I have been doing research on Electric Bicycles (Ebikes) lately and thought, why not share this info with all the other people doing exactly the same? There are a myriad of choices when it comes to picking an ebike that will suit your needs and preferences. Do you want fat tires that will give a nice soft ride as well as make going anywhere more possible (like on a soft sand beach or up rocky mountain trails?). The disadvantage of those fat tires is that they have much higher rolling resistance, so you will be either putting out more energy in peddling or you will be draining the battery quicker. Updated: There is a Rook video review at this page’s end.
So the first thing you have to do is determine what you will be using your electric bicycle for. How have you been using your present bike, assuming you have one? If you want to get more exercise, well, give yourself a shake, because why not just get on your present bike and start pedaling!? Just kidding. Some anti-electric friends of mine refuse to buy an ebike because they figure one will not get exercise if using an ebike. However, they don’t realize that one does not have to use the assistance at all if you want exercise. If you get tired, well the assistance is a great option.
The main choices are frame style (step-through?) and sitting position (upright? recumbent?)
The main considerations in this study are Price, Motor, Battery, Cadance or TorqueSensitive, and Weight. The prices listed are in Canadian dollars and were updated May 15, 2020. Comments, photos and websites below.
Surface604 Rook |
Voltbike Elegant |
Urban Cruiser
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| $2600 Local dealer |
$1950 delivered Reg. $2950 delivered |
$2000 delivered |
| Motor: 500w | Motor: 500w | Motor: 500w |
| Battery 48v 10.4Ah | Battery 48v 14.5Ah | Battery: 48v 13Ah |
| Tires 26″ x 2.1″ | Tires: 26″x2.1″ | Tires: 26”x 1.95” |
| Total weight: 55lbs | Total weight 52lbs | Total weight: 60lbs |
| Frame 19.5 or 17.5
DRIVE MODE Torque Sensing Pedal Assist with a Throttle |
Frame: 19”
DRIVE MODE unknown |
Wheel base 1200
DRIVE MODE Cadance Sensing Pedal Assist with throttle |
| MOTOR High torque 500W (peaks at 750W) Bafang geared hub motor
TORQUE 65Nm THROTTLE Thumb push activated throttle CONTROLLER 12 Mos 48V 500W 25A with BMS TOP SPEED 20mph (32km/h) BATTERY 48V10.4Ah Samsung Lithium Ion battery BATTERY RANGE Up to 35mi (56km) BATTERY CHARGE TIME 3-6 hours for a full charge from empty DISPLAY TYPE Surface 604 Color LCD display with micro USB jack DERAILLEUR Shimano Alivio 9-speed FORK SR Suntour XCT 80mm travel, 9mm quick release axle CASSETTE Shimano 9 speed, 12-34T SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Alivio trigger shift with easy-to-read optical gear display BRAKES Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc, post mount, 180mm rotor with motor inhibitors CRANK SET Samox 42T front sprocket BOTTOM BRACKET Samox Sealed Bottom Bracket FRAME TYPE Tapered headtube, custom reinforced battery mounts, internal cable routing, post mount brakes FRAME 6061 aluminum alloy STEM Satori UP2+ adjustable HANDLEBAR Promax aluminum, 620mm wide, 6° sweep, 20mm rise, 31.8mm clamp diameter GRIPS Leather like grip PEDALS Wellgo platform CHAIN KMC 9-speed SEAT POST DIAMETER 30.4mm SADDLE Selle Royal, ergonomic gel, wide TIRES 26″ x 2.1″ Kenda Kranium KICKSTAND Heavy duty aluminum STANDOVER HEIGHT Small-Medium: 26” (662mm) Medium-Large: 26.4” (671mm) NET WEIGHT (INCLUDING BATTERY) 55lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY 285lbs (130kg) BUILT-IN FEATURES Chain guard, rear rack, fenders (front and rear), LED lights (front and rear), Bell OPTIONAL UPGRADE FEATURES SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seat Post, 14ah Battery Class 2 (class 3 ready) Wheel base: 1120cm Website: |
Weight 52lbs
Battery Type 48v 14.5Ah Lithium-ion with Panasonic cells Motor: Bafang (8Fun) 500W Electric Brushless DC Hubset Alloy 6061 Electric Motor Frame: aluminum-alloy 6061 custom-built frame Crankset Aluminum Alloy-6061 38T Crank, 170mm with Outer Guard Fork Suntour XCT DS suspension fork with preload adjuster Shifter: Shimano Tourney TX50R6CT Thumb Shifter Plus 7-Speed Chain: KMC Rust Buster Freewheel / Casette Shimano MF-TZ20 Tourney Freewheel 7 Speed 14-28T Rear Derailler: Shimano Acera RD-410 7 speed direct rear derailler Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes front/rear Tektro Auriga HD-E500 Brake Lever: Tektro with integrated bell Tires: Kenda 26″x2.1″ Pedals: Wellgo M-248DU Derailler Guard: Rear Metal Derailler Guard Rims: 26″ with 36 spokes Seat: Velo Plush VL-6142 Handlebar PROMAX ALLUMINUM ALLOY 31.8mm*22.2mm*680mm, 9 degree Stem: Adjustable stem Promax MA-579 with extension 110mm. Adjustable angles 90° – 160°. Aluminum alloy. Seat Post: Promax SP-252 Aluminum 6061 Alloy, 31.4mm*350mm Bottom Bracket: Sealed cartridge Neco 910, 23.5mm + 120mm + 23.5mm Spokes: Rear 13G 209mm, Front 13G 248mm Rider max weight 280lbs Frame size 19″, good for person 5’5″ and above. Website: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Some assembly required
Motor: Quiet, powerful, 8-Fun® 500W brushless rear hub motor, 48V DC Battery: Samsung cells Lithium-ion 48V 13amp hour, centre rack mounted, removable battery pack with battery lock, easy access charger port Charging System: Safe, Smart Charger® 120-240V with LED status display for lithium ion, C-UL-US approved for North America Charging Time: 5-7 hours to 100% Frame: Step-through Aircraft grade aluminum frame (24kg), mid-rise bar stem Forks: Alloy Top Gun suspension with fender eyelets Seat Post: Alloy, with shock absorber, Pro-Max Quick Release Seat: Wide, extra comfortable, cushion saddle, spring loaded GS-808, 3-way adjustable Seat Height: Minimum: 863mm (34 Inches) from the ground, 774mm (30.5 Inches) from the pedal Maximum: 977mm (38.5 Inches) from the ground, 876mm (34.5 Inches) from the pedal Hand Grips: Molded soft feel hand grips Pedals: Full metal, light-weight Wheel Size: 26” (66cm) Wheels Wheel Base: 1200mm (47.3in) Tires: CST Tracer, City Classic, all-season 26”x 1.95”, debris inhibitor tread with side knobs for superior grip Rims: Heavy duty alloy double rims, 66cm (26”) Spokes: Stainless steel Brakes: Tektro A10.11 Auriga-Aquila-Draco Brake Handles: Soft-grip, Alloy linear pull with built-in motor inhibitor switches Rear Derailleur: Shimano® Tourney Seven Index Cassette: Shimano® Mega Range Freewheel, 7 Gear super low 14-34T cluster Controller: 48V fully potted, with power gauge function User Controls: Battery ignition key, King Meter® Km LCD display with 5 speed pass function, speed indicator, backlight, local time, top riding speed, motor power, riding distance, walk function (metric/imperial) battery gauge, thumb throttle, bike bell Speed Potential: 32km (20mph) Range: 45 – 85 km (28 miles – 52 miles)* Weight Capacity : 100 kg (220.5 lbs) Product Size: 185 x 62 x 100cm (972.8 x 24.4 x 39.4in) Total Bike Weight: 27.12kg (60.3 lbs) Website: https://www.costco.ca/ . |
2020 Surface604 ROOK video review (with test ride on Vancouver Island):