Description
What it is
A long, low, load-carrying electric bike from a British company, designed and assembled in Hertfordshire. The longtail shape means the weight sits behind you over the rear wheel rather than out in front, which makes it easier to park, easier to thread through traffic, and much less daunting than a front loader if this is your first cargo bike.
What the money buys
At £2,995 it undercuts most of the longtails we sell, and it does it without the obvious corners being cut:
- Gates carbon belt drive. No oil, no chain to replace, no black stripe up your trouser leg.
- Enviolo Heavy Duty hub. Stepless gears you can change while stationary, which matters when you stop halfway up a hill with a full load.
- Mid-drive motor with 110 Nm. Torque where you want it, at the cranks rather than in the wheel.
- An 800 Wh battery. Enough range that you stop thinking about it, which is the only range figure that matters.
Living with one
The belt and hub combination is the bit families notice a year in. There is no chain to clean, nothing to adjust, and no gear cable stretching over winter. If you are lifting children on and off a bike twice a day in the rain, the less it asks of you the better.
It takes a rider up to 140 kg with another 90 kg on the rear rack. That is room for two children, the bags, the scooter someone insisted on bringing, and the shopping.
How it compares
We sell this alongside the Tern GSD and the Bike43, and we are not going to pretend they are the same bike. The premium longtails put their money into ride quality, handling and how they feel after three years. The Estarli puts its money into capability and keeps the price down.
Which of those matters more depends entirely on you, your hill and your budget, and you will know within ten minutes of riding them back to back. That is a better use of an afternoon than any amount of reading, and it is why we keep one here.
Specification
- 250 W mid-drive motor, 110 Nm peak torque, five assist levels
- LG 17 Ah / 800 Wh battery, up to 120 km range, 3 to 5 hour charge
- Gates carbon belt drive with Enviolo Heavy Duty CVT hub
- 140 kg maximum rider weight, 90 kg rear rack limit
- From 28 kg, or 25 kg without the battery
- Hydraulic adjustable front suspension, folding stem and pedals
- Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes
- 20 inch wheels with puncture protection tyres
- Automatic front and rear lights, metal mudguards
- 6061 aluminium frame, H 118 cm x L 183 cm
- Designed, assembled and built in Berkhamsted, two year warranty
The full table is in the Bike Specifications tab below.
Come and ride it
We keep one in Crouch End, built and charged. There is a hill immediately outside the shop, which is where you should take it, ideally with something to carry. Ring 020 8347 5534 or book a test ride.
Cycle to Work accepted. Available in Bolt Blue, Hot Coral and Thunder Grey, standard or with the Family Pack.
