E-Bike / Test: With the Ca Go CS, the manufacturer from Koblenz is presenting an exciting new e-bike that blurs the boundaries between cargo and city bikes. With an innovative frame, high payload, powerful drive and compact dimensions. We have already been able to convince ourselves of the qualities of the exciting newcomer.
Cargo or city bike?
At first glance, one is inclined to put the Ca Go CS in the modern category of "compact cargo bikes", also in view of the history of Ca Go and the successful FS200 model. The high permissible total weight of 180 kg and the built-in Bosch Cargo Line motor also speak in favor of this. But: With its dimensions of 2,04 m in length and 480 mm in width, it is only slightly larger than a conventional city bike and its driving characteristics make it a versatile everyday companion - even without a load.
For these reasons, Ca Go also speaks of a CIV – a City Utility Vehicle. A bike made for urban areas, whether as a pure means of transport for drivers or as a pack donkey for the weekly shop. A child seat can also be mounted on the rear carrier to get the kids from A to B. However, Ca Go recommends using a child trailer, for which the Ca Go CS is of course approved.
High payload and 'triple load space'
If you want to transport more than just the day's shopping on a conventional bike or e-bike, you only have a limited number of options. Of course, the rear luggage rack is a flexible option and offers plenty of space for larger goods, especially in times of so-called long-tail e-bikes. The problem: The driving and cornering behavior suffers enormously, especially with high weight. This applies even more to a luggage rack or basket at the front; here there is also the fact that parking the bike can become a test of patience, since the tilting handlebars unbalance the bike and overwhelm a conventional side stand.
Ca Go was not satisfied with such compromise solutions and developed the so-called Triple Load Space for the CS, which consists of three carriers or storage options. A total of up to 75 kg of payload can be packed onto the Ca Go CS - provided that the maximum permissible total weight of 180 kg is not exceeded.
front rack
The front luggage rack, which is attached directly in front of the handlebars, can be loaded with up to 18 kg and has two extremely practical features: On the one hand, the MIK interface, which is compatible with numerous bags, and on the other hand, a storage area on the top, for example for a wallet or smartphone. Of course, classic straps can also be attached to the numerous lashing eyes.
center rack
The center rack is perhaps the greatest innovation of the Ca Go CS. The loading area in the middle of the bike, just above the ground, is unique. You can pack up to 30 kg on the platform, which with its dimensions of 40×33 cm is perfect for Euro boxes or crates of drinks, for example. Thanks to the low center of gravity, handling should hardly be affected, even when fully loaded.
Ca Go is currently working on additional accessories for the center rack, such as weather protection or a storage compartment. If you want to do without the platform entirely, you can also remove it in just a few simple steps.
Rear Racks
The (optional) luggage rack at the rear has a classic design: Thanks to Ortlieb QL-3 and MIK-HD compatibility, a wide variety of bags or accessories can be attached and thanks to the 27 kg maximum payload, a child seat can also be fitted. The integrated frame lock from Abus also serves as an immobilizer.
Cable steering and one-size-fits-all frame
The experiences that you could gather at Ca Go with the successful FS200 model can also be seen in some places at the CS. For example, there is the steering system used. As with the Long John cargo bike, cable steering is also used here, which offers many advantages over steering rods or the classic, 'direct' connection. For example, the front wheel can be turned sideways by almost 90°, which helps when maneuvering and saves a few centimeters when storing the bike. In addition, one is happy about a small turning circle while driving. The completely encapsulated system is redundant, so if one cable breaks, the bike can still be steered with the second without any problems.
By separating the fork and handlebars, the Ca Go gave you almost complete freedom when it came to ergonomics. The result is an almost vertical steering tower with an adjustable stem attached to it. This allows the handlebars to be adjusted in angle and height, which means that people of different sizes can adjust the Ca Go CS to fit. Not unimportant, because the bike is only available in one size. Here you could also fall back on the experience of the FS200 and rely on a similarly slack seat angle. As a result, the bike automatically grows in length when the saddle is extended, and you can easily get your feet on the ground when you stop.
Bosch Smart System with Cargo Line motor and external batteries
When it comes to the drive, Ca Go relies on the proven quality of Bosch. The Cargo Line drive is used in all equipment variants and corresponds in many respects to the better known Performance Line CX: 85 Nm maximum torque, compact dimensions and a weight of 2,9 kg make it one of the best motors on the market. As a Cargo Line variant, the drive is optimized for more support at low cadences (e.g. starting off with a full load) and is less "poisonous" than the sporty CX motor.
The motor is combined with external Powerpack batteries, which come with either a 545 Wh or 725 Wh capacity and are mounted in the middle of the frame. A conscious decision was made not to have a battery integrated into the frame: removing the valuable battery when 'parking' is much easier with an external battery. In addition, a few grams of weight can be saved in the construction of the frame.
Three equipment variants from 5.599 euros
Initially, the new Ca Go CS will be available in three configurations. They all have their frame and the built-in drive system in common. The powerful Bosch Cargo Line motor is always used in combination with a Powerpack 545 battery. However, an upgrade to the larger 725 Wh battery ex works is just as possible as retrofitting a Kiox display, which is otherwise only installed in the top model CS200. The main difference between the three models is the built-in circuit.
Approximately Go CS100
Drive: Bosch CargoLine
Battery pack: Bosch power pack 545
control panel: Bosch LED remote
Circuit: Microshift Advent derailleur 9-speed
brakes: Magura MT5 / MT4 203mm
Price: € 5.590
Approximately Go CS150
Drive: Bosch CargoLine
Battery pack: Bosch power pack 545
control panel: Bosch LED remote
Circuit: Enviolo CVP Trekking
brakes: Magura MT5 / MT4 203mm
Price: € 5.990
Approximately Go CS200
Drive: Bosch CargoLine
Battery pack: Bosch power pack 545
control panel: Bosch LED remote
Circuit: Enviolo CVP Trekking + Gates carbon straps
brakes: Magura MT5 / MT4 203mm
Price: € 6.490
First practical impressions
Even before the release, we had the opportunity to test the new Ca Go CS for a short period of time and to convince ourselves of the advertised qualities. The handling and ergonomics were particularly convincing, two of the most important characteristics of a high-quality everyday bike.
To put Ca Go's promises to the test, the Center Rack platform was loaded with a full crate of drinks. It was amazing that the handling hardly changed noticeably compared to a test drive without a load. Anyone who has ever transported a crate of drinks on a classic rear luggage rack knows that this is anything but a matter of course.
Apart from that, the Ca Go CS was able to convince in terms of handling: Starting with the very stable center stand through to the intuitive steering behavior. The latter, in combination with the small wheels on narrow bike paths, always put a grin on our faces. The built-in components knew how to please, especially the powerful brakes in all equipment variants are worth special praise.
The seating position on the Ca Go CS is extremely relaxed and can perhaps be described quite well as a "sporty Dutch bike feeling". Even with a body height of almost 1,90m, the bike can be easily adjusted and in no way feels too small.
We didn't really notice anything negative during the (admittedly very short) test period. The high weight, which is well over the 30 kg mark, is not noticeable while driving, but requires a lot of muscle power if stairs or something similar get in the way.
Availability
The Ca Go CS is expected to be commercially available from October. Interested parties should either inquire at the retailer or regularly on the official website drop by.
