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Patrick Brady

Burley Coho XC Bike Trailer Review, 2024

We’ve been singing our praises for the many cargo e-bikes to hit the market in the last year. We believe that they offer one of the best opportunities for hauling groceries and other loads. But what if you already own an e-bike and aren’t interested in replacing it? Well, a trailer presents a terrific opportunity to be able to carry loads greater than a rear rack or front basket can handle. The Burley Coho XC offers a terrific opportunity to increase carrying capacity.

One of the reasons we at Electric Bike Report wanted to review the Burley Coho XC trailer was that it will work with almost every kind of e-bike on the market. Whether someone plans to use it for deliveries, camping, hunting, fishing or general errands, this is a trailer that will allow an e-bike to expand its capabilities.

There are a number of features that made the Burley Coho XC trailer a standout among trailers. Let’s take a deeper look.

Propella 9S Pro V2 Spec Review 2024

Propella has announced the second generation of their 9S Pro model, the 9S Pro V2. This is a Class 1 commuter (20 mph max speed, no throttle) that comes in both a traditional frame as well as a step-thru frame. The Propella 9S Pro V2 is unusual among e-bikes in this value-focused tier of e-bikes. It retails smack-dab in the middle of the $1000-$2000 price range, but it sports a collection of features that would be more in keeping with an e-bike priced above $2000.

The Propella 9S Pro V2 is light for a commuter e-bike, weighing just 43.5 lbs., which is an impressive achievement for any e-bike. They manage this by making a number of strategic choices with regard to components. First, there’s the 350W brushless, geared hub motor. As we’ve mentioned in reviews of other sub-50-lb. e-bikes, when an e-bike weighs less than 50 lbs., a smaller motor (like this 350W unit) can offer terrific performance because it doesn’t have to accelerate as much weight.

A 350Wh battery powers the Propella 9S Pro V2, which is more effective than it might seem at first glance. More on this in a bit. It’s equipped with a 9-speed Shimano drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-in. wheels running 2-in.-wide tires and an adjustable stem to dial the fit. Possibly the most surprising detail of this e-bike (aside from its weight) is the fact that it is equipped with a torque sensor.

What’s it all add up to? Let’s have a look.

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Propella 9S Pro V2 Spec Review: Bike Overview

Commuter e-bikes have a different set of priorities than some other e-bikes. They need to be efficient; that is, they need to cover as many miles as possible with each watt/hour of capacity the battery offers. Features that will help increase an e-bike’s range include less weight, and bigger wheels.

Anything less than 50 lbs. is cause for celebration where an e-bike’s weight is concerned. The 43.5-lb. weight of the Propella 9S Pro V2 makes it one of the lighter commuter e-bike’s we’ve seen.

The Propella 9S Pro V2 rolls on 27.5-in. wheels, which is the next-to-largest wheel size available (700C or 29-in. being the largest). Larger wheels offer lower rolling resistance, which is to say that once they are up to speed, they are easier to keep rolling. A wheel’s size is only part of what determines the rolling resistance, though: tires matter, too. The wheels are shod with CST Brooklyn 27.5 x 2-in. tires. This is a low-profile tread with small sipes (or channels) to move water out from under the tires. It’s a tire big enough to offer a comfortable ride while still maintaining a high level of efficiency.

Propella includes a nice array of accessories to make the 9S Pro V2 commute-ready. It comes with full fenders front and rear, as well as a front light and kickstand. Yes, they left out the rear rack which is a common feature on commuters, but a rack adds weight and many commuters wear a backpack rather than mount a pannier or two. Not only does not adding a rack keep weight down, but obvs, it helps keep the price down and is a component that can always be added later.

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Propella 9S Pro V2 Review: Specs & Features

Frame and fork

The frame and fork are made from 6000-series aluminum. This is yet another way Propella helps keep the weight down on the 9S Pro V2. While aluminum frames are the rule rather than the exception in this price range, we often see a suspension fork and in this price range, a fork with a steel coil spring will add pounds to the e-bike.

Propella produces the 9S Pro V2 in both a traditional frame and a step-thru version. Often, when we see two different frame designs, the sizing won’t change, but with the Propella 9S Pro V2, the traditional frame features a 60cm-long top tube, while the step-thru frame features a 58.5cm-long top tube, making the step-thru appropriate to smaller riders, as it should be.

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Motor and battery

Propella chose a 350W brushless, geared hub motor that produces a maximum power of 500W and 40Nm of torque. In absolute terms, this is a rather modest hub motor, but that doesn’t hurt this e-bike for a number of reasons.

First, as we mentioned, this e-bike weighs just 43.5 lbs., so a smaller motor can make a bigger impact than if it was mounted on an e-bike weighing 70 lbs. Second, this is a Class 1 e-bike, which means it has a 20 mph maximum assist speed and no throttle. A Class 2 e-bike needs to be able to accelerate up to cruising speed with no help from the rider when they use the throttle. That’s not an issue for the Propella 9S Pro V2 because it lacks a throttle. And then there’s the torque sensor.

A 350Wh battery also seems small, but battery performance can’t be judged on its own. To understand how much range a battery might offer, we have to know how powerful the motor is. Our rule of thumb for acceptable or even respectable range from an e-bike is to see a 1:1 ratio of motor power to battery capacity, which is what we see here with the Propella 9S Pro V2’s 350Wh battery. Propella estimates that the e-bike will offer riders as much as 55 mi. of range per charge.

A torque sensor makes the motor more responsive. As soon as the rider starts pedaling, the motor kicks in; there’s no delay as happens with a cadence sensor. The presence of the torque sensor means the motor’s operation runs seamlessly with the rider’s pedaling, that as the rider pedals harder, the motor’s output climbs, and vice-versa.

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Componentry

E-bikes going for less than $2000—and we’re referring to even those that retail for $1999—rarely come equipped with a 9-speed drivetrain. That’s the mark of a more expensive e-bike. The rear derailleur and cassette come from a new-ish (they were launched more than a year ago) group of parts from Shimano called Cues. It features an 11-36t cassette, which gives riders a wider range of gears with smaller steps between the gears.

Shimano’s Cues parts were made specifically for the rigors of e-bikes, where the extra torque of an electric motor can cause rapid wear on drivetrain components. Cues is meant to shift more smoothly and last longer than Shimano’s Tourney, Altus and Acera groups.

Propella also chose hydraulic disc brakes for the 9S Pro V2. The brakes are paired with 180mm rotors to offer plenty of braking power.

The alloy handlebar from Zoom features some rise to allow the rider to sit more upright as they ride, making it easier to look around. And they included an adjustable stem which will allow riders to adjust the e-bike to their comfort.

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EBR’s Propella 9S Pro V2 First Look Review:

The difference between an e-bike with a cadence sensor and one with a torque sensor is significant. There’s not another component that can do more to change the fundamental personality of an e-bike than by replacing an inexpensive cadence sensor with a more expensive and sophisticated torque sensor. That doesn’t automatically make a torque sensor better, but it is noticeably different.

For the rider who wants a motor to assist them, but they don’t want to be reminded constantly that a motor is helping them, an e-bike with a torque sensor is the way to go. Cadence sensors cause the motor to operate more independently, turning on and off a second or two after the rider starts and stops pedaling. For that reason, e-bikes with a cadence sensor tend to feel more impressive with a bigger motor. With a torque sensor, the motor’s operation seamlessly melds with the rider’s pedaling, making the rider feel more like a superhero.

For some riders, a torque sensor may not be the way to go. That’s because to reach top speed, the rider is going to have to make a real effort. An e-bike like the Propella 9S Pro V2 won’t hit top speed without some pedaling, whereas a cadence sensor only measures whether or not the pedals are turning. For the rider who wants some activity, not a workout, an e-bike with a cadence sensor can be the more appropriate choice.

The Propella 9S Pro V2 is an impressive e-bike and is proof that as new technologies come out, prices come down. A year ago a sub-$2000 e-bike equipped with a torque sensor and 9-speed drivetrain was unthinkable. Now, it’s downright affordable. And considering the way many of these consumer-direct companies will discount their e-bikes (especially during the winter), any sort of sale will make the Propella 9S Pro V2 feel like insider trading. We can’t wait to perform a full test on this e-bike; we’re that impressed.

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E-Bike Fires—Even the Media Gets It Wrong

Photo courtesy FDNY

It’s hard to give the public an accurate perception of an issue if the reporting is inaccurate. Take, for instance, this latest piece on e-bike fires from the otherwise-respectable Men’s Journal which claims that e-bike fires are a leading cause of death in New York City. The piece is wrong not once, but twice.

First, the piece is incorrect that e-bike fires are a leading cause of death in New York. There were exactly 17 deaths attributable to lithium-ion battery fires in 2023. Just what those lithium-ion batteries powered is a point we will return to in a moment.

In a city of 8.468 million residents, those 17 deaths – while significant and tragic – are dwarfed by the 380 murders committed in the city in 2023. But within the state of New York, murder doesn’t even make the list of the top 10 causes of death in the state. The top three causes are heart disease, cancer and Covid-19.

It’s fair to observe that New York City is ground zero for lithium-ion battery fires, but as threats go, New Yorkers are five times more likely to die as subway riders than they are in an e-bike fire.

E-Bike News: E-Bike Racing Series Launched, Adjustable E-Bike Saddle Introduced, French Military Tests E-Bikes, Engwe Introduces New Model

FIM, the governing body for international motorcycle racing, is starting a new e-bike racing series that will take place in city centers featuring men and women racing—for equal money; prosthetic maker Quorum has adapted their patented lattice technology into a new adjustable saddle for e-bikes; the French military is testing e-bikes for use in combat situations; Engwe has introduced a new commuter, the P275, their most sophisticated e-bike to date. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has called upon the state to expand rebates for e-bikes.

In this week’s e-bike news:

FIM launches e-bike race series to showcase sustainable mobility
Quorum introduces the Flex Saddle that allows user adjustability
The French army has begun testing the use of e-bikes and e-motorcycles
Engwe launches new model, the P275
Maine Bike Coaltion asks Efficiency Maine to expand e-bike rebates

E-Bike News: NY May Ban Uncertified E-Bike Batteries, Segway Introduces 2 E-Bikes, Stromer Introduces a Model With Pinion Gearbox and More!

After more than 200 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in 2023, the New York governor floats the possibility of banning all batteries lacking UL certification; Segway is expanding their product line with a number of new devices, among them is their first e-bike; e-bike maker Stromer introduces a new version of the ST5 model equipped with the 9-speed Pinion gearbox with electronic shifting. Vanpowers has introduced two exciting new models, a hard tail eMTB with fat tires and a gravel e-bike. Swedish brand Cake has added a utility e-bike to their lineup of e-motorcycles. Shimano has filed a surprising patent, one for machine learning for suspension control.

In this week’s e-bike news:

NY Governor Kathy Hochul proposes banning e-bike batteries not certified by UL
Segway introduces its first e-bike models
Stromer adds Pinion Gearbox option to their ST5 model
Vanpowers adds eMTB and gravel e-bike to their lineup
Swedish brand Cake introduces its first utility e-bike
Shimano files patent for machine learning suspension control

E-Bike News: Nonflammable Lithium-Ion Cells, Bird Goes Bankrupt, a Plan to Revive VanMoof, & More!

In our first news of the new year we have an announcement of an exciting new battery technology that promises to eliminate battery fires. Aventon is recalling its Sinch.2 model. E-mobility company Bird announces its bankruptcy. We have news of a plan to resurrect VanMoof Cycles that will also include a new VanMoof scooter. Friiway is offering a new e-bike subscription program to retailers. Yamaha is introducing a battery swap program.

The year is off to an interesting start!

In this week’s e-bike news:

Nanotech Energy announces a new nonflammable battery
E-mobility company Bird announces bankruptcy
Scooter brand Lavoie purchases VanMoof and plans re-launch
E-bike subscription program Friiway being offered to Bay Area retailers
Yamaha announces a battery swap program
Aventon recalls the Sinch 2 folding e-bike

Hollywood Racks Trike Adapter Review, 2024

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Hitch Rack With Trike Adapter

We love e-trikes. Love them. By offering a rider two forms of assistance—both a motor and stability—e-trikes offer many people who thought they could no longer ride a chance to get out and feel the wind on their skin.

What we don’t love is trying to move them by any method other than in the saddle. While some of the new designs can be made more compact with a folding handlebar or even frame, they haven’t been easy to move without a pickup or SUV. Until now.

The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Hitch Rack was designed specifically for e-bikes, and Hollywood Racks has introduced a new accessory for it: an e-trike adapter. With the adapter added the rack can still carry one e-bike; the trike adapter replaces one bike carrier.

*See the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Hitch Rack Review

Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 Review: First Look

Juiced Bikes has introduced the followup to their popular Scrambler e-moped. The new Scrambler X2 is an evolution of the original Scrambler, but the changes are largely a matter of degrees. Put another way, they changed the bathwater, but kept the baby.

In our spec review of the Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 we will look at both the features that made this such a winner for Juiced as well as the updates that will make this a worthy successor to one of the original e-mopeds.

Let’s hit the major changes. First up is an upgrade from the original 750W hub motor to a 1000W Bafang brushless, geared hub motor. Second is a corresponding battery upgrade from 676Wh to an 811Wh battery which Juiced estimates will give riders as much as 55 mi. per charge.

Like the original Scrambler, the new edition features a 7-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes.

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Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 Spec Review: Bike Overview

Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 Spec Review 2024

Among e-mopeds, the Juiced Bikes Scrambler was an early entry and helped to establish e-mopeds as a category. While most e-mopeds use a 48V system to govern both the motor and the battery, the Juiced Scrambler uses a 52V system, which allows the Bafang hub motor better performance than if it were using 48V circuitry.

So, the Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 is powered by a 1000W Bafang brushless, geared hub motor that produces a muscular 90Nm of torque. When it ships, the Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 is set to perform as a Class 2 e-bike with a maximum speed of 20 mph whether pedaled or throttled. The Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 can also be set to Class 1, should someone plan to ride mostly on bike paths or other places where a throttle isn’t permitted. What excites most buyers, though, is that it can be set for Class 3 performance (28 mph max speed) or what Juiced calls “Race” mode, where the motor performs without restriction and can achieve speeds in excess of 28 mph.

While we normally consider an 811Wh battery to be rather large, when paired with a 1000W motor, that charge can be depleted pretty quickly. Juiced took an approach we don’t often see in trying to offer shoppers guidance about how much range might be possible. Based on rider speed, Juiced says riders can expect to roll 10Wh/mi. when riding in Eco mode in Class 2—roughly 80 mi. total. From there it goes to 53 mi. based on 15Wh/mi. for medium speed, 40 mi. based on 20Wh/mi. for average speed, 32 mi. based on 25Wh/mi. for fast riding (Class 3) and 23 mi. based on a 35Wh/mi. when in Race mode.

The controller for the Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 permits riders to enjoy some features that aren’t to be found with other brands, such as a cruise control function that allows a rider to lock in a particular speed below 20 mph. The Scrambler X2 will hold that speed until the brakes are applied or any button on the controller is pressed. There’s a speed limiter for the rider who doesn’t want to exceed a particular speed, as well as a low-voltage limiter, which allows a rider to set the level of charge below which the battery isn’t permitted to drop. What this means is that the e-bike would behave as if the battery were dead once that threshold was reached. A rider could then reset the low-voltage limiter and use that remaining portion of charge—keeping it as a kind of insurance plan.

The Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors. While the Logan disc brakes aren’t as common as Tektro, this brake uses the same pads as the Tektro, so it is likely to offer riders similar braking performance. A 7-speed drivetrain will make it easier for riders to pedal at effective speeds.

Riders who want to see just what sorts of speeds the Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 is capable of will enjoy taking this e-moped with its knobby tires off-road and accelerating to maximum speed. Juiced Bikes does make it clear that Race mode is only legal when ridden off-road.

Juiced Bikes Scrambler X2 Review: Specs & Features