With a step-through design but a very firm frame, the VAAST E/1 is comfortable and accessible for a ... [+] wide range of riders.

In many cities around the world - including in many U.S. cities like my home town of Portland, Oregon - ebikes are an increasingly attractive option for getting around a city, especially with gas prices going what seems like ever higher. And for many riders, an ebike that can haul a lot of stuff is the most practical choice to make.

For many, that means a cargo bike, which can be configured to haul anything from groceries to kids to Fido and Fluffy. But cargo bikes are typically long, large, heavy, and a bit unwieldy. Enter the Vaast E/1, a “regular” sized ebike with cargo hauling capacity - and a cool tech trick in that it features full suspension.

The E/1 may not look complicated on the outside, but there's a lot going on under the hydroformed ... [+] aluminum skin.

There are three versions of the Vaast E/1 ebike, the $7499 XT/SLX with a Shimano gearset, the $8,499 Enviolo with a signature NuVinci internal CVP hub, and the $9,999 top-tier Rohloff with a 14-speed auto-shifting gearset. My review bike was the Enviolo version.

Each version looks about the same (except for color) since they are built on a common platform featuring a hydroformed aluminum step-through frame, 27.5-inch wheels, a Bosch 4th-generation Performance Line mid-drive motor, a 500 Watt-hour removable battery that sits inside a cleverly designed quick-release seatpost, and heavy-duty cargo racks front and rear. The Enviolo and Rohloff versions also feature Gates Carbon Belt drives while the SLX uses a typical chain. State weight is 75 pounds, and that was accurate according to my scale. Vaast also makes a wide range of ebikes outside the E/1 models.

Bosch KIOX control module is small but effectively conveys a lot of information. There's an app of ... [+] course.

A small color LCD with the Bosch KIOX UI sits in the center of the beach-cruiserish handlebars, with a control pad and a classic-style rotary bike bell on the left bar. Four-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes front and rear slow the wide Schwalbe Supermoto Reflex tires. Full coverage fenders are standard, as are SuperNova LED headlights and tail lights. The front SuperNova LED headlight is mounted under the cargo rack and also features a high beam. As is common now, the Bosch KIOX system also connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth.

Rear suspension is located ahead of the crank under a small cover. Tensioner keeps the carbon belt ... [+] drive slack-free during suspension movement.

But the standout feature of the E/1 is the hidden full suspension system. Vaast calls it the “NAILD R3ACT suspension system” and it is novel, complex and effective. Along with an adjustable SunTour Durolux36 front suspension fork, an adjustable SunTour RS-Edge-R air shock sits in a linkage ahead of the motor. When the bike encounters uneven ground, the entire crank, pedal, motor and belt drive assembly moves in concert to soak up the bumps. It’s mainly invisible while riding as it all sits under cowls and covers, which also keeps debris out of the linkage and motor area. A tensioner makes sure the drive belt maintains position. A small port under the motor allows access to the air shock adjustment valve. A small hand pump comes with the bike to adjust the suspension (don’t use a typical air compressor or it will damage the suspension).

Racks front and rear are standard. Super bright LED headlight with high beam is smartly located ... [+] under the rack lip, so load it up.

When I first received the Vaast E/1, I had had a hard time fitting on the bike in terms of comfort. I didn’t expect that because it’s a big bike, and it’s a reminder that bicycles are in general very adjustable, so I spent some time tweaking the seat, handlebars, grips and controls to my liking. As always, proper setup is important for both comfort and maximum performance.

Once those variables were dialed in done, I played with the air pressures and adjusters on the suspension system to both calibrate it to my weight and my desired ride quality (I like a firm, controlled ride). It was time well spent, and after giving the battery a full charge, I headed out in comfort into Portland’s bike-friendly streets for some time on the Vaast E/1.

Initial observations: The suspension system is well-designed and makes a huge difference in comfort. The E/1 is a Class III bike with pedal assist only up to 28mph from the Bosch 750-watt motor, which also makes a copious 85nm of torque. In the flat, trucking along at 25mph or better with the assist set on “Tour” (essentially Level 2 of 4), the suspension eats up bumps and ravement blems for a smooth, comfortable, controlled ride. Even on long rides, I rarely got the battery under 50 percent, and Vaast says it’s good for 60 miles of range, likely in Eco mode (Level 1) but I usually left it in Tour. However, I also set it for zero assist and just pedaled the E/1 under my own power, and that’s where the magical Enviolo rear hub really shines. While it’s a heavy bike, you can still comfortably pedal it, even up a slight grade, with no assist. Don’t expect record-breaking speed on pedal power alone, and it’s a good workout as well, but it’s nice to know the bike can be pedaled along easily enough if the battery runs out.

The rear suspension moves independently of the rear rack, so your stuff gets as smooth a ride as you ... [+] do.

Pop the E/1 into Turbo mode and the weight of the E/1 disappears as you power up hills or scoot down bike lanes at close to 30mph. It’s here that the mass of the bike has some advantages as the suspension eats up bumps and other imperfections as you sail along. Really, in this mode, the E/1 has somewhat of a cruiser motorcycle feel to it, and fortunately, it has the brakes to haul it down quickly from speed. I initially felt the rear brake was too soft but with some use, it firmed up nicely. No complaints, and brake feel is good with linear power as you squeeze the handles.

While most Americans still view and use bicycles as recreational toys, bikes like the Vaast E/1 and the growing offering of cargo bikes from other brands are a common sight in Portland as more people look for low-impact ways to get around without a car, but still do much of the same things: take the kids to school, get groceries, run errands. Indeed, as more people have moved to Portland, traffic congestion has only gotten worse over the years, making bicycles - especially ebikes - a viable if not overtly advantageous way to get around and get things done. I have to cross the city to get to my parents’ home, and in a car it’s a minimum of 20 minutes with no traffic to cover the 9 miles, and much, much longer when the freeways and surface streets are clogged with cars. On the E/1, it was usually about a 25 minute ride no matter the traffic, and the same on the return trip, which includes going from essentially sea level to my home at 330 feet of elevation.

Bosch Performance Line motor is small, quiet and powerful.

With the powerful Bosch motor, even loading the bike up with panniers full of groceries and strapping Amazon returns to the large front rack didn’t really slow it down, and the included fenders kept the Oregon rain from splashing my feet and pants as I blasted through puddles and down rivulets of rainfall in the bike lanes. At night, the front headlight remains unobstructed even with items filling the front rack, and it’s extremely bright and features a high beam for even more light. You won’t need to add anything to see where you’re going.

The VAAST E/1 is easy to ride, powerful, well-built, practical and innovative.

Make no mistake, the Vaast E/1 is a complex, sophisticated machine, but it benefits from considerable innovation in terms of battery placement, frame design and the ingenious suspension system. Nit picks? Not many. Some trim pieces near the headstock came a bit loose over time but I fixed that up with some mounting tape in a few minutes. Otherwise, no problems.

I’ve ridden a lot of ebikes, and the Vaast E/1 is one of the most effective I’ve tried in terms of practicality and performance - and especially in terms of comfort. It’s not a piece of rolling artwork as it’s built more to its mission than for looks. It’s not cheap, but high-performance machinery rarely is, and when it works as well as the Vaast E/1 at keeping your car parked (especially now) and your legs moving while imparting a confident, enjoyable cycling experience, it’s money well spent. Highly recommended.