February 8, 2022 - The popularity of e-cargo bikes is quickly growing both for personal and commercial use, given their ability to carry large loads, additional passengers, and pack enough supplies for multi-day adventures.
We were excited to get the opportunity to test the new Momentum PakYak E+ from Giant Bicycles. One of the recent entries into this category, our test e-cargo bike arrived in December amidst some tough winter conditions, but like it’s Himalayan namesake, the PakYak E+ was designed to brave the elements and was up to the challenge.
Powered by a mid-mounted Yamaha SyncDrive Pro motor, the 250-watt drive system produces 80Nm of torque with up to 360% of assistance. The integrated 500 Wh Panasonic battery securely locks in the downtube and has a range of up to about 100 km. For extended trips, an auxiliary battery can be neatly carried in the handy lockable storage box behind the seat tube.
The easy-to-use bar-mounted RideControl Dash manages the five levels of assist including auto mode. The full colour LED screen is easy to read and easy to navigate during the ride, with the ability to push the buttons even with large winter gloves on. Another nice touch is the USB charge port.
The PakYak E+ features Smart Assist technology that uses six sensors to factor in ride speed and terrain to deliver seamless power integration. Only found in the SyncDrive series, it allows riders to focus on enjoying the ride without manually adjusting.
The PakYak E+ is the first electric bike featuring the Shimano Nexus Inter-5E rear hub that’s designed for e-bike mid-drive systems to guarantee smooth shifting. The frame and fork are built in-house using Giant’s proprietary ALUXX aluminum and it comes equipped with Tektro 203 mm 4-piston hydraulic brakes for stopping power.
Other great features include a low-step frame, dropper seatpost for quick adjustments on the fly, a front cargo basket, a rear rack, integrated Supernova front and rear lights, and a double kickstand. Available in one size it comes in Traffic Yellow or Patina Green colour schemes with an extensive range of accessories and carrying options also available. Our test model was accessorized with a PakYak passenger bar and footrests.
One of the benefits of e-cargo bikes is that they inspire creativity. Although the front cargo basket and rear child carrier were just slightly too small for a standard milk crate, my all-weather yellow Bob Gear Dry Sak bag from the past fit nicely into the back passenger bar. Additional items in the up-front carrier were easily held in place with bungee cords.
The stabilized steering control handlebars greatly enhances the balance of the bike, especially while loaded and also aided when maneuvering the e-cargo bike on foot, or with the walk-assist mode. I was amazed at how the PakYak E+ performed on the ice and snow. The longer wheelbase, and lower distribution of weight helped the bike to plow through the snow.
The 24 x 2.5 inch Maxxis Hook Worm tires are bigger and wider than most other e-cargo bikes in this class for increased comfort which enhanced the feel and stability of the ride. By slightly reducing the tire pressure the traction on the ice and snow was greatly enhanced.
The SyncDrive Pro’s smooth, controlled acceleration from a standstill prevented any skidding and I was impressed with how efficient it performed, even when pedalling at a lower cadence. The PakYak E+ quickly got up to the maximum assisted-speed of 32 kph, and purred along in a quiet, almost unnoticeable manner. Using the easy access bottle mounts I secured a cage to hold my coffee mug in an easy-to-reach location, without spilling a drop.
This e-cargo bike quickly became a family favourite. The low-swung frame, and mountain-bike inspired dropper post with remote seat height changer, made switching between users a snap. The PakYak E+ did recycling runs, grocery shopping, work commutes and took my daughter Kaelen to curling practices with brooms and gear securely attached.
It even performed some tempo motor pacing sessions for my daughter at the local gravel dykes. And to top it off, it was a blast to ride the PakYak E+ on the local trails proving that this e-cargo bike is not just all work and no play.
When doing trips in heavy duty raingear and boots, the PakYak E+ was at the ready with its wide aluminum fenders deflecting road water and grime.
Surviving the winters elements was a breeze on the PakYak E+ but keep in mind that sub-zero temperatures are not very friendly to e-bike batteries for charging. It was easy to get into the habit of removing it and charging it inside the warmth of the house. The Energypak 6A smart charger can fully recharge the battery in under four hours, with an 80% charge achievable in two hours.
As mentioned the lockable storage box is nnother nice feature along with the wide, double-sided kickstand which easily supported the e-cargo bike while parked. Additional accessories such as rear panniers, a passenger seat pad, wheel guards, rear basket, and tote bag are also available.
The debut of the Momentum PakYak E+ was refreshing and is well worth a look and/or test ride for those in the market for a reliable and sturdy e-cargo bike. It did not disappoint and we anticipate refinements and additional accessories to become available down the road.
My only regret was that due to the inclement weather I was not able to load up and take the PakYak E+ on a multi-day adventure as it would be a great companion to explore the great outdoors.
The SRP is $6,299 and for more information visit here.
