Royal Cargo Bike 3W Premium Plus at Fatbikeskopen.nl

The Royal Cargo Bike 3W Premium Plus is Royal Cargo Bike’s best-equipped three-wheel cargo bike: a Bafang mid-drive motor with 80 newton metres of torque, a stepless Enviolo hub and belt drive instead of a chain. Together, these three features set it apart from the Eco version, which uses a hub motor with 45 newton metres of torque and eight gears. Four seats, a 220-kilogram load capacity and a 630-watt-hour battery with Panasonic cells.

Difference from the 3W Eco

Three things. The Premium Plus has a mid-drive motor with 80 newton metres of torque instead of a 45-newton-metre hub motor, which you notice as soon as you set off with a load or have to ride up a bridge. The drive system uses a belt instead of a chain, so lubrication is unnecessary. And shifting is stepless with an Enviolo hub instead of using eight fixed gears. All three are particularly noticeable when the cargo box is full. In the showroom, you can see the difference in a few minutes. What may look minor on paper is often something you can feel on the road. Assistance is provided through a torque sensor: it measures how hard you push on the pedals and adjusts the assistance accordingly, rather than simply switching on as soon as the pedals turn.

Stepless shifting with Enviolo

An Enviolo hub has no fixed gear ratios, but a continuous range. You turn the grip and the gearing adjusts accordingly, even when you are stationary. With a loaded cargo bike at a traffic light, that is exactly when you need it, because with a derailleur you have to pedal in order to shift. The fact that this hub is combined with a belt also means that the drivetrain requires hardly any maintenance. That may sound like a minor detail, but it adds up on your daily route. In the showroom, you can see the difference in a few minutes.

Four children and 220 kilograms

The box can accommodate four children, and the maximum total weight is 220 kilos, including you and luggage. With an 80-newton-metre mid-drive motor, the electric bike still pulls away smoothly when fully loaded, whereas 45 newton metres feels noticeably heavier. The box sits low between the two front wheels, keeping the weight down low. Children can climb in by themselves from the side, which they can usually do without help from around the age of three.

Three wheels and brakes

A tricycle stays upright when you let go, even when loaded. So when loading four children, you do not need to keep one hand on the handlebars. The trade-off is that you cannot lean into corners: you steer instead of leaning, which takes some getting used to on the first rides. Hydraulic disc brakes are essential on a bike that can weigh nearly 200 kilos when loaded, especially with children on board. When the bike is delivered, check the brake lever reach; you can adjust it in a few seconds. Brake pads and discs use standard sizes, so they can be replaced at any service point.

Who is the Royal Cargo Bike 3W Premium Plus for?

For families, childminders and schools that transport several children every day and can recoup the extra cost of the mid-drive motor, belt drive and continuously variable hub through greater convenience and lower maintenance. The recommended rider height is approximately 1.60 to 1.95 metres. Please note: there is no suspension, so children will feel every bump on cobbled streets. A tricycle is also wide, so measure your gate and shed door before ordering. The lighting is permanently mounted on the bike and runs on the main battery. When the bike is delivered, check the brake lever reach; you can adjust it in a few seconds.

Ordering from Fatbikeskopen.nl

Compare the Eco and the Premium Plus side by side before choosing, because you only notice the difference in motor power when the bike is loaded. You can do this at ten showrooms, preferably with your children. For maintenance, you can visit more than 450 service points in the Netherlands. Bikes ordered online arrive at your home ready to ride. There is a three-year warranty on the frame and a one-year warranty on components and the battery. For maintenance, you can use our collection and delivery service. You can pay in one go or in instalments.

See also: Royal cargo bikes | cargo bikes | longtails | e-bikes