Cowboy C3 Review: A Sporty, Lightweight Electric Bike
A stylish urban commuter e-bike that's well-optimized for city streets, the Cowboy 3 comes equipped with top-shelf components and next-level technology...
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What is the Cowboy C3?
The Cowboy 3 is an urban commuter electric bike with a sleek design optimized for city streets. This e-bike comes with top-quality components and cutting-edge technology, making it a stylish and practical ride for cruising around town.
In this Cowboy C3 review, we’ll take a detailed look at this bike’s impressive features, specs, riding experience, and the reasons why it’s such a great option for city riding.
PRODUCT DETAILS
| COMPANY | Cowboy |
| MODEL | C3 |
| CATEGORY | Urban commuter |
| RANGE | 44 miles |
| RECHARGING TIME | 3.5 hours |
| WEIGHT | 40 lbs |
| PAYLOAD CAPACITY | 243 lbs |
| WARRANTY | 2-year |
| GUARANTEE | 14-day free returns |
| COUPON CODE | See below |
| PRICE | Click here to see best price |
COMMUNITY RATING
PHOTOS
About Cowboy
Cowboy is an electric bike startup based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2017 by Karim Slaoui and Adrien Roose. The company has emerged as one of the most innovative and exciting e-bike brands, with three electric bikes in its 2023 range and a growing lineup of accessories. All Cowboy e-bikes come with a 2-year warranty and a 14-day free return policy.
Specs
Components
- 6061 aluminum alloy frame and fork
- Gates CDN carbon belt
- Custom 42mm puncture-resistant tires
- 540mm wide handlebars
- 160mm Tektro HD-R310 hydraulic disc brakes
- Front and rear aluminum mudguards
- Cowboy saddle
Electronics
- 250W rear hub motor (30Nm of torque)
- 36V 10Ah lithium-ion battery (360Wh)
- 3.0 A charger
- Integrated 200-lumen headlight and 50-lumen taillight
- Cowboy app (iOS and Android, Bluetooth functionality)
- Crash detection
- Find My Bike integration
- Theft alerts (available with insurance plan add-on)
- Battery life indicator with 5 LEDs integrated into top tube
- Torque sensor
Cowboy 3 Review: Commuter E-Bike Overview
The Cowboy C3 is an affordable urban commuter e-bike that offers a lower-priced version of the company’s flagship Cowboy 4. With its modern lines, tasteful matte finishes, and advanced tech, the Cowboy C3 is an eye-catching option among the latest electric commuters.
The C3 is powered by a 250W rear hub motor that puts out 30Nm of torque, and it has a 36V 10Ah lithium-ion battery (360Wh) integrated neatly into the seat tube of the bike’s aluminum alloy frame. The C3 offers riders 44 miles of range and has a top speed of 15mph when using pedal-assist mode.
Like the C4, the Cowboy 3 features the ultra-reliable, low-maintenance Gates CDN carbon belt drive, and its drivetrain packs a lower 2.86 gear ratio compared to Cowboy’s previous model. Also, the Tektro hydraulic braking provides excellent stopping power and makes the bike easy to control when riding on crowded city streets or steep descents.
While the C3 lacks a rear cargo rack, it comes with front and rear fenders to keep the rider clean and dry during wet commutes. Cowboy also added front and rear lights for improved low-light visibility and nighttime safety.
This smart-looking ride is available in two stunning colors, Black and Mineral, and is sure to turn heads wherever it’s ridden. The Cowboy 3 is optimized for riders who are between 5’5″ and 6’4″ and is only available in one frame size.
Size and Weight
The brand’s lightest e-bike, the Cowboy 3 weighs in at just 40 pounds and is capable of supporting a maximum payload capacity of 243 pounds. The C3 is only available in one frame size, and the bike is nicely optimized for riders who are between 5’5″ and 6’4″.Â
Features
2-year warranty and 14-day free returns
1 of 1036V 10Ah battery (360Wh)
2 of 10Front and rear fenders
3 of 1042mm custom Cowboy tires
4 of 10250W rear hub motor (30Nm of torque)
5 of 10160mm Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
6 of 10200-lumen headlight
7 of 1050-lumen taillight
8 of 10Gates CDN carbon belt drive
9 of 10High-grade 6061 aluminum alloy frame
10 of 10*click on hotspots for additional details
Performance and Ride
Designed to be a ridiculously fun and affordable low-maintenance city e-bike, the C3 delivers exactly what most urban commuters are shopping for. It gets top marks for comfort, performance, and overall ride quality, delivering a smooth and nimble riding experience.
A joy to ride, the Cowboy 3 is tough to beat for riders who are searching for a reliable, high-performance commuter that comes well-equipped with high-quality components and innovative tech. While it doesn’t offer the torque of Cowboy’s top-of-the-line C4 model, the single-speed C3 provides plenty of power for navigating city routes and uphill climbs.
In terms of frame geometry, the Cowboy 3 has a more aggressive seating position than the Vanmoof S3, for example, giving it a sportier feel. If you’re a rider who prefers a more upright riding position, we’d recommend checking out the Cowboy C4 ST which is the brand’s step-through model.
Lastly, the C3 is extremely easy to ride and braking power is top-notch, thanks to the inclusion of Tektro hydraulic brakes.
Build Quality
Built from the ground up in Europe, Cowboy enjoys a solid reputation for outstanding build quality. The company also stands behind everything it makes with a rock-solid 2-year warranty which covers customers in the event of a manufacturing defect.
Appearance
When it comes to aesthetics, the Cowboy 3 is as beautiful as they come. The clean lines and modern look are nicely accented by Cowboy’s incredible attention to detail — even cable management is extremely well-done in our opinion and this bike gives off a big-time premium vibe.
As mentioned, the C3 is available in two matte color finishes, and they’re both stunning. We also love how the removable battery fits neatly into the frame and the integrated headlight and taillight are a nice touch.
Included Accessories & Optional Add-ons
Included with the C3 are three keys for locking the battery into place, reflectors, and an assembly toolkit. The bike also ships with front and rear mudguards.
In addition to accessories that come in the box, Cowboy also sells a full range of replacement parts and accessories, including pannier bags, child seats, racks, accessory mounts, kickstands, and more.
Warranty & Customer Support
While most electric bike manufacturers include a 1-year warranty with their e-bikes, Cowboy ups the ante with its 2-year warranty coverage. Cowboy customers are covered for 2 full years in the event of a manufacturing defect, and the brand throws in a 14-day free return window for added peace of mind.
Cowboy is an easy brand to get in touch with, and the company can be contacted via telephone, live chat, and the contact form on its website. At Recharged Rides, we always test the responsiveness of each brand when doing a review, and a representative from the company’s customer service department named Marta responded to our submitted inquiry in about a day and a half…
Reader Reviews
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Cowboy Electric Bike Introduction (VIDEO)
Price, Where to Buy it, & Coupon Code
At the moment, the Cowboy 3’s MSRP is listed at €2,290. However, the company is currently running a special World Car-Free Day promotion that you can take advantage of — just click here, add the C3 to your shopping cart, and a €700 discount will be automatically applied to your order. This promotion ends on September 30, 2022 (or while supplies last).
FAQs
Cowboy's electric bikes are built in Hungary and the company sources the components from Belgium, Germany, Canada, and China. After assembly, the e-bikes are then shipped directly to Cowboy's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Yes, all of Cowboy's electric bike models are waterproof.
Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
- Premium design
- Two beautiful color options
- Zippy 250W rear wheel hub motor
- Amazing fit and finish
- Internally routed cables for an extra clean look
- Cowboy's Bluetooth-enabled smartphone app is outstanding
- Includes advanced features like Auto Unlock, crash detection and reporting, air quality mapping, and turn-by-turn voice navigation
- Anti-theft alerts with real-time tracking (available with theft insurance add-on)
- Automatic firmware updates
- Gates carbon belt drive is super low maintenance
- High-quality painted aluminum fenders
- Ultra-bright built-in headlight and rear light for nighttime safety
- Generous 2-year warranty
- 14-day free return policy
Final Thoughts
For the cyclist who values smart design, a high-end finish, and fine attention to detail, the Cowboy 3 is a ride that won’t disappoint. A head-turner that packs a serious amount of fun for the daily commute, this bike includes a lot of what makes the C4 so special at a price that’s more affordable.
The C3 is a comfortable, easy-to-ride e-bike that delivers smooth handling and predictable power delivery. The overall riding experience is very similar to Cowboy’s flagship C4 model, and we love the fact that Cowboy stands behind all of its bikes with a great warranty and friendly, responsive customer service.
Bottom line: If you’re looking around for a city-friendly electric bike that’s designed to make daily commutes a pleasure, the Cowboy 3 is one of our top picks in this price range.
