In urban areas in particular, compact cargo bikes are becoming more and more of a thing, which is also reflected in the steadily growing range of such types of bikes. Another example in this category is Monopole’s Toolbike No 01 from Switzerland, which features a cool design and exciting details!
Already the compact steel frame with the almost parallel top and down tube is unusual, as is the vertically installed Pinion transmission with six gears. This is connected by the Gates Carbon Drive to the rear wheel, in which an X35+ hub motor from Mahle does its job — that’s right, the Toolbike is an e-bike!
The fact that you can hardly see the electrical capabilities is not only due to the compact motor: As control element, the iWoc One Button is used, with which the e-drive can be controlled and which also displays the remaining battery level. This is installed on the Toolbike at the position of the headset cap, whereby the button is integrated maximally inconspicuous! Also, the 250 Wh battery is largely invisible built into the frame — but can not be removed for charging. After all (or just because of it) the bike is very light at 22 kg for such a cargo bike!
The key feature of cargo bikes is of course the transport option and here the Toolbike No 01 offers a modular luggage rack with a system weight of 150 kg in two versions: the Shopper Rack can hold up to two shopping bags and the Platform Rack can hold a Eurobox or other large items.
Underneath the load carrier then waits another, unusual solution – because the 20 “small front wheel is controlled for steering via another belt drive from Gates! The rear wheel is slightly larger with 24”, the tire width is 50 mm. The equipment is completed by mudguards, hydraulic SRAM disc brakes (front 180 mm, rear 160 mm) and the Brooks Cambium components for saddle and grips.
With its three frame sizes, the Toolbike No 01 is intended to fit riders between 160 and 195 cm tall, with each frame size having its own gray color (soft gray, moss gray, lava gray). At launch, the bike is only available for pre-order via Monopole’s website in Switzerland and delivery is scheduled for fall 2023. Is there any info missing? Oh yes, the price. It starts at 7,200 Swiss francs — so the bike is certainly not a bargain 😉
