Carlos Midtail Full orange at Fatbikeskopen.nl

Orange is the most eye-catching of the three colors in which the Carlos Midtail Full is available. With a bike you use to take a child somewhere, being clearly visible is a practical advantage, and in a crowded bike rack at school you can spot it immediately. A midtail is somewhere between a regular bike and a longtail in length. This version comes with a 750 watt-hour battery, a low step-through, disc brakes, and both racks included as standard.

Why choose a midtail

A longtail is long, which you notice when turning around in a narrow street and when parking it in a regular bike rack. A midtail strikes a balance: enough extra space at the back for a child or a large grocery haul, but shorter than a full-size longtail. For people living in a city center or with a cramped shed, that is often the deciding factor. The trade-off is less carrying capacity than a true longtail.

Difference from the Midtail Basic

The Full has a higher stated range—120 kilometers compared with 60 for the Basic—and comes with front and rear racks pre-installed as standard. With the Basic, you order those racks separately. On a midtail, that is no minor detail, because without racks you cannot do the very thing you bought the electric bike for. In most cases, the Full works out better, unless you already have racks that fit it.

Range of the Carlos Midtail Full

The 750 watt-hour battery is rated for up to 120 kilometers, with a margin that the manufacturer itself includes. Such figures always come from favorable test conditions, so with a load you will get considerably less. The front rack sits above the front wheel and moves with the handlebars, which takes some getting used to with heavier loads. The rear rack is extended, so it can carry more than a regular pannier rack. A battery lasts longer if you do not routinely run it completely flat and charge it indoors in winter. The stated range is always a test value, so expect somewhat less in practice.

Brakes, suspension, and low step-through

Disc brakes and front suspension make up the equipment. There is no rear suspension, which you notice with an extended frame because the rear section hits a bump just as you are already over it. The wide tires absorb some of this. On a midtail, a low step-through is convenient: when carrying luggage on the back, you do not want to swing your leg over a loaded rear section, and you do not have to here. Brake pads and discs come in standard sizes, so they can be replaced at any service point. Hydraulic brakes occasionally need bleeding, but otherwise require little maintenance.

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 spot in a crowded rack. The rotating components and battery come with a one-year warranty. Anyone who rides it daily will notice these choices sooner than someone who takes an occasional ride. When making your decision, consider where you will store the bike, as that often matters more than the specifications.

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 also schedule a test ride right away. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 service points in the Netherlands. If ordered online, the bike will be delivered to your home ready to ride. You can arrange insurance when placing your order. After delivery, you have fourteen days to take a test ride.

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