This is not a sponsored review; I purchased both bikes of my own accord.
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I am a family cargo bike rider. I love my cargo bike. I described in a previous blog post what a family cargo bike is, how much they cost, and why you should get one.
The price point for any cargo bike is high, so before I made the big and expensive purchase I wanted to make a well-informed decision as to which brand and type of cargo bike I would bring home. Lucky for me, my neighbors across the street had just purchased a Ferla Family Cargo Bike and let me take it for a spin.
After a few laps around the block, I was in love with the Ferla cargo trike with an electric assist. After negotiating with my husband for days about how I would reduce other spending to afford this major purchase, I went on the Ferla website and hit the “purchase” button. Imagine my shock when I opened my confirmation email from Ferla saying the bike was back ordered and wouldn’t arrive for 5 months!
While waiting for my new e-cargo bike to arrive, I found a used non-electric Babboe Curve, another family cargo front-loading trike, for sale on Craigslist. Used cargo bikes are very hard to come by, so I quickly purchased it and rode the Babboe Curve all summer long while waiting patiently for the Ferla Bike to arrive.
Lucky for me, I was able to ride both the non-electric Babboe Curve and the electric Ferla Family Bikes – Royce Edition for multiple months and could write a side-by-side comparison review of these two front-loading cargo trikes.
Even though they are both front-loading cargo trikes (see our blog post about the pros and cons of this type of cargo bike) and very similar in style and size, there are some minor differences that I want to share. But first, here are a few basic details about the bikes:
Babboe Curve
Front-loading cargo trike, non-electric-
3 Wheeled Trike
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Cargo Box fits 4 Children
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Maxi-Cosi Toddler Seat Available for extra $
Ferla Royce
Front-loading cargo trike, electric-
3 Wheeled Trike
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Cargo Box fits 4 Children
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Electric Assist Included
Now on to the important part – the review! Just a reminder, this is a review of a non-electric family cargo trike and an electric family cargo trike. The electric-assist can be added at the time of purchase or aftermarket.
Babboe Curve Review
1. The sturdy ride
The Babboe Curve was my first experience with a family cargo trike and was easy to ride. The seat was wide and comfortable, and the bike itself felt low to the ground and therefore very steady.
Although the turning process on a cargo trike takes a little getting used to (see my video demonstration here), the sturdiness and solid feel of the bike made me feel more confident to ride with my most precious cargo inside. I never felt like I might lose control or tip over the bike.
2. The toddler seat add-on
Cargo trike boxes often come with seatbelts designed for passengers ages two years and older. Many cargo bike companies have accessories you can buy to help younger kiddos sit safely in the box. Babboe offers a toddler seat accessory—a soft car seat type addition for smaller bodies—which proved to be an essential accessory while riding with a kid under two years old.
The toddler seat kept my little one harnessed in tight so she would not bounce around as I rode over potholes or try to escape mid-ride, although she did throw a toy overboard a few times, to my surprise.
3. The design
The design of the cargo box curved out slightly in a way that provided ample space inside. It fit my family of two kids and one adult comfortably in the box. Also, for toy recovery stops and stop signs, the brakes felt sturdy and quick.
1. The seat belts
The cargo box seatbelts were hard to adjust. The shoulder straps were connected at the center, which meant I had to adjust them to get the straps over my child’s extra-wide helmet head, then tighten them immediately after so they would be snug to their chest during the ride. This added a lot of time when impatient passengers were ready to get moving.
2. The customer service
As far as accessibility and customer service goes, the Babboe company is located in Europe and has very few dealers in the United States and therefore is not easy to reach, order new parts, or contact for assistance. After finding our used Babboe online from a neighbor, I wanted to upgrade with a few accessories, such as the toddler seat and seat cushions.
The closest Babboe dealer was The Bike Center in Santa Monica, CA, 300 miles away! Although the dealer was very friendly and responsive, they said that Babboe was a difficult company to work with. This was evident when I purchased the toddler seat from them and the box did not come with the required hardware and Babboe did not respond for replacement.
Unlike Babboe, The Bike Center was great and offered to open another toddler seat box in stock and send me the hardware.
3. Non-safe seat cushions
The ride in the box on the hard wooden seats can be uncomfortable when you go over big bumps or potholes – according to my 4-year-old.
When I requested to purchase the Babboe-designed seat cushions, I found that they were made with material not allowed to be sold in the United States! Well, never mind then!
Suggestion ---- Get the electric assist!
Though no fault of the bike’s, riding it without an electric assist battery (e-bike) was harder than I thought. I’m sure the heaviness of the bike and my kids combined added to the sturdy ride, but it was extremely hard to pedal with my strength alone, even on flat streets.
Although I enjoyed the challenge and workout, I did not enjoy returning to work meetings sweaty and out of breath. I could never take a call on the bike because I always sounded like I was running a marathon. “Yes (deep breath), I’m here (deep breath), I’m on (deep breath) my bike (deep breath).”
Adding a battery to the bike would have cost an extra $1,000 and was not an option at the time. The bike rode great, felt great, and looked great, but if I would recommend anything to anyone considering a Babboe, it would be to get the Babboe Curve-E (with the electric assist battery).
Ferla Family Cargo Bikes - Royce Edition Review
Use code BBA$150 for $150 off your Ferla bike purchase!
1. The style
The Royce Edition bike is full of modern style. The box is made of beautiful bamboo with a black back. Since the bike is electric, two headlamps automatically turn on along with a rear light for ultimate nighttime visibility. The black poles, tires, and fenders add a nice contrast to the bamboo bike look. Also, the logo is a small and subtle tribute to the company, and not a loud and large logo like on other cargo bikes.
2. The customer service
The staff at Ferla are responsive and clear. They were constantly updating me about my bike’s delivery process and even threw in a free sun canopy ($150) as a thank you for my patience when the bike delivery was delayed.
3. The accessories.
For an extra cost, you can add a variety of accessories to your ride, such as the:
1. Sun and rain canopy – great for chilly morning rides
2. Bimini top – great for sun protection on a warm day
3. Toddler seat – great for riders under two years of age
4. Floor mat – adds grip to the box floor
5. Seat cushions – adds cushion to the box seats
All five of these accessories are on our bike and each adds a little more comfort to the ride.
1. Feeling unsteady on turns
I honestly do not feel as sturdy riding the Ferla as I did with the Babboe. The bike boasts a lightweight frame, and it feels as if I’m sitting higher than I did in the Babboe.
I do ride faster with the electric assist than I would without it, so it is possible that my speed is what makes me feel a little unsteady, but I’m not sure.
The hydraulic disk brakes are good for braking quickly, but also puts strain on the joint between the bike and the cargo box – all adding up to me not always feeling completely comfortable on the ride.
2. The fenders
The fenders are made of plastic. To enter the cargo box, riders should use the frame around the tires as a first step, then the metal platform above the fender as the second step.
Although that is how the cargo bike was designed, my children use whatever they can get their feet on to get into the cargo box. The fender is wider and easier for them to reach.
Since it is plastic, it is not designed to support their weight and feels like a cheap design choice that may break under the weight of my preschooler’s rather large shoes.
3. The battery removal process
The clamp to adjust the height of the bike seat interferes with the battery removal. You must flip this clamp open to pull the battery out, which means that you have to readjust the height of your bike seat every single time you have to charge your battery.
This may not seem like a big deal, but sometimes I don’t realize that I didn’t put the seat to the proper height until I’m already on my ride.
Bonus --- the electric assist battery component
The electric assist adds an element of complexity to your usual bike ride, but do not fret! This Ferla bike makes it easy to use and fun to ride.
The battery controls are located on the handlebars. Your speed and mileage are displayed on a screen at the center, which is easy to see. The throttle is located conveniently close to the handle so you can quickly give yourself a little electric boost to get through the stop light or to pick up speed after making a stop.
The battery uses one key to lock it to the bike and to turn it on, adding a sense of security to the most expensive component of this bike.
Overall, I enjoyed getting the experience of both an electric and non-electric family cargo trike. I found that I enjoyed different aspects of each bike, and would honestly recommend both of them for different reasons.
What are you looking for in a family cargo bike? Share in the comments below.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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I know Ferla offers a side door for elderly/disabled, but does Babboe? Also I’m a very petite adult would I fit in a babboe, I know Ferla states an adult could in theirs. Thanks
One of the Babboe designs (Babboe Go) has a door in the front of the cargo box, but it only seats 2. I’ve seen some babboe modification doors on etsy you could try!
Very interesting review thank you. A suggestion on the seat clamp issue with bikes, I have wrapped black insulation tape around the seat stem just above the clamp to give an indication of the correct seat position.
Can you add an electric assist to a babboe curve? We already have one without electric assist and would like to add. Thank you!