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Magnum Pilot Review, 2024

A Bike That Looks Classy, Gives Balanced Motor Engagement and a Comfortable Ride

Magnum Pilot Review 2024
Billed as a touring bike, the Magnum Pilot merges the quality ride features of a commuter e-bike with the comfort features of a cruiser e-bike. Taking a hybrid approach, Magnum blended features like fat 26” x 3” tires, comfy Selle Royal Freeway seat and upright posture, with a workhorse mid-drive motor, suspension, and a battery that can take you far.

Powered by the Ananda 500-watt mid-drive motor that generates 135 Newton meters of torque, the Pilot can take you up steep hills and down busy boulevards. It uses a torque sensor to help economize energy consumption, so you can ride further between battery charges.

The frame integrated removable lithium ion battery has a 15 amp-hour capacity and carried our test rider well beyond the 50-mile range we were anticipating. Sporting its stylish step-through design and classic white wall tires, the Pilot utilizes broad 10-speed gearing that can help you get in the right speed, whether you’re riding through town, or to the next town over. Our Magnum Pilot review will cover the key details, along with the results from our performance tests to help you find out if this bike has what you’re looking for.

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Juiced RipRacer Review, 2024

A whole lot of fun in a pint-sized package.

Juiced RipRacer Review 2024
Like a tiny, spicy, and exotic-fruit-flavored candy bar in your trick-or-treat bag, the Juiced Bikes RipRacer is a “fun-size” e-bike that’s likely to surprise you! With its unique hybrid Fat Tire/BMX influence, it packs a ton of power into a small package. The reviewers at Electric Bike Report explain its performance and feel in this Juiced Bikes RipRacer Review!

Considering the bike’s diminutive size, we were blown away by the power and capability of its 52V, 750W rear-hub motor. As a Class 2 and 3 e-bike, the RipRacer can reach a maximum pedal-assisted speed of 28 miles per hour, and comes equipped with a throttle limited to 20. In addition to cranking out blood-pumping speed, this bike eats hills for breakfast!

While it rides a bit differently than a full-size e-bike, the RipRacer’s size has some added benefits. First, with a short wheelbase and small 20” wheels, the bike is awesomely maneuverable! Second, at 66 lbs (including the removable battery), it’s relatively lightweight and much more portable than many of its 85-lb Fat Tire cousins!

In addition to being blazing fast and a blast to ride, the RipRacer is simply a really unique e-bike! There aren’t many bikes on the market with a similar style, design, and combination of features. To top it off, the RipRacer comes in 4 uncommon, eye-catching colors including the Hi-viz Yellow of our test bike.

We’ve only just scratched the surface, so be sure to dive into our full Juiced Bikes RipRacer review below!

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E-Bike News: New E-bikes from Trek, Gazelle and Juiced & Lots More!

Electric bike news 25th August

There are a number of tried, tested and proven designs on show this week, with e-bikes from Juiced, Gazelle and Trek featured, demonstrating that very keenly priced fat tires, good value e-mtb hard tails and superb quality ‘do anything’ e-bikes respectively are still very much at the forefront of bike manufacturers’ thoughts. As is often the case, it’s the last, briefer news feature on a prototype that may point the way to the future. Pashley’s chainless e-trike has made an appearance at a trade show and most exciting of all the UK manufacturer say it’s slated for release next year. What makes it even more exciting is that Pashley are a traditional UK company not at all prone to hype and what’s more they are trike specialists, so it’s clear they at least think there is a future for this exciting sounding chainless tech which has – thus far at least – failed to make a big impact in the e-bike world. Could Pashley be the one to break the mold?

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Juiced Scorpion X2 – it’s back and it’s more powerful than ever
  • Gazelle’s Eclipse – an e-bike marrying high quality with versatile performance
  • Trek’s classic mountain bike, the Marlin, gets a Bosch drive system
  • Lectric brake fault recall details
  • Can Paisley succeed with their chainless e-trike?

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Electra Ponto Go! First Look Review

Electra Ponto Go! Spec Review 2023

The Electra Brand has been known for cruisers and city bike, both electrified and not. They’ve left road bikes, eMTBs and cargo e-bikes to other brands (like their parent, Trek). Instead, they’ve focused on the category for which they are known. They’ve now introduced a new e-bike, the Ponto Go!, which takes a little sidestep from the world of cruiser e-bikes.

In our Electra Ponto Go! review, we will look at how this e-bikes is modeled on a moped design, with a long bench seat that is lower to the ground than we see with more traditional e-bikes. Its frame splits the difference between a traditional e-bike frame and the “box” frame we are used to seeing with mopeds/motorcycles and the like. It has big tires and a suspension fork for a comfy ride quality and a high-rise handlebar that can be rolled forward or backward to increase or decrease the rider’s comfort.

It is spec’d with a 750W brushless, geared hub motor which is powered by a 650Wh battery, operated by a controller that gives riders five different PAS levels. Riders will be pleased with some component upgrades we see over some similar designs, such as hydraulic disc brakes and an 8-speed drivetrain.

In short, Electra has approached this style of e-bike with a fresh take, giving riders something different, something that may better fit their needs.
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Mokwheel Asphalt ST Review

Hit the pavement running with this sleek and speedy step-thru commuter e-bike.

Mokwheel Asphalt ST Review
A year after entering the e-bike market, Mokwheel has expanded its lineup to include – among other things – a variety of commuter-focused options. The Asphalt ST features a sleek design with flashy color options and plenty of speed. We cover the bike’s specs, features, and performance in this Mokwheel Asphalt ST review!

As a hybrid commuter/cruiser e-bike made for extended street rides, the Asphalt ST uses a 500W rear-hub motor with a torque sensor to mimic the feel of a non-electric bike. Some similar models we’ve tested have felt jerky when pedaling, but the Asphalt ST’s motor engaged smoothly with none of the slightly jarring inertia that we’ve felt on other bikes.

The Asphalt was simply an incredibly comfortable bike to ride. Its front suspension fork soaked up bumps and smoothed out dips, its saddle was a cushy perch from which to observe our surroundings, and the bike’s upright positioning allowed others to see us better too.

We were surprised by the Asphalt’s appetite for speed; our test bike was able to exceed the Class 3 limit of 28 miles per hour. The bike’s throttle blasted beyond the standard 20 mph speed limit also, though Mokwheel advised us that the bike should ship as a Class 3 with proper limitations.

We think the Asphalt ST is a fun and comfortable means of getting around, whether riding to work on weekdays or just going for a relaxing spin. To see how the Mokwheel Asphalt ST performed in our testing, continue to our full review below!

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Ride1UP Prodigy V1 ST E-Bike Review, 2024

A Great Motor at a Desireable Price That’ll Keep Active Riders Happy

Ride1UP Prodigy ST E-Bike Review 2024
One of the easiest ways to show off the premium quality of an e-bike has been to equip it with a mid-drive motor. Hydraulic disc brakes all look alike from 10 ft. away—same for drivetrains. But a mid-drive motor stands out, even at a distance. And because they have generally appeared on e-bikes around closer to $3000 and up, seeing one has meant that the e-bike in question is a step up.

But what if an e-bike with a mid-drive motor didn’t have to be that expensive? That’s where the Ride1UP Prodigy ST comes in. This is an e-bike that doesn’t skimp on quality. It’s built with a Brose mid-drive motor, hydraulic disc brakes, a 9-speed drivetrain and comes with a full accessory package including fenders, rear rack, lights and kickstand. In our Ride1UP Prodigy ST review we’ll look at how these choices affect the ride and just what sort of value proposition this e-bike offers.

Ride1UP is a company with a reputation for building high-value e-bikes; your dollar goes a long way with them. In addition to the Brose mid-drive motor, they chose a 500Wh battery which might seem to be a modest capacity, but when paired with a 250W motor, you’ll see just how much performance you can get with it.

So who will this e-bike appeal to? Primarily commuters, though that shouldn’t be a surprise, in part due to the included accessories. It will also appeal to riders who want finer control over the motor’s output and don’t mind getting more of a workout as they ride – but you can make any amount of work light too.

Ride1UP makes the Prodigy in not one, not two but three different versions. The XR and ST are both set up as commuters, with the difference being that the ST is a step-thru frame, rather than a traditional diamond frame, and it runs on the smaller side. The Ride1UP Prodigy XC opts for knobby tires, a suspension fork and lower gears for off-road riding. It also skips the fenders and rack.

Ride1UP suggests that the Prodigy ST will fit riders from 5 feet 1 up to 6 feet 3, while the XR and XC will fit riders from 5 feet 6 up to 6 feet 4. In nearly every instance a fit range of more than five inches is optimistic and riders at the high or low end of the size range may need to change out the stem and/or handlebar for optimal comfort, though they can manage with the bike as is.

At just 50 lbs (for the frame)., the Prodigy ST is notably lighter than most commuters we encounter. Even so, it has a total weight capacity of 300 lbs., and the rack will hold up to 40 lbs.

Let’s get into our testing and review to see how the Prodigy ST stacked up, and if that premium motor makes the rest of the bike worth while (spoiler alert: it does).

*Looking for the latest on the Prodigy? Check out the Ride1UP Prodigy V2 LX review.

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Ride1UP Prodigy Review, 2024 | XC Variant with an Appetite for Dirt Roads

Style, Looks, and Quality for Riding in the City and Off-road

Ride1UP Prodigy Review 2024
In this review for the Ride 1Up Prodigy e-bike, we cover all the important parts that make this a great lightweight, long range, quality built, all-terrain e-bike, at an affordable price. The highlight features of our XC variant include an energy efficient motor that delivers the right power when you need it, good off-road tires, front fork suspension, and an overall design that will appeal to a large number of riders. Combined with its sturdy build, practical design and rider-friendly components, the Prodigy also looks sharply stylish wherever you ride to.

As you go through this Ride1UP Prodigy review it’s worth pointing out that our XC model comes standard with a few different specs than what you’d find on the XR or ST models, and this one will largely be better suited for lighter dirt trail riding where the others are more paved path-friendly. At any rate, keep reading and find out how this e-bike delivers on many fronts.

*Looking for the latest on the Prodigy? Check out the Ride1UP Prodigy V2 LX review.

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E-Bike News: Denago eMTBs, Norco Go Bosch SX & More!

E-bike News 1st September

This week’s news has a great batch of new e-bike announcements, clearly demonstrating various current trends in the e-bike world. Denago was founded in 2022 by a group of e-bike industry veterans. The brand places a major focus on providing quality products at an affordable price point, backed up by excellent customer service – and they are looking to further that mission with the launch of a couple of hardtail e-mtbs that use Bafang mid-drives, adding to their range of established keenly-priced and well-specced hub motor models.

Norco and Santa Cruz are well known for making premium e-bikes and have both moved into the lightweight space by taking advantage of a new breed of lightweight mid-drive motor. Premium bike company Specialized have made a further move into the e-cargo bike market with a long tail model to go with their previously announced shortail Globe Haul model. And if e-cargo models appeal but are just too expensive for you then Wombi is bringing the chance to subscribe to Tern e-bikes to the US.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Denago’s eXC mid-drive e-mtbs now in stock
  • Norco spec Bosch’s Performance Line SX mid-drive on new lightweight full-sus e-mtbs
  • More detail of Specialized’s Globe Haul LT revealed
  • Santa Cruz Skitch uses Fazua Ride 60 mid-drive for lightweight gravel / commuter style e-bike
  • Wombi offering Tern e-bike subscription in LA

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Should E-bikes Have UL-Certified Batteries?

Should E-Bikes Have UL-Certified Batteries

If this seems a strange question to ask, you’re not alone. Most of the electrical products in our homes benefit from UL—that is, Underwriters Laboratories—certification. What you might not be aware of is that with some products UL certification is not mandatory; it’s optional. In our increasingly unregulated world, many companies see voluntary certification systems as an expense that costs money and slows down the path to introducing a new product to the market, not to mention stifling innovation (or so the argument goes).

What UL certification does is verify that a product meets a standard set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC issues rules regarding everything from TVs to children’s clothing, not to mention bike helmets. And as we mentioned in our opening, certification is not mandatory. Companies may choose to ignore CPSC rules.

UL certification can’t promise that a product won’t ever fail, but what it does promise is that the manufacturer has met the standards set by the CPSC. Seeing the UL certification logo on a product is an ideal way to reassure consumers that the product in question meets an agreed-upon threshold of safety.

The Cost of E-Bike Battery UL Certification

For a company in a rush to bring an e-bike battery to market (see our guide to e-bike batteries for more information), UL certification represents a not insignificant cost. The laboratory that performs the tests required will charge somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000 and will need to be supplied with 52 battery packs – a substantial expense in its own right.

In addition to the financial cost associated with e-bike UL certification, the lab performing the tests will need 10-12 weeks to conduct the tests and issue a report on their results. A three-month lead time can mean missing the window necessary for delivering batteries to a manufacturer in time for that year’s selling season.

It’s easy to see how a company focused on the bottom line of sales may see the expense of both time and money as more than they are willing to bear.

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Mokwheel Basalt ST Review

Built To Roam Most Places and Power Almost Anything Electric Thanks To Unique Accessories

Mokwheel Basalt ST Review 2025
How do you make a fat tire e-bike standout in a pretty crowded market? A bright splash of color helps, make it fast as a bullet and you’ll be sure to get noticed too, and round it off with the promise of accessories that enable you to use the sun to power the bike, or have the bike power up most of your electronics too. Yup, that’ll help it standout! In our review of Mokwheel’s newest iteration of its fat tire Basalt Step Through (ST), we cover this e-bike’s performance and cover all its best features.

The Basalt ST has all the hallmark traits of the Basalt high step model we reviewed, with the added bonus of being easier to get on ride without a top-tube. Shorter riders, or folks who don’t love swinging a leg over a bike in general will appreciate the ST frame here.

Mokwheel’s Basalt line is known for the massive batteries that lend many miles to a speedy motor. This bike has a torque sensor for splitting the work difference better with the rider, but it’s still the type of bike that’ll happily do all the work for you if that’s your preference.

Thanks to the large 26″ X 4″ fat tires, and just enough comfort features and adaptability for different riders, the Basalt ST can dominate the roads or the dusty trails alike. But if you spring for the optional power inverter and solar panels, it can become you’re roving power plant that charges all manner of electronics via that big ball of burning gas in the sky. It becomes enticing and easy to imagine some camping trips with, doesn’t it?

Overall the bike is a solid value and left us with a lasting impression. It isn’t without a couple of drawbacks, but the Basalt ST overall is a bike worth a further look into if you’re on the hunt for something that’s burlier and ready to go fast. For all the details, continue on in our Mokwheel Basalt Step-Through review.

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