Among the handful of cargo electric bikes on the market to choose from, the Cero One is among the most versatile and sturdy choices you can make. Its custom aluminum frame and modular design make the Cero One a solid performer when it comes to transporting you and your stuff from point A to B. However, in the world of e-bikes, the Cero One does come with a heftier price tag than others. Is it really worth $3,800? I spent some time with it to find out.

The Cero One is the SUV of electric bikes

When hopping onto the Cero One, I first noticed how easy it is to get on it. The low frame is a step-through design, allowing the riders to step over the middle of the e-bike instead of swinging a leg over. I imagine it comes in handy when the rear rack is loaded with a cargo bin and cargo. However, my tester didn’t come with a rear basket.

It did, however, come equipped with a front cargo basket and netting. That basket is large enough to fit some groceries, a small backpack, or even a few Chihuahuas when necessary. Also, the basket is fixed to the frame of the bike, so it doesn’t move when you turn the front wheel. Speaking of the front wheel, one unique feature of this bike is that the front wheel measures 20 inches while the rear wheel is 26 inches. Both of which are wrapped in Schwalbe rubber.

That staggered wheel setup makes the Cero One a “cycle truck” since it’s capable of carrying cargo and is more stable like a truck. I prefer to call it more of an SUV due to its interesting proportions and the fact that you can put a cargo basket on the rear rack.

The Cero One rides smooth and stable with one caveat

Riding the Cero One is a comfortable and smooth experience. The Ergon saddle provides a good amount of cushion for longer rides, and the bike handles bumps well despite its lack of a suspension. The e-bike also feels very balanced due to its low center of gravity and doesn’t feel unwieldy when loaded with cargo.

It’s also very ergonomic, thanks to an adjustable Satori riser. Just to note, both the front and rear racks can each hold up to 55 pounds.

Speaking of that rear rack, part of what makes the Cero One so versatile is that you can install a child seat in the rear. However, just remember the 55-pound limit, which means that it can only fit a child up to around 20-30 pounds. Also, the maximum weight capacity for the e-bike is 300 pounds.

While this electric bike is stable when empty or with a slight load, I wish the electric motor kicked on faster. But more on that later.

It’s a Class 1 e-bike

The Cero One is a Class 1 e-bike, which means it can travel up to 20 mph and does not have an electric throttle. If you want a Class 2 e-bike, I suggest checking out the Aventon Solterra. And if you want a Class 3 bike, you may want to check out the Aventon Pace 500 that I reviewed. Although, since the Cero One is a Class 1 bike, you can legally ride it anywhere, including sidewalks.

The Cero One’s power and range are impressive

When it comes to pedaling the Cero One, I noticed that the Shimano STEPS electric motor takes a second or two to kick in. Unlike the Aventon bikes that I have tried, which have motors that come on much quicker. The motor has three different settings (ECO, Normal, and High), which can be toggled on the little LCD screen. I mostly left it in the High setting, which gave me the most boost.

After all, the e-bike weighs a hefty 58 pounds with nothing on it, so adding weight can require more power. Even in that setting, the readout showed that the bike had a 48-mile range. However, that range increases with less-powerful settings. According to Cero, the total possible range is 105 miles out its Shimano E8010 removable battery.

There’s also a Shimano belt drive to connect the motor to the pedals, which looks like a welcome upgrade over a traditional chain.

The bike’s braking power is good too

One thing is for sure, the Cero One is not short of well-made components. I was impressed by how well the bike slowed down and stopped despite its size. But when I saw that it’s equipped with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, I wasn’t surprised.

Is the Cero One worth $3,800?

Yes and no. There’s no doubt that the Cero One is well-crafted with quality parts and can get the job done when you need to haul your stuff around. However, other cargo e-bikes on the market don’t cost as much, so you may be able to find a better value depending on your needs. However, if the price suits your budget and the e-bike’s capability suits your needs, then the Cero One is a great choice.