Benno Boost E 10D Review – 2024

In-Depth Review

Frame

The Benno Boost E 10D is like many other electric bikes in that the frame is built with a 6061 aluminum alloy. While the Boost E 10D might not be unique in construction, it stands out due to how many options you have when you want to purchase one.

There are four different frame styles and five different color combinations for twenty model choices when purchasing the E 10D. While total weight varies from frame to frame, the Boost E 10D typically weighs around 57 lbs fully assembled.

This is a bit heavier than what you might be used to, but a large chunk of that weight is due to the added features and accessories you may remove for a lighter frame. Overall, we’re just glad for the large amount of customization available for the Boost E 10D, a signature trademark of Benno electric bikes!

Motor & Battery

The Benno Boost E 10D is a class I electric bike with pedal activated motor assistance up to 20 MPH.

Just as you can customize the frame, you can choose two motor options when you’re picking out an eBike. The Boost E 10D Performance has a 65 Nm Bosch mid-drive motor, while the Boost E 10D Speed has an 85 Nm Bosch mid-drive motor.

The Performance bike is going to save you some money off of the high premium price tag, while the Speed bike is going to help you tackle steeper trails or accelerate even faster with its more powerful motor. Consider the bike best suited for you: the Performance is excellent for more casual cyclists, while the Speed is designed for those who want the ultimate electric bike experience.

The other difference when picking between the Performance and Speed Boost E10D is the battery configuration. Both bikes come with a Bosch Powerpack 500Wh battery, with a 90+ mile range depending on your riding settings.

However, the Speed has a slot for a second battery, allowing you to double your range without swapping parts. The Performance can only mount one battery at a time. Both bikes come with a high quality 4 Amp charger, which will charge the included battery from 0% to 100% in about 3 to 4 hours. Either option is great to go with, though be aware you will need to buy a secondary battery yourself if you decide to purchase the Benno Boost E 10D Speed.

Display/Assist Modes

The Boost E 10D also comes with a Bosch Purion display, a suitable motor controller for the average cyclists. It provides a good range of readouts to help you understand your bike performance but is small enough not to affect your riding style.

However, the Purion is rather basic, especially compared to other electric bikes with more advanced displays, including the Bosch Intuvia unit. Those who don’t need a premium display unit won’t mind the Purion, but those who do care for something better may have to visit a shop to upgrade their display. If you want to use the Bosch Purion display, you can expect the following readouts and riding metrics:

Benno Boost E 10D Bosch Purion LCD Display Readouts, Metrics, and Settings:

• Current Speed
• Battery Level (Five Levels)
• Estimated Range
• Pedal Assist Level (Four Levels + Walk Mode)
• Trip Distance
• Total Distance
• Light Settings

You’re probably aware of how pedal-assist systems work. But here is a breakdown in case you don’t. Your motor can be configured with different performance settings, allowing you to prioritize either performance or travel range. HIgher pedal-assist levels help you accelerate faster with greater motor power suited for tackling hills, but at the expense of considerable battery drain.

Lower pedal-assist levels drain your battery more slowly for greater range, but the smaller battery output results in less motor power overall. You can change the pedal-assist level while resting or during the middle of a ride, so experiment with different levels, so you know what to switch to as the environment changes.

Handling

• On Streets- The Benno Boost E 10D is designed to ride almost anywhere, but it will handle better in the city than on a mountain path. The Boost E 10D has mid-sized but wide tires, so along with the high-quality steel fork, you have some extra stability and shock absorption for cobblestone, gravel, and other uneven surfaces. Acceleration is quick with the powerful motor, making it easier to keep up with traffic, with great brakes to slow you down when you need to. The frame is a bit heavier than many eBikes we’ve reviewed, but it has added weight support to handle you and up to 50 pounds of cargo properly. For riding in an urban environment, you will have a blast on the Benno Boost E 10D electric bike.
• Turn Radius- The Boost E 10D has larger tires than a city commuter, but it still has a reasonably tight turn radius. You can round corners easily, especially since the bike is less tipsy due to the added weight. Getting the E 10D through a tight doorway or narrow alleyway might be a bit more difficult, but patience will help you navigate your way through tight corners eventually. Trail riding will be more difficult, so we wouldn’t recommend trying to take a tight turn on a cutback or not while riding the bike. Otherwise, it has a small enough turn radius that you can comfortably ride the Boost E 10D around the city without getting stuck.
• Low-Speed Handling- Because the bike weighs about 57 lbs, the Boost E 10D can be somewhat tricky to handle at low speeds. Fortunately, just turn on the motor, and you’ll have a couple of options that’ll make low-speed handling a whole lot easier. First, you can set the eBike to a low pedal-assist mode, providing just a small boost that will push you along so you can focus on your handling rather than your pedaling. Second, you can also dismount from the Boost E 10D and turn on walk mode, which propels the eBike along the ground without you having to pedal at all. Both options make low-speed handling significantly more manageable and have a minimal battery drain that will barely impact your electric bike’s overall range.

Gears/DriveTrain

You can expect a Shimano Deore 11-34 T cassette with an aluminum
alloy 20 T chainring with the drivetrain, forming a 10-Speed eBike great for controlling your cadence. The more gear options on an eBike, the more precise you can set your pedaling to always ride at maximum efficiency–especially as you hit challenging hills or long, paved roads.

Outside of the KMC eBike optimized chain, we also appreciate the plastic slap guard and aluminum alloy fenders. These two components help keep the drivetrain clear of mud and other debris. These accessories have the added benefit of helping guide the chain, ensuring it doesn’t slip off the drivetrain when you shift gears. If you ride on a light mountain bike trail or choose to stick to riding in the city, the drivetrain featured on the Boost E 10D will perform great!

Brakes

Shimano makes some of the most popular eBike drivetrain setups globally, but they also make a great braking system. The Boost E 10D has hydraulic disc brakes, with 180 mm sized rotors on the front wheel and 160 mm sized rotors on the back wheel.

The front wheel is put under greater strain when you brake, which is why it needs a larger rotor. Since the back wheel doesn’t suffer as much stress, it can be smaller to help keep the eBike lighter, which is especially important due to the added components in the back wheel that weigh it down.

We prefer the included hydraulic disc brakes over mechanical disc brakes since they last longer, provide greater braking power, are more durable, and have many other great benefits. You want a braking system that you can trust while you ride, and that’s what you’ll get with the Benno Boost E 10D electric bike!

Suspension

The Boost E 10D doesn’t offer much in terms of suspension support, which might be the only performance issue we have with the Benno Boost E 10D. There is a rigid CRMO steel fork, and due to the heavier bike weight and tire setup, it does have some natural suspension support. If you ride over gravel, cobblestone, or the occasional pothole, you’ll hardly feel it due to the bike design.

Additionally, you can also ride on an average mountain bike trail and have a good time without feeling too unsteady. But riding for long periods or riding over challenging terrain may feel tiring on the Boost E 10D electric bike. Otherwise, stick to riding on paved roads, and you’ll make the most of the premium Benno Boost E 10D’s performance.

Pedals

While they typically get overlooked in bike reviews, we like to discuss the pedals since they impact how enjoyable your riding experience will be. That’s why we appreciate the sturdy aluminum alloy pedals the Boost E 10D comes with, which stand out from the competition in several ways. The pedals are more durable while providing extra traction support compared to standard plastic platform pedals.

Furthermore, the aluminum pedals are oversized and are explicitly designed so that larger, heavier riders with bigger feet can still have a stable platform to put their feet down on. You’ll definitely enjoy using the stock pedals on the Boost E 10D electric bike!

Grips and Saddle

Next, the Benno Boost E 10D has several excellent components that’ll make your riding experience a more comfortable one. The Benno branded grips have a cushy, rubber ergonomic design so you can hold onto the grips for hours without tiring out or irritating your hands. We also like that the grips lock onto the handlebars instead of just being glued on. This provides a tighter hold while also making them easier to replace when they eventually get worn out.

Onto the handlebars, the high-rise positioning helps you maintain better posture, reducing the strain on your lower back and other weak joints while riding. There’s an extra-wide faux leather saddle, which is oversized like the pedals to support larger cyclists. Pick the right frame style, and your comfort will match your performance on the Benno Boost E 10D electric bike!

Wheels and Tires

The wheels comprise the last major performance component on an eBike, and just like the rest of the eBike, the included wheel configuration delivers on the Boost E 10D. The wheels feature Benno Dual Sport 24’’ x 2.6’’ tires, mounted on aluminum alloy double-wall 36 hole rims.

The wheels have matching 14 gauge stainless steel spokes, with a recommended inflation range of 35 to 45 PSI for both tires. The wheels are designed to ride almost anywhere without changing them, whether it be riding through town or getting in some off-road riding.

With reliable puncture protection, you won’t have to worry about getting a flat when you’re riding at high speeds or over rocky, bumpy terrain too often. We still recommend avoiding any challenging mountain bike trail, but you can virtually ride almost anywhere else and have a blast with the Boost E 10D electric bike.

Accessories/Upgrades

The Benno Boost E 10D is packed with a great range of accessories and is compatible with dozens of others if you want to further customize your bike. The Boost E 10D has an integrated headlight, tail light, rear cargo rack, kickstand, and several other great inclusions like the aluminum platform pedals.

If you add a flick bell, you effectively have everything you need for a safe cycling experience. If you want to make your premium eBike even better, though, consider adding a few of these accessories to the Boost E 10D:

• Benno Utility Rear Rack
• Benno Mini Side Loader Set
• Benno Front Tray Basket
• Benno Mini Front Tray
• Benno High Rail
• Benno Half Rail
• Benno Platform Rail
• Benno Trunk Bag
• Benno Pannier Bag
• Benno Front Tray Bag

Recommendation

The Benno Boost E10D is one of the best electric bikes available on the market right now if you want a powerful, long-range bike for casually riding in or out of the city.

With twenty different model options to choose from–packed full of premium accessories like a high-powered headlight, taillight, and more–you’ll have a unique bike to stand out from the crowd.

The Bosch mid-drive motor is customizable, with a one or two battery slot frame that will allow you to travel over 90 miles on a single charge with the included Powerpack 500.

Premium performance requires premium riding control, which is found in the 10-Speed drivetrain, the hydraulic disc brakes, and Benno custom tires. Not only will you have great design, look, and performance, you’ll also ride in comfort with the ergonomic grips, an oversized pedal and saddle combination, and a high-rise handlebar.

The eBike isn’t perfect. It could use more suspension and has an underwhelming Bosch Purion LCD display. In almost every other regard, though, the Benno Boost E 10D checks most boxes consumers likely will have, and more than worth the premium price tag if you genuinely want a performance-focused, premium eBike experience.

Thank you for reading our spec review of the Benno Boost E 10D electric bike! If you would like to learn more about this eBike, feel free to reach out by leaving a comment below with any questions you may have.