Radio Flyer L885 Review: Best Cargo Bikes for families

In this review, we dive into the Radio Flyer L885 cargo ebike, a versatile and family-friendly option that promises convenience and practicality for daily activities. We’ll explore its specifications, performance, accessories, and overall user experience to help you make an informed decision about this cargo ebike. Hopefully you’ll walk away with a comprehensive understanding of the Flyer L885, arming you with insights to make an informed choice in the world of electric cargo bikes.

Specs of the Radio Flyer L885

Price: $1999
Battery: 48V 15Ah (687Wh) UL Tested Lithium-Ion Samsung 50E 21700 Cells
Charger: 54.6V, 2A smart charger. Operates on 100-240V AC outlets
Range: 30-50+ miles
Speed: up to 20 miles per hour
Controller: 48V 500W
Hub Motor: 500W brushless hub motor
Recommended Rider Heights
- Small: 147cm-173cm
- Medium: 155cm-189cm
- Large: 173cm-198cm
Charging Time: up to 10 hours
Total Payload Capacity: 400lb
Weight: 73lbs
Pedal Assist: 5 level pedal assist with cadence sensor
Tires
- Front: 26″ x 3.0″ puncture resistant liner
- Rear: 20″ x 3.0″ puncture resistant liner
Brake Lever: Aluminum alloy levers with motor cutoff switch and integrated bell
Throttle: Half twist throttle
Lights
- Front: LED headlight
- Rear: Integrated tail light with brake light
Pedal: Integrated reflectors, CrMo axle, standard 9/16″ x 20 TPI threading
Freewheel: Shimano TZ500 7-speed freewheel
Bike Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Brake: Tektro Aries MD-M300
Saddle: Comfort foam ergonomic saddle, integrated steel seat post, fixed angle
Stem: 100mm, adjustable handlebar angle up to 60°
Crank: 44T, 170 mm forged alloy, dual-sided aluminum guard
Kickstand: Steel Dual leg, spring loaded
Fenders: Durable impact resistant ABS plastic
Spokes: 12-gauge stainless steel, black

1st impressions of the Radio Flyer L885

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the Flyer L885 doesn’t disappoint. Boasting a standover height of just 19 inches, mounting and dismounting this cargo ebike is a breeze, even for riders of various heights. The adjustable sizing options, including small, medium, and large, make finding the perfect fit easier than ever. The bike’s thoughtfully designed geometry allows for a smooth and comfortable ride, whether you’re cruising along city streets or tackling suburban pathways. One thing all of the best cargo bikes for families have in common, like the Blix Packa or Radio Flyer L885, is COMFORT.

Look and Feel

The Flyer L885 cargo ebike immediately catches your eye with its sleek and modern design. Available in a range of vibrant colors, including red, blue, white, and black, this ebike offers a visual appeal that’s hard to resist. Its distinct feature, a larger front tire measuring 26 inches compared to the rear tire’s 20 inches, contributes not only to its unique appearance but also to an optimal center of gravity. This attention to detail in design ensures a balanced and confident riding experience.

Embedded within the core of this ebike’s capabilities is a fusion of elegant design and practical adaptability. Drawing from Radio Flyer’s legacy in creating family-oriented mobility solutions and toys, the Flyer L885 showcases this expertise. This heritage is evident in the ebike’s thoughtful design and functional accessories, which harmoniously blend style with usability. Its well-crafted geometry ensures a universally comfortable riding posture, catering to riders spanning from four foot ten inches to six foot six inches in height.

The LCD display, though compact, provides essential information such as speed, battery charge level, pedal assist level, odometer, and light indicator, ensuring you stay informed while on the move.

Motor and Battery

The Flyer L885 is equipped with a 48-volt, 15 amp hour Samsung cell battery that packs a punch with 687 Watt hours of energy. The integrated design keeps the sleek profile intact, while an exciting feature lies in the option to add a second battery, doubling the range potential. A 500-watt rear hub brushless motor propels the ebike to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, catering to both throttle-only and pedal-assist modes.

Five pedal assist levels are available, controlled by a Cadence Sensor, while Tektro brakes ensure reliable stopping power. The inclusion of a dual-leg kickstand, integrated front and rear lights, and a half-twist throttle on the right handlebar further contribute to the ebike’s overall functionality and convenience.

Test Ride and Performance

Before we dive in, a friendly heads-up for those stepping into the cargo ebike realm for the first time. These sturdy rides come with some heft, a detail that requires a bit of a learning curve. Their elongated frames mean you’ll need to adapt to maneuvering around corners. And if you’re toting around precious cargo – groceries or little ones – getting the hang of balance and control might take a bit. Here’s a tip: ease into it, let that learning curve be your friend as you gain confidence.

For our test rides we stuck to paved roads, mostly gliding on level paths with gentle slopes. The Flyer L885 easily slides into family routines, offering a smooth and enjoyable journey for all ages.

As we shift gears to the Flyer L885’s performance on the road, safety and comfort takes precedence over breaking speed records. Clocking in at a max speed of 20 miles per hour, achievable through both pedal assist and throttle, it’s clear that this ebike is all about hauling efficiently. This speed limit ensures a secure and comfy ride, especially when toting a large load or little ones.

In a nutshell, the Flyer L885 is a blend of smarts and performance, effortlessly mixing innovative design with practical prowess. Its knack for accommodating family hustle and bustle is one of the main reasons we think the L885 is one the best cargo bikes for families.

Things We Liked

Let’s begin by highlighting the features that stood out and captured my appreciation while riding the Flyer L885 cargo ebike. First and foremost, it presents itself as an out-of-the-box family companion. With running boards, a modular rear rack, and versatile cushions and fabric, it effortlessly transforms into a family hauler. Whether you’re transporting groceries or your little ones, this ebike easily handles, and even enhances those short trips you would usually take with your car.

Quality craftsmanship is another trait that impressed me. As a frequent unboxer of ebikes, I’ve noticed that not all weld jobs are created equal. The Flyer L885, however, boasts seamlessly smooth welds that showcase the attention to detail and care that went into its construction. The bikes brings a sleek appearance that combines refinement and impressive build quality.

Another thing that’s impressive about the Flyer L885 is the array of accessories that can be configured onto its frame. From functional add-ons to stylish enhancements, Radio Flyer has designed a lineup that caters to various needs.

Among these, the child and cargo carrier accessory stands out. This accessory, priced at $299, comes complete with a fabric liner, cushioned seats, and a front pouch for added convenience. Whether you’re transporting young passengers or utilizing the ebike for cargo, these accessories provide practicality and peace of mind, backed by thoughtful safety features.

The availability of tailored accessories directly from the manufacturer showcases a commitment to enhancing the overall ebike experience.

Another key highlight that can’t be overlooked is the Flyer’s remarkable range. During a dedicated throttle-only test, I covered an impressive 24.25 miles. What’s even more exciting is the option to extend your range with a dual battery setup. This feature, while not common in cargo ebikes, adds a significant layer of flexibility, especially for those seeking extended journeys.

Things We Didn’t Like

Let’s address some areas where the Flyer L885 fell short of my expectations. To start, the motor output of 500 watts might prove underwhelming for those in hilly regions. In comparison to other cargo ebikes like the Eunorau Max Cargo and the RadWagon, equipped with 750 watt motors, this ebike’s power output could be a limiting factor when conquering inclines. While it performs well on mostly flat terrain, potential buyers in hillier locales might find themselves wanting more power.

While the LCD screen does provide crucial information, its size and readability leave something to be desired. Displaying essential metrics like speed is manageable, but some details might be a tad hard to decipher. A larger, clearer screen could have enhanced the user experience significantly.

The rear rack, while functional, was a bit on the shorter side. This posed a minor inconvenience, particularly when installing accessories like the Yepp Maxi child seats. A few extra inches could have simplified the process, adding to the convenience of using the ebike with various cargo configurations.

On the topic of brakes, while the Tektro mechanical brakes perform adequately, I couldn’t help but wish for hydraulic brakes. This sentiment is particularly relevant when tackling downhill descents while carrying heavier loads. While upgrading to hydraulic brakes is a viable option, the inclusion of hydraulic brakes from the outset would have been a preferred choice.

The dual kickstand, while functional and trustworthy, lacked the seamless ease of a single-piece stand like on some other models. This could be slightly cumbersome when dismounting, especially when comparing it to the smoother experience offered by different kickstand designs.

Lastly, the absence of suspension is worth noting. While it’s not uncommon to find cargo ebikes in the two-thousand-dollar price range without suspension, it’s a feature that could significantly enhance comfort, especially on rougher terrains. Although the Flyer L885 compensates with its robust front tires, a suspension would have been a nice upgrade.

Final Thoughts

The Radio Flyer L885 Cargo ebike offers a compelling option for those seeking a family-oriented transportation solution. Its comfort, practical accessories, and thoughtful design make it a formidable competitor to other cargo ebikes on the market. While certain areas like motor power and screen size could be improved, the Flyer L885’s overall performance and capabilities make it a strong contender for individuals looking to replace their car for short trips or simply enjoy a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation.