Muli-Cycles
Muli-Cycles is a Cologne-based manufacturer founded in 2016 that designs and builds compact cargo bikes with small wheels, in-house welded frames from 100% recycled steel, and a five-model lineup. It sells direct-to-consumer, through a 14-country European dealer network, and via employer bike leasing programs serving urban families, commuters, and small commercial users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCologne, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Muli-Cycles does
Muli-Cycles GmbH is a Cologne-based manufacturer of compact cargo bikes founded in December 2016 by Sören Gerhardt and Jonas Gerhardt. The company's core product is a compact cargo bike with small wheels and a foldable basket that, when folded, approximates the footprint of a normal bicycle and fits in standard bike parking, elevators, and trains. The product line includes the manual muli Muskel, three electric variants (Motor st, Motor st pro, Motor eu), the commercial BOX model (up to 400L capacity), and limited Special Editions. The company's defining technical differentiator is fully automated, in-house frame production at its Cologne-Ehrenfeld factory, using 25CrMo4 chromoly-molybdenum steel sourced as 100% recycled material from Northern Germany and welded by two robotic welding cells. Frames are tested on the company's own test bench beyond standard norms and carry a 10-year warranty. The muli Motor eu, launched in 2024, sources 90% of components within the EU, uses a Bosch mid-motor, and is positioned as the company's most sustainable e-cargo bike.
Muli-Cycles operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer online sales (with a bike configurator and Factory Store in Cologne), a European dealer network active in at least 14 countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden), employer bike leasing via more than ten salary-sacrifice partners, and trade show presence (Eurobike, Velo Berlin, SPEZI, Cargo Bike Festival). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of bikes, accessories, spare parts, and merchandise, with pricing held via quote-based channels rather than public disclosure. The company funds itself organically from a 2017 crowdfunding campaign and reinvested earnings, without disclosed institutional investment.
The company serves urban families (child and pet transport), urban commuters seeking car alternatives, small commercial operators (couriers, tradespeople, bakeries, municipalities) who benefit from BAFA subsidies covering 25% of purchase price, and eco-conscious buyers prioritizing local fair production. Headcount has grown from 7 employees in 2021 to more than 80 in 2025 at the Cologne-Ehrenfeld facility, which houses frame production, robotic welding, assembly, quality testing, the Factory Store, and corporate functions. Leadership is split between co-founder Jonas Gerhardt (Managing Director) and Oliver Philipps (Managing Director), with Sören Gerhardt serving as Creative & Brand Director.
Muli-Cycles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Muli-Cycles
- Legal name
- muli-cycles GmbH
- Website
- https://muli-cycles.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Muli-Cycles is a Cologne-based manufacturer founded in 2016 that designs and builds compact cargo bikes with small wheels, in-house welded frames from 100% recycled steel, and a five-model lineup. It sells direct-to-consumer, through a 14-country European dealer network, and via employer bike leasing programs serving urban families, commuters, and small commercial users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Muli-Cycles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cargo Bicycles
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991), Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (33639)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cargo & Utility Bike Retail (CRAMAHAF), Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH), Cycling & Micromobility Products Distribution (CRAOAJAF), Cargo Bikes & E-Cargo Bikes Rental/Leasing (TLABAGAB)
Keywords
Where Muli-Cycles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cologne
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Muli-Cycles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cargo Bike Sales: One-time sale of muli cargo bikes (muscle, motor st, motor st pro, motor eu, BOX) directly through online shop and Factory Store, and via dealer network across Europe. Bikes ship assembled via forwarding agent.
- Accessories and Spare Parts: Sale of accessories (child seat, rain cover, basket lock, frame lock, dog flap adapter, infant car seat adapter), spare parts, and merchandise through the online shop and Factory Store.
- Bike Leasing Programs: Facilitation of employer-based bike leasing through multiple partners (Jobrad, Business Bike, mein-dienstrad.de, Eurorad, Deutsche Dienstrad, bikeleasing, RadimDienst, company bike, Eleasa, JOOL), with insurance included. muli acts as the product provider within these leasing arrangements.
- Factory Store Retail and Rental: Direct retail sales at Factory Store Cologne (with custom colour options), test ride appointments, and short-term rentals through List N Ride partner.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessory shipping (standalone) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bike shipping |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bike purchase (pricing not publicly disclosed) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Muli-Cycles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Muli-Cycles designs and manufactures compact cargo bikes with small wheels entirely in its Cologne-Ehrenfeld factory. The product line spans manual (muli Muskel), electric mid-motor variants (muli Motor st, st pro, eu), a commercial model (muli BOX), and Special Edition collaborations, complemented by accessories, spare parts, and merchandise. Frames are produced in-house from 100% recycled 25CrMo4 steel using two automated welding robots, and bikes are sold through the company online shop, Factory Store, and a European dealer network.
Product overview
Muli-Cycles manufactures compact cargo bikes with small wheels produced entirely in Germany at their Cologne-Ehrenfeld factory. The product lineup consists of the Classic series (muli Muskel, muli Motor st, muli Motor st pro, muli Motor eu), the commercial BOX model, and Special-Editions collaborations. The Classic models range from manual-only (Muskel) to progressively feature-rich electric variants, with the Motor eu representing the most sustainable option at 90% EU value creation. The BOX targets commercial users needing up to 400L transport capacity. All models share the compact design philosophy with small wheels for urban maneuverability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- muli Muskel Manual compact cargo bike with no electric motor, weighing approximately 25kg. Designed for urban riders who prefer pure pedaling and want the lightest muli option for child, pet, or cargo transport in cities.
- muli Motor st Compact electric cargo bike with standard mid-motor and battery range of 40-100km, weighing about 33kg. Entry-level e-cargo bike for urban riders needing motor support on longer or flat routes.
- muli Motor st pro Premium electric cargo bike with a stronger mid-motor, 4-piston brakes, optional belt drive, and an integrated IoT system with GPS tracking. Designed for hilly terrain and demanding urban riders.
- muli Motor eu Most sustainable electric cargo bike in the lineup with 90% of components manufactured within the EU, using a Bosch motor, a maintenance-free 3x3 hub made in Germany, and Magura brakes. Battery range 30-70km; aimed at riders prioritizing European supply chains.
- muli BOX Commercial cargo bike with flexible transport capacity up to 400 litres and total length under 2 metres. Designed for businesses, craftsmen, bakeries, municipalities, and mobile display/info-stand use. Eligible for BAFA 25% subsidy in Germany.
- muli Special Editions
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 90% EU-sourced components on muli Motor eu model
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Muli-Cycles
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Muli-Cycles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature5 records
Muli-Cycles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Zukunft FahrradcoreMuli-Cycles is actively involved with Zukunft Fahrrad (zukunft-fahrrad.org), working to initiate nationwide purchase incentives for private and commercial cargo bike use in Germany and Europe. This is a strategic advocacy partnership to shape policy and funding frameworks for the cargo bike industry.
- JobradcoreLeading employer bike leasing provider in Germany. Muli bikes can be leased through Jobrad as part of employer-based bike leasing programs, with insurance included.
- Business BikecoreEmployer bike leasing provider. Muli bikes are available through Business Bike leasing programs for employees of partner companies.
- mein-dienstrad.decoreEmployer bike leasing provider integrated into muli's online checkout. Employees can lease a muli through salary sacrifice schemes via this partner.
- bikeleasing.deminorBike leasing provider available as payment option in muli's online shop for employer-based leasing.
- EuroradminorEmployer bike leasing provider integrated into muli's sales process.
- Deutsche DienstradminorGerman employer bike leasing service enabling employee salary sacrifice for muli bikes.
- RadimDienstminorEmployer bike leasing provider available as a payment method for muli purchases.
- company bikeminorEmployer bike leasing provider integrated into muli's sales checkout.
- EleasaminorBike leasing provider for employer-based schemes, available in muli's online payment options.
- JOOL (Denmark/Sweden)minorNordic employer bike leasing provider covering Denmark and Sweden markets, integrated into muli's leasing checkout.
- List N RideminorRental partner enabling short-term test rentals of muli bikes from the Factory Store. Rental fees (up to €100) are credited toward purchase if the customer buys a muli.
- Studio Bosco (Leipzig)coreWeb design and development agency based in Leipzig (Härtelstraße 4, 04107 Leipzig). Responsible for the muli-cycles.de website design and development. Co-developed new brand identity and website in 2022 including new logo and web shop redesign.
- Northern German Steel Mill (Recycled Steel Supplier)coreSupplier of 100% recycled steel tubes for muli frames, sourced from Northern Germany and melted in electric arc furnaces with renewable energy. Critical partner in muli's sustainability supply chain.
- Bosch (Motor Supplier)coreBosch motor is a key component in the muli Motor eu model, providing the electric drive system. Bosch is known for high-quality e-bike motors in the European market.
- German Industrial Partner Network (Brandenburg, Hessen, Bavaria)coreNetwork of specialised German industrial partners: (C) Brandenburg for cathodic coating and powder coating, (D) Hesse for welding, (E) Bavaria for laser cutting and welding. Part of muli's commitment to German/European manufacturing.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Muli-Cycles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Babboe: Dutch cargo bike brand (owned by Accell Group until 2023) specializing in family-oriented cargo bikes across Europe. Comparable target customer (urban families), dealer network, and price positioning to Muli.
- Larry vs Harry: Danish manufacturer of the Bullitt compact cargo bike, an early pioneer of small-wheel, agile cargo bikes for urban riders and families. Closely comparable philosophy to Muli's compact architecture and European dealer network.
- Urban Arrow: Dutch e-cargo bike maker (Family, Tender, Cargo) under Pon Holdings. Competes directly with Muli in the family and commercial e-cargo segments across Europe with comparable Bosch drivetrains and premium positioning.
- Tern Bicycles: Tern makes compact urban cargo and utility bicycles (e.g., GSD, HSD, Quick Haul) with small wheels and foldable designs targeted at urban families and commuters — directly comparable to Muli's compact cargo bike positioning and dealer-led European (and global) distribution.
- Yuba Bicycles: US-based cargo bike brand (Mundo, Spicy Curry, Fastrack) targeting families and cargo commuters. Comparable product positioning and family/commuter customer base, though distributed primarily in North America.
- Chike Bikes: German manufacturer of compact, small-wheel cargo bikes specifically designed for transporting children. Direct competitor in the urban family cargo bike niche with similar 'fits in elevators and trains' value proposition.
Broad incumbents
- Riese & Müller: German premium e-bike manufacturer with a deep cargo bike portfolio (Load, Packster, Multicharger). Overlaps with Muli on premium German-made e-cargo bikes but serves a broader e-bike portfolio and more diverse customer base.
- Trek Bicycle (Fetch + cargo line): Major global bicycle manufacturer offering cargo and family e-bike models (e.g., Fetch). Comparable premium positioning and dealer distribution, though Trek is a broad incumbent spanning road, mountain, and e-bike categories.
- Decathlon (Btwin / B'Twin Cargo): Global sporting goods retailer with its own cargo bike lines (e.g., B'Twin R500E). Competes with Muli in the European consumer value-tier and through extensive retail distribution, but without Muli's compact-small-wheel specialization.
Emerging players
- Gocycle: UK-based maker of premium folding/foldable electric bikes with compact urban form factor. Overlaps with Muli on compact electric urban mobility for city dwellers, though targeted at commuters rather than cargo transport.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Muli-Cycles social profiles
Digital presenceMuli-Cycles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Muli-Cycles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Muli-Cycles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Muli-Cycles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Muli-Cycles
What does Muli-Cycles do?
Muli-Cycles designs and manufactures compact cargo bikes with small wheels entirely in its Cologne-Ehrenfeld factory. The product line spans manual (muli Muskel), electric mid-motor variants (muli Motor st, st pro, eu), a commercial model (muli BOX), and Special Edition collaborations, complemented by accessories, spare parts, and merchandise. Frames are produced in-house from 100% recycled 25CrMo4 steel using two automated welding robots, and bikes are sold through the company online shop, Factory Store, and a European dealer network.
Is Muli-Cycles a public or private company?
Muli-Cycles is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Muli-Cycles founded?
Muli-Cycles was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Muli-Cycles based?
Muli-Cycles is headquartered in Cologne, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Muli-Cycles make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cargo Bike Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Spare Parts, bike Leasing Programs and factory Store Retail and Rental.
Who are Muli-Cycles's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Babboe, Larry vs Harry, Urban Arrow, Tern Bicycles, Yuba Bicycles and Chike Bikes. Broad incumbents are Riese & Müller, Trek Bicycle (Fetch + cargo line) and Decathlon (Btwin / B'Twin Cargo). Gocycle is listed as an emerging player.
Does Muli-Cycles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Muli-Cycles.
What industry is Muli-Cycles in?
Muli-Cycles's product category is Cargo Bicycles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAOAA, E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing, with a secondary code of CRAMAHAF, Cargo & Utility Bike Retail. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.