Founded in 2022 in France by Amélie Guicheney and Jacques Bonneville, Gaya now boasts over 6000 users across the country. Contrary to some opinions, Gaya is not just a Parisian brand as half of its sales are made outside of Paris. The brand’s bikes are instantly recognizable due to their unique style.
Until now, Gaya offered two electric bike models: the Compact, resembling a fatbike and capable of seating either an adult or a child, priced at 2200 euros, and the Cargo, a longtail that can accommodate up to two children, priced at 2700 euros excluding accessories.
Gaya has recently broadened its lineup with two new models: “The Incredible, The Short,” equivalent to the Compact, and “The Incredible, The Long,” equivalent to the Cargo, which we have tested.
How does this new longtail model from Gaya stack up? Here’s our full review.
Technical Specifications
| Model | Gaya The Incredible, The Long |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 199 cm x 70 cm x 120 cm |
| Motor Power | 250 watts |
| Assistance Levels | 3 |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
| Screen | Yes |
| Weight | 38 kg |
| Color Options | Red, Blue, Green |
| Maximum Load Capacity | 170 kg |
| Headlights | Yes |
| Rear Light | Yes |
| Product Details |
This review was conducted using a model provided by the brand.
A Design Both Unique and More Premium
It’s hard not to see the resemblance between the Gaya Long and the Cargo. Despite their similarities, these two models are quite distinct.
The first noticeable change is the new frame. Gaya has chosen a more rectangular design as opposed to the more rounded shape of the previous model. This new frame appears more serious, and Gaya’s goal is clear: to offer a solid, robust, and durable frame.
Visually and to the touch, Gaya’s promise is fulfilled with a frame that is significantly higher quality than the previous model. And of course, it still features a low frame, making it easier to mount and dismount daily. The good news is that it accommodates anyone from 1m55 to 1m90 tall, compared to 1m60 to 1m95 for the previous model.
This Gaya Long maintains the format of its predecessor with 20-inch wheels and white balloon tires. However, as a step up, the tires are now branded. They are Kenda tires, a well-known and respected brand in the biking world. Ideally, Schwalbe Pick-Up tires, which are the best 20-inch cargo bike tires currently available, would have been used, but Gaya wanted to keep the white color, which Schwalbe does not offer.
Where the Long differs from the Cargo is in its fork, which is now suspended. This fork adds a significant increase in comfort to the Long.
But that’s not the only new feature compared to the old model. The real surprise is at the back. The brand innovates compared to its competitors by offering suspension for passengers at the back of the bike. This makes the Long unique in the longtail bike market. We will delve more into this suspension in the driving part of this test.
In addition to the double suspension, this Gaya Long includes a very comfortable saddle inherited from the first model. This saddle adds an extra layer of comfort and is very easily adjustable thanks to a lever located just below.
The Gaya Long is 1m99 long, 4 cm longer than the Gaya Cargo, which was 1m95. But the biggest change is in the weight. This Gaya Long weighs almost 10 kg more than the previous Cargo model. The Gaya Cargo weighed 31 kg with battery, and it’s now over 40 kg for this Gaya Long.
It’s quite a beast, and I myself was surprised by the weight announcement. Having already tested heavy cargo bikes, this Gaya Long felt lighter than the weight announced. The brand explained that the bike’s geometry had been carefully designed to achieve better balance than the Cargo model.
Equipment as Comprehensive as Ever
This Long model doesn’t skimp on standard equipment. It’s as comprehensive as the previous model.
At the front, this Long retains the brand’s iconic round headlight, which is now brighter. The previous model suffered from insufficient brightness. This flaw has now been corrected. Still, don’t expect brightness on par with brands like Spanninga or Supernova, but it’s sufficient for urban and suburban use.
At the rear, the light is identical to the previous model. It’s bright and importantly, integrates a brake light, adding a safety feature, especially at night, to signal braking to other road users.
And of course, a small extra from Gaya: turn signals at the front and rear. During the day, their utility is very limited. Personally, I prefer to use my arm as they are not visible enough, especially on a sunny day. But at night, this equipment adds real additional safety for the driver who will be well visible in case of direction changes.
This Gaya Long also inherits the frame lock on the front wheel. It’s a standard feature that is very welcome and proves very handy for a quick stop to drop off a child at school or daycare, for example. A tensioner is also present between the frame and the fork. Personally, I find this equipment reassuring to avoid too sharp turns that most often result in a fall.
The handlebars are as wide as on the Cargo model and offer excellent grip. The advantage of this new model is that the stem is now adjustable in height and angle. It all adjusts with a simple latch. The only issue I encountered during my test was when the handlebar was placed too close to the front rack. In this case, the cables were an obstruction to turning. Our model was a prototype, so the brand should normally have corrected this problem.
Regarding cable management, the brand assured us that it would be improved on the final model. At the front of the handlebar, numerous cables crossed each other, and this mess contrasted with the bike’s upgrade.
The rest of the cable management was worthy of a premium model with cables running directly through the frame and improved accessibility of the cable connecting the motor to the controller. On this Long, the motor is still in the rear wheel hub but a central block gives the impression that it is equipped with a mid-drive motor. It is actually an access to the bike’s electronics, a very good point for the repairability of this model.
Lastly, the kickstand has been improved and is now more robust, which is the minimum given the weight of this new model. It also integrates a footrest that facilitates its deployment.
The only downside: during my test, the bike was not completely stabilized once the kickstand was deployed. It showed an imbalance between the front and the back, which did not facilitate loading children at the back of the bike. This imbalance is supposed to be largely corrected on the commercial model.
A Great Cargo Section… If You Have the Budget
This new model can support up to 170 kg in total, compared to 160 for the old model with 80 kg at the back. It’s ideal for transporting two children or an adult. At the back, the space is generous, and the rear rack now integrates MIK HD technology, which greatly facilitates the installation of accessories like baby seats or cushions.
My two children, aged 2 and 4, were comfortably seated on their seat, without being too close together. The seats installed were from the Urban Iki brand. The only downside: the skirt of the front seat slightly complicated the insertion of the key to remove the battery.
As standard, this Gaya Long only comes with the front and rear racks. And that’s it. All other equipment is optional. Apart from certain brands like Btwin, Nakamura, or Douze Cycles, which offer some equipment as standard, all equipment related to the transport of people or goods is generally optional. On our model, we had the safety side bars, an essential equipment to protect passengers at the back, two baby seats from the Urban Iki brand, and skirts.
To obtain the same configuration, you must therefore select the child kit at 400 euros and the two baby seats at 110 euros each. In total, these options represent an additional investment of 620 euros. At this price, you will also have two cushions and the footrests that were missing from our test model. The footrests have also benefited from an upgrade compared to those that equipped the old model.
Embedded Technologies: A Major Plus for the Brand!
Gaya has built its reputation on safety and connectivity. And on this last point, this Long inherits the technologies of its little brother with some improvements.
The screen is much more qualitative than on the first version. It is large, clearly visible, and displays all the information a cyclist needs: speed, distance traveled, remaining distance based on the assistance level, and remaining battery life. The color codes remain the same as on the first version and allow you to know the selected assistance level at a glance.
The right and left arrows are used to activate the turn signals, which, and this is new, automatically turn off after 5 seconds. The only point I noted where this Long does less well than the Cargo is on the controls for the turn signals, which are less practical. Even after a week of use, activating the turn signals from the handlebar was not as smooth or intuitive as on the old model.
This Long model also inherits the audible warning that supplements the bell. It’s not a revolutionary technology, but it’s handy in case of danger with a vehicle like a car, for example. It has also been improved: the volume of this warning is less loud than the previous model and it is now well protected from the weather.
Gaya’s strong point is its connectivity with a comprehensive app that includes practical features like locking and unlocking the bike, GPS tracking, and the travel history. However, be aware that remote security (alarm, GPS tracking, and theft alerts) are only available by paying a subscription of 60 euros per year, or 5 euros per month as on the old model.
The novelty on this model is the possibility to lock and unlock the bike with an NFC badge directly rather than a smartphone. It’s an additional comfort not to have to take out your smartphone. However, to activate the anti-theft system (alarm and GPS tracking), you will still need to go through the app.
Driving: Comfort and More Comfort
I was able to test the Cargo model and this new Long at the end of my test to see if the difference between these two models was really noticeable. The result is clear: this new model is much more premium and comfortable. Gone is the problem of handlebar wobble when the bike was loaded at the back, finished are the shocks on cobblestones, and even in terms of behavior, I found this Gaya Long much more reassuring.
Still Dynamic Assistance
This Gaya Long is equipped with the same motor as the Cargo model. The motor is located in the rear wheel and delivers a torque of 50 Nm. It naturally complies with European standards, meaning a 250 Watt motor but in 48 volts compared to 36 for most bikes. It is therefore particularly dynamic and powerful, which is an advantage when climbing a hill when the bike is loaded.
It uses the same mechanics as the Cargo model: a torque sensor and a trigger on the handlebar that serves as a starting aid. The brand has deliberately lowered the responsiveness of the torque sensor to balance the starts when using the trigger.
At the first start, I immediately noticed the great power of this new trigger. I found it awesome and used it throughout the duration of my test. However, for a bike that is upgrading, I would have liked a more natural pedaling sensation. With this Gaya Long, the ride is closer to that of a two-wheeler than a bike. It’s a choice made by the brand, and the advice we can give you is to go test the bike directly.
Coupled with this motor, this Gaya Long also uses the same transmission as the Cargo model. It’s still a chain with an external Shimano Tourney 7-speed derailleur. This transmission is not up to the standard of this model’s upgrade. It’s a shame and a disappointment.
The Shimano Tourney is a low-end mechanical speed system that lacks precision and reliability in gear changes. It’s not dramatic, but I would have liked a more premium model like a Shimano Deore.
Another point I noticed while riding this model is the noise generated by the motor, but also by the chain. It’s surprising and it’s a point that was already present on the old model. Again, with the upgrade, I was hoping for improvements on this point.
Apart from these small annoyances, I enjoyed this new model. It’s hard not to appreciate the comfort provided by this new frame and the front suspension. I took a lot of pleasure on my journeys and having myself a non-suspended longtail bike, the comfort provided was particularly appreciable.
The point that my 4-year-old son immediately noticed is the comfort provided by the rear suspension. With this double suspension, not only the driver but also the passengers benefit from real comfort on journeys with this bike. This Gaya Long is maneuverable, and the power of the motor is a real asset for starts and in case of elevation.
Regarding braking, given the price of this new model, this Gaya Long is in line with the market standard with Tektro two-piston hydraulic disc brakes. These are the same brakes that equip the Quick Haul Long at Tern, whose price is 300 euros higher than this model from Gaya.
Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.
