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Bluejay Premiere Edition Review

Bluejay Premiere Edition Electric Bike Review

Bluejay Premiere Edition Adjustable Center Kickstand Bafang Max Drive M400

Bluejay Premiere Edition 48 Volt 11 6 Amp Hour Electric Bike Battery Pack

Bluejay Premiere Edition Swept Back Handlebar Adjustable Quill Stem

Bluejay Premiere Edition Bafang Dpc 171 U 1 Grayscale Lcd Ebike Display Panel Adjustable Angle Stem

Bluejay Premiere Edition Faux Leather Stitched Locking Ergonomic Grips

Bluejay Premiere Edition Premium Flick Bell And Shimano Alfine Trigger Shifters

Bluejay Premiere Edition Front Basket With Bamboo Planks 22lb Max Load

Bluejay Premiere Edition Schwalbe Balloon Fat Frank Tires 28 2

Bluejay Premiere Edition Tektro Vela Hydraulic Disc Brakes 160mm

Bluejay Premiere Edition Paint Matched Aluminum Alloy Fenders And Rear Rack

Bluejay Premiere Edition Velo Hybrid Saddle 30 4 Seat Post

Bluejay Premiere Edition 38 Tooth Narrow Wide Chainring With Paint Matched Guard

Bluejay Premiere Edition 8 Speed Shimano Alfine Internally Geared Hub

Bluejay Premiere Edition Shift Detection Sensor

Bluejay Premiere Edition Battery Pack Details 556 8 Watt Hours

Bluejay Premiere Edition Electric Bike Charger

Bluejay Premiere Edition 2 Amp Battery Charger

Bluejay Premiere Edition Optional Deluxe Handlebar Cup Holder

Bluejay Premiere Edition Stock Mid Step Black

Bluejay Premiere Edition Stock Mid Step Blue

Bluejay Premiere Edition Stock Mid Step Green

Bluejay Premiere Edition Stock Mid Step Pink

Bluejay Premiere Edition Stock Mid Step White

An elegant electric city bike that comes feature complete in two frame sizes and five premium colors. This mid-step frame is approachable but sturdy, paint matched aluminum alloy chain cover and fenders keep you dry, paint matched front and rear racks provide utility, an upgraded bell and integrated lights help keep you safe.
Thoughtful hardware upgrades improve function and reliability. Highlights include physical shift detection sensor, narrow-wide tooth chainring, an 8-speed internally geared hub vs. derailleur, and easy to actuate 160mm hydraulic disc brakes. You pay a bit extra for this electric bicycle, but it's a step above many comparables I've seen.
Bluejay utilizes two different tire colors and battery case colors to really match the respective frame. The tires have reflective stripes and puncture protection to enhance safety. The brake levers offer adjustable reach, and the stem is adjustable angle to fit a wide range of riders. Notice the swept-back handlebar, matching saddle, and locking ergonomic grips.
I believe that some colors have been out of stock. Unlike many of the other Bafang powered electric bicycles I've seen that use the same motor, this one does not offer a throttle. Bluejay chose to make it Class 1 to be more permissible on bike paths. The kickstand is positioned mid-frame and can create pedal lock when backing up if not stowed. Basic 2 amp charger, external battery pack vs. more integrated. Smaller, newer company, may be difficult to find and test ride in some areas.

Make:

Bluejay

Model:

Premiere Edition

Price:

$3,295

Body Position:

Upright, Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2021

Total Weight:

59.7 lbs (27.07 kg)

Battery Weight:

6.6 lbs (2.99 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.6 lbs (3.9 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17 in (43.18 cm)20 in (50.8 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Large 51cm Measurements: 20" Seat Tube, 22.5" Top Tube, 17" Reach, 23.5" Stand Over Height, 34.5" Minimum Saddle Height, 43" Maximum Saddle Height, 46" Wheelbase, 75.25" Length, 26.75" Width

Frame Types:

Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Bluejay Blue, Mint Green, Black and Tan, Blush Pink, Modern White

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Steel, 100mm Hub Spacing, 50mm Forward Rake, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Slotted Axle with 15mm Nuts

Attachment Points:

Fender Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts

Gearing Details:

8 Speed 1x8 Shimano Alfine 8 Internally Geared Hub 307% Ratio, 18 Tooth Rear Sprocket

Shifter Details:

Shimano Alfine Triggers on Right (Two-Way High Lever, Single Click Low Lever) (Optional NuVinci Grip Twist on Right Bar)

Cranks:

Prowheel EB01 Forged Aluminum Alloy Crank Arms, 170mm Length, 38 Tooth Narrow-Wide Aluminum Alloy Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guard

Pedals:

Aluminum Alloy Platform with Rubber Tread and Reflectors

Headset:

Threaded, Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, 1" Straight

Stem:

Quill Style, Forged Aluminum Alloy, Adjustable Angle 0° to 90°, 100mm Length, Adjustable Height, 25.4mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Backsweept, Aluminum Alloy, 16° Sweep, 660mm Length

Brake Details:

Tektro Vela Hydraulic Disc with 160mm Rotors, Dual Piston Calipers, Tektro Vela Three-Finger Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Bluebird Branded, Ergonomic, Stitched Faux Leather, Inner Lock Ring

Saddle:

Velo, Stitched Faux Leather, Active Hybrid (Optional Upgrade Program)

Seat Post:

Zoom Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt Forged Head

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.4 mm

Rims:

Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 36 Hole, 25mm Outer Diameter, Reinforcement Eyelets, Sealed Bearing Front Hub

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge, Silver with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Balloon Fat Frank, 28" x 2.0" (700c x 38-40) 50-622

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

30 to 65 PSI, 2.0 to 4.5 BAR, K-Guard 3, Reflective Sidewall Stripes, Tan or Cream Color

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Large Fancy Aluminum Alloy Flick Bell, Spanninga Trendo Integrated Headlight (1 LED), Spanninga Vivo Integrated Rear Light (1 LED), Bolt-On Aluminum Alloy Rear Rack with Pannier Hanger (25kg 55lb Max Load, Paint Matched), Bolt-On Aluminum Alloy Front Basket with Bamboo Planks (10kg 22lb Max Load, Paint Matched), Aluminum Alloy Fenders with Plastic End Caps (60mm Width, Paint Matched), Aluminum Alloy Chain Cover (Paint Matched), Mid-Mount Adjustable Length Kickstand

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Mounted Battery by Joycube, 1.6 lb 2 Amp Battery Charger, IP65 Motor Protection Rating

Motor Brand:

Bafang Max Drive M400

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Motor Peak Output:

700 watts

Motor Torque:

80 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung 18650 Cells (Optional Panasonic)

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11.6 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

556.8 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours (Up to 6 With Larger Pack)

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

50 miles (80 km)

Display Type:

Bluejay Branded Bafang DPC-171.U.1, Fixed, Grayscale, Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Battery Charge Level (10 Bars), USB Charger Icon, Lights Indicator, Maintenance Indicator, Speed (MPH or KMH), Trip Distance, Total Distance, Max Speed, Average Speed, Temp, Voltage, Walk Mode Indicator, Assist Level (1-5)

Display Accessories:

Independent Control Pad on Left, Buttons: +, -, Lights, Power, i, Walk Mode: Hold -, Settings Menu: Double Tap i, USB Charging Port on Left Side of Display (5 Volt, 500 Milliamp)

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Combined Cadence and Torque Sensor)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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This review was provided for free. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Bluejay products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Bluejay electric bike forums.

Pros:

Bluejay is a new company to me, but I was very impressed with this ebike build because they selected high quality parts, made thoughtful design decisions, and appear to be selling through shops as well as direct. They only make one model (at the time of this review) and I can tell that they really focused on it to get things right.
I really like the motor they chose because it provides efficiency, positions weight low and center on the frame, is very capable when climbing (if you shift to a lower gear), and it’s exceedingly quiet!
I feel like the drivetrain on this ebike is going to be very clean and reliable, because Bluejay included a physical shift sensor to cut power whenever you change gears. This protects the already durable internally geared hub (Shimano Alfine 8 speed) from getting chewed up.
The trigger shifters perform very well! You get an optical window that communicates which gear you’re currently riding with, a two-way trigger, and the click and operation felt very satisfying to me. I’m glad they chose this vs. a half-grip twist shifter because sometimes those require more hand strength for me and can impact steering.
Since there’s no derailleur hanging down, the gears won’t go out of tune as easily, and the chain won’t fall off because it’s setup with a fixed length. Bluejay went one step further and stocked a narrow-wide chainring that really locks onto the chain, and included an aluminum alloy chainring guard that protects the teeth and prevents outward chain drops. I love the minimalist chain cover because it’s also aluminum alloy vs. steel, paint matched, and will keep your pants or dress ends clean.
The steel fork, aluminum alloy front and rear racks, chain cover, and aluminum alloy fenders are all paint matched. The bikes really look great. Bluejay even selected two tire colors to help them better match the respective frame color. Finally, they matched the hybrid saddle to the locking ergonomic grips to complete the look. The grips even have a fun Bluejay logo ;)
The frame is a mixte mid-step design that offers a lower standover height without sacrificing too much stiffness. This is important, because it reduces frame flex and provides the strength needed for the front and rear racks. I was impressed by the 22lb front rack capacity, this is only achievable with a headtube mounted design vs. a hanging or fork mounted basket that can easily tip when parking and impact steering.
While the rear rack looks pretty standard at first glance, it supports a good amount of weight (25kg 55lbs), has a dedicated pannier tube that’s lower than the top (so you can attach a trunk bag and panniers without crowding), and it has bungee loops near the base! It’s extremely versatile, and I love the curved support arms that follow the fender and wheel lines.
Although this electric bicycle is already produced in two sizes (which is awesome), the swept-back handlebar, adjustable angle stem, and lower seat tube cutoff point let it accommodate an even wider range of body types.
While the battery pack is more external than some of the newest fanciest designs, this makes it lighter and less expensive to replace. I appreciate that the charging port is on the right side of the frame vs. left, and not so low that it blocks the crank arm rotation. The battery casing has handle with knurled ridges to make it easier to hold and carry… but I would still consider using two hands and holding from below since the handle is just an inset vs. a full loop.
Safety is very important to me, so it’s great to see integrated lights, puncture resistant tires, and reflective tire stripes here! For maximum safety during low-light conditions, consider the lighter colors being offered here.
I like how the headlight points where you steer, because it’s mounted to the left arm of the fork vs. the rack. They chose a stylized light that matches the silver accents of the frame and other components.
The LCD display panel is very large, making it easy to read, and it shows 10 battery bars vs. just 5 for 10% increments vs. 20%. This makes it more precise when estimating range.
I appreciate that Bluejay co-branded the display with their logo (even though it’s made by Bafang), that they included a full sized USB Type-A charging port built into the left side (allowing riders to maintain a smartphone, run additional lights, or run a portable speaker), and that you can adjust settings such as backlight brightness! Double tap the i button on the control pad to enter the settings menu.
Notice the button pad that operates the display. Bluejay chose one with more buttons, so it’s easier to figure out how to activate lights or navigate through different menus. This is a more intuitive button pad, and it was fairly easy for me to reach during the ride tests.
Hydraulic disc brakes require less hand effort to actuate, and tend to perform consistently vs. mechanical brakes. This is a very nice upgrade to see on an ebike, because they weigh more and can be ridden at higher speeds more easily and frequently.
I like how the saddle can go very far down without colliding with the rear rack and support arms. They really scrutinized the frame geometry here, and I was told that it has been improved for this second generation of the bike.
In addition to the matching fenders, racks, tires, seat and grips, it appears that Bluejay also specs black and gray batteries vs. just all black. That’s some real attention to detail and extra effort that I hardly ever see.

Cons:

Because the fork is made from steel, it could rust if paint is scratched off. Consider using some clear nail polish or car paint if you notice a scratch. Steel tends to be very sturdy and dampens vibration, so it was a good choice for the fork.
Since the light is positioned below the front rack, it can be blocked when viewed from high up. It’s also less visible way down on the fork vs. if it were up on the handlebar or stem.
This is not a big complaint, but the 20″ large size model that I reviewed weighed nearly 60lbs. This is on par with other commuter-ready ebikes that have fenders, racks, and lights. It’s nice that the battery can be easily removed, because this reduces the overall weight by 6.6lbs if you need to lift the bike or transport on a car rack.
While the adjustable-length kickstand worked well enough, it is positioned at the center of the frame and can produce pedal lock if left down when backing the bike from a rack or narrow hallway or side of the garage etc.
It looks like Bluejay chose not to include a bottle cage mounting point on the seat tube or top tube. My friend Marc suggested a handlebar mounted cup holder instead. It does look like they included a cafe lock mount on the seat stays, so that’s nice.
This isn’t exactly a con, but worth considering. I’ve seen this Bafang Max Drive used on many other electric bikes, and most of them offered a throttle. Some people like this feature, but it tends to drain the battery faster, can be harder on the chain and gearing, and converts the bike to Class 2. Bluejay skipped it, but if they did offer it at some point, you could just unplug and remove it to get Class 1 on your own.
The motor is heavier than average mid-drives, and the maximum supported RPM felt a touch slower. Many electric bikes support up to 120 RPM, but this felt more like 110 RPM to me, which means you cannot “spin” in lower gears and still have the motor supporting… it may fade a bit and require that you slow your pedaling or shift up to a higher gear.
Priced at $3,295 USD, this is not the most affordable electric bike… and Bluejay is a fairly new company from what I can tell. They really designed the bike well and used name brand parts, but they’re less well known than some others out there.
Internally geared hubs add weight compared to cassette and derailleur, and they don’t shift as quickly or easily (in my experience). I like that they chose to use trigger shifters here vs. a twist shifter, because that helps a bit with the shifting speed… but it could be less intuitive for casual riders.
The display panel is not removable, but you can adjust it a bit to reduce glare if the mounting bracket is not overtightened.

Resources:

January 29, 2024 (11 months ago)

Mark Hendricks

2 years ago

The shift sensor is flat out silly. No IGH should ever be shifted when pedaling and even one normal human leg generates far more torque than even The Bafang BBSHD.

Being able to shift at a stop is huge. You’ll note that frame is capable of having a belt drive too! Yeah, an IGH is a lot heavier, but so much lower daily maintenance (really out to be overhauled annually though).

That Bafang supports up to 110rpm. Rarely are you going to spin above 90 (more like 60) on such a bike. I like that the newer models have butted tubing.

Court

Thanks for the feedback Mark. I enjoy shifting to higher gears as I pedal, and have found that easing off a bit makes it much easier… and probably reduces strain on the components. Being able to shift at standstill is wonderful, even if the bike is coasting :)

ScramJett

I’ve been eyeing this bike for awhile and it seems to tick all the boxes. I like the Dutch “omafiets” design, the IGH (my regular Novara Fusion has one of Shimano’s early iterations of the Alfine and it has been great!), the racks, and the overall look. The only thing that gives me pause is that I have yet to see any owner reviews, impressions, or feedback on the bike, company and buying process. It’s either a case of “no news is good news” or no one likes it and is therefore not buying it. Courts review is literally the only review I could find. Even if it’s good, it’s still concerning from a longevity perspective, that people aren’t taking notice. If I buy one, will the company still be around in a few years? Will it be bought out? It worries me a little.

Hi ScramJett! That’s a reasonable concern given the price point and some of the industry challenges recently with supply chain. For what it’s worth, I really liked the bike and could tell that a lot of care was put into the components and overall design. I hope that Bluejay continues strong, and if you decide to purchase this model (or another from them), I’d love to hear your user review :D

Kitty

Here’s my owner review after 11 months of ownership. This is a very well made bike that rides like a dream. Shifts smooth and the battery lasts many miles. I ride it around town, on bike trails (including packed gravel rail trails), and have taken it on rv trips down south, out west, the Adirondacks, and coastal Maine. When going long distances it is transported upright in our Airstream and short distances in a Thule rack in our pickup truck bed using the quick release, a real bonus. After thousands of miles of transport, the bike has had no problems despite the shaking and rattling of the rv traveling over some pretty lousy roads. Initially I was concerned about not having a throttle but it has been a non issue. Bluejay is having a great sale for Memorial Day weekend. Wish the orange was produced when I bought my bike as it would provide more safety visibility. Warning, be ready for lots of compliments!

Aww, your comment made me smile Kitty! Thanks for sharing how well this ebike has performed for you, and I love your idea about the orange being even more visible and safe. How wonderful. Enjoy the journey, and thanks again for the positivity :)