Frandroid was able to preview the next electric bikes from Nakamura, the Intersport bike brand. Among the models exhibited, a certain longtail with an excellent equipment-price ratio, whose price positions it head-on with Decathlon’s Longtail R500Elec.
Nakamura, Intersport’s bicycle range, is preparing a great offensive in the electric bike field. Frandroid was invited to preview the group’s next models, including an electrified longtail which will arrive during the month of December 2023. Production will logically begin in November.
This cycle is called Cargo longtail and relies on a very attractive equipment-price ratio on paper. Let’s kill the suspense right away by addressing its cost: 2999 euros, the same price as Decathlon’s R500Elec, in its second version expected by the end of the year – the time for Decathlon to empty the stocks of its first iteration, in short.
A highly suspended fork
“It was important for us to design a national product», explains Xavier Rousseau, Category manager of the brand. Here we must understand a product which is not only designed for the city, but also for beaten paths or paths along rivers. In short, a machine capable of getting out of urban areas and taking you on a country stroll.
To do this, Nakamura has clearly pulled out all the stops. And this by integrating a suspended fork with 120 mm of travel – something that we can see on e-MTBs, much less on longtails. As a result, this model will be able to absorb many bumps or other irregularities in the road.
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
To make this bike versatile, the brand has opted for a 27.5-inch front wheel, compared to a 24-inch rear wheel. Everything is stabilized by a double central stand capable of supporting a total of 100 kilos. The very wide 2.8-inch section tires will also help improve comfort and stability.
The other big strong point of the Nakamura Cargo longtail is its central engine: the E-Power Max with a very generous torque of 100 Nm. This is excellent news overall, since a longtail is required to transport children or goods. Relying on high torque to energize a loaded and heavy assembly is generally essential.
Cushion, footrest and grab bar
The engineers have also integrated a double removable battery, as standard: a main one of 555 Wh, a second of just over 200 Wh, for a total of 768 Wh. This suggests a comfortable autonomy, even if the weight carried and the assistance mode used necessarily affect the range of action of the cycle. In this, the scope will vary depending on the use.
At the rear, this longtail comes standard with a guardrail, grab bars, two cushions and footrests to accommodate two children, for example. The cushion is easily detachable to make way for a MIK luggage rack, which can accommodate a baby seat with all the practicality that we know from this standard.
In total, 80 kg can be supported at the rear, compared to 10 kg on the front rack, for 220 kg on the entire electric bike.
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
Source: Grégoire Huvelin – Frandroid
Another interesting element: the telescopic seat post. Just pull a trigger and use your body weight to raise or lower the saddle. When stationary and with children in the back, this can be useful for gaining stability with your legs and better grip on the ground.
One size and one color
On the safety side, Nakamura relies on four-piston Shimano MT 400 hydraulic disc brakes to guarantee braking worthy of the name. Everything is combined with a 9-speed transmission as well as a screen offering several modes, including a Smart mode – the equivalent of Auto mode at Bosch, we are told.
Weighing 40 kg and available in a single size for users measuring between 160 and 190 cm, the Nakamura Cargo longtail will be available in December 2023, in sand color and for the sum of 2,999 euros. This bike is assembled – we are talking about assembly here, and not production – in Machecoul, in the factory of the Manufacture française du cycle.