Evelo Galaxy Lux E-Bike Review, 2024

To test an e-bike’s real world range when compared to its advertised performance, we are really testing its battery. At lower PAS settings, lower motor assistance requires less power from the battery, so it lasts longer. At higher PAS settings, you’ll run out of juice much faster. There are a host of other factors that also influence range, including rider weight, weather, terrain, etc., but our two tests give us a good ballpark figure. We run the bike both in the lowest practical PAS setting and again in the highest available setting until the battery gives out, then record the distance achieved in each trial.

In the case of the Evelo Galaxy Lux, that meant a test in PAS 1 and another in PAS 5. The data we gathered from our two evaluations showed a range of roughly 27 to 45 miles, which falls a bit short of Evelo’s claimed 55 mile maximum. It’s not unusual to see some discrepancy due to the previously mentioned factors, but this case does seem a bit odd.

The more economical Galaxy SL lived up to Evelo’s claims, so we need to look at where the Lux differs. When it comes to its base specs, fancy stuff aside, we see a noticeable change in the bike’s battery. I mentioned that the battery on the Lux got an upgrade from 36V to 48V, which should make it more efficient. But when compared to the SL’s 13 Amp hours (Ah), the Lux’s battery is just 11.6 Ah. I won’t go into too much detail here (read our full guide to e-bike battery basics), but just know that fewer Ah equates to less “gas,” and therefore reduced time/distance.

That’s not to say that the Lux has a poor range; it does not. Even the 45 mile range resulting from our test is quite a bit of distance for a single charge. That respectable distance means that the Lux could function effectively as a daily commuter bike with frequent charging, or provide days or even weeks of short, casual rides before needing to be plugged in.

Unusually, Evelo lists a 25-mile “electric only” range in the specs section of the Galaxy Lux’s web page. While we did not – and most commonly DO not – perform a range test on the Lux in throttle-only mode, this does seem like a decent ballpark considering our PAS 5 test result of approximately 27 miles.

An e-bike’s uphill capability is largely determined by the wattage and torque rating of its motor. Our Hill Test, explained above, pushes e-bike motors to their limit by presenting them with a short but extreme challenge. Generally speaking, if a bike makes it to the top, we consider it a win regardless of the time it takes or the speed it travels on the way up. So how did the Evelo Galaxy Lux stack up?

With its 500W mid-drive motor supplying 100 Nm of torque, the Lux performed great. This was to be expected, as smaller mid-drives can usually hold up alongside rear-hub motors with greater wattage. The Lux certainly outperformed its sibling, the Galaxy SL, by a significant margin, and we attribute that to the more immediately available power granted by its 48V battery.

As I discussed previously, the Lux’s Enviolo Automatiq shifter did well on inclines, even in lower PAS settings. To me, the system seemed to compensate somewhat additionally for the fact that the Lux carries a mid-drive motor, and as such requires more rider input than a rear-hub motor by its nature. We didn’t try the Lux on our test hill in anything lower than PAS 5, though I’m sure it would have done well (the rider may have been a different story!).

It’s worth mentioning that during our previously mentioned Circuit Test, I took one lap without assistance from the motor. In that instance, and especially on an incline, I absolutely did NOT appreciate the automatic shifter. The bike was light enough to pedal OK without assistance on flat ground, but on a hill it did not have the range to accommodate human power alone. Realistically, this makes perfect sense, as the Galaxy Lux is clearly made for riders who want a relaxed, stress-free ride.

On a separate but related note, the Galaxy Lux does not have the ability to shift if the battery completely dies. My experience without motor assistance on the Circuit Test prompted this experiment. As long as the bike itself can turn on, the Automatiq system will be able to as well, and can function even without motor assistance. But if the Lux runs out of power and turns off, the bike will be stuck in a single “gear”. Again, this makes sense, but it highlights the potential shortcomings of a fully electronic, automatic system. Let this be a general warning: if you live at the top of a hill, stay close to home when the battery is getting low!

Safety features are one area where the Galaxy Lux does not differ from the Galaxy SL, mainly because the more economical sister bike comes equipped so well to begin with. The Lux, like the SL, features a headlight, taillight and brake lights integrated into the battery, quality brakes with a motor cutoff feature, and reflectors. We consider each of these features essential, and feel it important to give a nod to manufacturers who include them as a baseline.

With 180mm front and 160mm rear Zoom hydraulic disc brakes, the Galaxy Lux performed decently in our Brake Test. We brought it up to the Class 2 max of 20 miles per hour, then hit the brakes and measured the distance it took to stop completely. At 22’ 8”, the Lux felt a little on the slow side, but it was still within what we consider a normal and effective range.

Interestingly, while we did notice that the rear wheel on the Lux occasionally locked up during hard braking like that of the Galaxy SL, it did not occur with quite the same regularity. It is possible that the automatic shifting system had some contribution to the Lux’s increased stability, but we’re not entirely sure and will update this review if we’re able to learn more.

To touch back on the Galaxy Lux’s battery, it has a couple of additional features aside from the integrated tail and brake lights that we appreciated. First, while it’s not strictly a safety feature, the battery is easy to access and remove from its position underneath the bike’s rear cargo rack. More notably, the power source for the Lux also features battery management software (BMS) to prevent any hazards that could occur from overcharging.

Bottom line: while its braking could be improved somewhat by increasing the rear rotor size to 180mm, the Lux features both standard and advanced safety features that make it a trusty traveler.

When it comes to the ride comfort of the Galaxy Lux, I found it to be a bit of a mixed bag, though much of that comes from my own personal preferences. For example, while I appreciate the beach cruiser styling of the Galaxies, I find their iconic, curved handlebars to feel a bit unnatural and uncomfortable. That said, their shape is less extreme than plenty of others, and for someone who enjoys the style, I’m sure the Lux would not disappoint.

Similarly, the Lux’s saddle is decidedly not for me, and in fact all of our testers commented that it felt pretty hard after a short time on the road. This could partly be attributed to the fact that neither Galaxy model comes equipped with any sort of suspension, so all of the little bumps on the road come through loud and clear.

Fortunately, Evelo offers quite a few optional accessories to alleviate most of these concerns. At the time of writing, their online store offers two alternative saddle options with what appears to be cushier padding and more ergonomic design, two suspension seatpost options with 50mm and 90mm of travel respectively, and a suspension stem adapter with 20mm of travel. We did not have the opportunity to try these accessories out, but I’m sure they would have largely eliminated my complaints on comfort. It’s great that Evelo offers some customization options here, though unfortunately they are an additional expense.

One permanent feature of the Galaxy models is their frame. Both the Lux and the SL are designed for riders between 4’ 10” and 5’ 10” in height. This makes them accessible to smaller riders who often get left out in the world of huge, heavy e-bikes, but the Galaxies in turn exclude potential riders above 5’ 10”. Other Evelo models like the Atlas or Omega may be a better fit for those folks, but none have quite the same retro styling.

Overall, I think the Galaxy Lux would be a solid choice for smaller riders who appreciate the cruiser styling and feel, while also enjoying some high-end bells and whistles. The Enviolo Automatiq system goes a long way in making the Lux stand out from the crowd, and really does a solid job in addition to just being cool. It is worth pointing out again that the Lux’s full reliance on automated technology means that it is unable to shift if its battery expires, but cases in which this actually happens should be pretty rare with the bike’s appreciable range.

It’s nice to see the upgrades included in the Lux’s solidly practical features too. The Gates belt drive absolutely makes sense here, and the increased voltage on the battery makes a difference too (though increased amp hours would have been appreciated). While quality parts are a standard feature with Evelo e-bikes, it’s worth mentioning again. With the Galaxy Lux, you truly do get what you pay for, and your investment gets backed up by the company’s incredible warranty.

Subjectively, there are definitely a few personal comfort details that I would change about the Lux, and it’s great to see that Evelo offers options which might appeal to those who feel the same. I think it would be fantastic to see a “bike builder” system on Evelo’s website that would allow for up-front inclusion of those alternate options instead of requiring separate purchases, but c’est la vie. More objectively, the largest downside about the Galaxy Lux is that its small frame doesn’t accommodate taller riders, even though it does cut down on weight.

And accessibility is the Lux’s strong suit. Its portability and ease of mounting, in combination with its largely automated functionality, make the bike highly suitable for aging riders and those with less mobility or riding experience. The Evelo Galaxy Lux makes sure those groups don’t have to sacrifice when it comes to quality or capability, by proving to be refined, robust, reliable, and relaxing to ride.

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 Evelo Galaxy Lux.