Electric Bike Company Model R Review

A common question we get about e-bikes is, “ how far will this bike go before the battery needs recharging?” As the test description explains in the chart above, we do two tests to help us get a more complete picture of the battery’s performance. The minimum PAS test lets us know the longest distance this bike can travel with constant pedaling in PAS 1. This bike went 41 miles on a single battery charge in this test. In the PAS 5 test, this bike went 17.42 miles. Both results were pretty close to the bike company’s range prediction, so we were happy with the outcome.

There are certain factors that influence the results of our range test, namely weight of the bike, weight of the rider, road conditions, and rider participation in the pedaling process. The test course we use features an elevation gain of 800 to 1000 feet. This elevation gain uses battery power more quickly than riding on flat ground, but most riders face some level of incline in their rides, and that gives our test more validity.

The beauty here is that if this seems like enough range for you, awesome! Enjoy your riding! If you’re looking at this test result and not liking what you see, you can upgrade the battery to something with a bit more capacity, or a ton more.

While we had a 12Ah battery model sent in for review (576Wh) you can pick from a few different size options topping out at a 30Ah (1440Wh) which would, in theory, stretch our range test results up to 45 – 103 miles… Talk about some serious range!

Typical cruiser rides don’t normally involve difficult hill climbs. Our hill climb test can be seen as an anomaly, but we put this bike to the test to see its limits under extreme conditions. Fortunately, the Model R passed both parts of this test.

The Throttle-only test is the more difficult of the two tests because every bike needs some pedaling to help it move. The Model R’s time and average speed were one of the slower results we’ve had on a bike that passed the throttle test, but it still passed. In 2:29 at an average speed of 7.3 mph is managed to reach the top.

In the Maximum PAS test, this bike did considerably better, showing that if you put in a smidge of effort, you’ll receive a much greater reward. The Model R reached top of the Hell Hole Trail nearly a minute quicker than before, the Model R made it in 1:32, averaging 11.8 mph.

At the end of the day, e-bikes hold a lot of appeal for making life on a bike easier, and the Model R can do just that. The fact that it can get to the top of the hill in both tests is a great thing. I would advise people add the 7-speed drivetrain though so you can help on hills as you encounter them, and I wouldn’t be too upset if EBC changed up the programming a bit to allow for a slightly faster hill results too for those needing a break from pedaling.

The bike comes standard with Tektro Dorado 4-piston hydraulic brakes. It’s a few steps up from what the average bike has, and I think it’s the right call. Our bike with all it’s extras weighed in just under 78 lbs. For such a heavy bike, a more robust set of brakes as the only option seems like a good call to me, and proof was in the brake test results.

With a stopping average of 19’9″ it stopped better than 3′ shorter than other beach cruiser e-bikes we’ve tested. And of those bikes I used for the comparitive results, the Model R was the heaviest.

Rest assured, this bike has all the stopping power you’ll need and then some.

The upright posture and easy handlebar reach are made possible by the geometric design of the frame, handlebar and seat. Oftentimes, when a new rider hops on a bike someone else was riding, that new rider merely adjusts the seat height, by loosening the quick release on the seat post, to size him or herself to the bike. That’s part of the sizing process but there’s more.

You’ll also want to take advantage of this bike’s adjustable stem to give you the proper handlebar height and reach. When I took over riding this bike after a shorter rider, I found adjusting the stem made a big difference. If you’ve ridden cruisers before, you’ll know that comfort is imperative.

The mustache handlebar definitely has the classic look, but for those out there wanting something different, remember, you have four handlebar options to choose from. For folks who prefer rubber grips, the Electric Bike Company has optional rubber grips you can get.

The takeaway for me after several days riding around our Electric Bike Company Model R review bike was this: This bike is seriously comfortable, endlessly customizable, and as one of my twenty-something coworkers often says, is a “total vibe.”

The standard tires, fork, and seat make for a plush ride. I burned about an hour of time just playing with all the different customization options, and was beyond floored when we opened up our review bike and saw that Electric Bike Report logo looking clear as day. I see company cars with branding all the time, why not a company bike?

There is enough performance here to be happy about. The brake tests and speed test were particularly good, with nice results from the range test (and knowing how easy it is to GREATLY increase that range at checkout) too.

If you’re looking for a a larger cruiser e-bike that you want to customize, then the Electric Bike Company’s Model R is definitely one to look at. No other e-bike company offers as much customization as they do.

And let’s not forget that all of their e-bikes are assembled at their factory in Orange County, California. They have a special team of workers who are very skilled at what they do, and workers who care deeply about the products they are producing and the people who buy those products. Their ability to ship you a fully assembled e-bike, and the fact that they can get the person who built it to directly answer questions if anything is off, is ridiculously cool.

To learn more about how you can get your own Model R e-bike, please click the link below.

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