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:
- Official Site: http://yubabikes.com/cargo-bikes/elmundo-bionx/
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/tMLKNABbYEcfE2Tq6
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