As time goes on and people keep experimenting with bike designs, things are bound to get a little wild. Enter North, a Spanish-born cargo bike created by Tao Rebora. AWD North is a unique cargo e-bike that isn’t your typical electric ride. It’s bold, unconventional, and almost ready to hit the road.
What makes it so interesting is that it challenges everything we expect from a cargo bike. From its strange frame to its unique fork and drivetrain setup, North is a concept that makes you stop and stare.
Take a closer look at North, and you can see the influence of its creator. Tao Rebora is an industrial design student from Barcelona, Spain.
It makes sense that such a unique idea comes from Spain, one of Europe’s major cycling hubs. The country has a long-standing love for bicycles, and it’s no surprise that it would give birth to a design that pushes the boundaries of conventional thinking.
A Frame Like No Other
What makes North really grab your attention is its frame. When was the last time you saw a bicycle, or even an e-bike, with such a wild frame design? The mounting system looks odd, and the fork arrangement makes no sense at first glance. Yet somehow, it still works, at least on paper.
The frame is the backbone of any bike, dictating how it handles and how it feels to ride. North’s design page mentions that it is built from 6061 aluminum, which gives it strength while keeping it relatively lightweight. This combination of durability and a creative frame design is what makes North stand out.
The unusual look of the frame isn’t just for show. It’s directly tied to North’s cargo-carrying capabilities. Toward the top of the frame, two black sections can be removed to fit longer items. These could be wooden 2x4s, tripods, or even a long French baguette if you’re heading out for lunch. This flexibility shows that North was designed with real-world cargo in mind.
- Also Read: Aventon Abound Cargo E-Bike Review
Cargo Systems for Every Purpose
North is packed with clever ways to carry things. For groceries or smaller items, there’s a forward cargo basket mounted on what could be called the top tube. Tao even shows it packed with everyday items like bags, boxes, and other day-to-day essentials.
One thing to note is that the basket has an inverted triangular shape, which might limit the type of cargo you can carry. Still, it’s a practical solution for short trips or light loads.
At the back of North, there is yet another cargo system. It comes in the form of a rack. From what I could gather from Tao’s notes, this rear rack is designed to carry all kinds of bags. It is not meant for people, even though it might look a bit like a seat.
North has a front basket, removable top frame sections, and a rear rack. Together, they give the bike a surprising amount of cargo flexibility for a concept bike.
- Also Read: Addmotor E-325 Electric Cargo Bike
Steering, Forks, and Handling
If you think the frame is wild, wait until you see the front fork. It looks like a normal bike smashed into a wall and rotated. At first, it’s hard to wrap your head around, but there’s a method to this madness. One main reason for the unusual fork design is to keep North as compact as possible despite its elongated frame.
Cargo bikes typically stretch the frame, pushing the front wheel far forward. Some brands solve this with smaller front tires, but North flips the fork completely instead. This saves a lot of space and keeps the bike more maneuverable in tight urban environments.
Will it feel weird to steer? You can bet it will. The bike may even pull you into corners, so knowing how to counter-steer is important. The steering uses a mechanical system similar to those on cargo bikes from brands like Bullit. If you look at the images, you’ll see exactly what I mean.
- Also Read: Most Capable Cargo E-Bike by Heybike
Power, Drivetrain, and AWD Potential
North isn’t just about looks and cargo. It comes with a fully integrated e-system to make hauling loads easier. There’s a 250 W nominal motor at the back. It is not the largest, but it helps maintain North’s sleek, clean appearance.
The battery is mounted in the downtube, right in front of the rider. In theory, it offers a 15 Ah capacity and up to 80 km (50 miles) of range under ideal conditions. Of course, add some cargo, and that number will drop.
The drivetrain is belt-driven, a choice that shows Tao is up to date with modern trends. Belt drivetrains are low-maintenance and durable, but they are rarely paired with anything outside of city bikes or gravel bikes.
Interestingly, North also features a motor on the front wheel, making it a potential AWD e-bike. This could give better traction and performance, particularly when carrying heavier loads.
The big questions remain: Could North actually work as a rideable, real-world bike? And if it does, would you want to buy one? How much would you be willing to pay for a cargo bike that is this unconventional, this unusual, and yet so intriguing?
With its wild frame, clever cargo solutions, unique fork design, and potential AWD system, North is not just another cargo e-bike concept. It’s an experiment in what’s possible when creativity meets function. While it may not be perfect yet, the ideas behind it could influence the future of cargo bike design.
Whether you’re a city commuter, a cargo enthusiast, or just someone who loves bikes that break the mold, North is worth keeping an eye on.