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Sam Gross

Product Reviewer, Content Writer

Sam likes bikes a lot. Probably too much. After a childhood spent racing bikes and learning to work on them in his hometown bike shop, Sam spent his college years skipping classes to chase his dream as an elite mountain bike racer. Injury and a lack of talent sent him back to school and into a career as a journalist, where he covered wildfires, public safety and environmental policy for a major U.S. newspaper chain before working at electricbikereport.com. Sam likes to get lost on his mountain bike in the deserts of the southwest and harass his two cats. He’s a new convert to the e-bike family but firmly believes they will change the world for the better.

Get to Know Sam Gross

Certifications

  • B.A. Communication and Media Studies

Favorite Style of E-Bike

eMTB, Gravel, Road

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Specialized Turbo Vado, BULLS Alpine Hawk EVO

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

VENON EVO-GR FORCE AXS

Hobbies

MTB Races, cat videos

Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.

Sam Gross

Black Friday E-bike Accessory Guide

black friday bike accessories

Editor’s note: While you may already be Black Friday deal hunting, it’s still too early for most e-bike brands to publish their deals and sale pricing! Bookmark this page and stay tuned — we’ll publish deals as soon as we hear about them.

You want deals? We’ve got deals.

It’s shopping season once again and though Black Friday still hasn’t quite arrived, retailers and manufacturers are already coughing up discount codes and slashing prices on gear ranging from e-bike rated bike racks to pannier bags.

We’ve collected some of the most choice Black Friday e-bike accessory deals and compiled them here. Many of these discounts are subject to change as Black Friday approaches, so keep an eye out for updates.

Also, a little word of advice: If there’s one thing the e-bike and e-bike component shortage of 2020/21 has taught us, it’s don’t sleep on a deal if it’s in stock. Stuff will go out of stock, and when it does, who knows when we’ll see availability again.

Here’s a smattering of what the Electric Bike Report staff has their eyes on this Black Friday season. Happy shopping!

[Read more…] about Black Friday E-bike Accessory Guide

Evelo Launches new Omega Step-thru Electric Bike

Omega

Evelo Launches new Omega Step-thru Electric Bike

After five years of design and waiting, Evelo’s newest electric bike is finally rolling into the limelight.

Evelo announced its new Omega model on Monday, an all-new addition to their lineup that sports a retooled 750W mid-drive motor, the ultra-cool Enviolo AutomatIQ CVT drivetrain and a fully-integrated battery.

The Omega is Evelo’s new flagship e-bike that will eventually replace their ever-popular Aurora model. At first glance, the new Omega has a sleeker, more updated look over its predecessor thanks to the integrated battery (a first for Evelo) and fresh design, but we’ve been told the bike received much more than just a visual makeover. Under the hood, Evelo has retooled its 750W mid-drive motor to be higher performing and more powerful than the Aurora. It has an option for an add-on battery that would further increase the Omega’s range.

Omega side profile

The Evelo Omega, but a new angle.

While you can preorder the Omega now, Evelo says they don’t expect the bike to start hitting the U.S. until early 2022. Evelo has promised that Electric Bike Report will get one of the first Omegas to arrive in the country for a full review, so stay tuned for that. But until then, keep reading for a first-look at the new e-bike.

[Read more…] about Evelo Launches new Omega Step-thru Electric Bike

Rubicon EP Corral: E-bike Ready Bike Rack First Look

Rubicon EP

Rubicon EP: E-bike Ready Bike Rack First Look

Need to carry a lot of e-bikes (more than two) on one rack? Rubicon EP has a bike rack that can carry up to five 60 lb e-bikes at one time — a load that very few (we actually can’t think of any) bike racks can handle.

The Rubicon EP Corral hanging-style bike rack is an all-aluminum, all-American made rack that boasts a whopping 300 lb total carrying capacity. In a competitive market where overbuilt bike racks are becoming the norm, the Corral is one of the burliest we’ve seen. But despite its capable looks and high weight rating, it clocks in at a relatively light 72 lbs in the five bike configuration, making it easy to handle.

As long as they are under 60 lbs, you can carry up to five e-bikes on the Rubicon EP Corral rack.

Electric Bike Report got the chance to take a first look at the Rubicon EP Corral bike rack at the Sea Otter Classic this past October and get a rundown on its features and the company that makes it.

[Read more…] about Rubicon EP Corral: E-bike Ready Bike Rack First Look

The Ride Radiant Carbon: First Impressions

TheRide Radiant Carbon review

Bicycle designer Tony Ellsworth made his name building some of the most recognizable mountain bikes of the 90’s and early 2000’s. But now, in the years since the 2014 sale of the bike brand that bears his last name, Ellsworth has been up to something new — he’s building electric bikes.

In this TheRide Radiant Carbon review, we take a look at the very unique first model released by Ellsworth’s latest project. Ellsworth and TheRide opted to release their most premium model first. It’s a full carbon and fully-integrated affair that blurs the line between cruiser comfort and every day functionality. It’s also going to be a very rare e-bike, with only 360 units of the Radiant Carbon ever being made.

The goal, according to Ellsworth, was to build a bike using materials and technology really found nowhere else. The Radiant Carbon boasts a Shimano STEPS 6100 drive system, a full-carbon frame and a very unique styling we’ve never really seen before. If you’re looking for something comfortable but with a performance bend and, above all else, premium — TheRide Radiant Carbon may be worth a look.

TheRide Radiant Carbon review - headtube

It’s full carbon, full-luxury and has a funky cool frame design to boot.

Electric Bike Report got a chance to catch up with Ellsworth and get some first impressions of the Radiant Carbon at the 2021 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California. While this bike — priced at just under $5,300 MSRP — is the first released by TheRide, Ellsworth said more affordable models will come close on its heels.

“The goal is to keep that user experience top notch,” Ellsworth said.

While this is a first-look review of TheRide Radiant Carbon, we’re currently in the process of doing a long-term review of the bike, so stay tuned for more details.

[Read more…] about The Ride Radiant Carbon: First Impressions

Ebike News: Rad Power gets (another) $150M in funding, the world’s smallest e-bike, new Trek eMTBs and more!

This week brings news that there may be hope for those who want an ultra-light, ultra-compact electric bike … as long as you’re willing to look a little ridiculous while riding it.

The 30% e-bike tax credit looks to be back on after another round through congress. We’ve also got some very new and very cool eMTBs from Trek, news that Rad Power Bikes may or may not have a Scrooge McDuck-style swimming pool of cash and a patent on a cardboard box that bike industry wonks are reading like a Ouija board

In this week’s news::

  • The (allegedly) world’s smallest rideable e-bike
  • The proposed e-bike federal tax credit is back to 30%
  • Trek releases new Rail eMTBs
  • With another $150 mil investment, Rad Power becomes “most funded electric bike company in the world”
  • Camelbak & Lifestraw team up for filtration bottles and packs
  • Trek files patent for apparent D2C bike box

[Read more…] about Ebike News: Rad Power gets (another) $150M in funding, the world’s smallest e-bike, new Trek eMTBs and more!

Hiplok D1000 Bike Lock Review

Hiplok D1000 review

Call this Hiplok D1000 bicycle lock review tempting providence, but this hunk of angle grinder-repelling, Ferosafe-reinforced metal is the closest to theft proof of any D-lock we’ve ever tested, researched or heard of.

If there’s anything bicycle commuting has taught us it’s that the above statement is probably bad karma, but we’ve got good reason to tempt the fates with this one. Why? Because Hiplok designed the D1000 specifically to ward off the bike thief’s weapon of choice: The high powered angle grinder.

Hiplok D1000 review - stamps

At first glance it looks like an average D-lock, but this one turns angle grinder blades to dust.

Angle grinders are the Achilles heel of traditional bike locks. Bike thieves use the high power tools to grind through the shackle of most traditional bike locks — or really any lock, for that matter — in just a few seconds. Hiplok’s answer to the angle grinder is a material called Ferosafe, a graphene reinforced ceramic composite that effectively disintegrates angle grinder cutting blades and carbide drill tips.

So naturally, when Hiplok sent us a media sample of the D1000 the Electric Bike Report’s first instinct was to do what any other reasonable person would: Let’s bust out the angle grinder and try to cut it.

[Read more…] about Hiplok D1000 Bike Lock Review

First Look: BULLS Iconic Line

Bulls Iconic TR 1 Full Suspension Commuter Electric Bike

BULLS Iconic line – electric city bikes

The BULLS electric city bike lineup next year will be a little simpler, be entirely powered by Bosch and (hopefully) will have a dash of color.

BULLS, a long time German manufacturer of electric bikes with a growing presence in the U.S., had much of their Iconic e-commuting lineup (alongside their Copperhead eMTBs) on show at this year’s Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California. Adam Anderson, BULLS’ North American marketing manager, walked Electric Bike Report through the Iconic e-bike family and what we can expect from the brand in the upcoming year.

Bulls Iconic eCity Bikes

The BULLS Iconic EVO 1 Speed, a Class 3 e-bike powered by the Bosch Performance Line Speed motor and a 625Wh integrated battery.

BULLS doesn’t do model years, so while these aren’t technically 2022 bikes, they’re what’s going to be on offer from the brand for the upcoming year. While some of the bikes are similar to BULLS’ existing electric city and commuter lineup, there are some changes coming down the pike. Namely, the entire city and commuting lineup is being paired down and brought into the Iconic family of e-bikes and all bikes will be powered by Bosch systems.

We’re also going to be seeing several BULLS e-bikes powered by the brand new Bosch Smart System, which includes the new 750Wh Bosch battery. There will also be a number of full suspension commuter and Class 3 options. In total, next year we’ll see four different styles of BULLS electric commuter and city bikes with a number of spec levels of each — making for lots of style, price and spec choices. We got to see a number of these in person at Sea Otter.

To the bikes:
[Read more…] about First Look: BULLS Iconic Line

BULLS Copperhead EVO HD Wave Review

Bulls Copperhead EVO HD Wave Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike

BULLS Copperhead EVO HD Wave Review: A step-thru eMTB

German e-bike manufacturer BULLS is one of the earliest adopters of electric bikes and, while their presence is still growing in the U.S., they’ve been a longtime innovator in the e-bike space.

Those innovations have gone further than integrating small motors and batteries into well made bicycles. At the 2021 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, BULLS had one of their more eye-catching (and to some, head-scratching) eMTBs on display — a step-thru hardtail eMTB called the Copperhead EVO HD Wave.

Electric Bike Report got a chance to get our hands on the bike and do a short BULLS Copperhead EVO HD Wave review in the hills around the famous Laguna Seca raceway. It’s not our typical in-depth review, but it was enough to get some general first impressions of this relatively unique eMTB.

Bulls Copperhead EVO HD Wave Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike

Tradition be damned, it’s about time we see more step-thru eMTBs.

The Copperhead EVO HD Wave is just one of several eMTBs in the Copperhead lineup — including a cool full suspension model and a women’s-specific eMTB we’ll look at below — but it’s one that appears to be getting some special attention.

Why? “We cannot keep it in stock,” said Adam Anderson, BULLS marketing manager for North America. “It’s so popular … (the step-thru design) opens up a multitude of opportunities for so many riders.”

[Read more…] about BULLS Copperhead EVO HD Wave Review

1UP USA Super Duty Double Bike Rack Review

1Up USA Bike Rack Super Duty

Based out of Wisconsin, 1UP USA is a bike and e-bike rack manufacturer that we had the opportunity to meet up with at the 2021 Sea Otter Classic, in Montery California. We spoke with Robbie Lange, the owner of 1UP USA to learn about their fully aluminum bike racks and what makes them so unique.

Lange walked us through 1UP’s Super Duty Double bike rack, which, in the two bike variation, has one of the highest carrying capacities of any rack on the market. Each tray is rated for e-bikes up to 75 lbs with a total carrying capacity of up to 225 lbs. You can choose between a silver finish or black, and the rack’s carrying capacity can be expanded to three bikes or four — though adding additional trays will reduce the bike weight it can handle. The black model is $675 and the silver rack is $625.

1Up USA Bike Rack Heavy Duty Double

The 1UP USA Super Duty Double has a very low profile design with the arms folded down. The rack also pivots up when unloaded to sit more flush against the back of your vehicle.

The full aluminum design and 1UP USA’s ratcheting clamp mechanism makes for a stable and secure design that protects your bike’s paint by holding onto the wheels instead of the frame. The Super Duty Double also has a 15-degree incline, so each additional bike has higher ground clearance than the prior. The standard Super Duty Double can fit tires up to 3.1 inches in width, but 1UP also has a well-engineered solution for those with electric fat bikes.

“Anything beyond 3.1 inches would require a fat tire spacer kit, which is just an additional accessory.” Lange said.

[Read more…] about 1UP USA Super Duty Double Bike Rack Review

2021 Sea Otter Day 4 – The Coolest Things We Saw

It’s the final day of the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, and just when we thought we’d run out of cool electric bike stuff to show you, BOOM — we found more.

Our final day was spent mostly riding the e-bikes we’d been talking to people about for the first three days, but we didn’t manage to stop by 1UP to check out a new bike rack they’ve got in the works. Here’s the things we liked on the final day of Sea Otter:

New hanging-style bike rack from 1UP

“1UP

We got a sneak peek at a new hanging-style bike rack from 1UP, the Wisconsin-based maker of aluminum bike racks popular with the e-bike crowd for their industry-leading weight capacity.

“1UP

1UP recently purchased Recon Racks, and owner Robbie Lange said they were only making minor tweaks to Recon’s existing design. Lange was mum on things like weight capacity and price, but we’d imagine it’s likely capable of toting at least a handful of e-bikes. The new rack is expected to be available in the near future.

[Read more…] about 2021 Sea Otter Day 4 – The Coolest Things We Saw