An ebike with an adjustable wheelbase – that is anything but ordinary. A year and a half ago, the Berlin-based company Cycle presented just such a bike at Eurobike 2023 in Frankfurt am Main: the 20Fifty. At the time, all that was on display was a development model. Now, however, series production of this unusual cargo bike with electric motor assistance has begun.
1. One frame, but two different bikes
2. Cycle 20Fifty LT: specialist for heavier loads
3. Battery with remarkable capacity
4. Transport capacity expandable
5. Reliable and good for the environment
6. Cycle with B2B model rolling
1. One frame, but two different bikes
At the end of 2024, the time had come. After years of development work, an intensive search for investors and some unexpectedly major setbacks during the test phase, the Cycle 20Fifty has finally made it to the production model. The two Austrian founders, Luis Orsini-Rosenberg and Nikodemus Seilern, have shown some stamina and apparently successfully highlighted the special features of their idea. This undoubtedly includes the special frame concept with a double dropout. Cycle itself speaks of a modular dual-dropout system. Behind it is a chainstay featuring two dropouts. Placed 80 millimeters apart, they ensure that the rear wheel can be inserted in two points.
The effects on the geometry and riding experience of the Cycle 20Fifty essentially create two different bikes. The manufacturer sees it the same way. Consequently, he is launching two versions of the ebike. The wheelbase of the Cycle 20Fifty LT is 1,300 millimeters. At 1,220 millimeters, the dimension of the Cycle 20Fifty ST is significantly shorter. If you use the drivetrain with two different chain lengths, you can theoretically switch back and forth between LT and ST – short for longtail and shorttail. Cycle uses the higher riding stability of the LT version and deliberately installs a very long rear rack as standard. In contrast, the shorter wheelbase makes the Cycle 20Fifty ST easier to maneuver in traffic. The decision to forgo a larger rear rack underscores the sportier character of the 20Fifty ST. Bags, baskets and similar items can be stored on the front rack instead.
2. Cycle 20Fifty LT: specialist for heavier loads
Generally speaking, both models are longtail cargo bikes. In one case, it was designed entirely as such. In the other case, the potential for it lies dormant in the bike. By switching to the longer wheelbase and retrofitting the rear rack, it can be transformed from a shorttail into a longtail, so to speak. The manufacturer itself focused on the actual longtail from the outset. It wanted to provide the delivery industry and urban logistics with a vehicle that could be used to cover the famous last mile in metropolitan areas or to provide unhindered access to car-free city centers.
In regard to the presumed greater load on the longtail, there are therefore very specific differences to the shorttail. These include, for example, the Enduo chain drive. Its special chainring and chain construction reduces wear by up to 30 percent compared to conventional solutions. This allows users to significantly reduce both material costs and maintenance. Other changes include a stable double kickstand developed in-house, different forks and reinforced wheels. For the tires, Cycle relies on Schwalbe’s Pick-Up for both versions of the 20Fifty. However, only the longtail gets even more puncture protection thanks to special inserts.
3. Battery with remarkable capacity
During development, Cycle said it prioritized the following four features: range, performance, reliability and sustainability. You really don’t have to worry about the range of the Cycle 20Fifty. First, the battery, developed together with Chinese manufacturer Topband, provides almost 1,000 watt-hours of capacity. Even though we don’t know the weight of this ebike, the stated range of up to 150 kilometers seems absolutely realistic. Secondly, every 20Fifty comes with a fast charger.
For performance, we first take into account the motor. This is a hub motor integrated into the rear wheel, which supports you up to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. In continuous operation, it delivers the usual 250 watts. This can peak at a maximum of 500 watts for a few moments. The Chinese manufacturer Shengyi states the torque as 60 Nm. Since this is applied directly to the rear wheel, the thrust of the motor should be quite powerful. Thanks to the built-in torque sensor, it should still feel quite natural when riding.
4. Transport capacity expandable
How powerful a cargo bike is is also reflected in the goods it can transport. On the Cycle 20Fifty, the rear rack is primarily responsible for this. Not only is it noticeably long, but it can also carry loads of up to 60 kilograms. That sounds pretty good. However, if you consider that a family bike like the Tern Quick Haul Long comes with a 90-kilogram limit in this section, the assessment is put into perspective a little.
The permitted load of 20 kilograms on the front rack, on the other hand, is at the upper limit of what you can expect. And overall, the 80 kilograms in terms of payload for a single-track ebike are quite respectable. Together with the weight of the riders and the cargo bike itself, the maximum permitted total weight is 200 kilograms. At this point, the Cycle 20Fifty then, by the way, exceeds the Tern Quick Haul Long by ten kilograms. 😉
5. Reliable and good for the environment
The fact that Cycle specifically looked for components that have already proven themselves on other ebikes and can be considered high quality, even though their name doesn’t always ring a bell at first, contributes to the durability of the e-cargo bike. Where no suitable solution was available, they developed parts themselves. A certain simplicity of the concept also increases the reliability of the 20Fifty. Instead of a gearing system, you will find a single-speed drive. This means a few compromises in terms of riding comfort, but scores points with significantly lower maintenance.
In terms of production, it becomes clear that Cycle is working hard to achieve the best possible ecological balance. For example, the frame is made from recycled aluminium. In addition, production and assembly are mainly located in Europe, while development takes place entirely in Germany. It is therefore not surprising that the name of the e-cargo bike is linked to the agreements of the 2015 World Climate Conference in Paris. The agreement states that in order to keep global warming from rising above two degrees Celsius, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero by 2050. 2050 as the decisive year and 20Fifty as the name – you can certainly see the connection.
6. Cycle with B2B model rolling
At the latest when you hear that an IoT device is also built into the 20Fifty, with which the ebike can be located via GPS and the motor deactivated in the event of theft, some of you may pricked up your ears and wonder where you can test and also buy either the longtail or the shorttail. Well, this is the point where you exhale in disappointment. Because Cycle offers both the 20Fifty LT and the 20Fifty ST exclusively as rental bikes for other companies. According to Cycle CEO Luis Orsini-Rosenberg, this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.
In fact, this was already the manufacturer’s business model when it operated under the name GetHenry from 2018 to 2022. Cycle specifically targets courier and food delivery services such as Flink, Just Eat Takeaway.com and Foodora. The company not only provides them with the bikes, but also takes care of maintenance and repairs as well as offering them software solutions for fleet management. According to Cycle, it currently operates in more than 150 cities in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands.
Cycle 20Fifty at a glance
- Frame: aluminium
- Frame size: one size
- Motor: Shengyi
- Battery: Topband, 960 Wh
- Control unit: Velofox
- Drivetrain: single speed
- Brakes: Tektro Auriga HD E540
- Maximum load, front rack: 20 kg
- Maximum load, rear rack: 60 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 200 kg
Pictures: Cycle Mobility Holding GmbH