DŌST KOPE Review - Prices, Specs, Videos, Photos

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DŌST KOPE Review

Dost Kope 46 Tooth Steel Chainring With Alloy Guard

Dost Kope Downtube Integrated Removable 48 Volt Battery Pack With Plastic Cover

Dost Kope Handlebar With Display Usb Charging Port Grips Brake Levers

Dost Kope Bafang Dcp 18 Color Lcd Display Unit With Light Sensor

Dost Kope Trigger Throttle On Left Bafang Control Pad For Lcd

Dost Kope Shimano Altus Trigger Shifters With Window Velo Locking Rubber Grips

Dost Kope Sr Suntour Xct Atv Spring Suspension With Lockout 100mm Travel

Dost Kope Mounting Point For Two Bottle Cage Bosses Or Optional Second Battery Pack

Dost Kope Integrated Spanninga Axendo Dual Led Headlight

Dost Kope Adjustable Angle Stem High Step Model

Dost Kope Tool Free Adjustable Length Kickstand Rear Rack 100lb Max Weight Rating

Dost Kope Bafang Bbs02 Bottom Bracket Covered Motor Design

Dost Kope Bottom Bracket Wires 170mm Crank Arms Wellgo Pedals With Reflectors

Dost Kope Spanninga Lineo Rear Light With 2 Leds Runs Off Ebike Battery

Dost Kope Upgraded Shimano Altus Derailleur 9 Speed Drivetrain 11 36 Tooth Freewheel

Dost Kope Internal And External Battery Packs Top

Dost Kope Internal And External Battery Packs Bottom

Dost Kope Internal And External Battery Packs Bottom Interface

Dost Kope Lightweight 2 Amp Ebike Charger

Dost Kope Electric Bike Charger Bottom 2 Amps 1lb

Dost Kope Velo Saddle With Lift Handle Sloped Top Tube

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 it protected while reducing noise. With up to 120 newton meters of torque, it's a very capable climber! A physical shift-sensor cuts motor power to protect the 9-speed Shimano Altus 11-36 tooth drivetrain whether you're in pedal assist or throttle mode
Premium European feel with extreme attention to detail, despite the mid-tier pricing. Two color options with matching fork, subtle accent colors, and decals. Almost all support hardware is black and bolts are hidden under the fenders vs. wrapping outside. Clean minimalist chain cover, smooth hydraulic disc brakes with motor inhibitors, premium integrated lights (bright dual-beam headlight, dual-LED rear light)
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 panel for smartphones and other accessories. Tool-free adjustable kickstand is a nice touch. The high-step KOPE model isn't as approachable as the step-thru DROP, but is larger and stiffer . Motor uses cadence sensing vs. fancier combined cadence+torque. Fairly heavy build at ~65lbs before additional battery or accessories

Make:

DŌST

Model:

KOPE

Price:

$2,799 (Free Shipping in Contiguous US and Canada)

Body Position:

Forward, Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting, Trail

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:

2020

Total Weight:

65.2 lbs (29.57 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" Reach, 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:

Gloss Black with Space Grey Accents, Glacier White Gloss with Silver Accents

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour XCT ATV Spring Suspension, 100mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, Preload Adjust, 28mm Stanchions, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

142mm Hub Spacing, 10mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Attachment Points:

Fender Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Bottle Mounts

Gearing Details:

9 Speed 1x9 Shimano Altus Derailleur, Shimano 11-36 Tooth Freewheel

Shifter Details:

Shimano Altus Trigger Shifters on Right (One-Way High, Three-Shift Low)

Cranks:

Lasco Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 46 Tooth Steel Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guard

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 60º, 100mm Length, 5mm Headset Cap, Four 5mm Spacers, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

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

Brake Details:

Tektro Auriga Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Three-Finger Tektro Levers with Adjustable Reach and Motor Inhibitors

Grips:

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

Saddle:

DŌST Branded Velo with Lifting Handle

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt Clamp

Seat Post Length:

340 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.6 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, Spanninga Axendo 80 Integrated Dual LED Front Light (80 LUX), Integrated Spanninga Lineo LED Rear Light (2 LED), Clear Sticker Slap Guard, Plastic Fenders with Alloy Core (65mm Width), Integrated Rear Rack with Pannier Hangers and Top Support Bars (100lb Max Load), Optional Dual Battery with Mounting Hardware ($699), Optional SR Suntour NCX Seat Post Suspension, Optional Yepp! Maxi Next Child Seat, Optional DŌST Branded Handlebar Mount Cup Holder (Silver), Optional Sunnywheel Side Mirror, Optional DŌST Branded Water Resistant Trunk Bag, Optional DŌST Branded Waterproof Pannier Bags

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, 1.1lb 2 Amp Charger, 300lb 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

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 25Ah with Optional Dual Battery)

Battery Watt Hours:

672 wh (Optional 1200Wh with Optional Dual Battery)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 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 1 Amp 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)

Display Accessories:

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

Drive Mode:

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

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 watt3,000 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)24 in (60.96 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

Number of Gears

030

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This in-depth review was facilitated by DŌST and they are an advertiser on EBR. 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 shift detection and a throttle, dual battery options for long range riding, and Class 3 speed pedelec performance! 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
DŌST means friend in several European languages. It’s a relatively new brand, but the founding members have over a decade of experience working in the downhill mountain bike space and the traditional electric bicycle space (making fat bikes, a trail bikes, and two city models)
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. The bike can handle up to 300lbs of weight including the rear rack, which can handle 100lbs. Most ebikes I see are rated up to 275lbs with racks that can handle ~55lbs of weight
The DROP and KOPE 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 in the mid to high-end vs. basic “check the box” level of 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 adjustable stem (less likely to come loose than cheaper options), the tool-free adjustable length kickstand, and the brighter lights that use two LEDs vs. just one
Both lights are integrated, meaning that they run off of the main battery pack or packs (if you buy the optional second one to extend range). They’re made by Spanninga and both have two LED to be brighter, the headlight offers 80 LUX and the rear has light pipes to create a wider bright surface
The wires from the lights, motor inhibitors, power, shifters, 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 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 ebikes. The rubber covers also have leashes connecting them to the port area to keep the caps from getting lost
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… so 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
More electric bikes are coming out that allow users to adjust the top speed and remove the throttle. That’s the case here, and it means you can setup 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 up to 20mph is great for people who need help starting or want to take a break from pedaling, and Class 3 is perfect for commuting or just having fun with pedal assist up to 28mph
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 trael suspension fork. I like that the fork can be adjusted with compression, lockout, and preload… but it’s not as lightweight, tough, or adjustable as an air fork with a thru-axle. The 1-1/8″ headset isn’t as upgradable as a tapered one would be, so in that sense, this ebike is decidedly hybrid/city vs. trail/mountain
It’s a small thing, but notice the color-matched decal on the suspension fork! DŌST really went over this bike with a fine-toothed comb, and their past design/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
I really like the drivetrain setup here because it keeps the chain protected and your pants or dress ends clean. DŌST us using a powder coated aluminum alloy chainring guard and minimalist allow chain cover that look great and work well together, almost acting as a chain guide. The 9-speed 11-36 tooth freewheel is good for a range of speeds, and the Shimano Altus derailleur is a couple of steps up from base level.
In order to protect the drivetrain from wear, given the powerful mid-drive motor, DŌST is using a physical shift detection sensor. I tested it with the throttle and pedal assist, and it would not allow me to mash the gears. This is awesome, because it will significantly extend the life of the drivetrain and reduce broken chains
I really like that the variable speed trigger throttle overrides pedal assist levels 1-5. It allows you to zip up to speed or add support for climbing hills without pressing extra buttons, but it only assists up to 20mph… so you’ll need to pedal and click up to higher levels of assist to reach the maximum 28mph top speed
There really aren’t that many dual-battery ebikes on the market, and many require you to choose the second pack at time of purchase and buy extra mounting hardware. DŌST keeps things simple by always including the mounting points (which double as bottle cage mounts) 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 life, 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
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
The display panel has a full sized USB A charging port on the bottom, so you can maintain a smartphone for GPS, music, or phone calls on the go. It’s conveniently located up high on the bike… Along these lines, I appreciate that the main battery charging port is up high on the right side of the frame vs. low or on the left
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 tool! Just press the i button to cycle to “range” and then use + or – to select any assist level to see range update in realtime
This electric bicycle has a higher than average weight rating at 300lbs, 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 too. 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. If you decided to swap the tires for knobby off-road use, the bike would probably do fairly well
The internal battery pack is higher capacity and heavier than the internal. 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 lift. Most of the weight on this ebike is centered and low, which is what you want, and I appreciate that the optional second battery tilts out from the side vs. up and down because this allows the frame top tube to be lower, making the bike more approachable
I personally think that $2,799 with a two year warranty and free shipping is a reasonable price for such a feature-rich ebike, and I love that the additional battery is only $699 while some competing products are in the $1k range for additional batteries plus mounting hardware that is often required at time of initial purchase
It’s a small detail, but both wheels use quick release skewers, making it much easier to change flats or pack this bike up into a smaller space. This is possible, in part, because of the mid-drive motor choice vs. a hub motor

Cons:

The KOPE is slightly heavier than the step-thru DROP model at 65.2lbs vs. 64.9lbs. 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, and heavy-duty frame all add up, and are worth the weight trade-off in my opinion… especially if you were going to add these features aftermarket anyway
I noticed that the Shimano Altus derailleur that DŌST selected for the KOPE is slightly upgraded from the ones I see on some other ebikes. The exterior looks great and I suspect it’s the high-end Altus option… though it doesn’t have a clutch lever and the shifters only offer one-way action on the high trigger vs. two-way
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. You get more power by either clicking + on the button pad or pressing the throttle. Still, the cadence sensor uses 24 magnets vs. 12 and felt very responsive during my ride tests
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 confuse others and is a reminder of the more basic controller design here
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 and at public racks. 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”
As nice as the internal cable routing is, you’ll notice the large bundle of cables up front (due in part to the addition 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 vs. up. DŌST custom engineered their frame to house the BBS02 to make it look good and add protection, but the wires do still protrude a bit here, which I think looks a bit ugly and could be slightly more vulnerable
If you opt for a second battery pack, note that it and the main pack have to be charged independently (or you can buy an extra charger). There’s no system for charging simultaneously, and the basic 2 amp charger is fairly slow compared to some newer 3 amp and 4 amp chargers I’ve seen. They probably chose it based on how small, lightweight, and affordable it was
If you opt for the second battery pack, it will crowd the downtube area and take up the space for mounting a water bottle cage or other accessory. The second battery interface mates to the frame with three bolts for extra strength
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. That, compared to 7 to 8lbs for other mid-drives of this generation
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 display, because of the trigger shifters on the right. The throttle does not work in assist level zero, you must be in 1-5, and this means that any pedal movement will activate pedal assist as well as the throttle… especially since this ebike uses a cadence sensor
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… but at least the tubing protects the light from getting bumped and broken during parking and transport
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
I would have liked to see a derailleur guard here, it would protect the shifter cables, shift detection splitter, and the derailleur from tips and snags. There’s just more going on with the drivetrain on this ebike, and since it’s rugged enough to go off-road and gets shipped to customers in many situations since they sell direct as well as dealers, that could have been a good little extra
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

Useful Resources:

February 25, 2020 (1 month ago)

February 25, 2020

DŌST DROP Review

MSRP: $2,799
MODEL YEAR: 2020

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…...

Read Review

Shane

1 month ago

You sure you mean Altus and not Acera or Alivio? Altus is only one step up from Tourney… Not exactly high end.

Court

Hi Shane, you’re correct. Altus as a family of derailleurs is just one step up from Tourney, but it appears that there are a couple of options within this group and a couple of options for Tourney. I’m used to seeing the cheaper Altus but the one DOST chose looked a lot nicer. I was surprised. In any case, I wrote “Shimano Altus derailleur is a couple of steps up from base level” in one of the pros and then “the Shimano Altus derailleur that DŌST selected for the KOPE is slightly upgraded from the ones I see on some other ebikes. The exterior looks great and I suspect it’s the high-end Altus option” so I feel like those words are still accurate. I hope the review helped you and that this clarifies the reasoning why I said it that way ;)

Doug Johnson

A top notch review, Court. Concise and fast-moving, which was really appreciated for such a feature-rich bike. I have been awaiting this review since you did the teaser interview last fall with Sam that indicated how appropriate this bike was going to be for me. This bike checks ALL the boxes for me (6’2″, 225 lbs, 64yo), except for no brake light, enough so that I ordered one directly from Sam after your review and the Dost launch video. I have been reading your site’s reviews and doing A LOT of internet research for a year now, and this is the first bike that has moved me to make a purchase. I cannot wait to get it!

Hey, that’s awesome Doug! Thanks for the positive feedback on this review and details about your height, weight, and age. I think this will be a great platform for you and I’d love to hear about your rides once it arrives and you have some saddle time. Your comment made my day :D

Brad

This looks like a great replacement for my Rad City that’s quickly falling apart (at over 300 miles, lots of components are breaking, and the battery is nearly dead). Compared to the anemic acceleration of my RAD, the 120 nM of torque of this bike is something I could definitely use on my commutes (to get out of the way of the cars that seem to want to run me over).

Hey Brad! Sounds like a good fit. Even the best products have a lifespan, I’m glad your RadCity held up for 300 miles, and it sounds like moving to the more powerful motor and upgraded components of the KOPE could be a solid move. I’d love to hear how it works out for you if you do buy one, after you’ve ridden for some time!

Cheers,
Court

Jerry

You mentioned water bottle cage. Where and how would you attach one. I see no mounts for one anywhere. Thanks.

Hi Jerry, there are three threaded bosses on the downtube of both the KOPE and DROP which can be used to position a bottle cage or folding lock (or any accessory that fits this bolt spacing) in either a high or low position. The thing is, if you add the optional downtube battery pack, all three mounting points are used. In that case, DŌST sells an optional handlebar mounted drink holder. I hope this helps, good question ;)

Mike K

Always great reviews Court. Your thoroughness and objectivity is really appreciated. I’ve been very interested in this bike since I first saw your teaser video. I have some very steep mountains in my commute… a gain of 2000 feet in 6 miles. That makes me wonder if the Bafang BBS02 is the right choice, or if I should opt for a bike that has the Bafang M620, (like the soon to be released Rize XS). Do you have any thoughts on motor selection for my situation?

Great question, Mike! That’s a tough one… I think DŌST chose the BBS02 here because it has been so reliable, and is affordable. This allowed them to upgrade other parts of the bike. The frame is custom, designed for strength and improved handling, so that costs a lot. I haven’t spent enough time on the Bafang M620 motor yet to feel comfortable making a call. However, I’ll keep an eye out for the RIZE XS and be sure to comment more then. I did cover the Spark RX last year (which I think used the same motor) and I remember thinking that it was loud sometimes. Here’s the video review for that, check it out and hopefully it will help you get closer to a decision ;)

Thank you Court, for the reply. Looks like the old Spark RX was close to the same bike as the newer Rize XS, except that the Spark you reviewed (thanks for the link) had the older Bafang M600 which was only rated at 500w where the new RIZE has unleashed all 1000w in the M620 motor. But, both motors are rated at 120nm of torque which is what will help me get up my local mountains. I really like the specs of the Dost, and lean in that direction. As you point out, it looks like they did a great job with the quality of the components. I just want to know that the smaller motor with a cadence sensor will be up to the task of my mountain riding. Thanks again, good sir.

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