Test / E-Bikes: Compact cargo bike or city bike with a lot of transport volume? The Loden One combines different bicycle categories, but above all wants to be a versatile everyday companion. Will the balancing act work out? We tested the exciting e-bike for you.
Founded in 2015, Loden (or Cero, as the manufacturer is called in its home country of the USA) has been active in the bicycle market since 2017. So far there is only one model in the portfolio, which is appropriately named Loden One. It was quite a bit ahead of its time when it was launched. With its mixture of cargo bike, city bike and compact bike, the Loden One was definitely a pioneer in 2017 - today many larger manufacturers have such e-bikes in their range. The reason for this is simple: As practical as cargo bikes may be, especially in urban areas, they are not suitable for everyone due to their size and weight.
The Loden One in a detailed test video
One-size aluminum frame and wheels of different sizes
The Loden One relies on an aluminum frame with a low step-through, which is only available in one size. Thanks to the height-adjustable stem, among other things, the bike should still be suitable for people up to 190 cm tall. Ergonomically, this may be a compromise here and there, but it can also be an advantage, for example if several people in the same household share the bike. In this case, it can be made to fit different sizes quickly and easily. Speaking of different sizes: This also applies to the wheels, because the small 20 inch front wheel on the Loden One has a 26 inch rear wheel. This allows the US manufacturer to keep the overall length of the bike compact - it's roughly on par with classic bikes - and gains agility and maneuverability thanks to the smaller front wheel.
According to their own statements, the conception of the bike was based on utility bikes such as the e-bikes used by the English Post. In addition to simple handling, the requirements were of course also the transportability of the bike. This is where the cargo concept of the Loden One comes into play. At the front, a kind of permanently installed front rack offers a number of options, and the rear luggage rack is also significantly longer than usual. The bike can show off its advantages above all in combination with the adapted attachments: Here Loden offers two baskets and a so-called platform. All three are made of black aluminum and can be mounted at the front or rear - practical! The net, which is attached to the baskets with Velcro, is also very popular, as it prevents smaller objects from falling out.
child seat and trailer
Of course, Loden also thought about transporting children, although the One clearly falls short in this discipline compared to regular cargo bikes. Either you mount a standard child seat on the rear luggage rack or a corresponding trailer for which the bike is also approved. Incidentally, the maximum system weight is a decent 162 kg, which, minus the surprisingly low weight of 26,5 kg, results in a payload of approx. 136 kg.
Solid choice of components and harmonious Shimano drive
When it comes to the drive, Loden relies on Shimano. However, the EP8 is not used, as is so often the case, but the somewhat more moderate Steps E6100. With a maximum torque of 60 Nm, this is not quite as powerful as many other current motors, but it scores with its very natural response and low volume. An external 504 Wh battery is available for the power supply - the realistic range should be between 60 and 80 km depending on the support level and driving behavior, which is always sufficient in everyday life. In addition, the external battery can be removed in no time at all.
The other components are consistently solid - this applies to the Shimano Nexus Inter 5E hub gear with carbon belts as well as to the hydraulic disc brakes, which also come from Shimano. However, depending on the terrain, the latter could work up a sweat when fully loaded - here, given the quite high price of 4.699 euros, we might even have wished for a system with 4 pistons. On the other hand, the Ergon grips and saddle and the Satori UP2+ stem, which can not only be adjusted in its inclination, but also moved up or down with the quick release - and can even be rotated by 90°, are very popular. Also worthy of praise are the Schwalbe Big Ben Plus tires, which, thanks to their generous volume, make suspension almost superfluous, provided they have the right air pressure.
Practical impression: Convincing!
In practice, the Loden One scores particularly well with its harmonious handling, high level of comfort and pleasantly low background noise. The small front wheel gives the versatile everyday bike undreamt-of maneuverability, while the Big Ben Plus tires make you forget the lack of a suspension fork, even on bad paved roads. All components do their job inconspicuously in a positive sense, and the Shimano E6100 drive also fits perfectly into the concept. The fact that the Loden One doesn't rattle in the slightest, even on bad bike paths, exudes a certain premium flair.
