Xtracycle Hopper Cargo E-Bike Review: A Mid-Range, Mid-Tail Family Bike

If you’ve been eyeing cargo bikes but can’t stomach the idea of storing a massive bike in your entryway or spending $5,000+, the Xtracycle Hopper might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s Xtracycle’s newest offering—a more compact, more affordable cargo bike that still packs serious hauling capability for families.

Our team of reviewers (me and my 12-year-old and my friends Jamie, Eric, and their 2 yound kids) have been testing the Hopper for several months now, using it for everything from Taekwondo practice to to the swimming pool to grocery runs.

And the verdict? We’re pretty impressed.

This bike manages to feel premium without the premium price tag, and it’s way easier to handle than some of the bigger cargo bikes we’ve tested.

Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Compact and nimble, easier to store and handle than a traditional longtail
• Low standover and dropper seatpost make maneuvering the bike manageable
• Comes with Hooptie safety rails and front rack included
• Free local bike shop assembly and pickup
• Throttle helps when you’re loaded down
• High 500lb weight capacity

Cons:

• Heavy at 85 pounds
• Throttle only works after you start pedaling
• Smaller wheels make obstacles more challenging

Price: $2,499

A Premium Feel Without The Premium Price

The Hopper feels like a BIG step up from budget cargo bikes like the RadPower RadWagon but it doesn’t cost nearly as much as Xtracycle Swoop (which we previously reviewed).

Xtracycle made some smart compromises to hit this price point without sacrificing quality. They switched from their usual steel frame to aluminum. Instead of the premium Shimano mid-drive motor found on the Swoop, they went with a capable 750W hub motor. The drivetrain is a solid Shimano 8-speed instead of the higher-end 11-speed systems on pricier models.

But here’s what they didn’t skimp on: hydraulic disc brakes (instead of cheaper mechanical ones), the sleek look of a battery integrated in the frame, a quality suspension fork, the dropper seatpost, and all the accessories that make Xtracycle bikes family-friendly. You still get the famous Hooptie safety system, front rack, fenders, and integrated lights—stuff that would cost hundreds to add aftermarket.

The build quality is still very much Xtracycle, just more accessible.

Drive System Gets The Job Done (Mostly)

The Hopper uses a 750W rear hub motor instead of the mid-drive systems you’ll find on Xtracycle’s pricier bikes. Is it as smooth and natural-feeling as a Shimano mid-drive? Nope. But it does feel smoother than other hub drive motors we’ve tested, and it provides plenty of power to haul your kids and groceries up hills.

I live at the top of a steep hill so have the opportunity to test it out every time I come home. Eric, one of our testers, weighs 220 pounds and found he was able to power himself and an additional 78 pounds of kids just fine.

There are five power levels which can be adjusted on the basic but functional display which also shows battery life, speed, and distance.

In addition to power, we were impressed by the 720Wh battery, which is generous The advertised range is up to 60 miles, and while I never got close to that in a single ride, I did find that I could go about a week between charges during my typical short, frequent rides around town, so that seems to check out.

One thing we noticed with the battery (or the battery indicator?), however, was that it seemed to be inconsistent. The exact same rides (same power level, same distance) would result in different battery consumption. Not a big deal for shorter rides, but if you’re planning on maxing out the range, that could be concerning.

All of us testers agreed that our biggest complaint about the drive system is the throttle. While the thumb throttle works great once you’re rolling, you have to start pedaling before the throttle will kick in. This makes getting going from a stop with a heavy load a challenge. It was also somewhat jumpy, not a smooth acceleration, nor smooth to maintain a steady speed.

Additionally, while the bike maxes out at 20 mph, getting there with a load takes some serious pedaling effort. I could get to 12-15 mph easily, but anything above that, and I started to break a sweat if I wasn’t using the throttle. Riding alongside my husband on the Radwagon and he was able to go quite a bit faster.

Fortunately for those pedaling to get up to speed, the 1 x 8 Shimano drivetrain works well. It shifts cleanly and offers a good range of gears, though I sometimes felt undergeared on flat roads.

The Perfect Size For Manueverability & Storage

At 24″ x 80″, the Hopper is way more manageable than full-size longtails. The shorter length makes it feel more nimble while riding, and easier to maneuever in crowded space or when finding a place to lock it up. At home, it was also easier to fit in the garage, and could conceivably be stored in the corner of an apartment.

Even though the bike is relatively compact, it still fits one child seat plus one additional passenger on the back, which is perfect for most families with two young kids, or one older child. If you need to fit more, you’ll want to consider the longer Swoop instead.

The bike was even short enough to load on my Saris Edge bike rack, BUT couldn’t be tightened down due to the smaller 20″ front wheel. (Something to consider if you want to transport it on a rack).

Speaking of the smaller wheel size, the 20″ wheels are intended to help keep the center of gravity low, adding stability when the bike is weighed down and wiggly kids are aboard. This was definitely noticeable and the bike felt less wobbly with active kids than other longtails we’ve tested.

That said, the smaller wheels did present their own set of challenges. Small wheels made it harder to corner the bike, and made it harder to lift over curbs or other obstacles. On stairs, the bike had to be lifted to avoid hitting the chain.

Designed For Families

The included Hooptie passenger rail system is what makes Xtracycle bikes particuarly attractive for families. Having a cage on the rear rack isn’t unusual for cargo bikes, but it’s something you usually have to add-on. Here kids are the point, not an afterthought.

The Hooptie has both outer safety rails and inner grab rails, and you can adjust the width. Two young kids fit fine, although it would be a little tight for two older children.

There is a footrail for kids to rest their feet, and those little legs are protected from the rear wheel thanks to the flexible, durable mesh-like wheel skirt.

My 12-year-old fit fine on the back (though he wasn’t thrilled about being seen inside the cage). For older kids who want more freedom, you can swap to Xtracycle’s “Snack Bars” instead of the full cage.

The included pad (seat) for the rear rack is a step up from most and offers significant padding and comfort. It can be removed for installation of a bike seat and the rack works with most high-end rack mounted seats like the Burley Dash or Yepp Maxi.

All The Storage, All The Weight

The Hopper is rated to 500lbs which is much appreciated. This means you can have a heavier rider, two kids, and cargo, and are unlikely to max out the weight limit.

All this weight is manageable thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors. Stopping at the bottom of my hill, even fully loaded, was a safe affair.

In addition to hauling kids, the Hopper also works well for hauling cargo. This is handy for loading backpacks and soccer balls on family outings, but also works well for solo errands when you don’t have kids on board. This even includes less conventional errands–I used the Hopper for things like taking my son’s broken dirt jumper wheel to the shop and hauling my gravel bike.

The Hopper comes with the front PorterRack which can carry up to 55 pounds. The rack remains static while handlebars move and doesn’t impact the ride. We used the Porter Pack accessory bag on the rack (highly recommended!), and it ended up being one of our favorite things about testing the bike. The bag is surprisingly spacious, and worked well for groceries, kids gear, library books, you name it!

We also used the RFA cargo bay (pannier bag), and while it was helpful for carrying cargo when kids weren’t on board, it interfered with their legs when kids climbed on.

The only additional storage accessory that Xtracycle doesn’t offer (and that I think would be helpful) is a bag or other conversion to turn the rear rack into cargo storage when not in use by kids. We have something like this on our Flyer cago bike, and find it incredibly useful.

Heavy, But Not Unmanageable When Riding

At 85 pounds, the Hopper is definitely heavy. Fortunately, it doesn’t feel heavy when you’re riding it. The weight distribution is good, and the low center of gravity helps.

The real issue with the weight is what happens when you get off the bike. Carrying the bike down stairs, loading it in my van, or pushing the bike home when it gets a flat tire (yes, this happened to us), can be a challenge.

The Dropper Post Is Appreciated

One higher-end feature that I really appreciated on the Hopper is the inclusion of the dropper seatpost that allows you to raise or lower the seat with the push of a button. Typically found on mountain bikes, the dropper post is equally brilliant on a cargo bike.

It makes getting on and off way easier, especially when the bike is loaded. Additionally, it makes it possible to quickly switch between riders without tools. Our tallest tester (who is 6’2″) and our shortest teser (5’5″) were able to both ride the bike with the seatpost in one position and adjust the height using only the dropper.

Local Bike Shop Delivery & Assembly

Ordering a bike on the internet can always be a bit scary, and assembling it when it arrives at your doorstep is more than a little daunting. I do my fair share of bike unboxing and assembling, and can not tell you how much I appreciated picking up the Hopper from the bike shop down the street already assembled and fine tuned and no big box to dispose of.

You just pick a participating local bike shop at checkout, and they handle everything. No dealing with boxes, no brake adjustments, no headaches. Just pick up your fully built bike when it’s ready.

Other Things Worth Mentioning

• The double kickstand is rock solid—no wobbling around when you’re loading kids and gear.
• The SunTour suspension fork does a nice job of smoothing out potholes and speed bumps.
• Integrated front and rear lights are bright and help with visibility. That said, the rear light is tucked under the seat—you may end up wanting to add a second, more visible one.
• Front and rear fenders help keep you and your kids clean, dry, and safe from flying debris.
• The Kenda Kwick tires are fast-rolling, have reflective sidewalls, and are puncture resistant. Even so, we still managed to get a flat, and while this is a common problem with all hub-drive e-bikes, changing a rear flat is NOT easy.
• There’s no integrated wheel lock, which is a bummer for quick stops. Buy a good lock for this baby!
• The Selle Royale saddle is comfortable, and the grips are ergonomic.

Bottom Line: A Smart Choice For Most Families

The Xtracycle Hopper hits a sweet spot that a lot of cargo bikes miss. It’s premium enough to feel like a quality bike that’ll last, but not so expensive that you need to take out a loan. It’s compact enough to actually live with, but still capable enough to handle real family duties.

Is it perfect? Nope. But for families looking to replace car trips with bike adventures without committing to a massive longtail or massive price tag, the Hopper makes a lot of sense. It’s focused, practical, and backed by a company that’s been perfecting cargo bikes since before cargo bikes were cool.

If you’ve been on the fence about cargo bike life, the Hopper might just be the push you need to take the plunge.

More Stuff You Might Find Helpful

• Best Cargo Bikes for Hauling Kids
• How To Carry Kids By Bike: Trailers, Seats, & More
• The Ultimate Guide to Bike Commuting with Kids

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