Winther E-Assist Cargoo – Nexus 5 Winther

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

Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Winther 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 Winther 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. 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. 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). Winther uses pivot steering. This isn’t quite as reactive as Nihola steering, but in the case of Winther, it’s pretty darn close. Pivot steering means that the whole box steers rather than just the wheels. Most Dutch bikes use pivot steering but also use heavy wood boxes, making the handling feel quite heavy. The lightweight ABS plastic box on the Winther makes for handling very much on par with Nihola models and many of our customers have said they can’t tell the difference.

So, why wouldn’t I buy a Nihola e-assist?

Excellent question! If Nihola built an electric-assist that used mid-drive motors from blue chip companies like Shimano, Yamaha or Bosch then it would arguably be the better of the two bikes for handling (but only by a very small margin). But, Nihola chooses to use aftermarket kits on their bikes, which can’t compete for quality or for after-sales service. When buying an e-assist bike it is important to remember that one day, something will go wrong, and that quick access to diagnostics and replacement parts is critical. So, while it is arguable that Winther doesn’t have quite the handling as Nihola – again, by a small margin – the Shimano motor on the Winther is very attractive, as is the highly modular box, as is the lighter aluminum frame.

Can I store it outside?

You bet! All Winther bikes are built for perpetual outdoor storage. The aluminum frames are naturally rust-resistant and yet are still 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 Winther 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. 

Can I put a car seat inside?

You sure can. We recommend the Maxi Cosi brand since Winther makes a very clever adaptor that bolts to the bottom of the box (which features suspension to reduce strain). The other option is the Weber Baby Seat which is good for kids from 2-8 months (and takes up far less space). 

Can I add more seats?

You sure can! You can get four kids on this bike!

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. 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 the Shimano e-assist and one year on parts. Does not include wear and tear