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ADO Air 28 Review 2024

A new sleek design for a cruiser with the everyday practicality perks of a commuter

Ado Air 28 Review 2024
What would happen if a Dutch Cruiser and a City Commuter bike had a baby? Well, you would get the ADO Air 28.

In this ADO Air 28 review, we will highlight how the ADO Air 28 successfully blends design elements from Dutch-style cruisers and practical commuter bikes. Its comfortable, upright riding position, swept-back handlebar, and step-through frame nod towards cruiser bikes, while its LED headlight, front and rear fenders, and suspension fork are clear signs of its commuter DNA.

ADO takes a unique approach to design by integrating the battery into the seat post for a streamlined look. This makes for easier battery removal and a more balanced feel when maneuvering the bike. However, we found it does carry a small tradeoff for comfort that we will get into later.

The Gates Carbon Belt drive is a standout feature, offering quiet operation, minimal maintenance needs, and smooth power transfer. With its appropriately geared single speed drivetrain, the Air 28 is enjoyable to ride even without electrical assistance if needed.

Weight is often a concern with e-bikes, but the ADO Air 28 strikes a good balance. Weighing 43 lbs (without the battery) and 50 lbs (with it), this e-bike is manageable for those who need to frequently lift it or store it in smaller spaces. So, let’s get into all the nitty-gritty details and test results down below in our ADO Air 28 review!

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Gazelle has the Only Class 3 Bosch Smart System

Dutch brand is bringing its first pedelec to the US.

Gazelle Launches First Class 3 E-Bike With Bosch Smart System in US

Gazelle, the Dutch bike maker, makes a varied array of e-bikes, but until now, they haven’t had much of a presence in the US. That may be about to change. The brand has announced that they will be importing the first Class 3 commuter (28 mph max assist speed) into the US that employs Bosch’s Smart System. The new model is called the Eclipse and is available at two price points.

Previouslywe liked their Medeo T9 City when we reviewed it.

The Bosch Smart System is an integrated suite of products that includes the Bosch motor, battery, display and controller as well as their eFlow app.

Smart System changes what the rider sees on the Kiox display based on how they are riding. When climbing, the display shows cadence, power and elevation, but when descending, it switches to focus on speed. When stopped, the Kiox switches to show summary information such as maximum speed, distance ridden and, importantly, remaining range.

The Gazelle Eclipse is made in both a high-step and a low-step frame. Both editions of the Eclipse retail in the $5000-$6000 range. Both versions include a Bosch Active Line motor that produces 85Nm of torque, a 750Wh Bosch battery, 4-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, 60mm-wide (2.2 in.) tires and an MIK rear rack.

The Eclipse T11 HMB comes with an 11-speed Shimano Deore XT drivetrain, while the Eclipse C380 HMB comes with an Enviolo Continuously Variable transmission and Gates belt for smooth shifting and nearly maintenance-free operation.

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Bosch’s Smart System isn’t earth-shattering stuff, but it seems likely to find its most enthusiastic users to be eMTB riders and commuters on Class 3 e-bikes. Performance-oriented riders will enjoy the automatic screen changes on the Kiox display. What’s surprising is that this is the first—and so far only—Class 3 e-bike to be paired with Bosch’s smart system.

Other features of the Gazelle Eclipse include front a rear lights, front and rear lights and fenders, a kickstand and an integrated ring lock. The MIK rear rack means that buyers have instant access to a wide range of MIK-compatible bags, baskets and other accessories.

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New York Seeks to Ban Sale of Used E-Bike Batteries

NY State Assembly passed bill that would require used e-bikes be sold with UL-certified batteries.

NY Seeks to Ban Sale of Used E-Bike Batteries

In their ongoing quest to cut down on the number of fires caused by faulty e-mobility devices, the NY State Assembly has passed a bill that would prohibit the sale of an e-bike unless it is equipped with a UL-certified battery.

Should the bill (A.4389C) be signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, sales of used e-bikes could be expected to all but halt. Owners of e-bikes—even those from reputable manufacturers—would be forced to replace the battery in order to sell it. If the e-bike manufacturer has yet to offer a UL-certified replacement, then they would be prohibited from selling the e-bike in the state.

Some Assembly members voted against the bill. Assemblyman Andrew Goodell (R—Jamestown) noted that there are 65,000 e-bikes being used for deliveries in New York City and most of those batteries would need to be replaced to sell those e-bikes.

Should someone be found to be selling an e-bike with an uncertified battery, they would be fined $500—roughly the cost of a new battery. Should they repeat the violation within two years, the fine would jump to $1000.

The Assembly has also passed a bill (A.6811) that would require the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a program that would provide new UL-certified e-bike batteries to current e-bike owners whose e-bikes lack a UL-certified battery. The program would provide the new batteries at no cost or at a reduced cost.

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Should Governor Hochul sign into law both A.4389C, which would prevent the sale of e-bikes with uncertified batteries, and A.6811, which would subsidize replacement batteries, this would make great inroads in safety for e-bike owners.

The question becomes, “Will this actually reduce the number of e-bike fires in New York?” Unfortunately, the answer is no. Based on Electric Bike Report’s research, the fires being attributed to e-bikes have been caused by e-mobility devices such as e-mopeds and e-scooters. We can’t say definitively that an e-bike has never cause a fire in New York, but in every instance where we’ve been able to examine photos of the aftermath of a fire, the device in question was not an e-bike. Replacing every e-bike battery in New York would not have prevented the fires we’ve studied.

New York could pass the requirement to replace e-bike batteries but fail to approve the program to subsidize replacement batteries. If that happens, we can expect the used e-bike markets in New Jersey and Connecticut to suffer a glut of used e-bikes for sale.

Our hope is that the language of both A.4389.C and A.6811 receives tweaks to include the full range of e-mobility devices, particularly e-mopeds and e-scooters. Should they do that, they will have taken a real step toward consumer safety, rather than a symbolic one.

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SixThreeZero EVRYJourney 500W Review

Female focused, with simplistic value: a no-frills e-bike with refreshingly fun colors.

SixThreeZero EVRY Journey 500W Review
E-bikes often cater to a male-focused or more specifically these days, a gender-neutral audience, so it’s refreshing to encounter a brand that prioritizes a female-first perspective.
In this SixThreeZero EVRYjourney 500W review, let’s explore how this cruiser embraces simplicity without compromising on the joy of riding.

Right off the bat, we really like how the EVRYjourney 500W comes in several different color options, including: Mint Green, Cream, Navy, and Teal. At this price point, we love how riders can add a touch of personal flair through their choice of colors. That’s not something we see with every bike brand.

The EVRYjourney is equipped with a 500W rear hub motor, engaged through a cadence sensor, has mechanical disc brakes and a rear cargo rack capable of supporting up to 55 lbs.

The bike’s step-through frame at 21 inches is particularly accommodating for shorter riders, while allowing for fine tuning your ride comfort through an adjustable handlebar stem and seat post. The upright riding position was comfortable, as you would expect from a cruiser e-bike. And we were surprised with how well the 26″ x 1.95″ tires gripped, even in rainy conditions.

Overall, we were impressed with several aspects of the EVRYjourney 500W. The motor was powerful and zippy (see our hill test below), it’s lightweight and pedals well, and has a nice design. However, there are a few areas that we think sixthreezero needs to improve on, namely the brakes (see our brake test results section below for details).

So, let’s dive into all the tiny details of our EVRYjourney 500W review to see if this bike is the cruiser e-bike you have been looking for.

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Orbea Diem Spec Review, 2024

The Basque bike maker introduces a high-end commuter with a forward-thinking design.

Orbea Diem Spec Review 2024

The Basque bike brand Orbea has introduced a new high-end commuter e-bike. This new model, called the Diem—as in “Day”—features a creative new frame design intended to offer the rider increased comfort.

Orbea offers the Diem in six different builds, running from a bit less than $4000 to not quite $6000, depending on the rider’s needs, and budget.

What makes the Diem unusual is its “Diamond Glide” frame design. This is an aluminum frame that features a shortened seat tube and chainstays that take a downward turn after reaching the seat tube and continue to the down tube. Think of it as an inverted suspension bridge design, the idea being that the frame will offer the rider a small degree of flex to soften the ride.

Orbea’s six configurations of the Diem include both Class 1 (20 mph max assist) and Class 3 (28 mph max assist) versions based on either Shimano’s EP6 or EP8 motors and with several different drivetrain options, including one version with an Enviolo internally geared hub combined with a Gates belt.

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The Orbea Diem offers a truly stylish and striking look that isn’t just eye-catching, but functional as well. And while six different versions of the same model might seem like a lot, we love the different configurations; they each make sense, though the especially like the Diem 10, which is a Class 3 model with Shimano’s EP8 motor, a 630Wh battery, Enviolo hub and Gates belt, and both front and rear racks.

We look forward to getting one of these for full testing. Orbea has long made great bikes (the brand is more than 100 years old) and this is an exciting addition to their lineup.

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Canyon Grizl:ON Spec Review, 2024

This new Class 3 carbon fiber gravel bike can handle adventures from a day to all-weekend.

Canyon Introduces New Gravel E-Bike: Grizzly:ON

Canyon, the German manufacturer that brought consumer-direct e-bike buying to the masses, has introduced a new gravel e-bike, the Grizl:ON. It will come in two different builds, the Grizl:ON CF 7 and the Grizl:ON CF 9, priced around the $5000 and $6000 price points, respectively.

As a gravel e-bike, the Grizl:ON looks like a road e-bike, just with big tires. It has the drop bar and forward-slung rider position of a road e-bike and comes in five sizes (XS through XL). Where it differs is in handling, tire width, drivetrain and suspension.

The Grizl:ON is built with a lightweight carbon fiber frame and Bosch Performance Line SX mid-drive motor, which provides 250W of power and 55Nm of torque. The 400Wh battery will provide hours of riding.

Gravel e-bikes tend to have calmer handling that road e-bikes so that they ease into turns more and are more likely to track straight if the riding surface is soft. And where a road e-bike might have a tire that’s 1-1.25 in. wide, the Grizl:ON has a tire that’s 1.8 in. wide, which will offer a more comfortable ride and better traction on unpaved surfaces. The drivetrain also features a wider gear range because the places that gravel e-bikes go often feature hills steeper than are typically paved. And, where road e-bikes almost never have suspension, the Canyon Grizl:ON comes with a RockShox Rudy suspension fork with 40mm of travel—enough to take the sting out of the roughest roads.

Most of the parts come from Shimano’s GRX group, which is made specifically for gravel e-bikes. It’s durable and precise stuff, reliable in a way you need if you’re 50 mi. from home and in the woods. In a move that’s unusual for gravel and road e-bikes alike, Canyon worked with Lupine to include lights integrated into the front and rear of the Grizl:ON.

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The Canyon Grizl:ON is an exciting new addition to this high-end bike and e-bike maker’s lineup. Gravel riding, that is, riding dirt roads on modified road bikes has been an exciting new avenue for cycling enthusiasts. And gravel riding on an e-bike makes terrific sense considering the way riding on unpaved roads slows a rider down, when compared to paved roads.

With clearance for tires up to 50mm wide, a suspension fork and plenty of mounting points for bags. the Grizl:ON is not only a terrific gravel e-bike, but it can serve as a great touring e-bike, whether doing traditional road touring and heading off into the backwoods for a bikepacking trek.

This is a really good-looking e-bike and thanks to a long head tube and suspension fork, the handlebar can be positioned high enough for all-day comfort.

The Canyon Grizl:ON CF 7 is already shipping and the Grizl:ON CF 9 will be available soon.

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Orbic Introduces World’s First 5G E-Bike With Crash Detection

Orbic Introduces World’s First 5G E-Bike With Crash Detection

Electronics maker Orbic has introduced the world’s first 5G-enable e-bike. Among its many features it includes a new technology that would allow for crash detection and emergency alerts for e-bikes. Of course, the technology will do much more than that, but that’s the most headline-grabbing feature.

Orbic is an electronics manufacturer that makes smartphones, laptops, tablets and wearables, and now e-bikes.

The Orbic 5G e-bike is equipped with a forward-facing and rear-racing cameras. The 2MP rear-facing camera has a 140-degree view and its feed is both recorded and sent to an AI-powered object detection system that will alert riders with both audio and visual signals to increase their safety. The 64MP front-facing camera’s feed is recorded so riders can play back their adventures after the fact.

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Orbic Introduces World’s First 5G E-Bike With Crash Detection

The forward- and rear-facing cameras will analyze the scene for threats and give the rider alerts based on its analysis.

The touchscreen display, which is a whopping 7-in.-wide, includes an 8MP camera so that riders can take video calls as well. Riders can see where their friends are in real-time as well. The display is mounted in the center of an integrated bar/stem where it can be viewed with ease.

The Orbic 5G e-bike can serve as a hotspot for other electronics. It runs on Android, powered by Verizon.

The e-bike basics include: a mid-drive motor made by Bafang with a maximum-assist speed of 28 mph, hydraulic disc brakes, suspension fork, fenders, rear rack, front and rear lights and a kickstand.

No word yet on its availability or pricing. It appears based on the Himiway Zebra/D5, so we expect the Orbic 5G e-bike to go for more than $2000.

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The UK Might Allow E-Bikes to Double in Power

The UK Might Allow E-Bikes to Double in Power

The U.K.’s government is considering proposals that would allow more powerful e-bikes to be sold in England, Scotland and Wales. At issue are e-bikes with 500W motors. As the law currently stands, e-bike motors are limited to a nominal (average, not max) output of 250W.

The government is forming a consultancy of which the Department of Transportation will be a member. Reports indicate that e-bike makers will be solicited for input as well. In addition to the current 250W limit, e-bikes in the U.K. does not permit e-bikes to be equipped with throttles. New legislation could potentially see wattage doubled and throttles normalized.

In a move that may seem surprising, the Bicycle Association, a U.K. e-bike trade group made up of suppliers and retailers, has previously lobbied against increasing the power in e-bikes. Their concern stemmed from a fear that more powerful e-bikes would result in the government reclassifying them as something other than bicycles. A change in the classification of e-bikes could see them required to be registered, carry insurance and banned from bike paths and the bike industry is concerned that reclassification could hurt further adoption of e-bikes.

So while the bike industry worries that more powerful e-bikes could result in new legal constraints that could hurt e-bike sales, the government worries that a 15.5 mph maximum assist speed may be an underwhelming speed to drivers who might be more interested in e-bikes … if only they went faster.

Notably absent from the current proposals is any reconsideration of that 15.5 mph maximum assist speed, though. Practically speaking, moving from a 250W nominal limit to 500W would result in e-bikes that simply accelerate more quickly. It would likely also result in an increased presence of e-bikes with hub motors. An e-bike with a 250W mid-drive motor is plenty powerful, but a 250W hub motor is decidedly underpowered. A jump to a maximum nominal rating of 500W would make hub motors more practical and could aid adoption of e-bikes by bringing more affordable e-bikes to the market in the U.K.

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Electric Bike Report’s take:

This legislation would be a big shift for the e-bike market in the U.K. To give readers a sense of how big a change this would be, most of the e-bikes we review here at Electric Bike Report are illegal in the U.K. Should they change which e-bikes can be sold to include those with 500W motors, the majority of what we review would still be off-limits.

We hope for the sake of consumers that they raise the allowable wattage as well as allow e-bikes to land with throttles. We also hope that the government reconsiders its 15.5 mph maximum assist speed. It’s easy to see why some people might be underwhelmed by being assisted to such a moderate pace. Raising the allowable wattage will open up the value-end of the market by making e-bikes with hub motors practical. Raising the speed limit could help e-bike adoption. Some people look at how fast their car goes vs. how fast 15.5 mph is, and then conclude they are better off continuing to drive.

More riders on e-bikes will help the world cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic congestion, helping make our cities more livable.

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San Francisco to Set New Rules for E-bikes and E-Scooters

San Francisco to Set New Rules Regarding E-bikes and E-Scooters

As the use of e-mobility devices has risen, the number of low-quality products circulating has risen as well. The number of fires has also risen. As a result, the city of San Francisco is preparing to enact new rules regarding how e-mobility devices can be charged and stored.

From 2017 to 2022, the number of fires caused by e-mobility devices in San Francisco rose each year, culminating in a high for the city of 58 fires in 2022. During that time period, the city has seen eight injuries and one fatality caused by those fires.

Beginning in March, new rules will go into effect that will specify how e-mobility devices can be charged in multi-unit housing.

Multi-unit buildings will now be limited to a maximum of four lithium-ion-battery-powered e-mobility devices per household. Additionally, there must be at least three feet between each device when they are charging. Also, each charger must be plugged into its own outlet, not a power strip.

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The new rules don’t end there. Damaged and refurbished batteries aren’t permitted in multi-unit housing either.

The rules pertain exclusively to multi-unit housing. Single-family homes are exempt from these rules.

San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced the legislation.

“They should be buying products that have been certified by underwriters laboratories, UL approved that they should not be using different chargers other than the chargers that were made to go with those. They should not be using extension cords during charging,” said Peskin.

The San Francisco Bike Coalition has countered that not everyone can afford an e-bike or e-mobility device with UL-certified electronics. They are lobbying the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for economic incentives to help people upgrade their devices to UL-certified ones.

Supervisor Peskin’s long-range vision is to see that all e-mobility devices are stored in fire-suppressing cabinets that can be rolled out of a building in the event of a fire.

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Himiway D5 Ultra (Rhino) Review

Bebopping with Rocksteady: This Huge and Heavy Commuter Boasts Heaps of Power and Long Range Potential

Himiway Rhino Review
Product names are extremely important, as they need to convey the spirit and substance of a thing in a concise manner. Enter the Himiway Rhino – also known as the D5 Ultra – a true beast of an e-bike that fully embodies the weight of its name. After having tested the bike’s real world performance, we share our experiences in this Himiway D5 Ultra review!

Here at Electric Bike Report, we often hear prospective and current e-bike owners wishing for the ability to cover more miles on a single charge. With the D5 Ultra, Himiway responded to these appeals by including TWO 48V, 720 watt-hour (Wh) batteries. This adds to the bike’s overall size and weight, but with a total of 1440 Wh of capacity, also greatly extends its range; we were extremely satisfied with the bike’s performance in our Range Test.

The Rhino’s size was perhaps its most immediately obvious feature, including its massive 26”x4.5” tires. It felt like a tank – and it weighed a jaw-dropping 104 lbs! The upside of the D5 Ultra’s size, weight, and super-wide tires was that it felt remarkably stable and solid while riding.

We also enjoyed a high degree of visibility from the bike’s high riding position. Its wide, cushy saddle and ergonomic rubber grips added to the overall comfort. We found its riding position and comfort level to be appropriate for the long-distance rides its dual batteries are capable of.

For all the D5 Ultra did right, it had a few areas with room for improvement. For example, the entry-level brakes performed fine, but such a large bike would benefit from an upgraded brake set. Additionally, the 1,000W mid-drive motor could be punchy, but accessing its full power wasn’t as easy as we expected. We’ll explore the details later in this Himiway D5 Ultra review; continue reading below for the results of our Speed, Range, Hill, and Brake Tests!

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