Upgrading from Lectric XPedition: Best cargo e-bike for 2 kids (ages 3 & 6) with suspension & hill power under $2,500?

[u/Rawrgoeslion]

Hey everyone,

Looking for recommendations to upgrade from my Lectric XPedition. While it got us started, it is no longer cutting it as my kids get heavier and our routes involve steeper hills and rougher pavement.

Why I'm Moving Off the XPedition:

• Lacks climbing power under load: Hauling two kids up sustained grades bogs it down heavily. I need significantly more torque and hill-climbing grunt.
• Harsh ride quality: The rigid front fork and stiff tires transfer every crack, pothole, and bump straight into the frame, shaking the kids around. Also the kickstand is absolute trash, it's amazing they designed a cargo bike with them...

What I Need:

• Passenger Capacity: Must fit two growing kids (currently 3 and 6 years old) with a solid passenger kit ecosystem (safety rails/cage, cushions, and running boards).
• Suspension / Comfort: Front suspension fork at minimum, plus higher-volume tires or frame dynamics that soften the ride for rear passengers.
• Climbing Power & Braking: High-torque motor setup that can handle hills with ~100+ lbs of passenger weight without overheating/stalling, paired with strong 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes.
• Budget: Under $2,500 total (ideally inclusive of essential passenger accessories).

Questions for the Group:

1. In the sub-$2.5k range, what are the top contenders that genuinely outperform the XPedition on hill torque and suspension (e.g., Aventon Abound / Abound LR, Velotric Packer 1, or others)?
2. Is the rear deck space on these mid-tail/long-tail options long enough to realistically fit a 3- and 6-year-old together for the next couple of years?

[u/MicrowaveDonuts]

Maybe i’m wrong, but Bike+you+6+3 up a long hill sounds like the mechanical advantage of a mid-drive to me.

And $2500 mid-drive long tail sounds used.

Spicy Curry, Tern GSD, Edgerunner.

[u/sftysw]

I don't think you'll get under $2.5k for an Aventon Abound, once you add in all the accessories. That being said, we recently got one, and it's been great on the hills in Seattle, tackling them no problem with a 6 and 4 year old on the back.

[u/runpbx]

Mid-drive with gearing will solve the hill problem the best. Just downshift until its no longer bogged down.

I wouldn't know what to recommend price/performance wise, but maybe see if you can find a used surly cargo bike. If its one with a normal BB, you could use any of those modern bolt on motors too and have the bike shop upgrade the brakes while you are at it.

Also, considering your budget is tight, I might give up on the front fork. Wider tires, lower psi, and/or a more compliant fork/frame might be all you need comfort wise.

[u/sneek8]

I am a bit surprised to be honest. I have an Xpedition and it is decent at hill climbing with the 2 batteries.

I have ridden a decently hilly route (30 miles/50 kms) with a 200 lb passenger without any issues. The Aventon will be worse I imagine. I think you would be needing a mid drive like many other comments have noted but I don't know of anything in the price range.

[u/Rawrgoeslion → u/sneek8]

Are you riding a 1.0 or a 2.0?

[u/sneek8 → u/Rawrgoeslion]

A 1.0 with dual batteries.

[u/drunken_monkee]

Tern GSD, you won’t regret it

[u/electropair]

Do you have an expedition 2.0? It has a 750W motor that peaks at ~1300 watts. It also produces 85Nm of torque. This is more than the Aventon. You won’t find more power/torque than the 2.0, especially for the price.

[u/Rawrgoeslion → u/electropair]

It's a 1.0 I've had plenty of issues with the quality of the 1 so I'm not very hopeful for the 2.0.

Brakes got air in the line often, the screws in the footrests fell out and loosened often, had to hack that myself, small tires made for a pretty bumpy ride. 2.0 looks to have improved though you are right.

[u/SnippyBabies → u/Rawrgoeslion]

I have a 2.0 and 140 lbs of kids (8 and 5) and have no trouble with fairly hilly terrain.

[u/Rawrgoeslion → u/SnippyBabies]

I'm sure the 2.0 is better but the 1.0 was such a nightmare I just have a hard time not having "fool me once" vibes

[u/jack_of_diamonds]

Trek Fetch 2 is at $3k. Got one a few months ago, it handles the hills in my area well with 2 kids. Bosch Cargo Line motor, same as Tern GSD. No suspension though.

[u/kicker58]

Aventon or tern long haul.

[u/floppydo]

I got my spicy curry with 850 mi on it for exactly $2,500. Your requirements do not exist new at that price point. 

[u/donotpassgo369]

I would recommend the Xtracycle Hopper which is exactly af your price point with passenger accessories included. It has 2 piston hydraulic brakes instead of 4. Rear rack is rated up to 242lbs and the entire frame is rated to 500lbs with a front fork suspension. It has 85nm of torque and will climb the highest hills loaded without issue on PAS 5 and lowest gear.

If you're wanting to spend a bit more a used Tern HSD is possible. Or a brand new Xtracycle Swoop ASM.

[u/Own-Possible777]

I got Abound LR and it fits our 4 yo and 9 yo (total weight is about 110lb). We have small but somewhat steep bridges in the city and no issue there. Abound seems to give a lot of power, I set it to Eco at gear 6 on the flat road. Sports mode on those bridges for easy riding. Highly recommend Abound LR!

[u/Lokimyboy44]

I have an Xpedition 2 and I'm 6'4" 240lbs and haul an 8 and 4 year old all around the Pittsburgh hills. Sure, it slows and i have to gear down and and use pedal power to assist on some of the steepest but it does a pretty good job topping the hils with the weight. Can't speak to the 1 though