It solely made sense for Jared Sartee to begin designing cargo bikes. To start out, Sartee is an avid mountain biker. He’s additionally a household man, lives in a small bike-friendly city, and is environmentally conscious. Add to that his engineering experience and also you’ve obtained each motive to create a brand new model of e-cargo bikes.

Sartee Bikes is an upstart e-cargo bike model based mostly in Pemberton, B.C.. The corporate is kicking issues off with two completely different front-loading, two wheeled e-cargo bikes designed for enterprise or household use. CEO Jared Sartee is an MIT-educated mechanical engineer with earlier expertise in engineering consulting and product design for varied corporations together with Apple. Final fall he determined to pursue his personal ardour venture with Sartee Bikes.

Sartee Bikes Body Design Options:

Sartee designed the frames for his cargo bikes, together with his personal cable-driven steering mechanism. This mechanism makes use of an plane grade chrome steel cable and permits the entrance wheel 180° of steering vary. This design maximizes the bike’s maneuverability each within the saddle and out. The mechanism is contained contained in the body and shielded from the weather. 

The frames are designed to be extremely modular, providing loads of choices for varied cargo containers, platforms, or different equipment to be mounted to the primary rail. The rail takes inspiration from industrial-standard 80/20 T-slot profile. The T-slot matches many off-the-shelf accent brackets, so consumers can customise their cargo areas simply. The rail design additionally offers the bike a really low step-through form so it’s simple to mount when absolutely loaded up.

Sartee designed his first body in October 2022, and began driving his first prototype bike in February of 2023. A second prototype got here in April, and I obtained to trip the third model again in June.

Environmental Sustainability:

Sartee Bikes are designed to final for a lifetime, and encourage folks to get out of their gas burning vehicles. The corporate pledges to be clear about their manufacturing and enterprise practices. They purpose to supply as little waste as doable, and contribute funds to environmental causes as a member of 1% for the Planet.

Sartee Bikes is staying native with manufacturing wherever doable. The GRIN Applied sciences motors and controllers they use are made in Vancouver. Their S80 CAB gentle cargo/child service is made in Squamish. The aluminum entrance frames are extruded in China, however the 4130 Chromoly rear ends are in-built Montreal. The body parts are then bolted collectively, so particular person sections together with the rear ends are replaceable. The frames are welded and powder coated in Montreal, Quebec, and (at present) the bikes are assembled in Pemberton, B.C.. Being a small startup firm, Sartee says prospects can simply get in contact if they’ve any questions or points with the bikes.

Take a look at Driving A Prototype:

I obtained an opportunity to check trip Sartee’s third prototype. This model was constructed on the longer S120 body and had a sizeable cargo field connected. I’ve by no means ridden any type of cargo bike earlier than, so I struggled for the primary couple of minutes to get comfy with it. The bike was fairly heavy, very lengthy, and with the 2 wheel setup balancing the bike took somewhat getting used to.

Following Sartee’s recommendation I used the throttle to get the bike transferring, then began pedalling. This was the important thing for me, and pretty rapidly I used to be in a position to trip round with out a lot hassle. I used to be hardly ripping round like Sartee himself, however I’d guess most riders may get comfy with these cargo bikes inside just a few days of driving at most.

I discovered Sartee’s steering mechanism labored nicely, providing no noticeable resistance or delay. Whereas I rode the bike with no cargo the rear hub motor appeared to have loads of energy, whether or not from the throttle alone or with the 5 ranges of pedal help. The hydraulic disc brakes had ample energy to cease the sizeable bike simply. Additionally, I used to be in a position to alter the seat and handlebars to a cushty place.

Sartee Bikes Mannequin Lineup:

Sartee Bikes is beginning out with two fashions; The S120 Pickup and the S80 Cargo Cab.

S120 Pickup:

The S120 Pickup’s 1200mm cargo space can carry a normal sized American or European pallet, and gives as much as 720 liters of cargo quantity. Sartee has designed a big aluminum Cargo Field for the S120, which gives tons of cargo house and contains struts to maintain the lid open. He’s additionally drafted up a Flat Deck, which is a cargo platform that includes many cut-outs for attaching cargo straps, and many others.

With a single motor, the S120 Pickup has a whopping 205kg/452 lbs. max capability together with the rider and cargo. A single motor, rear wheel drive S120 Pickup weighs 90lbs earlier than equipment are factored in.

The S120 additionally gives an AWD choice, which provides one other hub motor to the entrance wheel. The second motor doubles the bike’s energy output and permits it to haul masses up steeper grades. There’s additionally a no motor choice, and a motor equipment might be retrofitted to the bikes if the customer’s wants or preferences change. 

S80 Cargo Cab:

The S80 Cargo Cab gives an 800mm cargo space on a shorter and extra nimble body. With household use in thoughts, Sartee has designed the S80 CAB child/cargo service for this mannequin. The service seats two young children and contains seat belts. When cargo house is required, the kid seat folds away. The service additionally folds inwards to maintain the bike leaner for storage. A shortened model of the Flat Deck may also be out there for the S80.

With a single motor, the S80 has the identical 452lbs hauling capability because the S120. The S80 additionally gives the choice of including a second hub motor, or might be bought with out a motor. The S80 CAB weighs 95lbs together with the recycled Nylon child’s seat. A geo chart for the S80 wasn’t out there but, however all dimensions are the identical because the S120 besides the body’s cargo space, wheelbase and whole size are 400mm shorter.

Frequent Options and Parts:

Sartee designed his cargo bikes to be simple to take care of; they are often labored on with normal instruments and use frequent bike elements.  All elements and specs listed under are the identical for the S120 Pickup and S80 Cargo Cab.

Each fashions roll on a 24” rear wheel and a 20” entrance. The tires are puncture resistant, 2.35” large Schwalbe Decide-Ups. The bikes use100x15mm entrance axles, and 148x12mm rears. For consolation and traction, up entrance you’ll discover a Suntour Mobie A32 coil suspension fork with 50mm journey.

Braking is dealt with by Tektro’s Auriga 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. Sartee says his are the primary cargo bikes to supply a totally useful throttle and regenerative braking, which kicks in when the brake lever is pulled. The motor then helps deliver the bike to a easy cease and sends energy again to the battery. The levers additionally function throttle cutoffs.

Each fashions get 1×9 gearing with an 11-46t cassette and a 38t narrow-wide entrance chainring. Sartee selected Microshift’s Introduction derailleur, Path Set off shifter and cassette for the bikes. The underside bracket is an MTB model press-fit PF92 with a 24mm Chromoly spindle.

Seat posts are 400mm lengthy and 31.6mm diameter, and the quick-release clamp is 34.9mm. Sartee cleverly features a Velo saddle with a built-in carry deal with that may assist with transferring the bike round. Whereas there may be loads of adjustment for handlebar and seat top, there isn’t any built-in attain adjustment (nonetheless the inventory 40mm stem may simply be swapped). Sartee says the bikes are designed to suit riders from 5’0” to six’6”. Different elements and equipment embody built-in entrance and taillights, entrance and rear fenders, and a singular two-legged kickstand.

Drive System:

Sartee bikes use GRIN TECH hub motors, which had been particularly designed for top torque purposes. The motors produce 1300w of energy and 92Nm of torque. A RWD S120 Pickup can deal with as much as 6% grades at 19mph when loaded to the total 450lb capability however the AWD mannequin it may well deal with 13.5% grades beneath related circumstances.

The motor is managed by GRIN TECH’s Baserunner controller, which features a thumb throttle and 5 ranges of pedal help. The show display exhibits your energy stage, battery life, velocity, odometer, plus resettable journey particulars like max velocity, common velocity and journey distance. One good contact is how the bike’s energy button is neatly built-in into the stem cap.

Supplying energy is GRIN TECH’s 48V 19Ah 912Wh battery, which fees to 85% in 4 hours. Each bike fashions provide single or double battery choices. With two batteries the bikes will go 70 miles/113km at full velocity and absolutely loaded. With a single battery the vary is 40 miles/64km.

Customization/Equipment:

Sartee goals to be versatile and adaptable for buyer’s wants, so customized body lengths might be constructed to order, and customized equipment for the cargo bay are additionally an choice – simply get in contact to debate such initiatives.

There are a number of optionally available equipment that may be ordered on-line now: A rear pannier rack, Pallet Rack, Tonneau cowl (which inserts over the pallet rack), and a Steering Extender for taller riders are all at present out there.

Sartee Bikes’ S120 Pickup or S80 Cargo Cab bikes might be ordered now, however consumers ought to count on a 12 week lead time because the bikes are made-to-order. These also can subscribe via Sartee Bikes’ web site to obtain info and updates in regards to the bikes and equipment. 

Each the S120 and S80 bikes begin at $7795 CAD (together with a single hub motor/drive system). No pricing is offered for different construct choices or equipment but. Presently Sartee Bikes is providing an $800 low cost on their S80 mannequin in case you place a deposit.

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