iGO M29r Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs

In addition to the iGO eXplore commuter style eBike, iGO has also introduced their M29r hardtail electric mountain bike.

The new M29r eMTB is priced at $2,199 USD and features the iGO Ergofit 29er frame design, 500 watt motor, 48V Samsung cell integrated frame battery, Shimano components, and more!

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 M29r 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 take a closer look at the iGO M29r!

iGO M29r is ready for off road adventure and cruising around town!

The 6061 alloy frame of the M29r is built on the 29″ tire platform that performs well both on and off road. 29er wheels have the ability to roll over rough terrain and the rider can pick more direct lines when compared to 26″ or 27.5″ wheel sizes. Conversely the 26″ or 27.5″ wheel sizes are more agile in tight twisty terrain.

The iGO Ergofit eBike design will accommodate a wide range of riders (5′ to 6+’) due to its short seat tube length and highly adjustable seat post. The dip in the downtube allows the rider confident mounts and dismounts from the frame.  iGO electric bikes are designed and tested in Montreal, Canada.

There are rear rack attachments on the frame for carrying extra gear. 

The iGO M29r comes equipped with a Suntour NEX suspension fork with lockout. This is a very active fork and it can be set with the correct spring preload for the riders weight. 

The lockout on the fork is activated by turning the dial on the right side of the fork. Locking the fork out is improves riding efficiency when riding on smooth terrain. It eliminates the “bobbing” of the fork when you are standing out of the saddle and pedaling hard. 

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 M29r 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 in addition to providing a 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). 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. 

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.

After unlocking the pack, the battery slides to the side for removal. The battery weighs 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 or when you are getting started on a steep climb. 

There is also 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. 

The lock on grips with file pattern provide a solid grip. And last but not least, the bell!

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 with chainring guard and the pedals provide a solid grip. 

Here’s a look at the Maxxis Crossmark 29″ x 2.1″ tire. They have a solid knobby tread for off road riding and they also work well for riding on the road. 

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

iGO M29r Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: 6061 aluminium frame. iGO Ergofit designed in Montreal, Canada

Fork: Suntour NEX suspension fork with lockout option

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. USB port for charging smartphone, tablets, etc. on the go.

Drivetrain: Shimano Altus 8 speed

Brakeset: Tektro Aries mechanical disc front & rear with 160 mm rotors

Tires: Maxxis Crossmark, 29″ x 2.1″

Sizes: Ergofit will fit a wide range of rider sizes.

Accessories: Bell and kickstand.

Weight: 57 pounds. 49.5 pounds with the battery removed.

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

Here is a link to the specifications page of the iGO M29r electric bike.

Now checkout part 2 of the iGO M29r 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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