A recent New York Times headline asked, “Can E-Bikes Go Mainstream?” The answer is pretty simple: Yes, they can!
In fact, they must. Replacing car trips with battery-powered bicycle trips saves money, reduces pollution and carbon emissions, and improves public health.
Are you considering buying your first e-bike? Test a variety of different models and brands to ensure you find one that fits your budget and lifestyle. Before buying, test ride multiple e-bikes to determine what works best for your lifestyle–and your bank account. Read the Washington state law on where e-bikes are allowed, and the differences between Class 1, 2, and 3. (Class 3 e-bikes are banned from trails and multi-use pathways).
A Comfortable Commuter: Co-Op Cycles Generation e1.1
At $1,499, the Co-op Cycles Gen e1.1 is one of the better entry-level e-bikes on the market, created by one of Seattle’s most trusted brands–REI.
This Class 1 e-bike is designed to be accessible and non-intimidating, with an attractive low-step frame. It has 20-inch wheels, which lower the height of the rider and make it easy to put your feet down.
The petite wheels are outfitted with wide 2.4-inch-wide Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires with puncture protection. The e1.1 weighs 54 pounds and comes with an integrated rack rated to carry 68 pounds.
Pedaling power comes from a 350 Watt hub motor. Hub motors are less efficient than mid-drive motors, but they are more affordable. REI has fine-tuned the pedal assist to eliminate the jerkiness of some less-refined hub motors.
The seven-speed derailleur is geared low to climb hills and cruise at 15-16 mph on flat ground. If you like going 20 mph or more, the e1.1 isn’t for you. Getting up to 20 mph requires spinning the pedals at about 110 rpm.
The e1.1 comes without fenders, which you’ll want to add for rainy weather riding. Also consider buying some panniers for hauling groceries or a laptop.
Thanks to REI’s five-year warranty and nationwide network of stores for service and repair issues, the e1.1 is ideal for first-time buyers looking to savor life in the slow lane. rei.com
From Portland: the Vvolt Centauri
Vvolt is a new e-bike brand from our friends at Showers Pass, the Portland-based bicycling apparel and gear brand that provides Cascade members with a 40 percent discount.
The Centauri, priced at $2,999, is designed for daily riding. It features a low-maintenance Gates Carbon Drive belt instead of a chain. Belt drives are ideal for commuting and year-round bicycling because they are grease-free, don’t rust or stretch, and last up to three times longer than chains.
The Centauri also features a sealed Enviolo shifting system rather than a derailleur. So-called internal hubs like the Enviolo require almost no maintenance, which makes them perfect for no-fuss daily transportation bikes.
A mid-drive MPF motor provides the pedaling assistance, delivering 550 peak watts of power with 80Nm (Newton meters) of torque, which we found sufficient for Seattle’s hills. The battery is integrated into the downtube, with an advertised range of 20 to 40 miles per charge.
The Centauri can be purchased as a Class 1 (assist up to 20 mph) or Class 3 (assist to 28 mph) e-bike. Cascade staff rode the Centauri for two months over the summer and found it to be sporty and comfortable.
With the proliferation of online e-bike sellers hawking cheap products of dubious quality, it’s nice to find a Pacific Northwest brand devoted to creating practical transportation e-bikes. If you’re in Portland, you can email or call Vvolt to schedule a test ride.
Vvolt also sells two lower-priced models, the Alpha and Alpha S, also with belt drives, for $1,599. Vvolt.com
Looking for a quick review of e-bike options? Watch our YouTube video of our e-bike reviews!