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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

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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

[Read more…] about E-Bike News: New Models from Cowboy, Tenways and Peugeot and Lots More!

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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Pedal Core Electric Bike Review, 2024

Full Suspension, Speedy Motor, and Seating for a Friend Enables This Bike to Offer More Fun Per Mile

Pedal Core Review 2024
Amidst the surge of new e-bikes hitting the scene, one could argue (and complain) that a lot of these new e-bikes look and ride similarly. But breaking the mold on this the new Pedal Core, a fat tire, moped-style e-bike hosting some unique features that really make this bike standout. Tailored to whet the appetite of adventurers and off-roaders, the Core hosts a unique suspension design that is inspired by the motorcycle world.

Riding on inverted, “upside down,” forks and dual coil shocks, the Core handles bumps, ditches, rocky and sandy trails better than many of the so-called “all-terrain” e-bike out there. Not only does this bike give you a smoother ride in the dirt but the suspension also handles carrying a passenger on its long seat, and cargo, on the optional rack that’s available.

Helping the Core break free from its seemingly indistinguishable brethren in the e-bike community, this bike’s suspension dominates the terrain with its powerful Bafang 750-watt motor, helping reaching speeds up to 32 mph, when set in Sport Mode. Providing the much-needed energy to go further, its 15 amp-hour (672 watt hour) battery can take you upwards of 50 miles on a single charge.

Whether you’re a new or experienced rider, if you’re looking for a way to break the mold of monotony of moped-style adventure e-bikes, then the Pedal Core is a bike you should take a longer look at. We’ll go over all the pertinent details here, including the results from the gauntlet that is Electric Bike Report’s testing regimen . After finishing reading this Pedal Core review, your mind should be pretty set on whether or not the it is a bike you’d want. So please read on.

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E-Bike News: $25 Million for NYC Charging Stations, Fuell’s Ultra-long Range E-bike and Much More!

Electric bike news 30th June

It’s not often that e-bikes can attract $25 million dollars of federal funding but that’s the amount heading to New York City for new – and hopefully much safer – charging infrastructure designed to stop people charging e-mobility devices (including e-bikes) in housing and businesses and causing a fire risk. If it works and prevents lithium battery fires (some of which have been fatal) then it will all have been worth it.
Elsewhere in this week’s news we have a strong technological innovation theme, with reports about Fuell’s new e-bikes that utilise a mid-drive and gearbox in one style system from Valeo, whilst there’s a nice feature from Bike Europe on Specialized’s history of e-bike innovation in Switzerland.

In this week’s e-bike news:

  • New York City gets $25 million for safer charging and storage infrastructure
  • Fuell and Valeo team up for long range e-bikes on Indiegogo
  • What has Specialized been up to in Switzerland?
  • E-bike Vision offers third party, safety-accredited batteries
  • Euro/UK e-bikes sales top 5 million in 2022

[Read more…] about E-Bike News: $25 Million for NYC Charging Stations, Fuell’s Ultra-long Range E-bike and Much More!

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