Populo Lift V2 Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs

The all new Populo Lift V2 is an easy going step thru commuter style electric bike with an impressive price of $1,399.99!

The Lift V2 has a nice line up of features that include a low step thru frame, 250 watt hub motor, Samsung 36V 8.7ah lithium battery, Shimano drivetrain, disc brakes, 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 Populo Lift V2 review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike.

Alright, let’s take a closer look at the Populo Lift V2!

The Populo Lift V2 out on the open road. 

You can really see the low step thru area that makes getting on and off the Populo Lift V2 very quick and easy. 

The Lift V2 is also available in this white color. 

The 6061 aluminum frame uses hydroformed tubing to create the swooping tubes that provide the low step thru area and stylish looks. 

The Populo Lift V2 comes in 2 different size options:

• Small: 17″ (43cm) intended for riders in height from 4′-11″ to 5′-6″
• Medium: 19.7″ (50cm) intended for riders in height from 5′-6″ to 6′-1″

The bike being used in this testing and review is the 19.7″ (50cm) frame. 

Smoothed welds are found all over the frame and the tubing looks like it blends together for a very clean and cohesive look. Also visible in this picture is internal cable routing that runs through the downtube for a clean look and cable protection.

Here is a closer look at the low step thru area. There is a reinforcing tube that provides additional strength and stiffness for the frame. 

This is the intersection of the seat tube and seat stays. You can see the smooth welds and the internal cable routing that is found behind the seat tube for the battery cable. The attachment on the seat stays are for the rear rack. 

A Suntour NEX suspension fork provides 2.5″ / 63 mm of travel to take the edge off of rough roads. Also visible in this picture is the full coverage front fender and front headlight that is powered by the eBike battery. 

The rear cargo rack houses the 36V 8.7Ah, 313Wh lithium battery pack that uses Samsung cells. The rack is sized to work with many bike bags and panniers. 

On the back right side of the battery is the on/off switch & charging port that has a rubber cover. You can also see the large rear reflector that is built into the battery. 

2 keys comes with the Populo Lift V2 for removal of the battery pack from the rear rack. 

The battery slides out of the rack holder. 

Here is a look at the rack with the battery removed. The bike weighs 45.8 pounds without the battery.

Here’s a look at the battery removed from the bike with the charger. The charger is about the size of a PC laptop charger. The battery weighs 4.5 pounds.

Charging a completely empty battery to 100% takes 4 to 6 hours. There is a battery level indicator at the end of the pack so you can see the charging progress. 

The battery can also be charged when it is installed on the bike. 

Here is a closer look at the 250 watt geared rear hub motor that blends in well with the overall look of this eCommuter. Its compact size makes the Lift V2 look much like a conventional bicycle. 

The Populo Lift V2 is a Class 2 electric bike per California law (many other states are using similar eBike classifications) which offers pedal assist and a throttle option providing assist up to 20 mph.

In this view you can see that the motor is just slightly larger than the large 28 tooth cog in the Shimano cogset.  A Shimano Tourney rear derailleur shifts through the 7 speed Shimano cogset that has a 14 tooth to 28 tooth gear range.

This is the front disc brake with 160 mm rotor. Radius ROM 6.0 mechanical disc brakes will be spec’ed front and rear with 160 mm rotors on the production version of the Lift V2. The brakes in this picture are the pre-production brakes. 

Here’s a look at the rear brake with 160 mm rotor. Radius ROM 6.0 mechanical disc brakes will be equipped on the production version of the Lift V2. The brakes in this picture are the pre-production brakes. 

The handlebars are wide with a swept back profile for a stable and comfortable ride feel.

Here is a side view of the sweptback handlebar. You can see they also have a slight rise for a comfortable hand position. The stem angle and height can also be adjusted to fit your riding style. 

On the left side of the handlebar is the Populo Smart LED Screen display & control pad, the front Tektro brake lever, the twist grip throttle, and the ergonomic grip that provides wrist support. The grips have a lock on collar for a very stable feel. 

The Populo Smart LED Screen display shows the 9 different pedal assist levels, speedometer, odometer, trip distance, and battery level. The display has a backlight for good visibility both day and night. 

The pedal assist levels are adjusted with the large (+) and (-) buttons and the backlight is activated by holding the (+) button for a few seconds. That also turns on the front headlight that is powered by the eBike battery. 

Here’s a look at the Tektro brake lever for the rear brake that also has a built in bell! Both the front and rear brake levers have sensors that will to stop the assist when the brake levers are engaged. 

On the right side of the handlebar is the Shimano RevoShift 7 speed twist grip shifter, the rear Tektro brake lever, and the ergonomic grip. 

Here is another view of the Shimano RevoShift grip shifter and the Tektro brake lever. Both brake levers have a rubber grip surface for a solid feel in wet or dry conditions. 

The stem height and angle is very adjustable to fit your riding style. 

The Velo Comfort saddle has a medium width profile for a comfortable ride. 

The Lift V2 also comes equipped with a suspension seatpost to take the edge off of rough roads. 

The CST 700x38c tires have an efficient tread pattern with channeling to dissipate water. The reflective sidewalls are very effective and they are a nice addition for being seen in low light to dark riding conditions. 

The front headlight runs off of the eBike battery and there is also a reflector below the light. 

The Lift V2 comes fully equipped for the daily commute, errand running, and fun rides. The stock accessories are the rear rack, chainguard, front and rear fenders, front light, kickstand, and the bell. 

Stay tuned for part 2 of the Populo Lift V2 review with info on the ride characteristics, the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts!

Populo Lift V2 Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: 6061 aluminium hydroformed step thru frame with smoothed welds & internal cable routing

Fork: Suntour NEX suspension fork with 2.5″ / 63 mm of travel

Motor: 250 watt geared rear hub motor

Battery: 36V 8.7Ah (313 watt hour) lithium battery with Samsung cells. The battery weighs 4.5 pounds. 

Assist Options: 9 levels of pedal assist and twist grip throttle. Cadence sensor pedal assist. 

Speed: Pedal assist with twist grip throttle up to 20 mph which makes this a Class 2 eBike

Display: Populo Smart LED Screen display shows the different pedal assist levels, speedometer, odometer, trip distance, and battery level. The display has a backlight for good visibility both day and night. 

Drivetrain: Shimano RevoShift 7 speed twist grip shifter and Shimano tourney rear derailleur. Shimano 7 speed cassette 14 tooth to 28 tooth range. 

Brakeset: Radius ROM 6.0 mechanical disc brakes, 160 mm rotors front and rear

Tires: CST 700 x 38c w/ Reflective Sidewalls 

Seatpost: Suspension seatpost

Seat: Velo Comfort

Accessories: Rear rack, front and rear fenders, front light (powered by eBike battery), chainguard, kickstand, bell.

Sizes: Small: 17″ (43cm) or Medium: 19.7″ (50 cm)

Colors: Black or White

Weight: 50.3 pounds. 45.8 pounds when the battery is removed.

Price: $1,399.99 with monthly payment options. 

Here is a link to the specifications page of the Populo Lift V2 electric bike.

Now checkout part 2 of the Populo Lift V2 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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