More capable than ever — and still smaller than a regular bike.
When Tern first built the HSD, the idea was almost cheeky: take everything that makes a full-size cargo bike so useful — the hauling, the passenger, the go-anywhere confidence — and fit it into something that lives happily in a hallway, an elevator, or the back of a wagon. A "mid-tail," they called it. Small enough to be unintimidating, big enough to change what you thought a bike could do.
With the new HSD, that idea gets its most complete expression yet. This third generation carries more, climbs stronger, fits bigger riders, and introduces some of the smartest drivetrain technology we've ever seen on a production e-bike. And it does all of it while staying exactly as compact and easy to live with as ever.
If you've been waiting for the one bike that can do the school run, the grocery haul, and the daily commute — without taking over your garage — this is it.
Still Smaller Than a Regular Bike
Let's start with what hasn't changed, because it's the whole point. The HSD is shorter than a standard bike, folds flat, and parks vertically against a wall. It fits on a car rack, slides into a van, and rolls onto a train. For anyone living in a San Francisco apartment or squeezing a bike into a shared hallway, that combination of real cargo capability and genuinely small footprint is still something almost no other bike can offer.
More Power, More Places
Every HSD now runs Bosch's latest UFI motors — smoother, quieter, and more efficient than before. Two models step up to the Bosch Performance Line Speed setup: the P10e Sport and the S9i Sport are both Class 3 bikes with assist up to 28 mph, with a punchy 90 Nm of torque for flattening our steepest hills. The rest of the line gets Bosch's Performance motor bumped to 75 Nm. Whichever you choose, there's more than enough power to climb loaded and keep up with traffic.
Steady Under a Full Load
A cargo bike is only as good as it feels with weight on it. Tern reworked the HSD's geometry with a longer wheelbase and a lower center of gravity, so the bike stays planted and predictable — especially when you're loaded up and moving quickly. The front end is stiffer, the handling is easier, and Magura cargo brakes bring it all back down to a stop with confidence to spare.
Shifting, Reimagined
Here's the headline for the tech lovers. The top HSD models introduce Bosch eShift — wireless, electronic shifting that talks directly to the motor. It briefly eases motor power during each shift for buttery, precise gear changes, with no cables to stretch or contaminate over time. On the P10e Sport it even unlocks Auto-Shift, which quietly changes gears for you based on your cadence. It's genuinely one of the best automatic shifting systems on the market, and we're thrilled to have it on a bike this practical.
Fits the Whole Family
The HSD has always been easy to share, and the new one is better than ever. The tool-free Comfort Cockpit adjusts in seconds, so the bike can fit a petite rider on one trip and a much taller one the next. Thanks to a longer, stronger seatpost and a taller handlepost, the new HSD now comfortably accommodates bigger and taller riders — up to 287 lb and a remarkable 6'9". One bike, and it truly fits everyone in the house.
Built to Carry Your World
Maximum gross vehicle weight climbs to 190 kg (419 lb), and the HSD remains the smallest cargo bike we know of that can carry a full-grown adult passenger. Around that sits Tern's deep, modular accessory ecosystem — the Clubhouse Mini and Storm Box Mini for passengers, weather protection to keep kids dry, footrests, panniers, front haulers, and more. You set it up for your life, and reconfigure it as your life changes.
Choose Your HSD
There's an HSD for every rider and budget. Each one shares the same tough frame, Bosch power, and famous hauling ability — the differences come down to drivetrain and features.
- HSD P5i — Class 1, Bosch Performance motor, and a whisper-quiet Gates belt drive paired with a Shimano Nexus 5 internally geared hub. The clean-hands, low-maintenance choice for everyday riding.
- HSD P10e Sport — Class 3 with assist up to 28 mph, the upgraded 90 Nm Performance motor, and a TRP drivetrain with Bosch eShift wireless shifting — plus Auto-Shift, which handles your gears for you.
- HSD P00 — Class 1, pairing a Gates belt drive with an Enviolo Heavy Duty continuously variable hub. Instead of clicking through fixed gears, you simply twist the grip to glide steplessly across the whole range — smooth, intuitive, and easy on the knees when you're climbing under load. Between the belt and the sealed hub, it's also one of the lowest-maintenance bikes we sell.
- HSD S9i Sport — The flagship. Class 3, 90 Nm of power, and Bosch eShift paired with a 3x3 internally geared hub for a best-in-class 554% gear range. Add a Gates belt, the Bosch ConnectModule with GPS tracking and eBike Lock, a Kiox 300 color display, and a Cane Creek suspension seatpost, and you have the most refined HSD ever made.
Ordering & Test Rides
We'd love to show you just how much bike fits into this little package. The new HSD is available to pre-order now, with most models arriving in late August 2026. We are working on getting test ride bikes in each store as soon as they are available.
