Bakcou Gives the Elderly and Physically Challenged Their Freedom To Explore Once Again

Ladies and gentlemen, and those of us in the crowd who have led adventurous lives and have the scars to prove it, lend me your eyes for the next few minutes so that we may get to know a bit about America's Bakcou and the joy they are bringing to people's lives.

This is the Mule ST (Step-Through), an e-bike from none other than Bakcou, a Utah-based cycling brand that's been supplying mean and powerful machines to the public, with one big difference: Bakcou machines are specifically designed to handle the brunt of off-road use while carrying countless pounds of cargo. The manufacturer even makes a big deal out of their machines being the perfect hunting and outdoor exploration support, the Mule included.

That said, I've been talking to this manufacturer, and as our relationship developed, I learned that the Mule has been serving America's aging and health-challenged riders and doing it with flying colors for some time now, so let's dive in a tad deeper and see how you or some of your family members can bring some mobility back into their life.

Now, what really piqued my interest regarding the Mule is the fact that there are a few riders who have shared their story on what this e-bike means to them. While they'll remain nameless, one rider is a turkey hunter with spinal stenosis, a condition that can lead to severe nerve damage throughout the spinal column; he now rides a Bakcou and has gotten back into the greater outdoors.

Then, there's a couple in their late 50s who shared their story of a "widening health gap" between them and how e-bikes helped them ride "side by side" yet again. Yet the biggest testament to the wonders of an e-bike is brought forth by a rider with a double-hip replacement; he's probably out there riding right now.

This brings us to the Mule ST and why it can be a rather solid fit for any rider with mobility or health issues. For starters, it's a step-through frame, and this is a huge plus for a rider as they won't need to raise their leg up and over a raised top tube while mounting or dismounting. Sure, e-bikes with even more clearance exist on the market, but the reason the Mule needs the added stiffness and strength is due to its ability to handle added cargo.

Remember, Bakcou designs its e-bikes for adventurers who often carry countless pounds of cargo. Some of their EVs are even designed to be "military-worthy," and the Mule ST is no exception. It even comes with a cargo rack as standard.

But the ability to carry large loads of cargo through mud, sand, grasslands, and up hills comes at a price, and in the e-bike world, the tradeoff is weight. While the manufacturer doesn't state just how much this EV may weigh, due to that massive frame and equally large electronics, this bugger has got to be well over 50 lbs (23 kg) range, maybe more.

Speaking of electronics, to move you and all the cargo you may have in mind, Bakcou throws on a mid-mounted motor from Bafang that's rated to run under 750 W. Nothing on torque output or the model in place, but I've tested 500 W motors from this brand, and I honestly wouldn't know what to do with the extra 250 W of power, not to mention it peaks at over 1,000 W.

One way we can control this two-wheeler's weight is by selecting a battery size that suits your lifestyle. Overall a standard Mule ST is sporting a 17.5 Ah battery, which is friggin massive, but you can go even bigger, as far as 21 Ah. You'll just need to drop an extra $300 on a bigger battery. My advice is to keep the standard in there and just grab an extra pack to bring with you and double your range. How much range can we squeeze out with this setup? Bakcou makes no mention of it yet again, and that's understandable; your e-bike's range is a highly volatile matter.

The remainder of the Mule is completed with four-piston hydraulic brakes that clamp down on 203 mm (8 in) rotors, a Shimano Alivio with 9-speeds, and 4 cross-section Maxxix or CST tires. Don't forget about that GT MRK fork with 100 mm (3.9 in) of travel. Sure, it's not designed to be hitting mad air through some local trail, but this component should do just fine in reducing the backlash the local terrain throws at you. Added suspension comes from those balloon tires.

While these two-wheelers are created for the backcountry of America, they can be a reliable and electric solution to your urban lifestyle, too. Heck, the tires alone are going to hit that sweet spot riding over cracked asphalt. Throw on some cargo bags and bring home the groceries, too.

The only thing that may push most Americans away from the Mule ST, or any other e-bike, for that matter, is the price. As standard, the Mule starts at $4,800 (€4,400 at current exchange rates), which is over double what most people are willing to pay. Just something to think about in case you or someone you know could use some freedom back into their lives.