EVELO Galaxy ST Electric Bike Review Part 2: Ride & Range Test [VIDEO]

After putting the EVELO Galaxy ST to the ride test it has proven to be a very easy going and comfortable eBike with impressive range. 

Its easy get on and off step thru design along with its comfortable and stylish cruiser characteristics make it a fun and casual riding eBike.  

The smooth, quiet, clean, and maintenance free drivetrain continues the theme of easy going and let’s you focus on enjoying the ride!

The Galaxy starts at $3,499 for the Premium model and $3,899 for the Fully Loaded model. 

EVELO also 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 US and Canada, 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 second part of the full review you will get an idea of the ride characteristics, range test results, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this electric bike.

Make sure you check out part 1 of this review with large pictures and specifications to get a detailed look at this e-bike.

What you can expect from the EVELO Galaxy ST:

The Galaxy ST in this review is the Fully Loaded model. To get acquainted with the EVELO Galaxy ST, checkout this video:

Riding the EVELO Galaxy ST:

Overall there are some characteristics of the EVELO Galaxy ST that really stand out when riding this comfortable commuter. To summarize they are: 

• Easy get on and off step thru frame
• Comfortable, smooth, and efficient ride feel
• Quiet and smooth Bafang Max mid drive motor, Gates Carbon Belt, and NuVinci CVT shifting

The Look & Feel of the EVELO Galaxy ST

Like all of the new eBikes from EVELO, the Galaxy ST shows off their attention to detail in the hydroformed aluminum frame. 

The ST features a very large step thru area that makes getting on and off this eBike very easy and comfortable. 

You barely need to lift your leg 1 ft above the ground to get on and off the ST which is a big difference when compared to throwing your leg over a triangle frame with a high top tube. 

Running errands around town is made easier with the ability to quickly get on and off this step thru bike. 

This clean and large step thru area is made possible thanks to the hydro formed aluminum tubes that have been shaped to place the material where it is needed for strength. 

These unique tube shapes also add some style to the bike with their flowing and sculpted look. 

The shapes go from round to ovalized, to square, to rectangular, with a lot of different curvature throughout the frame. 

You can see some of these unique tubing shapes in the downtube and reinforced tubing piece at the bottom of the step thru area.

When cornering quickly from side to side you can feel some frame flex that is most likely a result of the missing top tube. That is one of the compromises for an easy get and off step thru design.

This new frame also has a clean integration of the new Bafang Max 350 watt mid drive motor and Gates Carbon belt.

Furthering the clean overall look of the EVELO Galaxy ST is internal cable routing that is found in the downtube and behind the seat tube. 

The EVELO Galaxy comes in 2 different frame types:

• The triangle frame (TT) and
• A step thru frame (ST) to fit a wide range of riders.

Here is the full review of the EVELO Galaxy TT Fully Loaded model that features the upgrades of the NuVinci Harmony automatic shifting system and Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes. 

Overall the riding style of the ST is very easy going and that is highlighted with a smooth and quiet ride experience. 

Like the TT, the ST is somewhere between a cruiser and an efficient commuter eBike while adding the easy get on and go step thru design, which further adds to its easy going ride characteristics. 

Classic cruiser style swept back handlebars, the retro looking double spring seat, and balloon style tires gives the ST the beach cruiser characteristics. 

The ST’s commuter characteristics come from the easy step thru design, smooth and efficient tires, and a full selection of accessories for everyday commuting and errand running. 

Combining the cruiser and commuter characteristics creates an eBike that offers an everyday commuter with the fun and stylish look for weekend cruising. 

Now let’s take a closer look at the ride position of the EVELO Galaxy ST.

The swept back handlebars give the ST a comfortable and attentive ride position that also adds to the cruiser styling of this eBike. 

The height of the handlebars is somewhat low for a more efficient ride position. 

If you want a more upright and comfortable position an adjustable stem can be used to dial in your preferred handlebar height and fore/aft position. 

Adding to the classic look of the EVELO Galaxy ST are the faux leather grips that also have a significant amount of padding to smooth out the ride. 

Continuing along the lines of a retro look is the the Selle Royale Ondina saddle. It provides a comfortable ride feel with 2 springs that provide a bit of suspension for a smoother ride.

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.”

For an even more comfortable ride you may want to consider a suspension seatpost that further helps to take the edge off of rough roads.

One of the big highlights of the latest EVELO eBikes is their attention to detail on the drivetrain for a smooth, quiet, and maintenance free riding experience. 

The EVELO Galaxy ST in this review is the Premium model that features the NuVinci N380 CVT with manual shifting. Make sure you checkout the TT Fully Loaded review for a look at that model option with NuVinci Harmony automatic shifting system. The ST also has the option of the Fully Loaded model. 

On both models you will get the new Bafang Max 350 watt mid drive motor and Gates Carbon belt.

The Bafang Max is an impressive new motor system from Bafang that uses both a torque sensor and wheel speed sensor to provide proportional pedal assist. 

Torque sensing motors blend the motor power with your pedal power in a very intuitive way by following your lead based on your pedal power. 

If you are soft pedaling the system adds just a little assist,  if you really pedal hard the system give you a lot of assist, and everything in between. 

The Max motor also smoothly transitions the electric assist on and off as you start and stop pedaling, there is no jerky feeling as the motor blends the power with your pedal power. 

The amount of pedal assist is selected with the 5 different levels via the up or down arrows on the control pad on the handlebars. 

Levels 1 & 2 give you a moderate amount of assist for an easy going ride around the neighborhood and/or if you want to get more of a workout. 

Levels 3, 4, & 5 give you a much more noticeable amount of “kick” and they have a fun and sporty ride feel. These levels are good for getting to work quickly with minimal sweat.

There is also the optional thumb throttle boost that can be used once the bike reaches 6+ mph (10 kmh).

The thumb throttle is located on the left side of the handlebar and it has a wide amount of variability so that you adjust it to provide exactly the extra assist that you want. 

Like almost all mid-drive motors the Bafang Max motor does create a little noise but overall it is surprisingly quiet. At the lower speeds you can hear a whirring noise that tends to fade away as wind noise overtakes it at higher speeds.

And speaking of a smooth and quiet ride experience, the Gates Carbon belt continues that theme as it transfers the power to the rear wheel. 

The Gates belt is a big upgrade from a typical chain system because it is smoother, quieter, and much cleaner.

Unlike a typical chain this belt does not require any regular lubrication. That in turn eliminates any greasy components that could get your pant legs dirty. 

Belts are also touted to last at least twice as long as a typical chain according to Gates. 

Here is a video from Gates with a closer look at their Carbon Belt.

https://youtu.be/6kqaMgUUWLc

Once your pedal and motor power has been delivered from the Gates belt to the rear wheel it is then routed through the NuVinci N380 continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

The NuVinci CVT is a very clean and simple drivetrain to use because it doesn’t have any gears! 

Instead of specific set gears, this continuously variable transmission can fine tune the gear ratios from the low end to the high end to fit your exact riding cadence preferences. It has a 380% gear ratio range from low to high.

Dialing in the best gear ratio is done with the grip shifter on the right side of the handlebars. It is similar to adjusting the volume dial on a radio; you turn the dial until it is the best gear ratio for preferred pedaling cadence and terrain. 

The NuVinci CVT’s are a good fit for eBikes because they can handle a lot of power (your pedal power & motor power) and they shift smoothly under that power. 

In addition, the NuVinci N380 does not require you to be pedaling to “shift” the gear ratios, you can twist the shifter to get into the best gear ratio for when you start to pedal again. 

This is helpful when you want to get into the best gear ratio for accelerating from a stop. 

Here is a video from NuVinci with more info on their CVT system:

According to NuVinci, the N380 hub does not require any maintenance and it is a self-contained system.

The overall experience from the combination of the Bafang Max motor, Gates Carbon Belt, and NuVinci CVT is a smooth, quiet, and maintenance free ride. 

This further adds to that easy going and fun ride feel. 

The system is powered by a 36V 13ah lithium battery that is housed in the rear rack.

The battery weighs 7.5 pounds and it is removed by unlocking it with the supplied key (2 keys are supplied with the bike) and pulling it off of the back of the rack. 

The battery can be charged on or off the bike and fully charging it from empty takes 4-6 hours.

The ST weighs 49 pounds without the battery and that makes it a little easier to load onto a car rack. The step thru reinforcement frame tube also helps with picking the bike up. 

When cornering fast and moving the bike quickly from side to side you can feel the weight of the battery because it is located relatively high on the rear rack and the front end of the bike is relatively light. 

Next up is a closer look at the control center on the EVELO Galaxy ST.

The center mounted LCD display provides information on the battery level, odometer and trip distance, speed, assist mode, and watts.

One of the interesting things to watch is how many watts the motor is providing in the different assist levels and how much that can vary based on the amount of pedal power you are contributing. 

There is a backlight for riding in low light and it can be turned on by holding the up arrow on the control pad for a few seconds. 

Slowing down the EVELO Galaxy ST Premium model is handled by Shimano mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors front and rear. 

These disc brakes have a solid feel with progressive modulation. 

The brake levers have sensors that will stop the motor assist when the brakes are engaged. 

The Fully Loaded model comes with Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. 

The balloon style CST Caldera 27.5″ x 2.0″ tires have a very smooth tread profile for an efficient ride. 

They have a distinct gliding feeling and the volume of these tires provide a bit of suspension to take the edge off of rougher roads.

These tires come with EPS Belt Protection to help with avoiding flats. 

Okay, let’s see how the EVELO Galaxy ST did out on the open road!

EVELO Galaxy ST Range Test Results:

Here is the real world information on how the EVELO Galaxy ST electric bike performed on a riding circuit that includes hills, flats, traffic, wind (when available) etc.

While testing these bikes I like to put them through the toughest conditions to see where their bottom line is in regards to range and speed. I tested the EVELO Galaxy ST in the highest pedal assist level (Level 5) with average pedaling on paved roads.

Range: As you can see from the GPS info that I recorded, the EVELO Galaxy ST traveled 30.2 miles and did a total elevation gain of around 2,300+ ft. Considering that I weigh 190 lbs and I pedaled very lightly this is good range for a 36 Volt 13 ah battery pack (468 Watt Hours) with a 350 watt motor assisting up to 20 mph. 

Watt hours are the total energy in a battery pack and it is based on the volts x amp hours of a pack. This is a way to compare the size of the “gas tank” of electric bikes.

Please keep in mind that if you pedal more, weigh less than me, ride slower and/or you use the bike in terrain that is not as hilly you will get more range. These results are from tough testing.

Speed: The EVELO Galaxy will assist up to 20 mph with pedal assist and/or throttle.

Weight: The EVELO Galaxy tips the scales at 56.5 lbs which is on the heavier side for an electric bike. Removing the battery brings it down to around 49 pounds which makes it a little easier to load onto a car rack.

The weight distribution of the EVELO Galaxy ST is a bit back heavy because of the battery mounted in the rear rack and a light front end.

Pros:

Easy Going Ride: The EVELO Galaxy ST is a very approachable eBike with its easy get on and go step thru design and its casual cruiser characteristics like the swept back handlebars, comfortable seat, and balloon style tires.

Efficient: The ST also has a lot of efficient commuter bike characteristics that give you the feeling that the bike is just gliding along. With a range test providing over 30 miles in pretty tough conditions you can see that the ST can go even further in lower assist levels for those weekend adventure rides. 

Smooth Drivetrain: The combination of the new Bafang Max mid drive, Gates Carbon Belt, and NuVinci N380 CVT creates an overall smooth, quiet, and clean riding experience. And it is maintenance free so you can focus on riding. 

Cons:

Back Heavy: The relatively high battery location in the rear rack makes the bike a bit back heavy and that is more noticeable because the front of the bike is pretty light. You can feel the weight of the battery when maneuvering in tight turns. 

Frame Flex: When cornering quickly from side to side you can feel some frame flex that is most likely a result of the missing top tube. That is one of the compromises for an easy get and off step thru design.

Conclusion:

Overall the EVELO Galaxy ST is a very fun and easy going electric bike. Its step thru design makes it a very approachable eBike for everyday commuting and errand running. 

Its comfortable ride style and range also makes it a good weekend explorer. The smooth, quiet, clean, and maintenance free drivetrain let you focus on enjoying the ride!

The Galaxy starts at $3,499 for the Premium model and $3,899 for the Fully Loaded model. Please check the EVELO website for the latest pricing.

EVELO also 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 US and Canada, 0% financing (if you qualify), 4 year/20,000 mile warranty, and support for service and repairs. Plus they have their “Perfect Seat Guarantee”.

Please keep in mind that this is a relatively short term test. This testing can’t really give you the long term review of durability and reliability. My thoughts on the quality of this bike are from previous experiences with similar bikes. If you own this bike and have some input on the long term durability, please share your comments with the Electric Bike Report community below.

Where to buy a EVELO Galaxy? Here is a link to the Galaxy ST. 

Do you have any questions about the EVELO Galaxy ST?  Do you own a EVELO Galaxy ST?  Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Thanks!

-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.

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