Family cargo biking just got a big upgrade. Xtracycle, one of the original pioneers of longtail cargo bikes in North America, has announced the launch of the new Swoop ASM (Automatic Smile Machine), a fully redesigned family cargo e-bike that aims to remove many of the friction points that keep families from making the leap out of a car and onto two wheels. And with room for four people on a single bike, this is one that could truly replace the family car for school drop offs, sports practice, or just about any other family-oriented trip.
At its core, the Swoop ASM is built for serious family duty. It’s rated to carry one to three kids and fits riders from 4’10” to 6’5”, making it one of the more inclusive family cargo bikes on the market. Xtracycle says it’s the only Class 3-capable rear-loading family cargo bike designed to carry more than 2 passengers, meaning it can offer pedal-assist up to 28 mph (45 km/h) where legally permitted.
For those limited to Class 1 operation (i.e. up to 20 mph or 32 km/h), the bike ships ready-to-go in Class 1 setup. The lack of a throttle means the bike is free from any Class 2 restrictions, though also free from riding around without any effort from the rider. But with a high-end Shimano mid-drive motor system, pedaling can be anything from a gentle affair to a decent workout.
Power comes from a Shimano EP6 mid-drive motor, a system known for strong torque delivery and smooth pedal assist. Paired with that motor is one of the bike’s headline features: fully integrated Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. In Auto Shift mode, the bike automatically selects gears based on speed, cadence, and terrain. There’s also Auto Start sensing, which downshifts as you come to a stop so that you’re in an easier gear when you begin pedaling again – a subtle but meaningful improvement when starting from a standstill with two kids on the back. The number of times I’ve forgotten to downshift before a stop on a heavily loaded cargo bike has given me an intimate awareness of how useful that feature can be.
That combination of mid-drive power and automatic electronic shifting could be particularly appealing to new riders who may feel intimidated by managing gears while also balancing passengers and cargo. There’s a reason nearly every new car in the west comes with an automatic transmission these days: it’s simply easier to use and lets people forget about gears to focus on everything else. As automatic transmissions in the bicycling world have improved over the last several years, they’re becoming more popular, especially on higher-end electric bikes.
The 630Wh Shimano battery is rated for up to 60 miles (96 km) of range, though that figure is likely calculated at lower power levels, meaning bumping up the assistance will result in less range per charge.
The Swoop ASM uses Xtracycle’s familiar 24-inch front and 20-inch rear “mullet” wheel configuration. The larger front wheel helps with roll-over and stability on rough pavement, while the smaller rear wheel lowers the center of gravity for improved balance when carrying passengers. Both are standard sizes, making it easy to find replacement tubes and tires down the road.
Add in a new 80mm travel front suspension fork and giant 203 mm four-piston hydraulic brakes, and the bike appears to be designed with real-world family loads in mind.
There’s even a dropper seat post, which matches the brakes and suspension as kit that almost seems more at home on a nice mountain bike than a cargo bike, but brings that same level of comfort and safety to the streets, helping riders manage heavy loads with ease.
In particular, that dropper seat post allows riders to effortless lower the saddle to flat-foot it at stops, helping balance squirrely kids or heavy cargo, then pop the seat back up to comfortable pedaling height as soon as they get rolling again.
But where the Swoop ASM may differentiate itself most is in what’s included out of the box.
Instead of selling a base bike and asking families to piece together the rest, Xtracycle includes the Hooptie kid carrier, front PorterRack, wheel skirts, footrests, integrated wide-band lighting, and a heavy-duty center kickstand. Those are all items that many families would consider essential rather than optional, but are usually held back behind a paywall on other high-end cargo e-bikes. The rear rack is now MIK HD compatible, opening up a wide range of modular accessories for everything from additional seating to cargo crates and baskets.
Priced at $4,499 – with a $500 launch discount – the Swoop ASM is positioned as a premium but value-packed family hauler, especially considering that it ships with many of the accessories that other brands sell separately.
That bundled approach simplifies the buying decision and makes the $4,499 price tag more competitive when you consider what similarly equipped cargo bikes can cost after accessories are added. It may not compete against the direct-to-consumer budget brands that offer e-bikes at half this price, but it also comes with higher-end components and from a company with a much longer legacy, with Xtracycle having helped build the cargo e-bike space in North America.
As with previous Xtracycle models, the Swoop ASM is backed by a lifetime frame warranty and full customer support from the company’s in-house team. Xtracycle also includes free shipping and local professional assembly, another move aimed at lowering the barrier to entry for families who may not want to deal with a large-box bike build in their driveway, especially when it includes higher-end parts like automatic shifters and elegant but more complex mid-drive motor systems.
In many ways, the Swoop ASM reflects the maturation of the family cargo bike market. Early adopters were often willing to tinker, customize, and navigate steep learning curves. Today’s buyers are increasingly looking for something closer to a turnkey transportation solution – effectively a mini-van or SUV, but in e-bike format.
Automatic shifting, integrated accessories, inclusive sizing, and high-end braking and motor systems all point toward a bike designed for families looking to replace short car trips with something more engaging and sustainable.
With test rides available in the Bay Area and New York City and bikes scheduled to ship at the end of March, the Swoop ASM could quickly become a compelling option in the growing premium family cargo segment – especially for riders who want the ease of automatic shifting and a complete setup right from day one.
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