HNF-NICOLAI CD2 Cargo

HNF-NICOLAI plan to mix up the cargo bike sector with the CD2 Cargo, boasting a low-maintenance belt drive, patented tilting technology, the new Bosch Smart System Cargo Line motor, a 750 Wh battery, carrying capacity for 4 children and an additional luggage compartment. We took a closer look at the pre-production model.

**HNF-NICOLAI CD2 Cargo** | Bosch Smart System Cargo Line/750 Wh | approx. 65 kg | from €7,715 | Manufacturer’s website

The HNF-NICOLAI ebike brand

HNF-NICOLAI are German manufacturers of premium ebikes, and HNF is an acronym for Hecken, Nicolai (the founders’ names) and Friends. While the company’s headquarters have been located near Berlin since it was founded in 2015, the factory was moved to Bitterfeld/Halle a few years back. In the meantime, Hero Cycles from India, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers, have joined HNF-NICOLAI.

The components

The HNF-NICOLAI CD2 comes equipped with the new 85 Nm Bosch Smart System Cargo Line motor, and the 750 Wh battery, which is the largest currently on offer from Bosch. If you need more range, HNF-NICOLAI also plan to offer a second 750 Wh battery as soon as the Bosch Smart System allows it.
The predecessor, the HNF-NICOLAI CD1 Cargo already featured the brand’s patented tilting technology. So, it’s no wonder that the new and improved CD2 Cargo also relies on this tilting technology, which is said to offer an impressive level of agility at higher speeds and aid particularly in cornering. In addition to the large open transport box, which can accommodate up to four small children, the HNF-NICOLAI also has a large lockable luggage box, which should be quite useful when running day to day errands. The infinitely variable Enviolo hub drivetrain and GATES CARBON DRIVE belt promise minimal maintenance. To facilitate parking, loading and pulling away, the tilting mechanism can be locked out with your foot and unlocked via a remote on the handlebar.

At 253 cm long and 79 cm wide, the HNF-NICOLAI CD2 Cargo is big enough for one rider, four small children and a lockable luggage box, which we’re told is big enough to hold a standard beer crate.

€ 7,715

Specifications

Motor Bosch Smart System Cargo Line 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork mm
Rear Shock mm
Seatpost mm
Brakes TEKTRO HD-T745/TEKTRO HD-T740 180 (v/h) mm
Drivetrain Enviolo CVP Heavy Duty 380 %
Tires Schwalbe Pick-Up Super Defense 20 x 2.15/27.5 x 2.35 (v/h)

Technical Data

Size One Size
Weight approx. 65 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) approx. 280 kg

The tilting technology

The patented tilting technology with its double wishbone mechanism from HNF-NICOLAI is intended to make cornering safer, while allowing you to corner faster.

To lock out the tilting mechanism, you can simply push down on the silver lever with your foot, keeping the tricycle upright when parked, loading, or pulling away.

To unlock the tilting mechanism, just push the lever with your thumb.

The motor and battery

The 85 Nm Bosch Cargo Line motor is designed to meet the demands of cargo bikes.

The Bosch Smart System Cargo Line motor doesn’t just offer push assist with anti-rollback, but also benefits such as over-the-air updates or the option of customising the riding modes via the Bosch eBike Flow app.

The drivetrain

The enclosed Enviolo CVP Heavy Duty hub drivetrain is almost maintenance-free, allows continuous shifting even under load and offers a gear range of 380%.

The infinitely variable manual shifting of the twist grip shifter promises to score for its ease of use.

Transport boxes

The black transport box isn’t just suitable for transporting children.

The pre-production model was fitted with two benches and four safety harnesses, but these can easily be swapped out for other uses.

With the CD2 Cargo, HNF-NICOLAI present a cargo trike that allows you to transport both your children and cargo, offering the perfect compromise. It remains to be seen whether the trike with its sophisticated tilting technology, Bosch Smart System Cargo Line motor, practical transport box and luggage compartment is as good to ride as it looks. We can’t wait to put it to the test and will be sure to let you know how it fares in the real world as soon as we have.

There are airline rails fitted to the bottom of the box. How convenient!

Fazit

With the CD2 Cargo, HNF-NICOLAI present a cargo trike that allows you to transport both your children and cargo, offering the perfect compromise. It remains to be seen whether the trike with its sophisticated tilting technology, Bosch Smart System Cargo Line motor, practical transport box and luggage compartment is as good to ride as it looks. We can’t wait to put it to the test and will be sure to let you know how it fares in the real world as soon as we have.

For more information, visit hnf-nicolai.com

Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Manne Schmitt

HNF-NICOLAI CD2 Cargo – first look at the cargo bike with tilting technology

The HNF-NICOLAI ebike brand

The components