard not to strongly consider the GSD. There are cheaper alternatives, but they all compromise something. There are other bikes people may prefer for other reasons, and we sell some of those as well. But you have to at least test ride the GSD, ideally with a couple of kids on it. You’ll love it. We do.

I have written more about why you would get a family cargo bike at all, which is the question under all of this.

The Tern GSD S10 Gen 3 is the benchmark family cargo bike. It’s the model we recommend most often round here, because of the hills.

With Bosch’s latest Smart System motor, confident derailleur gearing, and Bosch ABS braking, the S10 is made for steep hills, heavy loads and stop-start city riding.

On offer right now: the Pearl White S10 is £5,400 instead of £5,900, or you can keep the price at £5,900 and have a bigger battery. It was a nice surprise from Tern, and our demo bike is Pearl White if you’d like to see the colour in person.

Why the GSD S10 is our most popular GSD

The S10 is the Gen 3 GSD we sell most of. Where we are it’s hilly, and the ABS and derailleur gears suit that.

What you get:

• Bosch Cargo Line Smart System motor
  Powerful, natural assistance for heavy loads and steep North London hills, with Smart System integration for updates and tuning.

• Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain
  Simple, robust gearing with a wide range for loaded riding, easy to service and familiar for most riders.

• Bosch ABS braking (front wheel)
  Adds a major layer of safety and confidence when riding fully loaded.

• Gen 3 heavy-duty GSD frame
  Up to 210 kg gross vehicle weight, with a rear rack rated for 100 kg and space for two kids or one adult passenger.

• Dual battery ready
  Comes with a large Bosch battery and can take a second battery for big mileage and heavy daily use.

Bosch ABS on the GSD S10

I particularly love the ABS on the S10. It’s incredible, and I see people laugh and smile when they ride it, because they test the ABS out on a little gravel test track we’ve got just up the hill. I’m always confident sending a novice cyclist off on this bike, and experienced cyclists like it too. You don’t see the wobble that people can get on other bikes when they’re carrying kids.

It’s something I would spend an extra £1,000 on to have on my bike if I could. You can’t fit ABS to another bike afterwards. If you try it and you don’t like it, fair enough, but you have to test it.

ABS helps stop the front wheel locking under hard braking, so you keep steering control when it matters, which on a heavy, fully loaded family cargo bike is a big deal.

Someone said to me, it’s only expensive the first time, because when you sell it you get so much of your money back. And honestly, when you’re riding the bike, you don’t think about the price.

Choosing between the Gen 3 GSD models

The Gen 3 GSD range now includes several options at different price points and with different drivetrains. The S10 is our most popular all-rounder, with Bosch Smart System, derailleur gears, and Bosch ABS braking.

If you’re choosing between the S10, the belt-drive P00, or the lower-priced P10, we’re happy to set up proper back-to-back test rides so you can feel the differences for yourself on the hill outside.

Not sure which GSD? Read our guide to choosing between the S10, P00 and R14.

How the GSD S10 compares

GSD Gen 3 comparison

If you’re torn between them, we can talk you through what really matters for your riding, routes and family setup.

Everyday family use

The GSD is designed around everyday family life, as well as adventures on the weekend! It’s also great to ride without the kids on the back (unlike a lot of cargo bikes)

That means:

• Easy to handle in traffic and tight streets

• Stable at low speed when fully loaded

• Compact footprint for storage and locking up

• Huge range of child seats, benches, rails and accessories

• Strong resale values and long-term support

It’s definitely a lot easier to handle off the bike than a front-loader like an Urban Arrow, especially in tight spaces, sheds and bike stores.

Ownership, servicing and long-term value

If we want to talk sensible (and why not), the warranty is superb, residual values are strong, and we’re very good at keeping these bikes running for the long haul.

We see plenty of older GSDs still doing daily school runs years later. These are bikes designed to be used hard and looked after properly.

Test ride the GSD S10 at Butternut Bikes

A test ride makes all the difference with a bike like this. You can feel the motor, the handling, and especially the ABS braking on the hill outside the shop.

Book a test ride at Butternut Bikes in Crouch End, try it on our local hills and test routes, and let us set it up properly for your kids, kit and commute. Call us on 020 8347 5534 or pop in to see if the GSD S10 is the right family cargo bike for you.