From Commutes to Campouts: Living with the MONoPOLE
The pleasure of finally being able to go everywhere with my cargo bike! Let’s talk about it! I’ve been riding the MONoPOLE on and off for a few months now, and I think it’s finally time to give you a proper review of this compact cargo bike. One thing’s for sure: after researching online and visiting various bike trade shows across Asia and Europe, it’s clear that the market for smaller cargo bikes is growing fast. And with more and more options available, how does the MONoPOLE hold up?
But before we start anything, here are some specs of the MONoPOLE No1
- Designed in Swizerland
- Made from CroMo Steel, and TIG welded in France
- 24” rear wheel, and 20” front
- Up to 180mm rotors and 57mm tire clerance
- Belt gate steering system
- Compatible with Pinion Gearbox or standard drivetrain
- Belt Drive Compatible
- 3 Sizes available
- Custom color on demand
Ok! Let’s do a quick recap. In my first impressions, I mentioned how the 24” rear and 20” front wheels make this bike incredibly fun to ride and super nimble in tight, packed areas. There’s another space where the MONoPOLE really shines, but we’ll get to that later, because let’s be honest, dense urban environments are probably where you’ll spend most of your time with it.
While the 24” rear wheel might feel like it limits your momentum, it’s never been an issue for me in the city. Where I did notice it more was out on long country roads or during steep climbs. But when it comes to flowing with traffic, hopping on sidewalks, or maneuvering around tight corners, the short wheelbase brings real advantages. Since the overall wheelbase is about the same as a standard bike, I was able to take it on the train without paying anything extra. And it also fits nicely inside my van, unlike a Bullitt or Omnium, which usually require awkward positioning and tend to smear dirt or chain oil everywhere. That said, the MONoPOLE was a bit too long for my rear-door bike rack, with both wheels sitting right on the edges I didn’t feel super confident about the setup. One workaround was to place the front and rear wheels on separate racks, which felt a bit more secure. (My rear rack is 125cm long)
So yes, it’s great in the city, but it’s also easy to bring with you when heading out of town, and that’s where the MONoPOLE truly surprised me. Whether packed inside the van or taken on a train, having it with me while traveling felt incredibly freeing. Being able to haul groceries or give friends a lift from A to B just made sense. In my opinion, this is where the MONoPOLE gets all of its bonus points: short commutes with cargo, whether in dense cities or on coastal holidays. I don’t have a daily commute to an office, but I can easily imagine someone using it to carry everything they need for the day, (including a child) and avoiding a sweaty back from a heavy backpack.
As seen in some of the builds in MONoPOLE’s Gallery, a custom rectangle framebag is on my wish list for one simple purpose: to fit a laptop on its side. You’re probably wondering why something so precise, and why is it a big deal to me? Well, if done correctly, this central bag could house my laptop that I absolutely hate to have on my back or laying flat on a rack. I’m always worried that the vibrations are going to damage it, so that I pretty much can’t put anything else on the rack, or worse, that in case of a crash, it’s almost guaranteed that my precious working tool is going first. Having it laying on its side, almost suspended in that framebag, sounds like a way better idea to me.
But it doesn’t stop there. Picture this: it’s Friday afternoon, you get rid of your work bag, throw a “camping-ready” one with a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, and some gear onto the MONoPOLE, hop on a train, and head out for a weekend bikepacking trip. That’s the kind of versatility that makes this bike exciting. No saddlebag, or additional rigging to go out in the wild, just strap a dry-bag to the rack and you’re good to go.
Bikepacking? With that 24” rear wheel? Well, even if I mentioned earlier that it can feel like it lacks inertia on long, open roads, but let me be clear. That’s just my personal feeling. Riders like Stephane have done over 1500 km in just a few days on those exact kinds of roads with this bike. So It’s absolutely possible if you have the will.
So going far is possible, but what about going off-road? Well, the MONoPOLE also feels totally manageable and still super fun to ride in “gravel” environments. Yes, it handles long gravel fire roads with ease, thanks in part to the belt drive system, which absorbs a lot of vibration while keeping the ride snappy. But I’m also talking about real off-road, with steep climbs, descents, and terrain you’d usually reserve for a cyclocross or gravel bike. The Pinion gearbox makes pretty much any climbs possible, even the ones that I wouldn’t even attempt with my old gravel bike. I personally think the low center of gravity is what makes it feel so stable and easy to manage, even in tricky situations.
Now that you know almost everything that I like about this bike, let’s go over the few details that bugged me with the MONoPOLE. The first one is totally on me, because as much as I like the PAUL Klamplers, they’re getting swapped out as soon as I can afford a decent set of hydraulic brakes. The cable routing, while pretty efficient, involves too many bends, which results in a less-than-satisfying brake lever feel. The second issue is the lack of a kickstand. To my knowledge, you don’t get one when you buy the MONoPOLE as a frameset, and the number of times I’ve wished I had one has now completely overshadowed the fact that, yes, it does look cleaner without it.
Finally, even though I’ve gotten used to the grip shifter for the Pinion gearbox, I’m still not a big fan. That said, I’m also not ready to drop almost 400 euros on a trigger shifter adapter. It’s more of a Pinion problem than a MONoPOLE one, but it’s something to be aware of. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance drivetrain for cruising and commuting, the belt drive paired with the Pinion gearbox is a brilliant solution. But if you prefer a more dynamic riding style, the kind where you hear that satisfying “clink” when shifting gears under load, then a more traditional drivetrain might suit you better.
And that’s about it from my side. But what about everyone else? Riding around with the MONoPOLE obviously sparked a lot of questions and comments. So here some of my favorites:
“The bike looks so well-balanced, but isn’t having the rack at an angle kind of annoying?”
Remember! It’s a rack, not a basket or a platform. That means anything on it needs to be strapped down. Personally, I’ve had zero issues because I secure everything with old inner tubes. Nothing moves, and that’s exactly how I like my cargo to behave.
“What about the platform size? Isn’t it a bit small?”
Sure, it’s smaller than an Omnium or a Bullitt. But I’m not using the MONoPOLE as a messenger bike. If anything, the visual compactness has helped me shed that “Don’t worry, it’ll fit” mindset I had back when I was riding a Bullitt for work. As a commuter and a daily rider, the MONoPOLE carries exactly what I need. If you see that as a tradeoff, consider what you’re gaining: a tighter wheelbase that opens more doors than it closes. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it as a dedicated courier bike.
“Can I carry my partner/friend like I do on my Omnium?”
Officially? Not really. The MONoPOLE rack is rated for a 30kg load, which isn’t a lot.
Unofficially? I’ve carried plenty of people on that front rack, even my dad, who’s over 90kg. The rack itself holds up fine, but the steering belt is what takes the hit. So yes, it’s possible… but I wouldn’t recommend it. And of course, the total payload depends on your own weight and what your tires can handle.
“How much does it weight?”
Before sitting down to write this review, I’d never really felt the need to know how much my MONoPOLE weighs. Honestly, I still find the information pretty irrelevant, because if you own a cargo bike, you’re going to load it up, and its weight will feel different depending on what you’re carrying. But if you absolutely must know, mine tips the scale at exactly 20 kg.
“Does it wheelie?”
Oh yeah! And way more easily than you’d expect.
So, let’s zoom out for a second and wrap up my thoughts on the MONoPOLE.
First, the looks.
Do I enjoy having a cargo bike that stands out from the crowd, while I brag proudly that it was made in France, and regularly makes my Omnium-riding friends a bit jealous over the fact that I’ve been riding it almost daily with zero drivetrain maintenance? Yes, absolutely.
Second, the potential.
Can I see this platform evolving into wild builds like a vintage MTB setup, a randonneuse style rig, a full-carbon loadout, or something outfitted with third-party racks and accessories? Also yes. The MONoPOLE offers solid flexibility: it’s available with 12x142mm thru-axle or 135mm QR dropouts in the rear, but you’ll be stuck with a 15x100mm thru-axle fork up front (MTB standards). The fact that it supports a standard drivetrain (with the BSA bottom bracket adapter), and not just a Pinion gearbox, is in my opinion a huge plus. It makes sense that most people reading this will order the MONoPOLE as a frameset and build it from scratch.
Now, the big one: the price.
If you’re more into custom-builds (like most of us here), the frameset is where you’ll start. That includes the frame, the steering system, both headsets, and the seatpost collar, all for €2,680. You’ll also need to add €220 for the front rack (required, but let’s be honest, what would be the point without it?). That gives you the most basic version, with a standard BSA adapter included.
But if you go all in like I did, with a C1.12 Pinion gearbox, a custom color, and shipping, you’re looking at €4,220 for the frameset and drivetrain alone. Add a custom wheelset, tires, pedals, cockpit, and other components… and yeah, it’s an investment. A rolling chunk of cash you won’t want sleeping outside. Thankfully, the compact format makes it easy to store indoors, mine stays outside of the van at night, but locked to the rear bike rack in several places.
On top of that, after riding the MONoPOLE for a bit, I quickly found myself wanting more. The minimal design is, of course, beautiful, but I couldn’t resist asking my local bike shop how much would it cost to add fenders, a dynamo light system, a proper bell, and a few other touches to really lean into that “zero worries” vibe.
Rain? No problem, I’ve got fenders and a drivetrain that’s literally bathing in oil, fully sealed off from the elements. Riding at night? A dynamo and lights mean I never have to think twice or worry if they’re charged. The rabbit hole is very real, and honestly, It goes pretty deep.
Is it worth it?
I understand the price won’t sit well with everyone. But I truly believe supporting independent design and local craftsmanship, especially in the cycling industry, do matter. As with any small-batch production bike, it’s not just about owning a product; it’s about contributing to something that’s made with care, and not mass-produced. The MONoPOLE is undeniably expensive, but it comes with a 5-year warranty, and having seen firsthand the level of quality and craftsmanship MILC puts into their work, I have no doubt this bike will probably outlive you.
Would I recommend it over competitors?
That really depends on your needs. If you want a cargo bike with the footprint of a regular bike, but with increased payload capacity and a clean, sleek profile, then yes, the MONoPOLE is for you. The only limitation I see is the platform size, but unless you’re a courier hauling XL loads all day, I wouldn’t worry too much.
What’s the TL;DR?
In my opinion, the MONoPOLE itself is a good investment; fun, practical, durable, and aligned with the values I try to uphold here at SSS. It feels like the people behind this bike really tried their best to create a playful tool to navigates cities, and go on adventures. The Pinion gearbox is still a toss-up for me, but I genuinely appreciate the reliability and clean look of the belt drive system. On or off the road, the MONoPOLE is that rare bike that looks like a cargo rig but feels more like a BMX, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you ride it.
Have fun! Haul your friends around!
🎞: Kodak Color Plus 200
📷: Leica M6
📍: Dunkirk
