We’ve also taken careful notes on the latest City Commuter model, along with the components it shares with other eBikes we’ve tested. By doing so, we have developed our spec review of the Pedego City Commuter, which we hope will provide a general impression of the eBike’s performance, features, and design.
The Pedego City Commuter may have a mid-tier price, but in many ways, it matches the performance of some premium eBikes we’ve reviewed. The highly customizable ebike comes in five different colors and three different frame sizes, with an average assembly weight of 52 pounds thanks to its ultra-durable 6061-T6 aluminum alloy construction.
The latest City Commuter model can travel over 60 miles on a single charge due to the Samsung Lithium 720 Wh battery, with a Dapu rear gear hub motor that packs a quiet and steady 45 Nm of torque.
The Shimano hyperglide drivetrain is protected by full-length steel fenders and a chain guard, with rapid 7-Speed gear shifting to help you maintain your cadence. One significant upgrade over previous models is that the Pedego City Commuter now features Star Union hydraulic disc brakes, with large 180 mm rotors for rapid stopping power wherever you ride.
The bike is advertised as an all-in-one package. That’s what you get with the headlight, tail light, kickstand, aluminum pedals, synthetic leather grips, integrated bell, and a large number of other features and accessories. If you want a premium level eBike experience while still paying a mid-level price, read our spec review of the Pedego City Commuter eBike today.
Bike-Category: Class 2: Pedal and throttle activated motor assist up to 20 MPH.
Who It’s For: Cyclists who want a feature-heavy, premium level eBike on a mid-level budget. Great for commuting to work, cruising around town, or helping you burn calories as you enjoy the sun and outside air.
Bike Specs
- FRAME: 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
- UI/REMOTE: Fixed Backlit LCD Display
- BATTERY: Samsung Lithium-Ion Battery, 720 Wh
- CHARGER: 2 Amp Charger
- MOTOR: Dapu Brushless Rear Gear Hub Motor, 500 W / 45 Nm
- CHAIN: Shimano HG40
- SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano FT55 Tourney Right Hand Thumb Shifter
- CASSETTE: Shimano Hyperglide HG20 7-Speed 12-32 T
- CHAINRINGS: Silver 46T Chainring with Integrated Chainguard
- DERAILLEUR: Shimano Acera RD-M360 7-Speed
- RIMS: Extra Strength Double Wall Aluminum Alloy, 36 Hole
- TIRES: Schwalbe Fat Frank 28’’ by 2’’ or Big Apple 26’’ x 2’’ tires
- SADDLE: Extra Wide Cruiser Style Saddle with Soft Foam
- STEM: Silver Quick Release Adjustable Quill Style
- HANDLEBARS: Silver Ergonomic City Style, 650 mm Width
- GRIPS: Pedego Synthetic Leather Grip with Foam Padding
- BRAKES: Star Union Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 180 mm Rotors
- PEDALS: Silver Pedego Aluminum Platform Pedals
- KICKSTAND: Silver Aluminum Alloy Center Kickstand
- BELL: Integrated Bell on Left Brake Lever
- HEADLIGHT: LED with Adjustable Mount, 40 LUX
- TAIL LIGHT: Integrated Rear LED Battery
- FENDERS: Steel Full-Length Fenders with Integrated Mud Flaps
Pros
- Great city commuter electric bike has everything you need to have a fun and safe time riding as part of the base model. Five different colors to choose from!
- 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. Sturdy eBike, with an average weight of about 52 lbs. Available in three sizes to accommodate almost all adult rider heights.
- Samsung Lithium-Ion Battery, 720 Wh. 60+ mile range on a single charge. Mounted beneath the rear cargo rack, providing quick access and adequate protection if you crash.
- 2 amp charger. Lightweight and easy to toss into your backpack or a rear cargo pannier bag. The estimated recharging time from 0% to 100% is 4 to 5 hours.
- Dapu Brushless Rear Gear Hub Motor, 500 W / 45 Nm. Quiet and consistent motor and will help you keep up with traffic with ease. Struggles a bit going up hills.
- Shimano Hyperglide HG20 7-Speed 12-32 T cassette with 46T chainring drivetrain. Steel fenders and integrated chain guard makes the drivetrain even more reliable.
- Fixed Backlit LCD display. Very easy to use and not so big that it’ll distract you while you ride. A USB charging port helps you keep your phone charged while you ride.
- Schwalbe Fat Frank 28’’ by 2’’ or Big Apple 26’’ x 2’’ Tires. Both tires are puncture-resistant, with highly reflective sidewalls, making it much easier to spot the rider.
- Star Union hydraulic disc brakes, with 180 mm rotors. Powerful brakes will help you come to a smooth and steady stop. Long-lasting and very durable as well.
- Headlight, tail light, kickstand, bell, and other accessories are included with the base model—no need to pay for extra upgrades with the Pedego City Commuter.
Cons
- Mid-level eBike featuring a straightforward display. Great for those who don’t care about riding metrics, but underwhelming if you do.
- The 2 amp charger is also a bit underpowered given the size of the battery. Replace it with a compatible 4 amp charger for faster recharging time.
- It’s a minor thing, but you have to turn on the battery before turning on the motor. Cyclists often forget to turn off the battery when done riding.
- Very back heavy due to the motor, battery, rear cargo rack, and other components. Be careful when trying to lift or secure the eBike.
Features
- 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Aircraft rated aluminum alloy construction, providing great durability and weight support while minimizing total weight. Available in five color options and three frame styles. The average weight across three models fully assembled is 52 lbs.
- Samsung Lithium-Ion Battery, 720 Wh
A long-lasting battery is tucked beneath the rear cargo rack, keeping it well protected from damage when you crash. Travel up to 60 miles on a single charge with the optimal riding settings.
- 2 Amp Charger
Basic but compact charger that is easy to take with you when you ride. Easy to plug in and can be charged on or off the bike. Full recharging time from 0% to 100% is estimated to take between four to five hours.
- Dapu Brushless Rear Gear Hub Motor, 500 W / 45 Nm
Rear gear hub motor that provides a steady push while you ride and just enough power to help you climb a city hill. A bit jerky when first starting, but it’s a very quiet motor that will last you thousands of miles as well.
- Fixed Backlit LCD Display
Simple LCD display, but one you can quickly glance at without getting distracted while you ride. Features five different pedal assist levels, which is more extensive than the standard three levels setup—backlit for easy reading at any time.
- Shimano Hyperglide HG20 7-Speed 12-32 T Cassette with 46T Chainring Drivetrain
7-Speed eBike with quick and subtle gear shifting due to the ultra-reliable Shimano drivetrain setup. Integrated chain guard and full-length steel fenders/mud flaps further protect the drivetrain as well.
- Schwalbe Fat Frank 28’’ by 2’’ or Big Apple 26’’ x 2’’ Tires
Two different tire sizes, further differentiating the frame sizes so that taller and shorter cyclists can feel comfortable with the eBike model they purchase. Both tires have excellent puncture protection, with reflective sidewalls for safety.
- Silver Ergonomic City Style Handlebars with Rigid High Tensile Steel Fork
Swept back handlebars with an extra-large saddle and snug, padded grips for very comfortable riding in the city. With the 40 mm travel suspension seatpost, a rigid steel fork provides good shock absorption for bumpy road sections.
- Star Union Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 180 mm Rotors
Powerful hydraulic disc brakes with large 180 mm rotors will help you come to a steady, rapid stop no matter where you ride. Fantastic brake setup and better quality than the mechanical disc brakes this bike used to feature.
- Silver Pedego Aluminum Platform Pedals
Stylish aluminum platform pedals are of a higher quality than the plastic platform pedals you usually get with a stock eBike model. Great durability, with traction support to help you maintain your grip with almost any athletic shoe.
In-Depth Review
Frame
Despite the mid-tier price tag, the Pedego City Commuter is primarily a premium level eBike. The key reason being the extremely high-quality 6061-T6 aluminum frame build. Many eBikes are built with 6061 aluminum; only a few go with the 6061-T6 variant, the main alloy used to construct fundamental aircraft structures and components.
As such, the Pedego City Commuter is a very durable eBike with generous weight support. With an average full assembly weight of 52 lbs, it’s not too heavy compared to other eBikes. Furthermore, you have three frame sizes to pick from, accommodating short and tall cyclists. With five different color options to choose from, you have a highly customizable city commuter that can be personalized and tailored to fit many cyclists’ wants.
Motor & Battery
The Pedego City Commuter is a class two eBike, with both pedal and throttle activated motor assistance up to 20 MPH.
This city commuter eBike is mounted with a Dapu Brushless rear gear hub motor, with an output of 500 W and 45 Nm of torque. Rear-gear hub motors aren’t as advanced or effective as mid-drive motors, but it’s one reason why the Pedego City Commuter is as affordable as it is.
With 45 Nm of torque, you have sufficient motor power to help you keep up with traffic flow and climb the occasional hill if you make sure to maintain your pedal cadence. On very steep hills, the motor can struggle a bit, so we would like to see more torque power in a future model. For now, though, we appreciate just how quiet the motor is, and were it not for the power assistance, you’d hardly remember you were riding an electric bike.
We’re mostly positive on the battery setup, though a couple of aspects could be improved. The Samsung lithium-ion 720 Wh battery extends the Pedego City Commuter range, so while past versions could only travel 40 miles, this model can travel over 60 miles before needing to recharge.
Mounted beneath the rear cargo rack, the battery is straightforward to access and remove while also keeping it protected if you suffer a crash. However, we’re a bit underwhelmed by the inclusion of the 2 amp charger because while it may be lightweight and easy to take with you, it takes 4 to 5 hours to recharge from empty to full. While hard to find due to high demand, we recommend upgrading your charger to a compatible 4 amp charger to cut the recharge time by almost half.
Display/Assist Modes
Your opinion of the display will depend on what you’re looking for in an eBike controller. The Pedego City Commuter comes with a small, compact backlit LCD display attached to the left handlebar.
Changing your pedal assist mode is easy, and we are impressed by the five different pedals assist options–and a walk mode–to choose from rather than the standard 3 level setup. The small LCD display does provide a few key metrics to help track your riding experience, which will be enough for a casual cyclist.
However, the display is fixed and cannot be easily replaced or upgraded. So if you’re looking for a more advanced eBike with a premium motor controller, you may have to consider another option. The included readouts for the Pedego City Commuter are as follows:
Pedego City Commuter Display Readouts, Metrics, and Settings:
- Current Speed
- Pedal Assist Level (Five Levels + Walk Mode)
- Battery Level
- Trip Time
- Trip Distance
- Odometer
If you’re new to electric bikes, you might be wondering what pedal assist levels are. Pedal-assist levels alter the performance settings of your motor. Higher pedal-assist levels drain the battery quicker for greater motor power, while lower pedal-assist levels will drain the battery slower for greater riding range.
You can switch the pedal-assist mode while riding; all it takes is a press of a button on the display. Just be aware that the pedal-assist levels only change the motor’s power output as you pedal; the throttle will always provide max power, no matter what level of pedal assistance the engine has.
Handling
- On Streets- The Pedego City Commuter is designed for commuting around the city, as the name suggests. The bike is great for riding with stop and go traffic and will help you get to work without working up a sweat, especially if you rely on the throttle system. The eBike provides a smooth riding experience, even when you hit a bump, and is pretty easy to handle whether you’re a beginner or expert rider. From getting to work quicker or just having a fun way to burn a few calories before you eat at your favorite restaurant, the Pedego City Commuter is a blast to take out and ride.
- Turn Radius- Whether you have the 28’’ or 26’’ tall tires, both Schwalbe tires are just 2’’ thick. While it’s rarer to have a flat 2’’ thick tire, it helps the eBike have a tight turn radius without sacrificing too much stability. You’ll find it very easy to round a corner with the Pedego City Commuter or make your way through a narrow doorway or tight alley street. Because the tires are a bit thicker than your typical city commuter and racing bike, you’ll also find the bike a bit more stable when taking a tight turn, making you less likely to fall over as well.
- Low-Speed Handling- The Pedego City Commuter weighs about 52 lbs fully assembled, so it can be a bit difficult to ride on and handle at low speeds. Like many other electric bikes, though, as long as you leave the motor on, you have a couple of options to help with your low-speed handling. Set your pedal assist level to a low-speed setting, and you’ll get a small boost of power to help you focus on handling without forcing you to travel fast. Alternatively, you can dismount the bike and set your motor to walk mode, which will help push your eBike along and compensate for the heavier frame. These settings drain the battery, but they are a low energy drain and won’t impact the overall range of your eBike.
Gears/DriveTrain
Shifting is excellent with the Shimano Hyperglide HG20 7-Speed 12-32 T cassette with a 46T chainring drivetrain held together by a Shimano HG40 chain.
Shimano produces great, reliable drivetrains, and the Pedego City Commuter is made even better by the steel fenders and mud flaps, with an integrated chain guard. The steel fenders and mud flaps keep the drivetrain clean of debris. The chain guard helps with the same thing and guides the chain to reduce the chain drop risk.
While it might not have as many gear shifting options as more premium eBikes, the 7-Speed setup still provides plenty of options for the average commute to work. Just stick to riding in urban environments, and this fantastic drivetrain setup will require very little work and cleaning to maintain.
Brakes
Another fantastic component inclusion is the Star Union hydraulic disc brake system, with 180 mm sized rotors. You have more than enough stopping power to help you come to a safe and steady stop while you ride, even if you’re speeding downhill.
Outside of the great sized rotors, you also have hydraulic disc brakes, which have many advantages over more basic mechanical disc brakes used in the past. With greater stopping power, hydraulic disc brakes last longer, require less maintenance, are more durable, and provide a smoother lever pull when you apply your brakes.
We prefer hydraulic disc brakes, so we’re glad to see Pedego making the switch to their latest version of the Pedego City Commuter eBike.
Suspension
Typically, you don’t find much in terms of suspension support on a city commuter eBike, so we aren’t surprised to see a rigid steel fork on the Pedego City Commuter. What is a delightful surprise to see included is a suspension seat post with 40 mm of travel.
While the suspension post won’t make a trail ride any more comfortable, it does help reduce the overall shock and bouncing that comes with riding on bumpy roads. Cobblestone, gravel, potholes, and other uneven roads are common in city riding. With the Pedego City Commuter, you’ll find your ride to be much smoother than the experience provided by many other electric bikes.
Pedals
Another component worth highlighting on the Pedego City Commuter is the silver aluminum platform pedals. The silver shine, along with the large reflector panels embedded into the sides, makes it much easier to spot cyclists riding on the Pedego City Commuter.
We prefer aluminum over plastic pedals since aluminum is more durable and provides better grip support for cyclists and the average riding shoe. While pedals are usually one of the last components taken into consideration when comparing eBikes, it is a way to further separate basic electric bikes from those trying to stand out from the crowd.
Grips and Saddle
City commuters help you get to work, the store, or other places around the city in comfort, and that’s what you’ll do with the Pedego City Commuter. The swept-back handlebars have a 650 mm width, an ideal size since it accommodates larger cyclists without overwhelming shorter and smaller bikers.
The synthetic leather grips feature foam padding. Not only do they look great, but they’ll provide a snug grasp that’ll let you ride for hours without irritating the palms of your hands.
The saddle is a cruise style seat and made with soft foam. It’s especially large, so tall and heavy cyclists can feel as snug as shorter and lighter cyclists. As long as you pick the appropriate frame size, you’ll find the Pedego City Commuter to be a very accommodating eBike, with excellent comfort options to help you ride for hours without wearing yourself out.
Wheels and Tires
We appreciate the Pedego City Commuter because the tire changes depending on the frame size you pick. The City Commuter comes with either Schwalbe Fat Frank 28’’ by 2’’ tires or Schwalbe Big Apple 26’’ x 2’’ tires.
Both tires have great raceguard flat protection, with a slime inner tube sealant that will significantly reduce the risk of suffering a flat and making it easier to repair when you do. Both tires have aluminum alloy double-wall extra strength 36 hole rims, with silver 12 gauge heavy-duty spokes. The tires’ performance does change slightly by size, but overall they’re fast tires that will help you accelerate quickly in the city while also providing a tight turn radius that makes cornering a breeze as well. We also appreciate how reflective the tires are since it dramatically increases the bicycle’s visibility to reduce the risk of suffering a collision with someone approaching from your side.
Accessories/Upgrades
The Pedego City Commuter is an impressive eBike when you consider all of the other accessories and upgrades that come stock. We’ve already addressed the comfort options, the fenders, and the chain guard, but you’ll also find a headlight, tail light, bell, rear cargo rack, and other accessories included with the stock bike model too.
While the charger could use an upgrade, there is hardly anything else you’ll want to swap out on the Pedego City Commuter after purchase. Pedego makes some fantastic accessories for their eBikes, so take the money you might otherwise spend on critical upgrades on a few of these recommended upgrades instead:
- Pedego Commuter Bags
- Pedego Handlebar and Rear Baskets
- Pedego Child Seat
- Pedego Handlebar Mirror
- Pedego Charger Caddy
- Pedego Lock
Recommendation
Finding a great eBike with all the features you need for a safe, comfortable, and reliable experience without spending too much is a tough balance, but that’s why we recommend the Pedego City Commuter.
With three frames and five color options to choose from, short and tall cyclists alike can find a version of the City Commuter they’ll feel was made just for them. The 6061-T6 aluminum construction is built to last, and with a 52-pound weight, you have a very sturdy build without having an eBike too heavy to handle effectively.
The Samsung 720 Wh battery is excellent for helping you travel over 60 miles on a single charge. Simultaneously, the Dapu rear-hub 45 Nm motor provides sufficient power for riding in the city without significantly raising the cost of the eBike.
The Shimano 7-Speed drivetrain has smooth shifting, and good protection due to the steel fenders, mud flaps and the chain guard integrated into the drivetrain.
Another significant upgrade is the 180 mm hydraulic disc brake setup, which provides greater stopping power and is longer lasting than the mechanical disc brakes featured in the past.
Consider the headlight, the tail light, the rear cargo rack, the kickstand, and all of the other accessories and upgrades that come with the stock model, and the value is even more impressive. If you’re looking for a great new way to commute to work, the Pedego City Commuter is one of the best eBikes to consider for those on a mid-tier budget.
We hope you enjoyed our spec review of the Pedego City commuter eBike. If you would like to see our team do a full performance or video review, let us know by leaving a comment below along with any questions you still have.
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