Surly has unveiled the Skid Loader, a compact electric cargo bike you can also tear through the woods on.
The brand says the Skid Loader has sufficient carrying capacity to replace a car on urban trips.
However, Surly claims the bike is more manoeuvrable than a typical cargo bike, which are up to twice as long.
The shorter wheelbase and 27.5in wheels are also said to provide superior handling and ride experience for “everyday deviant riding”, according to Surly.
The Skid Loader’s dropper seatpost, with 120mm of travel, and mountain bike tyres suggest off-road potential.
Surly specs the electric bike with the Bosch Cargo Line motor. The ebike system’s highest support mode is 400 per cent of your pedal power, according to Bosch.
The drive unit is paired with a 500Wh battery.
The Skid Loader is only available in the United States and Canada as a complete build for $4,799 / $6,349 CAN.
Shorter and more manoeuvrable frame
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The Surly Skid Loader frameset is constructed using the brand’s Natch tubeset. This is finished with a rust-resistant coating, according to the brand.
The bike is available in small, medium and large frame sizes. Surly says the sloping top tube provides adequate standover height for riders ranging from 4ft 11in to 6ft 6in (150cm to 198cm).
The Surly Skid Loader is equipped with features seen on the best bikes for commuting. The frame has mounts for mudguards, a front rack and can fit an additional Bosch PowerPack 500Wh battery.
The rear rack has a claimed maximum capacity of 45kg (100lb).
Two bottle cage mounts fit on large and medium frames and one on size small.
Surly says the Skid Loader’s double-butted main triangle and fork legs, together with front and rear thru-axles, provide stiffness where it’s needed.
Gear, brake, dropper post and light cables are routed internally.
With a wheelbase ranging from 1,153mm to 1,226mm and a claimed weight of 26.8kg in size medium , Surly says the Skid Loader is easier to move in tight spaces – such as flats or on public transport – than traditional cargo bikes. Many cargo bikes have a wheelbase over 2m and weigh more than 40kg.
Off-road capable spec
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The Surly Skid Loader is built around a microshift Advent X 10-speed drivetrain. This consists of an FSA 38T single chainring and microshift Advent X 10-speed 11-48t cassette.
The Bosch Cargo Line drive unit packs 85Nm of torque. Its four modes provide assistance up to 32km/h (20mph) as per North American electric bike laws.
The range of the Bosch PowerPack 500WH battery can be doubled by adding a second battery of the same size, which is available to be bought separately.
The Surly Skid Loader is equipped with Tektro Orion HD-M745 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors.
The TranzX Dropper Post measures 400mm long and offers 120mm of travel.
WTB i35 27.5 HTZ front and rear wheels are shod with tubeless Surly ExtraTerrestrial 27.5×2.5in 60 TPI tyres.
The dual-legged Ursus Jumbo kickstand has been designed specifically for the Skid Loader, according to Surly.