Denago Cruiser 1 Review, 2024

Intro

Denago’s latest model is their new Cruiser 1, which they showed off at the Sea Otter Classic this spring. Cruisers aren’t the sports cars of the e-bike world. They are aimed at people who want a relaxing ride and handling that doesn’t require intense focus. The riding position is upright so people can look around their surroundings. They are about as close to an easy chair on wheels as we might find.

In our Denago Cruiser 1 review we will take a look at the 350W Shengyi hub motor, the 396Wh battery and what they do for the e-bike’s acceleration and top cruising speed, as well as its range. We will also look at how it’s 7-speed drivetrain and brakes stack up.

And then there’s the fact that the Cruiser one is Denago’s most affordable model yet, thanks to a retail price just a bit more than $1000. It’s hard to make an e-bike this affordable and Denago pulled it off without cutting corners.

The target market for the Denago Cruiser 1 is likely the rider looking for some recreation, but it could be used for errands or commuting with the addition of an optional rear rack. Let’s dig into just what makes the Denago Cruiser 1 such an impressive addition to Denago’s lineup.

E-Bike Category: Cruiser

Who the Denago Cruiser 1Electric Bike Is for:

This Denago Cruiser 1 is ideal for anyone looking for the relaxing ride and sharp lines of a cruiser.

Denago Cruiser 1 E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 396Wh internal lithium-ion
• Expected Range: up to 55 mi. estimated
• Charger: 3A
• Motor: 350W Shengyi brushless, geared hub motor
• Pedal Assist: 5 PAS levels
• Throttle: Half twist
• Display: LCD, mounted at left grip
• Headlight: N/A
• Taillight: N/A
• Frame: Hydroformed 6061 aluminum
• Fork: 6061 Aluminum
• Fenders: Aluminum
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy, high-rise, 690mm wide
• Grips: Rubber, twist-shifter, lock-on
• Drivetrain: 7-speed Microshift, 14-28 cassette
• Brakes: Jak mechanical disc brakes, 180mm rotors, bell integrated in left lever
• Pedals: Plastic, with reflector
• Saddle: Memory foam, with carry handle
• Tires: 27.5 x 2.3-in.

In-Depth Denago Cruiser 1 Review

Denago Cruiser 1 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

Cruisers are the point-and-shoot cameras of the e-bike world. No other e-bike is as simple and easy to ride as a cruiser. That’s because they offer a comfortable, upright position for most riders, and feature handling that’s calm as a therapist’s voice.

Traditionally, cruisers have been built with 26-in. wheels; the Denago Cruiser 1 is spec’d with 27.5-in wheels, with 2.3-in.-wide tires. Practically speaking, what this does is increase the rider’s comfort, makes the handling even calmer and improves traction. It’s a nice touch that makes the ride even more enjoyable.

This is a one-size e-bike that comes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru edition. While the traditional frame will offer terrific comfort for folks between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 0, and the step-thru will accommodate people between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 10 inches, people closer to the edges of their recommended sizing range (5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 3 inches for the traditional frame and 5 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 1 inch for the step-thru version) may find it a bit more difficult to manage the reach.

Denago Cruiser 1 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

We’ve seen cruisers equipped with 750W motors and big batteries and it doesn’t always strike us as being a good fit for a cruiser. A good cruiser shouldn’t weigh more than most dogs and doesn’t need to go 28 mph. It also doesn’t need a range of more than 50 mi. Denago chose a 350W brushless, geared Shengyi hub motor powered by a 396Wh lithium ion battery using LG cells.

This choice of motor and battery gives the Denago Cruiser 1 a lighter feel (and it weighs only 56 lbs.) but still enjoys good acceleration and can be pedaled or throttled up to 20 mph with ease. After all, most people buying a cruiser aren’t looking for a rocket ship that can assist them to nearly 30 mph.

A 396Wh battery is modest by any measure, but it’s not as small as it might seem. In an e-bike with a bigger motor, a 396Wh battery could inspire range anxiety, but when mated to a 350W motor, it still offers solid range. Unless someone is planning to go out for more than 40 mi. on a single ride, this e-bike should serve capably.

The name Microshift isn’t well known, but they make drivetrains that work every bit as well as Shimano’s do for e-bikes in this price range. The Denago Cruiser 1 is spec’d with a 7-speed drivetrain and a 14-28 cassette, which should give riders the range they need to tackle neighborhood hills.

Denago Cruiser 1 Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

It’s easy to knock an e-bike with mechanical disc brakes when we consider just how many of them come with hydraulic disc brakes. But when we factor the Denago Cruiser 1’s affordable price, it’s hard to criticize the choice of mechanical disc brakes. Better brakes would definitely drive up the cost and lift this e-bike out of its very affordable pricing.

These are good brakes, much better than the rim calipers that come with some cruisers. They stop quickly and do a great job of modulating so that a rider can scrub a bit of speed before entering a turn.

Denago’s warranty is a cut above that of most direct-to-consumer e-bike companies in some ways, but not as good in others. Denago gives a two-year warranty on their frames and forks and one year on most parts, but they offer no warranty at all on some items normally covered by a warranty, like spokes and chains.

Denago Cruiser 1 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

Any time an e-bike maker creates an e-bike meant to prioritize affordability over features, the bells and whistles won’t be as fancy. But what the Denago Cruiser 1 shows is that a manufacturer need not eliminate either the bells or the whistles.

Considering its near-$1000 price point, we might have seen an e-bike with a one-speed drivetrain, rim caliper brakes and no fenders, let alone matching ones. That the Denago Cruiser 1 sports a 7-speed drivetrain, mechanical disc brakes, matching fenders, a fully integrated battery, not to mention a classic, full-length, matching chain guard. To put this in perspective, when we first spied this e-bike, we liked it plenty, but guess it would retail closer to $1500. We were surprised to find out that it goes for hundreds of dollars less.

It’s easy to overlook the 27.5-in. wheels as just another detail, but the slightly larger wheel (remember, cruisers traditionally have 26-in. wheels) increases the e-bike’s stability, the rider’s comfort (bigger wheels roll over bumps more easily, and more air means more cushion) and even the e-bike’s traction, making for a better ride all the way around.

The 350W Shengyi hub motor and the 396Wh battery won’t impress on paper the way a 750W motor and 720Wh battery will. But the combination of a smaller motor and smaller battery help to reduce this e-bike’s weight, bringing it in at 56 lbs. (that’s true for both the traditional cruiser frame and the step-thru), as opposed to more like 76 lbs. This is plenty of power for a Class 2 e-bike and will make the Denago Cruiser 1 easier to handle for smaller riders and anyone with reduced strength or limited mobility.

The Denago Cruiser 1 pulls off a rare double. It simultaneously doesn’t look like an e-bike but once someone knows that it is an e-bike, it looks more expensive than it is. The classic frame styling, matching chain guard and matching fenders do much to make this e-bike appear more expensive than it is.

Thank you for reading through our review of the Denago Cruiser 1. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!