Cowboy 4: the Belgian e-bike that keeps things simple
Cowboy is a Belgian startup (Brussels) that took the opposite approach to the traditional e-bike market. No Bosch, no Shimano Steps, no derailleur. The Cowboy 4 is an urban e-bike designed for absolute simplicity.
Design and philosophy
The Cowboy 4 is beautiful. Full stop. The aluminium frame is clean, cables are integrated, and the silhouette is slim and elegant. It's a bike you want to park in your living room.
Two versions: Cowboy 4 (classic frame) and Cowboy 4 ST (step-through). Both weigh about 19 kg — light for an e-bike, making a real difference when carrying it up stairs.
Gates Carbon Drive belt
No chain on the Cowboy. Instead, a Gates carbon belt: silent, clean (goodbye grease stains on trousers), and zero maintenance. The belt lasts about 30,000 km — several years of intensive commuting.
The downside? No gears. The Cowboy is single-speed. The motor compensates on hills, but if your battery is flat, pedalling uphill without assistance will be challenging.
Removable battery
This is a major advantage over the VanMoof S5. The Cowboy 4 battery is removable: pull it from the frame, take it home, charge on a standard outlet. No need to bring the bike inside to charge.
| Spec | Cowboy 4 |
|---|---|
| Motor | rear hub 250W, 45 Nm |
| Battery | 360 Wh removable |
| Range | 50-70 km |
| Drivetrain | Gates belt, single-speed |
| Brakes | hydraulic disc |
| Weight | ~19 kg |
| Price | ~$2,800 |
