Momentum Cito E+ Review | Does It Have The Muscle?

When we tested the range of the Cito E+ we found it had solid battery life.

The Max test had a good upper-tier result. It’s worth noting that we did not let the bike go full boar on this test—our local bike paths restrict speeds to 20 mph, and we try to be good citizens. But for consistency sake, we keep all the bikes at 20ish mph on this test anyway.

The Min test was also solid. I had hoped for maybe a little more distance since the battery is a little larger than most, but nearly 60 miles with a decent average speed is hardly worth complaining about.

Like the other tests, these weren’t done with cargo, so some dip in the range is to be expected depending on the payload you’re hauling.

One thing I really appreciated, though, was the included four-amp charger. E-bikes are no different from other electronics; we want long battery life AND quick recharge times. The larger-than-most charger definitely was appreciated in that regard.

The Cito E+ had a good showing in our hill test. The graphic above shows it’s about middle of the pack compared to its peers, but in all reality, cargo e-bikes are one of the better performing styles on this test, so it’s still several seconds more powerful than your average e-bike. That’s thanks to the 750W, 80Nm torque that the motor can produce.

I’m always a fan of hub motors in real-world applications of cargo bikes. It’s an oversimplification, but they can move heavier payloads more easily than mid-drives can, so they feel like a good tool for the job if you have a particularly hilly commute.

I also appreciated the smoothness of the power delivery here. I think nailing the hub motor/torque sensor combo is trickier than most realize, and on steep hills, you can start to feel if things aren’t in sync. Overall, I’d say this is one of the better-feeling pairings of these drive systems, and it did a nice job in a general sense.

I’m a proponent of robust braking systems on cargo e-bikes, so I’m glad Momentum picked the parts well here.

The 4-piston hydraulic brakes on 203mm rotors is a highly effective setup on 20” wheels. The result of our brake test was 21’ even. That’s about a foot longer than our current running average of all cargo e-bikes – but well within safe limits and lower than most e-bikes overall.

This is a good brake system for cargo bikes that must stop potentially heavier payloads.

Beyond the raw score, the brakes had a good feel to them. The wheelbase and smaller wheels keep you pretty straight when stopping, so you can ride fishtail-free for the most part.

When we’re looking at ride quality we’re trying to see if it handles well, and if it just paces the ‘feel’ test.

The Momentum Cito E+ does handle well. The riser cross bar, wide 20” tires, and shorter (for a cargo-style bike) wheelbase make it feel balanced, responsive, and more nimble than similar bikes.

This is more utility or short tail cargo bike, and the fact that you can get two child seats on here is pretty unique for such a bike style, so it earns extra points there.

The low step-over height and upright positioning feel comfortable, but the bike’s low center of gravity balances that upright posture so you get a solid, planted feel on the roads, with no sore back.

Practical accessories come on the bike like the steel fenders, headlight, and tail light. You even get a turn signal for alittle extra visibility on the roads.

While I do love the included storage compartment behind the seatpost, we did discover a quirk of the optional rear basket we were sent for testing. It did limit the ability to open the top so that feels like somewhat of an oversight in the design stage.

The frame has a nice paint job that comes in two colors. I’m a fan of this shade of blue, but the bike could use a slap guard on the chainstay as we’re already getting some grease build up. Your local bike shop should be able to oblige.

Speaking of a LBS, since Momentum is a Giant brand they don’t sell DTC, but instead you can pick up through a Giant dealer. They’re one of the larger cycling companies in the world, so odds are there is one close to you, and they’ll help with assembly which is nice.

The Giant Ride Control app will work with the cito. It can run diagnostics on your electronics, log trips, show enhanced display settings and more. It’s optional, but kinda nice to have on the phone anyway.

I’m an evangelist for utility and cargo e-bikes. To me, they just have so many practical applications, and the motor offsets any weight/size penalty so you can use them for joyrides too. You don’t have to carry stuff on them, it’s just great that they can.

Momentum created a good bike with the Cito E+ that I think is worthy of recommending if you want something a little on the higher end.

The advantages of paying that price tag boiled down to a hub motor experience I believe to be a step above most, and just a solid – comfortable handling experience that I appreciated. I still love that this thing doesn’t feel enormous, but can take both my kids if I outfit it right, or can haul tons of weight with the high 408 lbs rating.

You can get a Cito E+ via a Giant dealer which means it’ll be professionally assembled and you’ll know where to take it to come tune up time. If turning wrenches in the bike shop isn’t your thing, you’ll likely value the ecosystem quite a bit.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Momentum Cito E+ down in our comments section.