After relying on an aging yet effective cargo bike, a contractor named Harry thought he could do better. Meanwhile, his friend Larry was already building cargo bikes for another brand. Together, Harry and Larry thought they could create the ideal cargo hauling bicycle. Eight years ago the first Bullitt bike was built, and since then they’ve become a hit with riders all over the world.
Keeping with the times, the duo recently decided to add power to their proven bike with the new STePs eBullitt model. The new bike features a Shimano STePs motor, but also uses battery power to control its Di2 electronic shifting and integrated lighting.
As you’d expect there are plenty of options for various cargo storage boxes or child seats, plus customizable component upgrades like Brooks saddles, Gates belt drive systems, or full Shimano groupsets to suit your application…
The eBullitt’s frame is made from heat treated 7005 T6 aluminum, and it’s mated to a chromoly fork. The bike relies on a chromoly steerer arm to turn the front wheel, which runs underneath the cargo deck and attaches to the fork leg via a ball joint.
The frame is built around a 26” rear wheel and a 20” front. Both use Alex DM24 rims with a sealed bearing hub up front and a Di2 controlled Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub in the rear. Good brakes are a must on cargo haulers, so Larry and Harry chose four piston Magura MT5’s with 180mm rotors for the eBullitt. The bike also comes with an aluminum kickstand, plastic fenders, reflectors and a brass bell.
In addition to selecting your preferred cargo moving accessories (which we’ll discuss in a moment…), buyers can customize their bike with different handlebars, saddles and lock options, not to mention full Shimano component groups or even a Gates carbon belt drive setup. For a little help maneuvering heavy loads, a steering damper can also be added on.
As for dimensions, the eBullitt measures 96″ front to back, and 18.3″ wide. In terms of fit, the bike’s low-slung frame was designed to host a wide range of riders. The seat mast tops out at a height of 29.9″, and there are two seatpost lengths available. The handlebars can also be adjusted up and down by 100mm with the company’s ‘easy-up’ extender.
The eBullitt’s weight will vary greatly depending on your setup, but for reference a complete 8-speed model (presumably unequipped) weighs 49.2lbs. The bike’s maximum weight capacity is 397lbs including the rider.
Of course this bike is all about moving cargo, so the eBullitt accommodates a number of interchangeable accessories for hauling goods or children. The simplest setup is adding the Honeycomb Board, which acts as a durable base. If you want your stuff covered, you can choose between a plastic box, convoy box, alubox, or side panels with a top cover. For commercial applications, there’s also an option for a billboard panel that sits inside the frame.
For moving kids, a foldable two-child seat can be fitted within the side panels (without the top cover) or the canopy-style child carrier as seen above.
Larry vs. Harry claims they have the ‘lightest battery and motor combination on the market’. Although the combined weight isn’t listed, the Shimano STePs motor weighs just over 7lbs. The eBullitt’s battery is a high capacity 418Wh, 36v 11,6Ah unit, which fully charges in four hours.
The battery provides power for not only the motor, but the electronic Di2 shifting and integrated lighting as well. A stem-mounted computer displays info like the motor mode, battery life, etc. and the integrated Lumotech front and Secula rear lights can be switched on and off from the handlebar.
One cool feature is that Shimano’s Di2 system allows for the option to enable automatic downshifting, which should help get your cranks turning when you’re moving a heavy load. Another clever touch is that both the battery and rear wheel lock keep it simple by using a single Abus key.
Larry vs. Harry have always offered lots of color options, and while initially the STePs eBullitt will only be sold in the ‘classic’ black, as of August buyers will have a choice between nine colors. MSRP is approx. $4642 USD, but once you add your cargo carrier and other accessories the price will go up accordingly. The eBullitt is available online or from over 100 dealers worldwide. In the USA dealers are located in California, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois and Maryland.
