iGO eXplore Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs

The iGO eXplore is in for testing and review and this step thru eBike is ready to hit the road for commuting to work and running errands around town. 

The eXplore features an integrated 48 V lithium battery, 500 watt motor, Shimano components, sturdy front & rear racks, integrated lights, and more! 

This commuter eBike is priced at $2,199 USD.

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 eXplore 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!

iGO eXplore is ready for the commute and running errands around town!

The iGO Ergofit eBike design will accommodate people of either gender 5′ – 0″ tall to 6′ – 5″ in ergonomically proportional comfort. The frame has been designed to fit a wide range of riders and the quick adjust handlebar stem and seatpost can be dialed in for riders preferences. 

The 6061 aluminium frame has a nice low step thru design making it easy to get on and off the eXplore. 

iGO electric bikes are designed and tested in Montreal Canada.

The iGO eXplore comes equipped with a Suntour suspension fork to take the edge off of rough roads. You can also see the LED light and sturdy front cargo rack. More on those in a bit. 

This is the iGO 500 watt (700 watt peak) direct drive rear hub motor with 43 Nm of torque. It is a very quiet motor that has a smooth power delivery. The eXplore provides assist up to 20 mph. 

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

The lithium battery is housed in the downtube of the frame for a very clean look and the upper frame tube provides some additional protection while maintaining a low step thru height. 

The lithium battery is housed in the downtube of the frame for low and centered weight distribution, which is good for overall bike handling.

iGO uses Samsung certified cells and the stock battery is a 48 volt 10.4 ah, (500 watt hours of capacity). There is a USB port on the top right side of the battery so that you can charge your smartphone, tablet, etc. on the go.

An optional 48 volt 13 AH battery (624 watt hours) is available for an additional cost of $299.

The battery charging port is on the lefts side of the battery towards the bottom of the pack. 

After unlocking the pack, the battery slides to the side for removal. The battery is 7.5 pounds. 

Here’s a look at the bike when the battery pack has been removed. 

The charger is about the size of a laptop charger and it takes 4 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery. The battery can be charged on or off the bike. 

On the left side of the handlebar is the LCD display that shows the driving mode, pedal assist level, speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, battery level with voltage reading, and error diagnostics. The display is capable of indicating error codes which will self diagnose an issue with a component should one arise. The display is backlit for good visibility both day and night. 

There are 3 different driving modes that can be selected: Eco, Normal, and Power. In addition, there are 8 pedal assist levels for each of those driving modes so you can really fine tune how the bike performs. The pedal assist is a cadence sensor type of assist. 

The thumb throttle to the left of the display allows you to ride with or without pedaling and it can override the pedal assist. This is useful if you want a boost of power to get through an intersection quickly. 

There is a walk mode that provides assist up to ~3.7 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.

The display has a USB port on the bottom for charging a smartphone, tablet, etc. on the go. 

The display, as well as the left & right brake cut off switches, are wired with weatherproof connectors along with the easy loom to facilitate quick part changes should the display indicate doing so. The controller and the rear motor are also equipped with the same quick connectors making service issues easy.

On the right side is the Shimano 8 speed trigger shifter with rear Tektro disc brake lever. The brake levers have a built in electronic sensor that will stop the motor assist when either brake lever is engaged. And last but not least, the bell!

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

The Promax stem with the quick release lever opened.

The Promax stem adjusted to a new height and reach.

This is the front Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 160 mm stainless steel rotor.

And the rear Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 160 mm stainless steel rotor.

The cranks have a sleek design and the pedals provide a solid grip. 

Here’s a look at the CST Zeppelin 28″ x 2″ tire. The CST Zeppelin tires have a center ridge for rolling efficiency and side grooves for shedding water.

The front light is mounted to the fork so that the light is not blocked by items placed on the front rack. The light also lights up the front tire and rim which is a great safety feature along with the reflective side wall of the tire.

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

The rear light is housed in the rear rack and runs off the main eBike battery pack. 

The front and rear aluminum racks have a sturdy look and they can be removed from the frame if preferred. The front rack can handle up to 20 pounds. 

The rear rack is capable of carrying a wide variety of bags, panniers, or baskets for commuting or touring. The fenders front and rear are a nice stock accessory. The rear rack can handle up to 55 pounds. 

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

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

iGO eXplore Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: 6061 aluminium frame

Fork: Suntour suspension fork

Motor: iGo 500 watt (700 watt peak) direct drive rear hub motor with 43 Nm of torque

Battery: Integrated frame lithium battery pack. 48 V 10.4 ah (500 Wh) lithium battery with USB port for charging other devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.). The battery weighs 7.5 pounds. Recharge Time: 4-6 hours. Optional 48 V 13 ah (624 Wh) battery available for additional $299.

Assist Options: 3 driving modes with 8 pedal assist options each. Cadence sensor pedal assist. Also a thumb throttle. 

Display: Large LCD display with information on: the driving mode, pedal assist level, speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, battery level with voltage reading, and error diagnostics. 

Drivetrain: Shimano Altus 8 speed

Brakeset: Tektro Aries mechanical disc front & rear

Tires: CST Zeppelin, 28″ x 2″

Sizes: Ergofit will accommodate people of either gender from 5 ft tall to over 6 feet

Accessories: Integrated front & rear LED lights, front & rear fenders, front & rear rack, bell, and kickstand.

Weight: 63.5 pounds

Price: $2,199 USD at the time of this review

iGO provides this assembly video for the eXplore: 

Here is a link to the specifications page of the iGO eXplore electric bike.

Now checkout part 2 of the iGO eXplore 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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