?Yuba Supermarché Can Carry up to 300 Pounds of (Almost) Anything
Price: $5,999
Weight: 78 lb. (claimed)
Style: E-cargo
Drivetrain: Enviolo internally geared hub
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
Material: Aluminum frame and chromoly fork
Length: 8 ft., 2 in. (one size)
The right bike for: Carrying three kids (or kegs) at once
The new Yuba Electric Supermarché is outfitted with the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor to help you move heavy stuff. The front-loading cargo bike feels a touch unwieldy at first (the front wheel is a few feet in front of the handlebar) and takes a minute to get used to, but it handles well and has an impressive turning radius for an 8-foot bike.
The motor is relatively quiet and smooth, with enough pedal assist to boost you up steep climbs easily. It has four levels of pedal assistance: eco, tour, sport, and turbo, with a claimed maximum battery range of up to 55 miles per charge, depending on mode. Assistance level is adjustable with the left hand and displayed on the handlebar-mounted interface, which also shows current speed and battery life.
A Family-Friendly Vehicle
The Electric Supermarché comes with a variety of add-on options for the front cargo area, including a large bamboo base board ($70) and cargo straps ($19) or a four-sided bamboo box ($250) with optional child seating ($150). If you prefer to keep the box reserved for nonliving cargo only, Yuba sells a Yepp Maxi EasyFit child seat that attaches to the rear rack. Also, Yuba claims the adjustable stem/handlebar and seatpost can accommodate riders from 4-foot-9 to 6-foot-5, which makes sharing easy.
Hearty Componentry
The Enviolo internally geared hub is adjustable via a twist shifter that uses a clever icon of a little cyclist on a hill to display which gear you’re in: Roll the shifter away from you, and the hill flattens, putting you in a harder gear; twist it toward you to watch the hill get steeper, for easier gearing on climbs. The steering is cable controlled, which is just as smooth and responsive as standard steering, but takes some getting used to. It felt a little awkward at first to turn the handlebar and watch the front wheel turn with it-remember, that long cargo rack sits between them-but after a short time, I got the hang of it. The Magura hydraulic disc brakes have 180mm rotors and are responsive enough to stop a 300-pound-plus moving vehicle quickly and safely. The aluminum frame is reinforced with a strong chromoly fork, which soaks up bumps and cracks to keep your watermelons from bouncing out of the cargo box.
Proprietary Perks
The Supermarché is equipped with LED front and rear lights powered by the main battery, full-coverage fenders, a chain guard, and a front wheelskirt to keep you (and your cargo) free of mud and grease. The sturdy, double-sided kickstand flips out from under the front cargo bed to stabilize the bike no matter where you park it. It was definitely an eye-catching ride, and as I rode around waving and stopping to hand out cans from the cooler stashed up front, I could tell this wholesome family hauler can definitely bring the party, too.
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