BABBOE CITY & MINI MOUNTAIN
Climb mountains
Mountains loom large in the Dutch imaginary. No wonder, given that much of Holland is quite the inverse; built below sea level. People ask: why did Babboe name this bike the "mountain"? Is it a mountain bike? Nope, but it sure can climb mountains! The City uses the absolutely spectacular Yamaha motor, one of the highest torque mid-drive motor on the market. That's important if you're rolling up steep condo parking garages (or if you're climbing a mountain). What the Yamaha motor also provides is range. Have a longer commute or want to spend the weekend exploring? You can ride up to 60km on a single charge. For all of that, it's still the original Dutch cargo bike with high quality frame and parts, and an impact resistant marine-grade wood box. It might be Dutch, but it's no flatlander.
MOVE ANY MOUNTAIN
If you live downtown anywhere, chances are good you live up 90% of your life within a 7km radius. Seriously, map it for yourself. Whether work, coffee, a haircut, daycare or brunch, nearly every distance is either too far to walk or too far to drive. Enter the Babboe City. This is a bike that will multitask your lifestyle radius with joyful ease. it breezes through gridlock without ever having to search for a parking spot again. But, unlike most cargo bikes, the City can bust out of your normal activity radius. With it's powerful Yamaha motor, it can hit off-street bike paths and adventure to far away playgrounds and picnic spots. Or, it can be the perfect long distance commuter cargo bike.
THE BABBOE
CITY MOUNTAIN
Let's see what makes this bike so special!
(DON'T) MAKE AN IMPACT
Like all the cargo bikes we sell, the Carve comes equipped with a highly impact-resistant box, to protect your precious cargo in city traffic.
Wood is amazing for impact-resistance. And, of course, it also looks beautiful. But, the wood on a Babboe isn't any ordinary wood. It's made of strong hardwoods sourced from Finland, and it's marine-grade, which means it's totally waterproof. Perfect if you store your bike outside year round (as the Dutch always do). It's the same stuff used for ocean-going recreational vessels.
Salt, ice, rain: it's no match for the Babboe City. And, it looks pretty too!
ALL WEATHER, ALL YEAR
Stronger than aluminum, steel is arguably still the best way to build a cargo bike.
Of course, there's a negative side to tip the scales: steel can rust.
That's why finishes are so important.
Most bikes made in the Far East use cheap wet paint that chips easily. The Babboe City uses durable powder coats that are highly chip resistant. And, underneath these coats are a rust resistant layer. It's a frame designed to last forever.
One trip to Holland will reveal thousands of bikes in great condition stored outside year round, next to the salty North Sea. On close inspection, most of these bikes will be Babboe Citys!
STEPLESS GEARS
Like all good Dutch bikes, the Babboe City uses internal gears to keep maintenance low and the possibility for all-season outdoor storage. However, the City ups the ante by using the stunning Nuvinci "stepless" shifter and hub.
"Stepless" means there are no clicks between gears! Yep, that's right. Wherever you turn the shifter, that's the gear you're in! There's even a cute little person on the shifter unit to let you know whether the gear is easier or harder.
And the gear range is impressive, a massive 380%! A standard hybrid is about a 330% range. Not that it matters, you have the motor to help if things are getting steep.
HYDRO POWER
Carrying kids in a cargo bike means you need the most intuitive and powerful brakes possible. The City uses hydraulic disc brakes. That may sound intense, but what it really means is lots of power, and near-perfect control.
Why disc brakes in the first place? Good question!
Unlike rim brakes, disc brakes aren't nearly as effected by rain or puddles. On a rainy day, a rim brake is half rim wiper and half brake. A disc brake sits far above the ground keeping your braking safe and above all, consistent.
Now, add some hydraulic fluid to the disc brakes and we're talking serious power. Unlike cable activated brakes, which require more maintenance, there is no cable to stretch and the fluid never freezes on cold winter days.
UPRIGHT CITIZEN
Dutch bikes are famous for being upright and comfortable, and this is certainly true for the Babboe City bikes. Not only do you sit high above traffic - so you can look out for danger - you're also in a relaxed position with your shoulders squared and your back upright.
And, with the super low step-through frame it's easy to hop off safely.
The clever thing about the Babboe City's frame geometry is its relaxed seat tube angle. This is the essence of Babboe City's one-size-fits-all geometry. As the seat goes higher for longer riders, the length of the cockpit (handlebar to seat) also 'grows' or increases.
PROVEN
CWho invented the cargo bike? Nobody knows. And, for years, the cargo bike in Holland was made by small custom manufacturers who could not export the bike beyond their local county - and had no intention to do so.
Babboe was the first company to see that the Dutch cargo bike was a national treasure, and they were the first to scale production so that it was available to anyone and everyone.
Today, Babboe is the biggest cargo bike company in the world by sales, and the City Mountain is the most powerful traditional 'bakfiets' on the market.
EXTRAS! EXTRAS!
Your Babboe Carve has a ton of options you can add to make it even better.
A rain-tent that isn't any old rain-tent. It's a rain-tent with a burly roll-bar to add another layer of protection. Just in case!
A rear rack, just in case you need more storage space!
Fun cushions for the bench with lots of great patterns.
An extra bench! So you can fit up to four kids!
And, baby seats and toddler seats and adaptors for car seats, so you can transport precious cargo safely!
WHAT IS AN E-ASSIST BIKE?
An e-bike is a pedal-assist bicycle, or a "pedelec." There is no throttle. Instead, there is a sophisticated computer system that reads your inputs and outputs a real-time variable assist that tunes itself to your needs right now. To ride one is sensational! It feels like the bike is reading your mind!
TELL ME MORE!
WHAT IS AN E-BIKE?
An e-bike is a pedal-assist bicycle, or a "pedelec.". There is no throttle. Instead of a throttle there is a sophisticated computer system that reads your pedalling torque + wheel RPM's + pedal RPM's a thousand times a minute. This data turns into a variable assist that constantly tunes itself to your needs in real-time. To ride one is sensational! It feels like the bike is reading your mind!
CAN I CRANK UP THE POWER?
Yes!! While the computer is constantly tuning itself to your real-time needs, you can also crank this variable assist anywhere from 30% assist to 300%+
There's a console on your handlebar that tells you how much mileage you have on the battery, how fast you're going, and your total trip distance and time. It's amazing!
IS IT DANGEROUS?
Absolutely not! A bike with a throttle is dangerous. With a throttle you can stop pedalling or hit the brakes and you can still lurch forward. On a pedelec, the motor cuts out the second you stop pedalling or hit the brakes. And, according to government regulation, the motor also cuts out above 32km/hr.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE E-SCOOTERS I SEE?
Oh my goodness, where do we start? They shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath!
E-scooters are a throttle based system and are illegal (or classified as motor vehicles) across Europe because they are dangerous. There are grounds to believe they will be illegal here soon too.
Currently, these bikes are sold through a legal loophole here in Canada.. In Europe, regulation says a motor can only operates while pedalling. In North America, regulation states the bike must have pedals, but never states these pedals need to be used..
E-scooters have pedals, but they rarely work. They are legal ornamentation and they aren't fooling anyone, and that includes lawmakers.
Plus, if it's between a computer that automatically senses the power you need or pushing down a thumb throttle, what would you prefer? Unless you like having a sore thumb?
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
One word: Service.
Service is key. For a long time e-bikes have been the wild-west until Bosch, Yamaha and Shimano came around. We speak from experience when we say that when you buy an e-bike that somewhere down the line, will go wrong. A good e-bike means we can run diagnostics with no guessing-games that take time and patience. A good e-bike means there is global technical support just a phone call away. .
WHERE SHOULD THE MOTOR BE?
As a rule the motor should be a mid-mount and made by a company you can trust. Names like Yamaha, Bosch, and Shimano are key. Other players like Bafang are reliable, but if you haven't heard of the company, be extra careful
. Front motors are dangerous. And no rear mount motor compares to the performance quality of a reliable mid-mount.
DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENT MOTORS PLEASE!
Each brand brings its own experience to motor production. The important thing is to focus on brand-name quality. That said, Shimano is known for mileage and a more intuitive feeling motor and is often seen on higher performance bikes.. Bosch is known for power and is often seen on cargo bikes. Yamaha is famous for torque and is often seen on commercial grade cargo bike. All bikes take about 3.5 hours to charge and use recyclable Lithium Ion Batteries that take 1000+ full charges (about five years of use).
SHIMANO
Found on Devinci and Bullitt cargo bikes, these are highly tuned long-range motors with balanced power and torque
E6100 Motor
250W Nominal Power
418W battery
Up to 185km/Charge
60nm Torque
BOSCH
Found on Urban Arrow and Benno Bikes, these are powerful motors for heavy duty cargo carrying
Performance Line Motor
350W Nominal Power
400W battery
Up to 100km/Charge
50-65nm Torque
CX Motor
350 Nominal Power
500W battery
Up to 100km/Charge
75nm Torque
YAMAHA
Found on Babboe family and commercial grade cargo bikes. These are high torque motors with tons of power.
PW Motor
350W Nominal Power
400/500W battery
Up to 100km/Charge
80nm Torque
CHOOSE YOUR CITY!
Only have one or two kids and prefer a zippier feel? The Mini uses a smaller box and shorter wheelbase that feels lighter in corners.
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The original Dutch bike! Whether two kids (or four kids, with second bench) the City has lots of room for groceries too
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HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
BABBOE CITY MTN VS YUBA SUPERMARCHE
YUBA SUPERMARCHE
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
Tongue-in-groove wood construction that easily splinters on impact
Strong and lightweight rust-resistant aluminum frame for a lifetime of use
Bosch Motor with 65nm of torque
Thin cable activated steering feels great but is downright unsafe (our opinion!)
Carries up to two kids
Small 20" wheels that increase agility but compromise stability
330lb capacity (rider + cargo)
Half chaincase
78lbs weight
The Yuba Supermarche is a great first attempt for a North American company building cargo bikes but it pales compared to an EU cargo bike, from safety to quality. The box isn't remotely impact resistant and the thin cable steering is downright scary. Whearas the Babboe City uses a strong 1/4" steering rod, the Supermarche uses a thin brake cable that, if snapped (and cables snap) means serious accidents. And, whereas the Babboe is made to be stored outside in all weather, the Yuba betrays its California roots quickly, especially with its external gears and untreated box.
Low step frame with upright position
Low maintenance Nuvinci internal gear hub
Powerful hydraulic disc brakes
Front and rear lights powered by battery
Puncture resistant tires
Comfy saddle and grips
CITY MOUNTAIN
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
Marine-grade hardwood box for high impact-resistance and weather resistant outdoor storage
Heavy and strong galvanized and powdercoated steel frame for a lifetime of use
Yamaha Motor with 80nm of torque
1/4" steering rod is strong and guarantees rider and cargo safety
Carries up to four kids
26" wheel and 20" front wheel balances both stability and agility
440lb capacity (rider + cargo)
Full chaincase
150lbs weight
BABBOE CITY MTN VS URBAN ARROW CX
URBAN ARROW FAMILY CX
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
Lighter EPP foam box for impact resistance
Strong and lightweight rust-resistant aluminum frame for a lifetime of use
Bosch CX motor with 75nm of torque
500W Bosch Powerpack
104lbs weight
Vintage or modern? That's the choice! The Urban Arrow CX uses a powerful Bosch motor and modern materials like aluminum tubing and EPP foam boxes. The City uses strong steel frames, chip and rust-resistant finishes and marine-grade wood. Both bikes are amazing and are equals in terms of low maintenance, perpetual all-season outdoor storage and quality. The Babboe is a bit heavier, but the higher torque Yamaha motor evens things out. The real difference? The 500W battery on the Urban Arrow provides an extra 10km (or so) of range per
HOW ARE THEY SIMILAR?
Impact resistant box to protect precious cargo
Carry up to four kids!
200kg combined rider/cargo capacity
Low step frame with upright position
Low maintenance Nuvinci internal gear hub
Powerful hydraulic disc brakes
Front and rear lights powered by battery
Full chaincase
Puncture resistant tires
Comfy saddle and grips
Made in Holland
CITY MOUNTAIN
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
Heavier wood box for impact resistance
Heavy and strong galvanized and powdercoated steel frame for a lifetime of use
Powerful Yamaha motor with 80nm of torque
400W Yamaha Battery
150lbs weight
ACCESSORIES WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Ready to hit the streets? Make sure your bike is well secured with an Abus lock. The City rain-tent keeps your kids dry (and also warm in the winter!). Cushions make the ride comfier and both babies and toddlers can fit with Babboe's special seats - both made from extra impact resistant EPS foam or rubber. And, add an extra rack for more cargo capacity!
| ABUS GRANIT CHAIN 1060 | RAIN TENT | CUSHION | BABY SEAT | TODDLER SEAT | REAR RACK |
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IN SUMMARY:
Why do we love the Babboe City? There's a reason it's the world's best selling cargo bike!
- It's wooden box is impact resistant and steel reinforced
- The wooden box is marine-grade Finnish hardwood, made for all-season use or outdoor storage
- The strong steel frame is finished with durable powdercoats and rust resistant undercoats for a lifetime of use
- The internal gears are made for low maintenance and all-season use or outdoor storage
- The hydraulic disc brakes are incredibly powerful
- The position is upright and safe
- The chain guard reduces laundry costs and lets you dress sharp
- It's a fine looking machine and the worlds most popular cargo bike!
From Our Buyer...
@testimonial
"Want to know who started the cargo bike revolution? Without a doubt, it was Babboe. By scaling cargo bike production, Babboe made cargo bikes available to the world. Today, they lead with affordable cargo bikes and advanced R&D that betters the breed. One thing all our brands have in common is that they are all leaders. Babboe is no exception. We're proud to be North Americas first and largest Babboe retailer."
LEARN MORE
ABOUT BABBOE
By families for families, that's the Babboe motto. Today there are numerous cargo bike companies, exporting to the world. Before them there was Babboe. And before Babboe, a hodgepodge of small Dutch custom builders who built cargo bikes to spec at high prices and very slow speeds. Want to know who kickstarted the whole cargo bike revolution? Without a doubt, it was Babboe.
The cargo bike before Babboe was largely a commercial use product. These were often slow to produce due to all sorts of custom requirements. But, Babboe knew that families used these bikes for kids, and that as a kid-carrying device it was a scalable product - and in being scalable, it could be cost-effective, and available easily.
Today, Babboe continues to lead the pack with advanced R&D that has produced remarkable bikes like the Babboe Carve, easily the best cargo bike on the market for safety and versatility. And, they continue to produce affordable cargo bikes for families, whether it's the popular City model or newer models like the Slim that compete with todays "longtail" market by offering more safety. And, of course, Babboe still pays homage to the commercial cargo bikes that gave them their start. Bikes like the Babboe Big are our most popular bike for small businesses looking for an inexpensive and effective way to reach their target markets.
As North America's first Babboe importer, we're pleased to carry this amazing product!
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