Raleigh Redux iE Electric Bike Review Part 2: Ride & Range Test [VIDEO]
After many miles of testing the sporty Raleigh Redux iE it has proven to be a fun, speedy, and agile eBike that is a quick commuter and fun weekend explorer.
The smooth, quiet, torquey, efficient Brose mid-drive with pedal assist up to 28 mph combined with a nearly 500 watt hour lithium frame battery make the Raleigh Redux iE a high performance machine.
At $3,199 the Raleigh Redux iE offers a high performance and quality ride feel with a solid line up of components from Brose, Hitech, Shimano, Schwalbe, and more.
In this second part of the full review you will get an idea of the ride characteristics, range test results, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this electric bike.
Make sure you check out part 1 of this review with large pictures and specifications to get a detailed look at this e-bike.
What you can expect from the Raleigh Redux iE:
To get acquainted with the Raleigh Redux iE, checkout this video:
Riding the Raleigh Redux iE:
Overall there are some characteristics of the Raleigh Redux iE that really stand out when riding this mid-drive speed pedelec. To summarize they are:
- A fast (up to 28 mph) mid-drive with the ability to climb almost any hill
- An agile and responsive sporty eBike
- The smooth, quiet, torquey, and efficient Brose mid-drive system with impressive range
The Look & Feel of the Raleigh Redux iE
Raleigh went with the stealth look with the Redux ie. The almost completely black color and integrated battery and mid-drive motor create a classy looking eBike.
The 6061 aluminum frame with hydroformed tubes creates a solid platform for this speed pedelec.
The large downtube is a focal point of the Redux iE and integrated battery has a very clean and sophisticated look.
The battery pack is of aluminum construction and it has a high quality look and finish that blends together with the overall look of the bike well.
Similarly the Brose mid-drive motor is cleanly integrated into the frame with a full aluminum enclosure.
Here is a look at the hydro formed seat tube with an enlarged tube section for solid connection to the motor casing.
A lot of the welds on the main triangle of the frame (top tube, down tube, seat tube) have been smoothed for a cohesive look of the tubes flowing together.
The headtube has a unique look with a shape that places more material at the higher stress areas while reducing material where it is not needed,
There is some integrated cable routing in the frame that provides for some cable/wiring protection and a modern, clean look.
And there is internal cable routing in the fork for a unique look! It starts at the top front of the fork and exits on the back near the bottom.
Another design highlight is the thru axles that are used on both front and rear wheels which provides solid side to side stability for the wheels.
This is a nice feature when carving through corners, which the Redux iE does very well.
The thru axles have quick release levers that make the removal and install of the wheels quick and easy.
There are 3 different frame sizes to fit a wide range of riders. This is a nice feature that is not found on all electric bike models on the market.
Small fits riders from 5′-3″ to 5′-6″
Medium fits riders from 5′-6″ to 5′-9″
Large fits riders from 5′-9″ to 6′-0″+
The Raleigh Redux iE that I tested was the Large frame size.
After many miles of riding this high performance mid-drive speed pedelec it has proven to be a speedy, agile, and fun eBike.
Speed is definitely the highlight of the Raleigh Redux iEwith its ability to provide assist up to 28mph with its nearly silent Brose mid-drive motor. The Raleigh Redux iE is a Class 3 speed pedelec (pedal assist only) per California eBike law.
And not only does it cruise quietly around 28 mph on relatively flat ground, it can also climb some of the steepest hills with its ability to leverage the lower gears of the bike.
A 10 speed Shimano Deore drivetrain with a 44t chainring and an 11-32t cogset covers the gear range well for all types of rides.
Up to 90Nm of torque helps with starting on steeper climbs and it definitely gives the Raleigh Redux iE a bit of kick at the lower speeds.
The Brose mid drive motor is very smooth and quiet and it provides a refined high performance feel as it provides the motor assist.
It does a good job of smoothly adding the assist as soon as you start pedaling and stops the assist as soon as you stop pedaling.
The Brose mid-drive is a torque sensor based system and it does a great job of of amplifying your pedal power with a proportional amount of assist based on how hard (or easy) you are pedaling. If you are pedaling hard the Brose system give you a big boost and if you are just cruising the Brose system provides you with easy going cruising power. It intuitively follows your lead and blends the assist with your pedal power to give you the feeling of a big tailwind everywhere you go.
The only time you can hear noise from the motor is when you are in a lower gear (larger cogs) and spinning the cranks quickly. Even then the noise if barely noticeable and generally you probably won’t be pedaling such a fast cadence.
In the highest assist level (Sport) when you are pedaling at a moderate level there can be some hard shifts when shifting from the larger cogs to the smaller cogs. You can feel that the shift is a bit abrupt and it makes a bit more noise than normal shift. Easing off on the pedals can help with these hard shifts.
250 watts may not seem like a high performance spec but because the Brose motor is a mid-drive it leverages the bike’s drivetrain to efficiently use this power.
It is important to remember that lower wattage motors “sip” power so you will generally get more range and you will see this in the Raleigh Redux iE range test results below.
There are 3 levels of pedal assist that vary that amount of amplified power the motor provides you:
Cruise = 75% assist
Tour = 150% assist
Sport = 320% assist
In some riding situations it would be nice to have a little more assist in the Cruise mode to provide a consistent difference between the 3 levels of assist.
The Raleigh Redux iE uses a Hitech 36 Volt 13.8 ah (496.8 watt hours) lithium battery that is located inside of the downtube of the frame.
The downtube battery location and mid-drive motor provides for a very centered and low weight distribution which is good for overall bike handling and you can definitely feel that balanced ride on the Raleigh Redux iE.
The lithium battery can be charged on or off the bike and fully charging an empty battery takes 4 to 5 hours.
Once the battery has been unlocked with the supplied key (it comes with 2 keys) it can be removed by lifting it out of the frame at the bottom of the battery pack.
Removing the 6.7 pound battery pack brings the weight of the Raleigh Redux iE to 41.9 pounds which makes it a little easier to load on a car rack.
Now let’s take a look at the controls and display on the Raleigh Redux iE.
A large format Brose display is located just over the handlebar stem and it has a large format layout with a bright backlight that provides a lot of good information without being overwhelming.
The display provides information like the pedal assist level, speedometer, odometer, trip distance, battery level, ride time, and current time.
One feature missing on the Brose display is the estimated range that other systems in this quality category are providing (Bosch and Shimano). For longer rides this is a very nice feature to help with making the necessary assist level adjustments to make sure you complete the ride without running out of assist.
The display can be quickly removed from the bike by unclipping it and sliding it up and off of the handlebar mount.
The handlebar mount has a USB connector just below the display so that you can charge a smartphone, tablet, or other USB powered device on the go.
The control pad on the left side of the handlebars adjusts the pedal assist levels with the up arrow and down arrow buttons and the information on the display is cycled through with the center button.
This control pad can be moved to be exactly where you want it on the handlebars so that it is always within reach.
Now let’s take a look at the ride position on the Raleigh Redux iE.
The Raleigh Redux iE is a high performance eBike and therefore has a performance ride position that is somewhat hunched over for an efficient more aerodynamic ride.
If you are looking for a more upright position an adjustable stem can help to dial in your preferred handlebar height and fore/aft position.
The wide handlebars with lock on drips give the Raleigh Redux iE a stable and solid ride feel.
The Raleigh Redux iE has a quick and agile ride feel that makes it feel fun and sporty. Part of that ride feel is from the 27.5″ wheels and the 2.0″ wide Schwalbe Big Ben tires.
This wheel and tire combination rolls well and has the quicker handling 27.5″ wheel size when compared to 29″ (700c) wheel sizes.
Cornering on the Redux iE is fun as it leans into big sweeping corners well and maneuvering through congested areas is pretty easy with its quick handling characteristics.
For improved handling, Raleigh has placed the Brose center motor to achieve a low center of gravity on the Redux iE. In pedaling through some corners I noticed that the pedals sometimes struck the ground. This will probably not be an issue for the average rider but if you generally pedal through tight corners you will either need to get used to how far you can lean the bike over while pedaling or switch the pedals for something with more clearance.
The platform pedals that come stock on the Raleigh Redux iE are wide and comfortable but their size does contribute to the lean angle clearance. These pedals could easily be swapped out for a smaller platform pedal, or your choice of clipless pedals which would increase the corner pedaling clearance significantly.
This Raleigh Redux iE exceeds the requirements for lean angle: According to the US CPSC, a bicycle must be able to lean 25 degrees to either side with the pedals in their lowest position without the pedal or any other part of the bicycle hitting the ground. The Raleigh Redux iE exceeds this requirement with the stock pedals with a 27.5 degree lean angle.
With the stock Schwalbe Big Ben 27.5″ x 2.0″ tires the Raleigh Redux iE can handle some smoother dirt roads and with knobby tires it could handle more aggressive dirt roads. This could make the Raleigh Redux iE a solid “gravel grinder” dirt road touring eBike.
With assist speeds of up to 28 mph it would be nice to have some suspension on the Raleigh Redux iE. The Schwalbe Big Ben tires at lower tire pressure have some built in suspension effect but you may want to a suspension fork or suspension seat post if you consistently ride on rough roads.
The Velo Raleigh saddle does have a narrow performance profile that is good for cranking out the miles. It is not the most plush saddle for easy going rides.
Slowing the Raleigh Redux iE down is handled by the Shimano M365 hydraulic disc brakes with a 180mm rotor on the front and 160mm on the back.
The Shimano M365 brakes have a very solid feel and their stopping power has predictable progressive modulation. They do a good job of slowing the Raleigh Redux iE down from the higher speeds.
The brake lever reach can be adjusted to fit your hand size with a small allen wrench on the back side of the brake lever.
Okay, let’s see how the Raleigh Redux iE did out on the open road!
Raleigh Redux iE Range Test Results:
Here is the real world information on how the Raleigh Redux iE electric bike performed on a riding circuit that includes hills, flats, traffic, wind (when available) etc.
While testing these bikes I like to put them through the toughest conditions to see where their bottom line is in regards to range and speed. I tested the Raleigh Redux iE in the highest pedal assist level (level 3 – Sport) with relatively easy pedaling on paved roads.
Range: As you can see from the GPS info that I recorded, the Raleigh Redux iE traveled 31 miles and did a total elevation gain of around 2,600+ ft. Considering that I weigh 190 lbs and I pedaled very lightly this is pretty good range for a 36 Volt 13.8 ah battery pack (496.8 Watt Hours) with a 250 watt motor assisting up to 28 mph.
Watt hours are the total energy in a battery pack and it is based on the volts x amp hours of a pack. This is a way to compare the size of the “gas tank” of electric bikes.
Please keep in mind that if you pedal more, weigh less than me, ride slower and/or you use the bike in terrain that is not as hilly you will get more range. These results are from tough testing.
Speed: The Raleigh Redux iE will assist up to 28 mph with pedal assist only, there is no throttle.
Weight: The Raleigh Redux iE tips the scales at 47.7 lbs which is a good electric bike weight considering this has a larger battery than average eBikes. Removing the battery brings it down to around 41.0 pounds which makes it a little easier to load onto a car rack.
The weight distribution of the Raleigh Redux iE is very good because the battery and motor are low and centered on the bike.
Pros:
High Performance: The Raleigh Redux iE has a very high performance feel to it. It’s a fast, smooth, and quiet speed pedelec that is very agile and fun to fly around town on. The stealthy black color combination adds to that high performance look too!
Quiet, Smooth, & Efficient Brose Mid-Drive: The Brose system is one of the quietest and smoothest mid-drive motors on the market. It does a great job of blending the assist with your pedal power and following your lead on how much assist to provide and when. 31 miles of range under tough testing conditions is impressive for an eBike that provides assists up to 28 mph.
Quality Components: The component spec on the Raleigh Redux iE is high quality with brands like Brose, Hitech, Shimano, Schwalbe, etc. You can really feel this when riding the Raleigh Redux iE. It has refined, solid, smooth, and quiet ride characteristics.
Cons:
Pedal Strikes: Because of the low center of gravity placement of the Brose center motor, the wide and comfortable stock pedals on the Raleigh Redux iE may hit the ground when pedaling through some tight corners. This will probably not be an issue for the average rider but if you like to pedal through the corners you will want to get used to how far you can lean the bike while pedaling. The stock platform pedals on the Raleigh Redux iE could easily be swapped out for a smaller platform pedal or clipless pedals to increase the corner pedaling clearance and solve this issue. The Raleigh Redux iE exceeds the CPSC lean angle requirements for bicycles but personally, I’d swap the pedals to eliminate the possibility of a pedal strike in the turns.
Estimated Range: One feature missing from the Brose system is estimated range remaining, which other systems in this quality category offer.
Conclusion:
Overall the Raleigh Redux iE is a fun sporty eBike that is a great around town commuter and weekend explorer. It can get you around town quickly with its assist up to 28 mph and agile handling. And it has an efficient, smooth, and quiet ride feel for racking up the miles out on the open road.
At $3,199 the Raleigh Redux iE offers a high performance and quality ride feel with its sophisticated hydroformed aluminum frame and quality components from Brose, Hitech, Shimano, Schwalbe, etc.
Please keep in mind that this is a relatively short term test. This testing can’t really give you the long term review of durability and reliability. My thoughts on the quality of this bike are from previous experiences with similar bikes. If you own this bike and have some input on the long term durability, please share your comments with the Electric Bike Report community below.
Where to buy a Raleigh Redux iE? Check with Raleigh Electric for a dealer near you.
Do you have any questions about the Raleigh Redux iE? Do you own a Raleigh Redux iE? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thanks!
-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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Simple question – I have a Raleigh Redux iE ebike and need to replace the control pad. I have searched everywhere but can’t find a source. Any idea where I can buy one?
Thank you.
Marshall
713 202 3959
Thanks for reaching out, Marshall! Raleigh unfortunately no longer has a presence in the US, but I’m sure someone at the company can still help you find what you need. Try reaching out to them here.