Vello Sub Gen 2: An update on the compact electric cargo bike with a Bosch Cargo motor from Vienna

Are you interested in a cargo bike? Great! That means the seed of your inner drive to carry more by bike and less by car has already been sown. Now you just need to work out what you want to carry and where you can keep it.

Here we present the new Vello Sub – a compact longtail bike that features an extended rear rack rather than a large cargo area at the front of the handlebars. This design is particularly appealing, for example, to families who have limited storage space at home.

Compact when parked, robust at the rear

The Austrian company Vello lives up to its name as Compact bicycle manufacturer To be fair: at 185 centimetres in length, the Sub is on the short side for a longtail – not least, of course, because of its small 20-inch wheels. According to the manufacturer, folding pedals and handlebars that can be rotated through 90 degrees reduce the width to 29 centimetres without the need for tools.

This does not turn the bike into a folding bike: its length remains the same, and Vello states that when folded, it measures 85 × 185 × 29 centimetres. Anyone wishing to store it in a hallway or cellar should therefore measure not only the floor space but also any doors and stairs.

The integrated rear carrier is approved for up to 100 kilograms and, according to Vello, can accommodate two child seats. An optional front carrier can carry a further 22 kilograms. It is important to distinguish between the carrier load and the permissible gross weight: the stated 210 kilograms applies to the bike, the rider, passengers, luggage and accessories combined.

According to Vello, the weight of 24.9 kilograms or more refers to the titanium version, which costs over 9,000 euros; for the steel model, the manufacturer quotes a weight of around 28.9 kilograms. Anyone who has to carry the bike regularly should have their specific configuration weighed. Our article shows the compromises that small transport bikes entail in everyday use: Comparison of compact cargo bikes.

What’s new in the second generation?

The new fifth-generation Bosch Cargo Line delivers up to 120 Newton-metres of torque and a maximum of 600 per cent assistance. This provides powerful assistance when setting off with a heavy load and when cycling uphill. The new Magura Louise disc brakes are designed to offer better modulation, particularly in wet conditions and when carrying a heavy load. A redesigned centre stand is intended to make jacking up the bike easier and to stabilise it whilst loading and unloading.

Vello has also repositioned the tow bar to make it easier to use standard bicycle trailers. A shorter stem is designed to improve adjustability for riders of different heights. New grips, foldable platform pedals and longer mudguards round off the changes for everyday use.

For the gear system, you can choose between a continuously variable Enviolo Heavy Duty hub or the 9-speed electric hub gear system from 3x3 in Adelmannsfelden, Baden-Württemberg, each featuring a clean and low-maintenance Gates belt drive. Controls are operated via the Purion 200 display, whilst the Bosch eBike Flow app integrates the bike into the Smart System. The eBike Lock digital locking function provides an additional safeguard against theft, but is no substitute for a sturdy bike lock.

Details, models & price

• Concept: a compact electric longtail measuring 185 centimetres in length and with a width that can be reduced to 29 centimetres.
• Maximum permissible weight: 210 kilograms, including the bike, the rider, any passengers, luggage and accessories.
• Transport: Rear carrier approved for up to 100 kilograms and two child seats; optional front carrier approved for up to 22 kilograms.
• Drive system: Fifth-generation Bosch Cargo Line with up to 120 Newton metres and a maximum of 600 per cent assistance.
• Battery and range: 400 Wh; a maximum of two 800 Wh batteries, totalling 1,600 Wh; according to Vello, up to 350 kilometres in Eco+ mode with this configuration.
• Models and prices: Enviolo version from 5,698 euros, 3x3 version from 6,698 euros; frames available in steel or titanium. Battery size, frame material and accessories determine the specific configuration.

Conclusion: Our assessment of the Vello Sub

The compact Vello Sub Gen 2 longtail cargo bike is particularly appealing to people who want to transport children or shopping by bike rather than by car, but don’t have space at home for a bulky cargo bike. Despite its small wheels and light weight, it can carry a payload of over 180 kg. The powerful Bosch motor delivers up to Only for very bulky loads might a bike with a front cargo area be more practical.

Anyone wishing to compare the different designs and their areas of application will find the answers in our Cargo Bike FAQs. Can the Vello Sub really replace your (second) car? That depends mainly on whether the seed of your inner drive grows into a sturdy plant. The bike certainly has what it takes.

So, would you swap your car for an electric cargo bike like this? Or have you already done so? Leave a comment – we welcome friendly and objective contributions.