2013 Grace Easy Review

Grace Easy Electric Bike Review 1
Grace Easy Kickstand
Grace Easy Hub Motor
Grace Easy Battery Pack Downtube
Grace Easy Lcd Bionx
Grace Easy Gates Carbon Belt Drive
Grace Easy Headlight
Grace Easy Brake Lever And Shock
Grace Easy Rear Disc Brake
Grace Easy Electric Bike Review 1
Grace Easy Kickstand
Grace Easy Hub Motor
Grace Easy Battery Pack Downtube
Grace Easy Lcd Bionx
Grace Easy Gates Carbon Belt Drive
Grace Easy Headlight
Grace Easy Brake Lever And Shock
Grace Easy Rear Disc Brake

Summary

  • Leverages BionX motor and a sleek custom designed downtube-integrated battery pack
  • Battery pack is removable, lockable and powers a front and rear LED light for safety
  • Silent, clean and durable belt-drive system still offers three speeds with internally geared rear hub motor
  • Four modes of pedal assist and four modes of regeneration mode, also provides regenerative braking

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Grace

Model:

Easy

Price:

$3,200 USD (Up to $3,999 Depending on Options)

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Commuting, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Covering Manufacturer Defects (1,000 Charge Cycles)

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2013

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

42 lbs (19.05 kg)

Battery Weight:

6 lbs (2.72 kg)

Motor Weight:

9 lbs (4.08 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 T6 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

19.29 in (48.99 cm)21.26 in (54 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Medium 19.29" (Top Tube Horizontal 585 mm, Seat Tube Center to Top 490 mm, Stand Over Height 850 mm), Large 21.26" (Top Tube Horizontal 610 mm, Seat Tube Center to Top 540 mm, Stand Over Height 860 mm)

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

White, Anthrazite

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Aluminum Alloy or RockShox Recon 29

Attachment Points:

Fender Bosses, Rear Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 SRAM X9 or 3 Speed 1x3 SRAM IGH3 (Integrated Geared Hub) with Gates Carbon Drive

Shifter Details:

SRAM Grip Shifter on Right Bar

Cranks:

Sugino Mighty Comp Messenger

Pedals:

Schindelhauer, CNC Milled, Silver Color

Headset:

Ritchey Classic Series Accessoirs

Stem:

Ritchey Classic Series Accessoirs

Handlebar:

Ritchey Classic Series Accessoirs Riser

Brake Details:

Magura MT4 Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 180 mm Rotors

Grips:

Brooks Slender Grips Honey Color

Saddle:

Brooks Team Pro Honey Color

Seat Post:

Ritchey Classic Series Accessoirs

Tire Brand:

Continental Eco Contact, 28" x 1.6"

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Reflective Sidewalls

Accessories:

B&M LUMOTEC Lyt 42 LED Front Light, B&M DToplight Mini Diode Back Light, Two-Legged Scissoring Kickstand

Other:

Recipient of the 2013 Red Dot Design Award, Recipient of the 2013 Extra Energy Award for Best Classic Pedelec

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

BionX

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Motor Torque:

40 Newton meters (10 Nm Nominal)

Battery Brand:

Panasonic

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

6.3 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

302 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium Manganese Cobalt

Charge Time:

2.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

40 miles (64 km)

Estimated Max Range:

65 miles (105 km)

Display Type:

Removable Backlit LCD (Symmetrical Integrated Buttons for Right or Left Handed Users)

Readouts:

4 Proportional Assist and Generate Modes, Lighting Controls, Battery Voltage, Trip Distance, Odometer, Chronometer, Average Speed, Clock

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad (With Variable Speed Trigger Throttle)

Drive Mode:

Torque Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(Up to 26 mph for the Red Dot Speed Pedelec Class 3 Version)


Written Review

The first time I saw the Grace Easy was at Interbike 2012 along with several other Grace electric bikes including the Grace One. They come across as being very engineer-driven because the frames, lights, batteries and drive systems are so well integrated. The Grace Easy for example, uses the BionX system but features a very uniquely integrated battery pack unlike any other I’ve seen on a BionX bike. It also features a belt drive system instead of a chain (though you can get a chain version that offers 9 speeds instead of just 3 internally geared). It’s still, well balanced and beautiful with attention to detail and aesthetics that’s immediately available. There are no big stickers or crazy colors streaking the frame of this bike, just a ridged imprint of the word Grace on the battery pack cover.

The video review above was shot at Interbike 2013 when I had the chance to ride the bike on what was a very windy Outdoor Demo Day. I was told that these bikes may make their way to the United States in mid or late 2014 and that the model I was testing had a shock absorber on the front that the production model may not come with. Regardless of the timing and the minor deviations from the final model, I got a great idea for what this bike offers. It’s all about simplicity, it’s meant to be “easy” to use ;)

The rear hub motor provides 350 watts of power which is average for most ebikes, not super powerful but very capable when used in conjunction with pedal assist. What’s unique about it is the gearless design which offers regenerative braking and regen mode (of which there are four to choosse from). It’s very quiet, durable and smooth. It also has a secret inside, there are three gears to choose from in pedal mode that are actually built into the motor itself! This is very unique in the world of ebikes and worked pretty well. I like geared hubs vs. cassettes because they stay clean, allow the chain (or belt in this case) to stay tight and require less adjustment. In this case, there are just three speeds to choose from but they can be shifted at rest which is nice and for a simple or “elegant” city bike it’s a step up from a pure fixie or single speed.

The battery pack is pretty powerful offering 48 volts. Most ebikes provide 36 or so and those extra 12 volts go towards torque and speed. Considering the entire bike weighs just 42 pounds and is capable of 26 miles in pedelec mode (depending on the country you’re in) it feels swift and fun. The amp hour capacity is around 6.3 which is average but somewhat boosted by the regenerative braking and pure pedal assist nature of the bike. Also, the light weight helps to extend the range.

With built in LED lights for the front and rear, an optional rear mud guard and rack and the simplicity of the drive system and removable battery this bike makes a lot of sense. It’s not as comfortable as a cruiser (especially without a front shock and the narrow tires) but it rides fast, coasts very well and is easy to park, carry or mount on a car or bus rack if you’re traveling somewhere. I really like the BionX system though there were some issues reported with the 48 volt battery packs in early 2013. It’s simple to use but still feature rich. DIY BionX kits offer a throttle mode as well as pedal assist so you could convert your own bike to something like the Easy with that benefit but you wouldn’t get the internally geared rear hub or the custom designed battery pack that makes this bike look so amazing.

If you you live in Europe this could be a great city bike, for those of us in the USA it will be a while before we can buy one. I appreciate the unique design aesthetics and well rounded offering of this ebike. It won the Red Dot design award in 2012 in large part due to the clean style and simplistic nature of operation and it’s easy to see why.

Pros:

  • Beautiful well balanced design with custom BionX battery integration in the downtube
  • Unique BionX hub motor also offers 3 internal gears for pedaling
  • Optional 9 speed chain driven configuration for those who want more range when pedaling
  • Belt drive looks great, operates silently and is cleaner than a chain
  • Four modes of pedal assist and regeneration plus regenerative braking to extend range and reduce wear on disc brakes
  • Front and rear LED lights built in for safety, run off the main battery pack
  • Optional rear rack and mudguard for increased utility
  • Battery is lockable and removable making it great for commuters
  • Overall light weight of bike at just 42lbs makes it easy to transport, carry up stairs and pedal
  • Magura hydraulic disc brakes are smooth and easy to use with plenty of stopping power
  • Available in two colors (white and dark blue “anthrazite”) with leather accents on Brooks saddle and grips
  • 700c wheels paired with medium sized city tires for efficient coasting and great handling
  • Well integrated side-folding kickstand stays out of the way when riding

Cons:

  • More rigid aluminum frame paired with city tires makes for a bumpier ride, suspension fork option helps
  • No throttle mode, only four levels of pedal assist despite other BionX systems offering a trigger throttle
  • Hard to find in the USA, may be available at one store on the West coast according to their dealer locator page

Resources:

More Grace Reviews

Grace One Review

  • MSRP: $4,500
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

A unique blend of bicycle and motorcycle performance, one of the lighter weight electric bikes capable of going 30 mph. Completely custom frame with integrated battery and controller for even weight distribution, powerful halogen headlights…...

Grace Easy Review

  • MSRP: $3,200
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014, 2015

Clean design available in two colors, two frame sizes and multiple build configurations with a cassette and chain, three speed internally geared hub and carbon belt drive, fixed fork or suspension fork. Leverages a BionX motor and battery system known for being quiet, durable and efficient...

Grace MX II Urban Review

  • MSRP: $3,999
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

Clean, quiet and efficient belt drive leverages the internalized NuVinci continuously variable transmission which can be shifted at standstill and provides leverage to the Bosch Centerdrive motor system. Excellent weight distribution (low and center) for improved balance, removable battery for convenient charging and…...

Grace MX II Trail Review

  • MSRP: $3,699
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

One of the most affordable electric bikes with the Bosch Gen2 Centerdrive system offering 350 watt mid-drive motor. Beautiful frame with integrated cables, metallic brown paint, minimalist logos available in two sizes for…...


Comments (2) YouTube Comments

Charles
7 years ago

Hi, please I would to ask a few question about the mudguards and rack carriage. Where can i order the above mentioned items?

  Reply
Court Rye
7 years ago

Hi Charles! I wish I could provide more information on this but it seems that Grace is not available in the USA in as many shops as I saw before. In fact, I haven’t seen the brand anywhere for a while and wonder if maybe they are focusing on just Europe now? Where are you at and where did you get your bike? Might be worth asking there or maybe focusing on the Grace forums here.

  Reply

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.