Mike Hardaker Test Riding the HOVSCO HovCart with One of His Favorite Little Humans on Board | Photo Connor Burkesmith Mountain Weekly News
Take your groceries from the shopping cart to the HOVSCO HovCart Cargo E-bike! This errand-loving e-bike boosts its carrying capacity with plenty of cargo accessories, a huge maximum payload, and stable fat tires. The HovCart’s relatively short wheelbase and small 20” wheels could be a smart alternative to larger family cargo bikes if that’s what you’re chasing. I recently put this cargo e-bike’s abilities to the test here in Jackson, WY— keep reading to learn about the HovCart’s pros and cons.
Fat Tire Cargo Bike
The HOSCVO HovCart is categorized as a cargo e-bike but a few features help it separate from the pack. The smaller 20” tires and shorter overall length are similar to utility bikes (also known as compact cargo bikes) rather than purebred long-tail cargo bikes. This makes the HovCart a bit more nimble, even when loaded up with heavy cargo, which can be an asset if you also want to use this bike for normal recreational rides. The HovCart compensates for its compact silhouette with one of the longest rear racks in the business, ready for add-ons like a passenger seat, seat rails, a cargo basket, and footboards.
Complete People-Mover Package
I tested the HovCart with a slew of additional accessories from HOVSCO, including the kids’ seat, running board (footrests), and rear rack seat pad. This makes it easy to transform the cargo bike into a fun people-mover and bring passengers along for the ride to the grocery store, soccer games, or other errands. Other compatible accessories are seat handrails, a large rear basket, and a front basket.
Suspension
There’s a 45mm front suspension fork to smooth out the path ahead and reduce vibrations for a more comfortable ride. That’s not a crazy amount of travel but longer suspension isn’t necessary for a city-based cargo e-bike that sticks to roads and paths. The 4” fat tires also provide plenty of cushion on less-than-ideal road surfaces. The suspension fork has easily adjustable preload and can be locked out.
Top Speed
High speed isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about riding on one of the best cargo e-bikes we tested, but the HovCart comes with top pace to let out your inner speed demon. Riders can reach 28 mph by unlocking the motor via the free HOVSCO app— according to my tests, the e-bike arrives with restrictions that limit the maximum speed to around 22 mph. The powerful rear hub motor is noticeably torquey and provides serious acceleration power which is fun for riders who prefer that kind of feel.
The rear hub motor is rated at 750W and can produce a whopping 90 Nm of torque to make it up steep hills. However, you can’t make it up Everest on the HovCart while fully loaded with cargo or a second adult passenger, so don’t get any ideas. On flat routes and rolling terrain, the HovCart felt properly powered with plenty of pickup and pace. This is mostly due to the torque sensor that delivers a more natural-feeling boost that scales with your pedaling power.
Battery
The HovCart’s 720Wh battery is integrated into the downtube and has a range of between 40 to 60 miles. Take that rating with a grain of salt, though, as the maximum range will fall once you add significant weight or use the throttle mode. Still, cargo bikes are typically used for short trips around town anyway, so there should be plenty of juice. I much prefer this battery’s top-mounted design to batteries that drop out from the underside of the downtube where the front wheel and fender can get in the way— battery removal is a breeze on this model. The included 3-amp fast-charger refills the 15Ah battery in around 4 to 5 hours.
Weight
The entire HovCart weighs 66.4 lbs. but the more impressive stat is the massive payload capacity of this cargo e-bike: 450 lbs.! That’s enough for two adults to ride together, a couple of kids on the back, or tons of cargo. To support the large bike when parked, there’s a study center kickstand that’s easy to pop back up and roll away once you’re on the move again. The frame comes in orange and gray options and is recommended for riders between 4’11” and 6’3”.
Components
One of the nicer upgrades on the HovCart is the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with large 180mm rotors. Tests revealed the impressive stopping performance of these brakes, a must for such a hefty bike that can travel fast and carry cargo. The smaller 20” wheels are pleasantly nimble for this long bike, though you’ll want to stick to paved surfaces— fat tires on larger-diameter wheels are much better suited to dirt, gravel, or sand.
The saddle features a lift handle to assist in pivoting or turning the heavy bike and I realized that it’s also the perfect place for a rear passenger to grab onto while riding. The riser handlebars are a little too high for my liking and may require some getting used to for less experienced riders as they alter the handling slightly.
In terms of tech, there’s a nice large LCD screen at the center of the handlebars to see all your most important ride metrics. The HovCart is also compatible with the HOVSCO app to access additional settings including unlocking the motor to full speed. Both the integrated headlight and brake light are sufficiently bright.
7-Speed Gearing
The 7-speed drivetrain gets the job done but with the HovCart capable of pedal-assist speeds of 28 mph, it could benefit from another gear to prevent ghost pedaling (i.e. spinning out at higher speeds). I’m surprised there isn’t an additional pulley wheel to keep the extra-long chain a bit closer to the frame as is the norm on cargo bikes with an extended distance from the cranks to the rear wheel. However, the HovCart is slightly shorter than typical cargo bikes, so HOVSCO can probably get away with omitting that additional component.
Hovsco HovCart Cargo E-bike: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact and Maneuverable: Shorter wheelbase and smaller wheels make it easier to handle than typical cargo bikes, even when loaded.
- High Payload Capacity: Can haul up to 450 lbs, including passengers or cargo.
- Powerful Motor: 750w motor with good torque for handling hills and heavy loads.
- Comfortable Ride: Front suspension and fat tires provide a smooth ride.
- Long Range: Battery has a range of 40-60 miles (depending on use).
- Fast (with unlock): Can reach speeds of 28 mph with motor unlocked via app.
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Provide strong stopping power for a heavy bike.
- Lots of Accessories: Can be customized with a variety of passenger and cargo accessories.
- Large LCD Display: Easy to see important ride metrics.
- Integrated Headlight and Brake Light: Improves visibility in low light conditions.
Cons:
- Shorter Top Speed (locked): Limited to 22 mph until unlocked via app.
- Only 7 Speeds: May not be enough gearing for higher speeds (ghost pedaling).
- Riser Handlebars: May be uncomfortable for some riders.
- Lacks Chain Tensioner: May cause chain slack with long wheelbase.
Overall Impression
The HOVSCO HovCart is a utilitarian e-bike that boasts a serious amount of speed, fun, and usefulness. Smaller than your typical family cargo e-bike, the HovCart probably won’t be the electric vehicle that fully replaces your car, but it can transform the way you travel around town. Currently priced at $1,799, there’s likely room in the budget to splurge on the high-quality accessories for rear passengers and all your cargo needs.
HOVSCO Discount Code, $100 Off – MTN
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