Magnum Metro 750 Review – 2024
The Adventure Bike for Urban Commutes and a Little Outback Exploration
The Bafang 750-watt motor gives ample loads of acceleration when you need it, and powering the motor is a large battery that gives longer range than many of the existing e-bikes out there. The medium/large size frame has an ergonomic relationship with the handlebar, steering head and saddle, making this an ideal size bike for riders who are 5’0” to 6’5”.
This bike comes with a host of good components to enable you to get many miles of enjoyment from this bike. They include suspension on the fork set, which allows you to adjust the compression and damping, the suspension seatpost.
The Metro 750 does a little of everything well, with a few areas of true highlight. See the full Magnum Metro 750 review below for more details.
- Often a statement we avoid, but it was just a seriously solid all around bike. No glaring deficiencies, meaning it’s a highly capable commuter and light duty explorer.
- 70+ mile range, thanks to its 20Ah battery.
- Brisk acceleration and top speed will get you around obstacles and closer to arrival.
- Great customer support team, with 200+ nationwide dealers and company headquarters.
- Comfortable, upright riding posture provided by the “Dutch” style frame geometry.
- Easier gear shifting thanks to the grip shifter.
- Rides made smoother thanks to the RST suspension forks.
- Cargo carrying capacity of 45 lbs with the rear rack, enhances the bike’s role as an adventure/touring/commuting e-bike.
- Mid-step frame makes it easy enough for most to ride, but one frame size is limiting and we’d hope for more options in the future.
- Motor: Bafang 750W, rear hub drive (1000W peak)
- Battery: 48V, 20Ah/ 960Wh, Samsung cells, Li-NMC
- Battery charge time from empty: 10 Hours
- Range: 35 – 65 Miles
- Display: Magnum branded VeloFox, 8 x 7 cm. Display screen, backlit monochrome LCD
- Display Readouts: Battery level, assist level, current speed, power output, trip distance, odometer, range, trip time.
- Drive Mode: Cadence sensing pedal assist, trigger throttle, walk mode
- Top Speed: Up to 28 mph with pedal assist, 20 mph with throttle
- Lights: Display controlled front and rear lights
- Seat tube: 17.25” (44 cm)
- Reach: 16.5” (42 cm)
- Stand over height: 26.75” (68 cm)
- Virtual top tube length: 23.25” (59 cm)
- Min saddle height: 23.25” (59 cm)
- Max saddle height: 29” (74 cm)
- Width: 27.25” (69 cm)
- Wheelbase: 44” (112 cm)
- Length: 71” (180 cm)
- Total weight: 66 lbs (30 kg)
- Battery weight: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)
- Min rider height: 5’0”
- Frame material: Aluminum alloy
- Frame size: 17.25” (44 cm)
- Frame colors: Satin black (w/ blue accents), satin white (w/ blue accents)
- Fork: RST air fork, with lockout and compression preload adjust
- Gearing: 7 Speed 1×7 Shimano Acera derailleur, 11-32T cassette
- Handlebar: aluminum 680mm, with slight rise
- Shifter: Shimano RevoShift grip shifter
- Crank: Aluminum alloy, 52T, 170mm
- Pedals: Wellgo
- Stem: Tool-free adjustable
- Brakes: Clarks hydraulic disc brakes
- Grips: brown faux leather
- Saddle: Selle Royal Royalgel
- Tire Brand: Innova 26 x 2.4
- Fenders: Front and rear included
- Chain: KMC
E- Bike Overview: Magnum Metro 750
The battery is a large 48V, 20Ah, 960Wh unit that uses good quality Samsung cells and its designed to take you up to 55 miles between charges. There’s an option to add a second battery, and extend your range to over 110 miles.
Controlling this bike’s speed and power is a cadence sensor and pedal assist system that features 5 power modes, Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo and Boost. Each one is set for different speeds that meet different riding needs, and we’ll go over a lot of that in the performance report in a few minutes.
Distributing your pedal power to the rear wheel, is a 52-tooth chainring that pedals easily while avoiding ghost pedaling, and a KMC Z-chain to the 11-32T cassette. The Shimano Acera derailleur provides quick, snappy gear changes, thanks in part to the Shimano RevoShift grip shifter.
This bike rolls on Schwalbe Balloon Big Ben, 26″ x 2.15″ tires, with street tread. Helping those tires soak up the bumps and rough parts is the RST suspension forks, with __mm travel. And stopping power comes from Great Britain’s own Clarks Brake Company, and their hydraulic brake system, with 180mm rotors and dual-piston calipers.
The cockpit controls are centered around the 24-inch/610mm low rise aluminum alloy handlebar, with faux leather grips. Linking the handlebar to the steering head is the Promax tool-free adjustable angle stem. Comfortable sitting comes from the Selle Royal saddle, featuring its “Royal Gel” padding. And finally, your feet land on the Wellgo aluminum alloy platform pedals.
Circuit Speed Test: Magnum Metro 750
The power output from this bike’s motor was pretty consistent, while underpowered in some settings. The Eco mode was a little too slow for us to use on a regular basis. So we found using the Tour and Sport modes fit the Electric Bike Report staff’s styles better. Turbo and Boost modes were good when we needed temporary acceleration to pass slower bikes and pedestrians in the way.
We found that using the Turbo and Boost modes are probably best suited for rides on city streets. For regular commuting and getting around on bike paths, I’d say you’ll likely want to use the Tour and Sport modes for most of your riding time, as they offer good cruising, at safe speeds, and you won’t use up the battery as quickly.
All in all, the circuit test showed us that this bike engages consistently at the top four modes, and can be relied on to help you find the pace that meets your riding needs. (65 words)
Range Test & Battery Performance: Magnum Metro 750
On the long range test, using the minimum usable PAS level, which was the Tour mode for this bike, I was able to go 76.19 miles to be exact. That was a great feeling because bikes like this normally go a shorter distance.
On the maximum PAS range test, using the Boost mode, this bike traveled just under 21 miles. That’s a little on the low side from expectations for such a large battery, but it did carry us at a high rate of speed for a 19 mph average. At the very least you know you can get to where you need to in a hurry.
With all range tests, remember that individual results may vary, so we won’t be surprised if somebody were to squeeze another few miles out of this battery given it’s large size.
Hill Test: Magnum Metro 750
In the Throttle-only test, this bike reached the top in a time of 1:34, with an average speed of 11.5 mph. This was pretty good compared to other adventure bikes of similar size, weight and components. In the Pedaling & Maximum PAS test, using the Boost mode / PAS 5, this bike reached the top in 1:14 with an average speed of 14.3 mph. Again, this was a good result as well.
You might be thinking, “when will I ever want to climb a hill without pedaling?” Probably never, but the point with this test is we found this bike has great raw power to tackle this hill, and probably most any hill you will encounter. It’s reassuring to know that this bike not only offers a good long distance range, but it can also take you up some of the most gnarly hills you’ll ever encounter.
Safety and Brake Test: Magnum Metro 750
The Magnum Metro 750’s average braking distance was 21’5”, which was a foot shorter than the average for this type of bike. This bike has a reliable brake system, using the Clarks hydraulic brake system from the UK. The rotors are 180mm and the disc pads are activated by the dual-piston calipers.
Throughout all of our rides we were happy with the brake system on this bike. Clarks brakes aren’t as well known here in the US, so with their success on the Metro 750 we hope to see these brakes on more e-bikes.
Regarding overall bike safety, we are a little concerned about how low the center stand sits when it’s in the folded up position. After all, the Metro is advertised as an adventure e-bike, which means riders are going to ride it on paths that have ruts, dips, and random junk sticking out of the ground. We haven’t bottomed out yet on anything, but we have seen some close calls with the low hanging center stand. So, we’d like to see Magnum address this when they do the next update on this bike.
Ride Comfort & Handling, Cockpit, and More: Magnum Metro 750
We especially liked the Shimano RevoShift grip shifter. Not only do they simplify the gear selection process, they also prevent the rider from shifting into high gear too quickly. E-bike motors generate quite a bit more torque on the chainring, chain and cassette than regular pedaling. Many riders make the mistake of starting from a stop in high gear and using full throttle, which is hard on your chain and top gear cogs. The grip shift can be helpful getting riders to remember to shift to a lower gear when they slow down and stop.
We aren’t big fans of the faux leather grips – they are somewhat slippery when dry and even worse when wet. Fortunately, you can have the dealer install a good set of rubber ergonomic grips (or you can spray some isopropyl alcohol inside the grips to help you remove and replace them yourself.
Helping the suspension forks and tires with absorbing bumps in the road is the suspension seat post. The seatpost suspension is generic, and basic in design, but there were times when we could feel its absorption when landed from drop offs that were 10-12 inches high.
Besides being bright and easy to read under the midday sun, the display buttons are also easy to activate when needing to change PAS levels, or see information about your ride.
Summary / Where to Buy: Magnum Metro 750
Riders who like to see and ride their next bike in person, before buying, will surely appreciate checking out the Magnum dealership closest to their house. If you don’t live near one of their dealers, they also have a great customer service team who can help you via telephone and email. I read a 5-star review from one of their customers who was so happy with the way their support team helped her find a mechanic who would service her bike, and they sent her the needed parts at a cheaper price than any other shop would.
My personal experience with their customer service team and local dealer was very positive. Based on my experiences I can say that I’d recommend this company to interested parties. After all, you’re not just buying an e-bike, you’re also establishing a relationship with a company who wants to sell you your next e-bike, and the next one after that, etc.
I was really impressed with the max distance range I got out of this bike, more than 10 miles further than Magnum predicted.
If I had to list one thing that I think they still need to improve it would be the way the PAS was calibrated on our test bike. PAS 1/ Eco mode was too slow for our liking, and we’d like to see engagement in PAS 4 and 5 feel closer to PAS 3. Each time I clicked into the top two PAS levels I felt like the bike was accelerating too quickly. This might be fun for people who like to go fast, but I’m more interested in having the bike feel cohesive between all of the PAS levels.
When looking at the choice of adventure style e-bikes that are available, it’s refreshing to see a company like Magnum ensuring service after the sale through their network of shops. An e-bike is a big purchase for some people, so I think it’s reassuring to know exactly what you’re getting in advance. Additionally, many riders aren’t do-it-yourselfers, they need a shop and good bike mechanics they can go to when they need regular service and repairs. You have that option with Magnum, which sometimes has a value that’s priceless. And remember, if you don’t have the means to transport your bike home from a dealer, you can still order online and have it sent straight to your house instead.
Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Magnum Metro 750.
Steve Earl says
Hi. I found this review very helpful as I just purchased a Magnum Metro 750 and am very happy with it so far. I did have a question about battery usage. I’m switching over from a Specialized Como where the display read out the exact percentage in numeric form of battery power remaining. On the Magnum there are 5 “20% increment blocks.” But when using the throttle I noticed the Battery level indicating suddenly down to as low as 20% and then after a minute or two returning to about 60%. Did you guys encounter this, and do you have any helpful info on how to really know how much battery life is left? I’m also very interested in the note here that there’s an option for a second battery, as I do ride long distances and would like to know I still have a good power reserve. I’d love any detail you can provide on this. Does the display switch to reading out the combined battery power remaining? Also, is there a way to get a more accurate and precise readout of remaining battery power besides the five block system on board?
Thanks for any feedback you can give, I really appreciate it!
John S. Bozick says
The drop with the battery readout is relatively common on bikes with that style of display. They seem to project based on the current draw from the battery; we’ve found that it’s something you adjust to once you get to know the bike. You could try reducing your power level to PAS 1 and pedaling to see a more accurate charge level! About the battery, I believe the author of this post was just referring to the fact that you can purchase a second battery to carry with you and swap out, although I’d recommend reaching out to Magnum for more information.