Polly E-Assist Bike – Di2 Black Iron Horse

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

Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Polly is only 86cm 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 Black Iron Horse have the lowest learning curve since they are remarkably stable and feature highly intuitive steering. 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). The advantage of three-wheels is that they are simply more stable, and thus, more safe. 

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. 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 update-able, diagnosable, and if something does break, fundamentally repairable.

How does this compare to other three wheeled cargo bikes?

It really comes down to steering. There are three types of steering for trikes: pivot steering, independent steering, and tilt steering. Tilt steering can be found on performance bikes like the Butchers and Bicycles MK1E and is designed for high speed cornering. Independent steering is found on bikes like Nihola. This is designed for highly reactive handling in cities, but isn’t designed for high speed cornering because Nihola would view high-speed cornering in the city as fundamentally unsafe (they have a point). Black Iron Horse ups the game by using rear-wheel steering. This doesn’t require any learning curve, but it does require a moment of mental recalibration. Rear wheel steering has some big advantages. First, the weight of the cargo has no effect on the steering. Second, the front box can be a lot bigger. And last, rear wheel steering – while a bit weird at first – is highly reactive, offering amazing handling. And good handling is critical in cities where bike lanes are paint on concrete. 

How does this compare to a Winther or Nihola?

Both Winther and Nihola are Danish, so they actually have a lot in common! However, Winther uses pivot steering, meaning the handling isn’t quite as responsive as Nihola or Black Iron. (Note that the Winther is still much better than bikes like the Babboe Curve or Big, both of which use heavy marine-grade wood boxes). Like the Winther, the Black Iron Horse has generous box space. And, the Black Iron Horse, like the Winther, both use high quality Shimano motors. The Nihola, meanwhile, has incredible front wheel independent steering, but this steering also swallows up a lot of cargo space. The Nihola also uses lower quality Bafang motors that aren’t quite as good in terms of after-sales service or overall quality. Both the Black Iron Horse and Nihola feature a type of independent steering, but the Nihola steers from the front while the Black Iron Horse uses rear wheel steering. That makes the Black Iron Horse awesome for motor and for cargo space, but requires a ride or two to adjust to the steering. 

Can I store it outside?

You bet! All Black Iron Horse bikes are built for perpetual outdoor storage. The steel frames are coated with a super-tough and chip-resistant powder-coat. And, all the mechanical parts are sealed inside the hubs. 

What is the maintenance like?
Very low! Because the Black Iron Horse uses internal gears and hydraulic disc 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. 

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.

What’s the warranty?

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