$10,799.99

Contact for Availability
1 (866) 920-4933
info@curbsidecycle.com

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

Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Centaur XL is only 87cm 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 Centaur have the lowest learning curve since they are remarkably stable and feature highly intuitive independent steering. Bikes like the Babboe 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. Both can slow down your delivery times, so an e-assist levels the playing field between your delivery riders to ensure you can always deliver a package on time. And if you can replace a delivery vehicle (where you need to pay ownership, insurance, gas, parking, etc) with a one-time-purchase cargo bike), you'll save your business money in the long run.

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 frame 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 updatable, diagnosable, and if something does break, fundamentally repairable.

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

Babboe, Centaur's sister company and the builder of Centaur frames, is the best-known cargo bike company in Holland and around the world. They build quality bikes meant to bear the brunt of all-season weather during perpetual outdoor storage - including seawater spray, snow, rain and salty roads. They use quality dual-paint finishes, internal gears and brakes, and European-sourced parts wherever possible. The Centaur is different from other two-wheeled cargo bikes specifically because its centre of gravity is low - meaning you have more control of the bike when turning corners or hauling heavy loads. 

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 Centaur 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 sturdy ABS plastic that won't rot like cheaper wooden cargo bike boxes. And, all the mechanical parts are sealed inside the internal gear hub to keep them out of the weather.  

What is the maintenance like?
Very low! Because the Centaur 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, and regular annual check-ups with our mechanics.  

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 drop off a delivery or grab a coffee. 

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?

Five year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, two years on Yamaha e-assist and other parts, one year on the cargo box. Does not include wear and tear.