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John S. Bozick

E-Bike Writer & Reviewer

Originally from a small town in northeastern Ohio, John was eventually drawn elsewhere in the pursuit of self-actualization. What began as a creative background slowly shifted into the technical; John’s early interest in art led him to learn design, fabrication, and manufacturing techniques while attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He applied his creative, mechanical, and critical thinking skills in various industries including fine art, orthotics, furniture and interior design, construction, etc. before arriving in his current position at Electric Bike Report. Bikes have been present to varying degrees throughout John’s life; as a teenager, he spent much of his free time on a Diamondback BMX, and during/following the pandemic, a secondhand Specialized trail bike offered a way to blow off steam. Writing has been similarly ubiquitous; a natural skill with the written word developed through formal education into a source of pride and passion. At Electric Bike Report, John uses his analytical mind, technical writing skills, and dry sense of humor to share the best e-bikes with the world!

Get to Know John S. Bozick

Certifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Entertainment Design

Favorite Style of E-Bike

City, All-Terrain, Hybrid Path

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Ride1UP Revv 1

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S

Favorite New E-bike Tested

Magnum Vertex

Hobbies

Cooking, Hiking, Camping, Gaming, and Traveling

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John S. Bozick

Solid-State E-Bike Battery and the Future of Battery Power

This costly but cutting-edge e-bike technology is the “holy grail” of rechargeable power sources.

Stromer Solid State Ceramic EBike Battery

Tremendous range, lightning-fast charging, and improved safety – this may be the future of e-bike batteries!

The Swiss speed pedelec (or s-pedelec) brand Stromer is on the leading edge of electric bike battery development, having teamed up with TD Hitech Energy to produce a ceramic solid-state battery with the aforementioned goals. Not even the best electric bikes currently on the market can live up to that potential!

Stromer unveiled its first rideable prototype at the Eurobike e-mobility convention in Frankfurt, Germany earlier this year, laying the groundwork for other e-bike brands to follow.

While the technology is still firmly in development – and will likely be unavailable to consumers for at least another 2 to 3 years – Stromer and its partner have lofty goals. The developers are aiming to create safer, longer-lasting batteries with shorter charging times and low-temperature charging capabilities.

The Flaws of Lithium-ion E-Bike Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries, which are presently the ubiquitous gold standard for e-bikes, use a liquid or gel electrolyte to carry charged ions between two internal terminals within each cell. The reactions caused by this process store and discharge energy from the batteries effectively, but this aging technology has its drawbacks.

“Dendrites,” or branching deposits of lithium, can accumulate within these battery cells and cause shorts, while the conductive liquid electrolyte solution used to carry the ions is notoriously flammable. Lithium-ion technology has proven to be the most reliable and cost-friendly solution for mass production, but its flaws have garnered increasing levels of criticism.

Flaws of Lithium-ion E-Bike Batteries

Lithium-ion battery packs are large and heavy; a solid-state battery with the same size and weight could carry double the juice for twice the range.

[Read more…] about Solid-State E-Bike Battery and the Future of Battery Power

Ride1UP Rift ST Review

The Rift ST bridges the gap between an adventurous fat-tire e-bike and a cargo- or passenger-hauling powerhouse!

Ride1UP Rift ST Review
Ride1UP’s latest offering is the Rift; its first fat tire e-bike. In our testing, it fulfilled our expectations and also leaped beyond them thanks to some unexpected elements. We explain our findings in this Ride1UP Rift ST Review!

The Rift ST includes a robust 750W rear-hub motor with 95 Nm of torque that powered us quickly and effectively over all sorts of terrain. This motor functions responsively due to an unexpectedly sensitive cadence sensor that’s one of the best we’ve seen – especially at the Rift’s price point below $1,900.

A 150-lb rating on the Rift’s welded-on cargo rack means that it’s stout enough to haul anything from camping gear to groceries, but with the optional Passenger Kit, it can accommodate an additional rider. This transforms the Rift ST into a unique hybrid machine more akin to a utility bike than a traditional fat bike.

The Rift ST has great acceleration as it ships in Class 2 mode, but it can also be unlocked to a Class 3 with pedal assist up to 28 mph. We found its power to be distributed better when adjusted to reach higher speeds, and we had a blast speeding along both on- and off-road.

Fat-tire e-bikes aim to be versatile, and this one may have just raised the bar; we think it’s an excellent e-bike for just about anyone. Whether you’re looking for a sturdy, stable bike for casual rides or you want to explore freely with a friend, the Rift ST can do it all!

To learn more about the bike’s features and performance in our testing, see our full Ride1UP Rift ST review below!

*Ride1Up has discountinued the Rift, but here are some other e-bikes from the brand worth checking out:
Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Review
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 LX Review
Ride1Up LMTD V2 Review

[Read more…] about Ride1UP Rift ST Review

Vvolt Alpha E-Bike Review, 2024

An affordable, entry-level city e-bike with an easy-to-use approach.

Vvolt Alpha Review 2024
Having previously reviewed the now-discontinued Proxima, which held a solid tenure on our list of the top city e-bikes, we had extremely high expectations for Vvolt’s most economically-priced model, the Alpha. In this Vvolt Alpha review, we examine the bike’s specs, ride feel, and performance, so read on for more!

As a Class 1 e-bike, the Alpha offers pedal assistance up to 20 mph. It uses a highly responsive cadence sensor to activate its 350W rear-hub motor. We enjoyed how quickly this was able to provide power, allowing us to get up to speed swiftly and easily.

We also appreciated such responsiveness in combination with the single-speed drivetrain. The Alpha’s Gates Carbon belt drive has some limitations, but is also a simple and long-lasting system that requires little-to-no maintenance. Gates advertises that their belts last more than twice as long as a traditional chain, and they’re clean and quiet to boot.

Bikepackers rejoice! The Alpha is intended primarily for urban environments, though it offers flexibility with knobby hybrid tires. These performed well in our testing on dirt and pavement alike – something that’s even better when considering extras like the three-pack mounts on the Alpha’s forks.

The Alpha isn’t perfect, but it IS a decent entry-level e-bike for those looking to save on cost while getting a functional machine. It’ll get you to work and back, but it can also give you some freedom and flexibility to adventure and explore!

*Vvolt has since updated the Alpha. Check out our Vvolt Alpha II review here.

[Read more…] about Vvolt Alpha E-Bike Review, 2024

Tenways CGO600 Pro E-Bike Review

A refined yet simplified city e-bike for riders who prioritize practicality and style.

Tenways GCO600 Pro Review
The Dutch company Tenways has made waves in Europe following a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2021. Having established itself through a line of well-designed urban e-bikes, the brand has since extended its reach into the US. We take a look at one of the company’s latest models – the upgraded version of their original CGO600 city e-bike – in this Tenways CGO600 Pro review!

This bike impressed us initially with its clean styling and unique “Avocado Green” paint job, but it’s what’s under the hood that really makes a difference:

The US version of the CGO600 Pro uses a 350W rear hub motor with a torque sensor that delivers a smooth, natural-feeling ride experience with plenty of pep for a bike of this style and size. This, combined with its single-speed drivetrain and pared-down 3-stage pedal-assist system (PAS). makes the bike easy to operate and fun to ride!

We noticed a full complement of high-quality components on the bike, with its single-speed Gates Carbon belt drive at the forefront. This system isn’t just easy to use; it’s super-clean and virtually maintenance-free!

City-dwellers, urban commuters, and fans of fixed-gear (or “fixie”-style) bikes will dig this bike’s approach! Read on to learn more about it in our full Tenways CGO600 Pro review below!

[Read more…] about Tenways CGO600 Pro E-Bike Review

Magnum Premium 3 Low-Step Review, 2024

A fun, fast, and functional folding e-bike for road trips, camping adventures, or daily rides!

Magnum Premium 3 Review 2024
Folding e-bikes like the Magnum Premium 3 Low Step offer flexibility to riders who might lack plentiful storage space or a large vehicle with a bike rack. In this case, a centrally-hinged frame and collapsible stem allow the bike to become compact enough to fit in smaller areas with limited space. Does a smaller bike mean that you’re getting less? The reviewers at Electric Bike Report answer this question – and more – in our Magnum Premium 3 Low Step review!

This e-bike ships as a Class 2 and 3 that allows you to travel up to 25 miles per hour when pedaling (and a throttle to bring you to 20 mph). Not all of the other folding e-bikes we have tested are capable of speeds above 20, but in our experience, the Premium 3 Low Step handled it confidently.

Magnum’s advertisements state that the Premium 3 Low Step has a range of 30-50 miles, thanks to its 720-watt-hour (Wh) battery. This is one of many things we tested on the bike, but you’ll have to read on to our Range Test section to see how the bike performed for us.

The Premium 3 Low Step provides its riders with a smooth and comfortable ride thanks to its front suspension fork, saddle, and fat-ish tires. In our testing, these absorbed some serious bumps that would have been painful on some other folding e-bikes!

This is just scratching the surface, though; continue reading for a much deeper dive into the Magnum Premium 3 Low Step in our review!

[Read more…] about Magnum Premium 3 Low-Step Review, 2024

EUYbike S4 Review | Moto Looks; Moto Power

A seriously speedy and stylish e-moped that can be bought at a steal!

EUYbike S4 Review
Listen up, adrenaline junkies! The EUYbike S4 just rolled up. This super-fast and fierce-looking e-moped brings the heat when it comes to balancing price and performance. We take a look at it specs, features, real-world performance as measured in our standardized tests, and more in this EUYbike S4 review!

First things first, the S4 puts the moped in “moped-style e-bike.” With an insane 1000W rear-hub motor, it doesn’t just blur the lines between the two types of vehicles – it runs right over them. On the plus side, it also puts the demon in “speed demon.” This bike can move!

Thanks to its full suspension and thick, padded seat, the S4’s ride is casual, comfortable, and smooth. We covered well over 100 miles across several days in our testing, and it checked all the boxes for a fun, comfy ride.

We at Electric Bike Report expected this bike to be priced much higher than its current cost of around $1500. With moped-style e-bikes being all the rage these days, friendly competition in the industry has done its job. The S4 is awesome value for its price tag!

Keep reading as we dive deep in this EUYbike S4 review!

[Read more…] about EUYbike S4 Review | Moto Looks; Moto Power

Denago Folding Model 1 E-Bike Review, 2024

It’s fast! It folds! It flies uphill! Denago delivers another fun and functional e-bike with the Folding Model 1.

Denago Folding E-Bike Review 2024
Riders who might be short on space shouldn’t have to sacrifice in order to get an e-bike with power, performance, and functionality! To determine if the Denago Folding Model 1 lived up to the high bar set by its big brother, the Denago Fat Tire Step-Thru, we put this folding bike to the test. We go over the bike’s specs and performance in this Denago Folding Model 1 review!

Things got off to a great start in our testing thanks to the Folding Model 1’s power and speed. The bike’s 500W rear hub motor and quick acceleration did not disappoint; as a Class 2 and 3 e-bike with a throttle, it effortlessly carried us to its maximum speed of 25 miles per hour. We expected nothing less from Denago!

All of that power helped the Folding Model 1 to conquer hills in record time (with a caveat or two). We’ll go over those details in our Hill Test section below!

Of course, power doesn’t mean much on a folding bike if it doesn’t actually fold well; the Folding Model 1 has an effective quick-release clamp that holds its two halves together firmly but also allows the bike to collapse in no time.

Swipe or scroll further for more information in our Denago Folding Model 1 review!

[Read more…] about Denago Folding Model 1 E-Bike Review, 2024

NIU BQi-C3 Pro E-Bike Review, 2024

Well-hidden dual batteries on this clean, classy-looking commuter e-bike with speed and simplicity.

NIU BQUi-C3 Pro Review 2024
The BQi-C3 Pro is one of the first e-bike offerings from the Chinese company NIU (new). Prior to the release of this model, the brand established itself globally as a manufacturer of electric mopeds and scooters with customers in over 50 countries. In this NIU BQi-C3 Pro review, we take a look at this unique e-bike’s specs, performance, ride feel, and more!

Visually, this bike presents itself in clean, sleek style. The BQi-C3 Pro hosts TWO batteries that are fully integrated into its step-thru frame, giving it one of the most polished appearances we’ve seen on a dual battery setup. This, combined with the flashy two-tone paint job and a ring-shaped running light around the bike’s headlight, gives the bike a futuristic look that we can’t get enough of.

In addition to looking good, those dual batteries give the bike an incredible range. NIU’s website advertises that the bike can travel between 60 and 90 miles on a single charge, and our testing fully supported this claim.

The bike’s step-thru frame also makes it one of the most accessible e-bikes we’ve seen, with a standover height of just 12.6 inches! This feature makes the bike easier to use for riders with limited mobility or for commuters wearing business attire.

Curious to know how this bike handles and performs? So were we! Continue on to our full NIU BQi-C3 Pro review below.

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Troxus Explorer Electric Bike Review

Adventure awaits on this highly-capable Class 3 e-bike with awesome power and speed!

Troxus Explorer Review
With fat tire e-bikes being a dime a dozen these days (or rather, many dozens of dimes per single – but still all over the place), it can be difficult for newer e-bike brands to differentiate themselves from the competition. With only a couple of years under its belt and a catalog chock-full of fat tire e-bikes, it’s fair to say that Troxus has such a challenge with the Explorer. We dive into the bike’s features and take a look at what separates it from the rest in this Troxus Explorer review!

As a Class 3 e-bike with throttle power up to 20 miles per hour and pedal-assisted speed up to 28 mph, the Explorer is seriously expeditious! Its 750W rear hub motor has super-speedy acceleration and a responsive cadence sensor for quick access to its substantial power.

We’ve come to expect such speed from most fat tire e-bikes, but the Troxus Explorer kicks things up a notch by featuring a full complement of quality components. Shimano, Bafang, and Tektro: these are just a few of the big names we see on the bike’s spec sheet, and all make parts with demonstrated performance and reliability.

We were seriously impressed by the Explorer’s uphill capability when pedaling, too. It’s not uncommon for e-bikes to struggle in their lowest pedal-assist setting, but for us, the Explorer confidently handled hills even in PAS 1.

Read on for more details about the bike’s specs, performance, and general ride feel in our Troxus Explorer review!

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HeyBike Brawn Review

A fat tire e-bike with a burly build, a beastly amount of power, and broad range.

HeyBike Brawn Review
Many e-bikes are specifically designed for a singular purpose: some have extended frames for hauling cargo, and others collapse and fold for compact storage. Some, like HeyBike’s Brawn, just want to go fast, come Hell or high water. We’ll take a look at this burly e-bike’s ability to handle itself in those sorts of strenuous situations in our review of the HeyBike Brawn.

With bold, aggressive styling and the power to back it up, the Brawn is made for grit and speed. It is immediately capable of pedal-assisted speeds of 28 miles per hour – something that many other e-bikes require some tweaking to reach.

The bike’s signature headlight and dual crown fork are clear nods to motorcycle design, which add to the bike’s already sturdy and powerful appearance. A single glance makes it clear that this bike doesn’t mess around.

The Brawn is highly capable in its weight capacity too; this is an e-bike made for moving larger people. Its sturdy frame is designed for riders between 5’ 8” and 6’ 6”, and is capable of handling up to a 400 lb payload.

  • Did the Brawn live up to our expectations for such a robust fat-tire e-bike in our testing?
  • Does the bike provide good performance in relation to its price point?
  • Did it take us a few minutes to unclench some muscles after our first exhilarating ride?

Sit down and strap in while we examine our experiences with the bike in this HeyBike Brawn review!

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