Are vowels particularly expensive right now? Our test bike certainly gives rise to this suspicion, as they have been omitted from the product name CPNHGN - a reference to the cycling city of Copenhagen. And at 4,000 euros, it is also significantly cheaper than the established competition...
But joking aside: as a relatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly means of transport without major parking problems, cargo bikes are a popular alternative to cars on many routes. The number of bicycle brands with vans in their portfolio is therefore increasing year on year. The mail order company Fahrrad.de also offers a transport pedelec under its own Ortler brand. Our test bike, the CPNHGN, with its deep loading area between the rider and front wheel, is a typical "Long John" transporter, whose wooden box with dismantled side walls could also accommodate bulky loads up to a refrigerator.
Practical test of the Ortler CPNHGN
For our road test, we limited ourselves to sandbags and loaded the 140-litre load box of the Ortler CPNHGN with 36 kilos. The manufacturer specifies 40 kilos as the maximum load at this point, the maximum system weight can be 180 kilos - so with a full load and a vehicle weight of 40 kilos, the rider should still weigh 100 kilos.
Small turning circle due to large handlebar angle
The Ortler designers have opted for a cable to steer the front wheel, which is positioned far in front of the rider. Compared to the equally common rods between the handlebars and head tube, the cable allows a greater steering angle of almost 90 degrees, which theoretically reduces the turning circle. With the CPNHGN, it is in fact extremely small at three metres. Although this only works in push mode without any major risk of tipping over, turns can be taken slowly and carefully up to a turning angle of around 75 degrees.
Intuitive and fast after a short familiarisation period
On the test track, the voluminous tube profiles under the transport surface prove to be very torsionally stiff. Only at the interfaces with the head tube and rear frame section does the frame twist noticeably. This is particularly noticeable when cornering. Despite play-free cable steering, the Ortler CPNHGN's high mass pushes it slightly off track during abrupt steering movements. However, if the handlebar input remains soft and fluid, load change reactions are hardly noticeable and the CPNHGN steers directly and true to the track. Thanks to the low centre of gravity, the tilting forces remain pleasantly low while riding. This means that the Ortler can be ridden intuitively and quickly after a short period of familiarisation. The riding position is upright and comfortable, the handlebars are pleasantly offset. The suspension fork works effectively. The front wheel maintains good contact with the ground even on uneven surfaces and makes the pedelec easy to control.
Drive
The extremely smooth-running Brose Drive T motor provides a very bike-like riding experience. We would have liked a slightly higher torque when starting off, but a lower starting gear also helps. And here is the only clear point of criticism: Shimano's eight-speed Alfine hub requires active relief of the pedal and chain for clean gear changes. Otherwise, it will not change gears at all or only very slowly. It is therefore advisable to shift into a light starting gear before coming to a standstill.
Cargobike equipment
The standard equipment with a second battery is probably unique in this price range. With two 522 watt-hour batteries, the Ortler rarely needs to be plugged in. However, because only one of the two batteries attached to the frame is electrically connected to the drive unit, you have to swap the empty battery for the full one by plugging it in.
The Ortler CPNHGN is only available in one frame size. Even with the adjustable stem and a long seat post, the bike can only be adapted to different rider sizes within certain limits. For legal reasons, it cannot yet be used as a children's taxi, but the manufacturer is working on a corresponding licence and child seats. Additional accessories such as a rain cover for the transport box and bags are also planned for the future.
Conclusion on the Ortler CPNHGN
- PlusPrice-performance ratio, uncritical driving characteristics
- Minus: Hooked gear hub, double battery electrically not coupled
Uli Frieß, test editor: "The CPNHGN is a well-equipped van with a very interesting price-performance ratio. The handling characteristics are generally uncritical, but the drivetrain could be more harmonious."
The most important details of the Ortler CPNHGN at a glance
- Motor: Brose Drive T
- Torque: 70 Nm
- Display: Brose Allround
- Battery sizes: 2 x 522 Wh
- Gear hub: Shimano Alfine 8
- Frame: Aluminium
- Fork: Mobie A32-CGO, 70 mm
- Brakes: Disc, Magura MT5
- Tyres: Schwalbe Big Apple; v: 60-406, h: 60-559
- Lighting system: LED, Supernova E3
- Weight: 40 kilos
- permissible total weight: 180 kilos
- Frame sizes: universal
- Handlebar width: 680 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,100 mm
- Price: 3,999 Euro
Service and repairs
It's easy to order a bike online, but who takes care of repairs and servicing? Mail order company Fahrrad.de operates six stores across Germany that take care of all work on the bikes. In addition, there are a large number of authorised service partners across the country that Fahrrad.de customers can call on for repairs. Their locations can be found on the website. If you cannot or do not want to assemble the bike you ordered online yourself, you can have it delivered to one of the six stores. Once the bike has been assembled, staff will customise it for the customer.
