Tested: Decathlon Longtail E-three 500 – 2026’s Best Value Electric Cargo Bike Unbeaten!

Is an introduction to Decathlon still necessary in 2026? Originating in France in 1976, this sports retailer has, over recent years, ventured extensively into electric mobility, featuring a wide array of electric bikes, including a longtail model since 2022. To help navigate their offerings, we’ve detailed Decathlon’s full electric bike lineup.

Decathlon’s strength lies in its widespread presence. The company boasts 325 retail locations across the country, each offering after-sales service, which is reassuring for investments of several thousand euros.

So, how does the new E-Three 500 stack up? Let’s dive into our review!

Product Details

This review was conducted using a model provided by the brand.

Design: Why Reinvent the Wheel?

The R500E’s commercial success is undeniable, and thus the E-Three 500 naturally follows its predecessor’s design. This model is quite substantial, measuring 2.2 meters in length and weighing 39 kg stripped: a sizable unit much like the R500E.

City dwellers take note: parking between two bike racks, say in Paris, can prove challenging. I experienced this firsthand as the bike extended well beyond the designated parking spot.

To understand the length of this bike, compare it to other models on the market. For instance, a Douze Cycles measures 2.05 meters, the Gaya Cargo is under 2 meters, and the VELLO SUB is 1.8 meters.

The advantage of this size is the comfort for both the rider and passengers. My children had plenty of room and were comfortably seated at the back of this longtail. Like its predecessor, this E-Three 500 features a 20-inch wheel at the rear, smaller than the front’s 26-inch, which provides more stability with a rear load and makes it easier for children to climb aboard.

On my model, the brand had installed a baby seat at €49.99 and a seat cushion for €29.

However, some may find its straight frame less practical for everyday use compared to a step-through frame. This type of frame makes mounting more difficult and the riding position is semi-upright, thus a bit more athletic compared to a bike from Gaya, for example. It still suits cyclists between 1.55m and 1.95m tall.

This unchanged design also allows Decathlon to offer a competitive price for a cargo bike while ensuring quality manufacturing and longevity.

With its geometry reinforced by a support bar above the battery, this model can carry up to a total of 209 kg (170 kg of useful load), including 80 kg on the rear rack. These are impressive figures that stand up well against the competition.

At Moustache, the Lundi 20 Cargo 3, despite being significantly more expensive, can only carry up to 200 kg in total, with just 70 kg at the rear. Tern and Vello remain benchmarks with a rear load capacity of 100 kg.

The 26-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels feature generic tires. This is yet another concession to keep the model’s price down, so you won’t find high-end tires like the Schwalbe Pick-up, which are the benchmark in the electric cargo bike market, on this model.

I didn’t experience any punctures during my test, but it’s difficult to comment on the longevity of these tires. Their 55 mm width does provide additional comfort for the cyclist and passengers and makes it easier to navigate curbs and tram tracks.

This E-Three 500 comes with a Suntour brand suspension fork. Even set to medium stiffness, it significantly enhances comfort for the cyclist, especially on cobbled streets and rough roads.

Regarding cable management, everything appears neat and well arranged. One thing I noticed: Decathlon has opted for reinforced bolts between the electrical connectors. This is a significant advantage as it makes them more durable over time and in case of a fall.

Fewer Standard Equipments but Big Savings

Standard equipment is a strong point for the brand, and this model continues to deliver, albeit with some trade-offs. However, in return, the price is even more competitive than before: €2499. At this rate, you can overlook the seat cushions priced at €29 each and the front platform at €25.

The front platform is smaller in area compared to what competitors offer but has the advantage of not increasing the bike’s bulk. It’s compatible with Decathlon’s B’Clip accessories, which attach with a simple click, making them convenient, though the choice is currently very limited. Note that the rear rack is also B’Clip compatible by default.

At the rear, in addition to the rack, the baby seat, and the seat cushion, our model was equipped with a rain cover priced at €198.99. It proved very handy, with side openings that effectively protected the children from the weather.

I tested it multiple times, and in addition to providing rain protection, it also blocked the wind, keeping the kids warm. The rear rain cover features a large pocket, very handy for storing personal items or a bike lock.

And like the previous model, this E-Three 500 comes with footrests that, unlike the R500E, finally adopt a material that doesn’t require regular maintenance. Gone is the wood that stained; welcome to PU (polyurethane), a plastic derivative that is particularly robust.

The kickstand has been completely redesigned and is sturdy and stable. This is particularly important when loading children on the back of the bike.

The other good news is about the lights. They have been completely revamped, and the result is simply excellent, especially considering the price of this bike. The front light is a daytime running light with a brightness of 60 Lux.

For comparison, the Moustache Lundi 20 Cargo 3 comes standard with a 30 Lux light; half as bright as this model’s light. And a nice feature of this light: it’s completely automatic, making it very easy to use. At the rear, the light features a very similar modern design. An important safety feature: this rear light integrates a brake light that automatically activates when the cyclist brakes.

The brand is particularly proud of this new lighting system, which, according to Decathlon, received a road safety innovation award in 2026.

Embedded Technologies: A Significant Improvement

Let’s be clear right away: you don’t buy this E-three 500 for its onboard technology. There’s no GPS, alarm, or mobile app. Decathlon keeps it simple with a display installed on the handlebar, and that’s it.

But what an improvement compared to the old model! It’s colorful, perfectly visible under any weather conditions, and easy to use. Having tested numerous cargo bikes, the display is not always up to par: it can be unreadable in bright sunlight or not very intuitive.

However, I do have two complaints. The control to change the assistance level is not as convenient as Bosch’s LED control, for example. And the last selected assistance level is not remembered between rides. The assistance is always reset to zero. Too bad!

Ride: Powerful Despite Its Size

Again, Decathlon has stuck with the same formula as the old model: a hub motor in the rear wheel, with a throttle on the handlebar to help with starts.

This motor offers a torque of 60 Nm, 2 Nm more than the old model. A small difference that does not change the feeling I had when I tested the R500E.

This E-Three 500 is particularly dynamic in terms of assistance, and even with two children at the back, using mode 3 (the most powerful assistance mode), I had no problem climbing a hill. It’s much more powerful than some cargo bikes I’ve tested; even those equipped with the excellent Bosch Cargo Line motor with Smart System.

This dynamism makes this bike enjoyable to ride despite its weight and length. I mostly used mode 2 (normal) whether I was alone or with my kids. Mode 3 was reserved only for hills.

In terms of transmission, Decathlon opted, as with the previous model, for a chain drive with an external Microshift 6-speed derailleur. The R500E, the previous model, was equipped with a Microshift 8-speed.

On this new model, the number of speeds has therefore been reduced to 6, and it would have been more comfortable to have a seventh speed. It’s nitpicking, and at this price, the transmission remains satisfactory. I personally use mechanical gears on the bikes I test, so I hardly ever used the throttle. This is mainly useful during a last-minute brake that doesn’t leave time to downshift.

The rear handlebars have been revised and are now more robust. They protect children in case of a bike fall and maintain a safety space between the bike and other vehicles.

Braking Power Upgraded

Another piece of good news about this new model: the braking has been improved and proved much more reassuring for a cargo bike of this size. Decathlon opted for hydraulic disc brakes as on the previous model but upgraded to 4 pistons instead of 2. These are brakes from the brand Tektro, which proved effective and powerful.

Comfortable Battery Life

And yet another piece of good news about this E-Three 500: the battery capacity has been increased. It went from 672 Wh to 711 Wh.

The range on this new model thus remains very good. With my children and all the equipment installed, I comfortably covered 42 km and still had 16% battery left. I mainly used mode 2 and occasionally mode 3 to climb hills. This is sufficient for urban use, and it’s possible to extend the range by opting for mode 1.

The battery is mounted directly on the frame and is removable. It will take a little time to get used to inserting and removing it. The system is not the most practical I’ve tested but remains acceptable. It’s also a shame that there’s no handle on the battery.

A USB-A port is available on the battery. Personally, I never use it, but it could be useful for some, even though USB-C would have been preferable in 2026.

Price and Availability

Decathlon has managed a feat by lowering the price of this model, which nevertheless benefits from real improvements. This Btwin E-Three 500 is sold for €2499, compared to €2999 for the R500E in its V2 version launched at the end of 2023. That’s €500 less for a bike that still holds its own in 2026.

Among its direct competitors at this price, the E-Three 500 faces the Nakamura Crossover Longtail, the Gaya Original, and the Jean Fourche II, all around €3000. Higher up, references like the Tern Quick Haul or the Yuba Kombi E5 exceed €3200 with often smaller batteries. At €2499 fully equipped, the Decathlon remains one of the most accessible longtails on the market.

As of this writing, only the taupe (which is the color of our model) and abyss blue colors are available in stock. The sorbet green color is unavailable.

This model is sold directly in Decathlon stores or delivered through the website. As mentioned in this review, Decathlon has a strong advantage regarding after-sales service thanks to its national presence with 325 sales points.

An important point for this type of investment: Decathlon guarantees the frame for life, which remains rare for a cargo bike at this price. Combined with the store network for after-sales service, this is a significant argument against specialized brands without a physical presence.