Yuba elMundo Review

Yuba Elmundo Electric Bike Review 1
Yuba Elmundo
Yuba Elmundo 350 Watt Motor
Yuba Elmundo 38 Volt Bionx Battery
Yuba Elmundo Display Bell Stem Shifters
Yuba Elmundo Bionx Motor
Yuba Elmundo Ebike
Yuba Elmundo Battery Pack
Yuba Elmundo Front
Yuba El Mundo Trigger Throttle
Yuba Elmundo Lcd Display
Yuba Elmundo Long Chain
Yuba Elmundo Electric Bike Review 1
Yuba Elmundo
Yuba Elmundo 350 Watt Motor
Yuba Elmundo 38 Volt Bionx Battery
Yuba Elmundo Display Bell Stem Shifters
Yuba Elmundo Bionx Motor
Yuba Elmundo Ebike
Yuba Elmundo Battery Pack
Yuba Elmundo Front
Yuba El Mundo Trigger Throttle
Yuba Elmundo Lcd Display
Yuba Elmundo Long Chain

Summary

  • Sturdy cargo style elctric bike with lots of add-ons for transporting groceries, supplies or kids
  • BionX drive system offers four levels of pedal assist, four levels of regeneration mode and a trigger-based throttle
  • High torque 350 watt gearless motor is smooth and efficient, mid-mounted battery balances weight out
  • Thoughtful extras including a deflopilator (for stabilizing front loads), fenders and adjustable stem

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Yuba

Model:

elMundo

Price:

$3,199 USD

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Cargo

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

Lifetime Frame, 2 Year Motor and Battery

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2014

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

66 lbs (29.93 kg)

Motor Weight:

7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

Frame Material:

Steel

Geometry Measurements:

Length 81 inches (210 cm)

Frame Types:

Mid-Step, Cargo

Frame Colors:

Tangerine, Matte Black

Frame Fork Details:

Steel

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

21 Speed 3x7 Shimano 14-28T

Shifter Details:

SRAM X3 Triggers on Left and Right Bar

Cranks:

SRAM S 200

Pedals:

Aluminum Alloy Platform

Headset:

1.125" Steel

Stem:

Promax MQ-541 Alloy 4 Bolts

Handlebar:

King HB-T310 Alloy

Brake Details:

Promax V-Brake Front, Rear Mechanical Disc Brake

Grips:

Dong Chen Black and Brown Semi-Ergonomic

Saddle:

Cionilli Brown and Black Standard

Seat Post:

Promax Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

500 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.8 mm

Rims:

Double Wall 48H Rear, 36H Front

Spokes:

260 x 2.34 NIRO

Tire Brand:

WTB Freedom Cruz 26" x 2.0"

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tube Details:

Innova 0.87 mm

Accessories:

Deflopilator to Stabilize Front when Loading, Double Legged Kickstand, Plastic Front and Rear Fenders with Mud Guards, Oversized Welded-On Rear Rack with Bamboo Platform, Side Loader Running Boards for Cargo Support or Passenger Foot Rest, Optional Pannier Blockers, Optional Rear Handle Bars, Optional Seat Pad

Other:

One Size Frame Fits Riders From 5' to 6'5" tall (1.5 m to 2 m), Reinforced Rear Dropouts for Heavy Loads, Extra Long Seat Post to Accommodate Taller Riders, Rear Rack Dimensions: length 31 in (80 cm), total width (including Sideloaders) 21.5 in (52 cm), Up to Four Passenger Load, Rear Rack Can Hold 220 lbs (100 kg), Compatible with Yepp! Child Seat

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

BionX High Torque (HT)

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

8.8 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

422.4 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

4 hours

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

45 miles (72 km)

Display Type:

Removable Backlit Monochrome LCD

Readouts:

4 Proportional Assist and Generate Modes, Lighting Controls, Battery Voltage, Trip Distance, Odometer, Chronometer, Average Speed, Clock

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad

Drive Mode:

Torque Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)


Written Review

The Mundo has been a popular cargo bike for many years and Yuba is known for their wide range of accessories. They innovate quickly and get new products and features to market before competitors like Xtracycle but this has caused a few issues. The El Mundo stands for “electric” Mundo and this was the first ebike they put out. The first version used a proprietary front mounted hub motor and battery pack that I was not a big fan of but the latest version uses BionX drive systems that work a lot better. Make sure you’re not accidentally buying that one (unless you are getting a great price). The new elMundo works quite well with a stronger motor and battery, more speeds and regenerative braking.

Driving this ebike is a 350 watt gearless direct drive motor mounted to the rear wheel. That’s exactly where you want the power considering the large rack built for hauling cargo, kids and basically anything you can strap down! The motor is designed for high torque applications and climbs pretty well, while 350 watts doesn’t sound like a lot it gets the job done and if you join in using pedal assist mode it works even better. My favorite part about this motor being gearless is that it features regenerative braking and regen modes for sending electricity back to the battery pack when coasting down larger hills. If you’ve already got a Mundo and want to go electric, you can actually add this or other BionX kits yourself aftermarket and indeed, it’s one of my favorite conversion kits around.

The real powerhouse on this bike is the battery pack which offers 48 volts of power and 8.8 amp hours of capacity. Most ebikes these days use 36 volt packs so that extra 12 volts does quite a bit in the way of torque. The pack locks to the frame, is removable and can be charged on or off the bike. I have heard that BionX had some issues with their 48 volt packs in early 2013 but has worked to address them. Just keep this in mind when buying the bike (hold on the the receipt, boxes etc.) so you can get support if needed. The pack itself uses Lithium-ion technology which is light weight and good for over 1,000 charges before degrading substantially. You could easily get another pack for extended range or replacement and it will mount just the same as the original.

The ride quality of this bike is average, there aren’t any shocks but the curved handle bars and larger tires absorb some of the bumps. I like the two-tone brown and black color scheme on the grips and seat now. The trigger shifters are easy to reach and use, making it easier to get a solid grip when pedaling with a large load vs. a twist throttle design. The BionX LCD computer display is one of my favorites, showing four modes of assist, regen and lots of other stats such as speed, distance and battery capacity. It’s easy to learn and even includes a little break-out trigger for throttle mode. Keep in mind however, you have to be pedaling at least 2 miles per hour before the throttle will engage.

I like the fun style of this bike and the accessories are neat but it can really add up in terms of cost. Everything from the running boards, wood seat, leg guards, bars, pads and racks all cost extra. That makes sense and reduces waste but can get pretty expensive. I’ve heard the company is pretty responsive and they have actually reached out to me directly on several occasions so it’s nice to know you’ll get support if needed. I’m glad they have focused on working the kinks out of this system and it would be a solid choice for a family with kids or someone looking for more utility in a commuter bike. It’s a bit heavy for transporting on a car or bus (and obviously oversized) but easy enough to lock up at bike racks and again, the balance of the motor and battery pack keeps weight low to the ground and adds stability.

Pros:

  • Steel frame absorbs some road vibration and compliments the relaxed handle bars and larger tires
  • Disc brakes offer great stopping power, right brake lever activates regenerative braking
  • BionX drive system is clean, simple to use and feature rich with four modes of pedal assist and four modes of regeneration
  • Battery pack can be charged on or off bike and locks to the frame
  • Motor is designed for higher torque use and works well with 48 volt pack
  • Deflopilator, sideloader running boards, rear rack, reinforced dropouts all designed for utility and strength
  • Lots of great extras for hauling cargo or kids comfortably, perfect for family use
  • Stand alone “motorcycle style” kickstand is very sturdy for loading or parking the bike
  • Fun orange color option makes you stand out for safety, black is also available
  • Front and rear fenders keep you dry and clean when riding
  • 21 speeds are great for climbing or commuting at higher speed, trigger shifters stay out of the way
  • Good customer support, fun company culture

Cons:

  • The options can really add up in terms of cost but the base bike is a good deal considering the BionX system
  • I’ve heard from some shops and customers that the BionX 48 volt system had issues in early 2013 – hopefully all addressed
  • No integrated light options
  • Some El Mundo bikes seem to only have a rear disc brake vs. front and rear
  • No shock absorbers in the fork or seat post, consider a thud-buster if you’re sensitive
  • Adjustable neck provides comfort but isn’t quite as sturdy as some other models and requires tools to adjust

Resources:

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