When you want to ride a cargo bike, you usually think of a complete bike at first. However, there are particularly affordable alternatives in the form of special conversion kits. With their help, you can convert an existing bike into one that can transport way more loads. Argo Cargo Bikes offers such a solution with the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0. And this set is even suitable for ebikes with a rear wheel hub drive.
1. E-cargo bikes usually not a bargain
2. Conversion possible in your own workshop
3. Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 with numerous improvements
4. Can a regular ebike be converted into an e-cargo bike?
5. Selected accessories
6. Which ebikes is the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 compatible with?
7. Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0: Price and availability
1. E-cargo bikes usually not a bargain
E-cargo bikes prove to be extremely practical in everyday life. A model such as the current Tern GSD can carry a total payload of 120 kilograms. With a Carrie from Riese & Müller or a Muli Cycles, the large front cargo box can be folded up when you don’t need it. And a CS from Ca Go provides three cargo areas, so you can transport a child seat, a crate of drinks, and a Eurobox with a base area of 600 millimeters x 400 millimeters at the same time. However, this convenience comes at a price. None of the models mentioned cost less than 4,000 euros.
Compared to the price of a car, which can be quickly replaced by a high-quality e-cargo bike, especially in an urban context, this amount seems absolutely reasonable. At the same time, you could get a great longjohn for only around 1,000 euros. This is a cargo bike with a long wheelbase, so the cargo area is located in front of the rider. This means you can keep an eye on your load – whether it’s cargo or passengers – at all times. Thanks to its low position, this type of e-cargo bike is considered easy to control and steer.
2. Conversion possible in your own workshop
Admittedly, the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 is not a complete e-cargo bike. However, with this set, you can potentially turn your ebike into one. If your ebike features a rigid fork, flat handlebars, and a threaded bottom bracket, the conversion will likely take no more than two hours and requires neither special knowledge nor tools. The set can also be used with other configurations. In this case, there are additional details to consider, and the assembly is slightly more complex. More information on this can be found here.
In summary, the conversion means that you assemble the kit, replace the existing brakes with the two stronger brakes included, remove the front wheel from your ebike, mount the Argo Fy on the bottom bracket, and make a few final adjustments. That’s all there is to it. One of the reasons it can be done so quickly is that the manufacturer has prepared the kit for axles with diameters of nine millimeters, twelve millimeters, and 15 millimeters. Whether you have a quick release, thru axle, or Super Boost, you’re ready for anything. More importantly, however, these are the common standards that you’re likely to encounter on just about every conceivable type of ebike today.
3. Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 with numerous improvements
The kit already incorporates the lessons learned from its predecessor. This means that all technical teething problems should have been sorted out. Version 2.0 is again based on a 6061 aluminum frame. This has been further reinforced with additional gussets and fins. Developer Scott Taylor has also refined the steering system, which works with steering rods. According to him, this allows for a greater steering angle, which should noticeably increase the bike’s maneuverability. Other minor changes relate to the design, for example on the head tube, and mean that the Argo Fy can accommodate wider tires. With a total weight of 18.2 kilograms, you can load the cargo box included in the set with a weight of 68 kilograms. For comparison: The cargo box on the three-wheeled Sblocs Calderas e-cargo bike, like that of the Argo Fy, is made of wood, has a maximum capacity of 155 liters, and is approved for a payload of 40 kilograms.
The cargo box in the kit deserves a particular mention. Scott Taylor places particular emphasis on it in the transition to the revised version of the Argo Fy. Whereas the box was previously made of Baltic birch plywood, phenolic plywood is now used. At its core, it consists of waterproof plywood with paper that is impregnated with phenolic resin, the phenolic film. Multiple layers are pressed together to create a highly resistant composite that is virtually impervious to moisture and other climatic influences. Construction companies like to use phenolic plywood outdoors, where durability and resistance to the elements are important. Due to its slip resistance, you will also find this material on the loading areas of utility vehicles. A nice side effect: The box weighs less than before and, in our opinion, also looks more stylish. Incidentally, two safety belts for children can be attached to the back.
4. Can a regular ebike be converted into an e-cargo bike?
Skepticism about kits such as the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 always arises when it comes to the question of how well the original ebike can meet the requirements of an e-cargo bike. After all, it was not usually designed for the greater loads that come with it. Therefore, the question is certainly justified. In the case of this set, the answer lies in the point where the bike and the conversion kit meet. This is at the bottom bracket. A solid metal linkage connects the two. This means that the main part of the load is where the vehicle is typically most stable. The fork, on the other hand, is excluded from this calculation and should function as smoothly as you are used to from any other bike.
5. Selected accessories
In fact, the manufacturer seems to have complete confidence in the link between the set and the bike. In addition to a permanent solution, it offers an alternative that it has had specially patented. This involves replacing the bolt normally used in this position with a bolt with a handle, the Quick Bolt. You can loosen the Quick Bolt without any additional tools and thus disassemble your e-cargo bike into two parts. These parts fit better in the garage if you want to store the bike there over the winter. Or they fit better on a trailer or in a car if you want to take it with you on a trip.
The extras for the Argo Fy also include a canopy. It protects cargo and, in particular, passengers from rain, wind, sun, and other weather conditions. According to the manufacturer, it takes around five minutes to attach it to the front and rear of the cargo box. When not in use, it can be stowed away using straps on the underside of the box. This means you always have it with you without it taking up space in the cargo area.
6. Which ebikes is the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 compatible with?
The conversion kit was designed for bikes with and without electric assistance. At this point, we will only consider compatibility with ebikes and deliberately exclude the other options.
The main requirement was briefly mentioned at the beginning of this article. Currently, the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 is only suitable if you ride an ebike with a rear wheel hub motor and want to convert it into an e-cargo bike. A solution for ebikes with a mid-drive motor is not yet available. However, according to the manufacturer, they are already working on this project. A compatible system may be released in 2027.
Whether you can mount the set on the ebike you have chosen depends on the following three components:
- handlebars
- bottom bracket
- fork
Handlebars: flat bars and drop bars
The Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 includes two hydraulic disc brakes. They come standard with a brake lever for flat bars. If your ebike has flat bars, you can replace the existing brakes and brake levers with these.
With drop bars, the work involved increases. Parts of the existing setup need to be changed with regard to the front brake. A hydraulic brake would require a longer cable. Mechanical disc brakes, on the other hand, require longer brake cables. If you don’t feel confident doing this yourself, you can also entrust the task to a professional bike repair shop of your choice.
Bottom bracket: Threaded is a must
The bottom bracket mount fits threaded bottom brackets that are either 68 millimeters or 73 millimeters wide. Widths of 83 millimeters and 100 millimeters are also no problem. Whether the axle belongs to the bottom bracket or is part of the crank arm is of secondary importance with the Argo Fy – as long as the integrated axle is a square taper bottom bracket. Both variants are covered.
However, PressFit bottom brackets and Sram bottom brackets with a width of 68 millimeters are currently categorically excluded.
Fork: Disengage suspension
Installation is easiest with a rigid fork. Nevertheless, a suspension fork is not a criterion for exclusion, provided that it can be locked – either mechanically or hydraulically. However, riding with the suspension fork engaged does not appear to be possible.
7. Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0: Price and availability
You can currently purchase the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0 on the Argo Cargo Bike website. The price is around 1,040 euros. Delivery is scheduled for December 2025. Shipping to Europe is possible.
Pictures: Utility Cycles, LLC