The Alpa is a 27kg long-tail electric cargo bike that carries two children and up to 180kg in total. Made by Italian e-bike maker SUM and sold in Ireland by Kuma, it has a 55Nm Bafang motor, carbon fork, 8-speed Microshift gearing, hydraulic brakes and 40–70km of range, or up to 130km with the optional range extender. €2,999, inside the €3,000 bike to work scheme limit for cargo bikes.
Who the Alpa is for
- Families doing the school run with one or two children
- Riders replacing car trips for shopping and errands
- Anyone who wants a cargo bike light enough to handle and park easily (27kg)
Carrying
- Front rack, rear cage and footrests included as standard
- Takes two child seats or two seated children on the rear
- Optional cushions and accessories to set it up your way
Battery & Range
- 36V 10Ah battery, 40–70km per charge
- Optional 7Ah bottle range extender takes the total range up to 130km
Ride
- Bafang 250W 55Nm motor with 3 assist levels
- Microshift Acolyte 8-speed gearing
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Carbon fork and internal cable routing keep the weight down to 27kg
Specifications
| Frame | Aluminium |
| Fork | Carbon |
| Cable routing | Internal |
| Motor | Bafang 250W, 55Nm |
| Assist levels | 3 |
| Battery | 36V 10Ah, optional 7Ah range extender |
| Range | 40–70km, up to 130km with range extender |
| Display | Integrated into the frame, Bluetooth ready |
| Gearing | Microshift Acolyte 8-speed |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
| Wheels | 27.5" and 20", 2.2" tyres |
| Weight | 27.2kg |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 200 x 79 x 112cm |
| Size | One size |
| Max total load | 180kg |
| Rear rack | Up to 80kg |
| Front rack | Up to 15kg |
| Side platforms | Up to 35kg |
Sizing
- One size, fits riders from 160cm to 190cm
Alpa questions
Is the Alpa fully covered by the bike to work scheme?
Yes. The cargo bike limit is €3,000 and the Alpa is €2,999, so the whole purchase comes out of gross salary — a saving of up to 52%.
How many children can it carry?
Two. The rear takes two child seats or two seated children, with footrests fitted as standard, within a 180kg total load limit (up to 80kg on the rear rack itself).
How far will it go with children on board?
40–70km per charge is the quoted range; with two children aboard, hills and higher assist, plan towards the lower end. The 7Ah bottle range extender takes the total up to 130km if you need the distance.
Is it hard to handle compared with other cargo bikes?
It's lighter than most — 27kg against the 35–45kg typical of long-tails — thanks to the carbon fork and a compact battery, which makes a real difference when wheeling it out of a shed or parking it.
Will it fit in a shed or hallway?
It's 200cm long, 79cm wide and 112cm high, so it needs more space than a standard bike but less than a front-loader box bike.
Alpa or Uco?
The Alpa is the long-tail: two children, 180kg, longer range. The Uco Plus and Uco Steel are compact cargo bikes for 150kg and shorter trips, and cost less. See the cargo comparison, or our e-bike FAQs.
