EVELO Aries Mid-Drive Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs
The all new 750 watt EVELO Aries Mid-Drive full suspension electric bike has arrived for testing and review!
This powerful full suspension eBike features 3″ wide balloon style tires for a fast, comfortable, and stable ride.
Some of the additional highlights are a 48V 11.6ah lithium battery, enviolo continuously variable drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and more.
The EVELO Aries Mid-Drive is priced at $3,499.
EVELO focuses a lot on taking the worry out of buying an eBike online. They offer a 10 day at home trial period, free shipping in the continental US, 0% financing (if you qualify), 4 year/20,000 mile warranty, and support for service and repairs. Plus they have their “Perfect Seat Guarantee”.
In this first part of the review you will get a detailed look at this bike with a BUNCH of pictures and the specifications.
Part 2 of the EVELO Aries Mid-Drive review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike.
Alright, let’s take a closer look at the EVELO Aries Mid-Drive!
The EVELO Aries Mid-Drive has a lot of versatile riding options with its full suspension design and powerful 750 watt mid drive. It is well equipped for daily riding around town as well as some dirt road explorations.
EVELO has built a lot into the Aries Mid-Drive frame. With hydroformed aluminum tubing they have built in the 750 watt Bafang mid-drive motor, 48V 11.6ah lithium battery, and the rear suspension system.
The rear suspension system provides 100mm (4″) of suspension travel and uses an air shock to smooth out the ride. The Suntour XCM suspension fork also provides 4″ of travel.
EVELO states that the Aries Mid-Drive is designed to fit riders in height from 5′-8″ to 6′-4″.
Here is a look at the tubing connection of the top tube and down tube at the head tube. This is a high stress area with substantial welds connecting all of the tubes. The welds have been smoothed to create a cohesive look.
There is a lot of internal cable routing in the frame for a clean looking and cable protection. In this view you can see the top tube internal cable routing.
This is internal cable routing within the downtube.
This is the top tube connection to the seat tube with smoothed welds. The top tube has been shaped to create a triangular shape for a large surface area connection at the seat tube.
In this view you can see the internal cable routing exiting the top tube.
Also in this view is the seat post quick release and rear light that is powered by the eBike battery.
The rear shock has an air spring that can be adjusted with a shock pump to fit your weight and riding style. The suspension system provides 4″ of rear suspension travel.
The rear aluminum swingarm has a single pivot point just above the mid-drive motor.
The EVELO Aries Mid-Drive features a 750 watt Bafang mid drive motor built into the hydroformed aluminum frame with side covers to give it a clean integrated look.
There are 5 levels of pedal assist (cadence sensor system) in addition to a thumb throttle. More on that in a bit.
The left side of the mid-drive motor area has a similar cover for a clean look.
The EVELO Aries Mid-Drive is a Class 2 electric bike per California law which is pedal assist and/or throttle up to 20 mph, 750 watts max.
The 48V 11.6Ah lithium battery is located on the downtube of the frame and it has a semi-integrated design for a cohesive look.
The centered and low battery and motor location is very good for bike handling in addition to a balanced feel when picking the bike up.
The battery lock is on the top right side of the battery and it comes with 3 keys. Once the battery has been unlocked it slides to the left side of the frame for removal.
On the lower right side of the battery is the charge port. It takes 4 to 6 hours to charge an empty battery.
To the right of the charge port is a USB port for charging a smartphone or other USB chargeable device from the eBike battery.
On the top of the battery is the charge level indicator that is displayed when the button above the indicator is pushed.
Once the battery is unlocked it slides to the left side of the bike for removal.
This is a look at the frame after the battery pack has been removed. The bike weighs 61.8 pounds with the battery removed and the total weight of the bike (with the 7.3 pound battery) is 69.1 pounds.
The battery can be charged on or off the bike and it takes 4 to 6 hours to charge an empty battery.
The front suspension is provided by the SR Suntour XCM suspension fork that has 4″ (100mm) of travel with a 15mm thru axle for solid lateral wheel stability.
The SR Suntour XCM fork uses a coil spring that can be adjusted with this preload dial on the left side of the fork to fit your riding weight and ride style.
On the right side of the fork is a lockout lever that prevents the fork from moving so you get a more efficient ride when riding on smooth roads. It’s easy to unlock the fork for riding on rougher roads.
Another highlight of the EVELO Aries Mid-Drive are the high-volume 26″ x 3.0″ Innova tires with Kevlar belt.
These balloon style tires have a lot of air volume to give a suspension effect, especially when they are run at the lower tire pressure range.
Additionally the large tread patch gives the bike a stable ride feel.
Braking is provided by Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with 160 mm rotors. They have the solid and powerful feel typical of hydraulic brakes.
This is the front brake mounted to the SR Suntour XCM suspension fork.
Now let’s take a look at the handlebar area. In this view you can see that the stem is very upright with the handlebars sweeping back to provide a comfortable upright ride position.
On the left side of the handlebar is an ergonomic grip, front Tektro Auriga hydraulic brake lever, thumb throttle, and control pad.
The thumb throttle can be used with pedal assist for a boost or it can be used without pedaling if you prefer. The + and – buttons on the control pad adjust the 5 pedal assist levels.
There is also a walk mode that will help you walk the bike up a hill or stairs at a few mph. It is turned on by holding the minus button on the control pad for a few seconds.
Holding the light button on for 1 second turns on the front headlight. The (i) button cycles through information on the display and the button on the far right is the on/off button.
Both Tektro Auriga hydraulic brake levers have sensors to stop the motor assist when either brake lever is engaged. There are set screws to adjust the brake lever reach to fit your hand.
In the center of the handlebar is the color LCD display that provides information on:
- Time
- Battery level
- Speed, average speed, max speed
- Odometer, trip distance
- Estimated range based on battery level & pedal assist level
- Pedal assist mode
- Watts
- Calories
Under the display is a USB port for charging a smartphone, tablet, or other USB device.
On the right side of the handlebar is an ergonomic grip, enviolo continuously variable grip shifter, and rear Tektro Auriga hydraulic brake lever.
Here is a closer look at the enviolo continuously variable grip shifter. The enviolo continuously variable rear hub has a 380% gear range from low to high and there are no specific indexed gears like a derailleur system.
This grip shifter acts like a volume dial on a radio so you can “dial in” the best gear for the terrain you are riding on.
Another big difference compared to traditional drivetrains is that you can change the gear ratio when you are not pedaling. That is helpful when you are getting into the right gear for accelerating from a stop.
As you shift through the gear range the display changes from a hill profile to flat land.
This is the enviolo continuous variable “transmission” rear hub that has a very clean look. It is “practically maintenance-free, as they are made up of self-contained systems”.
Here is a video that shows how the enviolo continuously variable transmission system works.
On the other side of the enviolo hub is the Tektro Auriga hydraulic rear brake with 160mm rear disc rotor.
The Wellgo pedals have a wide aluminum platform with rubber grip surface and reflectors on both ends of the pedals.
The seat has a mid width profile for a comfortable ride while still being efficient for pedaling.
EVELO also offers their “Perfect Seat” Guarantee which is very unique! “If you find another seat that you prefer at a local shop, purchase it, and we will reimburse you up to $40! This is just one of the ways we strive to ensure that you are 100% comfortable and satisfied with your bike.”
The LED headlight runs off of the eBike battery so you don’t need to worry about charging additional batteries for the headlight.
Similarly the tail light also runs off of the eBike battery.
The kickstand is bolted to the frame and the length is adjustable so that you can adjust the tilt of the bike when it is parked.
EVELO Aries Mid-Drive Electric Bike Specifications
Frame: Hydroformed aluminum full suspension frame with 4″ (100mm) of travel
Fork: Suntour XCM32 4″ (100mm) Travel, 15mm Thru Axle, lock out dial
Motor: 750W Bafang Mid-drive Brushless Motor
Battery: 48V 11.6Ah lithium battery. The battery weighs 7.3 pounds.
Assist Options: 5 pedal assist levels (plus walk mode) and thumb throttle.
Speed: Pedal assist and/or throttle up to 20 mph which makes this a Class 2 eBike
Display: LCD color display that provides information on the time, battery level, speed, average speed, max speed, odometer, trip distance, estimated range based on battery level & pedal assist level, pedal assist mode, watts, calories. USB charge port under the display.
Drivetrain: enviolo continuously variable rear hub transmission.
Brakeset: Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brake with 160mm rotors and motor cut-off sensors.
Tires: 26″ x 3.0″ Innova Kevlar Belt Tires
Seat: EVELO seat with EVELO Perfect Seat Guarantee
Sizes: One size to fit riders in height: 5′-8″ to 6′-4″
Colors: High Desert Grey
Weight: 69.1 pounds. 61.8 pounds with the battery removed.
Price: $3,499 USD
Offers: EVELO offers 0% financing, 10 day at home trial period, and free shipping in the continental US.
Warranty: 4-year/20,000-mile warranty against manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship on its frame, battery, motor, controller, and display. The NuVinci hub, fork, and wheels are warrantied for 2 years.
Service & Repairs: EVELO offers several ways to work on service and repairs in the video below.
Now checkout part 2 of the EVELO Aries Mid-Drive review with info on the ride characteristics, the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts!
-Pete
Review Note: Each company pays a fee for a review on Electric Bike Report because of the considerable amount of time that it takes to provide an in-depth review of each eBike. A lot of time is spent on the full range test with distance & elevation profile, the wide variety of detailed pictures, in-depth video, and the write up with the specifications, ride characteristics, pros, cons, and overall thoughts. The reviews on Electric Bike Report are focused on providing you with a detailed “virtual” look at each eBike to help you determine if it is the eBike for you or not.
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[…] Check out part one of the all new 750 watt EVELO Aries Mid-Drive full-suspension review. It is described as a ‘powerful full suspension eBike (that) features 3″ wide balloon style tires for a fast, comfortable, and stable ride.’ […]
Jon Anderson says
For the price, I’d expect fenders and a substantial rear rack…
I don’t want balloon tires. I want 700c’s ..
It should have a built-in ‘rim-to-frame’ style locking device. AND ‘stolen bike’ built-in GPS locator in the bike’s computer …
and you give no price for a spare battery .. Nor do you provide ‘estimated range’ figures for various rider weights ..
All in all, its too deficient for my own needs …
but if you accomodate these needs, then you have a sale…