Joe, who runs the shop, takes his girls to school on an Aventon Abound. This is the gear that makes that ride work, roughly in the order we would buy it. Everything here goes in one cart, and the whole order ships free over $49.
1. A helmet for every head
Start here. Thousand Jr. Kids Helmet for ages 3 and up, with a dial that grows with them from 49 to 53 cm. Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet for a first helmet on the back seat. For the grown-up, the Heritage 2.0, or the Chapter MIPS if you want MIPS and a tail light in the box. Joe's kids ride in Thousand helmets. The dial fit is the reason: it fits this year and next year.
2. Somewhere to put the backpacks
An e-bike on a school run carries more than it looks like. The Outer Shell Rack Bag rides on the front rack of Joe's Abound. On a school morning it holds two backpacks, with two water bottles and two lunches inside; on practice days, the bulky soccer bag. It fits a range of other racks too. If your bike has a front basket instead, the 137 Basket Bag turns it into something that closes. The Drawcord Handlebar Bag is for phone, keys and snacks within reach. All three are sewn in San Francisco.
3. Lights for dark mornings
From November the morning run starts in the dark. A real headlight like the KOM Quick Release Light, 1000 Lumen lets you see the road, not just be seen. For the kids' bikes, the Thousand Traveler 2.0 set is an easy be-seen light that pops off with a magnet. On a Heritage 2.0, the Magnetic Helmet Light puts a tail light at driver eye level.
4. A bell everyone can hear
School drop-off is crowded. The Pennant Bell or the Timber Bolt-on Bell for you, and a Thousand Jr. Bell for the kids, who will ring it constantly.
5. Rain, when it comes
A wet winter is the one thing that stops a school run. The Showers Pass Syncline CC (also in women's) has a hood that fits over a helmet, the Transit Pant keeps your work clothes dry, and a Helmet Cover is the cheapest upgrade on this page for the kids. More in Rain Gear.
Coming soon: brake pads
A loaded e-bike on a school run wears through brake pads faster than a regular bike. We are adding replacement pads that fit the Tektro brakes on most Aventon models. Tell us your bike and we will tell you which pads fit.
What is missing
A good lock. It is the next thing we are working on, and we would rather list the right one than a quick one.
Not sure something fits your bike? Email support@breaktimebicycle.com before you order. More gear for this kind of riding is in E-bike & Cargo.