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

Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Babboe is only 85cm wide, leaving plenty of room for other transport users to pass. 

Two-wheeled or three-wheeled?

It really comes down to how much of a learning curve you’re OK with. Trikes like the Nihola and Babboe Carve have the lowest learning curve since they are remarkably stable and feature highly intuitive independent steering. Bikes like the Curve are equally stable but require some learning curve in the steering, since the whole box steers and not just the wheels. Two-wheeled bikes don’t have the stability of the third wheel so they build stability through a long wheelbase (Bullitt bikes are the exception here). This requires a bit of a learning curve, especially when riding at slow speeds since the bike can feel a bit wobbly. But, the advantage of a two-wheeled is that it’s terrific for longer rides (less drag) and it feels the most like a regular bike (if that matters).

Why an e-assist cargo bike?

Several reasons! First, you might carry a lot of weight up in the box, or second, you commute longer distances or have to deal with hills. When buying a cargo bike, we recommend not always thinking about the short-distance errands that constitute most urban life, but also its use for all-day weekend adventures.

Why a mid-drive versus a front or rear drive?

Great question! The e-assist market started with front wheel drives about a decade ago. They weren’t great. On a wet day as you slowed down into a corner the computer might sense (wrongly) that you need a boost and suddenly you’re slipping off the bike while executing a turn. The rear-drive is much better, but is dominated by many unknown players (except Bionx, which is terrific). But, the big problem with rear-drives is that you are forced to use a derailleur system whereas a mid-drive allows for a low maintenance internal gear hub. 

Does the battery lock to the bike?
Yep. That’s one expensive chunk of Lithium Ion. It locks on to the rack 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.

How does this compare to other tilt-steering trikes?

The Babboe Carve is epic. Like the Nihola, the Carve moves away from models like the Big or the Curve - both of which steer by moving the entire box – and uses independent steering. Moreover, the Carve takes the tilt-steering from the Butchers & Bicycles and adds an on/off switch so you the bike won’t tilt over when stopped at traffic lights (with the Butchers & Bicycles you must always put your foot down). The Yamaha engine is truly best-in-class, with more power and more torque than other mid-drive motors. It may not be as light as the Butchers & Bicycles, but with the e-assist, you’ll never feel the weight. 

What is this “Nuvinci” system?

Nuvinci is an American company that makes a super wide-range internal gear hub that is ‘infinitely variable,’ meaning you can roll the shifter forwards and backwards and there are no ‘clicks’ for gears. That means you can find the perfect gear for any terrain by twisting the shifter to exactly where you want it. It’s low maintenance and it’s really quite awesome.

Can I store it outside?

You bet! All Babboe bikes are built for perpetual outdoor storage. The steel frames are coated with an anti-rust undercoat and the frame features a super-tough and chip-resistant powder-coat. The box is made of marine-grade plywood sourced from Finland. And, all the mechanical parts are sealed inside the hubs. That means drum brakes (just like a car) and internal gear hubs.

What is the maintenance like?
Very low! Because the Babboe uses internal gears and internal drum brakes the intervals between tune-ups are few and far between. We recommend oil on the chain and air in the tires every three weeks. We also recommend re-varnishing the wood box every 4-5 years.

Can I put a car seat inside?

You sure can. We recommend the Maxi Cosi brand since Babboe makes a very clever adaptor that bolts to the bottom of the box (which features suspension to reduce strain). The other option is the Babboe Baby Seat which is good for kids from 2-8 months (and takes up far less space). As you move from either of these options we recommend the Babboe Toddler seat which usually covers ages 8 to 18 months.

Can I add more seats?

You sure can! Babboe makes an extra bench that installs easily, bringing the kid count from two to four!

What ’s the rear wheel lock good for?

The rear-wheel lock is a clever design built for short in-and-out errands where finding a locking-pole may take longer than the errand. The rear-wheel lock lets you momentarily lock the bike to itself. It’s great if you need to quickly dash in and out to grab a coffee or at the park having a picnic. 

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?