MGVW — Your Most Important Cargo Bike Number
Imagine you buy a cargo bike with a load capacity of 160 kg. Sounds fantastic. But then you look at another number: the maximum gross vehicle weight (MGVW), or zGG in German. This is the maximum weight of the entire vehicle with you, the load, everything.
The formula is simple: Your weight + Bike weight + Cargo weight ≤ MGVW
MGVW is a safety limit — legally, mechanically, insurance-wise. Exceeding it means: frame cracking, overtaxed brakes, voided insurance, StVZO violations.
The Numbers: What Does MGVW Really Mean?
Take the Tern GSD S10: Bike weight 70 kg, load capacity 210 kg, MGVW 280 kg.
At 80 kg body weight and 120 kg cargo: 80 + 70 + 120 = 270 kg → Fits under 280 kg ✅
At 100 kg body weight and 120 kg cargo: 100 + 70 + 120 = 290 kg → Exceeds 280 kg ❌
Common Problems
Problem 1: Load Capacity ≠ MGVW
Load capacity is separate from MGVW. Urban Arrow Family: load capacity 125 kg, MGVW 250 kg. With an 85 kg rider and 52 kg bike, only 113 kg left for cargo — not 125 kg.
Problem 2: Safety and Braking
Exceeding means: longer braking distances, poorer handling, higher wear rates.
Problem 3: Legal Liability
If you crash while over MGVW, you're liable — not insurance, not the maker.
The Right Calculation
- Your body weight — e.g. 75 kg
- Bike weight — listed in catalog (+ 3-4 kg for battery)
- Typical load — realistic: kids 30-50 kg, groceries 10-20 kg, delivery 40-80 kg
- Final equation: Weight + Bike + Battery + Load ≤ MGVW
Real-World Examples
Family With Two Kids (80 kg Rider, 65 kg Cargo)
Total: 200 kg → Urban Arrow Family (250 kg) ✅, Riese & Müller Load5 (280 kg) ✅
Parcel Courier (90 kg Rider, 50 kg Packages)
Total: 210 kg → Babboe Curve-E (220 kg) ✅, Tern GSD S10 (280 kg) ✅ with headroom
Single Rider, No Kids (70 kg, 30 kg Shopping)
Total: 145 kg → All bikes in the catalog fit ✅
Comparison Table
| Bike | Weight | MGVW | Max. Load (80 kg Rider) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tern GSD S10 | 70 kg | 280 kg | 130 kg |
| Riese & Müller Load5 | 85 kg | 280 kg | 115 kg |
| Urban Arrow Family | 52 kg | 250 kg | 118 kg |
| Carqon Classic | 40 kg | 220 kg | 100 kg |
| Babboe Curve-E | 80 kg | 220 kg | 60 kg |
Key insight: The most expensive bike doesn't automatically allow the most load. A lighter bike with high MGVW can carry nearly as much.
Safety Buffer
A buffer of at least 20 kg above your typical load is wise — for heavy shopping days, tire wear, and reliable braking.
The Bottom Line
MGVW is your real safety limit — mechanically, legally, insurance-wise. Calculate your realistic weight, choose a bike with buffer, and check the limit before you ride.