Xtracycle’s popularity precedes it within the bicycling trade, with over 20 years of constructing cargo e-bikes that trip and really feel extra like a standard bicycle. Lengthy recognized for premium builds, the model’s line of cargo electrical bikes has additionally carried premium costs. A minimum of till the launch of the brand new Xtracycle Hopper in the present day, which ushers in not solely a brand new compact format but in addition a way more engaging value.
In comparison with Xtracycle’s flagship cargo e-bikes within the $4-5k vary, the brand new Xtracycle Hopper’s US $2,999 MSRP (or $2,499 promotional value) is designed to make high-quality cargo electrical bikes extra accessible to a wider vary of households.
The corporate acquired there with a serious redesign, together with adopting a rear hub motor as a substitute of a standard mid-drive setup.
Nonetheless, premium elements nonetheless abound, together with a suspension dropper publish, punchy hydraulic brakes, and key cargo equipment like cargo racks and baby security enclosures which can be included within the value.
The Xtracycle Hopper might appear like a sleeker, extra European-styled e-bike from afar, but it surely positively sneaks within the American muscle the place it counts. That features a highly effective 750W rear motor and the all-important handlebar-mounted throttle that lets riders sometimes (or repeatedly) go away pedaling behind for a better trip.
After all, the bike nonetheless gives conventional pedal help and even features a torque sensor to make that pedaling as pure and responsive as attainable. It could actually even obtain Class 3 speeds of as much as 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal help, although the inclusion of a throttle is necessary for a lot of riders who wish to know they’ve at all times acquired a backup in case they get a bit drained on an extended trip.
And for riders who often carry heavy masses or youngsters (the bike is rated to help as much as 500 lb or 227 kg), a throttle is a fast and simple option to get rolling.
A 720Wh detachable battery is hidden within the downtube, eradicating the chunky eyesore of an externally mounted battery however sustaining the fascinating function of having the ability to cost the battery off of the bike once in a while.
Each the bike’s e-bike system and the lithium-ion battery are licensed UL-compliant by SGS laboratories, marking a key security metric that’s changing into more and more necessary within the US.
The bike isn’t a light-weight at 85 lb (38.5 kg), however that additionally contains all the equipment that include the bike, together with the entrance rack, foot rails, and the Hooptie (that baby safety cage within the again to maintain the kiddos safely contained inside an aluminum construction).
The rear rack even encompasses a Tern-like construction that enables the bike to be parked vertically on its tail to take up much less area in a storage or house.
The Hopper additionally has a number of different included options that come normal, akin to fenders and LED lighting, hydraulic disc brakes, a dropper suspension seat publish (deal with hidden underneath the saddle), a large double kickstand for secure parking, and a brightly lit LED show.
Starting presales in the present day, riders can use the promotional coupon HOP500 to drop the Xtracycle Hopper’s value to $2,499. Delivery is predicted to start on October eleventh.
Electrek’s Take
I’m tremendous enthusiastic about this launch (and never simply because I’ll be testing a Hopper quickly too). I’ve at all times cherished seeing cargo bikes acquire traction in changing SUVs as around-the-town utility automobiles. However with a purpose to obtain every day use, they typically have to be increased high quality fashions.
Don’t get me flawed: a budget-priced cargo e-bike has its place. However these tremendous low-cost fashions usually are designed extra for sporadic use, akin to a number of occasions every week. When used every day for months, they shortly present their put on. However increased spec’d fashions with extra strong parts have a tendency to carry as much as that every day grind using significantly better, and that’s the important thing to getting extra individuals to depart their SUV within the storage for as many journeys as they will carry out on a motorcycle.
At $2.5k for a higher-end cargo e-bike, that is beginning to get a lot nearer to justifiable for a lot of households, particularly these that may lastly take into account changing into a one-car-and-one-e-bike household as a substitute of needing two automobiles. And as an added bonus, there’s much more area left within the storage, particularly contemplating that you can match 4 Hoppers within the spot of a median automobile.
Certain, you don’t get the flamboyant Bosch motor or top-shelf shifters you’ll discover on pricier cargo fashions, however you continue to get lots of nice elements right here, to not point out all the equipment which can be included within the value. So that is positively an thrilling launch for anybody contemplating a cargo bike as a every day rider state of affairs.
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