Will this take up a lot of space on the road?

Nope. This is the narrowest, fastest and meanest cargo bike on the road. You can even pass in the bike lane (if you’re good).

What’s the difference between the STePS and the STePS e8000?

A lot! The Shimano STePS e8000 system is a powerful 250W motor with a powerful 70nm of torque and a massive 500W battery. It’s also light, almost 30% than similar systems from Bosch or Yamaha. If you want long battery life, crazy power under load and quick acceleration for the stops-and-starts of city riding, the E8000 is amazing. The traditional STePS model is designed for reasonable acceleration and power and works great if you’re carrying kids over hills or distance and need that extra push. It features a smaller 400W battery and 50nm of torque. Note that the traditional STePS bike uses a Shimano Alfine internal gear hub for low maintenance while the STePS E8000 uses a high-end Shimano derailleur system for lightweight, super wide-range shifting.

How does this compare to other two-wheeled cargo bikes?

Nothing compares to a Bullitt, full stop. But, it’s not for everyone. This is a cargo bike that has a definite learning curve, but that learning curve entails a human-machine connection that, when reached, is beyond words. Bullitt was designed originally for fast cargo deliveries, and this DNA lies behind its punchy acceleration and telekenetic handling. Safety and handling are deeply intertwined, so once the learning curve is mastered (takes a week) this is arguably one of the finest kid-carrying machines too. If you’re ok with a little bit of a learning curve, you’re going to love this bike.

How the heck do I buy one of these?

Unlike the non e-assist Bullitt bikes, the STePS systems are sold as complete bikes. The hard part is choosing your colour!  

Can I use this bike for a business?
The original intention of the Bullitt is for business, which is why it is used by DHL throughout Europe and many courier companies throughout North America. The Bullitt frame offers endless possibilities for custom boxes and Bullitt has several turnkey options that are available anytime by special order. Email eric@curbsidecycle.comif you’re interested in discussing a Bullitt for your business or business idea.

I want to set this up for carrying a child, what’s the process?
First you need the Honeycomb Board, which is a lightweight laminated lattice-aluminum baseplate that makes the foundation. To this mounts the Foldable Seat. For impact resistance you can either choose the canopy which has an aluminum roll-bar inside. Or, you can buy the BBX panels, made of impact-resistant laminated lattice-aluminum. If you want to use the Canopy in the winter the BBX panels remove quickly, and the inverse is true if you want to use the open-air BBX panels in the Summer.

How many kids will this carry?

One. Don’t even try to carry more.

Can I store it outside?

Of course. But if you are storing it outside during the winter we strongly recommend going with the traditional Shimano STePS e-assist since it uses a low maintenance Alfine internal gear system.

Does the battery lock to the bike?
Yep. That’s one expensive chunk of Lithium Ion. It locks on to the down-tube and only you can remove it with the key provided.

How long does it take to charge the battery?

It takes five hours to charge the battery from flat to full, and there is no problem if you only charge the battery a little bit, halfway, or whatever. You’ll get over 1000 complete charges with the battery which is typically 5+ years of use before a replacement is required.

Is the unit serviceable?

You bet it is. For years the e-assist market was dominated by small fly-by-night companies with good ideas and no balance sheet. The consumer took all the risk and were often left with technical assistance phone numbers that no longer worked. Today’s systems are made by huge players like Bosch, Yamaha, and Shimano – and they are sophisticated, which means they are updateable, diagnosable, and if something does break, fundamentally repairable.

This is expensive! Will it get stolen?

Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and this (unfortunately) makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good   U-lock or a chain and your bike will be safe. You can read more about bike theft here.

What’s the warranty?

Two-year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, one year on parts. Does not include wear and tear.