Happy cycling!
Don

Our current E-Mundo configuration is based on the 9continent motor, which is excellent for most users.
http://www.cycle9.com/c9store/electric-cargo-bikes-c-29/e-mundo-complete-electric-mundo-bike-p-147
It’s not internally geared, but can be run at a bit higher power to handle loads and hills. We also offer a higher torque geared hub motor for people with steeper or longer hills (BMC V2-torque motor) or those carrying especially heavy loads. The stokemonkey (we carry and support that as well) is an excellent design for particularly steep applications such as San Francisco (where it was designed), but unfortunately a safe and sturdy mounting solution for the Yuba is yet to be developed.

I’ve been using a geared hub motor (eZee) to transport myself and 3 small children with a Madsen cargo bike and had great success. We have rolling terrain here in NC – some of which is too steep for me with that load unassisted – but not mountains. My business partner has a Big Dummy with a 9continent kit currently setup, and that combination she has been very happy with as well. We like to practice what we preach here at Cycle 9!

I would encourage anyone who is interested in electric cargo biking to consider an add-on kit. You can get excellent power for the money spent. I have not had a chance to try the electric Ute or Trek, but I somehow don’t expect fireworks based on design specifics I’ve seen for (non-cargo) ebikes from these companies. We’d be happy to answer any questions in this area to help others discover the joy and freedom of divorcing their car. My original electric cargo bike was an Xtracycle Freerad kit with a Crystalyte motor, all built up in my living room! It seriously changed the way I got around and caused me to want to make this process easier for people through Cycle 9.

Thanks for your blog and spreading the word about these great bikes!
-Elise Giddings
Owner of Cycle9.com

I wish you could try the Hammer Truck. The crank forward design is a leap forward in my opinion, and now I’m appreciating those standard front and rear disc brakes even more compared to other cargo bikes I’ve been reviewing. Have you checked the Rans web site for dealers in your area? My local dealer was so accommodating he let me borrow the bike for several days to test it on my hill before I bought it. He didn’t even ask for my name or phone number before we loaded it in my car! I can’t promise you’ll get that level of service anywhere else, but it definitely helped me fall in love with the whole concept of cargo biking.

I seriously considered a stoked Big Dummy when I started shopping for a bike. I’m a bit surprised by your assertion that the Stoke Monkey is silent. I read blogs by Stoke Monkey owners who say otherwise. One says it emits harmonics that he can’t hear, but his wife can, and it sets off a chorus of barking dogs every time he passes by. I was also put off by a bike shop owner who said the Stoke Monkey requires regular maintenance to achieve proper alignment (but another shop owner claims people don’t know how to tighten the bolts properly!)

While we wait for Yuba and Kona to decide how serious they are about their electric cargo bike offerings, a new player is on the horizon. Trek has a bike on its web site that is scheduled for release in “late fall.” At first glance, it doesn’t appear to break new ground in terms of features, but perhaps this bike will have wider availability and better marketing. I will be blogging about that as well.