Carqon makes a cargo e-bike for young families. Dutch manufacture Carqon, part of the Accell group. This new company is a competitor for that other Dutch company Urban Arrow (part of Pon Holdings).
Electric family cargo bike
Electric family cargo bikes are serious business in The Netherlands. Especially cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht are popular “bakfiets” cities. In 2016 Accell Group presents ‘carQon’, the Herenveen based company introduced a three wheel model. Today the Carqon has just two wheels.
The Carqon box is made of strong, recyclable HDPE plastic and can accommodate two children plus a baby (in Maxi Cosi). Via the side door your “cargo” can easily jump in and out. One of the disadvantages of the Carqon vs the Urban Arrow in terms of cargo is that the box is big. Box measurements of the Carqon are 107 x 75 x 67 cm (LxWxH) while the bicycle measurements are 260 x 75 x 111 cm. Therefor the bicycle looks massive if you compare it with it’s competitor.
Build on Bosch technology
Carqon is build on Bosch technology. If you take an e-bike ride with the family, you want to be sure that your bicycle isn’t performing as excepted. With a Bosch Performance CX Cargo Line motor and Bosch PowerPack Performance 400Wh or 500Wh battery. The Purion Display completes the electric drive train of the Carqon. Following the specifications of the manufacture you can ride with a 400Wh battery 40–60 km and with a 500Wh battery 50–70 km. Charging the battery take up to three hours to be completely full.
Technical specifications Carqon cargo e-bike
When you look at the technical specifications of the Carqon you can see that it’s a solid designed family cargo bike. The specifications shows us the following:
| Measurements | 260 x 75 x 111 cm (LxWxH) |
| Weight | 60 kg (depending on configuration) |
| Frame | Aluminium |
| Colour | Black + Red, Black + Grey, All Black, All White |
| Brakes | Tektro Dorado 4 Piston Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Gear (option 1) | Enviolo Stepless Gear Hub with Gates Belt Drive |
| Gear (option 2) | Shimano Deore XT 10 speed Derailleur with KMC chain |
| Wheel size | Front: 20 inch – Rear: 27.5 inch |
| Tires | Schwalbe Super Moto-X |
| Motor | Bosch Performance CX Cargo Line |
| Battery | Bosch PowerPack Performance 400Wh of 500Wh, dual battery option |
| Display | Bosch Purion Display with derailleur, or Bosch Intuvia Display with Enviolo |
| Lighting | Front: Spanninga Axendo40 E-bike Rear: Spanninga O-guard-XE + box lightning |
| Range | 400Wh: 40–60 km – 500Wh: 50–70 km |
| Charging time | 3.5 hours on average with 4A Bosch charger |
How does the Carqon rides?
But how does the Carqon rides? In short, smooth and stable. Because of the large cargo box the bicycle is not to miss on the road. Therefor it is kind of hard to handle if you are not that big. The a low center of gravity, the all-terrain Schwalbe tires and front fork suspension are the basis of a smooth ride. The disc brakes giving you the trust to stop on time when you have children or cargo.
Big plus of the Carqon, the integrated door, no more children lifting to get them on board of the bicycle. Another plus is the stepless gear system and, when chosen, the Gates carbon belt drive. No noise from the chain, and low in maintenance too.
Price and availability
Designed and assembled in The Netherlands doesn’t mean you can’t order the Carqon outside of the country. The electric family cargo bike can be ordered online or via you local reseller. The last one normally has a demo bicycle available to make a test ride. Which is highly recommended.
Starting price of the Carqon is € 4.999,- and can end at €6,499,- excluding the accessories. For more info you can have a look at carqon.com
