Remember what it’s like to hop in your car during morning or evening rush hour? Sorry, we know it’s not the best feeling. That’s why we took the new CIVI Bikes Runabout out for our daily commute. CIVI Bikes’ fresh addition is a compact, functional, cargo bike, designed to haul anything you can fit in its spacious cargo area.
Can it run errands for me?
Imagine for a second that a compact SUV that used to take your kids to school, grab your groceries, and brought you to the gym and back, turned into a bike. What would that look like? How much could you carry? Could you not only save money, but time? Here at The Bike Shop California (and The Bike Shop Santa Monica), we’re very conscious of the overall impact cars can have on the planet. We always advocate for riding a bike as much as possible. As more information comes out about the Earth’s “declining state,” the more we focus on bikes taking over the functions of a car. Bikes like the CIVI Runabout make running errands and other tasks effortless. You may even forget there’s a car in your driveway!
What are the specs?
It’s what would be considered a more physically approachable design. The Runabout is a Class 2 pedelec, just like other e-bikes in the CIVI lineup. Believe it or not, it’s quite zippy for a mini cargo bike. With a 48V 500W HTTM High Torque Gear Motor, you’ll coast along happily at up to 25mph! The rear hub drive motor has a peak output over 800W, so carrying extra weight or climbing those hills in Santa Monica will be a breeze. The half-twist throttle is very responsive, so be careful when you’re taking off at each stop sign. There are 5 levels of pedal assist which can be accessed from the LCD display. The Matrix display gives you all the information you need: Odometer, trip, speed, motor output, battery indicator, and a few other settings.
Fortunately, front and rear Tektro disc brakes bring the Runabout to a stop when needed. It has a 160mm rotor in front and 140mm in the rear. The 48V 14.5Ah Li-ion battery is easy to take out and can be charged up in about 4.5 hours. In case you’ve been out for a long day on the Italian, Selle Royal saddle made of super soft Silicon Gel, there’s a USB port integrated into the battery pack to keep your devices charged. Yes, they thought of everything…well, almost. Our only real peeve is that lights aren’t included, so be sure to check out our full range of led lights in store.
All the cargo space you need
It weighs in at about 55lbs depending on how it’s loaded. Unless you run out of battery, you won’t notice it though. While some bikes don’t come with any accessories, the front basket, rear rack, and fenders are all included. This bike was designed for utility use, and therefore, it’s capable of carrying almost anything! By the way, the front and rear cargo racks can fit all the groceries…twice! (We tried it!) The front basket has an integrated bottle holder which makes it a bit smaller, but it’s perfect for your purse or backpack. The rear cargo can fit packages, groceries, or something much larger if you add a basket and strap to hold things down.
A Farmers Market Companion!
How about that Sunday morning Farmer’s Market on Main Street or Wednesday mornings at the 3rd Street Promenade? Considering the Runabout is quoted around 50 miles of range in optimal conditions, you should be covered from home to the farmers market, maybe to the beach, and then back home. Just note that if it’s loaded heavily, you can expect that range to drop a bit. With our quick trips around town, we had more than enough battery left for multiple trips. It’s rare finding this kind of versatility in a bicycle, let alone an e-bike. It’s easy to use, low maintenance and has a ton of cargo space when it’s optioned with the rear basket. CIVI makes a pannier bag and duffel bag that fit in the rear basket for extra carrying capacity.
How’s the ride?
Unless it’s a mountain bike or dare I say, e-road bike, we generally don’t want to do much shifting on e-bikes. Therefore, staying between gears 3 and 5 were ideal for our daily use. It comes with a 7 speed Shimano Altus derailleur which is a decent upgrade from other bikes in its class. The lower gears make it easier to activate the pedal assist and get up to speed. If you’re doing longer stints through town, staying in a higher gear will keep your cadence smooth. The bike has been designed to fit most riders from 5 feet up to 6’2. The handlebars have been designed ergonomically with a gentle back sweep. With the adjustable stem allows for a more relaxed riding position also. The Runabout comes stock with 20″ wheels and big, 3″ tires. On a small cargo bike like this, without suspension, big tires equal a comfortable ride.
Is it for me?
The Runabout is the perfect utility, commuter, urban, electric bike. It is a step-thru only model which is ideal for easy access on and off the bike. The total capacity is a quoted 300lbs. Take a 180lb rider, and you’re left with 120 lbs of cargo! If you’re commuting to work, it’ll fit in the elevator. Running errands? It’ll hold everything…seriously. If you just so happen to take the train, its short wheel base makes it easy to fit in small spaces. And if you’re looking for an affordable, practical and easy-to-ride electric bike, it’s safe to say that The CIVI Runabout will take you and your cargo anywhere you want!
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For more information and detailed specs on the CIVI Bikes Runabout or their other range of e- bikes, you can head over to the link below:
Give us a call at (310) 838-9644 or come on by the shop to set up a test ride.
If you’re looking for an electric bike shop online, then go to our webshop here Bike Shop California
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Author: Mitchell Dick, LiveTravelCycle.com
