Xtracycle Swoop ASM Review | Longtail Cargo E-Bike

Tired of the modern car culture grind? You know what I’m talking about: jockeying for position in the school pickup line, circling the grocery store lot for a parking space during the 5pm rush. Nobody has ever had a smile on their face while stuck in traffic.

Life gets significantly better when you start replacing a majority of your around town car trips with a bicycle. And the Xtracycle Swoop ASM is the kind of bike that makes that lifestyle possible.

The Swoop is the top-of-the-line longtail cargo e-bike from the OG longtail company. It has plenty of room for kiddos (up to 3) and a powerful electric assist that will get you around town just as quickly as a car–maybe faster because you won’t be sitting in traffic or looking for a parking space.

We’ve been riding and testing a lot of cargo bikes lately, and the Swoop ASM sits at the top of the heap. Our team of testers–myself and my 13-year-old, and our friends Jaime and Eric (parents of two young’uns and Rascal Rides reviewers)–put this bike through all kinds of familiar family scenarios: weekend adventures on the greenbelt, weekly grocery runs, errands with kids in tow.

We’d already tested and reviewed an older version of the Xtracycle Swoop so we knew even before testing that we were probably going to love the bike. Still, the improvements made the bike so good that we understood why they added the ASM to the name–it’s an Automatic Smile Machine. Pretty much the opposite of the frowny face you get from sitting in the car too much.

(For even more options, check out our list of the best family cargo bikes).

Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

Top-tier, brand-name components throughout, including Shimano STEPS mid-drive motor and Tektro 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes
Rear deck is spacious and comfortable, fits up to 3 kids
Comfortably fits a wide range of adult riders (4’10” to 6’5″), dropper post for easy height swapping between riders
Class 3 speed (up to 28 mph)
Automatic AND manual shifting options
Tubeless-ready 2.4″ tires (no more flats!)
Larger battery capacity than most e-bikes
Xtracycle’s legendary customer service backs every purchase

Cons:

Expensive
No integrated wheel lock
Externally mounted battery (less clean looking than the Hopper’s internal battery)
Long deck makes it harder to maneuver and store

Price: $4,499

Buy at Xtracycle.com

Video Review

Xtracycle Is THE Longtail Brand

Before I talk too much about the bike itself, I’d like to mention the brand for a second because it’s an important part of this story.

Xtracycle is the company that invented the longtail cargo bike. This is their jam and their core competency. They’ve been building these things longer than anyone, and it shows in the quality of their bikes, the thoughtfulness of their designs, and the level of customer support they provide.

If you told me you wanted to buy a longtail, I’d immediately point you to Xtracycle. It’s the no-brainer kind of answer.

When you’re spending $4,499 on a bike for your family, you want to know that the company will be there if something goes sideways. In a time where new electric bike companies are popping up on the daily, Xtracycle has the kind of history and longevity that shows that they will be.

Over the years, we’ve reviewed four different Xtracycle models (the Hopper, the discontinued Edgerunner, the older Swoop, and now the Swoop ASM), and with each, our confidence in the brand has only grown.

jamie and her two kids on the xtracycle hopper

Designed For Families

Unlike other cargo bikes, the Xtracycle Swoop ASM is designed specifically for riding with kids. Yes, you can use it for cargo and running errands too, but most of the folks buying this bike are buying it as a family bike.

For younger kids who need to be buckled in, you can mount two child seats (like the Yepp Maxi) on the rear deck.

For bigger kids, you can fit up to three kids can sit on the deck. We tested it with one BIG kid on the back (my 13-year-old who is mostly too cool to ride with me much anymore, but can be convinced when a sweet new bike comes in for testing) as well as with two younger kiddos (5 and 7). In both cases, there was LOTS of room.

Compared to a shorter mid-tail cargo bike (like the Xtracycle Hopper), the Swoop offers more room for kids to grow with the bike, and also more space for them not to drive each other (or you) nuts. (Of course, this also means it’s longer which can make maneuvering and storage more of a challenge).

The hooptie rail keeps kids contained and safe and comes included. The padding for kids sitting on the deck is super plush and makes for a comfy ride. We liked that it wraps up at both the front and back so kids can sit in a variety of different configurations—both facing forward, facing backward, facing each other, etc.

There are foot rests for little dangling legs, and they are kept safe by wheel skirts which keep anything from getting sucked into the rear wheel.

Can Be Shared Between Parents

We had four adults test the fit: a 6’2″ dad, a 5’11” dad, and two moms who are both 5’5″. The bike worked for all of us and could accommodate an even shorter rider (down to 4’10”).

How can it fit this wide of a range of riders? First off, it has a very low, sloped top tube so it’s easy to stand over (and to get on and off for riders of all heights).

Next up, it has a telescoping dropper seat post that makes swapping between riders of very different heights quick and painless, AND an adjustable stem which allows you to change the handlebar position without needing to re-orient the position of the brake levers.

This make it a great option for families where multiple adults share the bike.

Designed To Be Stable And Easy To Handle

Compared to a normal bike, a cargo bike is always going to be a little harder to handle (it’s longer, kids on the back are heavier), but you want the riding experience to be as easy as possible. In that regard, the Xtracycle Swoop ASM delivers.

I had the opportunity to chat with Steve Zourntos, the head of product design at the Xtracycle, who shared that the Swoop ASM was designed specifically with the parent who hasn’t ridden a bike in years in mind.

The bike’s geometry and low center of gravity help the bike feel stable. Jaime (125 lbs) was able to ride with a combined 92 pounds of kids on the back, and I (130 lbs) felt comfortable with a 100 pound kiddo on board.

Shimano STEPS Drive System Is Top-Notch

The Shimano STEPS mid-drive is one of the most trusted e-bike motor systems in the world, and Xtracycle’s decision to use it (rather than the cheaper hub motor found on more affordable longtails like the Radpower Radwagon) is one of the things that sets this bike apart.

Mid-drive motors are MUCH quieter than a hub-drive motor. And unlike hub motors, which can have a jerky on-off sensation, the EP6 provides a smooth, consistent assist.

While I never mind a hub-drive motor (it’s a good trade-off for price), after riding one pretty much on the daily, hopping on the Swoop felt like driving a luxury car. The difference in ride quality and sound was that significant.

There are three power levels to choose from, and the Shimano display shows your estimated range based on your current setting. Think of it like a gas gauge; it tells you how far you have to go until empty. As someone who has run out of battery away from home before, this is a feature I greatly appreciate.

Speaking of the battery, it’s a 630 Wh unit which has quite a bit more life than the 500 Wh battery on most bikes we’ve tested. The extra capacity translates directly to more miles per charge.

Although this will be dependent on power level, terrain, and rider and cargo weight, we seemed to get about 50 miles of range. Indeed, the Swoop ASM can handle serious daily use without needing to charge every night. The battery held a charge very well throughout our testing.

The only con I can come up with for the drive system is the lack of a throttle. A throttle can be nice for getting started from a stop with a heavy load (aka wiggly kids) on back, but the STEPS system kicked in so quickly that this was less of an issue than on other throttle-less bikes we’ve tested.

Automatic (Or Manual) Electric Shifting

Something that I found really nifty and unique is the bike’s automatic shifting feature. This is something that will be particularly attractive for riders who are newer to cycling. Getting accustomed to riding a cargo bike can be overwhelming enough without the added complexity of dealing with shifting.

The bike will shift up or down depending on your cadence, speed, and torque; if you slow down because you’re starting to go up a hill, for example, it will move into an easier gear for you automatically. It will also shift into an easier gear for you if you come to a stop. That makes it easier to get started again, which can also help with the getting going with a heavy load issue I mentioned earlier.

If you’re a more experienced rider it is possible to turn the auto shifting off and manually shift instead. As someone who rides (and shifts) every day, I didn’t mind the auto shifting most of the time, but did find that when I was putting down stronger, less rhythmic pedal strokes (like powering through a short, steep hill), it changed gears more frequently than I’d like.

Regardless of what mode you’re in, you’ll love the electronic shifting. It allows for fast, precise shifts and is quite the upgrade if you haven’t tried a bike with electronic shifting before.

Excellent Braking Power

The Tektro 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes on the Swoop ASM deserve a standing ovation. I live at the top of a steep hill, and I’ve tested plenty of cargo bikes that made me nervous coming down it with a heavy load. Not this one.

The massive 203mm rotors and four-piston calipers provide stopping power that actually matches the size and weight of this bike. This is one of those specs that sounds boring until you’re loaded with groceries and two kids barreling downhill toward an intersection. Then it matters A LOT.

Can Fit All The “Stuff”

If you’ve been at this parenting game for long, you know that kids come with a lot of gear. Backpacks, snacks, soccer balls, and water bottles. Being able to haul kiddos isn’t enough, you need to be able to haul all the “stuff” as well.

The Swoop ASM comes with a front rack installed which is premium real-estate for stashing all the things. You can buy the accessory PorterPack for the rack (we have it on our Hopper and would highly recommend), or you can install a milk crate or simply lash stuff on with a voile strap. Lots of options here.

You can also use the optional pannier bags for additional cargo capacity. On some bikes we’ve tested, it’s hard to use panniers with kiddos on board, so we were pleased that we could use these even with kids on board–you just can’t fill them TOO much.

In terms of cargo and errand-running, I do wish that Xtracycle would add some sort of accessory to turn the rear deck into a cargo bay for big grocery hauls sans kids, for example. This is something we have on our Flyer e-bike and use constantly.

Looks As Good As It Rides

The Swoop ASM comes in Pacific Blue or Tiburon (a beautiful white/gray). Our test bike was the Tiburon, and it looks every bit as premium as the price tag–clean, sophisticated, and instantly recognizable as something special.

The 4130 Chromoly steel frame is worth mentioning too. While a lot of bikes at this price point go aluminum to save weight and cost, Chromoly steel provides a slightly more forgiving, comfortable ride quality. It has a natural compliance to it that aluminum just doesn’t. It also makes the bike durable for the long run.

The externally mounted battery is the one aesthetic note I’d change. I prefer the clean look of the Hopper’s internally mounted battery. But the battery is fairly well hidden behind the chainguard.

Mixed 24″ / 20″ Wheels

The Swoop is designed with mixed wheel sizes–20″ in the back and 24″ up front. The smaller rear wheel keeps the center of gravity with the rear deck low, while the 24″ front wheel makes it easier to roll over obstacles more easily than the 20″ front wheel on the Hopper. This is a small but noticeable difference when you’re navigating speed bumps and potholes.

One note on the smaller rear wheel is that it meant the bike must be lifted stairs to avoid the chain hitting steps. This was a minor issue for Jaime and Eric as they had to bring the bike inside to store and charge.

The Maxxis Metroload tires are nice and wide (2.4″) which provide additional stability and cushion on rough roads. Combine that with the heavy-duty thru axles on both wheels and you get a really planted, stable ride feel. It also adds an element of safety as you don’t have to worry about a quick release skewer coming undone.

The tires are tubeless-ready, but the rims are not. This means you could probably do a tubeless conversion fairly easily, but it would require taping the rim, etc.

Other Stuff Worth Mentioning

Suntour Suspension Fork. The bike has 80mm of air-sprung front suspension. The high-quality fork is designed for heavy loads but still feels plush. I rode it off some curbs and it handled it well. Not sure it provides much suspension for the kiddos in the back, but the rider will appreciate it.
Sturdy kickstand. The Swoop comes with a dual-leg kickstand that’s super sturdy and does a good job of holding the bike upright even when wiggly kids are loading and unloading.
Integrated front and rear lights. The bike has built-in bright front and rear lights. These can be turned on and off via the display/control, and ensure you’ll never be caught in the dark without lights.
Comfortable Selle Royale saddle and ergonomic Velo grips. These are two things that are often overlooked when spec-ing a bike but touchpoints are important!
No integrated wheel lock. A long-tail cargo bike can be a challenge to lock. It doesn’t fit on many bike racks, and the Hooptie rails make it hard to get it close enough to another object to lock it to. An integrated wheel lock is nice on a cargo bike because it means you can park it almost anywhere. I LOVE the integrated wheel lock on my Cero One. Not much to complain about or improve on the Swoop, but this would be the one thing I’d like to see added or offered as an upgrade!
Long and heavy! Cargo bikes are heavy. E-bikes are heavy. There’s really no getting around that fact, but it’s still worth pointing out that at 68 pounds the Swoop can be a challenge to transport and maneuver. (For the record, it’s still lighter than many e cargo bikes including the Hopper). The length of it also makes it hard to transport, you can’t just throw it on a car rack and go.
Comes with fenders. Fenders are key for keeping rain, dirt, and other debris from flying up. They keep you dry and clean, and unlike some fenders, we didn’t have any issues with these bending or rubbing the wheels.
Local bike shop pickup. When you order an Xtracycle online, it will get delivered to a local bike shop near you for assembly. This is an AMAZING touch. I just received another direct-to-consumer e-bike for review and it took me 2 HOURS to unbox and assemble. Having an expert assemble the bike means everything will be done correctly, and you won’t waste hours of your life getting it done.

Mounts on top tube. There are two eyelets on the top tube to install a water bottle cage or a top tube bag.

What’s New On The ASM Compared To The Older Swoop

The most significant change between the older Swoop model we reviewed and the new ASM is that it’s now a Class 3 e-bike, meaning it goes up to 28 mph–compared to the Class 1 (20 mph) rating on the original Swoop. That’s a meaningful bump in speed that makes it even more viable as a car replacement for commutes and errands.

Other notable changes are the electronic and automatic shifting, the dropper (telescoping) seatpost, and improved display.

Changes less likely to be noticeable to the average rider are changes to the geometry (shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length, etc), and a 24″ rather than 26″ front wheel. All of these were done with the intent to make the bike more stable and easier to handle.

Xtracycle Swoop ASM vs. Xtracycle Hopper

Currently, Xtracycle has three different electric longtail models: the Swoop ASM, the Hopper, and the RFA. While all three hold passengers, the first two are particularly well-suited to families with kids, and we’ve tested both.

The Hopper ($2,499) is a mid-tail (aka slightly shorter back end) bike with a hub motor (downgrade from the mid-drive motor on the Swoop), 8-speed (rather than 10-speed) drivetrain, and a 500 Wh (rather than a 640 Wh) battery.

If its pricetag is the biggest thing it has going for it, the next biggest positive is that it’s more compact and easier to fit in the garage. Jaime noted that the shorter length of the Hopper compared to the Swoop made it feel a little bit easier for her to handle when loading and unloading kids. The internal battery also gives it a cleaner look.

close up of the xtracycle hopper — **Xtracycle Hopper**

The Swoop ASM is the full longtail experience. It’s longer, which means more room for bigger kids or more kids (3 instead of 2). Nearly all of the components are an upgrade. The mid-drive motor is noticeably smoother, quieter, and more natural-feeling than the Hopper’s hub motor. The Class 3 speed (28 mph vs. the Hopper’s lower 20 mph top speed), electronic shifting, and 630 Wh battery (vs 500) all represent meaningful upgrades.

If you’re on a budget or tight on space, go with the Hopper. In nearly all other regards, the Swoop is the obvious choice.

Bottom Line: You Can’t Beat This Bike

Xtracycle is the queen bee of long-tail cargo bikes, and the Swoop ASM is her crown. If you know you want a longtail for your family adventures, and you have the budget to accommodate it, look no further–this is the bike you want.

The Swoop has the best of everything: top-notch drive system, brakes, and comfortable seating for kids. It’s well-designed specifically for discerning parents and their lucky kiddos.

Of course, the biggest deterrent will be the price tag. This is a lot of money for a bike, especially when you can get a bike like the Hopper (which we also love) for $2,000 less.

That said, the cost of gas is going up by the day, and if this is a bike you’re going to use to replace your car for school runs, park visits, and even your work commute, the price looks better and better all the time.

ESPECIALLY when you remember that it can turn that car-weary frown upside down.