Triobike Cargo review: One huge hauler

Our Verdict

If you're going to be lugging a ton of cargo regularly, it's hard to beat the massive 500-pound cargo capacity of the Triobike Cargo.

For

Massive cargo capacity
Fun to ride
Lots of colors to choose from
Can handle family unit and commercial uses

Against

Hard to go going from a dead cease
Kickstand needs improvement

Tom's Guide Verdict

If you're going to be lugging a ton of cargo regularly, it'due south hard to beat the massive 500-pound cargo chapters of the Triobike Cargo.

Pros

+
Massive cargo capacity
+
Fun to ride
+
Lots of colors to choose from
+
Tin handle family unit and commercial uses

Cons

-
Hard to get going from a dead stop
-
Kickstand needs improvement

Triobike Cargo: Specs

Size: 8.two anxiety long
Weight: 67.7 pounds
Motor: Brose Drive S, 250 watts and 90Nm of torque
Battery: Lithium-Ion, 36 volts, and 501Wh
Max speed: 15mph
Range: not advertised
Transmission: Shimano Zee 10-speed

The pigment task of the Triobike Cargo certainly screams "expect at me!" It'due south about more than than vanity, of form; Triobike knows its Cargo bike is likely to hitting the city streets and the hi-viz paint gets peoples' attention whether they're on foot, on a wheel, or in a car. It's a thoughtful touch for a bicycle total of them.

Some of those touches cater to the almost precious cargo: your kids. The cargo box incorporates a padded seat with seatbelts, which means your kids will be excited to ride forth. That aforementioned cargo box features a whopping 500-pound cargo capacity; bring the whole soccer team to practice if you dare.

Information technology'due south a fun bike to ride for the pedaler, also, with an intuitive handlebar-mounted command and brandish, and ameliorate steering than the bike's length would imply. As nosotros discovered during this Triobike Cargo review, there's room for comeback, but Triobike gets enough of the basics right — and then some — to make it worth a long look if you're in the market for a heavy-hauler e-cargo bike.

Triobike Cargo review: Price and availability

Triobike has a handy dealer locator on its website so you tin find a shop near you that carries the Cargo. Y'all can configure your bike on the website too and so you know what you're getting and how much yous're spending before you lot accomplish out to a local shop.

The base model Triobike Cargo starts at $half-dozen,000. Y'all tin can customize and add accessories from there; it'due south pretty piece of cake to add together bells and whistles until the cycle costs more than $9,000.

If yous need more than infinite to carry super-bulky items, you tin can bump up to the Triobike Cargo Large, which offers the aforementioned weight capacity but a longer deck at 42 inches long.

Triobike Cargo review: Design

The Triobike Cargo wheel features a total aluminum frame and comes with a larger 26-inch rear wheel and a smaller 20-inch front wheel. The rear wheel also features a fender. According to Triobike, the Cargo bike weighs 68 pounds without accessories.

Triobike Cargo back view — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Triobike also says the Cargo cycle is amongst the widest ii-wheeled cargo bikes on the marketplace; the widest part of the cargo box measures 24.4 inches (62cm) across.

Like its sibling, the Triobike Mono, the Cargo features a Brose Drive S motor that offers 250 watts and 90Nm of torque. Information technology works in conjunction with a 10-speed Shimano drivetrain; you can upgrade this to a Gates Carbon Drive system if you want the quietest option available. The Cargo offers pedal-assistance power simply; there is no throttle.

Triobike Cargo pedals — (Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

The Cargo also features Shimano Zee hydraulic disc brakes. The battery is Lithium-Ion, 36 volts, and 501Wh. Triobike offers a 2-year warranty on the E-system.

The handlebar controls are simple to use and the heads-up display offers easy navigation for various settings and information access. Adjusting the pedal-aid power tin can be washed easily with the up and down buttons, conveniently located near the left grip.

Triobike Cargo throttle — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

A wide kickstand lives underneath the cargo area. Just push it into place with your foot and rock the bike astern to put the bike in 'park.' This keeps the bike stable while loading and unloading cargo, and while your kids scramble in or out.

Triobike Cargo stand — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Notably, the Triobike Cargo does not feature a step-through design. That means you'll need to kicking your leg over the top tube when you're mounting and dismounting. A lower, stride-through design makes the procedure much easier, especially with a loaded cargo bike. It's a signal against the Triobike Cargo, only that higher top tube may be a structural decision that helps facilitate the large, 500-pound cargo capacity. It'southward an like shooting fish in a barrel trade-off if you lot'll regularly be loading this bike up heavy.

Triobike Cargo review: Capacity

The Triobike Cargo can heft up to 500 pounds total. That's definitely one of the all-time stats in the eastward-cargo bike category.

The load deck is xx inches wide and virtually 33 inches long (the latter figure gets shortened depending on the configuration yous choose for the cargo box). If you're hauling something extra broad, you tin can e'er remove the deck entirely and just use the bare frame. But keep in listen this volition adversely affect treatment, as a wider stance volition tip the bike side to side more easily.

Triobike Cargo review: Functioning

Starting from a dead stop, the Triobike Cargo can be a bit squirrelly. It tends to dip side to side as you beginning pedaling, and the pedal-assist doesn't kick in speedily plenty to bail you lot out. Since the top tube is not a stride-through design, you'll probably desire to leave the bike on the center stand up while you mount it. There's a chip of a learning curve here.

Triobike Cargo side view — (Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

Only once you go going, the Cargo feels enough stable, and steering is pretty predictable. Similar the Triobike Mono, the Cargo features a steering damper that makes the bike easier to command. The wheel steers more sharply to the correct, which makes it easier to plow the unabridged bicycle around.

One time you lot're off and pedaling, the pedal-assist level feels only right. I was able to get up to 20mph pretty hands, at which betoken you'll be pedaling under your ain ability. In that location's plenty torque to go you up steep inclines, though the motor does start to make a bit of noise at that signal. Gentler inclines were no problem. The handlebar-mounted controls are easy to accomplish and intuitive to use.

The cargo bay sits depression to the ground, which makes the bicycle experience super stable, especially when loaded down. Steering doesn't alter too much with cargo in the box upward front.

Front view of Triobike Cargo — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The heart stand keeps the cycle level when y'all're loading or unloading, but it's tough to attain. It sits underneath the cargo bay, so you have to stick your pes underneath the wheel to pull it down. This gets tricky when the bike is loaded downward with weight. The stand up disengages with the slightest push forrad on the handlebars, so be careful not to disengage the centre stand accidentally. Triobike could stand to make the center stand up a bit more usable and reliable.

Triobike Cargo review: Battery life

The Triobike Cargo comes with a 501Wh, 36V Lithium-Ion bombardment; Triobike does not advertise an expected battery life. After my showtime 60 minutes of riding with the pedal-assist at the most generous setting, the full charge dropped only one bar, which left enough of life left in the battery.

Triobike Cargo battery — (Image credit: Tom'due south Guide)

Triobike also offers the pick to buy a 2d battery at $939. You'll probably merely demand a 2nd battery if yous'll be taxing the system all day every solar day (think large cargo delivery, or big miles).

Triobike Cargo review: Accessories

You tin can certainly go a scrap overboard with all the accessories Triobike offers. That's great for customizability. If you'll be hauling the kids, be sure to get the kid'southward seat with seatbelts ($279), as well as the hood ($599) to protect them from the weather.

Triobike Cargo seats with buckles — (Epitome credit: Tom'southward Guide)

The cargo box sides and bottom ($349) assist proceed everything independent. You can go without them if you'll be strapping down bulky items, but you'll probably want the cargo box sides on hand for smaller cargo.

Triobike Cargo walls — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Flight Case Box ($629) is an interesting upgrade for folks transporting fragile, bulky cargo. If you plan on doing frequent deliveries for a business organisation, this might be a worthwhile upgrade. The box is waterproof and locks to protect valuables inside.

An extra 501Wh battery costs $939, and an actress charger runs $129.

Finally, you tin can upgrade the drivetrain to a Gates Belt Drive system and Enviolo CA gearless continuously variable manual for $700. This offers the quietest operation and eliminates the rear derailleur, which could exist a expert option if you'll routinely be operating the Cargo in foul conditions.

Triobike Cargo review: The competition

The Triobike Cargo's closest competitors include the Urban Arrow Family unit (starting at $6,000), The Yuba SuperCargo CL (starting at $vi,000), and the Riese and Müller Load 60 (starting at $viii,800). The Cargo therefore fits nicely into the expected price range for eastward-cargo bikes.

The Cargo has a leg upwardly on its competition thanks in large office to its massive 500-pound cargo capacity. This makes information technology unique and worth considering if you'll regularly be hauling big loads. The Cargo outshines the competition here; the Yuba and Riese and Müller come close with a 440-pound max capacity, merely the Cargo can heft an added 67 pounds on top of that.

The steering, particularly from a expressionless finish, feels a whole lot more stable on the Yuba SuperCargo, and the centre stand up on the Yuba also outshines the Triobike version.

Side view Triobike Cargo — (Paradigm credit: Tom's Guide)

Just otherwise, the Cargo seems to offer a lot of value and unique features that make information technology stand up out in the crowd.

Triobike Cargo review: Verdict

The Triobike Cargo offers enough of versatility if y'all'll exist carrying heavy loads. The cargo capacity (over 500 pounds!) is the primary benefit to the Cargo, in fact. This bike is burly and meant for the rigors of commercial use, or merely just toting the kids effectually town.

The possibilities for minor businesses or deliveries makes the Cargo an ideal pick for commercial purposes. The Flight Instance Box offers a well-idea-out addition for the business-minded.

Information technology's a skilful cycle that'south a few refinements away from great. Getting the cycle going from a standstill takes some practice, equally it tends to sway side to side as you're pedaling to engage the pedal-aid. Among the best electric bikes, the Yuba Supercargo CL has a slightly lower center of gravity thanks to a smaller, 20-inch rear bike. Getting the Yuba going from a standstill takes far less effort, the pedal-assist kicks in faster, and the bike remains far more stable.

I didn't load the Triobike Cargo with 500 pounds every bit the max chapters suggests, but given its relative instability getting going while lightly loaded, it seems a fully-loaded cargo surface area may present some problems when y'all're getting going from a expressionless stop. And, the kickstand needs refining, both in terms of access and usability. It's hard to get your foot on information technology and agree it in place while yous rock the bicycle backward.

Overall, however, the Triobike Cargo is a fun bicycle to ride that'due south conspicuously fabricated to adapt to a wide swath of users. If you're afterward a wheel that can handle the rigors of commercial use, the Cargo is a good candidate. All of Triobike's optional accessories means you tin tailor this for more than family-friendly use, too.