Question 1

Are the bikes waterproof?

Accepted Answer

From time to time you might get caught out and get stuck in a shower. Our bikes are made from marine grade plywood and can handle light showers. The box is also finished in water resistant polyurethane coating. whilst it has a waterproof coating, it is not designed to handle heavy, consistent rain.

Many of the Tribe Original components are made of steel, and whilst light showers aren’t an issue, we don’t recommend it be kept in the weather for long periods of time. If you need to store your bike outside, we recommend an outdoor cover, available in our store.

Question 2

Will the Tribe Original tip over going around corners?

Accepted Answer

If you ride any 3 wheel bike fast enough around a corner they will tip over, as the bikes don’t tilt like a 2 wheel bike does. However, we’re yet to feel like we’ve gotten close to tipping our Tribe Bikes. Take corners easy and you’ll stay upright. Tribe Bikes are also fitted with a tilting mechanism to tilt the bike as you turn and help you better balance around corners.

Question 3

Is it safe to ride a cargo bike with children?

Accepted Answer

In many European cities, cargo bikes are the standard mode of transport for large and small families. We’ve been cargo biking for almost 10 years now and have felt perfectly safe. Of course we recommend exercising common sense judgement, including everyone wearing helmets, avoiding extremely busy roads and taking it a little easier than you might otherwise do if riding alone.

Question 4

Will everyone I ride past smile at me?

Accepted Answer

When we first got on our Tribe Bike, we felt like we’d turned into local celebrities. You’ll soon get used to the pointing, whispers behind your back and smiles that land in your direction on your Tribe Bike. There’s something about these bikes that makes everyone happy.

Question 5

Why are Tribe Bikes more affordable than other brands?

Accepted Answer

Most cargo bikes are European owned and are a niche product in Australia. As a result, there is a parent European company, a manufacturer, a local distributor and a local bike shop, who all require some profit margin. Add in sales reps, multiple shipping points, a high rent bricks and mortar store and the infamous ‘Australia Tax’ and it doesn’t take too long for the price to add up. We’ve worked directly with overseas manufacturers to cut out the middlemen and carefully balance quality and price to provide Tribe Bikes to as many Australian families as possible.

Question 6

I’ve crashed and damaged my bike, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

We can help you with spare parts for the specialised components, eg, if you’ve broken your cargo box. We do not sell replacement frames. If you have broken or bent your frame we recommend getting in contact with a metal fabricator who should be able to repair the frame for you.

Question 7

Do you sell spare parts?

Accepted Answer

We carry spares for all of the components of a Tribe bike, however you should be able to purchase many of the spares from your local bike shop. For spares of specialised components (eg the cargo box or electronics), get in contact with us and we can help you out.

Question 8

How do I repair/maintain my bike?

Accepted Answer

We’ve prepared some instructions on how to perform some basic maintenance yourself, however if you’d prefer the leave it to the experts, your local bike shop should be able to perform maintenance. If you can’t get to a bike shop, there are mobile bike mechanics in most cities who will come to you. We have a network of mobile bike mechanics we use, get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.

Question 9

Will the Tribe Original fit through my front door?

Accepted Answer

The Tribe bike at its widest point is about 88cm wide. Front doors can range from about 80cm to well over a metre in width, so we recommend measuring your door to see if it will fit.

Question 10

How fast does a Tribe Bike go?

Accepted Answer

Fast enough! To comply with Australian standards the electric assist stops once you get to 25kmh. We can comfortably ride on flat paths at around 20kmh with or without electric assist. We’ve got the bikes up to 30kmh, but we don’t recommend the bike be ridden faster than this.

Question 11

Is a Tribe Original hard to pedal?

Accepted Answer

Our bikes are easier to pedal than they probably look. With 8 gears, you can get going easily and get up to cruising speed of around 20 kmh. The electric assist makes things even easier, automatically kicking in when required. There’s 80nM of torque, it provides heaps of power!

Question 12

How does the Tribe Original handle?

Accepted Answer

The simplest answer is ‘differently to a 2 wheel bike’. With two wheels up front your Tribe bike is extremely stable particularly at low speeds, when a 2 wheel bike can be unstable. You must take sharp corners slower on a Tribe Bike than you would an ordinary bike as the bike does not tilt into corners like a 2 wheel bike does.

Question 13

Is a Tribe Original hard to ride?

Accepted Answer

If you can ride a normal bike, you can absolutely ride a Tribe Original. We suggest taking your bike for a quick spin without any passengers, before loading up your Tribe and hitting the roads.

Question 14

Can my dog ride in my cargo box?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are constantly surprised at how many dogs we see riding in cargo bikes. They love it almost as much as kids do. If you have large dogs you can remove or fold up the front bench to give them plenty of space. We sell a dog ring in our store, giving you somewhere inside the cargo box to secure your dog leash and a front door to make it easier to get dogs in and out.

Question 15

Can the benches be removed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the benches can easily be removed. The rear bench can be unlatched and slid out in a few seconds. The front bench is hinged so can be easily folded up out of the way when not needed, or removed permanently by removing the bolts holding the hinge.

Question 16

Can an adult ride in the cargo box?

Accepted Answer

If they are under 100kg in weight, sure! Try a date night on your cargo bike, it’s great fun! We recommend adults sit on the bench closest to the handlebars to make the bike easier to handle.

Question 17

How much weight can the cargo box carry?

Accepted Answer

The cargo box is rated to carry up to 100kg. If carrying heavy loads we recommend placing the weight as close to the handlebars as possible, to make the bike easier to handle.

Question 18

Can big kids ride in the cart?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Plenty of Tribe owners use their bikes to take their kids to school. As long as the total weight in the cart is less than 100kg your big kids (including your partner…) can ride up front too.

Question 19

Can an infant ride on the bike?

Accepted Answer

In Australia all riders and passengers on a bike must be wearing an approved helmet. This in theory at least makes it illegal for infants to ride in cargo bikes. We do sell toddler seats, which are designed for children aged 7-18 months.

Question 20

How many children can fit on a Tribe Original?

Accepted Answer

Our bikes can comfortably fit 4 children in the cargo box, and a 5th child on the rear rack with a rear child seat (not sold by Tribe Bikes).

Question 21

Do seat belts meet Australian standards?

Accepted Answer

The seat belts in your Tribe Bike should not be considered a safety device like a seatbelt in a car would. According to Australian Standards, the only safety device for a bike is a well functioning helmet. The seat belts do a good job at keeping children from moving around the cart, but do not substitute for a helmet.

Question 22

Are seat belts included?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Tribe Original comes with 4 over shoulder seat belts. The seat belts are adjustable to each child. Chest clips are also provided for added security and to keep Houdinis safely buckled up.

Question 23

Do kids need to wear helmets?

Accepted Answer

YES! In Australia, the only approved safety device for a bike is a helmet that meets Australian Standards. Protect your and your kids’ noggin, you’ve only got one.

Question 24

Do you offer spare batteries?

Accepted Answer

Yes we do. If you’re planning adventures of over 50km, or just want the peace of mind of never being caught short (or getting in trouble for forgetting to charge your battery), we offer spare batteries for purchase in our store. The spare battery easily fits under the lockable bench in the cart.

Question 25

What brand is your electric motor?

Accepted Answer

The Triba Original has a Bafang m400 integrated mid drive motor. Bafang is one of the biggest electric bike motor manufacturers in the world and offer high quality and affordable motors.

Question 26

Do you offer a mid/crank drive motor?

Accepted Answer

Yes all of our bikes have a mid drive motor. It is the only way to go for heavy cargo bikes whilst remaining compliance with Australian standards that limit power to 250w. Beware of cheap hub drive motors, they are probably not compliant in Australia!

Question 27

Will the electric motor take me up XYZ hill?

Accepted Answer

We’ve found the electric assist to get us up most hills, but there’s always a limit to what a 250w motor can do. If you live in a particularly hilly area we recommend you get in contact with us and we can help advise on whether the electric assist will get you up the hill. Check out one of our adventures where we gave the bike a serious hill test.

Question 28

How long does it take to charge the battery?

Accepted Answer

A full charge takes 6-8 hours. The battery is removable so we recommend taking it out and charging it overnight. To extend the life of the battery, we don’t recommend leaving it on charge permanently.

Question 29

How long does the battery last?

Accepted Answer

The only answer to that is ‘how long is a piece of string’. The battery life is impacted by a number of factors, like how much weight you are carrying, how many hills you ride and how high you have the electric assist set. On flat rides with the electric assist set to a low level, expect to get up to 50-60km on a charge. On rides with some hills and moderate electric assist, expect to get up to 30-40km on a charge. We find our Tribe is ready to go home well before the battery runs out!

Question 30

Do I need to use my gears with electric assist?

Accepted Answer

A common misconception with electric bikes is that you can put the bike in its highest gear and let electric assist do all the work. This is a sure fire way to reduce the life of your motor and would be akin to leaving your car in 5th gear no matter how fast you are travelling. You should continue to use your gears and have the electric assist provide the additional ‘push’ to get you moving quicker and help you up hills.

Question 31

How much ‘assist’ do you get?

Accepted Answer

The control panel on the handlebars allows you to control the electric assist in 5 levels. Level 1 provides a subtle assist, with level 5/6 providing the most assist. We find level 2-3 gives a nice balance of assist whilst also helping us get some exercise.

Question 32

Are electric bikes safe?

Accepted Answer

If like us you rode one of the early electric bikes, with dodgy cadence sensors or electric throttles, you might feel a bit uneasy about an electric bike. The good news is the technology over the last few years has come a long way, and the electric assist on a Tribe Bike feels perfectly safe. It is also limited to 25kmh to meet Australian standards.

Question 33

How does the motor work?

Accepted Answer

A torque sensor on the pedals like magic knows how hard you are pedalling and provides a message to the motor in the rear wheel hub to give a ‘push’ when needed.

Question 34

I am really tall/short, will I fit on the bike?

Accepted Answer

The saddle and handlebars can both be adjusted to different heights. In our experience, riders from 157cm (5’2″) to 195cm (6’5″) can comfortably ride the bike. We also offer some lower profile seats that allow shorter riders to better access the pedals. Reach out if you would like a lower profile saddle.

Question 35

How much total weight can you load on the bike?

Accepted Answer

The maximum weight on the bike (including the rear rack, but excluding the cargo box) is 120kg. The cargo bike takes an additional 100kg of weight.

Question 36

How much does the bike weigh?

Accepted Answer

The Tribe Original weighs 67kg,

Question 37

What are the dimensions of the bike?

Accepted Answer

L: 220cm, W: 88cm, H: 115cm

Question 38

Where are your bikes made?

Accepted Answer

The Tribe Original is made in China at a specialist cargo bike manufacturing facility. Our team performs QA checks on bikes before being shipped to Australia. They are then assembled in Australia and tested before leaving our workshop.

Question 39

What assembly is required to the bike?

Accepted Answer

The Tribe Original comes fully assembled, tested and ready to ride. You simply need to remove the bike from its packaging and you are ready to go. We loosen and move the control panel on the handlebars prior to shipping to avoid damage in transit. All you need is a phillips head screwdriver to tighten this.

Question 40

Why should I get this over a fat bike?

Accepted Answer

Fat bikes have grown in popularity over the last few years but most are not legal to ride on the roads in Australia. Don’t risk it with an illegal bike! They are also generally not setup well to carry kids and cargo.

Question 41

Is the Evamos stable?

Accepted Answer

We have deliberately kept the centre of gravity low with a small 20″ rear wheel which keeps the Evamos as stable as possible. Take off with confidence and once you get going you’ll have no wobbles!

Question 42

Who is the Evamos for?

Accepted Answer

Families carrying one or two kids who want a bike that still rides and parks like a normal bike. The kids sit behind you on the rear rack rather than in a box up front, so it is narrower than the Original and fits in a normal bike space. The Evamos can also carry a 3rd child as long as the kids don’t mind squashing up a bit! If you want to add more kids we recommend you consider the Tribe Original.

Question 43

Is the Evamos legal to ride on the road?

Accepted Answer

The Tribe Evamos complies with all Australian e-bike regulations under Australian Standard EN15194, so it can be legally ridden on the road in every state.

Question 44

Can I take the Evamos on the back of a car?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Using a hitch rack you can take it much further afield. We use a Buzzrack Escorpion for ours. We’ve heard Hollywood racks also work. The Evamos is 195cm long, so check the total width and length your rack allows.

Question 45

Can I put child seats and crew cab bars on?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have designed the Evamos to have two Thule Yepp2 Maxi child seats, and the Crew Cab bars. We recommend always installing the Crew cab. If you have an accident they will provide extra protection.

Question 46

When will kids grow out of the bike?

Accepted Answer

This all depends on your kids and their independence. We still ride our kids to school and the beach who are over 10 now. They love jumping on the back and making mum and dad do the work!

Question 47

Can I carry an adult on the back?

Accepted Answer

As long as they weigh less than 80kg, absolutely. Date night by cargo bike is lots of fun!

Question 48

Are kids’ fingers and toes safe near the wheel?

Accepted Answer

There is an integrated wheel skirt over the rear wheel specifically to keep small fingers and toes away from the spokes. Always check before you ride that the wheel skirt is appropriately attached.

Question 49

Can I fit a front rack too?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The optional front porteur rack  carries integrated MIK, so the crates and baskets clip straight on (and off when you want to bring everything inside). We use the Basil Large crates which can easily fit 2 schoolbags or a few bags of groceries.

Question 50

What is the MIK system?

Accepted Answer

MIK is a mounting standard built into the front rack. It lets you swap baskets, crates and bags in seconds without tools, so the same bike does the school run in the morning and the grocery shop in the afternoon.

Question 51

At what age can a child ride on the back?

Accepted Answer

This depends on when you are comfortable. You really need your child to be able to be able to fit a helmet to your child for them to ride on the back. Neck strength usually gets to this point at about 9 months of age. For young kids we definitely recommend a child seat, the Thule Yepp 2 Maxi. Once your child is 4-5 they should be able to sit on the bench with just the crew cab bars and do not need a child seat.

Question 52

What children’s seats work on the Evamos?

Accepted Answer

The Thule Yepp 2 Maxi child seat that we sell on our store fits. Be careful with child seats, you need one that can clamp onto the thick rear rails that the Evamos has. Child seats that attach to the seatpost are not compatible. If you’re looking for a little extra security for your older kids consider the Urban Iki Junior seat available on our store.

Question 53

Do children need to be strapped in?

Accepted Answer

The only road rule in Australia for carrying kids or adults on a bike is that they wear an approved helmet.

Question 54

How many children can fit on the rear rack?

Accepted Answer

Two children comfortably, using child seats or sitting on the bench. With just the bench and the Crew Cab bars you can squeeze a third on.

Question 55

How much weight can the Evamos carry?

Accepted Answer

Total maximum payload is 200kg, including the rider, clothing, riding gear, accessories and cargo. The rear rack alone takes up to 80kg.

Question 56

XYZ bike offers a 750w motor, does it have 3 times the power of an Evamos?

Accepted Answer

Well it USES 3 times the energy, but it does not give you 3 times the power. Most of these bikes have hub motors, which are much less efficient than the mid drive motor that the Evamos has. A 750w hub motor actually provides less torque than a 250w mid drive motor and the ride is nowhere near as smooth! Plus a 750w motor is not legal to ride on the roads in Australia no matter what the seller says!

Question 57

Will it get me up my hill?

Accepted Answer

95Nm is a lot of torque for a bike this weight, and the nine speed range is there so you can gear down. Loaded with two kids on a steep hill you will still be pedalling, but you will get up it. If you’re unsure, email us your bike route and we’ll help you assess the gradients with the help of google maps.

Question 58

Can I carry a second battery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a cradle available to carry a spare, which effectively doubles your range for a big day. Note the second battery must be moved to the main battery mount to use it. It takes about 30 seconds for a battery swap.

Question 59

How far will one charge take me?

Accepted Answer

Up to about 40km, depending on load, terrain and how much assist you use.

Question 60

What is a torque sensor and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The torque sensor reads how hard you are pushing on the pedals and feeds the motor in to match. It feels like your own legs got stronger rather than like a throttle switching on and off.

Question 61

What motor does the Evamos have?

Accepted Answer

A 250W Bafang M510 mid drive with over 95Nm of torque, assisting up to 25km/h. It is near silent.

Question 62

Do I have to pedal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a Tribe Bike is not a motorbike! By pedalling, the torque sensor in the crank determines how much electric assist to provide.

Question 63

What maintenance is required?

Accepted Answer

The Evamos just needs standard bike maintenance. Keep the tyres pumped up, the chain oiled and occasionally tighten the spokes and adjust the gears. The user guide provides a recommended service schedule.

Question 64

Why are the wheels different sizes?

Accepted Answer

The Evamos is a ‘Mullet’ bike! Business at the front, party at the back. The 24″ front wheel ensures it handles like a normal bike, with the 20″ rear wheel ensuring the centre of gravity is kept low for maximum stability.

Your questions, answered

Tribe Original

General Product

Kids & The Cargo Box

Electric Motor & Battery

Bike Specifications

Delivery

Tribe Evamos Longtail

General Product

Kids & The Rear Rack

Electric Motor & Battery

Bike Specifications

Delivery

Ricky Rickshaw

General Product

Passengers & Safety

Electric Motor & Battery

Bike Specifications

Delivery

Payments

Warranty

Tribe Original

General Product

Are the bikes waterproof?

Will the Tribe Original tip over going around corners?

Is it safe to ride a cargo bike with children?

Will everyone I ride past smile at me?

Why are Tribe Bikes more affordable than other brands?

I’ve crashed and damaged my bike, what should I do?

Do you sell spare parts?

How do I repair/maintain my bike?

Will the Tribe Original fit through my front door?

How fast does a Tribe Bike go?

Is a Tribe Original hard to pedal?

How does the Tribe Original handle?

Is a Tribe Original hard to ride?

Kids & The Cargo Box

Can my dog ride in my cargo box?

Can the benches be removed?

Can an adult ride in the cargo box?

How much weight can the cargo box carry?

Can big kids ride in the cart?

Can an infant ride on the bike?

How many children can fit on a Tribe Original?

Do seat belts meet Australian standards?

Are seat belts included?

Do kids need to wear helmets?

Electric Motor & Battery

Do you offer spare batteries?

What brand is your electric motor?

Do you offer a mid/crank drive motor?

Will the electric motor take me up XYZ hill?

How long does it take to charge the battery?

How long does the battery last?

Do I need to use my gears with electric assist?

How much ‘assist’ do you get?

Are electric bikes safe?

How does the motor work?

Bike Specifications

I am really tall/short, will I fit on the bike?

How much total weight can you load on the bike?

How much does the bike weigh?

What are the dimensions of the bike?

Where are your bikes made?

Delivery

What assembly is required to the bike?

Tribe Evamos Longtail

General Product

Why should I get this over a fat bike?

Is the Evamos stable?

Who is the Evamos for?

Is the Evamos legal to ride on the road?

Can I take the Evamos on the back of a car?

Kids & The Rear Rack

Can I put child seats and crew cab bars on?

When will kids grow out of the bike?

Can I carry an adult on the back?

Are kids’ fingers and toes safe near the wheel?

Can I fit a front rack too?

What is the MIK system?

At what age can a child ride on the back?

What children’s seats work on the Evamos?

Do children need to be strapped in?

How many children can fit on the rear rack?

How much weight can the Evamos carry?

Electric Motor & Battery

XYZ bike offers a 750w motor, does it have 3 times the power of an Evamos?

Will it get me up my hill?

Can I carry a second battery?

How far will one charge take me?

What is a torque sensor and why does it matter?

What motor does the Evamos have?

Do I have to pedal?

Bike Specifications

What maintenance is required?

Why are the wheels different sizes?

What about punctures?

What brakes does it have?

What gears does it have?

I am really short or really tall. Will the Evamos work for me?

What does the Evamos weigh?