electric bike (Decathlon R500E cargo lontail) with NEW battery

Spec

Power Assisted With Electric Assistance
Dual kickstand
8 Speed gearing
Aluminium Frame
Front Light, Rear Light
Flat Pedals included
Mudguards
Wheel sizes 20″ rear, 26″ front
Stem Type: Headset
Maximum Load: 170 Kg
Built-In 600Wh Battery (removable)
Range (In Km) Up To 90 Km
Baby Carrier Compatibility Baby Seat Compatible
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Suspension fork
Weight: 38 Kg
Hub motor
Rim Material Aluminium, Double Thickness
Engine Torque: Maximum 58 Nm
Partial Chain Guard
Not Compatible For Trailers
Rider height: 1.55 M to 1.96 M

Decathlon R500e cargo bike: our review
The R500E was tested for usability, ride quality and experience, for short and long urban-errand and commuting-style rides across varied terrain. Over a number of weeks the bike was ridden through the Scottish Highlands, around town and in the countryside, up and down significant climbs and over mixed road and gravel surfaces

Our tester, Michael Vincent, is a long-time road, gravel and MTB rider, with decades of experience running cycle clubs and events, reviewing and repairing bikes. He’s a Bosch, Shimano and Fazua-certified engineer with his own cycle service business. In his spare time he’s an aficionado of high-end Dutch cargo bikes.

Decathlon recommends the R500E for rider heights between 1.55 and 1.96m (5’1” to 6’5”) – accommodated by a long seatpost that’s keyed so as not to rotate left or right when being adjusted. The seatpost is marked from 1 to 25, so people sharing a bike can remember and easily set seat height – unfortunately the numbers are painted onto the seatpost and so wear off very quickly with a few height adjustments. You have the ability to adjust handlebar height by 80mm by removing some steerer spacers, but most riders are unlikely to need any changes.

The rear-wheel hub motor is a 58Nm, 48V model putting out a peak 685W at 300% assist level – thereby multiplying a maximum rider input of 228 Watts. Decathlon have made full power available right down to 0% charge, which will be appreciated by many a parent on the ragged edge of the school run. The 58Nm seems a small amount for such a heavy bike but don’t be fooled – fully-loaded it’s ample support, and when the bike is empty it gives a boost that induces grins, if not shrieks of joy from first-time riders. For comparison, the boost from a standing start is largely similar in grin-inducing feel to that from my 85Nm Bosch CX eMTB.

There’s a catch though: Decathlon say ‘This motor generates power above 45 km/h which can damage your electrical system. Do not exceed this speed.’ Whilst it’s unlikely that you’ll be getting a bike this heavy and un-aerodynamic up to 45kph / 28MPH – or even want to – it’s not beyond the realm of possibility on a steep, clear downhill run. The display has a warning that flashes up at 45kph but it’s very unlikely you’ll be looking at the controller if you’re going that fast, so an audible buzzer would be better. Of course the motor’s assistance is capped at the UK legal limit of 25km/h.