Xtracycle EdgeRunner 10E Review

Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Electric Bike Review 1
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Bosch Centerdrive Motor
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Lithium Ion Removable Battery
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Grips Lcd Display
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e 350 Bosch Centerdrive
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Display Panel Grips
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Front Wheel Hydraulic Disc
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Large Kickstand
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e X1 Cargo Bag 1
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Smaller Rear Wheel Quick Release
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Top Tube
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Porteur Rack
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Rack Board
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Rear Cargo Area
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Seat Stays
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Shimano Deore 10 Speed Cassette
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Seat Display Buttons
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Bosch Powerpack 400
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Shimano Slx
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Rear Rack
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Front Porteur Rack
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Ergonomic Grips
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Kickstand
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Tektro Disc Brake Rotors
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Electric Bike Review 1
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Bosch Centerdrive Motor
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Lithium Ion Removable Battery
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Grips Lcd Display
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e 350 Bosch Centerdrive
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Display Panel Grips
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Front Wheel Hydraulic Disc
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Large Kickstand
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e X1 Cargo Bag 1
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Smaller Rear Wheel Quick Release
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Top Tube
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Porteur Rack
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Rack Board
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Rear Cargo Area
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Seat Stays
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Shimano Deore 10 Speed Cassette
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Seat Display Buttons
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Bosch Powerpack 400
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Shimano Slx
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Rear Rack
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Front Porteur Rack
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Ergonomic Grips
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Kickstand
Xtracycle Edgerunner 10e Tektro Disc Brake Rotors

Summary

  • High quality steel frame and clever accessories combine to create a comfortable and useful electric cargo bike
  • 26" front wheel for improved handling and increased attack angle, smaller 20" rear wheel for lower center of gravity and easier loading of cargo or a second passenger on the rear rack
  • Bosch Centerdrive motor is extremely powerful, responsive and efficient to handle the myriad demands of a cargo bike including heavy loads and long trips, battery is removable so you could get a spare to double range

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Xtracycle

Model:

EdgeRunner 10E

Price:

$5,000 USD

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Cargo, Commuting, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

3 Year Frame, 2 Year Motor and Battery

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

20152016

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

75 lbs (34.01 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.5 lbs (2.49 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.8 lbs (3.99 kg)

Frame Material:

Chromoly Steel

Frame Sizes:

16.5 in (41.91 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)

Frame Types:

Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Black, White

Frame Fork Details:

Chromoly Steel

Attachment Points:

Fender Bosses, Rack Bosses, Fork Bosses, Xtracycle LT System

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano Deore

Shifter Details:

Trigger Shifters on Right Bar

Cranks:

FSA Bosch-Specific

Headset:

FSA Pig DH Pro

Stem:

Threadless

Handlebar:

31.8 Clamp Alloy, Gull Wing

Brake Details:

Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Front Rotor and 160 mm Rear Rotor by Magura

Grips:

Ergonomic with Lockers

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.6 mm

Rims:

26" Front, 20" Rear Eyletted

Spokes:

14 Guage, Double Butted, Stainelss

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Big Ben or Maxxis, Front 26" x 2.35", Rear 20" x 2.15"

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

Kevlar Lined, Reflective Sidewalls

Accessories:

Kickback Centerstand Kickstand, Standard Rear B&M Light, Optional Front B&M Luxos Light, Optional Alloy Fenders with Mud Flaps, Optional X1 Cargo Bags, Optional Platform Rack, Optional Hooptie Kid Carrier, Optional U-Tube Foot Supports

Other:

Quick Release Front and Rear Wheels, 350 Pound Weight Limit, 25 Pound Front Rack Limit

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Bosch Gen2 with Shift Detection

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Motor Torque:

60 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

400 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

3.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

35 miles (56 km)

Estimated Max Range:

65 miles (105 km)

Display Type:

Removable Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Speed, 4 Assist Levels, Battery Voltage, Odometer, Estimated Range, Clock, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip Time

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Combined Torque, Cadence and Speed), (Eco 50%, Tour 120%, Sport 190%, Turbo 275%)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)


Written Review

Xtracycle is a neat company, they started making bicycle accessories around 1995 and found success with the “Free Radical”, a metal add-on that extends normal bike frames – transforming them into utilitarian cargo bikes. From there, they developed a complete cargo bike that didn’t require the add-on piece and ultimately expanded their accessories to include running board style foot rests, child seat bars, bags, seat pads and even a side-car platform thing. Fast forward to 2013 when they were experimenting with electric bike conversion options (using BionX or 8Fun motors) and then in late 2014 / 2015 they introduced a truly purpose built electric cargo bike leveraging the premium Bosch Centerdrive system. I saw this bike for the first time at Interbike, as shown in the video review above, and was truly impressed. I think this product was the highlight of the show for many ebike enthusiasts and I know several who plan on buying it for their own daily use. It’s just so practical (it could literally replace a car for daily use depending on your lifestyle) but also comfortable thanks to the chromoly steel frame, semi swept back handlebars, ergonomic grips and larger tires.

Note that you can still get the BionX powered Xtracycle 27D and the benefits there are variable speed throttle, quieter drive system, more gears (it’s a 27 vs. 10 speed) and regenerative braking with four levels of regen mode. The Bosch powered 10E really shines when riding extended distances and attacking hills but both have removable battery packs, excellent LCD panels (also removable) and a solid three year frame warranty with two year motor and battery. All of the same Xtracycle accessories can be shared between the two of them as well.

The motor on the Extracycle Edge Runner 10E is a second generation Bosch Centerdrive. It offers 350 watts of power with an impressive 60 Newton meters of torque output! In layman terms, that’s 50% more torque than most standard hub motor powered electric bikes. Some of the advantages of this mid-drive setup vs. a hub motor like the BionX edition mentioned earlier are front and rear quick release wheels (easier to repair flats), lower center of gravity on the bike vs. rear hub and improved operational efficiency. Since the motor basically helps you pull the chain and there’s a 10 speed cassette in the rear, climbing and maintaining higher speeds both become easier as and the motor as you shift gears. That’s why this bike is such a great climber or hauler and it’s also why the expected range is so high even though the battery pack is fairly standard sized. The motor activates and de-activates super fast as illustrated in the video review and that’s because it’s responding to how hard you push on the pedals, how fast you pedal and also how fast the bike is moving.

Powering this ebike is a removable, Lithium-ion battery pack that’s mounted low and center on the frame. One gripe is that there’s nowhere to easily mount a water bottle on the downtube due to the space being taken but given all of the other attachment points, that’s not a huge deal and you could always use a seat post mounting cage given the longer exposed surface required by the mid-step frame. So the battery offers 36 volts of power and 11 amp hours of capacity which is estimated to last for upwards of 60 miles on the lowest assist level given flat, paved surfaces. It’s an impressive claim and actually quiet accurate. Being removable, the pack is easier to store and charge inside and that’s good for two reasons: the bike frame is so large it might not fit inside your house as easily as a traditional frame and batteries wear out less quickly when you store them in neutral temperatures. They also benefit from being topped off every few months (I tend to top mine off after every couple of rides to stay above 50%).

The LCD display unit is also removable on this bike and experiences the same benefits as the batteries (except for being charged because it doesn’t require batteries and simply runs off the main system instead which is nice). I love how large the display itself is, showing your speed, battery capacity and current assist level at all times. It’s backlit for easy use at night and has four buttons that let you turn the system on, change display output, reset menus and activate lights. While the EdgeRunner 10E does not include lights as standard, you can upgrade to wired-in Busch & Müller Luxos LED units for a bit extra. Operating the main drive unit (changing assist levels) is very easy using the tactile button pad mounted near the base of the left grip. It’s simple, within reach (even without taking your hand off the grip) and has a nice click action that signals activation so you don’t have to look down while riding. I found myself riding in the two lowest assist levels during the demo but it’s nice to have a “turbo” setting for big hills or starting out when the bike is completely loaded with weight (perhaps kids).

The biggest benefits of any Xtracycle are all of the cool the accessories they offer and it’s great that they’re compatible across models. We showed off the sidecar and front porteur rack in the video review but there are also U-Tube foot supports, Hooptie child rails (that keep fingers safe), X1 cargo bags, foot stirrups, and a pad that can mount to the “flight deck” area in the rear for more comfortable sitting. Even though this bike doesn’t have a suspension fork or big padded saddle, the larger tires, longer wheelbase and steel frame provide a lot of comfort. I think I also tend to ride slower with a cargo bike so that might be part of what makes it feel comfortable. There are quite a fewelectric cargo bikes starting to come out but so far this is the only Bosch powered option I’ve seen. I think that says a lot about Xtracycle because Bosch is a very large, well respected company that will only partner with brands it has sort of “checked out” for quality. The Xtracycle EdgeRunner 10E may resemble the Yuba elMundo electric bike that costs a bit less, and in fact the founder of that company used to work at Xtracycle, but they only offer the rear drive design at this time and have different rack systems. At the end of the day you could probably save a few bucks by purchasing a more basic Bosch powered bicycle and adding the Free Radical from Xtracycle but that would take a lot of work, weigh more and be less rigid. Another option would be to add a Burly Trailer to any normal ebike for hauling kids or gear but those aren’t exactly free and they take space as well. Ultimately, there’s something beautiful about the EdgeRunner design and frankly, given the high quality components, excellent warranty and two frame sizes I think it can be well worth the extra cash depending on your needs.

Pros:

  • Durable chromoly steel frame balances stiffness and strength (up to 350 pounds of carrying capacity) with vibration dampening qualities that smooth out the ride
  • Lots of mounting points for racks and accessories (Xtracycle or generic third party), works great with Yepp child seats
  • Standard 26″ front wheel steers well, has a high attack angle for overcoming cracks and bumps and smooths out the ride while rear 20″ wheel positions rack lower for loading and balance while creating mechanical advantage for climbing
  • Bosch drive system provides excellent power, balance and range with 60+ miles using the lowest assist level on flat, paved terrain
  • Removable battery pack is easy to charge and store safely off of bike (given the size of the bike, it might not fit inside like other ebikes), additional batteries could be carried along for increased range
  • Two frame sizes for improved fit, mid-step design is easier to stand over when stopped and fits riders with shorter inseam
  • Large sturdy kickstand keeps the bike stable for loading (probably the best cargo bike kickstand I’ve seen) and the front porteur rack connects directly to the head tube so it doesn’t turn when you steer the bike
  • Optional X1 Cargo bags are super versatile with built in drains, over eight attachment points (so they don’t flap around), removable outer covers, optional stirrups for use as foot rests and a mesh inner for smaller items
  • Ergonomic grips are nice, hydraulic disc brakes provide great stopping power and don’t tire your hands and fingers out

Cons:

  • Longer chain has more travel and might benefit from an extra sprung gear to lift it up and avoid slapping the chain stay
  • More expensive premium offering, there are other electric cargo bikes for less and you could get a normal Bosch powered ebike and pull a Burly Trailer, the Xtracycle accessories also add up but are very high quality
  • No water bottle cage mounting point in front triangle due to battery pack mounting position, consider an add-on for the seat post or handle bars
  • The 10E has 17 fewer speeds than the 27D that uses the BionX rear hub, this is because it only has one front ring, for regular use I found this to be a decent number

Resources:

More Xtracycle Reviews

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Comments (6) YouTube Comments

Nebula722 aka Tom Tucker
9 years ago

I came back to this review as I enjoyed it so much the first read. I think I might end up liking the written reviews more than the visual. Thanks for the work!

  Reply
Court Rye
9 years ago

Sure thing Tom! Glad you enjoyed it, I try to pack the best information into each writeup because I’ve got more time and usually more feedback from companies about how their bikes work than I do during quick test rides at shows and shops. In the future I’m going to allow feedback on stats from readers so the reviews can become even more detailed as each model goes out into the real world :)

  Reply
Johnnie
9 years ago

I was going to purchase an Edgerunner Freight with BionX for my gardening business, but have decided to wait for the 10E. I’m hoping it lives up to the accolades (because FIVE LARGE is a lot to drop on a bike… no matter how nice it is). I’m wondering what the range is for the different assist levels. That 60+ sounds nice, but what is the “real world” estimate using the higher assist levels? I’d also like to know how much an additional battery is, as well as the lighting system that can be wired into the 10E as mentioned in the review. Great review by the way! Thanks!

  Reply
Court Rye
9 years ago

Hi Johnnie! Great questions… I thought additional Bosch Powerpack 400 batteries were somewhere close to $700 but found Motostrano selling them for $900+ which seems like quite a lot. It might be worth checking with your local dealer that sells Bosch powered ebikes like the Xtracycle 10E, Haibikes, Felt electric bikes etc. to see if they can offer it lower. As far as range estimates, I’ve arrowed through the different levels and seen 25+ in Turbo mode and 65+ in Eco mode which is actually achievable. Here’s a video overview that might clarify the in-between levels.

While both BionX and Bosch are wesome drive systems manufacturers, I think for hauling and climbing the mid-drive will be superior and definitely get increased range on the stock battery as it’s pedal assist only vs. the BionX which has a little throttle built in. I’d wait to order a second battery until you’ve actually tested this thing out, it’s very impressive and charges super fast so you could always bring your charger along for extra juice vs. buying a second pack (which would also be heavier). As for lighting, that’s another great question for your local dealer. I know that Long Island Electric Bikes has done dozens of bikes like this using different light setups and if your local shop doesn’t carry this bike or can’t do the wiring I could put you in touch with them. They might even be able to create a package deal for you if you buy some accessories and stuff. If you have more questions or want some personal feedback I can be reached with the contact form to find a good dealer who does custom stuff.

  Reply
Christian
9 years ago

Yes, awesome review!! Johnnie, I am in a similar boat. I work for two gardening businesses. I want to replace my Ford Ranger as much as possible. I need to haul 100-200 pounds regularly and up fairly steep hills here in Washington D.C. There may be moments when I would haul more but I do have the truck. Anyways, just curious how your search for a suitable cargo ebike has gone. I have a hill topper and I’m completely in love with ebikes now but that kit is super entry level and i need a serious upgrade if i want to mostly replace my small pickup truck. Ciao.

  Reply
Johnnie
9 years ago

Thanks for the detailed reply Court! It’s much appreciated.

  Reply

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