the Pedego’s Cargo Electric Bike It’s marketed as a rugged, sporty vehicle intended for parents who carry their kids around town and anyone who needs to haul heavy equipment.
I spent the summer testing this electric cargo bike to see if it was up to the task. My take: It’s a stylish bike that can carry a lot of cargo in many shapes and sizes. But some technical issues, as well as its heft, might make some (myself included) hesitant to spend $4,000. Still, the Pedego’s five-year warranty and optional theft protection might make it worth it.
California-based Pedego was founded in 2009, so customers can take advantage of a robust network of more than 200 stores across the country. This could be especially helpful for e-bike newbies who want to try before they buy or want a reliable service network — a problem faced by startups like VC firm favorite Fanmovewhich is mainly faced by pursuing a direct-to-consumer sales model with customized parts.
Nuts and bolts
The price ranges from $3,995 to $4,295, which puts it on the upper-middle end of the range. Spectrum of cargo bike pricesThe battery I tested had a 48V 14Ah battery, which brings the price to $4,295 (though it’s currently on sale for $4,195). However, riders can also opt for a cheaper 48V 9Ah battery. Regardless of the battery size, customers may notice that it adheres well to the bike’s frame, and can be removed for charging inside.
The Pedego electric bike has a 750W rear motor with a maximum torque of 85Nm. It comes with both throttle and pedal assist options, which is the perfect combination. I didn’t really notice much difference between the pedal assist levels, but I found it easy to switch between them. While the throttle was strong, it often failed to take off immediately if I was on a hill or had a passenger in the back.
The color LCD screen has enough ambient light so I can view the odometer and other info on the screen on a sunny day, and it has a handy USB-C charging port. The handlebar has a headlight mounted with high and low beams, plus a running light. In the back is a fluorescent taillight with an active brake light and running light.
Pedego’s Cargo Electric Bike: What I loved
There’s a lot to like about the Pedego e-bike, and it starts with the nonexistent setup. Pedego sent me a fully assembled bike in a giant box. While unpacking all that packaging was a lesson in patience and perseverance, it was better than setting up the bike myself.
I also love the look of the Pedego Cargo. Adding a bit of wood—in the form of folding footboards and an extra front basket—does a great job of giving the otherwise plain aluminum alloy frame a vintage feel. I’ve had several people stop me on the street to ask about the bike, and one passerby even called it “sexy.” I rode the black model, but it also comes in white.
The Pedego Cargo bike comes with a seat in the back for an extra passenger, with a backrest and handlebars to hold onto. This seat can be replaced with a number of Pedego bikes. SupplementsYou can fit up to two child seats or an extended rear rack where you can attach baskets, pet carriers and insulated bags.
According to the company’s specifications, the bike can carry 400 pounds total. I tested that weight limit as best I could, riding in the back while my partner and friends rode. And with its beefy 20 x 4-inch tires, the Pedego Cargo handles rough terrain with ease, in case you were wondering.
And it’s fast. The bike has a top speed of 28mph, which means I could win a race against my partner who was riding a Rad Power bike. Rad Runner 2.
The cargo bike also comes with an 11.5-litre waterproof storage compartment located under the rider’s saddle and accessible from the top or side.
Two rack options – one side rack and a double center rack – make parking a breeze.
Pedagogy Electric cargo bike: What I didn’t like
The bike is 79.2 inches long, making it difficult to store and maneuver. It is also heavy at 106 pounds. without The passenger or cargo kits were installed. I had to lift the bike up one step every time I wanted to ride it, and I found this exercise to be a bit difficult and annoying. Especially when I fell down once and had a hard time getting it back up. This bike would only really work for someone who has a dedicated storage space at ground level, like a garage, or who doesn’t have any lower back issues at all. There’s no way anyone would want to carry it even up a flight of stairs.
Although riding the bike alone was pretty solid, when I put my 12-year-old nephew in the back, the handlebars got a bit wobbly—not really what you want when the kid you love is clinging to life behind you.
The bike also has turn signals, but they were useless, if not a hindrance, to me. They make a terrible beeping noise when turned on, so I had to stop using them immediately because of the sheer annoyance. And given the rather dim lights at the back, it’s not obvious to other road users that you’re using a turn signal. I would have much preferred a bell or horn, but that’s not included on the standard Pedego Cargo e-bike.
The e-bike brakes that Pedego sent me were also very squeaky, which is not something you want to go and get fixed right after opening a new bike.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the cargo bike kept stopping while I was riding. It wasn’t a battery life issue, as I was keeping it charged. I asked Pedego about this, and they said it could be a loose wire and recommended I tighten them all.
This may have been an anomaly, and with a warranty and multiple physical stores to bring the bike to, dealing with any issues like that seems more manageable than with other brands.
