Upcoming week starts Eurobike, one of the most important trade fairs for bicycles, where the renowned Eurobike Awards are traditionally handed out. This year’s winners include the compact LAX cargo bike, which will be available with or without an electric drive.
With its LAX, the Frankfurt-based company of the same name is offering a new multi-utility bike that is set to go into series production from summer 2024. At the heart of the LAX is a spacious front carrier measuring 40×33 centimetres. It is interchangeable and yet sturdily connected to the main frame — so it can easily carry a load of up to 20 kg. Handy: an integrated belt system secures the load, and various bags, baskets or a Eurobox can also be mounted on the carrier. The 12 eyelets at standardized bottle cage spacing on the underside are also clever and can be used to attach a lock, tool bag or, of course, a bottle cage.
LAX is available as a non-motorized LAX muscle bike and as an LAX e-bike. The motor is installed in the rear wheel hub and the battery is invisibly located in the down tube. This concept is designed to allow a LAX muscle bike to be converted into a LAX e-bike at a later date — and vice versa. The sustainable steel frame, which is manufactured in Frankfurt, is designed for people between 145 and 195 cm tall and can also be purchased separately for individual set-ups. Thanks to the frame opening, it is also possible to fit a belt drive.
An agile fun machine: the LAX e-bike
We already had the opportunity to take a close look at the 1.60 meter short LAX e-bike and do a few test laps. As expected, thanks to the compact 20″ wheels with 60 mm wide tires, the bike turns out to be a real fun machine that is super agile!
The electric drive comes from Hyena and can also be found in a similar form in bikes from Cannondale (Treadwell Neo) or Diamant, Trek and Electra. With a torque of 40 Nm, the motor is within the usual range for this design, as is the battery with its 250 Wh capacity. However, this is permanently installed in the down tube and therefore cannot be removed for charging. Nevertheless, at around 20 kg, the LAX e-bike is quite light. There will also be an optional range extender, which provides a further 160 Wh for a longer range. It is operated via a compact display on the handlebars, which can be used to set the support levels of the drive. The 10-speed derailleur gears are from Shimano, and there is also a permanently installed lighting system with mudguards.
The bikes will be sold directly via the website www.laxcycles.com and selected specialist stores from July 2024. Prices will then start at 1,750 euros for the frameset including front carrier and 3,950 euros for the manual LAX muscle bike. The electric version, the LAX E-Bike, will then be available for 5,250 euros.
