This review is for the 2013 and 2014 e-Joe Epik SE which had a weaker motor, smaller battery pack and in some cases only one speed. This is still a great ebike and might be sold at a discount through some retailers or used at garage sales. Visit the 2015 e-Joe Epik SE review for the latest information on this electric bike.
The e-Joe Epik is one of my favorite folding electric bikes because it’s affordable but still offers a great feature set. The SE (which I imagine stands for Sport Edition) removes some of the city-centric accessories like full sized fenders, rear rack and lights and replaces them with a shock absorber on the front, a seven speed cassette for climbing and sportier short fenders. It keeps the same capable drive system, offering both pedal assist and throttle mode, and keeps the overall weight the same. At just 37lbs this folding electric bike is perfect for RV trips, stowing on your boat or using in conjunction with a train or bus commute. Well, it’s almost perfect, there’s no magnetic or rubber clasp included to keep it from unfolding so be sure to carry your own velcro strap or bungee cord.
Most folding electric bikes use smaller sized motors, it keeps them light weight and easier to stow. That’s also the case for the Epik SE but the motor is fairly capable because it’s geared and located in the rear hub which is ideal for gaining traction. The motor size is 350 watts but peak output is 520 watts and during my ride tests it felt pretty strong and peppy (you can see the bike lurch forward in the video review above). Top speed is limited at 15.5 miles per hour which is low compared with the 20mph legal limit for ebikes in the USA but that’s probably because the 20″ wheels and folding bits of the frame feel less stable at higher speeds. Keep in mind, the maximum recommended weight for the SE is 300 pounds and unlike the standard Epik there’s no built in rack for hauling cargo.
The battery powering the Epik SE is a 36 volt 9 amp hour Lithium polymer pack. It comes with a one year warranty and I estimate that based on the chemistry you’ll get ~800 charge cycles (given you keep it topped off and out of extreme temperatures). Keep this in mind if you are a traveler who plans to leave your ebike stowed or in a closet for long periods of time. You should really top it off once a month to maximize its life. This is easily done however because the battery pack is removable and can be charged off of the bike! I can’t stress how awesome this is, it makes the bike lighter weight to lift if you take the pack out. It also means you could leave your bike somewhere but bring the battery home with you. And since the battery is just below 300 watt hours in capacity you can actually carry it on to flights according to SafeTravel.gov. The Epik and Epik SE have packs that are 252 watt hours which is just under the limit but still large enough for good range when riding. Also, the way the battery is mounted on the ebike is great because it keeps the center of gravity low, distributes the weight towards the center and doesn’t require a rack (that will eventually rattle and take up storage space).
The control system on the Epik SE is easy to access when riding and includes all of the critical info you’ll need to enjoy the bike. There’s a battery capacity indicator and a button to select from three levels of pedal assist as well as an on off switch for activating the throttle. It’s basically the same as is used on the Epik except the throttle is on the left handle bar instead of the right. For pedal assist mode, the bike uses a basic pedelec sensor which isn’t as smooth or responsive as a torque sensor but is less expensive and doesn’t require as much effort to activate. I love that you can use the trigger throttle in conjunction with pedal assist mode on these bikes because that makes starting from rest easier (which is the hardest part for people with hurt knees).
As with most folding ebikes, the pedals fold flat for storage and don’t offer the best traction or rigidity when pedaling… they are simple and light. Since there’s no built in rack you can either try to add one (and change the fender design) or wear a backpack. You might also want to carry a bungee cord as mentioned above to keep it from coming unfolded when parked or stowed. The Epik SE only comes in one size but is pretty adjustable in terms of handle bar and seat height. I really just love the front suspension fork as it adds so much comfort and fun. This combined with the gears make the bike very capable and enjoyable over longer distances (which is impressive for a folding bike).
A sturdy folding electric bike with wider 2.25" tires for comfort and stability, a highly-adjustable suspension fork with lockout, sturdy cast alloy rims that won't go out of true, and powerful 180mm mechanical disc brakes. Internally mounted battery pack stays clean, dry, and positions weight at the center of the…...
A value priced and approachable step through electric folding bike with a ton of features and fun, comes in a 350 watt ($1,499) version and a 500 watt ($1,699) version as well. Features battery integrated lights in the front and rear, mono shock up front, locking ergonomic…...
A comfortable, highly adjustable, value-priced folding electric bike that's a third generation build with lots of little improvements and refinements like a more durable battery connection point. Color-matched suspension fork and swept-back handlebar with adjustable height improves comfort, integrated plastic fenders, a…...
An active step-thru electric bike with a stiffer frame, excellent weight distribution and decent price point, great for commuters given the rack integration and fenders. Available in two color choices (black and vanilla) with matching suspension, clean integrated wires and…...
A well priced urban-commuter style electric bike that offers lots of useful accessories including fenders, carry rack and LED lights. Purpose built frame is light weight and well balanced thanks to a downtube mounted battery…...
Folding electric bike offering a great combination of utility (fenders, rack, lights, suspension fork) at a low price. Relatively powerful geared motor combined with an impressive battery capacity for good climbing and range...
Step-thru frame with adjustable stem, swept back handle bars and high to extra-low seat tube positioning options fits a wide range of riders, including those with shorter inseams. Lots of drive options including five power modes for pedal assist and a twist throttle…...
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Affordable, well balanced with integrated battery and light-weight (37 pound) folding electric bike. Comes standard with fenders, lights, a rear rack, removable battery pack and is available in…...
George Sears
11 years agoCourt,
I’ve been riding a folding bike for a couple of weeks, a low end Downtube from the early days. Folding bikes are awfully handy. The Epik on the website seems to have a different fender plus a rear rack. That would be handy. Have to agree that 15 mph on a folder is less stable with 20 inch wheels.
I’m wondering about these peak power ratings, and what you can really do with that high level. If you need to climb a hill it would be there for a while, but it would kill the battery. I guess you figure out what you can get from any motor.
Be interesting to see if Flykly gets their 20 inch hub powered wheel to market late Spring. They definitely met that money goal on Kickstarter. Camping World sells these really cheap 20 inch folders. Not sure how they would work with a power wheel. The powered wheels are out there, a ways, in time.
NyceWheels sells a powered Brompton. It’s amazing, just for the design, and the price is similar to the Epik.
ReplyDamon Victor
11 years agoWe’ve been selling electric bikes for about 4 years, specializing folding ebikes. The E-Joe Epik SE is, dollar for dollar, the best folding bike we sell! The motor pulls as if it has more power. The battery last as long a life as any 9ah battery we have. The folding system is as strong as bikes costing hundreds of dollars more. There customer service is dynamite, We are located in Brooklyn, NY and have people from miles around coming down to test drive this bike and other folders but most people prefer the E-Joe Epik SE because of the hidden battery in the frame, it’s power and it’s price point. If you live in the area swing by and check us out http://www.greenpathelectricbikes.com/
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