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DŌST KOPE CVT Review

2022 Dost Kope Cvt 54 Tooth Belt Ring For Gates Carbon Cdx Alloy Guard And Cover

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Downtube Integrated Main Battery Pack 672 Watt Hours

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Handlebar Adjustable Stem Ergonomic Rubber Grips Button Pad Enviolo Mechanical Shifter

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2022 Dost Kope Cvt Rst Air Suspension Fork With Compression Adjust 15mm Thru Axle

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Nutt Branded Hydraulic Disc Brakes

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Custom Tuned Bafang Bbs02 Mid Drive Motor

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Enviolo High Torque Cvp Hub 380

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Lezyne Headlight 165 Lumens 65 Lux Front View

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Integrated Rear Light 2 Led

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Tool Free Adjustable Kickstand Rear Rack View

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Accessories Box With Pedals Charger Tool Kit And Class Stickers

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Battery Charger Details 2 Amp

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Internal And External Battery Packs Top

2022 Dost Kope Cvt Internal And External Battery Packs Bottom

A high-step hybrid ebike offering a rare combination of powerful mid-drive motor, throttle operation, adjustable top speed (up to 28mph), Enviolo continuously variable transmission, Gates carbon belt drive, and optional second battery pack for long range use. Premium parts include Ergotec 5 adjustable angle stem, Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires with puncture protection and reflective sidewalls, and RST air suspension fork.
Powerful 750 watt Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor is built into the custom paint-matched bottom bracket, the alloy housing keeps it protected while reducing noise. Both the motor and CVP hub are rated to 120 newton meters of torque for excellent hauling and climbing capabilities. Optional matching accessories include a front rack, pannier bags, cup holders, suspension seat post, mirrors, and child seat for greater utility.
DŌST only produces two bikes at this time, and they really focus on quality and customer service. The high-step KOPE is larger and more rigid than the step-thru DROP, but only comes in black. Great attention to detail with bolts hidden under the fenders vs. wrapping outside, and most hardware done in black. Clean minimalist chainring guard and cover, smooth hydraulic disc brakes with motor inhibitors, premium integrated lights from Lezyne.
Main battery pack is removable, optional second pack can be added and installed anytime in the future. USB charging port built into the color LCD display is nice, but rated under one amp. Tool-free adjustable kickstand is positioned well and easy to set. Motor uses cadence sensing vs. fancier combined cadence + torque. Fairly heavy build at ~67.2lbs before additional battery or accessories. Only sold direct to consumer with some assembly: front wheel separated and handlebar turned to the side.

Make:

DŌST

Model:

KOPE CVT

Price:

$3,999 (Free Shipping in US and Canada)

Body Position:

Forward, Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting, Trail, Touring

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1), Throttle on Demand (Class 2), Speed Pedelec (Class 3)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States, Canada

Model Year:

2022

Total Weight:

67.2 lbs (30.48 kg)

Battery Weight:

8.2 lbs (3.71 kg) (5.7lb Optional Dual Battery)

Motor Weight:

9.47 lbs (4.29 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

19 in (48.26 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

19" Seat Tube, 23.5" Simulated Top Tube, 28.75" Stand Over Height, 34" Minimum Saddle Height, 43.25" Maximum Saddle Height, 27.25" Width, 74" Length, 45.25" Wheelbase

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Matte Black with Matte Grey Accents

Frame Fork Details:

RST VivAir E Suspension, 100mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, 30mm Anodized Stanchions, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

148mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Axle with 15mm Nuts

Attachment Points:

Fender Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Head Tube Rack Mounts, Bottle Mounts

Gearing Details:

1 Speed 1x∞ Enviolo Heavy Duty Stepless Manual Continuously Variable Planetary Transmission, 380% Gear Range Equivalent to 11-42T Cassette, 22 Tooth Rear Cog, Rated to 120nm Continuous Torque

Shifter Details:

Enviolo NuVinci Optimized Half-Grip Twist Display Shifter on Right (Mechanical, Hill Infographic)

Cranks:

Lasco Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 54 Tooth Aluminum Alloy Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guard and Cover

Pedals:

Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Reflectors, CrMo Axle, Black

Headset:

Semi-Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, 1-1/8" Straight

Stem:

Ergotec Octopus (Security 5, 300lb Rated), Adjustable Angle 0º to 90º, 80mm Length, 25mm Base Height, 5mm Headset Cap, Four 5mm Spacers, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

MJ, Aluminum Alloy, Low-Rise, 680mm Width

Brake Details:

DŌST Branded Nutt Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Dual Piston Calipers, Three-Finger Levers with Adjustable Reach and Motor Inhibitors

Grips:

Velo, Ergonomic, Rubber, Locking, Removable End-Cap

Saddle:

DŌST Branded Velo Gel with Lifting Handle

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt Clamp

Seat Post Length:

340 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.9 mm

Rims:

HJC, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 38mm Outer Width, 36 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Silver with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Super Moto-X, 27.5" x 2.4" (62-584)

Wheel Sizes:

27.5 in (69.85cm)

Tire Details:

30 to 55 PSI, 2.2 to 4.0 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, Performance Line GreenGuard Puncture Protection

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Rear-Mount Tool-Free Adjustable Kickstand, Lezyne E65 Integrated Front Light (65 LUX, 210 Lumens), Lezyne E12 Integrated Rear Light (2 LED), Plastic Fenders with Alloy Core (65mm Width), Integrated Rear Rack with Pannier Hangers and Top Support Bars (45kg 100lb Max Load), Optional Dual Battery with Mounting Hardware, Optional SR Suntour NCX Suspension Seat Post, Optional Yepp! Maxi Next Child Seat, Optional DŌST Branded Handlebar Mount Cup Holder, Optional Sunnywheel Side Mirror, Optional DŌST Branded Water Resistant Trunk Bag, Optional DŌST Branded Waterproof Pannier Bags, Optional Fidlock Magnetic Water Bottle, Optional Disc Brake Alarm Lock

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, 1.3lb 2 Amp Charger, 285lb Maximum Weight Rating, Adjustable Top Speed (12km/h - 45km/h), Adjustable LCD Brightness, Adjustable Wheel Size, All Electronics IP65 Rated Water Resistant (Dust Tight, Protects Against Water Jets from Any Angle, Do Not Submerge)

Motor Brand:

Bafang BBS02, 750 Watt Version, Custom Tuned for Enviolo

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

750 watts

Motor Peak Output:

1000 watts

Motor Torque:

120 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung 18650 35E 3500mAh 13S4P Configuration

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

14 ah (Optional 10.4Ah Second Battery)

Battery Watt Hours:

672 wh (Optional 1,172Wh with Dual Battery)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

7 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

120 miles (193 km)

Display Type:

DŌST Branded Bafang DCP-18, Fixed, Adjustable-Angle, Backlit, Color 3.5" LCD, Built-In Light Sensor, Integrated 5 Volt 500 Milliamp USB Type-A Port Below Display

Readouts:

Clock, Lighs Icon, Battery Percentage, Current Speed (MPH or KMH), Motor Output (Watts), Odometer, Max Speed, Avg Speed, Range, Calories, Trip Time, Trip Distance, Assist Level (0-5 or 0-9)

Display Accessories:

Independent Control Pad on Left, Buttons: +, -, Lights, Power, i, Cycle Readouts: Single Press i, Settings Menu: Double Tap i, Walk Mode: Hold - Button

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (Sealed Internal 24-Magnet Cadence Sensor)

Top Speed:

28 mph (45 kph)(Adjustable, 20mph Maximum with Throttle)

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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 using a demo bike and accessories. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of DŌST products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the DŌST electric bike forums.

Observations:

This is one of the only electric bikes I’m aware of that features a mid-drive motor with a throttle, CVT, belt drive, and Class 3 speed pedelec performance! Not to mention that it can be configured with two batteries (up to 1,172 watt hours) for long range riding. The drive system is highly configurable, so you can adjust the top speed or remove the throttle to qualify as Class 1 to use on mountain bike trails, or add the throttle for Class 2, or raise the speed for Class 3.
DŌST means friend in several European languages. It’s about two years old at the time of this review in 2021, but the founder has over a decade of experience working in the downhill mountain bike space and the traditional electric bicycle industry (making fat bikes, trail bikes, and two city models prior to forming DŌST).
Given the very high 750 watt motor rating, with 120 newton meters of peak torque output, this ebike would be a great choice for heavier riders and is rated up to 285lbs with up to 100lbs on the rear rack! Most ebikes I see are rated up to 250lbs with racks that can handle 55lbs of weight.
The DROP CVT and KOPE CVT models use the same motor, battery, and drivetrain components… but they are slightly different sizes with the step-thru DROP being 17.5″ and the high-step KOPE being 19″ for taller riders or those who want extra frame stiffness. Both have high-quality adjustable angle stems to further refine fit.

Pros:

The bike is feature complete, and the hardware they chose is mid to high-end vs. basic “check the box” quality. You can see this in the wide plastic fenders that use hidden bolts and support struts, the plastic wire wraps and large rubberized gussets where they feed into the frame, the sturdy Ergotec 5 adjustable stem (less likely to come loose than cheaper options), the tool-free adjustable length kickstand, the bright name-brand lights, the Gates carbon belt drive, and Enviolo continuously variable transmission.
Both lights are integrated, meaning that they run off of the rechargeable ebike battery. They’re made by Lezyne, and the rear has two LED to be brighter and visible from more angles. The headlight offers 65 LUX, and is positioned high enough that it doesn’t get blocked by the fender. If you get the optional front rack, there are nice wire clips and a good mounting point up front for it to be repositioned. Note that adding the front rack will fix the light in line with the frame vs. having it point where you steer.
The wires for the lights, motor inhibitors, motor power, shifter, and brakes are all bound together and routed internally through the bike frame. This looks nice and reduces the potential for snags. Where wires are exposed, DŌST uses a durable plastic mesh to surround and protect.
I found the plastic battery shield, rubber charge port cover, and rubber dual-battery plug cover to be durable and easy to use compared to some of the tiny flimsy covers on other electric bikes I’ve reviewed. The covers also have leashes connecting them to the port area to help keep the caps from getting lost! I really appreciate that the charging ports and locking cylinders are high up on the frame vs. low near the crank arms where they could get snagged.
The high-step frame is larger than the step-thru DŌST DROP model, but it’s not much heavier! This frame is stiffer because of the top tube, and might hang on some bike racks easier. I appreciate that they designed the rear cargo rack on the bike far enough back to allow the saddle to get low without colliding with the optional trunk bag or panniers, and you still get a decent minimum saddle height of 34″.
While the KOPE only comes in one frame size, the adjustable saddle height and longer adjustable angle stem provide great fit options. The stem is designed to be more durable than competing products, so it won’t rattle loose as easily. It’s rated for high speed applications, which is perfect for this Class 3 ebike if you set the speed at 45km/h 28mph.
More electric bikes are coming out that allow users to adjust the top speed and remove the throttle, and that’s the case here. It means you can set the bike to be Class 1, 2, or 3, which makes it versatile. Slower 20mph Class 1 will be allowed on more mountain bike style trails. Class 2 with the throttle enabled and max speed set to 20mph is great for people who need help starting, or want to take a break from pedaling. Class 3 is perfect for commuting or just having fun with pedal assist up to 45km/h 28mph. Note that the throttle can only ever provide up to 20mph top speeds but pedaling could reach 28mph in Class 3 mode. I love that DŌST includes stickers that denote which class setting you are using, so you can communicate more confidently to any rangers or law enforcement who might question the bike.
Great stopping power with 180mm hydraulic disc brakes. The hardware is fairly average, but performed well during my review, and I love that both brake levers offer adjustable reach levers (for improved fit for different sized hands), and both have motor inhibitors to cut power for safety when stopping.
Safety is a big focus for me when cycling, especially at higher speeds or if the frame is dark colored, so it’s cool that DŌST has opted for reflective tires and integrated lights. I consider the puncture protected tire upgrade to also be a safety win, and Schwalbe is known for making high quality tires in general.
The KOPE provides great comfort with higher volume 25.7″ x 2.4″ tires and a 100mm travel air suspension fork. I like that the fork can be adjusted with compression and different PSI settings using a shock pump. It’s lighter and a bit stiffer than the spring fork used on the original KOPE and DROP models. The 1-1/8″ headset isn’t as upgradable as a tapered one would be, and the 9mm axle isn’t as beefy as 15mm thru-axles, so in that sense this ebike is decidedly hybrid/city vs. trail/mountain.
It’s a small thing, but notice the color-matched decals on the rims, seat tube, chainstay, saddle, and even the sliding dropout! DŌST really went over this bike with a fine-toothed comb, and their past industry experience shows in details like this. Also, notice how the front fender mounts directly to the suspension fork lowers vs. using plastic cuffs that can slide around and crack over time, and how they added their Ō decal on the brake lever housing.
I really like the drivetrain setup here because it keeps the belt protected and your pants or dress ends clean. Gates makes some of the best belts in the industry, and the CDX uses a center track design to keep it straight. There’s no lube, less dirt, less weight, no chain bouncing into the frame, and it’s actually more reliable than a chain from what I understand. Great job with the aluminum alloy chainring guard and cover.
It sounds like the motto for these CVT bikes is “safety through simplicity” and the continuously variable planetary transmission hub is super simple to operate, and less finicky than a cassette and derailleur. It’s all protected inside the hub, can be shifted at standstill, and provides a big range of 380% similar to an 11 to 42 tooth cassette. The mechanical actuation is smooth, and the infographic and twist shifter may be easier to learn for people who are new to cycling.
I really like that the variable speed trigger throttle overrides pedal assist levels 1-5 (or 1-9 if you set it up that way). This means you can use the throttle to zip up to speed or add support for climbing hills without pressing extra buttons to change assist levels. Note that the throttle will only assists up to 20mph as mentioned before, so you’ll need to pedal and click up to higher levels of assist to reach the maximum 45km/h 28mph top speed when using Class 3 settings.
There really aren’t that many dual-battery ebikes on the market, and most require you to choose the second pack at time of purchase and buy extra mounting hardware. DŌST keeps things simple by including the mounting points (which double as bottle cage mounts on the downtube) and adding the plug port to every frame. I think this is cool, and really honors the customer.
If you purchase a second battery, you can choose to drain it and the main pack simultaneously or start with the main pack and then switch the second pack on. There’s a little on/off toggle switch on the range extender pack that lets you decide. In fact, I think you can completely remove the integrated battery and run solely off of the optional external pack if you wish! However, the downtube cover appears to be attached to the integrated battery, so you’d have a big opening below the downtube vs. an empty covered space. Maybe there’s a way to remove the black cover from the battery pack… but it doesn’t seem very convenient or intentionally built with this sort of riding in mind.
I really appreciate that both batteries are removable, so you can charge and store them off the bike. To maximize usable life, I believe that lithium-ion battery packs should be kept cool, dry, and at least half full. Avoid going below 20% and avoid extreme heat because it degrades the cells. Extreme cold may stunt your range temporarily, but isn’t as hard on the cells as heat from what I understand.
The saddle is comfortable, has a handle, and is co-branded to match the bike. I like the ergonomic grips and appreciate the removable end cap so you can use a side mirror (which DŌST sells as an option). The bright color LCD display is intuitive and offers adjustable-angle to reduce glare. It also has a daylight sensor and gets a bit less bright when the lights are activated so it won’t ruin your night vision ;)
Some ebike displays use five or ten blocks to communicate battery charge level, but the Bafang DCP-18 that DŌST chose actually shows a percentage readout, and there’s a dynamic range estimator menu as well! Just press the i button to cycle to “range” and then use + or – to select any assist level to see estimated range updated in realtime.
This electric bicycle has a higher than average weight rating at 285lbs, and the rear rack is rated for up to 100lbs! That’s great for people who want to mount a child seat, and maybe add panniers on both sides as well. I feel like this ebike is a capable SUV type of setup that can handle more varied terrain and heavy-duty applications than most other city/hybrid models… especially with the powerful mid-drive motor and wider 2.4″ tires. If you decided to swap the tires for knobby off-road use, the bike would probably do fairly well given the air fork with wider/stiffer 30mm stanchions.
The internal battery pack is higher capacity and heavier than the external one. It weighs 8.2lbs while the external is 5.7lbs. By keeping the heavier battery lower, they made the bike slightly easier to handle and balance. Most of the weight on this ebike is low and center, which is exactly what you want. I appreciate that the optional second battery tilts out from the side for removal vs. up and down, because this allows the frame top tube to be lower, making the bike more approachable.
The charger is very solid and has a high quality feel, but it’s also compact. I love that DŌST offers a 4 amp fast charger now too, so you can fill both packs more quickly and maybe leave one at the office and one at home.
The bike comes with a well organized assortment of tools and manuals in a beautiful box. The company has optimized their packaging to use sustainable materials, seeks out sustainable manufacturing partners, and is donating to People For Bikes and Velo Canada.
I personally think that $3,999 with a two year warranty and free shipping to the entire US and Canada is a reasonable price for such a feature-rich ebike, and I love that the additional battery is pretty affordable too, because it seems like a popular option.

Cons:

The KOPE is slightly heavier than the step-thru DROP model at 67.2lbs vs. 66.5lbs. While these weight ratings might sound like a lot compared to a non-electric bike. The addition of fenders, integrated rack, lights, adjustable stem, motor cover, continuously variable transmission hub, and sturdy frame all add up, and are worth the weight trade-off in my opinion.
The CVT models from DŌST both cost more than the standard KOPE and DROP. This is because the frame has a special cut to mount the belt drive, and the Enviolo hub is an expensive part. These electric bikes are in the mid to upper price tier, and they tend to be backordered because the company is smaller than the mainstream Trek, Giant, Specialized, CUBE type of brands.
The Bafang BBS02 is known for being reliable, fairly quiet, and very powerful, but it only utilizes pedal cadence signals vs. cadence and torque. This means that motor power output isn’t as fluid or dynamic, based on how hard you push on the pedals. I was told that they optimized the controller to make the motor work seamlessly with the belt drive and CVT, and it did feel very natural to me. The cadence sensor uses 24 magnets vs. 12 and felt very responsive during my ride tests, and they also include motor inhibitors on both brake levers to ensure near-immediate stopping.
If you hold + on the button panel, you’ll notice that the coloring changes from green to red and the label goes from eco to sport mode. This doesn’t actually do anything different to the motor operation… and is only meant for torque-sensing ebikes. For those who want to change colors, it’s a neat trick, but it could be a little confusing.
It seems that most ebike displays are not removable, and that’s the case here as well. As a result, you may get some fading or scratches if left outside at public racks frequently. I sometimes put my helmet over the display to keep it clean and dry, but DŌST said that all of their electronics are IP65 rated meaning “dust tight, protects against water jets from any angle, but do not submerge” so that’s reassuring.
As nice as the internal cable routing is, you’ll notice the large bundle of cables up front (due in part to the motor inhibitors on both brake levers), and near the bottom bracket. Normally, the BBS02 motor is external to a bikes bottom bracket… you can actually buy this Bafang/8FUN motor as a kit, so the wires point forward verses up. DŌST custom engineered their frame to house the BBS02 to make it look good, add protection, and reduce noise, but the wires do still protrude a bit at the bottom bracket, which I think looks a bit ugly and could be slightly more vulnerable. I was told that the newest models have the wires even less exposed than the originals.
If you opt for a second battery pack, note that it has to be plugged in and charged separately from the main pack. You can speed this up by purchasing an additional charger (and DŌST now offers a faster 4 amp option). There’s no system for charging simultaneously, and taking the packs off the bike requires two different keys, so there’s more to keep track of here.
Mounting the optional second pack will crowd the downtube / top tube area and take the space for mounting a water bottle cage or other accessory. If you purchase their optional front rack, there are two mounts that are easy to reach and can be used as a substitute for the downtube spot.
While the motor offers lots of power and torque, it is heavier than many other mid-drives from Bosch, Brose, Shimano, Yamaha, and even Bafang/8FUN. It weighs roughly 9.47lbs not including the outer covers that DŌST designed vs. 6 to 8lbs for other mid-drives of this generation. The BBS02 is known to be very reliable, however.
A couple of minor considerations here: the throttle is on the left and some people might prefer it to be on the right, but then it would be pushed further in towards the stem because of the twist shifter housing on the right. The throttle does not work in assist level zero, you must be in 1-5 (or 1-9 if you configured the display to have more steps). I appreciate that the variable speed throttle provides up to full power on all levels of assist :)
Although the headlight is bright, it doesn’t have side cutouts to keep you visible from more angles. The rear light would be visible from the sides, but the frame tubing around it blocks much of this potential. The good news is that the rack tubing protects the light from getting bumped and broken during parking and transport. Despite the trade-offs, I still think that these lights are above average.
The KOPE and DROP each only come in one frame size. The KOPE is larger at 19″ and the step-thru DROP is 17.5″ which would suit shorter riders or those who can’t lift their legs as high due to knee or hip issues. With the adjustable stem and lower seat tube, I feel that both frames offer a wide range of fit options.
Please use caution when powering this electric bike on, because it starts in assist level 1 and the throttle is active with full power (up to 750 watts, 120nm). If you bumped it while mounting, dismounting, doing repair work, or loading/unloading the bike, you could get scraped or pinched fingers or the bike could tip. This is a more advanced setup and I recommend keeping it off at all times, unless you’re mounted and ready to ride. Still, I prefer this setup to a throttle that is capped by each level of assist, I feel that the benefits of a variable speed throttle are significantly diminished if pedal assist caps or interrupts throttle use.
Because this bike is sold direct, you’ll have to do some lifting, unboxing, and light assembly. I was told that the wheel comes unattached (but has quick release), the stem is twisted to the side so the handlebars align with the frame, and the pedals have to be screwed on… but they provide great video instructions and tools to make this as painless as possible.
I love that the display has a USB charging port built into the base, because it can help to maintain portable electronics as you ride. It’s especially relevant given the capacity for two batteries! However, it may only maintain because it puts out less than one amp and many powerful smartphones seem to want higher amperage for actual charging.
This model only comes in one color option. I feel it’s fairly neutral and modern looking, but if you prefer the light color scheme you’ll need to get the DROP which is smaller and step-thru.

Useful Resources:

January 29, 2024 (10 months ago)

DŌST DROP CVT Review

MSRP: $3,999
MODEL YEAR: 2022

An approachable step-thru hybrid ebike offering a rare combination of powerful mid-drive motor, throttle operation, adjustable top speed (up to 28mph), Enviolo continuously variable transmission, Gates carbon belt drive, and optional second battery pack for long range use. Premium parts include Ergotec 5 adjustable angle stem, Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires with puncture protection and reflective sidewalls, and RST air suspension fork.. Powerful 750 watt Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor is built into the custom paint-matched bottom bracket,…...

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DŌST KOPE Review

MSRP: $3,199
MODEL YEAR: 2020, 2021, 2022

A sturdy, highly-functional, high-step hybrid electric bike with upgraded components and optional second battery pack. Adjustable angle stem improves fit, 100mm spring suspension fork offers compression lockout and preload, high quality 2.4" wide Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires offer stability, visible reflective sidewalls, and puncture protection lining built-in. Lots of great accessory options including bags, cup holders, suspension seat post, mirrors, and child seat. Powerful 750 watt Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor blends into the purpose-built frame, alloy housing keeps…...

DŌST DROP Review

An approachable step-thru electric bike with upgraded components and optional second battery pack. Adjustable angle stem improves fit, 100mm spring suspension fork offers compression lockout and preload, high quality 2.4" wide Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires offer stability, visible reflective sidewalls, and puncture protection lining built-in. Lots of great accessory options including bags, cup holders, suspension seat post, mirrors, and child seat. Powerful 750 watt Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor blends into the purpose-built frame, alloy housing keeps…...

Bob B

3 years ago

Is there a reason that this and other Dost bikes are cadence vs torque sensing? Is it the BBS02 motor or something else that limits it? It seems in reading on this sites for a long time that most mid motor ebikers prefer torque sensing. But looks like a great bike otherwise. Thanks for any helpful comments.

Court

Hi Bob! I think that they chose the BBS02 for power and reliability. Sam told me that they have been testing some of the torque sensing motors (or multi-sensing) but they weren’t happy with them at this stage. The BBS02 is one of the longest running mid-motors and it works with a physical shift sensor (which they use on the normal non-CVT COPE and DROP). I found that adjusting assist levels and using the throttle offered a good ride experience, and I know that Sam is someone who really cares about ride quality and performance, so maybe I’m giving them a pass a bit here. It’s not as dynamic and fluid as a Bosch motor, for example, but the addition of a throttle and high speed kind of makes up for that in my mind. I guess it depends on your preferences :)

Paul

Nice review – this looks like an awesome bike. In a chat with Dost yesterday, I asked specifically about the sensors. Cadence, torque, or both? I was told that the CVT bikes have both.

Interesting, I was told that they set the motor controller to work optimally with the belt and CVT. I reported what I was told and tried to demonstrate the ride performance on video. My understanding is that the BBS02 relies primarily on bike speed and pedal cadence with higher than average 24 sensor vs. 12 sensor but that pedal torque is not measured. Instead, they have up to 9 levels of assist (default is 5) and the variable speed trigger throttle to use for power and speed modulation.

To my prior comment, Dost has confirmed that the CVTs are equipped only with cadence sensors – no torque sensors.

That sounds correct, thanks Paul!

Derek

Hi Court,

I just posted the following on the DOST Facebook group page about the DOST Kope CVT model.

I TEST RODE THE CVT KOPE YESTERDAY! (Oct 1st, 2021)

“Regular” DOST bike or CVT Model? In my opinion, each has a place.

I think this piece will be of interest to all you current and future DOST’ers out there. I’m one of many waiting on my KOPE and when the CVT model was introduced, I jumped at the chance to upgrade. I contacted DOST customer service through the messaging feature on their website and was actually helped by Sam, himself. We had a good chat and he answered a number of my questions.

I went ahead and did the upgrade and then being a local, decided to test ride the CVT KOPE anyway just so I’d know what to expect. There was no doubt in my mind about the upgrade being right for me, but it was worth the 45 minute drive to and from to be sure.

Here’s the kicker:

Much to my great surprise, the end result was that I’ve decided to stick with the original DOST KOPE and fortunately didn’t lose my place in line as I await arrival of the original bike.

Allow me to qualify…

As is the case with the regular KOPE and DROP, the CVT bikes are BEAUTIFUL! I mean flawlessly so. With the CVT versions, the “stealth bomber” matte black finish is gorgeous and looks very high-end (which it should being a high-end bike).

The CVT concept is amazing and I’m sure these will sell very well – no question about that. There are a lot of advantages to the CVT model, one of the biggest being the significant reduction in ongoing maintenance. That being said, much to my surprise, I realized on my test ride that I missed the gears. Yup. I like shifting gears. The five-year old in me likes pushing buttons. :)

I like shifting and the control that it gives me. One might say “well, that’s just because that’s all you’ve known and it’s what you’re used to”. There’s some truth to that and if a CVT bike was my only option, I would adjust to it for sure. One of the marketed advantages is the infinite ranges and that it eliminates the “steps” of gearing but again, it turns out that I like having the steps which I really didn’t realize until my test ride.

When I first headed out on the bike, I didn’t feel nearly as comfortable as I had the first time I’d tested the (regular) KOPE a few months back. I had remembered the seat being really comfy and this time I found it to be a bit hard. When I got back, I asked to test the regular KOPE again for comparison purposes to see if in fact I really did prefer the traditional shifting as I thought I had, and as soon as I got on it, the seat felt great! I realized in that moment that the CVT demo I was testing did not have a suspension seat post on it. Wow, what a HUGE difference that makes! As soon as I got on the regular KOPE with the suspension seat post, the seat felt like heaven. Really comfortable and on the bumpiest of trails it’s like you’re riding on a cloud. Really lovely! (Sam, if you’re reading this, I would strongly recommend that all demo bikes have the suspension seat post added as it makes a huge difference to the ride experience – really important for demos).

Going back to the CVT ride, the bike felt great in every other way. It felt smooth and quiet and really energetic just like the regular KOPE. Side note: remember a few years back when a lot of bikes had twist-grip shifters like this?

I don’t know if they’re as popular now but I was shopping for a bike at the time and after trying a few of these, I just didn’t like the twist-shifting. My RAD bike has a twist throttle and I’m okay with that as it’s very easy to turn and you’re only using it occasionally, but when you’re twisting a lot because of gear-changing, I’m just not fond of that method. On the KOPE CVT, I found it quite stiff to turn which bothered me but I read later online that that can be the case for about 100 miles with these systems and then they loosen up and are easier to turn. That may well be, but if I discover that even after 100 miles it’s stiffer than I like and I’m outside of the 14 day DOST return window, I’m stuck so I’m better off with the regular KOPE. The main issue for me though is just personal preference over shift types. As I say, I like the traditional rapid shifters and I immediately missed having it.

After my CVT ride, I took the regular KOPE out and I was like “aaahhh….I’m home”. Believe me, with all the advantages that the CVT offers (and it does!), I SO wanted to prefer it and it was going to be worth the extra $840 to me for sure (Cdn. $), but the original KOPE is just more my style.

To all of you who have the original KOPE and/or DROP, keep in mind that the CVT models are not intended to replace the original models. All are currently available on the DOST site and to my knowledge, the original models aren’t going anywhere which was/is smart on DOST’s part because not everyone will prefer the CVT models.

In terms of appearance, all the bikes are beautiful in my opinion. I admit that while I love the look of the original KOPE with the part matte, part shiny finish, the all-matte CVT is super stylin’! Really stunning.

So, there it is. Some of you will prefer the CVT models while others (like me) will prefer the original bikes despite the increased maintenance needs and such.

My advice to you is that if you don’t live close to the DOST office like I do, find a bike shop that carries a bike with the Enviolo shifting and just try it out to make sure you like it. Fortunately, DOST offers a 14-day trial period but it would save you and DOST a lot of hassle if you knew before receiving it that it’s what you really want. The return policy at DOST is great but I would imagine you’d be paying your own shipping back and that would be really expensive, so maybe do some homework ahead of time.

Last but not least, Henry and Jenny were the two who helped me yesterday (mostly Jenny). They’re really great. Jenny is a really lovely person. 100% genuine and caring and my dog liked her. ;) She’s really helpful and is truly interested to hear your feedback and your experience with the bikes after test riding. I also met Chara briefly while I was there. Super nice as well. Steven (mechanic) was there and we had another good chat. Sam hires great people and it’s always a pleasure to visit the DOST office.

So, to those of you who already have the original DOST KOPE and/or DROP, you “might” prefer the CVT model or like me, you might prefer what, in your cases, you already have! The grass isn’t always greener… I’m more excited than ever to get my (original DOST KOPE).

In either case you are getting a great bike! I’m not a small guy and like many of us, I packed on a few extra during the earlier days and months of the pandemic. Despite this, both the CVT KOPE and original KOPE both shot me up a few very steep hills as if I weighed nothing! I was literally laughing as I was riding up the hill. Trust me, it takes a lot to make ME feel weightless! I’d say the only other option would be the salty ocean. :)

Thanks Derek! I agree that Sam has built an awesome team, it’s wonderful that you live close enough to go visit the headquarters in Port Coquitlam, BC and take a test ride. Hopefully your order for the original KOPE arrives soon, and you can get out there for some amazing rides this Fall Winter season :D

Jon

The 120 Nm continuous torque specification listed for the Enviolo Heavy Duty hub is not supported by Enviolo, and they will not warranty it for that use.
I would check with DOST to see if they will warranty the hub themselves. Enviolo’s specifications show 100 Nm at 250W for the heavy duty hub. See page 9 of the technical manual here.

Interesting! Great investigation work here Jon, thanks for commenting. I wonder if this is what Sam meant when he told me that they custom tuned the motor to work with the Enviolo. He seemed very confident in the setup, but he is the one selling it. I feel like DŌST is doing an above average job with warranties and support, so perhaps it’s something they would warranty themselves? I’ll mention it the next time I’m in touch with Sam.

Ron

I am very impressed with Dost. Well made and love the auto shift for my wife. Do you have an update on the 120 Nm warranty/support by Enviolo issue?

TimGNO

I find the spec “RST VivAir E Suspension, 100mm Travel” a little dubious, since RST’s own specs show this fork having only 80mm of travel. Can you double-check this? I doubt they custom-made a longer travel model just for Dost, but I could be wrong.

I’m with you on this TimGNO, the actual travel is probably 80mm and the exposed portion of the stanchion is probably 100mm or so. I blend my specs between what I observe, what the bike brand tells me, and what I see on the manufacturer website. I apologize for this being a bit misleading, and while I have not double checked with DOST… I feel that your findings are accurate.

Court, you can do no wrong IMHO, so rock on! But I do enjoy helping defend (you and your readers) against questionable manufacturer claims or a company’s failure to proofread what you’ve written. Fortunately for us who love EBR so dearly, the occasion to double-check your facts comes up only once in a blue moon. I for one will never purchase an e-bike without spending dozens of hours scouring your site and watching your impeccable reviews!

steve w bergman

2 years ago

Does this motor need its gears greased after 600 miles? I have a Bafang 1000 watt that needed this done at 600 miles. My motor started making a high pitch noise at about 550 miles. Once I greased it, it quieted down a lot.

Interesting… I have not done this before. Perhaps if you see people posting about it in forums or suggesting it, you could ask them because this is a Bafang BBS02. I guess that all devices need service at a certain point, but this particular model is well known for being reliable. I don’t think the manufacturers recommend users opening the motor, and I don’t know of many shops that will do it. Good luck, be careful!