There is something funny about the name Pony. In Slovenia, the original Pony is not just a bike, it is a small piece of cycling history. Made by Rog in Ljubljana, the classic Pony launched in 1964 as a compact folding city bike with 20-inch wheels, and became one of those everyday machines that almost everyone seems to know, remember, or has ridden at some point. Rog also produced a 24-inch version, so seeing a new cargo bike called the Unicorn Pony arrive with a 20” front and 24” rear wheel setup feels like a neat little historical echo.
The original Pony even has its own annual mountain ritual: Red Bull Goni Pony, a beautifully absurd retro race where people ride old-school Pony bikes from Kranjska Gora up to the top of the Vršič - the highest paved mountain pass in Slovenia! The rules are strict: proper OG Pony bike with 20-inch wheels, no gears, no motors, no carbon. So no, the new Ten:07 Unicorn Pony would definitely not be allowed on the start line; its mixed wheel size, cargo platform, and modern features it would get disqualified before the first hairpin. But visually? With the right outfit, especially in that Confetti colorway, it would absolutely fit the party.
And maybe that is the charm of the name. A Pony should be small, practical, a little playful, and more capable than it looks. That seems to be exactly the territory Ten:07 is aiming for with the Unicorn Pony: a compact mini cargo bike designed for everyday city adventures, from commuting and errands to groceries, school runs, and spontaneous side quests.
At first glance, the bike looks absolutely rad. The proportions are compact, the front cargo platform looks properly usable, and the Confetti colorway is hard not to love. But what makes the Pony interesting is not just the look. The bike seems full of thoughtful details: belt-drive compatibility, internal routing for dynamo lights and a dropper post, support for a double kickstand, modular cargo options, and that distinctive 20” front and 24” rear wheel setup.
The pricing also puts it in a very interesting spot. The frame kit starts at €999, while the complete build starts at €2,249. That is not pocket change, of course, but for a modern, steel, EU-made mini cargo bike with this kind of utility and feature set, it sounds competitive; especially if the ride quality lives up to the promise.
As someone who already rides a mini cargo bike for commuting, groceries, errands, bikepacking, and general city riding, this is exactly what makes me curious. A good mini cargo bike should not feel like a clumsy utility machine. It should still feel like a bike you want to ride every day: quick, useful, maneuverable, and fun, whether loaded or unloaded.
The Unicorn Pony looks like a serious new entry into that space, but there are a few things I would really want to find out in practice. How does that mixed wheel setup affect the handling? Does it feel lively when unloaded, or does it get nervous at speed? How much cargo can you realistically fit on the front platform before it starts to affect the ride? How stable is it when fully packed? And how well does it work outside the usual city cargo-bike use case: for example, on a mini bikepacking trip?
What do you think? Is the Unicorn Pony a proper new contender in the mini cargo bike world? Would you pick something like this over an Omnium Mini, a Muli, or another compact cargo bike? And most importantly: would you ride it up Vršič in Confetti colors, even if the race officials stopped you at the start?
I know I would!
Photo credit for the original Rog Pony bike shots:
Rudi Paškulin and Marjan Ciglič, courtesy of the National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia.
