Cargo e-bikes, often the same thing is meant: e-bikes for transporting heavy loads. They are still a marginal phenomenon in the e-bike sector, but their popularity is growing every day. After all, the sustainable means of transport are not only interesting for delivery services, but also delight families in particular.
What is a cargo e-bike?
All forms of cargo e-bikes have one thing in common: they are designed to transport more than just ordinary luggage. Manufacturers usually provide extra-large and stable loading areas for this purpose. In addition, the frame has also been adapted to the increased weight and the increased storage space. This results in different construction methods for cargo e-bikes.
Although the frames vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and model, three main groups of cargo e-bikes can be distinguished.
Muzzleloader: Everything in view
Since the invention of the “Long John” in Denmark at the beginning of the 20th century, muzzleloaders have been used all over the world. Since then, however, the design and the steering mechanism have been optimized numerous times, so that you can drive safely and stably through the streets despite the large transport area.
With the muzzle loader, the transport box is located in front of the handlebars. This means you always have an eye on your freight. However, the driving behavior also changes noticeably, since your steering input is redirected to the usually small front wheel up to the transport box.
Muzzle loaders are available with a single front wheel or with two front wheels next to the transport box. The two-wheeled design allows you to remain seated on the bike when stationary. With a bike, on the other hand, you save some space, are more manoeuvrable and run no risk of tipping over.
Rear loader: the e-bike with “trunk”
The breechloader is much rarer. Especially with cargo bikes with the “E” there are fewer models that stow the load behind the driver. Ultimately, lengthening and modifying the power train makes the breech-loader a little more complicated to manufacture and the advantage of being able to see the load is lost.
Only e-bikes for transporting really large loads rely on this principle, since the load behind the rider allows the e-bike developers to build the transport box much higher. This is not possible with the muzzleloader due to the restricted field of vision.
Baker’s or mail bike with electric drive
The postal bicycle was probably the most common cargo bike in the past. Deutsche Post has had bicycles for delivering letters for decades. The number of bikes is now in the five-digit range and has now been expanded to include bikes with an electric drive.
The Post e-bikes are characterized by their wide front frame, which is firmly connected to the frame, and a corresponding rear frame instead of a luggage rack. The wide struts allow boxes or suitcases to be transported at the front and rear.
But not only mail carriers use such an “intermediate solution” between large cargo bikes and conventional bicycles. In the private context, one often speaks of a baker’s bike when the frame offers a little more storage space and stability.
Functions of motorized cargo bikes
Despite their size, cargo e-bikes are a fairly flexible means of transport. You can ride them on all the paths you are allowed to ride conventional bicycles on and you are not as restricted in your choice of parking space as you are with a car. This results in different areas of application for the e-cargo bike.
Take children with you on the e-bike
In the private sector, the e-cargo bikes not only help with shopping or the safe transport of materials to the next picnic in the park. When it comes to families, there is often another aspect that counts as a reason to buy: the cargo e-bike is excellent for transporting children.
Some manufacturers have even specialized entirely in transporting children on e-bikes and offer e-bikes with transport boxes for up to six children. As a rule, these are front loaders so that the driver can always keep an eye on the valuable freight.
Such child transport e-bikes have bench seats with safety belts or the option of attaching safe bench seats. They usually ride on three wheels so that the e-bike is kept stable even when stationary. An additional boarding aid usually helps the young passengers to climb into the box themselves.
E-bikes for the dog
Not only the two-legged family members like to be chauffeured in the transport box, man’s four-legged best friend also makes himself comfortable here. Stick your tongue out and feel the wind: With e-cargo bikes, the dog no longer runs alongside, but rides with you all the way to the park.
Which drive on the e-cargo bike?
Cargo bikes have to contend with more weight than conventional e-bikes, even without a load. That is why the engine needs a lot of power. But it is also very important that the handling is as intuitive as possible – after all, e-cargo bikes are generally not quite as agile as conventional e-bikes. More control is always better.
Mid-engine or multiple drive
The mid- motor generally offers the most natural riding experience on an e-bike. This is precisely why it is the most popular solution, especially for private use. Because the motor supports you directly on the crank, pedaling is easier for you. A front engine, on the other hand, pulls you and a rear engine pushes you. Depending on the situation, both can take some getting used to.
Nevertheless, experiments with the hub motor have increased again lately. Manufacturers such as Schaeffler or Pendix even decouple the drive from the crank. In such hybrid systems, the motors run independently without a chain or belt. Only the pedaling impulse is controlled by a generator in the bottom bracket.
This should give more design flexibility in the future and make the multiple drive marketable. In the long term, it would even be conceivable to have an all-wheel drive e-bike like gforce t42 with which you can confidently drive through the terrain.
Belt or chain on the cargo e-bike
The question of belts and chains has been shaping cyclist forums and get-togethers for a decade. It’s not easy: the belt definitely requires less maintenance, but is slightly less efficient than the chain. Every watt more energy is welcome on a cargo bike, but a robust system that can withstand the extra load is just as important.
Chains stretch over time and also wear down the sprockets. Accordingly, they have significantly shorter maintenance intervals. In addition, the system must be regularly lubricated and cleaned. A little water is usually enough for the belt and it is ready to drive.
If you want to worry about the maintenance of the drive train as little as possible, you are better off with the belt drive. A hub gear system then has to be used to shift gears.