French sport superstore retailer Decathlon has just released a new longtail cargo e-bike — and it’s one of the cheapest options in this arena. The Btwin E-Three 500 is a successor to the R500E, upgrading to a more powerful 711Wh battery and 60Nm torque.

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2026 Btwin cargo bike rear
2026 Btwin cargo bike rear (Image Credit: Decathlon)

“The cargo bike … helps swap car journeys to outdoor adventures on two wheels, and is great hauling both passengers and cargo,” Decathlon says. “Whether it’s transporting kids, groceries or picnic supplies, the E-Three 500 is designed to make everyday journeys simpler, smoother and more fun.”

The bike also makes use of B’Clip, a proprietary integrated ecosystem that makes it easy to switch the bike between modes in a matter of seconds, including a seat pad for portaging humans, high-capacity baskets or boxes for the weekly shop, plus an XL tray for bulkier items. The bike is capable of carrying a max 170kg payload — equivalent to two to three adult goats.

Powering this 39kg beast is a 48V 711Wh removable battery which Decathlon reckons will get you 50 to 80 km on a single charge, depending on mode and payload. There’s no extended battery option, and the motor, situated in the rear hub, is only capable of 60Nm, so it might struggle on steeper hills.

2026 Btwin cargo bike wheel lock
2026 Btwin cargo bike wheel lock (Image Credit: Decathlon)

Comfort comes courtesy of (unbranded) suspension forks, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes do all the stopping, and a built-in wheel lock and digital lock keep it secure during quick pitstops. Night riders can make use of an automatic lighting system with a rear light that brightens more on braking.

It’s a fairly solid if slightly unexceptional cargo e-bike, and we were hoping that just a little tech would have trickled down from Decathlon’s crazy Van Rysel FTP^2 concept bike (imagine a cargo bike that doubles your FTP).

But the E-Three 500’s best feature is its price. It retails for £2,799, but its launch price is just £2,499. Take advantage of your company’s Cycle to Work Scheme and the price could drop even more, to around £1,500, making it a perfect way to dabble in the world of cargo bikes without spending a small fortune.

It may not have the finesse and power of the ubiquitous Tern GSD (our favourite in this market), but the E-Three 500 is competing with lower-end models such as the Estarli eCargo Longtail (£2,995) and the Mycle Cargo (£2,229), and filling the hole left by Rad Power Bikes’ sorely missed RadWagon (£1,299).

2026 Btwin cargo bike riding
2026 Btwin cargo bike riding (Image Credit: Decathlon)

The other positive thing here is that Decathlon, in our experience, is very good at delivering dependable products that work well and quietly innovate without breaking the bank. If you’re transporting kids it’s especially important to know that the bike is as safe and serviceable as it can possibly be.

Keep an eye out for a full ebiketips review soon, and in the meantime, you can check out the bike on Decathlon’s website.