Everyone seems to be releasing “smart” products, but few of them really seem to be all that intelligent. A new brand, Tarran, claims to have designed and built the first “smart” cargo e-bike, one that comes with landing gear to stabilize the riding experience.
Cargo e-bikes may be the wave of the future for many of us who hope to ride an e-bike for more of our trips, but many potential cargo e-bike owners and riders face a hurdle: The more weight you put in or on the cargo e-bike, the harder it will be to handle. Heavy loads are most difficult when starting and stopping, which is that the Tarran T1 Pro is meant to address.
The Tarran T1 Pro is a classic box-style cargo e-bike with a sizable cargo area in front of the driver, with the capacity to carry kids, pets, groceries and more. It features a proprietary mid-drive motor that produces 100Nm of torque. It is powered by a whopping 1500Wh battery that is estimated to offer riders up to 200km (124 mi.) of range per charge. The drivetrain combines an Enviolo continuously variable hub with a Gates carbon belt for smooth, quiet operation that will always offer the riders the perfect gear.
While there are a number of features that make the Tarran T1 Pro a very different cargo e-bike, the “landing gear” feature is unique so far as we know. Tarran’s proprietary Dynamic Dual-Drive Landing Gear uses stress, angle and speed sensors to know when to lower two small wheels hidden inside the cargo box. When deployed, they prevent the Tarran T1 Pro from tipping onto its side, no matter how heavy the load is. And the load can be quite heavy, thanks to a weight capacity of 220kg (485 lbs.).
When slowing while braking, the wheels deploy and then retract once the rider is back up to a sufficient speed to maintain stability. They can also be deployed so that they can assist a rider when pushing the T1 Pro, such as when parking it. Finally, they feature a kickstand mode that will support the e-bike when parked.
The Tarran T1 Pro’s smart features don’t end there. It includes three cameras, each with different missions. A front-facing camera with a 180-degree view increases the rider’s view, even when partially obscured. A head-tube-mounted camera provides security features. A rear-view camera and radar monitor all approaching vehicles and will alert the rider to risks with a handlebar vibration and video stream on the display screen.
The Tarran T1 Pro also includes dual headlights, adaptive lighting on the box to increase visibility and automatic signal lights to indicate turns.
Additional features for the T1 Pro include an MIK cargo rack, USB charging, a wireless charging panel for smart phones and built-in Bluetooth speakers. The proprietary display runs a diagnostic program that can inform the rider of what parts they need to replace.
