Xtracycle's Swoop ASM e-bike brings an automatic transmission to cargo bikes
The Xtracycle Swoop ASM is a cargo e-bike featuring an automatic transmission system developed by Shimano. While the electronic shifting offers convenience, the reviewer notes that the system's smoothness still requires refinement.
Why it matters
Automatic transmissions in e-bikes represent a growing trend in consumer cycling technology aimed at simplifying the user experience for heavy-duty cargo transport.
Shifty Xtracycle’s Swoop ASM e-bike brings an automatic transmission to cargo bikes A steel frame cargo bike with a unique twist: You can let it choose your gear.
38 Credit: John Timmer Credit: John Timmer Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The Velotric Discover M e-bike we reviewed earlier this year had a feature I found somewhat annoying: It would sporadically block much of the display with an alert telling me I should be in a different gear. While the implementation bugged me, the concept made a certain degree of sense; most e-bikes now know your cadence, how much torque you’re generating, and how that power is being translated into speed. That’s everything you need to know to determine an optimal gear.
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