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Pannier Adapter Gen 2: What It Is and Who Needs It

Updated on 

Heads up!

This article mentions third-party child seats that are not manufactured by Tern. Please note that child seat designs might change, and that their manufacturers may choose to maintain the same product name even after the design has changed.

For your safety, always consult with your bike dealer, or with the child seat manufacturer or reseller, to make sure you have the right seats to safely carry your kid(s).

This article refers to the Pannier Adapter Gen 2.

If you want to use your GSD (Gen 1 or Gen 2) or Orox electric cargo bike to carry a kid in a child seat plus a pair of grocery-hauling panniers, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.

We'll cover the following topics in this article:

Contents


What is the Pannier Adapter?

The Pannier Adapter Gen 2 is a small nylon strap that may be required when using child seats together with Cargo Hold 37 or Cargo Hold 52 Panniers on a GSD, or Cargo Hold 72 Panniers on an Orox. And it comes in a pair like this:

Pannier Adapter Gen 2
Pannier Adapter Gen 2

The Pannier Adapter Gen 2 is attached to the bike's rear rack and allows the Cargo Hold Panniers' Fidlock magnetic buckles to be secured in Bucket Mode. This also prevents the straps from dangling and getting caught up on something while you’re riding. Moreover, the Pannier Adapter Gen 2 is designed to be compatible with all versions of the Clubhouse, giving riders greater flexibility to build setups that suit their families’ needs.

Pannier Adapter Gen 2 illo

Do I need a Pannier Adapter?

In short, if you have a GSD (Gen 1 or Gen 2) or Orox and want to use panniers and a child seat or two at the same time, you may need it—but it depends on your choice of panniers, and your child seat setup.

For the GSD Gen 2

If you have a GSD Gen 2, here's a breakdown of your options if you want to use the Cargo Hold 37 or Cargo Hold 52 Panniers with child seats. Please note that Cargo Hold 37 Panniers cannot be used with two child seats.

 Pannier Adapter Gen 2 Requirements
Add-on1 child seat2 child seats
 Most child seats 
(rack-mounted)
Yepp Maxi 
(version 1)
Yepp Nexxt MaxiYepp 2 MaxiBobike GO MaxiUrban Iki
Clubhouse Gen 3    
Cargo Hold 52sMaybe*2 sets2 sets1 set1 set1 set
Cargo Hold 37sMaybe*     
Clubhouse+ OR No Clubhouse rails    
Cargo Hold 52sMaybe*2 sets    
Cargo Hold 37sMaybe*     

* Depending on your child seat and pannier placement, you may need one set of Pannier Adapter Gen 2. Please consult with your dealer.

Learn more: Using Child Seats on the GSD Gen 2

For the GSD Gen 1

If you have a GSD Gen 1, here’s a breakdown of your options if you want to use the Cargo Hold 37 or Cargo Hold 52 Panniers with child seats:

PanniersChild Seat Setup
(with or without Clubhouse rails)
Pannier Adapter Gen 2 Requirement
Cargo Hold 52 Panniers2 Yepp Maxi (version 1) seats2 sets
1 compatible seatMaybe*
Cargo Hold 37 Panniers2 Yepp Maxi (version 1) seats1 set
1 compatible seat (front)No
1 compatible seat (rear)1 set

* Depending on your child seat and pannier placement, you may need one set of Pannier Adapter Gen 2. Please consult with your dealer.

Regardless of which setup you go with, you'll want to test it out on your GSD before purchasing to make sure everything fits properly.

For the Orox

If you have an Orox and plan to use the Cargo Hold 72 Panniers with 1 or 2 child seats, check out: Using Child Seats on the Orox


I don't have a GSD (Gen 1 or Gen 2) or Orox. Do I need a Pannier Adapter?

No. If you're carrying a child seat such as the Bobike GO Maxi, Urban Iki, Yepp Maxi, Yepp Nexxt Maxi, or a Yepp 2 Maxi on a Tern HSD (Gen 1 or Gen 2), Quick Haul, or Short Haul, then your Cargo Hold 37 Panniers do not need a Pannier Adapter. GSD Gen 3 or Quick Haul Long riders also do not need Pannier Adapters when using 2 child seats with the Cargo Hold 52 Panniers. Convert the panniers into Bucket Mode (for accommodating the child seat(s)' legs), and connect the straps of the panniers on either side of the bike before installing the child seat(s):


What else do I need to know?

We strongly suggest testing the child seat before buying if you want to carry either kids AND use panniers at the same time. Different child seat brands and models may be compatible with your specific setup, but they may or may not require a Pannier Adapter. If unsure, please work with your Tern dealer and test your setup before riding.

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