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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

Vvolt Alpha II Review | A Relaxed City Cruiser with Serious Style

A chic, zippy city cruiser with easy operation and a relaxed, ergonomic feel.

Vvolt Alpha II E-Bike Review
The Vvolt Alpha shared much of its visual styling with the brand’s Sirius and Centauri models. Now, with a refreshed design and a more relaxed feel, the second-generation Alpha II is here and proudly standing out from the crowd. We got our hands on this smart, cool-looking city cruiser and put it through its paces; let’s dig in and talk about its features and performance in this Vvolt Alpha II review!

A defining feature of the Alpha II is its ease of use. The bike has a single-speed drivetrain with a Gates Carbon belt: this combination requires no shifting, results in less wear and fewer replacement parts, and is generally cleaner and quieter than a traditional cassette and chain. Our testing revealed some tradeoffs with this setup (e.g. ghost pedaling), but these worked with the bike’s easygoing vibe.

At 45 lbs, the Alpha II is relatively light for an e-bike. This manageable weight paired well with the bike’s curved Dutch-style handlebars and 27.5×2.4” street tires to make for a remarkably nimble and spirited ride.

Throughout our testing, we kept coming back to appreciate the bike’s visuals; the fusion of its integrated headlight with the down tube created a unique and uncommon appeal. At the time of writing, the bike is limited to just two color options, but their two-tone approach adds an extra layer of flair.

Overall, we like what the Alpha II offers, though it has some room for improvement. Swipe up or scroll down to see our full review, where we cover the bike’s results in our standardized tests and find out how it compares to the competition.

[Read more…] about Vvolt Alpha II Review | A Relaxed City Cruiser with Serious Style

Stromer ST5 Pinion E-Bike Review 2024 | A $12k Commuter Worth Its Weight In Gold?

A premium commuter & touring e-bike with exceptional ride quality, loads of high-tech features, and a price point to match.

Stromer ST5 Pinion E-Bike Review 2024
One thing I’ve learned here at Electric Bike Report is that quality bikes have a certain feel. Where precise geometry, superb construction, advanced technology, and aesthetic design intersect, magic happens. When testing the Stromer ST5 Pinion, I could feel this even after a single ride; this bike exudes refinement. Fortunately, I had much more than a single ride to learn all its features and characteristics.

A defining element of the ST5’s ride was its precise, natural, and highly-tuned feel. It combined the responsiveness of an analog bike with a silent, smooth, and staggeringly powerful 750W rear-hub so well that I had the sense of being superhuman. At low assist levels, speed was the only thing giving away the bike’s electric nature. At high power levels, it felt like I was powering an unleashed supercar.

With a weight of 75.5 lbs and grippy 27.5”x2.4” Pirelli tires, the ST5 also felt stout and solid. Potential buyers should be aware that the bike could be somewhat cumbersome to lift without removing its battery, but its weight also helped it to feel stable and extremely planted.

With a starting price of just under $12k, the ST5 Pinion is undoubtedly pricey – but its cost is also justified by a host of premium, high tech features. Perhaps most notably is the 9-speed, namesake Pinion gearbox with electronic and automatic shifting features. Additional highlights include front anti-lock brakes, a security system, GPS tracking with an internal SIM card, regenerative braking, and a number of other uncommon elements. These features help to put the ST5 more or less in a league of its own.

We tested the Stromer ST5 Pinion’s speed, braking capability, climbing power, and range to see if its price tag matched its performance. We also went deep into its features and customization options to share what this advanced, sporty commuter can do – our full review continues below!


[Read more…] about Stromer ST5 Pinion E-Bike Review 2024 | A $12k Commuter Worth Its Weight In Gold?

Flyer Via Pro Review | Don’t Put the Wagon Before the Horse

This powerful, long-distance cargo e-bike is family-friendly right out of the box!

Flyer Via Pro E-Bike Review
As the e-bike equivalent of a minivan, cargo e-bikes can be a great alternative means of transport for running errands, taking the kids to school, swinging by the farmer’s market or corner store, and otherwise living your life to the fullest. Most, however, require additional purchases to be outfitted for their rider’s specific needs.

The Flyer Via Pro can make these use cases far more practical thanks to its included accessories, customization options, high weight capacity, and more. This Flyer Via Pro review details our thoughts on the bike’s feel, function, and real-world performance.

With a weight capacity of 400 lbs, a fully-loaded Via Pro needs a powerful motor to carry its payload. Fortunately, Flyer specced the bike with a brawny 750W rear hub motor with power to spare. The bike performed extremely well in a few key areas of our testing thanks to this decision, and we also appreciated the natural pedal feel from the motor’s torque sensor.

To alleviate range anxiety, the bike also includes a 687 watt hour (Wh) battery paired with its efficient motor. See our Range Test section below for details, but we recorded one of the longest results we’ve observed from any of the cargo e-bikes we tested previously.

We liked that Flyer included seating, foot boards, wheel guards, and even their “Kid & Cargo Carrier Hoop” handrail attachment with the base model; the Via Pro is ready for family rides right out of the box. Of course, the bike is still compatible with a myriad of other optional accessories including removable tote bags, a front basket, and even a soft passenger compartment/canopy – but the starting point is better than most.

Our takeaway was overwhelmingly positive, though we have a few points of critique to be aware of. To learn more about the Via Pro’s features and performance results in our standardized tests, continue reading our full review below.

[Read more…] about Flyer Via Pro Review | Don’t Put the Wagon Before the Horse

Himiway A7 Pro Review | Himiway’s Best Commuter E-Bike Yet?

This powerful full-suspension commuter blends power, comfort, and stability with great performance and an elevated design.

Himiway A7 Pro E-Bike Review
At CES in Las Vegas, where we were stunned by Himiway’s display of new and revamped e-bikes. One of the most enticing models bearing the brand’s refreshed design was a new full-suspension commuter called the A7 Pro. We finally got our hands on the bike – and we’re excited to share all its details in this Himiway A7 Pro Review!

Aside from its fantastic aesthetics, the A7 had excellent ride quality with a clear focus on comfort. The bike’s SR Suntour X1 Boost suspension fork and DNM AO-6 rear shock worked together for a remarkably smooth, enjoyable ride.

We liked the bike’s natural and engaging pedal feel as well. The A7 Pro features a powerful, custom 500W mid-drive motor with a responsive torque sensor, which made for a fun and lively experience. The motor has heaps of hill climbing power (up to 130 Nm of torque) that effectively flattened hills, but we found that the motor’s output never overpowered our pedaling.

The bike’s throttle could feel punchy and exciting, but unfortunately, it was not able to move the bike from a standstill. We’d prefer Throttle-On-Demand instead of Throttle-After-Pedal for a more user-friendly experience.

That aside, we also enjoyed the bike’s rock-solid, planted feel. At 74 lbs, the A7 Pro is stocky, but its weight balanced out its power. In combination with its wide 27.5×2.4” Schwalbe tires, the A7’s size gave it a high degree of stability. If we hadn’t known it was a commuter, we could have easily thought we were riding a fat tire bike!

To read all about our testing processes and the bike’s results, continue reading our full Himiway A7 Pro review below.

[Read more…] about Himiway A7 Pro Review | Himiway’s Best Commuter E-Bike Yet?

Retrospec Valen Rev 2 Review | A Solid, Affordable, and Fun Moto-Style E-Bike

Unique Moto Looks and Class 2 Speed at a Budget-Friendly Price.

Retrospec Valen Rev 2 Review
Moto- or moped-style e-bikes are often less accessible to budget-conscious shoppers, with prices for quality models commonly starting between $1500 and $2k. Retrospec has answered the call for a more affordable bike in this category with the Valen Rev 2. A decked-out version of the bike also exists, but in this Retrospec Valen Rev 2 review, we will focus specifically on the capable but cost-friendly model.

As the budget-tier version of the bike, the Valen Rev 2 includes fewer features than its sibling the Rev Plus, but we found that it still delivered on the overall moto-style experience. With a powerful 750W rear-hub motor, it can conquer hills and speed through flats up to a Class 2 max of 20 mph – so while its cost is low, it doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of performance.

The bike was fast and fun, but we also identified some aspects of its motor with room for improvement. Whether using throttle or pedal assist, slower-than-expected motor engagement left us waiting for the acceleration to kick in. Additionally, we found it difficult to modulate speed with the thumb throttle.

Otherwise, we appreciated the overall simplicity of the Rev 2; a single-speed drivetrain and LED indicator panel made the bike functional and easy to use. Riders who prefer a variety of gears or a display should turn to the Valen Rev Plus, but those seeking quick, straightforward operation and affordability should find the Rev 2 appealing

Continue to our full Retrospec Valen Rev 2 review below to discover more about its feel and performance!


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Tenways AGO T Review | A Classy Commuter That Rides As Good As It Looks

A head-turning Dutch-style commuter with uncommon tech for an elevated, casual, and low-maintenance experience.

Tenways AGO T Review
With headquarters in the Netherlands, it should be no surprise that Tenways offers not one, but two Dutch-style commuter e-bikes! The AGO T is the brand’s newest step-thru model with contemporary European styling and a 250W mid-drive motor. We explore its specs, performance, and feel in this Tenways AGO T review.

At the time of writing, the AGO T is one of Tenways’ highest-priced e-bikes with an MSRP between $2,500 and $3,000. To justify that price tag, the brand specced the bike with a handful of uncommon, ride-elevating components including a Gates CDX belt drive and an Eviolo continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The CVT’s gearless internal tensioning system allows for complete customization over the amount of resistance at the pedals. By adjusting the twist grip on the right handlebar, we could smoothly and seamlessly increase resistance on flat terrain or make the ride easier when pedaling uphill. The belt drive and CVT also combine for an extremely clean, quiet, and low-maintenance system.

We liked the overall power and feel of the bike’s 250W mid-drive motor, though we experienced inconsistent output even after a software update, and observed an unusually sharp decline in power as the battery was depleted. These weren’t dealbreakers, though, as the ride was generally fun and responsive thanks to the motor’s torque sensor.

Additionally, we appreciated the AGO T’s elegant design. Its angular step-thru frame includes an integrated headlight and welded cargo rack for a flashy, futuristic look.

To see how it stacks up against similar commuter-style e-bikes, continue reading our full Tenways AGO T review below!

*Tenways is offering the Electric Bike Report audience $200 off when you use code: EBR200 at checkout.
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Bern Brentwood Jr. Review, 2024 | A Helmet Kids Actually WANT to Wear?

A Cool-Looking, Low-Profile Youth Helmet That Makes Safety Fun

Bern Brentwood Jr. Helmet Review 2024

For kids, “cool” and “safe” are rarely synonymous, but the Brentwood Jr. helmet from Bern aims to change that. The helmet is made from a lightweight and low-profile “Zip Mold+” injected foam that keeps it from looking too big and bulky while still being safe. This Bern Brentwood Jr. helmet review covers all the details!

In addition to a slim design, the Brentwood Jr. comes in a variety of fun styles that I legitimately wish were available in Bern’s adult-sized models! Of course, it comes in classic color schemes like Black, White, Blue, and Grapefruit, but that’s just scratching the surface. We received the Metallic Silver Shark Bite print that ignited my inner child’s glee, and other prints are available including Blue Wing with a stylized Macaw design and Purple Tiger with retro-style stripes. These colors and patterns are unique to the Brentwood Jr., as Bern’s other youth-sized helmets feature their own fun designs.


[Read more…] about Bern Brentwood Jr. Review, 2024 | A Helmet Kids Actually WANT to Wear?

Electric Bike Company Model A Review, 2024

A casual, low-cost chopper-style cruiser for commuting or coasting along the beach.

Electric Bike Company Model A Review 2024
*The Electric Bike Company model A has been merged with the Model C. You can see the full Model C review here.

The iconic Electric Bike Company (EBC) should be well-known to fans of the beach cruiser style. Their e-bike models almost exclusively display the category’s defining retro curves, and all feature upright positioning and big, squishy saddles for long-lasting comfort on casual rides. The EBC Model A doesn’t break the mold (too much), but it also doesn’t break the bank! We take a look at this basic-but-still-feature-packed cruiser in this Electric Bike Company Model A review.

With e-bike costs coming down over time, we’ve started to see a new wave of models in the $1,500 price range that include once-uncommon features such as turn signals and cargo racks. The Model A is one such e-bike, with an included package of commuter-friendly features we always appreciate, and quite a few extras we don’t often see.

Did we mention this bike’s affordability? Until now, Electric Bike Company models have started around the $2,000 mark, with costs potentially increasing quickly depending on what customization options are selected. In contrast with the company’s other bikes, the Model A keeps things simple on the customization side of things – but this makes it super budget-friendly!

While many of the bike’s components come from overseas, the Model A (like all EBC bikes) is painted, assembled, inspected, and tested in the USA. When you support the Electric Bike Company, you’re also supporting an American brand with a personal, hands-on approach that stands behind its products by offering an excellent warranty.

Keep reading for more in-depth information on this cost-friendly cruiser in our review of the Electric Bike Company Model A!

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SixThreeZero Simple Step-Thru 500W Review

A Curvy, Cost-Friendly Cruiser with an Incredibly Low Step-Thru Frame

SixThreeZero Simple Step-Thru 500W E-Bike Review
Just as the phrase “beach cruiser” evokes the warm feeling of summer sun and the scent of salt air, the words “Simple Step-Thru” in relation to an e-bike bring to mind relaxation, comfort, and accessibility. In this Sixthreezero Simple Step-Thru 500W review, we discuss the ride feel and real-world performance of this curvy, colorful cruiser.

In our testing, we found that the Simple Step-Thru lived up to its name; this is one of the “step-thru-iest” e-bikes we have ever seen! We found it incredibly easy to mount and dismount thanks to the bike’s wavy, remarkably low down tube, which brings its standover height down to a minimal 10.5 inches.

In our opinion, this makes the Simple Step-Thru suitable for aging riders with disabilities or limited range of motion – or those who want a simple and easy bike to get on and ride.

The bike’s reserved power was another aspect geared toward seniors or those who have not used a bike for years. With a 500W rear-hub motor, the Simple Step-Thru had power when it was wanted/needed, but in most cases its throttle and pedal assist system (PAS) felt modest and gradual instead of punchy and overpowered.

We appreciated the bike’s reserved nature, though some riders may prefer the ability to adjust its speed limits. Additionally, we found the bike’s motor engagement to be somewhat inconsistent.

Fans of beach cruisers will, however, find many characteristic features present on the Simple Step-Thru, including a relaxed and comfortable riding position. With a thick, cushioned saddle, wide handlebars, and upright positioning, we found the bike to be thoroughly comfortable and enjoyable to ride.

Keep reading our full Sixthreezero Simple Step-Thru 500W review below!

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23 Things We Want Manufacturers to STOP Doing On E-Bikes

23 Things We Want Manufacturers to STOP Doing on E-Bikes
As e-bike reviewers for Electric Bike Report, my fellow office-mates and I have the extreme joy and privilege of testing bikes of all sizes, styles, and speeds. From big, beefy fat tire bikes to nimble, lightweight city bikes to functional, folding bikes and beyond, this broad base grants us a unique perspective on the industry. More specifically, what works – and what does not. In this article, I will discuss the 23 general and specific things we want manufacturers to stop doing on e-bikes.

Like any other field, the e-bike industry is constantly evolving as technology becomes more affordable and new brands/technologies appear. It is a regular occurrence for a new bike to redefine what is possible at a certain price point. Once this innovation occurs, competitors must keep up with the changing times or risk becoming old news.

As such, many of the changes we wished to witness two years ago have already come to pass. Likewise, 12-24 months in the future, any number of the points discussed in this article might naturally become irrelevant without our efforts to address them.

As industry advocates, however, we take pride in helping to direct the flow of progress. The following perspectives are based both on our personal experiences as well as the opinions of our readers and viewers.

Our goal with this article is not to debase any particular bike or brand, but to encourage broad, beneficial growth in a direction that improves the ride experience for all users. By making e-bikes more enjoyable and appealing, we hope to encourage more motorists to ditch two of their wheels and take up pedaling.

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