Xtracycle cargo e-bike shifts gears automatically

The right-hand control on Xtracycle’s Swoop ASM does not ask the rider to choose a gear. Shimano’s Cues Di2 system does it electronically, selecting among a 10-speed rear cassette while the bike’s mid-motor provides three levels of assistance. After several weeks with the $4,500 cargo bike, an Ars Technica reviewer found the system smart enough to know when a shift was needed—but not always smooth enough to make the change feel natural.

The mechanism is straightforward. A single chainring drives the rear cassette, and the derailleur receives power and control signals from the bike’s one removable battery instead of using a cable. When instructed to shift, it briefly moves beyond the target position so the chain catches the next gear, then returns to its working position. The system is controlled from a minimalist right-side unit, separate from the left-side motor-assistance controls.

The electronics sit on a practical cargo-bike platform. The Swoop uses a steel frame, a smaller rear wheel, front suspension and a long rear rack that can be configured for passengers or bags. Its weight is just under 70 lb/31 kg, which Ars Technica described as relatively light for its size. A robust U-shaped kickstand helps stabilize the bike when loaded, while covers protect the rear wheel and chain from clothing and limbs.

So what does this change in practice? The system lets the rider hand gear selection to electronics; its convenience has a clear limit, since the reviewer found the physical shifts less smooth. But the reviewer’s experience also sets the boundary: the feature is convenient rather than invisible, and switching it off may produce the better ride.

The Swoop also has practical limits. Its fit was not ideal for the reviewer’s 188 cm frame even with the seat post at its recommended maximum, and the rear accessories made the wheel hard to lock or service. Still, with automatic shifting optional, Xtracycle’s bike does not depend on the electronic feature to work as a cargo bike; it can fall back on a comfortable, responsive steel frame and a configurable rear rack.