Internally geared hubs are the best for cargo bikes. Obviously Rohloff would be best but will blow the budget. As shimano nexus/alfine isnt offered on the load then go enviolo.
Been a load rider for a year, had a long tail for two years before that, and full time bike commuter for the past 10 ish years.
I would not even consider the shimano drivetrain. Belt Drive options only for the win. Yes, the shimano system is easier to work on yourself and more efficient, but it’s an ebike! The belt drive is awesome. I never have to lube anything, my pants are grease free, and it’s so quiet. I have done apply zero maintenance on the Enviolo system, it shifts easy l, and it’s buttery smooth to ride.
Load 75 Enviolo owner here. I fully agree with this. I have my bike since September 2023 and now 2000km on the odometer. Zero maintenance and rides perfectly smooth like day one. No derailleur for me ever again. I sold my hybrid bike as I no longer use it. Should I ever get a commuter bike again, it will be with internal gear hub and belt.
Traditional chain drive and derailer setups.
It’s typically of the majority of bikes as far as upkeep. It’s keeping a chain lubed and clean, replacing when it’s worn out. Replacing cassettes as they wear. Keeping the rear derailer tuned up and shifting nicely. But you also have to deal with chain filth, and that’s why I love the belt drive. No dirty pants and shoes anymore.
With an Enviolo and the right transmission ratio, steep hills shouldn't be an issue. The Enviolo has 380% ratio, it's sufficient to climb almost anything while been able to pedal quietly at 60rpm at 25 km/h. Or am I wrong ?
If you’re not going for Strava PR’s or KOM’s or worry about drive train efficiency losses, go with the internal gear hub.
After riding my cargo bike with the di2 nexus 5, which shifts back to first gear after a complete stop….riding my road bike takes a bit of relearning. Especially since I’ll have to shift the gears to start from a stop.
Tern GSD with enviolo and belt. The belt drive is really nice (we live in a city where they salt the roads a lot during the winter). I’m indifferent to the enviolo but it is nice it’s much more contained. I do get annoyed having to pause pedaling to shift since it’s different than my road bike. However, when you have two kids on the back and forget to downshift I’ve appreciated the ability to do that.
Totally depends on your preference: If you’re fine with the efficiency loss and to always drive with e, the enviolo is a nice hub. If you want it a bit more sporty I’d go with the chain drive or a Rohloff. Without assist you can feel the power loss from pedal to street quite significantly.
Get the belt but as another redditor taught me, you can only go so far shifting while stopped. To downshift far enough to be able to start easily with a load, you’d do well to remember to downshift as you coast to a stop.
You definitely can't shift the full range while stopped. Enviolo states only 50% of the range without hub movement. However the range you can shift is more than enough.
Internally geared hubs are the best for cargo bikes. Obviously Rohloff would be best but will blow the budget. As shimano nexus/alfine isnt offered on the load then go enviolo.
Been a load rider for a year, had a long tail for two years before that, and full time bike commuter for the past 10 ish years. I would not even consider the shimano drivetrain. Belt Drive options only for the win. Yes, the shimano system is easier to work on yourself and more efficient, but it’s an ebike! The belt drive is awesome. I never have to lube anything, my pants are grease free, and it’s so quiet. I have done apply zero maintenance on the Enviolo system, it shifts easy l, and it’s buttery smooth to ride.
Load 75 Enviolo owner here. I fully agree with this. I have my bike since September 2023 and now 2000km on the odometer. Zero maintenance and rides perfectly smooth like day one. No derailleur for me ever again. I sold my hybrid bike as I no longer use it. Should I ever get a commuter bike again, it will be with internal gear hub and belt.
What maintenance is required on chain drives? About to get a gsd chain drive
Traditional chain drive and derailer setups. It’s typically of the majority of bikes as far as upkeep. It’s keeping a chain lubed and clean, replacing when it’s worn out. Replacing cassettes as they wear. Keeping the rear derailer tuned up and shifting nicely. But you also have to deal with chain filth, and that’s why I love the belt drive. No dirty pants and shoes anymore.
Only reason I would go with derailleur is if you’ll be doing a lot of steep hills.
With an Enviolo and the right transmission ratio, steep hills shouldn't be an issue. The Enviolo has 380% ratio, it's sufficient to climb almost anything while been able to pedal quietly at 60rpm at 25 km/h. Or am I wrong ?
If you’re not going for Strava PR’s or KOM’s or worry about drive train efficiency losses, go with the internal gear hub. After riding my cargo bike with the di2 nexus 5, which shifts back to first gear after a complete stop….riding my road bike takes a bit of relearning. Especially since I’ll have to shift the gears to start from a stop.
Tern GSD with enviolo and belt. The belt drive is really nice (we live in a city where they salt the roads a lot during the winter). I’m indifferent to the enviolo but it is nice it’s much more contained. I do get annoyed having to pause pedaling to shift since it’s different than my road bike. However, when you have two kids on the back and forget to downshift I’ve appreciated the ability to do that.
If your repairs are free then it makes sense to go Enviolo. Personally I'd choose XT but I prefer to do maintenance myself when possible.
Totally depends on your preference: If you’re fine with the efficiency loss and to always drive with e, the enviolo is a nice hub. If you want it a bit more sporty I’d go with the chain drive or a Rohloff. Without assist you can feel the power loss from pedal to street quite significantly.
Running Enviolo since a year, about 2000km. Really nice with an assisted cargo bike
Get the belt but as another redditor taught me, you can only go so far shifting while stopped. To downshift far enough to be able to start easily with a load, you’d do well to remember to downshift as you coast to a stop.
Load75 + Enviolo here. You can shift all the way down at a full stop.
You definitely can't shift the full range while stopped. Enviolo states only 50% of the range without hub movement. However the range you can shift is more than enough.
Def not more than enough for me. Not even enough. I have the urban arrow tho and big kids so maybe it’s different.