So many times an e-bike feels distinctly like an e-bike. That is not the case with the Momentum Vida E+ EX. Momentum took years of cycling experience that runs down from Giant, and built an e-bike for cyclists that, by extension, works for just about everyone. The EX adds three nice upgrades over the original Vida E+: a seatpost dropper, a 0-start throttle, and built-in cruise control.
At $1,985, this is a Dutch-style commuter that nails the two things I care about most: comfort and ride feel. The torque-sensor motor pedals naturally, the geometry is spot-on, and the component package punches above the price. It isn’t the strongest climber, but if this is the style of bike you’re after, I think you’re going to love it.
My Experience Riding the Vida E+ EX
Ride Quality Score: 8 / 10
The thing I noticed the second I jumped on this bike was how comfortable it is. Momentum went after a low, approachable step-through with dutch bars and a shorter reach – and the payoff is a riding position that keeps your head up and your back comfortable without feeling like you’re reaching for the bars. Shortening that reach to land you in a relaxed Dutch-style cruiser position is harder to pull off than it sounds. A lot of bikes still leave me leaning forward and feeling off-balance. This one didn’t.
At 5’11” with a 32″ inseam I’m right down the center of the average American male, and the large fit me great. The two sizes genuinely cover 5’1″ to 6’3″, which is rare. If you’re right in the middle at 5’8″ or 5’9″, you get to choose: go small if you want a nimbler feel, go large if you want that stable, Cadillac-type ride. The 720mm handlebar with a 20-degree back sweep is the sweet spot for me, not so far back that my wrists get cranked, not so straight that I’m putting pressure on my palms. Paired with the ergonomic grips, it’s a comfortable place to spend time.
Handling is where the geometry and the frame come together. Even though I’m sitting upright and relaxed, the bike still feels sporty thanks to a stiff, firm frame that doesn’t flex when you push it. The SR Suntour XCM34 fork helps here too. The 34mm stanchions are a touch thicker than the 30mm or 32mm units you often see at this price, and the front thru-axle makes for a more secure connection to the front wheel. Together they give the front end a planted, quality feel.
My favorite part of the ride is the dropper post. Roll up to a stoplight, drop the saddle, and you can stand flat-footed without climbing off the bike, then pop it right back up when you’re ready to go. It’s borrowed from the mountain bike world and it makes you feel more confident around town where you’re stopping and starting constantly.
Two things on fit and adjustability worth flagging. The stem is not adjustable, though you can tweak the handlebar angle a bit, and if you need a bigger change a bike shop can help. And the left side of the cockpit gets busy with the display, brake lever, and dropper lever all sharing space. It took me a minute to position everything, so I’d have your dealer set that up for you at purchase. Once it’s right, it’s set-and-forget.
Power (Motor & Battery)
Power Score: 6 / 10
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The Vida E+ EX runs a 500W nominal, 750W peak SyncDrive Move S rear hub motor with 60Nm of torque.
On paper, that’s in the middle of the pack for a commuter, on par for a cruiser, and a step up from the 350W version the Vida had in the past (2 versions ago). There is just something about legacy brands that lends them to being conservative with motor power.
However, don’t let that technically smaller specc’d motor make you think the Vida E+EX is slow and not as powerful as what you need. The reality is that Momentum has made a fantastic, incredibly natural-feeling rear hub motor that is a complete joy to ride.
What actually stands out isn’t the raw spec, it’s the feel. This is a torque-sensor bike, so it multiplies the effort you put into the pedals, but Momentum layers in a speed sensor and a cadence sensor with an algorithm tuned to make pedaling as smooth and natural as possible. Power kicks in within about an eighth to a sixteenth of a turn and cuts off the moment you stop pedaling, with no unnatural surge or overrun. It’s one of the most precise and natural rear-hub motors I’ve tested recently (which is saying something given how good rear-hub motors have gotten these past 2 years).
On flats the bike does not feel like a 500W motor at all. While power tapers nicely off the line rather than blasting you off the line, the motor has no problem reaching top-level, Class 3 speeds. Even our videographer, who weighs over 275 lbs when you add in all his camera gear he lugs around mentioned how fast and fun the bike rode for him.
The power distribution between Eco, Active, and Power assist levels are clear and predictable, and Eco isn’t gamed for range numbers. It’s a usable assist level that I found myself riding in quite frequently.
Hills are where you feel the motor’s limits. Our test hill is 0.35 miles of long, steep climbing that gets brutal at the very end. On the throttle-only run the bike didn’t finish. It covered 0.3 of the 0.35 miles, averaging 8.6 mph, and gave up after 129 seconds about two-thirds of the way up the steepest final pitch (literally just yards before the finish line). Under pedal assist it made it to the top, covering the full climb in 135 seconds at an average of 9.6 mph, though I had to put in a bit of effort on that last section.
That’s about what I’d expect from 500W and 60Nm. If Momentum wanted to torch that hill they’d need to move to a 750W motor with 85 to 90Nm.
The battery is Momentum’s Energy 700 pack: a 48V system (up from 36V on older versions) at 14.7Ah for 700Wh total, and it’s UL 2271 certified. The whole system carries UL 2849 certification, which gives you the safety and piece of mind expected from a legacy brand like Momentum.
Range / Battery
Range Score: 7.5 / 10
Min Assist: 58.5 Miles
Max Assist: 34+ Miles
Momentum claims 40 to 55 miles on pedal assist and 31 to 43 miles on throttle, and our testing basically backs that up. On max assist I got just over 34 miles, and on minimum assist we got 58.5 miles, which lands right in and slightly above their stated range.
The 700Wh battery is a good size, and gives the bike good range without adding too much extra weight. The 500W motor isn’t a huge power draw, so it sips rather than gulps, especially in Eco, which is genuinely usable rather than a token low-power mode. The 26″ x 2.4″ tires and the natural torque-sensor tuning also help. Because the motor only gives you what you ask for and doesn’t surge, you don’t waste energy the way you do on a jumpy cadence-sensor setup. Note our test unit rode with tire slime added, which bumps weight slightly but shouldn’t meaningfully move range. For a daily commuter, real-world numbers in the 34-to-58-mile window mean most riders can go most of a week between charges.
Components
Components Score: 7.5 / 10
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For $1,985, the component package is great. I was expecting closer to $2,500 based on what’s here. From front to rear tire, there’s quality components, and you can tell bicycle engineers did a deep dive on this one, right down to details like the plastic covers over the boss mounts that keep water out and clean up the look.
Upgrades from the Vida E+EX
This is not a new model just introduced by Momentum. Instead, it’s a new model version of the Vida E+. Essentially, Momentum added a seat post dropper, a 0-start throttle, and cruise control to an already good, solid e-bike.
Personally, I love the upgrades, and they confirm that legacy brands are fully accepting of the e-bike, including throttles (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve begged legacy brands to add throttles).
Drivetrain
Momentum spec’d the Shimano Acera 8-speed with a 52T front chainring and an 11-40T cassette. Acera sits a step above the Tourney and Altus you usually find at this price, so the shifting is a little crisper, the range is wider, and any shop can service it. That large 52T chainring is the reason there’s no ghost pedaling. Spinning at 27 to 28 mph in top gear I was sitting in the upper 60s to low 70s RPM, which is right where I like to be, with solid engagement and nothing loose at speed.
Brakes
You get Tektro hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, and Momentum set them up smartly. The front is a 4-piston caliper on a thicker 2.25mm rotor, the rear is a 2-piston on a 1.85mm rotor, both 180mm. On a two-plus-minute descent of a steep hill, slamming on the brakes 6-7 times and riding the brakes hard the whole way, there was no brake fade and no squishiness in the levers. And at the end of the hill, the bike still stopped just as well as it did before the 2+ minute descent. Confident, safe stopping. Two thumbs up.
Suspension
The SR Suntour XCM34 coil fork with 80mm of travel and a 15×110 thru-axle handles just as I’d expect. It’s not a high-end fork by any means, but the 34mm stanchions are a bit thicker than average at this price point, which increases rigidity and improves overall ride quality. It’s a coil, so there’s limited adjustability, but for this category and price it’s a good match.
Dropper Post
The Giant Contact Switch AT dropper with 110-140mm of travel is the highlight of the build for me. Droppers can be finicky, and from a mechanic’s standpoint they can be a pain, but this one has been trouble-free, with a crisp lever and smooth drop-and-return action. Two (or three) steps better than what I’d expect at this price.
Cockpit, Saddle, and Extras
The 720mm bar with 50mm rise and a 20-degree back sweep suits me well, the ergonomic grips have a butterfly section that supports the palm nicely. The Momentum Luxe saddle is comfortable with a built-in carry handle that makes moving a 66 lb bike much easier. The bike ships with a MIK HD rear rack rated to 55 lb and integrated front and rear lights, and the rear brake light stays visible even with pannier bags mounted, which I shouldn’t have to praise but plenty of bikes get wrong.
The one build note I’d flag is the internally routed headset wiring. It looks clean, but it adds service time and cost anytime you touch the stem, fork, or headset. I’d rather see it routed through the top tube. That’s a minor gripe on an otherwise strong package that offers great value for the money.
Screen / User Interface / App
Screen / App Score: 7 / 10
Momentum went minimalist with the RideControl Dash Core display on the left side of the bar, and I think that’s on purpose. It gives you what you need and nothing more, which fits the natural, uncluttered feel of the bike.
You get a battery percentage plus a bar readout, and the percentage is accurate, which has impressed me. It shows speed by default, and using the info button you can cycle through estimated range, distance, trip time, average and max speed, cadence, and the odometer. There are three brightness levels, though I’d just default to the brightest since I struggled to read the lower setting with sunglasses on.
You can change most of what you need right from the screen, including assist level (Off, Eco, Active, Power) and walk assist up to 4 mph. For the bigger settings you use the RideControl app by Giant, which connects easily, one of the simpler pairings I’ve done.
The most useful app feature is the speed-limit setting: the bike ships at 28 mph, and you can drop it to 20 mph and disengage the throttle to meet your local Class 1 or Class 2 rules. You can also run a system check, view bike details for service, plan and record rides, and check for updates. It’s OTA compatible, so Momentum can push firmware and programming improvements over the air, which is nice future-proofing.
What I’d like to see next is the kind of deeper per-level motor tuning some competitors now offer in the $1,500 to $2,000 range, plus theft-tracking features. The digital E-Lock, which disables motor support through the app, is a nice start on the security side. For most riders, though, the display does exactly what a commuter display should, and the accurate battery readout is worth calling out.
Bike Model Options
The Vida E+ EX comes in two sizes, small (5’1″ to 5’9″) and large (5’8″ to 6’3″), both on the low step-through ALUXX aluminum frame. In the U.S. you get three colors: Caramel Cinnamon, Abyss Black (our test bike, which looks sharp), and Pale Olive. Two sizes and three colors is a sensible spread for a bike aimed at the masses. It keeps things simple and costs down while still fitting a wide range of riders and tastes, and the sizing covers the full 5’1″-to-6’3″ range rather than just claiming to.
A note on the throttle. Our review unit rode with a twist throttle installed on the right side, and the layout works well, with the throttle on the right and the dropper lever on the left so neither side gets cluttered. Momentum sells the throttle as an optional accessory for $65. Be aware that throttle availability on Class 3 e-bikes varies by market and local law, so confirm what’s offered in your area before you count on it. Even set up as a Class 2/Class 3 bike, you can use the RideControl app to dial the top speed to 20 mph and disable the throttle for Class 1 access where that’s required.
On the accessory side, the bike ships with a MIK HD rear rack and fenders. You can add an optional front rack (a Momentum unit rated to 35 lb), pannier bags that snap on and off easily, a rearview mirror, and cargo straps, which turn this into a capable around-town hauler without making it a dedicated cargo bike. My pick for most riders is whichever size fits, in Abyss Black if you want the sharp, understated look, with the throttle added if it’s available and legal where you ride.
Is the Vida E+ EX Worth Buying and are the upgrades from the Vida E+ Good?
Yes, and yes!
At $1,985, the Momentum Vida E+ EX is one of the most comfortable, natural-riding commuters I’ve tested in a while. Momentum set out to build a bike for everyone, and they succeeded. The torque-sensor motor feel, the dialed-in geometry, and that dropper post add up to a ride that just makes you want to keep riding.
This bike is for the rider who wants a relaxed, upright, do-everything city bike: the commuter, the person grabbing groceries, the casual rider who wants something approachable, and even the traditional cyclist who’s been skeptical of e-bikes and wants one that actually pedals like a bicycle. The low step-through and wide fit range make it easy to recommend across ages and body types.
Who should think twice? If you live somewhere steep and want to point-and-shoot up big climbs, the 500W, 60Nm motor is a limitation. It’ll get you up, but you’ll pedal for it, and a 750W bike with more torque would suit you better. For everyone else riding mostly flat-to-rolling terrain, or for a person who doesn’t mind getting a little workout, that same tuning is exactly what makes the bike feel so smooth and natural.
On value, Momentum is delivering components I’d expect closer to $2,500 for under $2,000, backed by UL 2849 certification and the Giant Group dealer network for service. That combination of ride quality, honest range, and price is hard to beat right now. If this is the style of bike you’re looking for, I think you’re going to love it.
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