iGO Elite 2 Step Thru Electric Bike Review Part 1- Pictures & Specs

The new 2020 iGO Elite 2 step thru eCommuter is in for testing and review!

The Canadian designed iGo Elite 2 has a single downtube for a low step thru area, clean battery integration, and front and rear racks as standard.

The Elite features a high capacity (48V 13ah 624 Wh) lithium battery, 500 watt geared rear hub motor, Shimano and Tektro components, and a lot of stock accessories.

This commuter style eBike is priced at $1,899 with free shipping.

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 iGO Elite 2 review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this e-bike.

Alright, let’s get into the details!

The iGO Elite 2 is designed as being an easy get on and off eCommuter bike for daily commuting, leisure riding, and touring.

One of the big highlights of the Elite 2 is the easy to ‘get on and go’ low step thru design with the high capacity integrated lithium frame battery.

The Elite uses iGO’s Ergofit design that will accommodate a large range of heights and reaches. Seatpost, seat and handlebar height / angle adjustments can all be made to suit your preferred riding style.

The iGO Elite 2 has a large 6061 aluminum downtube that is a platform for the 48V 13Ah lithium battery and creates enough structure to provide the low step thru area that is just 17.5″ above the ground. 

The 48V 13Ah lithium battery with Samsung 18650 cells has 624 watt hours of capacity. You can see the full range test in Part 2 of the iGO Elite 2 review. 

The centered and relatively low downtube battery location is good for weight distribution and overall bike handling. It blends in well with the lines of the frame too.

There is a place to mount a water bottle cage or lock mount on the seat tube. 

One interesting feature of the iGO Elite 2 is the mid motor style housing around the bottom bracket area.

As the bike is powered by a rear hub motor this housing actually contains the controller. The screws on the side plate show that this is easily accessible should you ever need to access the controller for maintenance or replacement.

iGO describes it this way “the new in frame electronics access port allows anyone to easily access the controller and wiring in seconds. Even if the worst happens, a controller can be swapped out in minutes. Plug in components with twist locking weatherproof connectors makes it incredibly easy for anyone, anywhere to change any electronic component in minutes.”

The above picture also shows the solid construction and strong welding in the step thru area of the frame.

There is a QR code near the headtube that will provide a link to service manuals when you scan it with your smartphone. 

Here is a description from iGO “iGO road side assistance included on all iGo ebikes. Information on everything from how to change a flat tire, to how to operate the display is a click away.”

The welding between the down tube and the head tube is seamless and has a very clean look. There is internal cable routing that starts just behind the head tube.

The battery is removable via a key on the top right hand side.

The battery is removed by rotating it to the left side of the frame once unlocked. In this picture you can see the flat platform of the downtube and upper and lower battery connection points. 

The battery can be charged on or off the bike via the charging port which is on the top left side of the battery. The battery weighs 8.2 pounds.

The charger is about the size of a laptop charger and it takes about 6 hours to fully charge the battery from empty.

The front rack has a large flat platform that can handle up to 20 pounds and the platform area is roughly 10″ x 10″.

The rear rack has a number of attachment points for straps, bags, and baskets. It is rated to carry 50 pounds of cargo. 

The rear rack has solid looking bolted connection to the top of the seat stay tubes on the frame. 

A Suntour NEX coil spring suspension fork helps to take the edge off of rough roads with about 2″ of travel and an active feel. 

This is the iGO 500 watt geared rear hub motor that provides pedal assist or throttle up to 20 mph. That makes the iGo Elite 2 a Class 2 electric bike.

Here is a look at the Tektro 180mm disc brake rotor attached to the other side of the motor.

Slowing the iGO Elite 2 down is handled by Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear. 

This is the front Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake on the Suntour Nex suspension fork. 

There is a 42T chainring which you can see has a substantial chainguard that extends along the top chain line, giving plenty of protection for your clothes from oil and to prevent them getting caught in the chain.

A Shimano Altus rear derailleur shifts through an 8 speed 11-34 tooth cogset which provides a nice range of gears for climbing hills and riding on flat land.

Now let’s take a look at the Elite 2 control center.

On the left side of the handlebar is a comfortable rubber grip, Tektro front brake lever and bell, thumb throttle, and the LCD display and control pad.

The LCD display shows the pedal assist level, speedometer, odometer, trip distance, trip time, battery level, motor power, lighting indicator, and error diagnostics. If an error code displays you can use the QR code on the frame for instructions or call/email iGO for support.

The display has a backlight for good visibility both day and night.

There are nine levels of pedal assist that can be toggled through with the + and – buttons that are easily accessible with your left thumb.

The thumb throttle can be used as a boost to the pedal assist levels or it can be used as pure throttle without pedaling.

There is a walk mode that provides assist up to a few mph and it helps when you are walking the bike up a steep hill or stairs. It is activated by holding the – button on the display.

In this view you can see that the brake levers have a rubber surface for solid grip in almost any weather.

Both brake levers have sensors that will stop the assist as soon as either brake lever is engaged. 

On the right side of the handlebar is the rubber grip, Tektro rear brake lever, and Shimano 8 speed shifter.

In this view you can see that the riser handlebars have a swept back ride style for a very comfortable riding position.

Adjusting the height and reach of the handlebars is easy with the Promax tool-free adjustable stem with quick release lever.

The plastic pedals provide a solid rubber grippy surface with reflectors front and rear. 

The Velo saddle has a comfortable profile with a relieved section in the middle.

Here’s a look at the Schwalbe Energizer Plus tire with Greenguard 5 puncture protection, 28″ x 1.75″ (700C x 38c). 

These tires have an efficient smooth design with channels for dissipating water.

The full coverage front and rear plastic fenders have flexible flaps at the ends to keep the water spray to a minimum.

A dual LED SPANNINGA headlight is located just below the front cargo rack for a sleek design.

The Spanninga front and rear lights are connected to the battery pack so that you don’t have to worry about charging the lights separately.

Both lights are nicely tucked away under the racks to give an element of protection from damage.

The kickstand is bolted to the left side of the frame and it has an adjustable length so you can set the angle of the bike when it is parked. 

iGO Elite 2 Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: Hydroformed 6061 aluminium frame with low step thru design

Fork: Suntour NEX suspension fork

Motor: 500 watt geared rear hub motor

Battery: Integrated frame lithium battery pack with Samsung 18650 cells. 48V 13Ah (624 Wh). The battery weighs 8.2 pounds.

Assist Options: 9 pedal assist levels via cadence sensor pedal assist. Also a thumb throttle. Both assist up to 20 mph

Display: LCD display with information on: pedal assist level, speedometer, odometer, trip distance, trip time, battery level, motor power, and error diagnostics.

Drivetrain: Shimano Altus 8 speed. 42t chainring with 11-34t cogset.

Brakeset: Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors front & rear

Tires: Schwalbe Energizer Plus with Greenguard 5 puncture protection. 28″ x 1.75″ (700C x 38c)

Sizes: Ergofit will accommodate people of either gender from 5’0″to over 6’2″ feet

Accessories: Front & rear LED lights powered by the bike battery, front & rear fenders, front & rear aluminum racks, chainguard, bell, and kickstand.

Weight: 63.1 pounds total. 54.9 pounds with 8.2 pound battery removed.

Price: $1,899 USD with free shipping

Now checkout Part 2 of the iGO Elite 2 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.

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