Do you enjoy physical work? Do you like to pitch in and use your hands as tools? Then the Santos Adventure Cargo Bike might be right for you. No, not because you have to assemble this e-cargo bike yourself. The manufacturer does that for you. But with its individual design, a rare steering system, the use of lots of wood and an in-house developed ebike system, it exudes a hands-on mentality that is not commonplace.
1. Individualists and cycling adventurers welcome
2. Steel as a sign of stability
3. Santos Adventure Cargo Bike steers in the hub
4. E-cargo bike with plenty of space and numerous options for securing the load
5. Santos uses Pendix template for its own motor
6. More range for the Santos Adventure Cargo Bike
7. High-quality gearing, corresponding price
1. Individualists and cycling adventurers welcome
Santos and an e-cargo bike designed for cycling adventures around the world – it’s a perfect match. Since 1997, this small but excellent manufacturer from the Netherlands has built up a good reputation within the bike industry, primarily thanks to two distinctive features. Firstly, Santos consistently pursues a custom-made approach. There is a basic configuration for every model in the range. But it’s just waiting to be personalised by you. Almost every detail can be changed, from the fork, handlebars and saddle to the brakes, frame colour and spacers. This often comes with a slightly higher price tag. In return, you usually get a bike that you will hardly ever find in this configuration anywhere else.
Secondly, Santos loves cycling trips. The further away and more remote the destination, the better. Durability and reliability are therefore high priorities for the manufacturer. And that certainly serves as a good starting point for an own e-cargo bike.
2. Steel as a sign of stability
The Santos Adventure Cargo Bike is correspondingly robust. A frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel. The cargo bed consisting of construction-grade plywood. Plus steering with solid industrial bearings. But first things first.
The steel frame mentioned above is a flat steel frame made of two box profiles. Both profiles measure 30 millimetres by 60 millimetres. This promises a high degree of stability. As a result, Santos approves the ebike for a payload of 100 kilograms. At the same time, this concept is reflected in its own weight. At around 52 kilograms, the Adventure Cargo Bike is not exactly a lightweight. By comparison: The Sane from Maniac&Sane, also a longjohn with exactly the same permitted load capacity, weighs less than 23 kilograms. However, in this case, the frame is made of carbon instead of steel.
To ensure that the cargo is stored as low as possible on the ebike and gives it a stable riding feel, Santos has lowered the frame slightly with the help of smaller wheels. The manufacturer uses a 20-inch rear wheel and a 24-inch front wheel. Conveniently, you can choose between frame sizes M and L. However, the difference only seems to be a smaller or larger cargo bed and no adaptation of the frame geometry to different body lengths.
3. Santos Adventure Cargo Bike steers in the hub
The Santos Adventure Cargo Bike stands out from the crowd of other longjohns thanks to its steering system. This is a Dutch co-production. Santos uses a design developed by Dutch manufacturer Elian Cycles. This ebike is not steered with a fork – rigid or suspension. Instead, the system works with a complex construction of several rods, arms and linkages that lead to the centre of the front wheel hub. Your movements on the handlebars are transmitted precisely there via a pivot point. The special feature here is that the front wheel implements the movement and swivels in, while the axle on which it rests remains rigid in the centre of two arms extending from the frame.
The steering hub offers space for extremely large and therefore very stable bearings. These have a correspondingly long service life and require less frequent maintenance.
From Santos’ point of view, this system impresses with its stable riding feel. Compared to other solutions, it should allow for direct, responsive and precise steering, even when riding with heavy loads.
As we have not yet been able to test the model, we cannot contribute our own experiences at this point. However, when we look at ride reports from other e-cargo bikes featuring an Elian steering hub, they mostly confirm this impression. At the same time, some mention a slightly limited steering angle, which means that it is not always possible to ride comparable radii.
In principle, however, we believe you can expect a really good riding experience. It is not without reason that the German manufacturer Kettler, for example, uses Elian’s steering hub in many of its e-cargo bikes. Even in 2021, a Kettler model with this type of steering received the Eurobike Award.
4. E-cargo bike with plenty of space and numerous options for securing the load
The decision to use a steering hub even has a positive effect on the design of the cargo bed. The elimination of the fork means that the front wheel can handle much heavier loads. Consequently, it makes sense to use the space above it as a cargo bed. This is exactly what Santos has done.
In addition to the large platform directly in front of the head tube, there is a second, smaller one above the front wheel. This allows the length of the bicycle to be used efficiently for transporting load, while minimising the overall length of the vehicle.
The loading area has a modular design and consists of four individual plywood panels. The wood is multi-layered and pressed. A special coating ensures that it can successfully withstand a wide range of weather conditions over the long term. By using wood, Santos gives you the option of attaching your own additional fastenings to the panels, which may be necessary for your personal use. Worn or damaged panels can be replaced individually at any time.
The manufacturer has also done a good job of preparing for the question of how to secure your cargo on the electric cargo bike. Airline tracks are embedded in both the wood and selected areas of the frame. These mounting rails are also used by several other manufacturers. Thanks to their detailed structure, hooks for tension straps and fastening straps can be attached at close intervals. If you have enough securing material, you can stow a lot on the cargo bed.
5. Santos uses Pendix template for its own motor
Santos is taking a somewhat unusual approach with regard to the ebike system it uses. The Santos PX mid-drive motor was developed in collaboration with the German manufacturer Pendix. It is based on an ebike retrofit kit that can be used to add motor assistance to a regular bicycle. Santos has developed its own software for the motor, which is mounted directly on the crank. Giant takes a similar approach, with most of its motors based on Yamaha hardware.
The advantage for Santos is that the Pendix system allows the manufacturer to turn any of its models into an ebike in no time at all. In fact, the company offers this option as standard. This eliminates the need to produce a separate ebike frame with a mount for the mid-drive motor. And in this way, an ebike cargo bike is born with manageable effort.
However, this understandable strategy involves a few drawbacks. For example, you have to make some compromises in terms of the drive performance for the Santos Adventure Cargo Bike. With a peak power output of 500 watts and a torque of 65 Newton metres, the assistance is lower than with other longjohns with a mid-drive motor. Manufacturers who use Bosch systems would, for example, opt for the current Bosch Cargo Line in such a case. With 750 watts and 100 Newton metres, this offers a noticeably different dynamic.
6. More range for the Santos Adventure Cargo Bike
However, the Santos PX is superior to a conventional Pendix motor. This is thanks to its own software. With its help, the motor saves a considerable amount of energy compared to a standard Pendix system. According to the manufacturer, this results in around 30 percent more range in Eco mode. In Smart mode, the figure is said to be as high as 40 percent. In Sport mode, however, both systems perform at the same level. It is difficult to determine what range you can ultimately achieve with the 500 watt-hour battery. Santos generally speaks of a range between 25 kilometres and 100 kilometres. Specifically in relation to its e-cargo bike, the manufacturer does not give any precise figures.
A quick note on how the system is operated. Typically for Pendix, this is associated with the battery. There you activate the electric drive and select one of the three riding modes using a rotary knob. The system does not include a display. And Santos has not added one of its own either.
7. High-quality gearing, corresponding price
The gearing completes the Santos Adventure Cargo Bike’s image as a flexible, robust ebike. The Rohloff Speedhub E-14 fits this approach perfectly. Apart from the recommended annual oil change, the hub gear requires hardly any further maintenance. At the same time, with 14 gears and a gear ratio range of 526 per cent, it offers enough scope to find the right gear for almost any riding situation. Combined with a carbon belt from Gates, the result is a powerful drive that should give you little cause for concern.
You may find yourself frowning a little when you hear the price of this e-cargo bike. Santos estimates the price of the Adventure Cargo Bike at 10,995 euros. And just to remind you – that’s the price for the cheapest model. It doesn’t even include permanently installed lighting. People often say that an ebike can replace a car. This one certainly costs as much as an acceptable used car.
Santos Adventure Cargo Bike at a glance
- Frame: Cro-Mo
- Frame sizes: M, L
- Motor: Santos PX
- Battery: Santos PX 500 Wh
- Drivetrain: Rohloff Speedhub E-14
- Brakes: Fahrwerker, 180 mm
- Weight: 52 kg
- Maximum payload: 100 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 250 kg
- Colour: Deep Black
- Prices: from 10,995 euros
Pictures: Santos Bikes