Summary
- The Sayle Cycle № is a compact low-tail cargo bike with a steel frame, a 27.5-inch front wheel and a low-slung load platform above a 20-inch rear wheel.
- Two drive trains make this unusual frame layout possible. The load area measures 46 × 40 centimetres and, according to the manufacturer, can carry up to 50 kilograms.
- Prices start at 2,990 euros.
A bike for shopping, the commute to work and a trip into the countryside: Marcel Sayle didn’t want to have to use different bikes for these different tasks. The engineer and bicycle mechanic therefore reimagined the concept of the cargo bike and founded Sayle Cycle in 2023. Over the course of three years, several prototypes were developed before the ‘№’ took on its current form. The model name is pronounced ‘Numero’.
Conclusion by Max Fuchs, BIKE editor
Cargo bikes are brilliant. However, most models have one problem: their handling. Long ‘Long John’ cargo bikes feel cumbersome to ride – a far cry from the handling of a normal bike. Cargo bikes with a standard front end, where the load is positioned above the rear wheel, feel very wobbly when carrying a heavy load due to their high centre of gravity.
The Sayle Cycle № offers the best of both worlds: a classic control centre with a large front wheel for natural handling and a low loading area for an ideal centre of gravity. This makes the cargo bike ideal for people who are not only looking for maximum carrying capacity, but also a bike that rides like a normal bicycle despite its load. The downside of this design is the additional drivetrain and the clear limitation when it comes to carrying passengers: the № is intended for luggage, not for carrying children.
The Sayle Cycle No. in detail
| Characteristic | Manufacturer's specifications |
| Field of application | Day-to-day use, transport, touring; depending on the model, also on unpaved tracks |
| Design | Low-tail with a deep rear loading area |
| Frame material | 25CrMo4 steel, powder-coated |
| Impeller sizes | 27.5-inch front / 20-inch rear |
| Length / Wheelbase | 187 / 123 cm |
| Load area | 46 × 40 cm |
| Maximum load on the load bed | 50 kg |
| Permissible total weight | 168 kg, including the bicycle, the rider and luggage |
| Height | According to the manufacturer, approximately 160 to 200 cm |
| Weight: Urban | Approx. 18 kg, excluding pedals and accessories |
| Weight of the ATB | Approx. 19 kg, excluding pedals and accessories |
| Price | From 2,990 euros |
| Special features | Two drive stages, low loading platform, modular accessory system |
The 46 × 40 centimetre loading area is designed for everyday loads such as crates of drinks, parcels or bags. However, its 50-kilogramme limit should not be confused with the total permissible payload. The owner’s manual states 168 kilogrammes as the permissible gross weight – including the bike, rider and all luggage. Depending on the rider’s weight and the equipment fitted, the remaining load capacity may therefore be exhausted before the platform limit is reached.
Anyone looking primarily for a family bike will also need to take a closer look: The Operating instructions for No. prohibits the carriage of children and other persons on a bicycle. A child trailer, however, may be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The company behind Lowtail
Sayle Cycle was founded in 2023 in a small town on the outskirts of Munich. The idea for this unusual cargo bike first took shape in the summer of 2022 as part of Marcel Sayle’s bachelor’s thesis in industrial design on the topic of ‘urban mobility’. He drew on his experience from the cycling and metalworking industries. The brand focuses on regional manufacturing: according to the company, the steel frames are welded, powder-coated and sealed locally. Marcel Sayle carries out the final assembly himself at the company’s premises. The focus is on durability, suitability for everyday use and the ability to repair the bike using standard parts. Sayle cites the estate car as the inspiration for this versatile bicycle concept: sporty on the road, yet with space for luggage.
Two powertrains for the pick-up design
The low-slung rear end calls for a special drivetrain solution, as there is no room for a standard derailleur. On the №, two drive trains therefore run via an intermediate gearbox. This allows the power transmission to be adapted to the unusual frame layout, enabling the chain to run under the load platform to the rear wheel. The design features a front and a rear chain; both have their own tensioning mechanisms. Depending on the specification, the rear drivetrain uses either a chain or a belt.
This technical freedom therefore comes at a practical cost: there are more drive components to check here than on a bicycle with a single chain. Sayle describes separate maintenance and adjustment procedures for this.
The Steel frame of No. is designed to accommodate a variety of set-ups. It features numerous threaded eyelets for bikepacking accessories or everyday gear, and plenty of space for off-road tyres.
Off-road with a suspension fork and knobbly tyres
The № most clearly demonstrates its mountain bike heritage in the ATB version. Here, Sayle combines a Manitou Machete suspension fork with 100 millimetres of travel with a 2.8-inch-wide Schwalbe Smart Sam at the front. At the rear is a 2.35-inch-wide Schwalbe Smart Sam Plus tyre. Gears are changed via an 11-speed Shimano Alfine hub, whilst braking is provided by hydraulic Shimano disc brakes.
On paper, this makes for an interesting cargo bike for gravel tracks, camping kit or picking up the shopping on the way home from a ride. However, this doesn’t make the № a full-suspension cargo MTB: the rear triangle remains unsuspended. If required, the load area can be supplemented with a Racktime platform at the front. This allows luggage to be distributed across two areas.
The Urban version is more geared towards everyday city life. It comes with a rigid fork, an eight-speed Alfine gear system, mudguards and a lighting system featuring a Shutter Precision hub dynamo. Schwalbe Big Ben Plus tyres replace the more treaded off-road tyres here.
Facilities, prices and availability
The range extends from frame kits to complete electric-assist bikes. Urban and ATB models are priced from 2,990 and 4,200 euros respectively. Sayle also offers bespoke custom builds. Luggage baskets, mounting plates and other transport solutions are, in some cases, available separately. You should therefore check which parts are included based on your chosen configuration.
The complete e-bike is available from 6,800 euros. Here, Sayle combines a Mahle X30 rear-wheel motor with a 237 Wh battery, a Shimano Nexus five-speed gearbox and a Gates belt in the second drive stage.
Orders can be placed directly with Sayle Cycle. The manufacturer generally quotes a delivery time of 30 days for Germany and states additional delivery charges. You should check the actual availability of the model you require before placing an order.
Max Fuchs
Editor