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E-Bike News; Giant’s Momentum to Feature Throttle, Patent Filed for New Shimano Mid-drive and Lots More!

Electric bike news 17th November

You might not have thought putting a throttle on an e-bike was a big deal but to some US manufacturers it clearly has been. So it’s big news in the small world of e-bikes that Giant’s ‘liestyle’ brand, Momentum, have followed the likes of Specialized and Trek in doing just that. It also follows the trend of similar premium brands introducing more keenly-priced hub motor models and making them somewhat more competitively priced, whilst still being several cuts above the very cheapest brands out there in terms of both quality and price.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Momentum Cito E+ – Giant gets into throttle-powered cargo bikes
  • Shimano many be planning a new lighter, smaller mid-drive
  • Eovolt goes upmarket for 2024
  • REMCO bikestand lifts 100lbs
  • Rad Power to close New York store

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iGO Outland Torngat RS Review, 2024

A powerful fat tire eMTB for long rides over hills and loose terrain in all seasons.

iGO Outland Torngat RS Review 2024
If you’re seeking a rugged, all-season e-bike that can take on steep, loose, and rocky terrain alike, the iGO Outland Torngat RS has you covered. As one of three models in the brand’s Outland series, the Torngat is a fat tire eMTB made for trails and wilderness – but it also has commuter potential. We dive into the details in this iGO Outland Torngat RS review!

The Torngat RS rolls on massive 4.8”-wide Maxxis Minion tires with grip in all types of terrain. In addition to great traction, they help to absorb bumps and smooth out the ride. We liked how stable and planted these tires felt on dirt and sand – and while we don’t often have snow on our Southern Utah trails, we think they’d do just fine there as well. It rides as either a class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike with settings that can be controlled in iGO’s custom app.

Another feature we really appreciated was the bike’s RST Renegade suspension fork. With 120 mm of travel, the stiffness of this air-and-oil fork can be adjusted to suit the rider’s weight and the difficulty of the surrounding terrain. This fork is a higher-tier component that sets the Torngat apart from the other iGO Outland e-bikes we’ve reviewed using spring suspensions.

We also liked the Torgnat’s powerful, responsive 500W mid-drive motor. It encouraged more active pedaling, and delivered more or less power in response to our level of effort. The result was a natural-feeling but enhanced ride that felt perfect for tough trails.

So how did this bike perform in our series of tests? Keep reading our iGO Outland Torngat RS review below to find out!

*iGO has shared an exclusive discount code with the Electric Bike Report audience. Use code: GOELECTRIC100 at checkout for $100 off your e-bike purchase.

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E-Bike News; New Specialized Kenovo SL2, Fiido E-fat, Rotwild E-gravel & Lots More!

Electric bike news 10th November

There’s a definite off-road flavour to this week’s news. Specialized have launched a more powerful updated version of their downhill E-MTB, the Kenovo whilst champions of unique e-bike design Fiido have come up with an electric fat bike with the option of a triple battery claiming a 250 mile range and Rotwild have produced one of the coolest looking and most sophisticated lightweight e-gravel bikes ever.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Specialized Kenovo SL2 – more torque, less noise
  • Fiido Titan – an e-fat bike with triple batteries
  • Rotwild R.R275 carbon framed hi-tech e-gravel bike
  • NYC double Citibike e-bike incentive program numbers
  • Hiplok’s toughest security system yet

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KBO Oasis E-Bike Review, 2024

Stylish Look for Long Comfortable Rides, and at a Good Price Point

KBO Oasis Cruiser E-Bike Review 2024
The KBO Oasis is an entry-level cruiser electric bike that rides comfortably, looks stylish, and holds a big battery that can take you up to 55 miles on a single charge. The Oasis uses KBO’s own 500W motor that’s able to reach some decent speeds in PAS 3 and above. Currently price below $1200, it’s a cruiser option for people making their first splash on an e-bike.

Looking at this bike’s functionality, KBO offers the Oasis in two frame designs to accommodate rider heights: the High Step model (which we tested) for riders who are 6’ or taller, and the Step-Through model, for riders as short as 5’4”. Even though the frame designs are different, both bikes use the same components, so it should be fair to assume the step-through performs similarly to the high-step model.

With Oasis being an entry-level cruiser, one of our concerns is how well this bike will do, in the long term, needing additional service and repairs, because of its lower cost components. But this bike held up well on our tests, and that’s a good sign.

We recently tested and evaluated the Oasis on its performances in speed, range, stopping, climbing hills, and ride quality. We give a straightforward assessment that should answer all, or most, of the questions you have about its suitability. After reading this review, you should have a pretty good idea of how this bike rides and whether or not it’s a bike that can meet your expectations.

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Ado Air 20 E-Bike Review, 2024

A Lightweight European-Style Folding E-Bike for Easy Carrying and Commuting

Ado Air E-Bike Review 2024
The Air 20 is just one of many folding e-bike options from A Dece Oasis, or ADO. With a lightweight frame practical for carrying on a daily basis, it’s a great solution for commuters with some miles between the bus stop and the office. We explore the bike’s features and performance in this ADO Air 20 review.

In the US, the folding feature of folding e-bikes is often secondary, with some weighing upwards of 70 lbs. At 42 lbs. including its battery, the ADO Air 20 is more portable than many of its peers. It can fold in seconds, and ADO offers an optional magnetic attachment to keep the two halves of the bike together. This might seem minor, but it’s something we’ve often wished for on the folding e-bikes we’ve tested!

Another surprising feature of the ADO Air 20 was the responsiveness of its pedal assistance. The bike uses a torque sensor in conjunction with its 250W rear-hub motor, giving the rider more power when pedaling harder. We think this is a great complement to the subtle assistance provided by the relatively small motor.

Function is the Air 20’s primary concern, as exemplified by its simple operation. To keep things light and easy, it uses a single-speed drivetrain with a Dayco Power Carbon belt for long-lasting and mess-free pedaling. With no shifting, riders need only to adjust their pedal-assist setting or use the throttle!

We had a lot of fun testing this zippy folding e-bike; see our full ADO Air 20 review below for all the details.

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Tenways AGO X Review

A no-nonsense commuter e-bike with quality parts, a responsive mid-drive, and off-road potential.

Tenways AGO X Review
As somewhat of a departure from Tenways’ urban-centric line of e-bikes, the AGO X is built to handle more than just asphalt and concrete. It still sports the brand’s trademark, however, with clean, contemporary styling that you just won’t find elsewhere! We dive into the bike’s specs, components, and real-world performance in this Tenways AGO X review.

Our favorite element of the bike was its great handling. Its uncommonly-wide 770 mm handlebars provided excellent control and its 29”x2.25” CST tires allowed for easy maneuvering while feeling solid and stable.

We also appreciated the responsiveness and power of the Bafang 250W mid-drive motor. With a torque sensor to inform the motor’s output, it delivered power in proportion to the intensity of our pedaling. While it certainly felt like an e-bike, the motor never overpowered the ride, so we were able to enjoy the natural feel of an analog bike with the added power (and fun!) from the motor.

The AGO is decidedly a commuter e-bike, but with its wide handlebars, Suntour suspension fork, and broad gearing range, it has the potential to be comfortable and effective for light off-road adventures. Tenways markets the AGO X as an “e-bike SUV,” and we think that’s a fair title, though it’s a bit more like a Subaru than a Jeep.

To learn more about the bike and its performance in the Electric Bike Report series of Speed, Range, Brake, and Hill Tests, continue reading our full Tenways AGO X review below!

*Editor’s note: Page updated 11/6/23 to include notification about current deal pricing

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E-Bike News: Ride1Up Portola, VPL / Bosch Concept & More

Electric bike news 3rd November

What does pushing the e-bike envelope mean? That’s a question this week’s news seems to be asking a lot. It might simply be a multifunctional e-bike that is far more affordable than most other models with the same package of features. Or it might be a five-wheel electric cargo solution, a lightweight urban machine with Pinion bottom bracket gearing or even a belt drive with two derailleur gears that Veer are looking to bring to market. Whether the more experimental technologies make it to market is another matter but it’s always fascinating to see which ones end up doing so.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • Great value Ride1Up Portola e-folder
  • VPL and Bosch produce concept speed pedelec for three riders
  • Civilized Cycles five wheel e-cargo bike
  • Desikino/Stromer lightweight urban e-bike with Pinion drive
  • Veer raising funds for a two speed belt drive system

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Himiway Rambler Premium Review

A comfortable, cruiser-style commuter e-bike with a responsive mid-drive and a relaxed feel.

Himiway Rambler Premium Review
With its 500W mid-drive motor and accessory package, the Himiway Rambler Premium takes its job as a commuter seriously. But with its bright “Ocean Blue” paint job, step-thru frame, and cruiser-style handlebars, it also keeps things feeling pretty chill! We tested this comfortable, cheerful-looking e-bike to find out what it was made of; read all about it in this Himiway Rambler Premium review!

One of the first things that stood out to us about the Rambler was its relaxed personality. Pedaling can be incredibly easy and enjoyable – all thanks to the impressive power of the bike’s Bafang M600 motor.

The motor uses a torque sensor to provide more speed and uphill power when pedaling harder. This allows the Rambler to feel much like a non-electric bike, just with far more of a reward for the effort you apply! We enjoyed its maximum speed of 25 miles per hour, which allowed us to cover a lot of miles in a hurry, but we also liked that the bike could match a more casual pace if we wanted to relax.

Taking it easy is effortless on the Rambler due to the bike’s accommodating saddle, suspension fork, ergonomically-shaped handlebars, and comfortable grips. Additionally, we found that its 27.5”x2.4” street tires were wide enough to absorb some extra bumps, making the ride even more pleasant and smooth.

Those are just a few of the Rambler’s highlights; check out our full Himiway Rambler Premium review below for more!

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iGo Outland Cabot RS Review, 2024

A commuter with rugged enough chops to handle off-road duties.

iGo Outland Cabot RS Review 2024
The Cabot RS ain’t your daddy’s commuter e-bike! It’s part of iGo’s Outland line of versatile, more rugged, and off-road capable models. We explore this hybrid commuter’s capabilities in this iGo Outland Cabot RS review!

While the other Outland variants lean more into their wild side, the Cabot keeps things mostly prim and proper with the ability to dabble in some light off-roading. It’s equipped with a modest Suntour XCM32 suspension fork with 80 mm of travel and unique hybrid 27.5”x2.4” Schwalbe Hurricane tires that combine road and off-road tread.

We were impressed by the feel of the Outland Cabot RS’ robust 500W mid-drive motor. The bike uses a torque sensor to engage the motor and adapt to changes in pedal pressure, resulting in a natural-feeling ride with plenty of muscle behind it. The bike has speed, uphill power, and a responsive feel that just felt awesome!

The testers at Electric Bike Report evaluated many of the bike’s capabilities, but the Cabot RS’ range was perhaps its most exciting. iGo advertises a maximum range of up to 60 miles, but we were able to exceed that in its minimum-assist setting while also managing some significant elevation gain. Such great range means more time on the bike having fun before needing to stop and recharge.

There’s a lot more to discuss, so strap on your helmet and hit the paths with us in this iGo Outland Cabot RS review!

*iGO has shared an exclusive discount code with the Electric Bike Report audience. Use code: GOELECTRIC100 at checkout for $100 off your e-bike purchase.

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Bike Geometry Guide: The Basics of Rider Positioning

Bike Geometry Guide: The Basics of Rider Positioning

The dimensions and angles of each element of a bike frame – and the relationships between these measurements – are referred to as a bike’s geometry. As you might expect, this affects the bike’s looks. It also affects comfort, aerodynamics, weight balance, handling, and various other aspects of the ride.

Each element of a bike’s geometry must first be designed to align with the biomechanics of its rider. In basic terms, that means that the bike needs to work correctly and comfortably based on the rider’s overall height, as well as the relative lengths and motions of different parts of their body.

For this reason, many e-bikes are offered in multiple frame sizes, each with small adjustments to its geometry, to offer a more precise fit. In general, bikes that are more performance oriented – where a highly tailored and customized fit makes the most difference – will offer a wider number of frame sizes. For the same reason, single-size e-bikes (of which there are many) are often designed for riders of average height but may have difficulty accommodating either very tall or very short riders.

While the subject of geometry is truly a rabbit hole (this is why mechanical engineers exist) we will explain the basics of e-bike geometry and rider positioning in this guide.

road frame basic anatomy

Photo credit: Courtesy of Trek

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