EVELO Quest Max Folding Electric Bike Review Part 2: Ride & Range Test [VIDEO]

EVELO went all out with their new Quest Max mid drive eFolder!

This is a compact, nimble, portable, and storable electric bike that has many of the features of a full sized eBike. 

The Max’s Bafang mid drive motor with the Gates Carbon Drive belt, and NuVinci N380 CVT creates a smooth, quiet, clean, and easy to use drivetrain. In addition it can climb steep hills with ease.

The ride feel is solid with the Schwalbe balloon style tires and comfortable grips and saddle. 

And the range result from the ride test is impressive.

The Quest Max is priced at $2,599. For current pricing, checkout the EVELO website, or send them an email to [email protected].

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, 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 Quest Max: 

To get acquainted with the EVELO Quest Max, here is a video to give you a closer look:

Riding the EVELO Quest Max:

Overall there are some characteristics of the EVELO Quest Max that really stand out when riding this folding eBike. To summarize they are: 

• Fully capable mid drive eFolder 
• Stable and easy going ride feel
• Quiet, smooth, and easy to use drivetrain

The Look & Feel of the EVELO Quest Max

Like the other new EVELO eBikes (Delta, Galaxy TT, Galaxy ST, and Quest One), the new Quest Max shows off their new frame design.

The Quest Max uses aluminum for the frame which creates a solid structure that is relatively lightweight. 

Aluminium tubing is generally large in size and that allows EVELO to hide the 36V 9ah lithium battery inside the front main tube of the frame.

The battery can be accessed and removed from the frame when the frame hinge is opened for the folding process.  

This centered and low battery location is good for overall weight distribution which helps with the handling of the bike. 

Placing the battery within the frame tube provides great protection of the battery and it keeps the overall look of the bike very clean. 

The main frame and rear wheel tubing is very large for a solid ride feel and the reinforcing tubes for the mid drive motor mount provide a stable platform. 

The Quest Max come in 1 size that can fit a pretty wide range of riders.

EVELO states that it will fit riders from 4′-10″ to 6′-5″ and rider weights up to 250 pounds. 

There are 2 different seatpost sizes that come with the bike to fit that range in rider heights. 

It’s low step frame and highly adjustable handlebar and seat heights make it easy to get on and ride.

The handlebar and seatpost have quick release levers so you can make quick adjustments when out on a ride. 

Similarly there are quick release levers for the frame hinge and handlebar mast along with folding pedals that make folding the Max quick and easy.

The durable double kickstand does a nice job of keeping the Max stable during the folding process and once it has been folded. 

Once you are used to the folding process it takes about 30ish seconds. 

Getting on the Max is pretty easy with its low step frame and the relatively small 20″ wheels. 

Smaller 20″ wheel folding eBikes also have the agility to make maneuvering crowded areas easier than full size bikes. They can corner quickly and their compact size fits congested areas well. 

With the agility and smaller wheels comes the need for you to be more aware of quick movements at higher speeds. 

In addition, smaller wheels require more attention to bumps, crack, and potholes in the road because they don’t roll over or through those obstacles as well as larger 26″ or 29″ wheels. 

The Max comes with the 20″ x 2.125″ Schwalble Big Apple tires that have a stable ride feel with their large “ballon style” air volume. 

Schwalbe describes it well, “The Big Apple started off the Balloonbike trend ten years ago: Comfortable cycling without using complicated technology! Air cushion tires are used as natural suspension.”

I have ridden these tires on the larger wheel sizes and they do provide that stable feel with built in suspension effect. And that ride feel does translate well to the smaller 20″ wheels. 

The Big Apple tires have the RaceGuard puncture resistant liner built in to help minimize flats from thorns, glass, etc. 

Now let’s take a closer look at the ride position of the EVELO Quest Max.

There is a lot of variability of the handlebar and seat post height so you can dial in the Max to fit you and your preferred riding style.

For example, you can set the handlebar height to be very upright for a comfortable ride with good visibility all around, or you can set the handlebar lower for more of a performance ride position. 

EVELO spec’ed faux leather style grips that go well with the saddle color. The grips provide a bit of cushion and they have a nice ride feel. 

The Selle Royal Free Way saddle has a wide profile that makes it good for all around riding.   

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.”

Now let’s take a closer look at how the EVELO Quest Max eBike system and drivetrain performs. 

One of the unique highlights of the Max is that it is a folding eBike with a mid drive motor.

There are not many folding mid drive eBikes on the market right now, especially with a belt and CVT. 

The Bafang Max mid drive motor provides 350 watts of power and electric assist up to 20 mph with pedal assist and/or throttle. 

This makes the Quest Max a Class 2 electric bike per California law (other states are adopting similar laws).

This mid drive allows the EVELO Quest Max to climb steep hills efficiently and still enjoy the cruising speed of 20 mph on flatter terrain. 

The Bafang Max is an impressive new mid drive that uses a torque sensor and wheel speed sensor. 

Torque sensing motors add 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. 

In addition, the Bafang Max motor smoothly transitions the pedal assist on and off as you start and stop pedaling.  

There are 5 different levels of pedal assist in addition to the thumb throttle option. The pedal assist levels are adjusted with the + or – buttons on the control pad.

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 can adjust it to provide exactly the extra assist that you want.

Using the throttle you can choose to stop pedaling if you want. 

There is also a walk mode that is activated by holding down the (-) button for 2 seconds. It powers the bike up to 3 mph and helps when you are walking with the bike going uphill. 

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.

Continuing the theme of smooth and quiet is the Gates Carbon belt. 

Not only that but the Gates belt is much cleaner than a typical chain because it does not require any lubrication which can attract dirt. 

Gates also claims that their Carbon Belt’s last twice as long as a typical chain. 

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

https://youtu.be/6kqaMgUUWLc

Next up is a look at the NuVinci N380 continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

A NuVinci CVT is unique because it doesn’t have any “gears”! Continuously variable means you can dial in just the right gear ratio for your riding needs.

The N380 name designates that it has a 380% gear ratio range from the low to the high end of the range.

Adjusting the gear ratios is done with the grip shifter on the right side of the handlebars. 

Dialing in your gear ratio is similar to adjusting the volume dial on a radio; you twist the grip shifter until it is in the best gear ratio for your preferred pedaling cadence and terrain. 

NuVinci CVT’s work well with mid drive eBikes because they are designed to handle a lot of power (your pedal power & motor power) and they shift smoothly under high power. Plus they work well with the Gates Carbon Belt.

Another advantage of the NuVinci CVT is that you don’t need to be pedaling to adjust the gear ratio. 

This is good for 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.

EVELO went all out with spec’ing the Bafang Max motor, Gates Carbon Belt, and NuVinci CVT on the Quest Max and it definitely makes this eFolder stand out. The overall experience of this combo is smooth, quiet, clean, and easy to use. 

The 36V 9ah lithium battery supplies “the juice” to the electrical system and it is easy to forget about as it is cleanly housed in the frame. 

The battery weighs 4.25 pounds and it is removed by opening the frame hinge, unlocking the battery with the supplied key (2 keys are supplied), and pulling the battery out of the frame. 

With the battery removed the bike weighs 46.75 pounds.

Removing the battery makes it a little easier to load into a car, RV or boat. 

The battery can be fully charged from empty in 4-6 hours with the included charger that is about the size of a laptop charger. 

The battery has a USB charging port that can be used to charge a smartphone, tablet, or other device that uses USB charging. That USB charging port can be accessed when the battery is in the bike or removed from the bike. 

Now let’s take a closer look at the Bafang color display that is located in the center of the handlebar. 

The display provides information on:

• Battery level
• Pedal assist level (there are 5 levels)
• Current speed
• Average speed
• Max speed
• Odometer
• Trip distance
• Motor power output
• Estimated range remaining
• Calories burned

The display also has a USB charging port that you can use to charge a smartphone when you are out and about. 

It is interesting to watch the amount of power that the motor is contributing and how your pedal power and pedal assist level selection can effect that. 

Braking is handled by Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors. It is nice to have disc brakes on a folding eBike. 

These brakes have pretty good stopping power and the brake levers can be adjusted to fit the size of your hand.  

To make everyday riding more convenient the Quest Max comes with a full assortment of accessories.

There are the front & rear lights, full coverage front & rear fenders, rear cargo rack, bell, and double leg kickstand.

The front headlight is powered by the eBike battery and the rear light has its own batteries. 

Those are all the stock accessories that come with the EVELO Quest Max for the price of $2,599.

EVELO also offers many other accessories to make your ride more fun and convenient. 

Okay, let’s see how the EVELO Quest Max did out on the open road!

EVELO Quest Max Range Test Results:

Here is the real world information on how the EVELO Quest Max 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 Quest Max 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 Quest Max traveled 28.7 miles and did a total elevation gain of around 2,000 ft. Considering that I weigh 190 lbs and I pedaled at an average pace this is very good range for a 36 Volt 9 ah battery pack (324 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 Quest Max will assist up to 20 mph with pedal assist and/or throttle.

Weight: The EVELO Quest Max tips the scales at 51.0 lbs which is on the heavier side for a folding electric bike. Removing the battery brings it down to around 46.75 pounds which makes it a little easier to carry or load into a vehicle.

The weight distribution of the EVELO Quest Max is good because the battery is in the front part of the frame and the mid drive motor is centered on the bike. All of that weight is low which is good for overall bike handling. 

Pros:

Mid Drive, Belt, & CVT: The overall ride experience from the Bafang Max mid drive motor, Gates Carbon Drive belt, and NuVinci N380 CVT creates a smooth, quiet, clean, and easy to use drivetrain. With the mid drive motor you can efficiently climb steep hills. In addition this drivetrain doesn’t require any regular maintenance.  

Easy to Fold: With its easy to use quick release system you can fold the EVELO Quest Max down in around 30 seconds once you get used to the process. This makes the Max a versatile eBike for transport and storage.

Impressive Range: The Quest Max did well with its 36V 9ah battery and 350 watt motor. 28.7 miles with about 2,000 ft of climbing on the highest assist level is impressive for this eFolder. With easier riding conditions you can expect to see even more range. 

Cons:

Weight: The EVELO Quest Max at 51 pounds is on the heavier side for a folding electric bike. For comparison the EVELO Quest One weighs 41.5 pounds but it is a single speed eFolder. The mid drive motor and CVT adds some weight to the Quest Max. 

Conclusion:

Overall the EVELO Quest Max is a compact, nimble, versatile, and portable eBike that has a stable ride feel.  

Its mid drive motor and high-tech drivetrain give it many of the performance features found on full size eBikes. 

The EVELO Quest Max is a good eBike for commuting and errand running and it can handle hilly rides in the country with its climbing strength and solid range. 

Its folding capabilities make it a good eBike for storing at your house and/or workplace and it can be transported well in a car, RV, boat, etc. 

The Quest Max is priced at $2,599. For current pricing, checkout the EVELO website, or send them an email to [email protected].

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, 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 Quest Max? Check with the EVELO website.

Do you have any questions about the EVELO Quest Max?  Do you own a EVELO Quest Max?  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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