Cowboy Cruiser test ride: a more comfortable e-bike for daily use

Boutique Belgian electrical bicycle maker Cowboy simply added a brand new extra upright and comfy commuter e-bike to its portfolio. The so-called Cruiser takes the grips, broad saddle, and extra relaxed driving place of the corporate’s C4ST (step-through) mannequin and provides a prime bar and a wider swept-back handlebar. It’s the Dutch-style e-bike you purchase in case you already appreciated the C4 however disliked its aggressive ahead driving place, skinny saddle, and slim handlebars.

I had an opportunity to check experience the brand new 19.3kg Cruiser towards the unique C4 (now renamed Basic) and step-through C4ST (now generally known as the Cruiser ST) in Amsterdam at certainly one of Cowboy’s new retail companions — an initiative that launched in Might with unbiased bike retailers throughout Europe.

Using the Cruiser feels similar to the Cruiser ST, and rather more relaxed than the Basic which places the rider right into a hunched-over place with a number of hand strain on the grips. In comparison with the Basic, the Cruiser ought to make for simpler long-distance commutes particularly in case you’re within the behavior of sporting a loaded backpack to work. It’s not fairly as relaxed and upright as a standard Dutch “omafiets” however the driving posture is an efficient steadiness between sporty and utilitarian, not not like driving a €3,299 Veloretti Ace Two, €2,348 VanMoof S4 or €3,498 S5, or €2,590 Ampler Axel.

Cowboy says the Cruiser additionally encompasses a increased gear ratio. Truthfully, I didn’t really feel a lot of a distinction between the three bikes, every briefly examined head-to-head in adaptive energy mode. However I rode every for lower than 5 minutes and solely on flat roads.

In any other case, the Cowboy Cruiser — just like the Cruiser ST and Basic — encompasses a 250W rear-hub motor with single-speed belt-drive, a built-in mount that wirelessly fees your telephone, Google Maps baked proper into the Cowboy app, detachable battery, and broad 47mm tires.

The brand new Cruiser is offered in black or “sand” (off-white) colours for an “introductory value” of €2,990 later right this moment.