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Aventon Soltera 2 Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • 46 lbs. is light for an e-bike by any standard; an eMTB with a comparable weight can run more than $5000
  • Thanks to its low weight, narrow tires and aluminum fork, the Soltera.2 HS offers riders a very sporty and engaged experience
  • 7-speed Shimano drivetrain features a nicer-than-expected trigger shifter
  • Tektro mechanical disc brakes keep weight down while still offering terrific braking power
  • Comes in two sizes to fit a broad range of riders heights, as well as a step-thru version
  • Thanks to its light weight, its 350W motor and 346Wh battery the Soltera.2 enjoys better acceleration and more range than we might expect

Cons

  • Doesn’t have enough power to throttle its way up hills; the rider needs to pedal
  • Some riders will be disappointed they didn’t include fenders or a rack, but it’s understandable considering its price

Intro Commuters are arguably the biggest category in the world of e-bikes. It’s a diverse segment and can include some very thoughtful designs. For instance, the Aventon Soltera.2 HS is a commuter that deviates from the usual commuter script. In our Aventon Soltera.2 HS review, we will show what makes this affordable e-bike such a […]

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.6
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Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 80Nm of torque, making it powerful enough for riders running errands or ferrying kids
  • 672Wh lithium-ion battery is estimated to offer riders 25-45 mi. of range per charge
  • 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain includes a wide-range 11-34t gear cluster for better gearing on hills
  • Revised frame design is stronger and stiffer, providing a better ride
  • Hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors give the stopping power necessary for someone toting a passenger
  • Rad Power Bikes offers a broad array of accessories to mount on the rear rack or to add a front rack mounted on the head tube
  • Not only is the rear rack integrated into the frame for greater stiffness and strength, but the RadRunner 3 Plus includes fenders, front and rear lights and a kickstand

Cons

  • We’d really like to see Rad Power Bikes offer a more comprehensive warranty; a better warranty would help build well-deserved confidence in the quality of their e-bikes
  • The saddle included is better than what we experienced with the RadRunner 2, but still lacks some of the comfort found in many other saddles

Intro One of the things we love about Rad Power Bikes is how they constantly update their designs. While we liked the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2, there were elements of the e-bike that could have been improved. In our review of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus we will dig into the many […]

Aventon Abound Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • As a compact cargo e-bike, it features great handling at speed and still offers good maneuverability at low speeds
  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor has the power necessary to get the Abound up hills and accelerated to cruising speed, even when loaded with a passenger and groceries
  • Hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors give the braking power necessary to keep rider and passenger(s) safe in any conditions
  • Aventon produces a number of excellent accessories to allow someone to set up the Abound exactly to their needs; options include a seat for kid(s), a handrail to keep them corralled, a rear basket, panniers and more
  • Thanks to the presence of a torque sensor, riders have power from the moment they push down on the pedals, which will make starting with a load much easier
  • The combination of a dropper post and folding handlebar mast make this an e-bike that is easy to load in an SUV or minivan

Cons

  • We would love to see an 8 or 9-speed drivetrain to make hills easier
  • It’s not big enough to carry two elementary school-aged kids

Intro In our Aventon Abound review we will look at the frame design’s versatility as well as how well-suited the motor and battery are to its intended use. And then there’s the question of just how much a rider can hope to carry on this e-bike. It features Aventon 750W brushless, geared hub motor found […]

Aventon Soltera 2 ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • At just 46 lbs., this is one of the lightest e-bikes available in this price range
  • Aventon upgraded the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain from the usual thumb shifter to a smoother and easier-to-use trigger shifter
  • 350W brushless, geared hub motor offers great power thanks to the Soltera.2 ST’s low weight
  • 346Wh lithium-ion battery punches above its weight and can provide up to 46 mi. per charge (estimated)
  • Mechanical disc brakes help keep the Soltera.2 ST’s weight down while keeping braking power high
  • Comes in two sizes and both sizes feature relatively short saddle-to-handlebar reach, making them ideal for shorter riders

Cons

  • This isn’t a true step-thru frame; it’s what’s called mixte (say mixty) and a true step-thru frame would offer a lower standover height for riders with stiff knees and/or hips
  • Isn’t a great performer on hills on throttle-only

Intro Lightweight e-bikes like the Aventon Soltera.2 ST don’t seem to draw as much attention as other e-bikes. There hasn’t been a big push to make e-bikes that are both lightweight and affordable. At 46 lbs., the Soltera.2 ST is one of the lightest e-bikes we’ve reviewed; the majority of what’s out there for less […]

Ride1UP Portola Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

5
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Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 65Nm of torque, making it more powerful than the majority of folding e-bikes on the market
  • 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain features a trigger shifter and a nearly 300 percent gear range, which is unheard-of in this price range
  • Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors are the gold standard for value-oriented e-bikes, but uncommon on e-bikes in this price range
  • Rear rack is integrated into the frame, giving it a higher weight capacity than can be achieved with bolt-on racks
  • Comes with a full complement of accessories; in addition to the rack, buyers get fenders, front and rear lights and a kickstand
  • Folds up in seconds, making it easier to store than most e-bikes

Cons

  • We would prefer a display that mounts at the stem where it would be easier to view while moving
  • We love the passenger package but wish there was a child-seat solution for smaller kids

Intro New e-bikes are introduced like phases of the moon. We see something new announced about once week. Generally, what we see is exciting. Every now and then we run across something that grabs our interest, and once or twice a year a company introduces an e-bike that causes a shift in what we believe […]

Specialized Globe Haul ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

5
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Pros

  • 700W brushless, geared hub motor performs better than most 750W hub motors, giving it terrific acceleration and terrific power on hills
  • 772Wh battery fits all the battery that can fit in the available space and it serves up solid range for an e-bike that is likely to be carrying a load
  • Comes equipped with a torque sensor, which makes the motor’s operation integrate seamlessly with the rider’s pedaling, making it both more enjoyable and easier to control
  • Despite coming in only one size, this e-bike is more adjustable to different rider statures than most e-bikes on the market; it is an intelligent approach to making a one-size e-bike
  • Even among cargo e-bikes, the Globe Haul ST may include more mounts for accessories than any other e-bike we’ve seen
  • 4-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes paired with 203mm rotors on 20-in. wheels may be the most powerful brake system we’ve ever seen

Cons

  • We would prefer to see the display separate from the PAS selector; mounted at the bar it is easier and safer to look at
  • If there were a way to create short running boards for a kid passenger, rather than pegs, that would improve the experience for little riders

Intro Specialized is one of the largest bike companies in the world. Their heritage runs as wide as it is deep. Name a race and someone has won it aboard one of their bikes. As a source of innovation they have often left competitors struggling to distinguish themselves. Specialized was one of the first of […]

Aventon Level 2 Review – 2024

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Summary Aventon Level 2 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.6
Check Latest PriceAventon Level 2 Electric Bike

Pros

  • 500W brushless hub motor has the power necessary to perform as a Class 3 motor with a max assist speed of 28 mph
  • 672Wh battery can provide as much as 60 mi. of range on a single charge
  • 8-speed Shimano drivetrain for more gear choice and a lower gear for climbing
  • Comes in two sizes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru frame to fit a broad range of riders
  • Large LCD display that is easy to read on bumpy roads

Cons

  • An air/oil suspension fork gives a smoother ride than the coil spring
  • A shorter reach on the S/M step-thru bike would allow it to fit even more riders

Aventon Level 2 Review: Intro This Aventon Level 2 review revealed a significantly different bike in its second iteration. Since their launch, Aventon has introduced a collection of bikes that have caused us to reassess our ideas about value at a given price point. They are making the case that they are setting the bar […]

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 Review 2024

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Summary Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.5
Check Latest PriceRad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 Electric Bike

Pros

  • Rad’s reputation for delivering bang-for-your-buck performance is as true as ever on the RadRunner 2
  • Has a carrying capacity of 300 lbs.
  • Terrific step-thru design has a standover height of just 16.5 in.
  • Has more than a dozen different accessories to customize it
  • 3.3-in.-wide tires offer a cushy experience
  • Motorcycle-style kickstand keeps bike stable and makes loading cargo easy

Cons

  • Single-speed drivetrain will be somewhat limiting if you frequently navigate very steep hills
  • Saddle tilt cannot be adjusted

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 Review: Intro Not all e-cargo bikes have to be longtail as you’ll soon learn in this Rad Power Bike RadRunner 2 review. Electric cargo bikes have a reputation for being long, longer than a Lord of the Rings movie. While an e-bike with a long wheelbase can be handy for […]

Lectric XP 3.0 Review 2024 | Amazing Value From An All-Around Folder

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Summary Lectric XP 3.0 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.8
Check Latest PriceLectric XP 3.0 Electric Bike

Pros

  • The XP 3.0 is an upgrade over the XP 2.0 in nearly every way
  • The new motor is still 500W nominally, but now peaks at 1000W instead of 850W and it produces 55Nm of torque rather than 35NM
  • Thanks to a new set of cogs in the rear, reaching 20 mph is much easier
  • A switch from 160mm rotors to 180mm rotors improves braking performance noticeably
  • The suspension fork’s travel increased by 25 percent, from 40mm to 50mm for greater comfort
  • The rear rack can now handle 150 lbs., enough to be able to support a passenger

Cons

  • We still wish the key didn’t need to be inserted in order to ride the bike
  • The new grips are better than the old ones, but not by much
  • We wish the display would give battery charge by percentage

Intro The Lectric XP 3.0 is the follow-up to the immensely popular XP 2.0, which changed how people see the folding e-bike. Rather than being viewed as a special-purpose e-bike intended for people short on storage space, the XP 2.0 found its niche as a great e-bike that is easier to put away than one […]

Blix Vika+ Flex Review – 2024

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Summary Blix Vika+ Flex Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.5
Check Latest PriceBlix Vika+ Flex Electric Bike

Pros

  • Folds up into a compact package for easy storage
  • 500W hub motor provides plenty of power to accelerate up to cruising speed and to get over hills
  • 7-speed Shimano drivetrain for more gear choice and a lower gear for climbing
  • Comes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru frame to fit a broader range of riders
  • Large LCD display that is easy to read on bumpy roads

Cons

  • Kickstands and fenders tend to rattle when riding rough roads and trails
  • Bikes with 20-in. wheels can be a bit nervous at higher speeds

Blix Vika+ Flex Review: Intro Folding e-bikes are on the rise and few manage to bear the label of “light”. This Blix Vika+ Flex review is of a bike that actually fits that mold. A folding bike is an unusual sort of bike because it makes the ease of the bike’s storage one of its […]