E-Glide ST Review

E Glide St Electric Bike Review
E Glide St
E Glide St 500 Watt Geared Hub Motor Dapu
E Glide St Removable Locking Battery Pack
E Glide St Handle Bar Grips Control Pad
E Glide St Backlit Lcd Display Panel
E Glide St Twist Throttle And Remote Fork Lockout
E Glide St Sr Suntour Xcr 32 Suspension Fork
E Glide St Rear Fender Rack Led Integrated Blaze Light
E Glide St 48 Volt 11 4 Amp Hour Panasonic Battery Pack
E Glide St Adjustable Kickstand Rear Carry Rack
E Glide St Uno Kalloy Suspension Seat Post
E Glide St 10 Speed Shimano Deore Drivetrain
E Glide St Electric Bike
E Glide St 2 Amp Battery Charger
E Glide St Electric Bike Review
E Glide St
E Glide St 500 Watt Geared Hub Motor Dapu
E Glide St Removable Locking Battery Pack
E Glide St Handle Bar Grips Control Pad
E Glide St Backlit Lcd Display Panel
E Glide St Twist Throttle And Remote Fork Lockout
E Glide St Sr Suntour Xcr 32 Suspension Fork
E Glide St Rear Fender Rack Led Integrated Blaze Light
E Glide St 48 Volt 11 4 Amp Hour Panasonic Battery Pack
E Glide St Adjustable Kickstand Rear Carry Rack
E Glide St Uno Kalloy Suspension Seat Post
E Glide St 10 Speed Shimano Deore Drivetrain
E Glide St Electric Bike
E Glide St 2 Amp Battery Charger

Summary

  • An affordably priced urban electric bike that's pavement and packed trail capable, fully outfitted with a rack, integrated LED lights and some fenders... though the fenders are a bit basic
  • Five levels of pedal assist with three power modes (to optimize torque or efficiency), premium backlit LCD with integrated USB charging port, partially inset battery blends in and keeps weight low and center on the frame for balance
  • Nice hydraulic disc brakes (180/160 mm rotors) with adjustable reach levers but no motor inhibitors surprisingly, throttle on demand power that overrides all levels of assist for instant power
  • Shipping costs $175 extra or you can pick it up free in Santa Monica California, semi-vulnerable motor cable at rear, available in three frame sizes, one year comprehensive warranty, nice saddle, pedals and suspension seat post with upgraded saddle and grips

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

E-Glide

Model:

ST

Price:

$1,699 ($175 Shipping in the US)

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, 30 Day Return Option

Availability:

United States, Canada, Mexico

Model Year:

2017

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

54 lbs (24.49 kg)

Battery Weight:

7.3 lbs (3.31 kg)

Motor Weight:

9 lbs (4.08 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17 in (43.18 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)21 in (53.34 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

19" Seat Tube, 22.5" Reach, 29.5" Stand Over Height, 70.5" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Gunmetal Metallic Dark Grey

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour XCR 32 Spring Suspension, Magnesium Lowers, 100 mm Travel, Remote Lockout, Rebound Adjust, 9 mm Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

11 mm Axle with Nuts

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano Deore, 11-34T

Shifter Details:

Shimano Deore Triggers on Right

Cranks:

Aluminum Alloy Cranks, 170 mm Length,36T Chainring with Alloy Bash Guard

Pedals:

Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform

Headset:

Neco Sealed, 1-1/8

Stem:

Promax, 8° Angle, 80 mm Length

Handlebar:

Aluminum Alloy Mid-Rise, 31.8 mm Diameter, 15° Rise, 25.5" Length

Brake Details:

Tektro ND-M330 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Front Rotor and 160 mm Rear Rotor, 2 Piston Calipers, Tektro Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Flat Rubber, Locking

Saddle:

Selle Royal Respiro, Vented (Men or Women Specific)

Seat Post:

UNO Kalloy Performanced Suspension, Adjustable

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.9 mm

Rims:

Mondial DA-2000, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, Black

Spokes:

13 Gauge Stainless Steel, Black

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Marathon Mondial, 27.5" x 2"

Wheel Sizes:

27.5 in (69.85cm)

Tire Details:

Reflective Sidewall Stripe, Evolution Line Double Defense, 35 to 70 PSI

Tube Details:

Presta Valve

Accessories:

Rear Rack 25 kg Max Weight (55 lbs), Integrated Spanninga Kendo LED Headlight, Integrated Blaze-Lite RL1900 LED Back Light, Plastic Mud Flaps

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, 1.5 lb 2 Amp Charger

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Dapu

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

900 watts

Motor Torque:

45 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Panasonic

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11.4 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

547.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-Ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

50 miles (80 km)

Display Type:

Bigstone C500B-LCD, Fixed, Backlit

Readouts:

Light Indicator, Current Chart, Power Level (Power, Normal, Eco), Speed, Assist Level (0-5), Battery Level (5 Bars), Voltage, Odometer, Trip Distance, Timer

Display Accessories:

Integrated 5 Volt Female USB Port

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Twist Throttle

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)


Written Review

E-Glide launched a new electric bike model called the ST for people who want to ride a bit of “street and trail” compared to their original SS model “street… and more street?”. In addition to adding a suspension fork with remote lockout, suspension seat post, mud flaps and a rear rack, the ST model features a vastly improved battery design that seats into the downtube. It’s not completely hidden but strikes a balance between aesthetics, weight distribution and cost. I’ve seen this battery pack design on some other electric bikes recently and am a fan. It can be charged on or off the bike and even has a regular sized USB port near the top (on the right side). This, in addition to a USB charging port at the base of the display and integrated LED lights from Spanninga make the bike “feature complete” in my book. But then again, the fenders aren’t full length and the charge port cover can be finicky on the battery case and is positioned low where water would splash up. One feature that would clearly benefit riders and is not present is motor inhibitor brake levers. This is a cadence sensing electric bike which means there’s some delay starting and stopping vs. a torque sensing design. That’s all well and good until you NEED to stop and are braking hard while fighting the force of the motor in addition to the normal momentum of you and the bike. This is a 54 lb ebike after all, a bit heavier than unpowered products. Still, the hydraulic disc brakes felt solid and the top speed here is 20 mph so I don’t mean to overreact. I had a blast riding through neighborhoods with dave and was very impressed with the acceleration. You get a nice twist-throttle in addition to assist and it’s active at all times meaning you don’t have to pedal hard to start the bike. With 10 gears and a high-level Shimano Deore derailleur, you could find yourself in a fast gear needing to shift down but simply throttling up to speed instead.

Driving the ST is a 500 watt internally geared hub motor. It’s rear-mounted and spoked into a 27.5″ wheel striking a balance between efficiency, handling and comfort thanks to wider tires. This is really where the “trail” capability comes in. You need thicker tires to handle the bumps and limit traction that dirt surfaces often present. And while the tires are clearly hybrid (no large nubs) they offer enough surface area to manage packed Earth. There was a bit of zipping at the higher speeds but this is an internally geared motor after all, it’s more compact and light weight than gearless but doesn’t suffer from cogging. If you step back and look at the bike, the gunmetal dark-gray frame color, black accent points, battery and motor all blend together. Even the cables blend in (being coated with black plastic) but are also well hidden, being internally routed through portions of the frame. The one area where cable management could be improved is at the motor, I’d love to seea deraulleur guard or maybe a different power port (on the left side vs. the right where the shifter cables are), the latest motors from Dapu have a tucked-in cable that is less likely to snag or get bent if the frame tips.

Powering the motor, backlit LCD screen, those two USB ports and the LED lights is a 48 volt 11.4 amp hour battery pack. I’d call it higher-than-average capacity and was impressed to hear that the cells inside are Panasonic (the leader in terms of quality). Encased in Aluminum, the battery weighs about 7.3 lbs and is easy to take off if you’re having to lift the bike for transport or service. I love that the seat post and front wheel also come with quick release but might replace them with locking hardware for city environments or commuting. The pack has a rubberized power button at the top but this is not required to press when activating the bike. I believe it just shows your charge level using LED lights which is handy if you’re storing it separate from the frame. I recommend storing batteries in cool dry locations and usually fill them up after a few months of non-use. For long term storage it’s great if you can keep them at about 50% full to avoid stressing the cells but don’t let them run all the way down to zero. While the battery pack is not perfectly integrated into the frame here, it does feel secure (not a lot of rattling happening) and has a sleek handle built in on the side. The only complaint is the rubber cover for the charging port as mentioned earlier. I wish this could be seated more easily because it’s not good to get water, dust or mud in there.

Activating this electric bike is quick and intuitive. Once the battery is charged and mounted properly, just press the power button on the display pad for a few seconds. This display is very similar to the ones Pedego and other premium brands use. And while it’s not removable, it is fairly easy to reach and can be swiveled to reduce glare. You get all of the standard readouts like speed, battery level, odometer, trip meter and assist level but it goes even deeper. You can choose between Eco, Normal and Power to emphasize efficiency or performance respectively. For the video review ride test above I went with Power so you could see how loud the motor would be. I like that E-Glide chose locking grips that won’t slip around and that they’ve added some plastic covering to group and de-clutter the cockpit area of this bike. They also upgraded the cadence sensor device at the bottom bracket to a new compact, sealed design. It’s mounted near the left crank arm and looks great. Again, there is some delay starting and when you stop pedaling the motor may run for a half a second but that’s not uncommon for this type of sensor. One benefit is that you don’t have to actively push to get power, you can literally just turn the cranks to stretch your legs without any kind of pressure and the motor will activate at the level chosen through the display.

In conclusion, E-Glide has come a long way with the ST from their older SS model and I love the end result. Sure, once you add shipping in this is not quite as affordable as it seems based on MSRP. And yes, the lack of motor inhibitor brakes is concerning… but you get a lot of high end parts, a beautul looking bike built around a nice frame, a solid warranty from a guy who has been in business for over a decade and three frame size choices. I find myself becoming very excited about the design, kickstand, always-active throttle and battery then wondering about the fenders, brakes and motor cable. This is a sporty bike, one that zips along quickly and can handle rugged urban environments… it’s amazing to see remote lockout here and I love the reflective Schwalbe tires. Dave is into accessories and offers one of the nicer saddles I’ve seen (in both a men’s and women’s version). The lights are another area where he didn’t compromise. I could have a blast with this bike but would take extra care to turn it off before moving it (the throttle is alway hot!) and probably remove the front fender… and be extra diligent to seal the charge port cap. Big thanks to Dave for partnering with me for this post and taking a ride with his helmet ;)

Pros:

  • The ST name stands for “street trail” meaning it’s a more versatile ebike that can handle varied terrain, the original E-Glide SS didn’t have suspension and some of the parts were lower-end making it less trail worty
  • You can buy this bike directly from Dave Lorli at his shop in Santa Monica and pick it up for free or have it shipped in the contiguous USA for $175 which isn’t too bad, some ebike cost $200+ and you get a one year warranty here too
  • The frame style and color are set but you can get them in three sizes! That’s pretty cool for shorter and taller riders who are sometimes left out… also, the dark color scheme hides wires and helps the battery pack blend in
  • Despite having a mid-mount battery and sloping top tube (for easier mounting) they were able to squeeze in bottle cage bosses on the seat tube so riders can bring liquids, maybe a folding lock or mini pump there, the rear rack is also great for hauling cargo (a trunk bag or panniers would work with it)
  • I was really excited to see that the bike comes with integrated LED lights! They won’t be lost or stolen as easily and you won’t have to worry about charging them… just keep the main battery full
  • Wires are internally routed to keep the frame clean and reduce snags, the rear rack is mounted from the top vs. the sides making it narrower and sleeker looking, I like how the kickstand is mounted towards the back to reduce crank arm collision (allows for easier maitenance and moving the bike around with it down)
  • The battery pack has been updated so you plug the charger in on the left side vs. the base and there’s a USB port near the top right for use with portable electronics like a phone, GPS or music player! Consider a right angle USB adapter from Amazon like this or these… there’s a second USB charging port on the base of the display panel that’s even more accessible! You may have to hold Set and + to get the USB port to work on the display
  • Even though it’s a more basic part, E-Glide included a seat post suspension to reduce back and neck fatigue given that this is a hardtail! I love the front suspension and premium saddle too
  • In addition to LED lights, the tires have reflective sidewall stripes painted on them so you should be more visible in low-light conditions, this is especially important with an all-black frame
  • Nice front-end on this ebike… you get a suspension fork with preload adjust and remote lockout as well as quick release on the wheel for easier maintenance and transportability
  • Personally, I feel this ebike offers good value for the money, when you look at the 10 speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, upgraded platform pedals and hydraulic disc brakes at the ~$1,700 price point that’s pretty good
  • The throttle is always active on this bike… and that’s cool given the sportier frame design and target market, I like having throttle power at my disposal anytime but please be careful lifting the bike because if you leave it on accidentally the motor could activate as you lift using the grips and that could scrape you up or have the bike tip over

Cons:

  • The plastic fenders don’t offer full coverage (your feet and shins might get wet) and I noticed that they rattle a bit when riding on bumpy terrain, one positive to the shorter front fender is that you’re less likely to strike your toe on it while turning and pedaling
  • The power cable for the motor comes out the end of the axle (on the right side at the rear of the bike) where the derailleur and shift cables are, it’s a bit more busy here and that cable could get bent if the bike tips or snag more easily… some of the newer motors have this cable tucked in to the left side between the disc brake rotor and frame dropout
  • I love that the chainring is protected by an Aluminum alloy bash guard but would have loved to see a second plate on the inside acting as a chain guide, especially given this bike has throttle mode and might be used on packed dirt trails where the chain can bounce off easier
  • Despite being a cadence-sensing pedal assist ebike and having a bit of motor delay cutoff… the brake levers don’t have motor inhibitors! So there are moments when you could be fighting the motor while trying to stop and that’s not ideal
  • I didn’t see a slap guard on the right chainstay so you could develop chips and nicks over time, especially if you take the E-Glide ST on dirt trails and other bumpy terrain
  • The rubber cover for the charging port on the lower left side of the battery pack is difficult to get in and stay, I wish the design would get updated to work better because the fenders on this bike don’t go down far enough to really protect it

Resources:

More E-Glide Reviews

E-Glide SS Review

  • MSRP: $1,099
  • MODEL YEAR: 2017

An affordable, light weight, single speed city electric bike that comes in two styles (high-step and mid-step), generous one year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee. Clean aesthetic with matching black components and internally routed cabling, the front brake is upgraded…...

Comments (16) YouTube Comments

Jerry Mile
8 years ago

GreatReview.Can.rack.be.purchased.separately.or.from.somewhere.else?thankyou.No.spaced.allowed.in.the.comments.for.some.reason.using.my.phone.to.comment.

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Interesting, we’ll look into the no space issue Jerry! I’d suggest calling Dave at E-Glide to ask which rack he sells. I bet he’d sell you one on its own or tell you where to get one :)

  Reply
Jerry Mile
8 years ago

Thanks for the response Court, much appreciated, will do that. The space issue seems to have gone away, commenting may be since I am using a computer this time.
Hope Dave can sell me one, as I have the FLX bike, but they didn’t send the rack with the touring package. They keep stalling and probably won’t get it now.

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Hope so, hang in there Jerry! It’s a little frustrating to have to wait but the FLX Bike seemed pretty cool when I tested it. I really hope Dave from E-Glide can help you out :D

  Reply
Jerry Mile
8 years ago

Hey Court good news, I found the rack from Magnum Bikes ordered it $50, called magnum to confirm the UI5 rack is in fact for the UI5 as the picture is wrong, it’s for the CD5. Spoke with Ryan, very nice guy, feel like that company is the one to be buying bikes from. Maybe next time. It’s all thanks to you, as you pointed out in one of your posts the different clones/frames FLX, etc. I noticed the UI5 rack is identical to the eglide ST but slightly different from the stock FLX, which can be seen here but should work, will chime in again, if/when receive the rack. Much Obliged, Jerry

Jerry Mile
8 years ago

Hey Court, know you busy, I will post results to forum, once/if receive the rack, not 100% sure it will work, hopefully the bolts/mounts line up on the rack to the FLX and Magnum ships soon. Don’t see your reply here, but did get the email that you replied. Also the no space issue is still present on the comments here on electricbikereview.website, if I use my samsung phone/firefox browser. But using a PC/firefox is fine. Thanks again.

Jerry Mile
8 years ago

Hey Court, I called spoke with Michael, they don’t have any right now to sell, may be next shipment, he said possibly June. Priced around $55. If you hear of some other place, I could buy please do let me know. Thanks so much, that is a long wait. BTW I don’t ride the FLX at all, I just commute with my regular non-ebike since that one has a rack and basket for my stuff which I need. I know I can buy another rack but that one has been me mesmerized :)

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Ahh, waiting can be a bummer but I’m glad you reached Michael and got some feedback. I’ll keep an eye out for similar racks, I agree that it’s a unique design :)

  Reply
Ken
8 years ago

Thank you for all of your reviews Court! I have come so close to buying this bike a few times over the past few days as it really seems to fit my “realistic needs” the best based on hours and hours of watching your reviews of other bikes. It seems to offer one of best, if not the best, combination of features that I would actually use and appreciate while not breaking the bank. While that practical side of me says this makes the most sense and I actually do like the looks of this bike, it just isn’t as sexy as some others I’m looking at… I keep being tempted by faster bikes like the Magnum Peak although then I find myself not liking all the wires coming out of the front of that bike and I miss the fenders, rack, and lights for commuting to work as well as the suspended seat post the E-Glide offers, plus the comfort of not having to stress or worry if I’m breaking any of Oregon’s laws pertaining to what is considered a bicycle… Any thoughts between the Magnum Peak and the E-Glide ST? I know it is a bit of comparing apples to oranges, but they are in a similar price point especially considering the shipping on the E-Glide vs. picking up a Magnum here in town…

Then I take it one step further and look beyond my “realistic needs” and go to what I think looks cool and what could open up some new types of exciting riding opportunities for me by looking at fully suspended mid drive mountain bikes in the $4,500 to 5,500 range (I also commented in the Bulls EVO 45 comments about Bulls vs. Specialized…)… I already ride a dual sport motorcycle that is basically a dirt bike, which is barely street legal, so the thought of the true mountain bike e-bike appeals to me… In any case, I’m not sure if you can help me or not, but thought I would run this by you to get any thoughts you may have given your experience. Thank you again for any thoughts and for all the great work!!! Ken

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Great points all around Ken, I like both the ST and Peak for different reasons. I’m actually traveling at the moment so don’t have a lot of time to respond but I think either one would serve your needs and you’d have a blast. I like your thinking about legality and also the upside of Bulls with a mid-drive. Specialized will have a new mid-drive powered ebike later this year called the Vado but it will likely cost more. I’m curious to hear what you decide and how you like it to be honest! Are there any Magnum dealers nearby or would you order any of these ebikes online?

  Reply
John
8 years ago

Hi Court, Good review. I was the guy there when you were looking at the bike. I just picked up mine and did want to comment on your con that the bike does not have a break lever motor inhibitor. I understand when something new comes out, everyone seems to think it is desirable. I am glad the bike does not have this and if it did, I would want the ability to disable it. As a long-time motorcycle rider, I use the throttle exclusively to control the motor. Still experimenting, but so far I have set the pedal assist to 0 so that only the throttle impacts the motor. I think an average rider with experience will be able to adjust the throttle simultaneously with applying the brakes. For example, if I just touch the brakes momentarily, I want the ability to determine the degree of reduction in the motor, rather than having some circuitry turn it off completely, even if momentarily. Thanks for the review and all you do.

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Hi John! Thanks for the feedback. I realize these videos reach a wide range of riders… some more advanced than others. It’s great to get your perspective on how a consideration for me might be something of benefit for you :)

  Reply
Dewayne
8 years ago

Hello, I’m new to the bike world. I recently purchase a pedal bike. A Trek verus 3, after watching your reviews I’m thinking about returning the trek and look into the E-glide. I purchase the bike to stay active. I now see i can do this with the e bikes.

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Cool, I’m glad the site has helped you to get to know electric bikes and understand that you can still get movement and cardio, even with assist. Many people report riding more frequently and further on an ebike because it helps with hills, wind, etc. I cannot advise you on what to do with your Trek (and Trek does sell electric bikes so you might be able to do an exchange) but I wish you luck and welcome you to share your experience back here once you get something and try it for a while :)

  Reply

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.