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E-Bike News: Envo Stax Lightweight Speedster, California E-bike License Law and Lots More!

Electric bike news 27th July

E-bike safety is much in the news this week. We look at the possibility of licensing e-bikers in California as a reaction against recent fatalities in the area and also at the latest recommendations from a UK charity for clamping down on the poor quality batteries and chargers that cause e-bike fires.

This is all about making e-biking safer, obviously a good thing – but that is not to say it is inherently unsafe. Quite the opposite. Many millions of miles are safely travelled on e-bikes every year but it’s the isolated incidents that make the headlines. Buy a good quality e-bike in the first place, look after it and charge it properly and ride safely – and you are highly unlikely to have any problems, just enjoyment…

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • The 42lb Envo Stax is a slimline speedster
  • Bill to require e-bike licences for those with without full driving licences arrives in California state legislature
  • Forthcoming Quietkat Lynx will have a two speed motor
  • Cowboy reduce price with new Core model
  • UK charity make battery safety recommendations
  • Battery tech roundup
  • Lyft may sell e-bike and e-scooter division

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Ride1UP Rift ST Review

The Rift ST bridges the gap between an adventurous fat-tire e-bike and a cargo- or passenger-hauling powerhouse!

Ride1UP Rift ST Review
Ride1UP’s latest offering is the Rift; its first fat tire e-bike. In our testing, it fulfilled our expectations and also leaped beyond them thanks to some unexpected elements. We explain our findings in this Ride1UP Rift ST Review!

The Rift ST includes a robust 750W rear-hub motor with 95 Nm of torque that powered us quickly and effectively over all sorts of terrain. This motor functions responsively due to an unexpectedly sensitive cadence sensor that’s one of the best we’ve seen – especially at the Rift’s price point below $1,900.

A 150-lb rating on the Rift’s welded-on cargo rack means that it’s stout enough to haul anything from camping gear to groceries, but with the optional Passenger Kit, it can accommodate an additional rider. This transforms the Rift ST into a unique hybrid machine more akin to a utility bike than a traditional fat bike.

The Rift ST has great acceleration as it ships in Class 2 mode, but it can also be unlocked to a Class 3 with pedal assist up to 28 mph. We found its power to be distributed better when adjusted to reach higher speeds, and we had a blast speeding along both on- and off-road.

Fat-tire e-bikes aim to be versatile, and this one may have just raised the bar; we think it’s an excellent e-bike for just about anyone. Whether you’re looking for a sturdy, stable bike for casual rides or you want to explore freely with a friend, the Rift ST can do it all!

To learn more about the bike’s features and performance in our testing, see our full Ride1UP Rift ST review below!

*Ride1Up has discountinued the Rift, but here are some other e-bikes from the brand worth checking out:
Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Review
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 LX Review
Ride1Up LMTD V2 Review

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Mokwheel Scoria Review

Multi-use e-bike that can accommodate a lot of riders, and fulfill multiple riding tasks – commute, run errands and explore on the weekend

Mokwheel Scoria Review

If you’re looking for a moped-style e-bike that’s easy to ride then you might want to take a closer look at the Mokwheel Scoria. This e-bike is sized to fit riders from 4’8” – 6’0” and offers a lot of fun, whether you’re on city streets, bike paths or dirt roads outside town. Not only is it fun to ride but it also works for commuting, cruising, and exploring. The sturdy rack enables you to carry groceries, work supplies, camping gear, and most anything else you can think of.Whether you’re a new rider, experienced rider, or someone who has been away from bikes for a while, the Scoria is designed for you to ride and explore. With its step-through frame, fat knobby tires, and upright riding design, this bike offers riders a user-friendly riding experience along with some impressive e-bike performance.

Adding power to your pedal is the 750-watt rear hub motor that can take this Class 3 e-bike up to 28 mph, using throttle and pedal assist. Making sure your ride doesn’t end too early is the large battery that holds loads of power. The fat tires and suspension work great managing the terrain, giving you the feeling to keep on riding.

Campers rejoice; The Scoria has a truly unique feature for when you leave the power grid behind. It has an optional power converter to charge personal items off the bike’s battery. Cell phones, mini fridge and more! But won’t that leave less for the battery? Well, you can always get the optional solar panels too for charging off the bike – neat! It’s bigger sibling in the Mokwheel lineup – the Basalt – shares this seldom seen feature too.

Recently, our team spent a few weeks analyzing this e-bike, and testing its performance as we logged over 125 miles on the Scoria to find out if this Mokwheel is a winner.

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3 E-Bike Safety Tips When Riding

3 E-Bike Safety Tips When Riding

*We receive a lot of requests to write for Electric Bike Report. We don’t typically let others write content for us very often, but we appreciated the advice of this article and agreed to publish it.

E-bikes are racing ahead in the clean-transportation revolution, with approximately 1.1 million imported into the United States last year. But even with the best electric bikes came collisions.

Between 2017 and 2021, the US saw a staggering 127 percent increase in injuries related to micromobility devices, totaling 77,200 cases and resulting in 119 deaths. These statistics are only getting worse. New York alone recorded ten fatalities resulting from cyclist collisions in the first quarter of 2023 — the same number of accidents that occurred throughout 2018.

Evidently, as the e-bike takes to our urban streets, there is a vital need to prioritize rider safety and encourage responsible use. An e-bike subscription platform for last-mile delivery drivers Whizz emphasizes three fundamental safety rules that every urban e-bike rider should follow. By embracing these guidelines, riders can roam their cities in a safe way — both for themselves and those they share the roads with.

E-Bike Safety Tip #1: Always Wear a Helmet

If there’s one piece of gear you should never ride without, it’s a good helmet. Not only are they proven to be highly effective in preventing fatalities, but they also reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.

To be certain that your helmet will hold up during an accident, ensure it meets safety benchmarks such as the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) Bicycle Helmet Standards. This certification ensures that it has undergone rigorous testing to provide suitable protection.

Your headgear should be constructed from high-quality materials such as polycarbonate, which offer durability and impact resistance. Additionally, helmets with an expanded polystyrene lining provide excellent shock absorption. Some helmets also offer extended coverage at the back for additional safety, while others incorporate technologies like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to reduce rotational forces during angled impacts.

While safety should be your top priority, comfort is important too. Look for a helmet that comfortably fits your head, with adequate ventilation to keep your head cool during long rides. Preferably, it should have adjustable straps, or a dial or retention system at the back that allows you to fine-tune the fit. Not only will a snug fit deter you from removing your helmet to alleviate discomfort, but it will stop it from slipping off at the worst possible time.

Often, new e-bike riders splash out on a dependable bike and battery but overlook the importance of a high-quality helmet. Sure, settling for the cheapest option may save you a few dollars, but is that worth risking your life for?

Understandably, not everybody has the money to invest in high-end gear. To address this, Whizz has taken the initiative to provide free helmets to delivery drivers in New York City as part of its ‘Ride Safe’ campaign. Anyone with an active delivery service account can claim one on Whizz’s website — and protect themselves as they shuttle our orders around the city.

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E-Bike News: New E-cargo Models from Xtracycle and Velotric and Lots More!

Electric bike news 21th July

Van Moof’s financial woes appear to have come to a head this week as time seems to be running out for the groundbreaking Dutch brand to continue as a going concern. One question on people’s minds will be if there are other e-bike brand bankruptcies in the pipeline. Whilst we also report on the UK arm of Mate going bust it should be noted this is a very different and much smaller setup. The e-bike industry has successfully ridden out many difficult economic times in the past and new launches from Xtracycle and Velotric show there is plenty of confidence around and that the firms suffering real difficulties at present constitute a blip rather than a trend. After all, e-bikes are one of the most convenient and sustainable ways to get around and that fact won’t change.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Xtracycle Stoker – an off-road load hauler with Shimano mid-drive power
  • Velotric offers great value with its two new utility models
  • UK’s Claud Butler launches two new e-mtbs
  • Van Moof declared bankrupt as creditor protection withdrawn
  • Mate UK go into administration

[Read more…] about E-Bike News: New E-cargo Models from Xtracycle and Velotric and Lots More!

What Are IP Ratings and Why Do They Matter for E-Bikes

What Are IP Ratings and Why Do They Matter for E-Bikes

There are few things where water and dirt make things better. Mud pies, yes. Mountain bike trails, yes. Coffee makers? Not so much. It’s the same for e-bikes; dust and water are bad news for the electrical components of an electric bike.

It used to be that when it came to protection from moisture, like with a wristwatch, we had two rather loose ratings: water-resistant and waterproof. These days those terms have been replaced by a two number system referred to as Ingress Protection (or IP) rating.

What the IP rating system offers e-bike riders is a better understanding of the level of protection we can count on when riding in circumstances that aren’t sunny and dry. It’s a relatively easy system to understand, as you’ll see.

What The IP Number System Means

The IP rating system uses two numbers to rate the protection level a product has been tested to. The first number indicates the product’s ability to safeguard against ingress from dust and dirt. The second number indicates the degree of defense the product enjoys against moisture.

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Vvolt Alpha E-Bike Review, 2024

An affordable, entry-level city e-bike with an easy-to-use approach.

Vvolt Alpha Review 2024
Having previously reviewed the now-discontinued Proxima, which held a solid tenure on our list of the top city e-bikes, we had extremely high expectations for Vvolt’s most economically-priced model, the Alpha. In this Vvolt Alpha review, we examine the bike’s specs, ride feel, and performance, so read on for more!

As a Class 1 e-bike, the Alpha offers pedal assistance up to 20 mph. It uses a highly responsive cadence sensor to activate its 350W rear-hub motor. We enjoyed how quickly this was able to provide power, allowing us to get up to speed swiftly and easily.

We also appreciated such responsiveness in combination with the single-speed drivetrain. The Alpha’s Gates Carbon belt drive has some limitations, but is also a simple and long-lasting system that requires little-to-no maintenance. Gates advertises that their belts last more than twice as long as a traditional chain, and they’re clean and quiet to boot.

Bikepackers rejoice! The Alpha is intended primarily for urban environments, though it offers flexibility with knobby hybrid tires. These performed well in our testing on dirt and pavement alike – something that’s even better when considering extras like the three-pack mounts on the Alpha’s forks.

The Alpha isn’t perfect, but it IS a decent entry-level e-bike for those looking to save on cost while getting a functional machine. It’ll get you to work and back, but it can also give you some freedom and flexibility to adventure and explore!

*Vvolt has since updated the Alpha. Check out our Vvolt Alpha II review here.

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E-Bike News: Borealis Goes E-fat, Rad Power Out of Europe, Van Moof Woes and Lots More!

Electric bike news 12th July

This week’s news has the usual rash of new e-bike announcements, but more unusual is the news of financial difficulties in an area that’s usually dominated by good news stories. In the intensely competitive European market high-tech leaders Van Moof have rapidly come unstuck as an going high rate of warranty claims appear to have caught up with them whilst Rad Power are retreating from this particular area of the globe altogether finding it a rougher ride than their home territory in North America where they undoubtedly have a higher profile. It all underlines the difficult economic climate in many parts of the world underscored by the fact that Covid-induced over production has lead to a glut of e-bikes in stock. You only need take a look at many e-bikes are being discounted to see the effect a complex mix factors has resulted in.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Borealis Keystone – a premium quality mid-drive e-fat bike
  • Bergamont extends use of lightweight TQ HPR 50 mid drive in its new range
  • UK’s Surge debuts it’s great value e-folder with premium components
  • Is this the end for Van Moof?
  • Rad Power retreats from Europe
  • Garmin promotes e-bike compatibility

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E-Bike News: New Models from Cowboy, Tenways and Peugeot and Lots More!

Electric bike news 6th July

The contradictory themes of simplicity and complexity run through this week’s news. Cowboy, who have just announced their new Cruiser model, are proponents of the simplest looking, simplest to operate e-bike, albeit one with some fairly advanced tech in the form of wireless tech and inductive wireless phone charging. Similarly Tenways have gone for the low maintenance simplicity of ‘stepless’ hub gearing and a belt drive with their brand new powerful mid-drive city e-bike.

The future seems far more complex in design terms – at least if you think Canyon will follow through on their declared intention of introducing the futuristic sounding ‘V2X’ (vehicle to everything) wireless technology that will let all vehicles on the road electronically ‘talk’ to each other (along with suitably equipped stationary objects). Is this the point at which the increasing cost and complexity of technology get halted by the demands of reality or will it prove to be a landmark safety development?

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Cowboy’s comfiest e-bike yet – the Cruiser
  • Tenways AGO T – a city e-bike with powerful drive and stepless gears
  • Peugeot’s new Digital range of connected e-bikes
  • Canyon look to ‘vehicle to everything’ communication as the future
  • Chinese carmaker NIO to roll out semi-solid state batteries

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Engwe M20 E-Bike Review 2024

Full Suspension Cafe Racer For Throttle Fun Without The Pedaling

Engwe M20 E-Bike Review 2024
Our review of the Engwe M20 electric bike covers all the details on this sporty BMX-looking e-bike. With its full suspension and all-terrain knobby tires, the M20 handles bumps, moguls, and drop offs better than most 20-inch wheel e-bikes you’ll find. Riders seeking more power to explore urban and outback areas will like the 750-watt rear hub motor.

The M20 is a Class 3 e-bike, with motor power from the throttle up to 20 mph, and motor power through the pedal assist up to 25 mph. This e-bike’s low-sitting, sporty design makes a great handling bike for riders of all levels. When you first hop on this bike and grab the handlebar, you’ll likely yearn for adventure. This bike’s design and feel will invite you to go where you haven’t gone before.

Until recently, full suspension e-bikes resided in the $3000-plus range, leaving many new riders to opt for hardtail e-bikes instead. But Engwe came up with the right recipe for suspension and performance, and offered this bike for a price that’s considerably lower than most of its competitors. So, if you’re interested in this kind of sporty BMX-style e-bike, then you’ll want to keep reading about our review and performance tests on this bike.

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