Kona Dew-E DL Review, 2024
This lightweight, low-profile commuter hosts high-end components and long range touring ability.
A Shimano STEPS E6100 mid-drive motor gives the benefit of an easier cycling experience while offering the ride feel of a non-electric bike. We found the motor’s engagement to be smooth and subtle with a natural feel; only in the Dew-E DL’s highest assist setting did it seem like we were riding an e-bike!
At just 43 lbs, the bike’s relatively low weight also stood out to us by contributing to an airy, responsive, and agile ride. With such a manageable weight, apartment-dwellers can comfortably lift and carry the bike up a few flights of stairs if needed. The Dew-E DL can also be accommodated by standard bike racks for ease of transport.
We also enjoyed the stability granted by the bike’s 650x47mm road tires. With low rolling resistance, these tires also encouraged fast acceleration. In combination with the custom carbon fiber fork, these tires helped to absorb vibrations from the street or path and make the rigid frame much more comfortable.
A list of the bike’s components is provided below, but keep scrolling for the full Kona Dew-E DL review.
- Smooth, responsive, and natural-feeling pedal assistance from the Shimano E6100 mid-drive motor. It feels like an analog bike!
- Maneuverable and manageable to lift with a total weight of 43 lbs including the custom carbon fork.
- Great riding stability and acceleration from the fast rolling 650x47mm WTB Horizon road tires.
- Available in 4 frame sizes to offer a precise fit to a wide range of riders from 5’-0 to 6’-5”.
- Excellent stopping power from the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes using 2-piston calipers and 160 millimeter rotors.
- Bikepacking ready! The seat tube, down tube, and forks include bosses for carrying bottles, luggage, etc.
- Pairs with the Shimano E-TUBE app to switch between a Sport and Comfort output profile for the motor.
- A great stealth factor with a minimal design and a super-quiet motor.
- The Dew-E DL includes a small tail light but we hoped to see brake light functionality to better ensure safety while riding alongside traffic.
- We appreciate the complement of premium components, but we challenge Kona to include (or at least offer) a cargo rack in the future.
- Battery: Shimano 504Wh
- Display: Shimano SC-E7000 Display
- Motor: Shimano E6100 20MPH
- Headlight: Integrated LED Headlight
- Taillights: Integrated LED Headlight
- Pedal Assist: Eco, Normal, High
- Range: 50 to 134 miles (claimed, with “Comfort” motor profile)
- Throttle:N/A
- UL Certification: None
- Claimed weight: 43 lbs
- Rider height range: 5’-0” to 6’-5”
- Total payload capacity: 350 lbs
- Brakes:Shimano Hydraulic, Shimano RT54 160mm rotors, Shimano MT201 brake levers
- Fenders:Aluminum
- Fork:Kona Rove Verso Full Carbon Flat Mount Disc
- Frame: Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
- Drivetrain: 10-Speed Shimano Deore, 38t Chainring, 11-46t Cassette
- Grips: Kona Key Grip
- Saddle: WTB Volt
- Handlebar: 690mm Kona Aluminum Riser
- Kickstand: Included
- Pedals: N/A
- Tires: WTB Horizon TCS w/ Puncture Protection 650x47c
Kona Dew-E DL Review: Speed Test
To gain an understanding of the Kona Dew-E DL’s power output and speeds in each assist setting, I rode the bike on a predetermined section of our local bike paths. There, I rode with no pedal assistance and recorded my maximum speed, then repeated this process as I moved through each of its three pedal assist system (PAS) settings.
The Dew-E DL is a Class 1 e-bike offering pedal assistance up to 20 miles per hour. With a mid-drive motor that uses a torque sensor, the bike has the ability to adapt its power output to match the rider’s effort, so consistent pedaling was required to obtain objective results.
Due to the bike’s relatively low overall weight, it pedaled easily with no help from the motor; my maximum speed was 13.8 mph with a moderate level of effort. When moving up through the Eco, Normal, and High assist settings, I reached 14.7 mph, 17.4 mph, and 19.5 mph respectively.
I noticed a distinct feel in each PAS setting that corresponded to the differences in our maximum speeds. The motor output in Eco felt subtle, not differing much from the bike’s behavior with no assistance. Normal provided a comfortable but conservative level of power, while in High mode, the ride was noticeably faster and easier.
Our data shows a steady increase in power between settings, which corresponds to my expectations by how the bike felt; this is what we consider to be an ideal pattern. With such measured and consistent “steps” (a Shimano pun, sorry) in power, the Dew-E DL’s assist settings felt intuitive and easy to choose between. I also liked the fact that there were just three assist settings; when testing e-bikes with a more conventional 5 options, we find that 1-2 of them often go mostly unused.
It’s worth noting that the Shimano STEPS (Shimano Total Electric Power System) E6100 motor can be paired with the brand’s E-TUBE app. We tested the Dew-E DL exclusively in its standard “Sportive” mode with maximum power output, but riders can also select a slightly more conservative “Comfort” mode that feels even more like an analog bike.
We feel that the Dew-E DL performed well in this test, providing users an intuitive interface with meaningful differences in power levels. The bike proved both easy to use and effective.
Kona Dew-E DL Review: Range Test
As explained in the graphic above, the goal of our Range Test was to determine maximum and minimum range values for the Dew-E DL on a single charge of its 36V, 504 Wh battery. Our results showed that the bike is capable of traveling between 44.4 and 67.0 miles before needing to be recharged.
While Kona does not advertise an estimated range for the bike, Shimano (the manufacturer of the drive system) claims to have achieved 50 to 134 miles on a single charge using the motor’s “Comfort” profile. Our tests were done on the higher-powered “Sportive” profile, as the bike shipped – but we’ll discuss motor profiles later in our Kona Dew-E DL review.
For now, we can compare the Dew-E DL’s results to similar commuter-style e-bikes we have tested. With the maximum amount of power in High mode, Kona’s bike traveled one of the furthest distances we have measured from a mid-drive-bearing commuter e-bike! In its low-power Eco mode, the Dew-E fell more toward the middle when compared to similar bikes – which is still quite commendable, as it reinforces consistency between e-bikes from unrelated brands within the same category.
Based on my personal experience on the bike as well as its lower-than-average speed in our High mode test, the strength of the bike’s motor output seemed to be below that of similar commuter bikes we tested previously. Lower output is linked with reduced draw from the battery, thereby increasing overall efficiency. This is also what gives the Dew-E DL its reserved, analog feel!
This explanation can be reinforced by a further exploration of data. Based on the bike’s motor and battery specs (a 250W motor and a 504 Wh battery), we calculated an estimate of its results in our High mode test. We anticipated that the bike would travel a distance of 29 miles over a span of 2 hours. Our actual results of 44.4 miles and 3 hours and 9 minutes shows a 57.5% increase in duration and a 53% increase in distance traveled.
With an average to above-average performance, the Dew-E DL met and slightly exceeded our expectations. It’s test results show solid efficiency and the ability to cover a practical distance on a single charge.
We feel it safe to say that riders with a shorter commute should expect to go days between charges, while those with a long morning and evening ride should still be accommodated.
Kona Dew-E DL Review: Hill Test
When compared to similar commuter e-bikes we’ve tested, the Dew-E DL’s results are consistent with its specs. Its Shimano STEPS E6100 mid-drive produces a maximum of 60 Nm of torque, which is slightly less than the output from similar premium-tier mid-drives. As such, the bike placed below some of those other e-bikes, but the difference was extremely minimal – a matter of a few seconds.
The hill at Hell Hole Trail is a challenge that most analog cyclists would not attempt, and would instead be likely to dismount and walk to the top of. Speaking personally, I’ve tried it – and gave up roughly a third of the way up the path. As such, we consider any e-bike that reaches the top of the path to be successful regardless of its placement.
In practice, the Dew-E DL successfully aided our ascent while remaining consistent in its traditional analog feel. The bike’s relatively subtle level of power meant that a moderate degree of physical effort was necessary, but the motor fulfilled its role by making the task much easier. Again – this is a bike for those who enjoy pedaling!
Kona Dew-E DL Review: Brake Test
When testing the Dew-E DL’s brake system using the process described above, we anticipated great results and were not disappointed. The bike is equipped with a Shimano Altus-tier hydraulic brake system with 2-piston calipers and 160 mm rotors on both its front and rear wheels.
With this brake system and three sets of data from our test, we calculated the bike’s average stopping distance to be 20’-11”. In the big picture of our data, this result is excellent – though by commuter standards it is relatively average, as e-bikes of this category tend to perform well in this test.
The Shimano system did give the Dew-E DL an edge. For perspective, a majority of the other commuter e-bikes we’ve tested used 180mm rotors to disperse heat, but the Dew-E managed a great result with smaller-than-average rotors.
The bike performed well outside of this test, also. In my personal time on the bike, I observed a noticeably responsive feel with quick, powerful stopping ability. The bike’s WTB 650x47mm road tires had a slightly tendency to “skate” for short distances when braking hard, but this was to be expected from the minimal tread pattern. The bike remained stable, planted, and well in my control.
Based on our test results and my experiences, we find it easy to state that the Kona Dew-E DL is equipped with safe, effective brakes.
Kona Dew-E DL Review: Ride Quality
First, and perhaps most importantly, is fit; while there is no step-thru version of the bike, Kona offers the Dew-E DL in four frame sizes to ensure a precise fit. With Small, Medium, Large, and XL frames, the bike accommodates riders from 5’-0” to 6’-5”. At 5’-11”, I found the Large frame to be a great fit.
The bike’s riding position is mostly-upright with a slight forward lean, which was both comfortable and appropriate for a commuter. In terms of handling, the Dew-E includes 690mm handlebars that blend responsive steering with stability and control; I found it to be quite nimble and predictable.
Its straight/standard rubber grips were comfortable, and I found the saddle to be generally appropriate for a lightweight commuter, though after some time on the bike it did feel a bit firm. The bike does not include pedals, though Kona sells a number of options that can be selected at purchase.
The bike’s user interface was simple but effective; the three-button control panel on the left bar paired with the bike’s small black-and-white display to swap through ride info, adjust PAS setting, etc.
Activating the integrated LED light system required going into the settings menu, which was a multi-step process; I would have preferred an easier method of operation. I suspect – and honestly, appreciate – that it was set up this way to encourage keeping the lights on for safety.
The Dew-E DL includes a number of bosses on its frame and fork for bikepacking; this is an uncommon feature on the commuter e-bikes we have tested. With four bosses on either side of the carbon fork and two each on the seat tube and down tube, riders can equip gear bags, bottle cages, etc.
In my experience, mid-drive motors exist on a spectrum; on one end they can respond quickly to changes in pedaling, but might feel somewhat inconsistent in their output. On the other, they can feel smooth and steady, but do not respond as drastically to different levels of effort. The Dew-E DL’s motor exists more firmly on the second side, though I found the Shimano drive system to be a good balance of both.
It was refreshing to see such a full package of premium components on the bike; Shimano manufactures the Altus brakes, the Deore drivetrain, the Tiagra wheel hubs, and of course the motor and battery. Many of the other parts are custom Kona components, including the grips, stem, seatpost, handlebars, and others.
It is no surprise then that the Dew-E DL had such a precise feel; the analog nature of its ride is clearly an intentional result of its build.
Kona Dew-E DL Review: Summary / Where to Buy
The Dew-E DL performed well in our testing and met our expectations at every turn. It demonstrated a solid distribution of speed, proved able to travel a practical distance on a single charge, showed effective stopping power, and performed reliably when helping us to climb steep hills.
We honestly found very little to critique, though we hope to see the Dew-E DL’s safety factor increased in the future with the addition of brake lights. We also encourage Kona to make it easier to expand the bike’s functionality by including a cargo rack – or at least offering one for purchase separately.
In the big picture, the bike functions well and provides solid value for its price. With premium components and a natural-feeling ride, the Dew-E DL is a reliably great way to get around faster without feeling like the bike is doing all the work for you.
Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Kona Dew-E DL down in our comments section.
Ed says
Glad to know that the motor is super quiet. I don’t know about most peoples’ locale, but I would want a full suspension version of this, especially with all these roads going unfixed with a bunch of pot holes!
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John S. Bozick says
Valid concern. I think a suspension seatpost would be a great addition to this bike at the very least.