Bicycles

Yuba elMundo e-bike is made for doubling

Yuba elMundo e-bike is made for doubling
The passenger-packin' Yuba elMundo
The passenger-packin' Yuba elMundo
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The passenger-packin' Yuba elMundo
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The passenger-packin' Yuba elMundo
We had a chance to see and ride the elMundo at the Charged Up e-bike event in New Jersey
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We had a chance to see and ride the elMundo at the Charged Up e-bike event in New Jersey
The elMundo's optional seat cushions,running boards and extra handlebars
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The elMundo's optional seat cushions,running boards and extra handlebars
The BionX hub motor ...
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The BionX hub motor ...
... and the lithium-ion battery
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... and the lithium-ion battery
The bar-mounted controller lets riders select the amount of electrical assistance provided
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The bar-mounted controller lets riders select the amount of electrical assistance provided
Some of the Charged Up participants give the elMundo a try
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Some of the Charged Up participants give the elMundo a try
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It seems to be a forgone conclusion that if you're going to make a bicycle built for two, then both riders will be pedaling. If that bike has an electric motor to help with the extra weight, however, then perhaps just one rider will be able to move the thing along nicely. That's the thinking behind the Yuba elMundo – it's an electric cargo bike that specializes in hauling humans.

The elMundo features a long frame that provides lots of sitting space for passengers, and which also allows for relatively steady tracking when in motion. The rear rack/seating area is built into the frame for added rigidity, as opposed to just being bolted on.

Buyers can opt for running boards on either side of that rack. These can be used as footrests by passengers, or as a hand truck-like means of holding cargo items that are strapped into place. Removing the recycled plastic platform on either of those running boards turns it into a bike-towing tray, in which the bottom of the towed bike's front wheel is inserted into the tray.

The elMundo's optional seat cushions,running boards and extra handlebars
The elMundo's optional seat cushions,running boards and extra handlebars

Power is provided by a 350-watt BionX rear hub motor, along with a down tube-mounted 425-watt-hour lithium-ion battery. This combo provides a top electric-assisted speed of 20 mph (32 km/h), and a maximum range of approximately 37 miles (60 km) per charge depending on use.

We had a chance to see and ride the elMundo last week, at the Charged Up e-bike event in New Jersey. Riding it without a passenger was easy, as the motor easily compensated for its 66-lb (30-kg) weight. With a passenger on board, it still didn't require much effort to turn the pedals, although the difference in handling took a bit of getting used to – as would be the case with any passenger-carrying bicycle or motorcycle.

When riding as a passenger, the optional second set of handlebars mounted on the seat post definitely helped us to hold on. The optional removable cushions also greatly contributed to butt comfort.

The Yuba elMundo is priced at US$3,199.

Product page: Yuba Bikes

View gallery - 8 images
6 comments
6 comments
The Skud
Just buy a trike!
Bob Flint
A trike is much wider than this vehicle, can see handling being tough with 5 or 6 people onboard as in many Asian countries.
Ralf Biernacki
The target market for this bike is third world countries, where it can serve as people transport for those who cannot even afford the fuel for a scooter.
It's priced at $3200.
Am I the only one to see a problem here?
Jay Finke
Would be cool in the Fl keys, I like this idea, It's a compact little people transporter.
unklmurray
The "Rad Wagon "cargo bike from....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6BmaVfUU20......$1699.00 half the price of this "Yuba El Expensive Mundo".......I'll buy the Rad Wagon thanks of course I'm from Washington now so I'm prejudiced!!....LOL :-)
unklmurray
The only reason I'm even commenting on this is :"you can but Two Rad Wagons by Rad Cycles in Seattle,WA'' I'm pretty sure the Rad Wagon sells for about $1500 each.........LOL :-)