Test: Cargo e-bikes are still very much in vogue. The purpose of the motorized "carrier donkeys" is almost limitless - just like the different concepts. One thing is always the focus: driving safety. The Italian manufacturer Blubrake is pushing ahead and wants to increase the safety of cargo bikes with its world's first anti-lock braking system (ABS), specially developed for e-cargo bikes. We tested it.
Anyone who sits on an e-cargo bike for the first time will find that the driving characteristics take a certain amount of time to get used to. The length, the center of gravity and, last but not least, the usually small front wheel challenge all the senses – at least at the beginning. If critical driving situations such as sudden evasive maneuvers or panic braking then occur, this can quickly lead to a loss of control.
The Italian company Blubrake developed since 2015 anti-lock braking systems (ABS) for e-bikes, S-pedelecs and recently also for e-cargo bikes. During a visit to the company location in Milan in 2019, we were not only allowed to take a look behind the scenes of the innovative company, but were also able to convince ourselves of how ABS for e-bikes works. We were all the more curious to see how the system would behave on cargo bikes.
How the Blubrake ABS works for e-cargo bikes
Nothing has fundamentally changed in the hardware components of the Cargo ABS. A sensor on the front wheel measures the speed via a perforated disc additionally attached to the brake disc and transmits the information to a control unit. The dynamics of the e-cargo bike are calculated together with an acceleration sensor mounted in the frame. The collected data form the basis of the actual control system: if the system detects a potential locking of the front wheel, the brake pressure at the front is regulated via a so-called actuator. This is noticeable in a pulsing of the brake lever – similar to that in a car.
Blubrake ABS - The invisible helper
What else makes the Blubrake ABS for cargo e-bikes unique? It's almost invisible! Except for the perforated disc on the front wheel brake and a small display - which provides information about the correct function of the ABS - it is not obvious at first glance that an e-cargo bike is equipped with an anti-lock braking system.
Blubrake Cargo ABS – practical test in video
After we were able to convince ourselves of the function of the Blubrake anti-lock braking system on e-bikes, we were curious how the brand new system for cargo bikes would perform in practice. Especially since, from our point of view, an additional safety feature on cargo bikes makes perfect sense: changing loads, unusual handling characteristics and a mostly small front wheel literally call for an ABS system. In addition, cargo bikes often transport our most precious goods: children!
In the test, we tried to test as many driving situations as possible: without a load, with a maximum load, changing surfaces, leaning positions...
To make it short, the Blubrake Cargo-ABS system convinces and amazes at the same time! However, we have to admit that it initially required courage to provoke such extreme driving maneuvers with a "bulky" bike. But with every braking, the ABS conveyed more and more safety, so that we even dared to brake hard in an inclined position and on gravel. The result was convincing all along the line! Controlled and with an amazingly short braking distance, we always came to a standstill. We only noticed a slight slipping of the front wheel below 5 km/h, i.e. shortly before standstill.
In summary, an absolutely positive impression of the Blubrake Cargo ABS remains. It does exactly what you would expect from a passive safety system: it is unobtrusive but increases safety immensely! We are excited and even hope that many manufacturers will rely on ABS systems on cargo bikes in the future. Great Blubrake!
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