Electric Bike Company Model J Review | Chill Vibe & Fun Ride

The Model J traveled a respectable 25.3 miles with its throttle in our Range Test. Electric Bike Company advertises a range of 25 miles, so their claim was right on the money. The brand also advertises that they do their own range testing – which seems accurate based on our coinciding results.

Compared to similar moped-style e-bikes we’ve tested, the Model J was able to hold its own. Its results were relatively middle-of-the-road, though our ability to compare is limited, as we recently changed our testing process for this style of bike.

In the grand scheme, the Model J covered more ground than we expected based on its motor and battery specs, though the numbers were close. We estimated 23.5 miles over the course of 81 minutes, but the bike’s real-world results improved by 8%.

The bike’s relatively low weight and the fairly reserved feel of its motor likely gave it a slight edge. One other factor likely contributed: where many similar bikes had relatively small batteries in relation to their motors, the Model J’s battery capacity exceeded its motor’s nominal output, giving it more time on the road.

We feel confident that the bike’s ability to travel 25 miles on a single charge should cover most leisure rides or commutes. Should you find that you want (or truly need) more range, the bike can carry up to three batteries. An additional battery or two can be added for a reasonable increase in price when customizing it.

We’re pleased to note that Electric Bike Company offers a variety of chargers as well. The Model J includes a 2-amp charger, but this can be upgraded to a fast 3.5-amp charger with a charging time of about 4 hours per battery. A 5-amp supercharger that can get top off the battery less than 3 hours is also offered.

The Model J proved capable in our Hill Test, though its results placed it well behind many of its peers. We do not consider this test a competition, however; the challenge of Hell Hole Trail is significant enough that we consider test completion synonymous with success.

Fans of moto-style e-bikes will likely be familiar with Super73, a prominent (and also California-based) manufacturer in the moto-style e-bike space. The Model J’s throttle result was remarkably close to the Super73 S2, showing that EBC can match its competition.

Full disclosure: the above results are from our second Hill Test with the Model J. The bike was unable to complete the throttle portion of the test when we tested it with its standard settings. This was not unexpected considering the motor’s 60 Nm of torque and peak of 749.99 watts, but we felt that the bike could use a bit more “juice.”

To be clear: I had no trouble throttling up several average (and even a few steep-but-not-Hell-Hole-steep) hills in my testing with the bike’s standard settings. In truth, we enjoyed the controlled feel that Electric Bike Company opted for; the market is already saturated with overpowered Moto-style e-bikes, so a reserved option is appreciated.

For our second test, we worked with one of Electric Bike Company’s many mechanics to increase the controller’s current from 18 to 20 amps. This change increased the bike’s peak wattage, which gave it the boost needed to surmount the summit of our test hill.

FYI – users looking to up their bike’s oomph are required to sign a waiver, as the increased current can damage the bike’s controller. We were advised that 20 amps is safe, but there is a limit to how high the current can go.

The Model J’s reserved feel makes it unique, but we anticipate that most riders will prefer more uphill power. We encourage EBC to increase the standard current so the bike has a bit more climbing power right out of the box. With this upgrade, the bike could give riders the option to pedal or throttle over hills, while still being safe and accessible.

The Model J stopped quickly and effectively in our Brake Test; its average stopping distance was an excellent result of 19’ 1”. At the time of writing, the average result for all moped-style e-bikes with hydraulic brakes we’ve tested is 19’ 9”, so its performance was noticeably above average.

Two factors likely contributed to the bike’s performance: its weight and its Bengal Aries 3 hydraulic disc brake system.

The Model J was easier to slow down than many similar e-bikes because, at roughly 67 lbs with the optional cargo racks on our test bike, it weighed far less than most other moto-style bikes we’ve tested. Its beefier cousins often tip the scales in the 85-95-lb range, adding more momentum that their brake systems must overcome.

Speaking of brake systems, the Model J’s Bengal brakes felt powerful and intense – while still being firmly under control. The brakes felt effective under normal application, and they stopped the bike quickly when simulating the urgency of an emergency situation, so we consider the bike to be specced extremely well for its size, weight, and speed.

I discussed my first impressions when riding the Velotric Fold 1, but there is more to the story:

The Fold 1 can accommodate a wide range of riders from 4’9” to 6’5”, and at 5’11”, it seemed well-suited to me. Our tester Kaleigh (5’4”) found the bike comfortable, with room for shorter riders, while Matthew (6’5”) felt generally good, though he would have preferred more leg extension.

When comparing the Fold 1 to its competitors, each had its strengths and weaknesses, but I found the Fold 1 to be firmly among the most comfortable of the bunch. As is common with folding e-bikes, its reach was on the longer side, but its overall geometry and riding position felt natural, whereas others seemed awkwardly small or more stretched out (for me).

The bike seemed to have an edge in handling as well. With a shorter collapsible stem that felt less flexible than most, cornering felt crisp and controlled. The bike’s 20×3” fat tires provided a balance of stability and agility that felt energized and fun while offering the flexibility to ride on both paved and unpaved surfaces.

I found the user interface to be simple and easy to operate, thanks to its basic display, 5 assist levels, and throttle lever. If I’m being picky, I’d have preferred a twist throttle, but that’s another one of the many optional accessories that customers can pick up and swap out either at purchase or down the road.

The bike includes basic accessories like fenders and lights, but it is compatible with a modest selection of extras. For comfort, owners can upgrade to a double spring saddle or add a suspension seatpost. For passengers, a seat pad, footpegs, wheel guards, and handrails can be added. Finally, front and rear baskets can help to contain/transport cargo.

In terms of folding, the bike generally met our expectations, though its folding mechanism was not always smooth. Collapsing the bike to its folded state was simple and effective thanks to the relatively standard central hinge and folding stem. When reconnecting the frame halves, however, getting the latch to line up properly required a few tries.

To be clear, the mechanism functioned effectively – and more importantly, felt secure. We noticed no frame flex, so the Fold 1 felt strong and stable. With this in mind, it is possible that our issues were a one-off issue, so we cannot consider this a true flaw of the bike.

Considering that the Velotric T1 ST includes a torque sensor and is priced only $100 higher than the Fold 1, I hope to see the latter include one in the future as well. This is, however, a wishlist item – and I think the Fold 1 offers excellent value as-is.

Ultimately, I found little to critique about the Fold 1; it felt fun and easy to use, with the overall feel of a more expensive e-bike.

We were admittedly a bit thrown off by the Model J initially but found that it made much more sense in context with other Electric Bike Company e-bikes we have reviewed. We expected more punch based on our experiences with other moto-style e-bikes, but ended up falling for the Model J’s unique retro design and cruiser feel.

The Model J includes all the features we know, love, and expect from an EBC bike – classic styling, a nearly unparalleled level of customization options, and a relaxed and casual ride experience.

It also generally performed well in our testing, with a user-friendly speed profile, good braking, respectable range, and decent climbing ability – after an adjustment to the bike’s controller.

We feel that it would make a suitable – and more importantly, safe and entirely legal – moped-style e-bike for teens and young adults (but also, anyone). It would make a practical commuter or errand runner, or simply a fun way to get to the beach.

So while its feel and performance lean more into cruiser territory than some might expect, we think that’s a good thing. The market is saturated by overpowered moto-style e-bikes, so a more relaxed take on the category is refreshing – and helps to separate the Model J from the crowd. .

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Electric Bike Company Model J down in our comments section.