Bunch The Original Review

Bunch The Original is a Class 2 electric cargo bike with a unique design that sets it apart from other bikes we tested. The three-wheel design (two 20-inch wheels up front, and one 24-inch wheel in the back) places the majority of the cargo in a large box at the front of the bike. A 500-watt motor and 652.8-watt-hour battery power this model around town. The steel frame has an 83-inch wheelbase length and a total weight limit of 350 pounds, and the bike itself weighs 152 pounds. The 20mph maximum speed can be achieved with pedal assist or throttle power.

Performance Comparison

Ride

With two front wheels in front and one in the back, the Bunch rides completely differently from its two-wheeled competitors. The folks at Bunch Bikes are well aware of this fact, and they provide a few quick tips on how to ride and steer a 3-wheeled bike in their instruction manual, as well as a short instructional video that goes into greater detail. The video, in particular, gives good insight into how The Original handles and should be ridden and is worth watching if you are considering this bike. It really is much different than riding a normal, two-wheeled bike, as steering and weighting the bike requires a different approach. We found it took some getting used to, but with practice, we felt comfortable riding The Original in most situations, albeit more cautiously than we would on a two-wheeled bike.

The nature of the three-wheeled design results in a bike that is inherently different than a traditional bike. While the three-wheeled design is more stable in some ways, it stands up on its own when you come to a stop, for example, it also feels less stable in other situations. This presents itself most when turning or negotiating off-camber surfaces (like turning into a driveway, for example) because you can't lean the bike itself in any way. We quickly learned that you must turn this bike at much slower speeds (as mentioned in the instructional video) while also leaning your body in the direction you are turning. In fact, we nearly tipped this bike over a couple of times on our first couple of test rides while attempting to turn at too fast a speed with no cargo in the box. Bunch claims it handles much better with some weight in the front, which we later confirmed for ourselves. Still, even with weight up front, we found it best to always slow way down when maneuvering this bike. Similarly, when transitioning from a flat surface to one with any angle, we found it to be very important to do so slowly and as straight-on as possible for the same reason. We reached the top supported speed of 20 mph several times during acceleration tests on a smooth and flat surface. While it is possible to do so, we found it to be much more comfortable at slightly slower speeds, with right around 15 mph being the sweet spot. We'd recommend riding even slower with kids in the front.

Instead of a traditional handlebar, The Original has a large metal bar positioned relatively close to the rider's body that is used to essentially “push” through turns with the steering axis at the axle between the two front wheels. Traditional handlebars use more of a twisting motion on an axis in the middle of the handlebar, so steering this bike feels a bit foreign at first. As mentioned above, there's no leaning into turns with this bike, and the mechanics of leg position during turns (inside leg fully extended and pushing down, per the Bunch manual) is actually the opposite of two-wheeled bikes. The turning radius is quite large, limited by the three-wheeled design and two bumpers that extend from the bottom of the cargo box. Short turns and negotiating tight spaces are not this bike's specialty. In addition to maneuvering at conservative speeds, this bike also benefits from a calculated approach to navigation and looking ahead so you can prepare for the wide turns this bike makes.

Another consideration is the lack of suspension on The Original. When encountering bumps, large cracks, or small drainage dips at cruising speeds, the impacts are transmitted to the rider and anyone/anything in the cargo box. Similar to turning the bike, any obstacles in your path are best approached at a slower speed to reduce the impacts transferred through the frame to the bike's passengers. When ridden cautiously, it is relatively easy to avoid issues, and the tires absorb mild imperfections in the road. The lack of suspension, however, is particularly noteworthy for anyone planning to cart around children in the front box. The cargo box is noisy when riding with it empty, as the bench seats tend to rattle around, but you can always remove them. Again, this bike performs better with some weight in the front, and generally smooth and mostly flat surfaces are where this bike performs best.

The rider's seated position is very upright and casual, with the handlebar quite close to the rider. There is a huge range of seat height adjustments, claiming to accommodate 5'4" to 6'5" riders. I had no problem achieving full leg extension at six feet tall with some seatpost to spare. If you are below the height range, Bunch claims they can customize the bike to accommodate heights down to 5'0". The handlebar can also be adjusted several inches to match rider preferences. The step-over height is relatively low, and the seat and faux leather grips are comfortable.

The brakes of The Original are quite powerful. Controlling your speed is key to riding this large and heavy bike safely, and the Bengal hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels allow the rider to slow and stop in a confidence-inspiring and controlled manner. An 8-speed drivetrain provides a large gear range and smooth shifting, and the trigger-style shifters' ergonomics are great. The flat-resistant tires rolled easily and presented no issues.

The Original has great features inside the large cargo box. The box has removable benches and four safety belts that are also removable for small passengers. Removing the benches only takes a few seconds. The benches have metal clasps that could be used to lock items inside (locks not included). Small steps are behind and above the front wheels to help human cargo step up and into the box. Front and rear lights are powered by the onboard battery, plus extra reflectors for enhanced visibility. A rear cargo rack provides more cargo-hauling options, and front and rear fenders protect the rider and passengers/cargo from road sediment.

Range

The Bunch bike offers a modest range compared to other cargo e-bikes we tested. The 652.8-watt-hour Samsung 35E battery cell provides electrical power. Bunch claims a 25-35 mile range, which is probable if staying on flat ground and utilizing pedal assist. For short trips around town, the range is adequate. We doubt the target audience will ride beyond this bike's range capability, as two-wheeled bikes generally seem more suitable for longer trips.

Due to this model's handling limitations, we could not test it on our standardized test route, which includes extended sections of rough and uneven surfaces and undulating hills. Instead, we took it to a flatter and smoother stretch of road. On a full charge and only using the throttle with the cargo box empty, we managed 19.8 miles with 785 feet of elevation gain. Nearing the end of battery power, we noticed a drop in power output, as its max speed dropped from 20 mph to about 16 mph. It should be noted that it was quite cool the day we range tested the Bunch, roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and perhaps that could affect the bike's range. Regardless, traveling 20 miles without pedaling is still quite impressive for a 152-pound bike. By utilizing the pedal assist and some effort on the rider's behalf, we expect this bike to push well beyond 20 miles.

Power

Looking at The Original, one might not expect significant power output. While its power doesn't match other, lighter, two-wheeled models, the rider is not rendered powerless. The 500-watt motor with 45-newton-metes of torque is powerful and necessary for pushing a full cart of goods or passengers on top of the heavier weight of the bike.

Mashing the throttle, we hit a max speed of just over 20 mph, according to the display. Outside of these acceleration tests, we preferred keeping the bike at much lower speeds. The bike's unique handling instills a bit of fear as the speedometer creeps upward. Considering the bike's 152-pound weight, the 0 to 20 mph time of just 14 seconds we recorded is quite impressive. The thumb paddle throttle has great ergonomics and provides controlled power when engaged. Power delivery is consistent and smooth as it ramps up to a quicker pace.

There are 5 levels of pedal assist on this model. As you progress through each level, the top speed increases incrementally, so you can choose the top speed that best suits your preference or situation. As with the throttle, the max attainable pedal-assisted speed of 20 mph is more than most folks will want to push this model.

Cargo Carrying

The Bunch Original is built to carry cargo, whether the load is human passengers, pets, groceries, beach necessities, deliveries, or whatever you want to cart around. The huge front cart measures 23" wide by 35.75" long by 18.5" to 22" in height, and Bunch claims the cargo box itself can handle up to 220 pounds of cargo.

The cargo box of The Original has an obviously family-oriented design with four 3-point seatbelts with no-slip shoulder clips (intended to keep them up on the shoulders of taller children) and space for four smaller children (or even a smaller adult if seated on the side closest to the rider) on the built-in removable benches. These benches and seatbelts can also be removed entirely to create more space for other types of cargo. When installed, the benches double as storage compartments with the ability to lock them shut (with your own locks), allowing you to secure some cargo inside. Plus there is a smaller rear rack that can support up to 55 pounds itself. While many cargo bikes require add-ons to beef up their carrying capacity, the Bunch has oodles of capacity built into the design.

Compared to other cargo bikes, Bunch has gone out of their way to present The Original as a family-friendly model. Their marketing and the features of the cargo box make it quite clear that is one of the primary intentions in the design of this bike. As with other front box-style bikes, being able to see your cargo can be reassuring but presents handling complications. Most cargo bikes with rear racks can handle a maximum of two kids, while the Bunch can potentially handle up to four. While it should go without saying, Bunch recommends that “all riders and passengers should always wear a helmet” and that any child passengers “must be seated on the bench and properly buckled at all times when riding in the cargo bike.” Bunch does not specify an age range for child passengers, although we would be hesitant to ride with children below the age of two in the front box, given the potential for jarring impacts. As mentioned many times already, this bike performs best with a cautious and controlled approach which is even more important with kids in the box.

The Original comes with two curved poles that slide into fittings on either side of the cargo box. These poles serve as supports for a rain cover or sun shade should you decide to purchase them as add-ons or possibly make your own. Bunch offers quite a few options if you want to add additional accessories. There are bench cushions to elevate the passenger experience, sun shades, kid seats, a cargo net, and extra batteries, to name a few. You can also customize the color of the cargo box (it comes in 4 colors, including the Classic Sedona Woodgrain we tested) or even create a custom wrap to add your own style. Bunch does a great job allowing the buyer to customize their ride and cargo hauler to their unique needs.

Interface

The folks at Bunch equipped The Original with a great interface. Intuitive controls, a sophisticated display screen, and slick battery storage add to the user experience of this model.

The controls are located by the left grip on the handlebars. A thumb paddle initiates the throttle, feeling more like a familiar shift lever than a vertical paddle. The controller has four buttons, which are intuitive and easy to reach with the thumb. Power, pedal assist mode changes, and lights are all easily controlled from here. One of the buttons powers a USB charger on and off, so you can charge electronics while underway.

The display is large, with a dark background and white numbers/data. The speedometer displays most prominently, while other data such as the odometer, pedal assist level, battery life indicator, average speed, and top speed are easily readable. Of note, it's very difficult to read the screen while wearing polarized sunglasses. Otherwise, it's a fantastic screen.

The battery is placed below the rear cargo rack. It locks into place with a key, but it is quick to release and charge off the bike. The main power switch on the bottom of the battery must be turned on to deliver power to the bike. The battery also has an LED battery life indicator on it to check the charge level.

Assembly

This may be shocking, but The Original arrives fully assembled. At the time of publication, a flat shipping fee of $199 gets the bike delivered to your door fully assembled. It arrived at our testing studio on a huge pallet covered in a large cardboard box. Once the cardboard was removed, we cut a total of five zip ties, removed four tie-downs (yay, free tie-downs), adjusted the seat and handlebar to our liking, and were ready to ride. The tires were already inflated. From arrival to riding, it took us about ten minutes and couldn't have been easier. We did have a large amount of cardboard and a long pallet to deal with, however, but that seems like a reasonable tradeoff for the otherwise hassle-free assembly.

Should You Buy the Bunch The Original?

This Bunch cargo bike has an obvious target audience. If you want a unique electric cargo bike that is capable of moving serious cargo or carting the kids around town at a casual pace, this is an interesting option to consider. I find this bike appeals more to people who have not ridden this type of bike; a test ride is a great way to understand how unique the ride is. One crucial consideration for this bike is to recognize its unique handling characteristics. The Bunch is best suited to flat terrain, smooth surfaces, and conservative riding. If that is the scope of your needs, it's a really cool bike.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

If you don't want to make the jump to three wheels but still want to maximize your carrying capacity, the Yuba Spicy Curry is worth looking into. Its huge rear rack can haul significant loads with much more familiar handling. It's an incredibly well-made bike, and Yuba sells a wide range of accessories for customization. If you're looking to spend considerably less money, the Blix Packa Genie is a well-rounded ride that goes for less than half the price. It still boasts a power 750W motor and a 614-watt-hour battery that provides a solid range. Plus, it can be purchased with dual batteries to ride even further, and a variety of add-ons allow you to customize your cargo-carrying abilities. Can you go even smaller? The Aventon Abound SR is a spectacular little cargo hauler that punches above its weight class.