Carlos Midtail Basic orange at Fatbikeskopen.nl

Orange is the most eye-catching of the three colors available for the Carlos Midtail Basic. When you use a bike to take a child somewhere, being clearly visible is a practical advantage, and you can spot it immediately in a crowded bike rack at school. A midtail is somewhere between a regular bike and a longtail in length. This model has a 750 watt-hour battery, a low step-through, disc brakes, and front suspension.

Why choose a midtail

A longtail is long, which you notice when turning in a narrow street and parking in a regular bike rack. A midtail strikes a balance: enough extra space at the back for a child or a substantial amount of groceries, but shorter than a full-size longtail. For people living in a city center or with a cramped shed, that is often decisive. You do sacrifice some cargo space compared with a true longtail. In the showroom, you can see the difference in just a few minutes.

Difference from the Midtail Full

The Full has a higher stated range—120 kilometers compared with 60 here—and comes with front and rear racks fitted as standard. With the Basic, you order those racks separately. If you mainly take short trips within built-up areas and already have a rack, the Basic is more affordable. If you make longer daily trips or carry heavy loads, the Full is a better choice than this entry-level model.

Range of the Carlos Midtail Basic

The 750 watt-hour battery is rated for up to 60 kilometers, with a margin that the manufacturer specifies itself. That is modest for this capacity, which is related to the weight of an extended frame carrying a load. The advantage is that you can actually achieve those 60 kilometers in practice. For the daily trip to school or the shops, that is more than enough, even with a full grocery bag on the back. The stated range is always a test figure, so expect somewhat less in practice. Do not leave the battery outside in freezing temperatures; this will reduce its capacity over time.

Low step-through and braking

With an extended frame, a low step-through is convenient: when carrying luggage or a child on the back, you don’t want to swing your leg over a loaded rear section. Here, you step straight through the frame. It has disc brakes and front suspension. There is no rear suspension, which you notice with an extended frame because the rear hits a threshold just when you have already cleared it. Hydraulic brakes occasionally need bleeding; otherwise, they require little maintenance. The lighting is permanently mounted on the electric bike and runs on the main battery.

Who is this version for?

For anyone who regularly carries a child or groceries, cannot accommodate a full longtail, and deliberately chooses a striking color. The maximum total weight is 140 kilos, including you and your load. That is enough for one child plus luggage, but tight for two. A bright color is also easier to find in a crowded bike rack. The rotating components and battery come with a one-year warranty. Consider where you will store the bike, as that often matters more than the specifications. For commuting within built-up areas, this equipment is more than sufficient.

Ordering from Fatbikeskopen.nl

Bright colors rarely look the same on a screen as they do in real life, and a midtail handles differently from what you are used to. You can assess both at one of the ten showrooms, where you can immediately schedule a test ride. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 locations in the Netherlands. When ordered online, the bike is delivered to your home ready to ride. You can arrange insurance when placing your order. For maintenance, you can use our pickup and delivery service. You can pay in full or in installments.

See also: Carlos | longtails | cargo bikes | all fatbikes