Cowboy 4 ST test: a simple, light and connected electric bike

The cowboy 4 ST adopts a slightly wider curved handlebar (57 cm) than on the other models in the range (54 cm) for better maneuverability. The pilot position is completely refined, there is no button or counter. We simply notice the quad lock support on the stem and the white diodes indicating the battery level. In addition to its perfect integration, the originality of this system is the presence of an induction charger of 15 integrated into the quad lock support. It allows you to load the smartphone when it is placed on the support.

Cowboy 4

Red Dot Best Prize winner in 2021, Cowboy’s electric bike is focusing on a simple and refined look. Characterized by its high frame, the Cowboy 4 is also available in a low frame version called Cowboy 4 ST. Beyond the ease of access, this version will also be more suitable for users of small templates (from 165 cm).

Cowboy 4 motorization and performance

Placed in the rear wheel, the cowboy 4 engine develops up to 250 watts of power and 45 nm of torque. He assists the user up to 25 km/h.

Since an update advanced in March 2023, the Cowboy 4 has been equipped with “adaptivepower” technology. Based on a resistance sensor integrated into the engine, it allows you to better adjust the assistance according to the road and the environment profile.

Cowboy 4 battery and autonomy

Equipped with lithium-ion cells, the cowboy electric bike battery discreetly integrated into the saddle tube. Removable, it weighs 2.4 kilos and accumulates 360 Wh of energy capacity (36v – 10 Ah).

In terms of autonomy, the manufacturer announces between 40 and 80 kilometers depending on the driving conditions. At the recharge level, it will take 3:30 for a full recharging via an external charger of 3 A.

Cowboy 4 – Cycle part

Mounted on a 6061 aluminum frame, the cowboy 4 receives a rigid aluminum fork, hydraulic disc brakes, a monoviet derailleur and a carbon carbon belt transmission. He weighs 18.9 kilos with its battery.

A connected electric bike

Like Tesla’s electric cars, Cowboy electric bike benefits from connected features and a remote update system. The large peculiarity of the model lies in the absence of a dashboard. It is indeed your smartphone which, positioned on a support installed in the center of the handlebars and with an induction load device, will display all the information during driving thanks to the Cowboy application available on Android and iOS. Connected to the bicycle by Bluetooth, this app allows you to follow your statistics of use, the level of load of the battery or the distance traveled. It also incorporates a GPS navigation system with 3D card but also an air quality index.

Cowboy 4 marketing and prices

Optimized for cyclists measuring between 170 and 195 cm, the cowboy 4 is available in two colors: black or sand. It is directly sold on the manufacturer’s website. Not to mention the electric bike bonus, it is sold from 2,990 euros with a 2 -year warranty. Rental solutions, leasing, are also offered.

Cowboy 4 ST test: a simple, light and connected electric bike

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Return to the start page – 6 products

Summary

Notation history

Writing note

User note (1)

User reviews (1)

• Design.
• Finishing.
• Weight.
• Transmission by belt (minimal maintenance, no cist).
• Cellular network connection.

• Braking that lacks bite at the front.
• Engine that still lacks power.
• Absence of stand and standard luggage racks.
• Application only in English.

Read the complete conclusion
Technical sheet / Characteristics

Bike type	City
Number of speeds	1
Material	Aluminum
Engine	Rear wheel
Announced autonomy	70 km
Battery weight	2.4 kg
Battery	10 Ah (360 Wh)
Wheels	26 inches
Lug / anti-theft carrier / tool kit	No no no
Bike weight	19.2 kg

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The Cowboy 4 ST is the first Cowboy open frame bike. Like most bikes from the manufacturer, it keeps a rear hub engine with a belt transmission, but opts for standard mudguards and a quad lock fixing for smartphone with an induction charger integrated in the gallows.

Presentation

After a Cowboy Sport V2 and a cowboy 3 aiming above all fans of sports bicycle, the Belgian company resolved to release a model with an open frame more suitable for use in the city by facilitating the rise and the descent on the bicycle. The Cowboy 4 is thus available in two versions: a classic Cowboy 4 version which takes up the design of the cowboy 3 with a closed frame; and a second ST (Step Trough) version with low frame easier to step over. Like the cowboy 3, the 4/4 ST is equipped with standard mudguards, but the crutch and the luggage rack remain as optional. This model is distinguished above all by the integration of a quad lock smartphone support with an induction charger of 15 W directly in the stem. The tire width also goes from 42 to 47 mm to improve comfort.

The cowboy 4 of course retains a carbon-kevlar carbon belt transmission, which has the advantage of being maintenance-free (no fat or oil) and therefore does not dirty the bottom of the pants. The company always ignores a speed hub (Shimano Nexus or Alfine, Nuvinci 360 or 380, Rohloff, Sturmey-Archer, etc.) and is satisfied with a single speed (with a slightly smaller gear on the 4 ST). The rear hub is a 250 W electric motor which precisely compensates for this lack of versatility in the transmission. On the cowboy 4, he delivers a 45 nm couple against only 30 Nm for the Cowboy 2 and 3.

If the Cowboy Sport V2 weighed only 16.1 kg, the cowboy 4 ST displays a weight measured by us of 19.4 kg (18.9 kg for the standard cowboy 4). It is only available in one size which will only suit cyclists measuring between 1.65 and 1.90 m. Finally, the price is also increasing since the cowboy 4/4 ST is displayed at 2800 € against 2300 € for the cowboy 3, and a little less than 2,000 € for the Cowboy 2 in 2019. But this is a general trend in the bicycle market where all manufacturers have increased their prices in the past two years.

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Comfort and ergonomics

Like its predecessors, the Cowboy 4 ST marks the spirits and attracts the eyes. It must be said that the design is very refined. The Belgian brand has gone difficult to make all cables and welds disappear with impeccable finishes. We tested the K-Way version in limited series, sold around 3000 € and which only differs in its decoration in tribute to the brand of waterproof jackets.

The driving position is less sporty than on the “classic” cowboy and cowboy 4, but it depends on the size of the cyclist. For a person of 1.80 m, the position is a little hybrid, because we remain leaning forward. Certainly less than on a classic cowboy, but we do not find the right and comfortable position that is supposed to bring a city bike. This position is found for people under 1.75 m, which makes us advise this model to this cycling size. In terms of standard equipment, there are fairly covering mudguards on the sides, but that of the front wheel does not go down enough to protect the shoes from projections of water projections. Anyway, if you keep your shoes in the rain, nothing beats overhang or gaiters. Cowboy offers a crutch for € 29, the luggage rack alone for € 89 or a crutch pack and luggage rack for € 99. Having regard to the price of the bicycle, we would have preferred that these elements were included in the final invoice.

The cowboy 4 ST has a carbon-kevlar gates belt which does not require maintenance. This lack of lubrication also means that this belt does not capture all the ambient impurities. The cuddy is therefore completely absent. We also avoid derail with this system. The advantages of the belt – well known to lovers of Vélotaf and cycle tourism – are no longer to be demonstrated, in particular the lifespan greater than 20,000 km. The only drawback is the marginal side of this transmission which can put off certain velocists, especially since the adjustment is not as simple as it seems. On this ST model, Cowboy opted for a slightly shorter and therefore more suitable brass. There is a 57 teeth tray and a gable of 21 teeth for a 2.71 report, while the classic cowboy 4 opts for a 60 teeth tray for a gable that keeps 21 teeth and a 2.85 ratio a little more difficult to take. The hub engine is a 36 V model for 250 W and developing 45 Nm of torque maximum.

Perfectly integrated into the bicycle, the lighting system is one of the visual signatures of the cowboy models. At the front, light is an integral part of the steering tube. At the back, it is placed on the battery, just below the lock which allows it to be removed from the bike for the load. The lighting is powerful and allows you to be clearly visible on the road, even in broad daylight (the manufacturer announces a power of 200 lumens at the front and 50 lumens at the rear). On the other hand, the scope is quite relative in the campaign or in the undergrowth, for example, when there is no public lighting. The lighting is also very directive and does not light up very effectively on the sides.

Identical on all cowboy models, the battery is still as bulky (484 x 50 x 63 mm) for a capacity ultimately quite limited (360 Wh). There is no handle to transport it and it is not easy to fit in a backpack. Knowing that we rather advise to remove the battery from an electric bike when it is parked outside in large cities (the flights are common), this accumulator is not really suitable for it. We would have preferred to have an orifice within the battery, making it possible to pass an anti -theft and doubly secure the battery – which already has a locking by key. Remove the battery also exposes the adjustment screws of the saddle tube and therefore in the flight of the saddle. In the end, it is better to leave the battery on the parking bike and remove it only for recharging.

The cowboy 4 ST adopts a slightly wider curved handlebar (57 cm) than on the other models in the range (54 cm) for better maneuverability. The pilot position is completely refined, there is no button or counter. We simply notice the quad lock support on the stem and the white diodes indicating the battery level. In addition to its perfect integration, the originality of this system is the presence of an induction charger of 15 integrated into the quad lock support. It allows you to load the smartphone when it is placed on the support.

The Cowboy application embarks on the card displaying the last position of the bicycle. This page allows you to start navigation via GPS, but the precision of the directions remains very relative and the choice of routes is not very effective. On a daily basis, we prefer Google Maps in its bike version, Komoot or Geovelo. By unrolling down, we find the weather, the state of the battery, the quality of the air and the previous route. The second page focuses on the statistics for the use of cycling over the week, the month, the year or the whole life of the two-wheelers. Then comes the part of the settings with the possibility of activating automatic locking (never, 2, 5, 10 and 30 min), the addition of a contact for falling detection (he then receives a message in the event of a glitch ) and the adjustment of the intensity of the lights (low or strong). Finally, the last tab gives access to the various services: making appointments for a repair, the cat or the Frequently Questions. This tab also activates the Find My Bike functionality which allows you to locate your bike on a card.

In rolling, the application concentrates either on the navigation card, or on speed and mileage. It is also possible to deactivate assistance, lights or recharge from the smartphone.

Fortunately, the app is not essential to use the bicycle with electric assistance. Just remove the battery using the key supplied, then put it back so that the assistance and the lights light up. It is well thought out and reassuring if you no longer have a battery on your smartphone, but this feature was for example blocked by an update during our test. Cowboy quickly corrected the shot, but it’s always frustrating if you forgot your smartphone at that time.

Conduct

The passage of tires with a width of 42 to 47 mm is saving for overall comfort in town, even on the pavers. The absence of suspension is mainly felt on big shocks, such as holes or puffs where a telescopic fork can make a big difference. As explained in the presentation, this cowboy 4 ST with its open frame is drawn for cyclists a little smaller. For a pilot measuring 1.80 m, the position is already a little too sporty with the shoulders forward, while for the under 1.75 m, the back is more straight. The position is more suitable for the city and a slightly softer driving.

With its monovialite transmission, the cowboy 4 ST is of childish simplicity to take. Just press the pedals and let yourself be carried away by assistance. Programming the torque sensor and the engine is clever enough to save the battery as much as possible. For us, this bike thus requires pressing the pedals stronger compared to the other VAEs in order to benefit from the assistance. This small detail allows the cowboy to settle for a small battery (360 Wh), while most bikes on the market are equipped with a battery of 400, 500, or even 600 Wh. It is also impossible to choose the power delivered by the engine, because there is only one assistance mode. It is impossible for example to press the pedals very little and let the engine do most of the work, as is the case with almost all other electric bikes on the market when you choose the most pupil. Here, you have to use your calves to advance the bike. However, driving remains natural and assistance is done smoothly.

The average 36 V 250 W engine delivers a torque of 45 Nm, up compared to the Cowboy 2, but not yet powerful enough to compete with the bosch and Shimano pedals, even the entry -level models (Bosch active more and Shimano E5000). This does not pose a problem on the dish where the bike is propelled fairly quickly around 23 to 24 km/h, but it is more problematic in the coast. The cowboy 4 ST then clearly pays the absence of speed and the relative power of its engine. It is not uncommon to meet around 15 km/h in the steepest coasts and, above all, to have to press very strongly on the pedals. On the dish, if the gear chosen by Cowboy on its 2, 3 and 4 (standard) models allows you to ride the strength of the calves around 35 km/h (the assistance is cut at 25 km/h), the Shorter bracquet of the cowboy 4 ST does not allow to exceed effectively the 30 to 32 km/h (the pedaling rate becomes too high). On this point, the cowboy 4 ST does not look like other cowboy models and is closer to a classic VAE. It is wanted by the brand since this model is aimed at another audience, less sporty, less radical in the use of cycling.

The cowboy 4 ST is equipped with a pair of hydraulic disc brakes specially designed for the Belgian brand by the manufacturer Sunrace (as confirmed to dismantle brake pads). If the rear brake brakes very hard, and even a little too much, causing the wheel locking fairly quickly, it is the opposite on the front brake. The latter is sorely lacking in biting, especially at the end of the race. Admittedly, this behavior prevents blocking the wheel, but handicaps the braking power. We do not know if this phenomenon is wanted by the manufacturer, but the feeling of the front brake remains particular, especially this end of race which lacks power.

Cowboy test St Cruiser: always more powerful, always more technological

After a little late start -up, the Cowboy St Cruiser finally made its big debut in France. This fourth generation of electric bicycle is available some improvements that are both technical and technological, for an ever higher rate of 2790 euros. We tested it in its ST version (open setting), here is our verdict.

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This test is valid for the following variants:

This test was carried out on May 16, 2022 and the market may have evolved since. Consult our comparison to discover more recent products potentially more relevant to you.

Our full opinion
Cowboy St Cruiser (2023)

March 09, 2023 09/03/2023 • 17:03

Update of 03/09/2023:

Cowboy has deployed a whole new exclusive feature to its Cowboy Classic and Cowboy St Cruiser, and responding to the name of AdaptivePower, that Frandroid was able to test. It is a system capable of better understanding the typology of terrain and your instant needs: on a coast with a more winding effort, the engine is thus capable of delivering more power to better support you.

Cowboy, on its momentum

We no longer really present you Cowboy, who has now managed to make a name for himself in the electric bike landscape. The Belgian start-up founded by Adrien Roose and Karim Slaoui-formerly Take Eat Easy-waited a short year to launch the fourth generation of her eponymous VAE.

Despite a few months late, the Cowboy Classic finally arrives on our roads at a price of 2790 euros (against 2490 euros at its launch). Always more technological, this new version also increases the level on performance and above all has an version with an open frame, called Cowboy St Cruiser.

We have just tested this variation: you are ready ? Let’s go !

A capricious test model

Before getting to the heart of the matter, the following context should be made. The model loaned during our test, or should we even say the models (Cowboy has lent us two bikes), suffered from a problematic anomaly: the famous energy loss in particular in our interview with Tanguy Goretti, co-founder of the brand.

This technical glitch concerns the new cockpit, which does not happen ” Quite simply not to turn off properly », Explained our interlocutor to us. At the time-an interview organized in early February-, just over 10 % of the park was concerned, we were entrusted to us. Problem: after several updates deployed on our model, the bug was still present.

To counterbalance this phenomenon, know that other users of the Cowboy St Cruiser have not encountered this defect, which therefore does not seem to be generalized. The fact remains that we had to deal with and logically take into account this particularity during our test. The most impacted domain is obviously autonomy. For the rest, nothing changes.

Technical sheet

Model	Cowboy St Cruiser (2023)
Max speed	25 km/h
Engine power	250 watts
Announced autonomy	70 km
Recharge time announced	210 min
Removable battery	Yes
Bluetooth	No
GPS	Unknown
Screen	No
Weight	19 kg
Width	57 cm
Color	Black, purple, red, pink, beige
Maximum supported weight	140 kg
Headlights	Yes
Taillight	Yes
Price	€ 2,990
Product sheet

This test was carried out from two models loaned by the brand.

Design

Always more refined

For its cowboy St Cruiser, Cowboy used the same aesthetic strategy as its previous models: keep the base that is refined in small touches. Admittedly, this ST model stands out for its open frame much more practical to ride – and vice versa – its mount, but the idea, basically, remains the same.

Here, there was talk of strengthening the sleek aspect of the cycle. For example, the brake cables no longer die in the lower tube and the fork, but directly in the handlebars, for an ever more dusted outcome result. The handlebars also underwent some changes: exit the right shape, place in a more circular format.

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

These more rounded lines give it a warmer appearance. And a little change, it never hurts. Also note that the handlebar of the ST model claims a width of 570 mm, against 540 mm for the Cowboy 3 and Cowboy Classic. It can make a small difference to sneak into traffic, even if we have never been embarrassed.

The handlebars of the old generation could also be raised by 15 mm: this is no longer the case here, all versions combined.

The Cowboy St Cruiser impresses above all by its excellent assembly quality, specific to the brand’s models. The finishes are simply perfect. Here, no trace of welding is visible on the aluminum frame, when the mat effect brings this little visual always flattering for your retina.

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Let’s be totally subjective: this cowboy St Cruiser is a delight to contemplate. It is difficult to blame him for anything aesthetically.

Depending on your size, remember to compare the offer of the young Belgian shoot. The Cowboy Classic is optimized for users measuring between 170 and 195 cm, while the Cowboy St Cruiser will suit cyclists oscillating between 165 and 190 cm. The latter therefore tends to address a wider audience: more people measure between 165 and 190 cm than between 170 to 195 cm.

Weight level, the first weighs 18.9 kilos, against 19.2 kilos for the second. It’s a kilo more than the cowboy 3, but it still remains in the average of the market. However, do not venture to ride without electric assistance, at the risk of losing a lung. Starting it on the stairs is also a delicate exercise for your arms, all the more without a higher tube to offer you a solid grip.

The saddle adjustment system is still unusual: it is necessary to remove the battery, loosen two small screws and adjust everything. But your saddle has at least the merit of being safe. And let’s face it: once settled, we no longer touch.

Slightly improved comfort

Overall, the comfort of the cowboy 3 was satisfactory, without giving you the impression of sitting on a sofa (at the Queen Bike). For this new generation, the company tried to raise the level by swapping its custom saddle against a royal saddle model and increasing the width of the tires (47 mm against 42 mm).

In fact, the difference is difficult to perceptible. But your buttocks remain rather well installed on short and medium distances journeys. On the other hand, a passage on the cobblestones mistreats your behind. We would also have liked a more marked depreciation of sidewalks and other road irregularities.

For city driving, it is still very correct.

Equipment, the best

Long criticized for the lack of equipment observed on its electric bikes, Cowboy listened to user feedback to try to correct the shooting. It’s not yet perfect, but there is better. Starting with the presence of a standard mudguard.

Besides, the Cowboy 3 also takes advantage of this small change since the summer of 2021. Before, we had to pay the tidy sum of 89 euros to take advantage of it. This is always saved, even if it seems normal that such an accessory is provided by default on our urban vae today.

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Determined to bring an ultra -refined appearance to his vehicle, Cowboy has still not added crutch. It’s once again regrettable. And it is when it is missing that we realize how much it is more or less essential in certain situations. Also, the front lighthouse being directly integrated into the frame, it absolutely does not light up when you make a turn. More generally, this fire is more of aesthetics than the practice.

For the aficionados Luggage racks, you must also ignore this accessory, which remains available as an option at a price of 99 euros with a crutch, or alone at 89 euros. The crutch is also sold separately at 29 euros.

Application

Connected electric bike requires, a cowboy application accompanies our mount of the day. We had already used it and tested during our cowboy 3 test, which does not prevent us from talk about it again today.

Once the application is opened, the main interface offers several actions: unlock your VAE by staying the red button, search for a place or add a favorite address (home, work) or access your driving data (second tab in the lower bar).

These navigation data summarize your previous journeys per week, month, year or since the start of your use. If you are a enthusiast of this type of data, it will have the merit of satisfying you. The number of races, your average speed and your time of use are also indicated.

The tab ” Settings »Allows to control certain bicycle features, such as activation of the Lock car (automatic shutdown), the period of the Lock car (2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, never), the AUTO UNLOCK, activation of the falling detector (which can then contact a loved one by having previously returned a number) and the management of the headlights.

This same page subjects several paying offers, which are the insurance against the flight and the Cowboy formula. Billed 120 euros per year, the first package fully reimburses you your bike in the event of theft. The second (240 euros per year) guarantees maintenance with unlimited interventions (spare parts, tire puncture).

On the last tab, a function Find My Bike Via a Bluetooth signal rental of your bike via a Bluetooth signal. The closer you get, the more the signal represented by a colorful bar will be strong. Note: you really have to be a stone’s throw from the bicycle so that your phone detects it in a very close perimeter.

Let’s go back to the main interface: if you unlock your bike, then all the features presented above will not be accessible. Instead, three actions are offered to you via a lower bar: turn on or turn off the lights, activate or deactivate electric assistance … and use wireless charging.

Because yes, this is the big novelty of this cowboy St Cruiser: the integration of a brand new cockpit including a Qi wireless recharge of 15 W thanks to an integrated support. However, it is compulsory to install a shell quadlock on his phone to set it to the said medium. Once installed on it and the function activated, your phone will return to energy.

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

To do this, the smartphone is used directly in the bike battery. We made a trial at a stop during a 20 -minute session: our iPhone loaned by the brand A for example recovered 5 %, without the VAE battery losing autonomy. So let’s be without fear if you drive and load your mobile device simultaneously.

In extreme cases, this quadlock cockpit can save you the bet if your phone is dangerously approaching the energy failure. A little wireless load and your mobile will be minimally afraid.

Once on your bike ready to cut the road, you can just as well enter an address and follow the GPS indications displayed on the screen. Practical, if you don’t know the way. This avoids getting your laptop out of your pocket, which can be dangerous.

It is also possible to display your driving information live: current speed, distance, time of your journey and remaining autonomy (in km and percentage).

Overall, the application is relatively easy to use: neophytes will not be lost in a mane mail and submenus. The most essential information appears quickly before your eyes and the Quadlock cockpit is a small technological bonus that sets it apart from its predecessors. The idea is sympathetic.

Conduct

For the city, a more plan-plan driving

The Cowboy Classic and its St Cruiser variant remain electric bikes for the city, for short, medium or long distances. Their autonomy allows both to live in the suburbs or in the city center in order to move in peace.

The philosophy of the cowboy St Cruiser is based on a dose of simplicity, where the user only has to ride his bike which turns on automatically thanks to the Auto Unlock, then to sail towards its destination of choice. When everything works perfectly, it’s great.

The ST version is distinguished, however, by a more straight, and therefore more conventional driving position. This tends to make driving a bit more plan-plan than its friend or the cowboy 3. Please note, this opinion is subjective. For some people, this can be a positive point.

A more torquey bike

One of ” novelties From this new generation cowboy concerns the engine torque, 45 Nm against 30 Nm on the Cowboy 3. The higher this data, the easier it will be to climb a coast and the less the cyclist needs to provide an effort. This also impacts starting and recovery.

A couple of 45 nm may be considered suitable, without being transcendent either. The mustache Monday 27.3 reaches for example 65 Nm, when the iWeech climbs up to 90 nm of torque, at equivalent prices if not lower. This improvement remains good news, although it remains more energy -consuming.

During our test, Cowboy has carried out several software updates. One of them, it seems, played on the level of pedaling resistance, which seemed surprisingly raised at the start. However, the gear level is lower than on the cowboy (St Cruiser and Classic) and Cowboy 3.

As a reminder, the higher the gear, the more the pedaling resistance is also, the more we have to press it stronger. Its calculation is based on a series of data, including the number of teeth present on the set and the cassette: there are respectively 57 and 21 on the cowboy St Cruiser (bracquet of 2.71), against 63 and 22 on the Cowboy 3, whose gear reaches the scoring of 2.85.

The Cowboy Classic, for its part, displays a 2.86 gear with its 60 teeth at the front and 21 teeth at the back. Fortunately, the update has obviously corrected this impression of resistance, to make the pedaling more pleasant and above all more natural. On dish, cowboy know-how is felt: it is a real pleasure.

Electric assistance propels you at 25 km/h with strength and fluidity, without rushing you. Cowboy is also based on an effective torque sensor: with, the level of electrical assistance sent depends on the force you put in the pedal. When well calibrated, you have the feeling of being one with the bicycle.

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

If you wish, climbing at 30 km/h is quite possible with a more supported pedal stroke. But above all, the passage above 25 km/h (the legal limit to which the assistance can help you) is not felt at all, despite its 19.2 kilos. On other models, you sometimes have the impression of dragging a tractor.

On the other hand, the engine made internally (250 W) seems a bit more in difficulty on ribs, which sometimes become sluggish at the level of the legs. Let’s say we saw more pleasant among some competitors. It’s a shame, because getting breathless at the end of a climb is not really the desired effect when investing in a VAE.

The presence of a carbon belt transmission is always a pleasure to see. This type of component is renowned for its reliability and durability and does not generate any fat. For the maintenance of an electric bike, it is necessarily practical.

Honorable handling

As on its accomplices, the weight of the bicycle is particularly concentrated at the rear given the location of the battery (under the saddle) and the engine (rear hub). Once on the way, your front axle is therefore handy as possible, because devoid of any too heavy component – rare are the vae with an engine before that said that said that.

To sneak at low speed between certain cars or perform a more delicate maneuver in a cramped place, this Cowboy St Cruiser meets expectations and is reliable. Especially when you combine this maneuverability with a reactive torque sensor responding to you and the eye. So the whole works well.

Switch your bike backwards to wedge it in an elevator – if it is too small – is also a breeze, since the front weight is low. On the other hand, the turning radius seems a bit weak to turn around in a living room, for example.

Powerful brakes, but there is one but

In terms of brakes, change of program compared to the previous generation: the cowboy 3 opted for hydraulic disc brakes signed Tektro, the Cowboy St Cruiser folds down on also hydraulic brakes, but ” Custom cowboy »».

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

Source: Anthony Wonner – Frandroid

The Cowboy St Cruiser offers a powerful level of braking, but perhaps not as reassuring as its predecessor. Last year, braking had swallowed wireless. This year, the rear tire tends to block and hunt a hair too easily on dry ground during a slightly brutal braking phase.

Do not worry: braking remains good and can be managed gradually to more or less low power. It seems just less well adjusted than the tektro.

Autonomy

This is the angry subject. Not that the autonomy of the cowboy St Cruiser is bad. But as explained above, our test models suffered from a daily energy loss capable of making us lose up to 4 % of autonomy per day. And this, without rolling the slightest kilometer.

We have obviously disconnected the bicycle, the Bluetooth and any functionality likely to pump energy, in vain. The fact is that the brand has directly admitted to encounter problems in the new cockpit, which does not turn off properly on certain models.

Our manual calculations still push us to say that the 70 kilometers announced are roughly respected. After traveling a distance of 30 km in two days, the application indicated to us a level remaining 35 km (50 %). A total of 65 kilometers between the path traveled and the autonomy still present.

The five percent of the missing are probably due to the loss of energy inherent in our model. Without, the bicycle would probably have displayed 40 km of autonomy still available.

However, this software anomaly played me bad tricks. I happened to go on weekends on Friday evening, to go back to work at home on Monday and then want to get on my bike on Tuesday to go to the editorial staff. Problem: during this time, the remaining 22 % of Friday evening melted at … 2 %.

Without this bug, the autonomy of the Cowboy St Cruiser would be very comfortable for urban trips. If you live in the near or slightly distant suburbs, recharge it every three days should be a necessity. Concerning me, my journey velotaf pushed me to recharge it once a week, or even two in case of many trips.

On the recharge side, the removable battery recovers 100 % energy in about 3:30. Cowboy guarantees up to 500 charging cycles, about 35,000 kilometers before the battery runs out of steam or deserves a replacement. Also note that it is compulsory to remove the accumulator to connect it: no outside port is present to load it.

Good to know: if you no longer have a battery in your phone – in this case, it is no longer possible to turn on your bike – remember to always keep the bike key with you. It is enough to insert it into the VAE accumulator, to remove it and to put it back. The system automatically reactivates.

Price and availability

The Cowboy St Cruiser is available on the brand’s official website for 2790 euros, in sand color (our test model), black and khaki. Payment can be made in four times up to 697.50 euros per month. When writing these lines (week of April 25), delivery times amount to thirty days. During the configuration, an 8 -week period is indicated, but the brand has assured us that the thirty days are now respected.

If you want to lower the note by several hundred euros, bonuses for purchase for electric bikes are available in many regions.