HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike Review
The HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike is an entry-level e-bike for getting yourself and your belongings around town. It has two batteries powering a brushless motor that will take you 90 – 120 mi / 145 – 193 km between charges.
Best used for urban commutes and on city streets or bicycle paths (where e-bikes are permitted), the wide tires, front suspension, suspension seatpost, and bright lights make for a comfortable ride. That said, the noise, speed, and weight may be issues for some users.
Here’s everything you need to know (and probably a little more) about the HAOQI Camel.
Pros and Cons
+ Smooth ride on city streets with suspension fork and seatpost
+ Dual batteries with 90 – 120 mi / 145 – 193 km range
+ Easy delivery and assembly
+ Loud horn, bright lights. integrated kickstand
– Heavy at 88 lb / 40 kg
– Fat tires won’t fit in many bike racks
– Doesn’t include any of the pictured accessories
Specs
- Weight: 88 lb / 40 kg
- Range: 90 – 120 mi / 145 – 193 km
- Tires: 20 x 4 in
- Length: 72.83 in / 1.85 m
- Wheelbase: 49.21 in / 1.25 m
- Rear Fork Length: 21.65 in / 55 cm
- Top Tube Length: 23.62 in / 60 cm
- Handlebar Height: 45.67 in / 116 cm
- Maximum Seat Height: 33.07 in / 84 cm
- Minimum Seat Height: 27.95 in / 71 cm
- Charging Time: 6 to 9 hours
- Battery: 48V17.4A Main & 48V10.4A Sub
- Motor: 48V 750W Brushless Hub Motor
- Bike Frame: 6061 Aluminum Alloy
- Display: GD 06 LCD 48V
- Rear Cassette: SHIMANO 7-SP
- Chain: KMC 7 Speed
- Brakes: 180mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Front Fork: 20 in suspension
- Spokes: Stainless Steel
- Throttle: Half Twist
- Headlight: 48V High Lumen LED
- Saddle: Silica Gel
- Kickstand: Central Mount
- Seatpost: Suspension
- Pedal Assist: Intelligent 5-Level
- Payload Capacity: 450 lb / 204 kg
- Recommended Payload Capacity: 400 lb / 90 kg
- Color: Slate Blue, Flame Orange
- MSRP: $2,199.99
Photo Gallery
The Good
The Range
The HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike has a range of 90 – 120 mi / 145 – 193 km. This range can vary dramatically depending on the rider’s weight, the amount of pedal assist employed, the weight of any cargo, and the terrain (e.g., if you’re going uphill). That said, the Camel has the longest range of any of HAOQI’s e-bikes, which was a significant consideration for me when looking at the lineup. If you’re going to have a heavy cargo bike for getting around town, you want it to have a range that will get you to/from your destination(s) easily. I can’t imagine wanting or needing to ride this bike more than 45 mi /70 km in one direction to accomplish a task, so I don’t imagine the range will ever be an issue.
The Assembly
The delivery and assembly process for the HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike was easy. It gets delivered nearly fully assembled. All you need to do is attach the front wheel, attach the front fender (technically, this is optional), and attach the handlebars (easily done via a latch-like mechanism). You’ll also need to put on the pedals with the included wrench and attach the headlight to the front (it’s already wired). In total, you’ll have in the box four hex keys (for the latches and thru-axle) and one wrench (for the pedals). It’s worth noting the installation of the front fender was a bit funky and there is zero guidance in the instruction manual.
The Horn
One thing many people don’t realize when riding an electric bike – especially one designed for cruising around city streets – is that you may often begin to blur the line between a car and a bicycle. It’s important to respect the rules of the road, be on the lookout for terrible drivers (and doors), and be seen/heard. The lights do a good job of this on the HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike, but the horn does an excellent job as well. It’s loud and would probably be described by many as annoying, but that’s a good thing in this case.
The Lights
The HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike has a front headlight, rear tail light, and integrated turn signals. All the lights are bright and functional, eliminating the need to supplement them with additional lighting (although there’s nothing wrong with being more safe on the road). The bicycle’s battery powers the lights, so if you’re out of juice, the lights won’t work. That said, due to the bicycle’s weight, you probably won’t be riding it once the battery dies anyway.
The Okay
The Speed
The HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike has an advertised top speed of 28 mph / 45 km/h. I could only get it up to 20 mph / 32 km/h without furiously pedaling or finding a downhill. On flat city streets – at least with the nearly 200 lb / 90 kg me sitting on the bike – I repeatedly only made it to 20 mph / 32 km/h. It should be noted there are five different gears available for electric assist, with one being the lowest and five being the highest.
The Seat Height
The seat of the HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike can be adjusted between 27.95 in / 71 cm and 33.07 in / 84 cm. I’m 5’10” / 179 cm, and when I first adjusted the seat, I wanted a little more height. When I first adjusted the seat, I, without realizing it, had put it just barely at the top of the range of its height. This led to the seat falling backward, off the bike, and me being very confused as to what was going on. I don’t consider myself exceptionally tall, and I find it strange there wasn’t more seatpost length available. That said, It is a step-through cargo e-bike, so not having that extra height isn’t too big of a deal.
The Noise
The HAOQI Camel is a head-turner – but not necessarily for the reason you want. It’s not particularly quiet and everyone on the street – pedestrians and other cyclists – will be able to hear the sound from the motor. Noise from the motor is a kind of whirring noise that builds up as you engage the throttle and then plateaus when you max it out. I haven’t found it too bothersome, but it’s certainly something I notice. I guess this is what it feels like to be an electric car backing up in a parking lot.
The Accessories
In all of the product photos for the HAOQI Camel, either a front basket, a rear seat, or a rear platform is pictured. These accessories are available for the bike, but they do not, as suggested, come with the bike when you first purchase it. Presumably, you would want some or all of these bikes since, if this is a bike you’re looking at purchasing, you likely want to be able to carry things other than yourself on it.
The Battery Replacement
HAOQI advertises three-years of battery replacement on the Camel Cargo Bike. Note that this is a single battery replacement (i.e., once you use this offer within three years, you cannot claim it again). It’s unclear if this applies to both of the Camel’s batteries or just the first one. The only requirement for a replacement (or so says the website) is that the “battery capacity should be below 70%” and that “replacement requests should be made within three years from the date of purchase.” That said, it’s important that you are responsible for shipping both ways.
The Bad
The Weight
The worst thing about the HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike is the weight. Unloaded and with no additional accessories, the HAOQI Camel weighs 88 lb / 40 kg. Its bulky and heavy frame can make handling and maneuverability challenging, especially for smaller or less physically strong users. The added weight – despite shoring up the bike’s durability and load capacity – negatively impacts its portability and ease of storage. Transporting the bike up stairs or lifting it onto racks is no easy task. This diminishes its practicality for urban dwellers – presumably the target market for this bike. This weight also impacts battery efficiency, as more power is required to move the bike. Lifting it onto its kickstand may also be difficult for smaller riders.
The Instructions
The instruction manual for the HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike lacks clarity and detail, leaving questions about the assembly and maintenance processes. Key steps, such as installing the front fender and headlight, aren’t illustrated, and I found myself searching online for additional help. The language used is sometimes unclear, and troubleshooting tips are minimal. The instructions fall short of providing the comprehensive support I imagine many purchasers would need to get started with the bike comfortably.
Wrap Up
The HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike can be a great option if you’re looking for an introductory e-bike for urban commuting and transporting loads. It’s worth noting the bike’s weight and wide tires, which give a smoother ride but also make transporting the bike in bicycle racks trickier.
Its suspension fork and seatpost make the ride smooth, and the rear rack and optional front basket offer plenty of cargo space. Despite its utility, the bike’s heavy weight can pose challenges for handling and portability.
Have experience with the HAOQI Camel Electric Cargo Bike? Leave a comment below and let me know or check it out here.
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