Monkeybike Longtails

What a Monkeybike longtail practically means for your day

A longtail is not an ordinary electric bike and not a classic cargo bike. The frame is longer than a normal bike, but narrower and lighter than a three-wheeled cargo bike. At Monkeybike, that extension is a flat luggage rack behind the saddle on which children, groceries, or a combination of both can fit. For those who take two children to school every morning and then cycle to work, it saves all the hassle of two seats on a regular bike or maneuvering a cargo bike through bike paths during rush hour. The biggest practical advantage lies in that middle ground: more space than a bike, less hassle than a cargo bike. Whether that is enough depends on what you carry daily. The MonkeyTail from Monkeybike is built on that principle: one model, one frame, and all choices revolve around color and the accessories you mount on it. The bikes themselves are all identical in terms of technology, so here you choose purely based on appearance.

Who the Monkeybike longtail suits

Not for everyone. If you have one child under six and mainly do short errands, a regular electric bike with a good child seat is often cheaper and more convenient. From two children, or if you carry a lot every day, the extended frame pays off. Commuters who carry a backpack and a laptop bag daily find their stuff more quickly on a longtail than on a regular bike with baskets. Those who park a lot in bike parking facilities should consider the extra length. A Monkeybike fits in a normal bike parking, but sticks out slightly at the rear saddle, and in a crowded parking, that requires planning. For sporty commuters without cargo, the Monkeybike is really overkill: then a lighter e-bike or folding bike is more practical.

Up to what age children can ride on the back of a Monkeybike longtail

There is no legal age limit for passengers on a longtail. What matters is weight. The Monkeybike has a maximum total load of 140 kg, including the adult rider, bike, and passengers. In practice, count on 25 kg for the bike plus 75 kg for the rider plus the load. Two children weighing up to about 30 kg each are no problem; three children get tight if they are all around the final years of primary school. For younger children who cannot hold on independently yet, you can install a separate Yepp seat via an adapter. For older children, the footrests and backrest cushion specifically made for the luggage rack are sufficient. Take a test ride with your children on the back before buying, so you know how it feels in the way you will use it.

How a Monkeybike longtail rides and parks

A longtail feels different in the first few meters compared to a regular bike, especially with a passenger. The turning circle is larger and the bike responds a bit slower in a corner. With the 250W motor, you get pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, even with two children on the back, so starting from a stoplight doesn’t have to be a struggle. When parking, the kickstand is important: the Monkeybike has a double tilt stand that lets you set it stable to lift children on or off. A regular side stand would tip over with passengers. In a shed, the bike stands upright in its place. On the street in a bike rack, just watch that the extra length doesn’t stick out into a car lane. Parking against a wall is possible, but here too, the tilt is something to consider when the luggage rack is fully loaded.

Also check out: longtail e-bikes | electric cargo bikes | fatbike child seats | electric fatbikes | Monkeybike accessories