EVELO Aurora Limited Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs
The new EVELO Aurora Limited with automatic shifting has arrived for testing and review!
This high-tech eBike features a 750 watt mid-drive, Gates Carbon Drive belt, and the enviolo automatic shifting system.
Additional highlights are a 48V 14.5ah lithium battery, stable and comfortable 3″ wide balloon style tires, Tektro hydraulic brakes, and a full accessory package.
And this is a limited Aurora, only 120 of these will be made in 2019!
The EVELO Aurora Limited is priced at $3,999.
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 Aurora Limited 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 Aurora Limited!
The EVELO Aurora Limited ready to ride!
The 6061 hydroformed aluminum frame has been sculpted to build in a lot of features like the low step-thru area, central battery & motor, and the integrated rear rack.
The EVELO Aurora Limited is designed to fit riders in height from 5′-2″ to 6′-0″.
This is the headtube to downtube connection that has a clean look with smoothed welds.
There is a reinforcing gusset under the downtube along with internal cable routing that routes through the downtube.
The 48V 14.5ah lithium battery is built into the downtube for a clean look that really blends into the overall look of the bike.
This low and centered battery location is ideal for the balance and handling of the bike.
Below the battery is a reinforcing gusset that is the low point of the step-thru area. The step-thru height is about 20″ above the ground.
Here’s a closer look at some of the weld details where the upper part of the rear rack attaches to the seat tube and seat stays of the frame. There are a lot of structure in this area that creates a durable rear rack.
The rear rack features large aluminum tubing to create a rack that is rated to 45 pounds carrying capacity.
EVELO offers bags for the rear rack in their optional accessory line up.
Providing the assist is a Dapu 750 watt mid-drive with 1,000 watt peak power and up to 105 Nm of torque.
There are 5 levels of pedal assist in addition to a thumb throttle that provide assist up to 20 mph making the Aurora Limited a Class 2 electric bike.
The throttle does allow you to cruise along without pedaling if you want.
The left side of the motor has a very clean look that blends in well with the bike.
A Gates Carbon Drive Belt transmits your pedal power and the assist power back to the enviolo automatic shifting system.
The Gates Carbon Drive belts are very quiet, clean, last longer, and they don’t require any maintenance when compared to a traditional chain. Plus, they look cool!
And here is a look at the enviolo automatic continuously variable transmission that features automatic shifting!
You set your preferred pedaling cadence and the system takes care of shifting for you.
This system also has a manual shifting feature from the grip shifter on the handlebar.
enviolo hubs are continuously variable transmissions with a 380% gear range from low to high and there are no specific indexed gears like a derailleur system.
This is the enviolo grip shifter that you adjust like a volume dial to fine tune what pedaling cadence you prefer.
Once that is selected the enviolo automatic system takes care of automatically shifting through the gear range to keep you in that preferred pedaling cadence.
For example, when you approach a hill the system will go to work moving to the gear range that will keep you at the same pedaling cadence as you were on flat land.
This is the grip shifter in the manual shifting mode that can be activated by pushing the silver button above the display.
The enviolo automatic system uses electronic mechanisms (powered by the eBike battery) to shift through the gear range for both the automatic and manual shifting modes. The results is a grip shifter that is very easy to rotate.
Shifters that use mechanical cables generally require more effort to shift through the gear range.
Another big difference compared to traditional drivetrains is that the system can change the gear range when you are not pedaling. That is helpful for shifting into the best gear range for accelerating from a stop.
Here is a video from enviolo about the automatic system.
Here is a video that shows how the enviolo continuously variable transmission system works.
Providing the power to the motor, enviolo automatic, and front and rear lights is a 48V 14.5ah lithium battery with Panasonic cells.
As mentioned before, this low and centered location of the battery & motor is great for the balance of the bike as well as the bike handling.
The battery lock is on the top right side of the battery and the bike comes stock with 3 keys.
On the lower right side is the charge port for the battery and there is also a USB charge port for charging a smartphone or other USB chargeable device from the eBike battery.
There is a charge level indicator on top of the battery that is displayed when the button above the indicator is pushed. There is also a charge level indicator on the handlebar display.
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 63.2 pounds with the battery removed and the total weight of the bike (with the 7.3 pound battery) is 70.5 pounds.
The battery can be charged on or off the bike and it takes 4 to 6 hours to charge an empty battery.
A SR Suntour XCM suspension fork provides 4″ (100mm) of travel with a 15mm thru axle for solid lateral wheel stability.
On the upper left side of the fork is a preload dial that adjusts the spring rate 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.
The EVELO Aurora Limited comes equipped with high-volume 26″ x 3.0″ Innova tires with a 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.
Also, the large tread patch on the ground gives the bike a very stable ride feel.
Slowing down the Aurora Limited is handled by Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes.
This is the front brake with 180mm rotor.
On the left side of the enviolo automatic hub is a 160mm rear disc rotor for the Tektro Auriga hydraulic rear brake.
Now let’s take a look at the controls and ride position.
The stem is very upright with the handlebars sweeping back to provide a comfortable upright ride position.
This comfortable position also helps for seeing everything around you.
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 cycle through 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.
Once the bike is turned on, the front and rear lights are turned on/off with a quick push of the on/off button.
Both Tektro Auriga hydraulic brake levers have sensors to stop the motor assist when either brake lever is engaged.
Additionally when either brake lever is engaged the tail light displays a braking light, much like a car.
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:
- Battery level
- Speed
- Odometer
- Trip distance
- Pedal assist mode
When the lights are turned on the display switches to a dark mode to make it easier to read at night.
On the right side of the handlebar is an ergonomic grip, enviolo automatic grip shifter, and rear Tektro Auriga hydraulic brake lever.
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.”
A LED headlight is powered by the eBike battery so you don’t need additional batteries for the light.
The tail light also runs off of the eBike battery and it has a brake light feature when either brake lever is engaged.
There are full coverage plastic fenders with mud guards front and rear that cover the width of the 3″ wide tires.
The kickstand is bolted to the left side of the frame and the length is adjustable so that you can adjust the tilt of the bike when it is parked.
EVELO Aurora Limited Electric Bike Specifications
Frame: Hydroformed aluminum step-thru frame
Fork: Suntour XCM32 4″ (100mm) Travel, 15mm Thru Axle, lock out dial
Motor: Dapu750W (1,000 watts peak) Mid-drive Motor with 105 Nm max torque
Battery: 48V 14.5Ah lithium battery with Panasonic cells. Battery in this test was 48V 11.6ah and weighed 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 battery level, speed, odometer, trip distance, pedal assist mode.
Drivetrain: enviolo automatic continuously variable rear hub transmission
Brakeset: Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brake with 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear rotor 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′-2″ to 6′-0″
Colors: Black or White
Weight: 70.5 pounds. 63.2 pounds with the battery removed.
Price: $3,999 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 Aurora Limited 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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[…] Make sure you check out part 1 of this review with large pictures and specifications to get a detailed look at this e-bike. […]
Where does the water bottle go?
That’s right, no water bottle holder! However, that’a the only thing missing from a bike w so many features. The warrantee and financing are major pluses. I am also happy to see fenders, both front and rear powered lights, and an integrated rack, making it a practical commuter. Given all these features, I think it’s very reasonably priced. An GPS Nav and security security system and locking system, plus cell phone charging port would also be nice. Oh and, what about touring capabilities w a second battery? Or, is this mainly a city bike?
Hi Morty, there is a USB port on the battery for charging a phone. Also, EVELO does offer additional batteries in their accessories section: https://www.evelo.com/accessories/
Isn’t there a USB port under the center-mounted digital dashboard like there is on my 2018 Evelo Aurora?
Hi Jay, on this Aurora there isn’t a USB port under the display, just on the battery.
Very nice bike, with good features, urban-equipped, and the most modern transmission.
But the 20mph is a deal breaker for me.
A bike this nice, at this price, in the USA, needs to go 28mph.
The max speed can be set in the settings menu on the display, but the max speed that can be set is 25 mph.