Vello Sub Utility
One of the lightest electric cargo bikes available, the Vello Sub Utility is also one of the most compact
Cargo bikes are extremely versatile tools. You can use them for everyday transport, put seats on them and employ them for the school run or fit them with boxes and panniers and head to the supermarket for the weekly shop. Unfortunately, the downside of most is the space they take up and the difficulty of storing and manoeuvring them, as they tend to be both large and heavy.
With the Sub Utility, Vello has found a way to deal with the weight and size concerns traditionally associated with electric cargo bikes, by using a lightweight steel tubed frame and small 20-inch wheels to keep the weight down to a claimed 28kg. There’s also the option of a titanium frame that drops a further 4kg, but pushes up the price considerably.
Next, to make the Sub Utility easy to store, a set of folding pedals are fitted along with handlebars that can be unlocked and turned through 90 degrees. Both features reduce the bike’s overall size. With everything folded and the handlebars and seat dropped to their lowest positions, the Sub measures a compact 85 x 180 x 29cm, a tad longer than the average bike but much lower and far narrower. The low standover height and adjustable seat and handlebar height also allow many riders to share a single bike regardless of their own height.
One of the reasons for the rise in popularity of cargo bikes is that many now feature electric assistance to reduce the Herculean effort required to move heavy loads using pedal power alone. The Vello benefits from the well-regarded Bosch Performance Line CX system. This uses a mid-drive motor and a single 400Wh battery as standard, but an optional second battery pack can increase that to 545Wh and, in turn, go much longer between charges.
As you’d expect from a bike designed for versatility, all the extras you might need are present, including mudguards, lights and a centre stand. Vello has also equipped the Sub with a heavy-duty version of Enviolo’s hub gears to get the most from the electric assistance. This low-maintenance system allows variable gearing with a simple twist shifter on the handlebars, and like the rest of the bike it’s a clever piece of design.
€4,390 (£3,870) vello.bike
Pros
A cargo bike that’s both compact and reasonably lightweight yet still highly adaptable
Cons
You might find yourself lusting after the lighter but much more expensive titanium frame
Specs
Stated weight 28kg Frame material Chromoly steel Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Battery Bosch 400Wh Stated range 250km (155 miles)
Gearing Enviolo SP variable hub
Saddle Vello
Brakes Magura hydraulic disc Wheels 20in
Tyres Schwalbe Pickup 20 x 2.35in