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Specialized Turbo Vado Review, 2024

Specialized Turbo Vado Review, 2024 full bike frame

For over three decades, Specialized has had the same mantra: “Innovate or Die.”

That three word slogan represents the ethos of Specialized; a condensed summation of the mindset that’s driven the northern California-based company to become one of the largest and most iconic bike brands on the planet. It’s also the driving force behind why Specialized electric bikes are among the best money can buy.

In this Specialized Turbo Vado review, we take a look at the brand’s flagship electric commuter and parse out what sets it apart from the competition. We test its hill climbing abilities, range and do our best to showcase why the Specialized name has become synonymous with innovation and really good e-bikes.

Powered by a 250w mid drive motor and a 710Wh internally integrated (but removable) battery, the Turbo Vado 4.0 is a sturdy competitor in the high-end commuter category. The latest edition of the Turbo Vado has been reengineered with new geometry, a retooled motor and a new look. Best of all, that 250W motor is capable of Class 3 speeds — and boy is it quick.

It’s an e-bike we’ve been itching to get our hands on – reputation alone warrants consideration for inclusion on our list of best electric bikes – but let’s get hands on and see how it performs in our tests before deciding that.

[Read more…] about Specialized Turbo Vado Review, 2024

Magnum Scout Review 2024

Magnum Scout Review

Built around a 750W Bafang rear hub motor, the Scout electric fat bike is Magnum’s entry into the ultra-competitive high-powered electric fat bike category.

The Scout, one of Magnum’s most in demand e-bikes, is designed as a do-anything go-anywhere fat bike that’s friendly to all sorts of riders. It sports Shimano components, hydraulic disk brakes and two battery options that are both larger than average for this category of e-bike.

The Utah-based company boasts an international distribution network with more than 200 brick-and-mortar retailers that can help with service, troubleshooting or buying your bike if you prefer to do so in person.

Magnum Scout Review - Handlebars

The Scout, but closer.

This review is one of several micro reviews Electric Bike Report did during the Big Gear Show in Park City, Utah this August, so it’s a little less in-depth than our typical review process. But keep an eye on this space, we hope to get several of Magnum’s bikes (including the Scout) in the near future for a full length review.

[Read more…] about Magnum Scout Review 2024

MOD Easy Electric Bike Review 2024

Mod Bikes Easy Review 2022

From the onset of our MOD Easy review it was apparent that the Easy as much a statement as it is an e-bike. It is the assertion that any bike is green enough, practical enough and that prioritizing style isn’t a wildly unaffordable luxury, but in fact, can come as standard equipment. What may surprise many potential buyers is just how practical this e-bike is once we look past its, uh, look. Whether someone chooses the charcoal black finish or the army green, this e-bike evokes the look of the Harleys the military put troops on during WWII; all it lacks is the big, white star on the tank. That tank may look decorative, but it plays a real role in the bike’s design: the battery is hidden inside the tank. Our MOD Easy review will look at these features along with arguably its best feature, its motor.

The MOD Easy can be ridden as is, or it also comes in a version with what they call the Side Boat—a sidecar. The addition of the Side Boat further cements the old-school motorcycle styling while adding the option for carrying a pet, small cargo, or a little rider. It’s worth noting that the addition of the Side Boast drastically changes up the ride experience, and we’ll get more into that in the meat of there review.

Without the sidecar, this has all the hallmarks of a terrific cruiser. It has the upright position, back-swept handlebar, the low-slung design that keeps the rider closer to the ground than with more traditional bikes and a giant saddle that is keister friendly. And while this bike may appear to have placed form ahead of function, that’s not the case at all: MOD includes fenders, a rear rack and lights on the Easy. Maybe the message that they are trying to send is that it’s possible to both have the cake and eat it too.

[Read more…] about MOD Easy Electric Bike Review 2024

Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 Review 2024

Monterey, CALIF. (Sea Otter Classic) — At this year’s Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, Specialized had on show its newest addition to its e-bike lineup — the all-new Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0.

The Turbo Tero was released side-by-side with updated versions of the full-power Turbo Como and Turbo Vado commuter bikes, two staples of the brand’s electric commuter bike lineup. But the Tero is slightly different from the others; built on an eMTB chassis with knobby tires and a dropper post, the Tero is part eMTB part do-it-all utilitarian adventure bike.

We got a chance to visit with Emily Oppliger and Ash Puzey of the Specialized Turbo Tech team at Sea Otter for the low down on the new Tero 5.0, as well as a few other new things from the California-based bike brand.

*You might also be interested in our in-depth Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 review.

Specialized Tero - MasterMind display

The new MasterMind display was front and center on the Tero 5.0.

[Read more…] about Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 Review 2024

TurboAnt Thunder T1 Review 2024

Turboant Thunder T1 Electric Bike Review

TurboAnt Thunder T1 Review: Overview

The TurboAnt Thunder T1 is a Class 3 electric fat bike that’s built for multiple terrains and rider heights. The T1 comes with a powerful 750W motor, 48V, 14Ah battery and five levels of pedal assist. The T1 also has wide handlebars and an adjustable stem that allows you to adjust the positioning how you prefer.

Between the fat tires and adjustable ride positioning, the Thunder T1 will meet the fun factor and comfort requirements people often look for in electric fat bikes. The T1’s design makes gravel roads seem not so gravelly and on road riding feel like a magic carpet.

During the Thunder T1 review we discovered a couple things the Thunder T1 does different from other fat tire e-bikes. By the end of the review you should have a good idea if the T1 is the right electric fat bike for you,

[Read more…] about TurboAnt Thunder T1 Review 2024

Denago Commute Model 1 E-Bike Review 2024

Denago Commmute Model 1 Review 2024
The Denago Commute Model 1 we’re reviewing here is a newer e-bike from a newer company, but that doesn’t mean it lacks for experience. The people behind the brand are experienced, not just with bikes, but with e-bikes, specifically. The brand was assembled with numerous team members coming with experience from all corners of the cycling world.

Their first offering was the Denago City Model 1, which impressed us in its review with its particular combination of performance and value. They managed to deliver a fun class 3 e-bike at a price point we don’t often see. With such a solid debut, we weren’t just hopeful that the Denago Commute Model 1 would be a great buy, we had our expectations set to encounter a ready-made commuter with the features we believe any commuter needs to park their car and ride to work daily. Frankly, we couldn’t wait to review the Denago Commute Model 1.

Building a value-rich commuter serves as a rite of passage for e-bike makers, especially in the ever-competitive $1500-$2000 price point. Anyone can build a fantastic $3500 commuter e-bike, but below $2000 manufacturers are forced to choose between features meant to set their commuter apart from the rest of the field.

The mold is set for full-fledged commuter e-bikes, so to speak. To grab a consumer’s attention, a good commuter will have at least a 500W motor, a 7-speed drivetrain, needs to have capable brakes and should include lights, fenders and a rear rack. Massaging those details is what distinguishes a great commuter e-bike from just a good one. The Commute Model 1 has all of that and then some.
falt
Overall the Commute Model 1 was set up with success from a parts-pick standpoint and then it was a matter of threading the needle to get them to mesh well so that it has the ever-important feel of a good d-bike.

Let’s jump into our review of the Denago Commute Model 1 and see if they were able to pull it off.

[Read more…] about Denago Commute Model 1 E-Bike Review 2024

Espin Nesta Review 2024

Espin Nesta Review

Espin Nesta Review: Overview

The Espin Nesta is a foldable all-terrain Class 3 electric bike from Espin that feels very stable and well put together, especially for having the ability to fold. I couldn’t tell this was a foldable bike with how sturdy and stable it felt below me and it left me without question Espin did a good job designing the Nesta.

The Espin Nesta review reminded us how not all foldable bikes are created equally. While we kind of knew that, being the electric bike experts we are, it was good to be reassured by its high speeds, comfortable positioning and hydraulic disc brakes. With its unique frame shape and ample rack space, the Espin Nesta is a member of the utility category of e-bikes — a class that’s growing in popularity among those who want a solid do-it-all electric bike.

We found a lot of things we liked about the Nesta right away — out of the box it comes 95% assembled and once we were riding we couldn’t help but notice the motor’s quick acceleration and 100mm of front suspension doing its thing.

By the end of this e-bike review you should have a good understanding of how the Espin Nesta performs out in the real world. From its battery range to its hill climbing ability we put “the Nesta to the test…a”. Let’s dive in.

[Read more…] about Espin Nesta Review 2024

Tower Beach Bum 2 Review 2024

Tower Beach Bum Electric Bike Review

Tower Beach Bum 2 Review: Overview

The Beach Bum 2 is a Class 2 cruiser style electric bike from Tower. The Beach Bum comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a 500W motor and a comfortable riding position. This bike has enough power to make hills seem not so steep and enough comfort for longer leisure based rides.

When we reviewed the Tower Beach Bum 2 we noticed it was lighter weight than a lot of other bikes with 500W motors that we have tested recently. Its lightweight design allows it to handle and feel similar to a standard beach cruiser.

If you’re looking for a budget friendly cruise-specific electric bike then the Tower Beach Bum 2 is one to look into. Its 7-gear range will allow you to sit back and relax while the motor and battery ensure the ride stays easy and fun.

By the end of our Tower Beach Bum 2 review you should have a good idea of the bike’s performance, who it’s for and what our overall opinion of the bike is. Let’s dive in.

[Read more…] about Tower Beach Bum 2 Review 2024

How ElectricBikeReport.com Generates Revenue and Pays Its Team Members

We get a lot of questions from our readers, like:

  • Are your reviews paid for?
  • How do you make money?
  • Do you just recommend bikes from brands who pay you the most?

These questions are not only fair, but we would hope every one of our readers asks them. Media outlets need to be open and transparent.

Sadly, there are many outlets who simply ask brands to pay for good reviews of their e-bikes. In those cases, it is not just pay-to-play (which in reality everything is pay to play in some form). These situations are more like “pay to get a positive review.”

At Electric Bike Report we DO NOT give a positive review to any e-bike in exchange for payment.

*Note to e-bike manufacturers: if that is what you are looking for, then please don’t ask us to review your bikes

When you read or watch an e-bike review at Electric Bike Report or on our YouTube channel you can be assured that our reviews are:

1. Honest. What we say in our reviews is what we tell our best friends and family members when they come to us asking which e-bike to purchase.

2. Helpful. Our reviews help consumers make purchase decisions, and provide real-world feedback from industry experts to manufactures so they can continue to improve their products.

3. Constructive. We recognize that the majority of manufacturers are trying to make great e-bikes. We are not going to review a bike and try to find a way to rip apart their hopes, dreams, and hard work. We are not ‘got you’ journalists. However, we do always look for ways that brands can improve their products and provide them that feedback in positive, constructive ways. We believe this helps e-bike brands more easily accept our feedback and make changes that our readers want.

4. Thorough. No one in the industry puts more time and effort into their reviews. Our reviews are not spec reviews. Our reviews are based on real-world testing. We strive to ensure our testing is consistent and accurate so consumers can make purchase decisions based on our results.

5. Unbiased and Balanced. As we review bikes we recognize that the ‘best’ bike will be different for each individual. We set aside our personal preferences and evaluate/test bikes from consumers’ points of view and needs.

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How Electric Bike Report (EBR) Makes Money

At ElectricBikeReport.com, our primary goal is to provide quality reviews, news, and informational content to our readers. We believe firmly that if we provide top-notch quality, then the financial rewards for that hard work will follow.

We also strive to make sure our content is 100% free to our readers. There are no subscriptions fees or paywalls for any of our content. We are able to spend the time and resources to provide our content for free by earning money through the following channels:

  • Direct advertising on ElectricBikeReport.com and within our newsletter (via banner ads)

    All of the banner ads on our website and within our newsletter are from brands we approve of, have vetted, and would feel comfortable with our readers purchasing a bike from. We do not allow just anyone to advertise on ElectricBikeReport.com, we are very picky, and we have a long line of brands asking us for ad spots that we turn away every year.

  • Affiliate Commissions on product referrals.

    Most (but not all) brands that we review have affiliate programs. If we recommend a reader purchase a certain bike, and that reader makes that purchase, then in most cases we earn a small referral fee from the brand (at no increased cost to the consumer).

    However, we do not make recommendations based on how much commission we make. Our staff writers are not paid commissions, they are salaried and are not incentivized to ‘sell’ specific products. They are tasked with helping our readers find the best e-bike for their specific needs.

    In addition, because most brands have some form of affiliate program, it really doesn’t matter to us which bike we recommend. If we recommend a Trek, Rad Power Bike, Aventon, etc., we can still earn a commission without raising costs to the consumer.

    We also greatly appreciate brands who support us through affiliate programs.

  • Product Reviews.
    We do charge brands a small fee to cover our expenses for our testing and reviews.

    We put around 100 miles on each bike that we test, have multiple riders test each bike, and do our very best to really put each e-bike we review through a gauntlet. This takes a lot of time, which in turn costs us quite a bit of money. Most brands we work with are happy to cover these costs; however, we NEVER guarantee a positive/good review and we always try to find something that a brand can improve on with each of their models.

    Brands do not get to review the video or written review before they are published and we will never recommend a bike that we would not feel comfortable recommending to our friends and family. Essentially, there is a fee to cover our time and production costs. We do not charge to ‘promote’ a bike and reviews are not promotions or commercials. They are reviews, and we take great pride in being able to claim that we spend more time testing e-bikes than any other media outlet currently. Most outlets will put 5-10 miles on a bike and call it good. As mentioned above, we put around 100 miles on each bike we test, keep most of those bikes for a year, and continually test them throughout the year vs newer models.

  • Paid Newsletter Sponsorship | Sponsored Educational Posts
    We offer brands the opportunity to create educational content on ElectricBikeReport.com and have those posts sent to our newsletter subscribers.

    These posts are educational in nature and provide value to our readers. We never want our subscribers to feel like they are simply being marketed to from our brand sponsors. Our readers don’t like that, and brands don’t gain much from that type of advertising.

    We do allow a ‘sales pitch’ at the end of the article from the brand, which may include promotion of the brand, a specific product, or current sale.

We hope this transparency is helpful to both our readers and brands we work with. If you have any questions, please contact us and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

And, thank you to all our readers for your continued support!

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The Ride Radiant Carbon Review 2024

The Ride Radiant Carbon E-Bike Review

Electric bikes typically aren’t too tough to figure out. Who they’re for, why they’ve been built and how well they’re going to work is usually something I can parse out within a few minutes of my first time on the bike.

But for the first time in a review, I’m having a hard time squarely defining an e-bike. This one just doesn’t neatly fit into any one use category. In this The Ride Radiant Carbon review, we’ll dive into the unique ways this bike blurs the lines between categories in ways we haven’t quite seen before.

Built by a bicycle designer known for pushing the envelope with frame materials and design, The Ride Radiant Carbon uses a unique carbon fiber frame, a mid-drive motor and fully automatic shifting to create an e-bike that’s remarkably capable and fun.

Electric Bike Report put The Ride Radiant Carbon to the test to see how it performs in real-world conditions. We tested it’s handling, battery life, hill climbing ability and even how quickly it comes to a stop with the goal of giving our readers a clearer picture if this is the right e-bike for them.

[Read more…] about The Ride Radiant Carbon Review 2024

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