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Himiway D5 Zebra Review | A BIG E-Bike With BIG Test Results!

A BIG fat tire e-bike that has big features and big capability with a few tradeoffs!

Himiway D5 Zebra Review
In America, we have a bit of a love affair with all things big—from our favorite 3rd row SUVs to sprawling suburban McMansions, everything is just bigger here. Himiway shares this affection for all things big, as seen in past releases like the massive full-suspension D7 Pro and the D5 Rhino. When I first laid eyes on the new Himiway D5 Zebra, I could immediately tell that this fat tire e-bike fits right into this landscape, boasting big features with a not-so-big price tag starting at just $1,499.

During my week with the D5 Zebra, I was eager to see how it would perform. I was espcially eager to see how it performs vs the Himiway Cobro Pro, the companies more expensive mid drive option, and the QuietKat Ranger, which is very similar spec-wise but also a little more expensive.

Powering this beast is a hefty 48V, 960Wh battery paired with a 750W rear hub motor, delivering a solid 85 Newton Meters (Nm) of torque. I could feel the power right away as the large Kenda 26×4” tires effortlessly rolled over everything in their path.

The bike’s enormous seat, reminiscent of modern stealth aircraft designs, promised comfort, and I can confirm it delivered, especially on longer rides. However, I found the saddle to be a bit divisive among our staff here at the office. While it offered substantial cushioning, the size and shape might not be to everyone’s taste, and some riders might prefer a more streamlined option.

Its significant 400-pound weight capacity is impressive, and the option to choose between a high-step and step-through frame adds to its versatility. For those wanting a bit more tech, there’s also a torque sensor model priced at $1,699 (which is the bike we tested).

Throughout my rides, the D5 Zebra never failed to impress. The oversized features and promising specs on paper translated into real-world performance that I could feel. So, with its big features and bold presence, does the Himiway D5 Zebra live up to the American love for the big and bold? Join me in this review as I put the fat tire bike through its paces to see if it truly delivers the big results we expect.

[Read more…] about Himiway D5 Zebra Review | A BIG E-Bike With BIG Test Results!

Ridley Produces Its First Electric Road / Gravel Bike The E-Grifn

The E-Grifn sports a lightweight Mahle X20 hub motor and 350Wh internal battery.

Ridley Produces Its First Road / Gravel Bike the E-Grifn

Ridley is a Belgium-based maker of high-end bikes and they’ve just announced their first e-bike, the E-Grifn. Billed as a combination road and gravel e-bike, this is a lightweight drop-bar beauty that uses the Mahle X20 hub motor, which is one of the lightest e-bike motors on the market.

Ridley produces the E-Grifn in seven different configurations. It starts around $5500 and goes up from there, depending on the components the buyer chooses. The E-Grifn is built with Ridley’s Elite-series carbon fiber.

The Mahle X20 is billed as the lightest e-bike drive system in the world, at 3.025 lbs. (1.375kg). In saving significant weight, it has to give up some power, though. It produces 250W nominally and 23Nm of torque; marketing materials often report 55Nm, then include in parentheses, “compared to mid-drive.” Ridley chose Mahle’s internal, 350Wh battery to power the X20 motor.

The Ridley E-Grifn is produced in five sizes, meant to fit riders with inseams from 27.5 in. up to 36 in.

Set up for gravel riding, the Ridley E-Grifn can accept tires as wide as 42mm. The geometry of the e-bike does sit somewhere between a traditional road bike and a gravel bike; the reach tends to be long and the bottom bracket drop is a little shallower than we would expect to see on a gravel bike.

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Ridley’s name is synonymous with high-end road bikes. Their bikes have been raced in the biggest events in the world, including the Tour de France. It’s a bit surprising that only now are they introducing their first e-bike, though to their credit, the E-Grifn has all the hallmarks of a classic Ridley. The frame shows efficient, sleek lines and comes in three different paint schemes.

That Ridley gave the E-Grifn clearance for up to 42mm-wide tires is great news; tire clearance can be an issue with some gravel bikes if the designers don’t regularly ride rock-filled terrain.

The Ridley E-Grifn will appeal most to the rider who wants a bit of help, not lots of it. Ridley didn’t reveal a weight for the E-Grifn, the complete bike will certainly weigh less than 30 lbs. and probably less than 25 lbs., which means that a 250W hub motor producing 23Nm of torque can accomplish more than it looks like on paper. And thanks to a torque sensor, the E-Grifn will offer smooth power application and attacks that make you feel ten years younger.

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Comodule and 2Lock Launch Innovative E-Bike Security System

The collaboration will lock an e-bike’s front hub and axle, disable the motor, emit an audible alarm and give the owner real-time GPS data.

Comodule and 2Lock Launch Innovative E-Bike Security System

European startups Comodule and 2Lock have teamed up to introduce a new concept in e-bike security. The system combines Comodule’s connectivity with 2Lock’s locking hub and axle.

2Lock makes a hub and thru-axle that can be locked so that the front wheel won’t turn and the thru-axle can’t be removed. The security isn’t strictly mechanical, though. It is designed to integrate with a manufacturer’s existing security measures. Comodule provides a system that activates a suite of security measures, including locking 2Lock’s hub and axle.

The 2Lock locking hub and axle will only prevent someone from riding away on an e-bike; it won’t prevent someone from picking up an e-bike and putting it in a vehicle and driving away with it. That’s where Comodule comes in.

Should someone try to steal an e-bike equipped with Comodule and 2Lock, the bike will emit a loud acoustic alarm. The software will disable the motor so that it can’t be ridden as an e-bike and in the case of e-bikes with mid-drive motors, disabling the motor also disables the crank so that the e-bike can’t be pedaled as a regular bike. An alert goes to the owner’s smartphone letting them know that the e-bike has been moved, and GPS tracking gives the owner real-time updates on the e-bike’s location.

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The collaboration between Comodule and 2Lock is intriguing because it tackles e-bike security in multiple ways. By combining an acoustic alarm, GPS tracking, motor disabling and both a locking front hub and thru-axle, the security system is arguably the most thorough bike theft deterrent going … for honest people.

There has long been a truism in cycling that any form of security that prevents someone from riding away on a bike or e-bike, but doesn’t prevent them from picking it up and carrying it away, serves only to “keep honest people honest.”

This is a wonderful new layer of security, but its adoption is likely to take time as it must be implemented by manufacturers. So far, there’s no way to purchase the 2Lock hub and axle and Comodule’s software for aftermarket adoption.

Ultimately, there’s still no substitute for locking your e-bike to something that won’t move.

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MOD Updates the Black: Cool New Features Abound

Now equipped with a powerful 750W motor and a thumb-button throttle, this full-suspension e-bike may find a wider audience.

MOD Updates the Black: Cool New Features Abound

MOD Bikes has unveiled the latest version of their popular model called the Black. The MOD Bikes Black 3 has been updated in a number of ways, making what was already an exciting full-suspension e-bike notably better; they’ve even made it a bit more affordable with a price that comes in below $3000.

The first upgrade to note is that the MOD Black has gotten a big power infusion. They replaced the formerly 350W mid-drive motor, which included a torque sensor, with a 750W hub motor and added a torque sensor as they usually use a cadence sensor. Torque also received a boost, climbing from 90Nm to 116Nm, a gain of nearly a third.

The battery received a boost from 557Wh up to 720Wh. Previously, MOD said the Black could have a range of as much as 60 mi.; that figure had dropped a bit due to the motor power more than doubling. They now say riders may enjoy as much as 50 mi. on a single charge. For those with range anxiety, the MOD Black can be ordered with a second battery for a range of up to 100 mi.

The previous version of the MOD Black was a Class 3 e-bike with a maximum-assist speed of 28 mph. The new MOD Black 3 ships as a Class 2 e-bike with a maximum-assist speed of 20 mph and includes a throttle. Riders can go into the settings to unlock it for Class 3 speeds.

The suspension fork picked up an extra 20mm of travel, a 25 percent gain over the previous 80mm-travel fork; a 100mm-travel suspension fork will do a better job of soaking up bumps on dirt and gravel roads as well as trails.

The 7-speed drivetrain changed in only one notable way: The chainring has grown from 42 teeth to 48 teeth, which means that it will be easier to hit top cruising speed on the MOD Black, but getting up hills will be a bit harder (or require more assistance from the motor).

The brakes appear to have received an upgrade as well. Previously, the Zoom calipers were minimal in size and looked like something you’d find on a race bike. The new calipers have a bit more mass to them so the braking performance may improve.

MOD says the Black hasn’t changed in weight; it’s still 65.8 lbs.

MOD offers a new feature with their e-bikes called MOD Connect which wirelessly pairs the e-bike with a Lumos smart helmet so that the helmet’s lights can be synced with the controller’s turn signals and will make the helmet light up to indicate turns.

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MOD’s changes to the Black should improve its appeal, and make it attractive to a wider audience. It has dropped in price by roughly $500. That $3000 price point is one above which many shoppers don’t want to go.

To achieve newfound affordability, MOD chose to replace the Black’s mid-drive motor with a hub motor and add a thumb-button throttle, but they kept its responsiveness by combining the hub motor with a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor.

As a Class 2 e-bike that includes a throttle and can be unlocked for Class 3 speeds the MOD Black is likely to find a wider audience.

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Velotric Fold 1 Review | Cheap Junk or Awesome Value?

This affordable folding e-bike largely raises the bar for feel and performance at its price point, though it’s not without flaws.

Velotric Fold 1 Review 2025
The first time I hopped on the Velotric Fold 1, I thought to myself “This seems like a decent folding bike for somewhere around $1,300 or $1,400.” I liked its bright blue paint job and slim-but-reinforced frame. The bike’s ride felt appropriately comfortable, nimble, and controlled.

Then I learned that it was priced at $1199.

It’s funny how perception changes with price; my initial reservations about things like the bike’s cadence sensor and entry-level components turned to appreciation. At this price point, some tradeoffs are expected – but with a reframed perspective, I found little to critique.

The Fold has plenty of expected features like a hinged frame and stem, 20×3” knobby tires, a 7-speed drivetrain, hydraulic brakes, and a front suspension.

But it also has unexpected elements like an uncommonly large 608 Watt-hour (Wh) battery, a 750W rear-hub motor, and a total payload capacity of 440 lbs including both the rider and any passengers or cargo on its 120-lb-rated cargo rack.

Basically, it seemed to be a fantastic deal. But feel and performance are two different factors, which is why the team here at Electric Bike Report has built a reputation on our detailed reviews and standardized performance tests.

The question remained: would the Fold 1 match or exceed the performance of its budget-friendly peers? Or would it fall short in our testing and send Velotric’s engineers back to the drawing board? Continue reading our full review below to find out!

[Read more…] about Velotric Fold 1 Review | Cheap Junk or Awesome Value?

Study Shows 45% of Bike Theft Victims Give Up Cycling

The study indicated that prior cycling behavior gave clues to behavior following a theft; casual riders were less likely to resume riding than enthusiasts.

Study Shows 45% of Bike Theft Victims Give Up Cycling

A new study shows that 45 percent of bike theft victims give up cycling rather than replace their bike. That’s the finding in a study published in the International Journal of Sustainable Transportation.

The purpose of the study was to find out how bike theft affects the cycling behavior of its victims and many of its findings were a surprise. The study focused on North America and surveyed 1,821 victims.

The study found that pre-theft behavior was the greatest predictor of how someone would behave following the theft of their bike. Those who were more avid cyclists were most likely to replace their bike and continue riding, while occasional riders were more likely to give up cycling.

Other findings of the study included how 6 percent of the victims began riding more after suffering their theft. Unfortunately, 40 percent of victims transitioned to unsustainable modes of transportation (i.e., cars with internal combustion engines). Though some people stopped riding, 69 percent of the victims went on to replace their stolen bikes and 49 percent replaced their bike with a new model that was equal to or greater in value to the stolen bike.

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That the study focuses on bike theft in North America makes the results relevant in a way that might not translate had it been conducted in Europe. The finding that the most casual cyclists were most likely to give up riding following the theft of their bike was not surprising, but what was encouraging was just how many people replaced their bikes and kept riding, or even increased their riding.

Security for an e-bike has improved but can still be a challenge. The market is full of different kinds of locks and security devices.

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Lyft Removes Several Thousand E-Bikes From Operation Due To Brakes

A small number of Citi Bike renters complained that the front brake was too powerful; no injuries or malfunctions were reported.

Lyft Removes Several Thousand E-Bikes From Operation Due To Brakes

The popular ride-hailing company Lyft is removing several thousand e-bikes from its Citi Bike service in the cities of New York, San Francisco and Washington, due to a braking problem.

According to the company, they received a small number of reports from riders who experienced stronger-than-expected braking forces at the front wheel. They revealed this to customers in an email sent on Sunday.

Citi Bike is a division of Lyft and the company is working to replace roughly 3,000 e-bikes with traditional bikes in order to prevent service interruptions. They will join the roughly 17,000 bikes already in use in New York, San Francisco and Washington.

Customers may see e-bikes in Citi Bike docks, but they will be unavailable for rental.

“After a small number of reports and out of an abundance of caution, we are proactively pausing our electric bikes from service, Citi Bike spokeswoman Julie Wood said. “Safety always comes first.”

Lyft purchased previous Citi Bike operator Motivate last fall, prior to the company’s IPO in March. The move was meant to keep Lyft competitive following Uber Technologies Inc’s purchase of e-bike sharing startup JUMP Bikes.

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The Citi Bikes use a drum brake in the front hub and it doesn’t seem difficult to foresee that some consumers would be alarmed by power of the brake unless they received some introduction or education about the brake prior to renting one of the Citi Bike e-bikes.

We would be less inclined to wonder if education might help had the issue been poor braking due to a lack of or insufficient maintenance. Complaints that the brakes are too powerful is, as we like to say, a happy problem as it’s always possible to educate riders to use less force when braking. Citi Bike would have a bigger problem if the brakes weren’t working well enough.

Here’s to hoping the e-bikes are back in circulation before summer is over.

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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

E-Bike Tariff Exclusions Set To Expire Soon

Following multiple extensions of an exclusion that protected e-bikes, a 25% tariff will begin to be levied on Chinese-made e-bikes.

E-Bike Tariff Exclusions Set To Expire Soon

Importers of Chinese-made e-bikes will be levied an additional 25 percent tariff on them beginning June 14, 2024. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced that exclusions to the Section 301 tariffs will expire, followed by a transition period.

The tariff exclusions had received several extensions. In addition to e-bikes, the exclusions had covered juvenile bikes, carbon fiber frames and hydration packs.

The exclusions end at midnight on June 14. Other exclusions will be extended however. Chinese-made bicycle trailers and some bicycle helmets will be renewed, extending their exclusions to June 1, 2025. An index of the full set of exclusions can be found on the USTR’s site.

PeopleforBikes has said that it continues to advocate for tariff relief and further clarity on USTR rulings. With new tariffs coming for lithium-ion batteries, e-bikes could be subject to two tariffs in the near future, not one.

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We can’t help but wonder if product safety can or will affect these tariffs. With “potted” e-bike batteries starting to hit the market, it seems reasonable that a new exception could be carved out for products that are UL certified, but there is no news on what new efforts might be mounted to avoid trade tariffs on e-bikes.

The bottom line here is simple: For people currently shopping for an e-bike, you’ve got roughly two weeks until many e-bikes go up in price. And for many of us, a 25 percent tariff has the power to render many e-bikes unaffordable.

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UK Trade Changes Could Lower E-Bike Prices By $330

Eliminating the tariff could inject an additional $65 million into the U.K. economy and result in an additional

UK Trade Changes Could Lower E-Bike Prices By $330

In the U.K. the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has announced that they intend to eliminate the anti-dumping duties it placed on Chinese e-bikes. Currently, the U.K. levies duties ranging from 18. percent at the low end up to a high of 79.3 percent on Chinese e-bikes.

The duties are meant to address dumping and government-subsidized manufacturing, which the U.K. implemented on January 19, 2024. The TRA will enter a 21-day waiting period to allow other government agencies to argue for or against lifting the duties. If no one argues against it, the duties will be terminated, and the decision will be back-dated to January 19, essentially wiping out the previous decision.

However, a final decision isn’t due until September, months after a new U.K. government is seated. The final decision will be rendered by the Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade.
The TRA is a new legislative body, one that was created following the U.K.’s exit from the European Union. It now handles duties that were once handled by the EU Commission.

Estimates suggest that the average e-bike price could be cut by $330 and sales could be boosted to the tune of an additional 31,000 units annually, according to the TRA. Cutting e-bike tariffs on Chinese imports could, the TRA believes, benefit the U.K. economy by as much as $65 million per year. Cutting prices to consumers could result in more people being able to afford safer e-bikes.

In a statement issued by the TRA, its Chief Executive Officer Oiver Griffiths said, “We always assess the impact of a trade remedy measure on the U.K. economy. Our interim conclusion is that the benefits to U.K. bicycle producers from continuing the current measures on e-bikes would be significantly outweighed by harm to the rest of the economy.”

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Our take

It’s hard to see how a trade tariff on e-bikes would have helped bike makers in the U.K. Tariffs typically take a disproportionate bite out of the buying power of lower-income households—the very people who most need affordable products. Eliminating this tariff will help more than consumers; it will also help retailers whose product lines have been made artificially more expensive by the tariffs.

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