Test Ca Go CS150: A normal e-bike is not practical enough, a large cargo bike is too much of a good thing? If you think so, you should look into the compact cargo bike from Ca Go, which is quite versatile for its size and intelligently handles a lot of load.
What sets an e-bike apart is easily explained: it is the motor that allows a significantly higher speed with much less effort. Apart from that, the Pedelec in its basic form is nothing more than a conventional bicycle and therefore not necessarily a new vehicle category. And with that, one has to say, a lot of potential is wasted.
You could argue like this: If you're already moving a good twelve kilos of additional weight and investing a few thousand euros more in order to enjoy the benefits of light-footed mobility, then why not take the next step and choose a vehicle with greater possible uses? It doesn't have to be an XL cargo bike - that's a long way from a conventional e-bike. But in between there are compact models with large loading capacity that are not that much heavier than a normal e-bike - models like the Ca Go City Utility Vehicle, known as Ca Go CS for short.
Ca Go CS: Not much longer than a normal e-bike, around ten kilos heavier
The basic data: With a total length of 200 cm, the 20-inch bike is only slightly longer than a conventional 28-inch bike; In the tested version it weighs ten to eleven kilos more than that one, namely almost 37 kilos. With a permissible total weight of 180 kilos, depending on the driver's weight, around 60 to 70 kilos of payload can be transported, distributed across the front rack, center rack and rear rack. And that's quite a lot: a beer crate (20 x 0,5 l) weighs a good 20 kilos, a water crate with PET bottles (12 x 1 l) weighs around 15 kilos. This means that the transport capacity is far from being exhausted - there is still a luggage rack available and side pockets can be attached to the back for additional volume. The Ca Go CS is available at any time for medium-large purchases, although of course you can't simply throw your goods into the transport tub like with a normal cargo bike.
Loading is a bit trickier; Our beer crate must be carefully threaded onto the 33 x 40 cm central platform. But it is precisely the center rack that gives the CS its charm and is responsible for its good handling. The low, central arrangement of the load stabilizes the riding behavior, so that the CS doesn't handle that much differently than a normal bike. There is no comparison to large “Long John” cargo bikes with cargo space at the front, which always take some getting used to. The compact dimensions also ensure that the Ca Go can be used like a normal e-bike - it is easy to park and maneuver. Of course, you won't be carrying this cargo bike into the basement either.
Child seat installation possible
Small children are often the motivation for purchasing a cargo bike, and the CS can play a role here too. A child seat can be attached to the rear rack; However, it is not possible to let an adult ride along, as with the large cargo bike. But that's not possible with a normal e-bike either.
With a Bosch Cargo Line and 545 Wh battery, the CS is motorized as is typical of the genre, and the attached battery can be easily removed. A steel spring fork absorbs road shocks, which is particularly useful when carrying heavy loads, and a four-piston brake caliper at the front ensures strong deceleration. The flat seat angle ensures that riders of different heights can accommodate their legs well. Depending on the size of your feet and the position on the pedal, it may happen that the tip of your foot hits the center rack. In terms of safety, the double cable routing of the steering should be mentioned - if one of them breaks, you can still steer.
Also a good middle ground in terms of price
Ca Go offers the CS150 with Enviolo hub and chain at a price of 5.990 euros. The top model with Enviolo and timing belt costs 500 euros more, but is also equipped with the rear rack (190 euros individually). The cheapest variant with a nine-speed derailleur costs 5590 euros. Sure, the CS is more expensive than a conventional e-bike - but also significantly less than an XL cargo bike. And if you feel like you're somewhere between the two when it comes to usage, you won't see the Ca Go CS as an awkward solution, but rather as the ideal middle ground.
