Taking the MG Cargo for a spin feels like a treat. It’s difficult to explain why riding one puts such a consistent smile on your face, but JackRabbit has managed it across their entire lineup. Our discussion about ride quality has to start there, because no amount of technical analysis fully accounts for it.
I suspect that JackRabbit’s defining fun factor has something to do with the bike’s compact size, lively motor, and effortless, throttle-only propulsion. Like prior models I’ve tested, the MG Cargo consistently made me feel like a kid again—in the best possible way.
Since the bike is throttle-only, riders don’t need to worry about leg extension or saddle height in the same way they would on a pedaled bike. This means the MG Cargo’s 4’9″ to 6’8″ height range is uncommonly wide. At 5’11”, I found the riding position slightly forward-leaning but comfortable, with about eight inches of saddle height adjustment on the standard seatpost and a set of mid-rise handlebars with an adjustable angle.
The handlebars measure roughly 610mm wide, which may be somewhat narrow for riders with broader shoulders. Fortunately, swapping handlebars is a straightforward modification through JackRabbit or third-party sources.
The mixed wheel setup is one of the more thoughtful details on this bike. The 24″ front wheel smooths over bumps, while the 20″ rear wheel keeps the cargo platform (and its center of gravity) low and easier to balance. Both tires are 3″ wide, so they provide a cushioned and stable ride feel.
While the bike is clearly intended to be ridden mostly on paved surfaces, it was more confident than the street-tread tires suggested it would be on loose gravel. Those who want more robust off-road capability can upgrade to a set of knobby tires.
Handling feels fairly sharp and potentially a bit twitchy, though the MG Cargo is generally nimble due to its compact size. Under load, the handling character changes (as we would expect). The bike is a bit harder to balance at a stop, and there is a sense of drag when starting up and climbing hills.
Cornering requires some over-steering to compensate for the frame flex that comes with the added weight. It is present mid-corner, and worth being aware of the first few times you ride loaded. The flex is not alarming, and it is not unusual, but it does mean the steering feels slightly looser than it does when unladen.
Now is a good time to bring up one of our few points of critique: the bike’s dual-leg center stand. It’s possible that the problem would be alleviated when using panniers or JackRabbit’s optional Side Rack Kit, but when adding cargo to a rack-mounted basket, the bike could be tough to balance. A wider center stand would help to keep the bike stable when loading up.
It’s also worth acknowledging JackRabbit’s broad customization. Its community is packed with owners who love to modify (or mod) their bike, whether independently or via the company’s ModRabbit marketplace. Owners can swap tires, grips, pedals and/or saddles to matching colors, add cargo or passenger accessories, upgrade handlebars, add suspension, and more.
We tested a couple of the MG Cargo’s optional accessories. The Kinekt suspension seatpost, which smooths the ride significantly, trades about two inches of saddle height adjustability for increased comfort. The FidLock Uni Connector can be used to convert any water bottle to use a magnetic quick attach/release system. The FEND folding helmet, which includes integrated front and rear lighting, effectively folds down to fit in a backpack or gym bag.
As I touched on in the Speed Test section above, the motor is tuned to feel both approachable and strong.
The user interface is about as simple as it gets: three buttons for power, lights, and on/off. There is no app, no Bluetooth pairing, and no settings menu to navigate, which makes the bike friendly for new riders and those who don’t want a huge learning curve.
