I have reviewed the e-Joe Epik SE a couple of times before, I believe the one that I looked at in this review is a third or forth generation. In the early days, there weren’t as many folding electric bikes to choose from and this one struck me as a great value because it had fenders, a rear rack, and lights. That is still the case, it even has a suspension fork to help smooth out the ride and the cadence sensor, chainring size, and different levels of assist have really been dialed in. In the years since those first reviews I conducted, e-Joe has refined the product with a nicer LCD display panel and gentle throttle design, a neat integrated motor inhibitor to kill power whenever you pull the brakes, battery connector that is less vulnerable when folding, and new color choices that are both professional (black or white) but also include bright fun options like the metallic sparkly orange shown here or a bright blue. In all this time and with all of these improvements and upgrades, they have still maintained a reasonable $1,600 price point and continue to offer a year long warranty. I have heard from some visitors, in the comments, that they felt that the fenders on earlier versions rattled, or that some of the components were cheap… and that is certainly the case with the drivetrain here. You get a seven speed Shimano Tourney which is the entry level hardware in the Shimano line. However, in my experience, what you get is pretty reasonable and still a step up from the cheapest online offerings. This is an electric bike that is great for zipping around town, either in pedal assist or throttle mode, and I love that it is sold through shops so you can take a test ride and make sure it fits because the frame is highly adjustable. Between the telescoping stem, long adjustable seat post, and the mid-step frame, I find it to be approachable and comfortable. Also, the shop will deal with anything that might have been bent or messed up in shipping and they can act as a go-between for you when dealing with the company. Anyway, I love how hidden and protected the battery pack is and that the geared motor has been upgraded to something a little stronger now. You get a mechanical advantage from the smaller wheel diameter, and that makes the motor more efficient. There are now cheaper electric bikes being sold on Amazon and even Walmart, but you usually have to do some assembly and the warranty may be very limited. e-Joe offers a one year comprehensive warranty and should be able to provide parts and battery replacements to keep this thing going.
A few hardware highlights worth pointing out include the magnetic clasp mechanism that keeps the bike in a folded position. I don’t have a lot of experience traveling with this particular electric bike, but many others have no magnets or rubber bands so I usually recommend purchasing an adjustable bungee cable like these. Apparently, the magnets can rattle a bit more and maybe come loose, so the bungees are a great backup to reduce noise and scratching. I like the aluminum bar below the chainring that the bike rests on when folded (and that also protects the chainring). And, I also like the new swept-back handlebar. This provides a more comfortable upright body position for me and handles in a way that feels steady vs. a short twitchy bar. The only drawback is that the bike is wider when unfolded (in case you have to fit through a tight entrance or between cars) and even in the folded position it adds to the dimension of the bike so it’s just not as compact. Keep in mind, this electric bike may look small, but it still weighs about 51.5 lbs. That’s because the motor and battery add to the weight and the frame has to be reinforced to handle the folding design and increased forces of use under power. Sure, it can fit into a closet more easily, maybe the trunk of a car or RV, perhaps a boat or even private plane. For me, the added comfort of the suspension and many ways to use the bike, not even having to pedal, make it enjoyable compared to some cheaper offerings. And I especially like being able to test ride it and buy in person knowing that it was built by a trained mechanic who I can go back to for help. Also, I like that the lights they chose are from a well known company, Spanninga, and are probably more reliable, larger, and more reflective than cheaper alternatives. Finally, I love the 180 mm mechanical disc brakes in use here! Stopping is important, and while hydraulic brakes with adjustable levers would be even better… these provide great power and should stay cleaner than rim brakes and work better in wet riding conditions.
I want to elaborate on a discussion we had in the video review above. Sam made an interesting point about being able to lower the seat a lot, for petite riders who want to put their feet on the ground while seated, but the longer 170 mm crank arms that are directly below the seat tube end up putting their feet up high near where they are sitting (and their keens in their chest) vs. 165 or shorter crank arms or a feet-forward position where the bottom bracket is mounted forward, the trade-off is that for larger riders the 170 mm cranks will feel more natural and this bike is trying to be compact so moving the pedals forward would increase the frame weight and completely change the design, it’s just a side point about being able to test ride and fit yourself to an ebike like this and maybe raising that saddle even if you are a bit shorter. Big thanks to e-Joe for partnering with me on this review and to Sam at the Electric Bicycle Center in Fullerton California for inviting me to his shop and going on camera to film this review and provide broader feedback.
I wanted to share a couple of quick tips about the display. It only has two buttons which makes it pretty easy to use (press the + button to power it on). I like that the throttle overrides assist 1-5 and that it is disabled in level zero for safety. Because the trigger throttle is so large and so easy to press, just be careful that you have either clicked the – button to go to level zero or completely turned off the bike before mounting/dismounting and folding. You can hold the minus key to switch from an odometer to a trip meter and it might also turn on backlighting. The display isn’t quite as large and fancy as some of the full sized bikes, but it does have a disconnect point for easy repair/replacement and is going to stay out of the way more when the bike is folded. It’s just a monochrome design and the readouts could be small for some people with vision issues, but I’d call it above average for folding products. I love that the stem can be raised and lowered but on the point of cables, just don’t raise it so high that the cables get pulled apart or stretched when turning. I mention this in the video around 23:54 timestamp.
Pros:
- The 500 watt internally geared hub motor offers increased power and torque compared to older e-Joe Epic electric bike models, it should climb better and gets a mechanical advantage from the smaller wheel size here, 20″ diameter
- e-Joe has improved the drivetrain by using a larger 52 tooth chainring that offsets the smaller wheels, which spin faster, in short, it pedals more naturally at higher speeds up to the supported 20 mph
- The display panel is compact but simple to use and easy to read, I like the new trigger throttle because it’s so easy to press and is built into the display so the cockpit isn’t as cluttered, this seems like a throttle that would be easy to use even if you have short fingers or sensitive arthritis pain types of situations
- The bike comes with all of the accessories you really need, and the work pretty well, from the fenders to the rack and even the lights, it’s ready to go and “feature complete” without you having to install anything extra
- It’s neat to see full sized, almost overkill, 180 mm disc brakes on a folding electric bike, these will help you stop at higher speeds and with added weight
- I think it’s neat that the battery pack has a USB type A charging port built in because you could run some accessories while riding or use it for backup power with the batter off the bike… the on/off switch on the battery keeps this from phantom power draw which makes sense, if you do try to plug something into the battery while it’s on the bike, I recommend considering a right angle USB adapter like this to keep the cord out of your way when pedaling
- This is the first time I have seen an inline motor inhibitor system, so when you pull the brakes it sends a signal to stop power for safety and faster response, the inline system is much less cluttered than the extra wires of traditional inhibitors I have seen and probably also less prone to damage and confusion that people have had with the older style at times
- I appreciate the plastic chain guide that keeps the chain on track (when riding or when folding), it’s not as tough as an alloy guide but probably less expensive and definitely lighter weight
- e-Joe has adopted the new sealed cadence sensor design which is much smaller and probably more durable than the older ones (which were plastic discs with visible magnets), this seems less wasteful in terms of materials used and it worked great during my test rides, once the sensor is activated by your pedaling, you don’t have to push hard for it to keep going because it’s based only on motion, it can however feel more abrupt than a torque sensor
- A really big upgrade for the 2017/2018 model seems to be that the battery pack makes an electrical connection at the end of the tube vs. the part that folds open, this keeps the pins more protected from getting bent
- Even though most folding electric bikes do not route the cables internally like their full sized companions, this one does a great job of retaining those cables with metal clasps and a plastic channel below the main tube, they really stay out of the way
- I’m not always a huge fan of the plastic folding pedals because they can flex more and just seem cheap sometimes… and they can also be difficult to fold, but these ones had a nice folding mechanism where you pull with your fingers on a little release lever inside the pedal and they were just easy to work with
- Power deliver feels smooth and the lower levels of assist aren’t so overwhelming even though the motor is very capable if you press the throttle or arrow up to higher levels of assist
- I love the integrated bell on the left brake lever, I see this bell design frequently with the Tektro levers but it’s just a nice highlight, very friendly but also loud to signal to other riders or pedestrians
- I like the grip shifter mechanism because it has a window to easily show which gear you are in and can be used intuitively vs. the alternative cheap SIS Index thumb shifter that Shimano offers, this just looks clean and works well
- Both folding points (on the stem and the middle of the frame) have a plastic locking mechanism for safety, so you don’t have to worry so much about it when riding
Cons:
- Priced at $1,599 this is no longer one of the most affordable folding e-bikes around, but that’s due in part to the high powered motor and battery upgrade to 48 volts
- Even though this thing looks compact, it still weighs over 51 lbs, most folding electric bikes are heavier than they look so at least the battery is removable for ~5 lb weight savings if you want and the front wheel has quick release so that could reduce another couple of pounds
- Minor gripe here but the charger isn’t especially compact, lightweight, or fast, I would call it very average… and now with the larger battery capacity it can take longer to completely charge the bike if it is completely used
- As much as I like the Spanninga lights, I do wish they were integrated and could take power from that main rechargeable battery pack because as it stands, you have to turn them on independently which takes time and they could be left on accidentally vs. all being on the same system
- The suspension fork doesn’t have lockout so it could bob up and down as you pedal and dive forward if you stop hard, I’d rather have this than a rigid fork, it’s just not all that fancy or versatile and adjustable… at least they color matched it to the frame though!
- As much as I love having a kickstand, it can be a little annoying at times because it’s mounted at the bottom bracket and will get in the way of the left crank arm if you back the bike up without stowing it first, at least it’s adjustable length
- As cool as it is to have the throttle and display all combined (for reduced clutter on the handlebar) there is the drawback of having to replace the entire thing if say, just the throttle gets damaged, it sounds like the replacement cost is ~$65
- As with most internally geared hub motors, you can hear this thing a bit as you accelerate in the higher assist levels or use the trigger throttle at full power
Resources:
- Official Site: http://ejoebike.net/
- More Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cve391HPQwanctnY2
A-Dog says
Court-
What a great site and another great review. You have really helped me (and countless others) navigate the world of electric bikes. This 2018 version of the e-Joe Epik SE is checking a lot of boxes on my wish list. I read another review of this bike and there was a complaint about how awkward and heavy it felt while towing it by hand on its two wheels when folded. But I noticed on your video at time stamp 4:54 that the bottom of the seat post is very close to the ground while the bike is resting on the orange support handle below the pedals. Assuming that the post is hollow, it would seem to be easy enough to find a small castoring wheel with the right sized stem to fit inside the seat post. That would allow the bike to simply be pushed with zero lifting force required. The saddle could easily steer this “tricycle” arrangement.
Is there anyway to move the bike stand aft and out of the way of the pedals? Keep up the great work and the reminders to “ride safe!”
A-Dog
Court Rye says
Hmm, that’s a really creative idea! I have seen some folding ebike cases with caster wheels on the bottom that roll like big pieces of luggage like this and there are some kick scooters like the Glion with an extendable handle and wheel on the back. I think there is even a folding ebike that already does have a wheel on the bottom just like you’re describing, it’s from eProdigy and called the Fairweather. With a little bit of handywork, I think you might be able to solve the challenge of porting the e-Joe Epik SE around, I’d invite you to post pictures and links to parts in the e-Joe forums here if you do get something like that setup because I’d love to see it :D
Slim Jim says
Hi, I’m new to e-bikes and looking for a relatively compact folder for my ~8 mile commute. The e-joe seems to be the best option for what I’m looking for. This review was definitely thorough and helpful. Has anyone had experience with taking this on public transit? Is it easy to roll or take on a train or bus? I don’t have any vendors near me that carry the e-joe, to gauge how large or mobile it is in folded form. While taking this bike on the train isn’t my top priority, it would be nice to have the option.
court says
Hi Slim! Maybe someone else will chime in with actual experience, but my own thoughts are that it’s possible to fold up and lift, and you could bring it on and set it next to your seat but it might block the aisle a bit. Some busses and trains require you to put bikes into a bag if they are dirty or wet. I’ve been on some trains with special cars for bikes (in San Francisco). I hope this helps a bit, you can see one of the bikes with a bag included in this review.
Frank says
Hello, I purchased a 2018 E-Joe Epik SE on May 3rd this year and have been driven crazy by the problems I’ve had with not only the bike but the customer service too. They only seem to communicate with you via email to start and are very slow to respond as well. I have already had the bike replaced once so I’m on my second one because the first one just stopped working. An E-Joe employee named Yuliya Sklyarova helped me and replaced my first one with pretty good turnaround time. Now this one just won’t go sometimes. I mean it powers on but won’t go on either pedal assist or throttle. And yes I have full power and tried all the settings from 1 to 5 and get nothing either way. Now it is working after testing it in my house again. I would be happy to know if this is common for E-Joe’s products so I’m not crazy. Also if you had any suggestions I could use the help because I feel like I’m being put on the back burner with customer service. Is this company reputable? Thank you
court says
Hi Frank! It bums me out to hear that you’ve struggled so much with the e-Joe Epik SE… Thank you for sharing here in a constructive way because it might help other consumers and maybe even the company… I haven’t been in touch with e-Joe for quite a while but the times I spoke with their founder, Willie, he was extremely supportive and genuine. Perhaps you just got unlucky twice or maybe there is an issue with the latest batch. As you know, my ride tests are pretty limited and always done with brand new products. Did you purchase from a shop or direct online? I welcome your continued feedback about how this process plays out but it sounds like you are taking the appropriate steps and just have to be patient as they work with you. Hopefully they are able to help :/
Terry says
Frank, I really like this folding bike. But I have the same issues with their customer service. It has been several days since I contacted them. No reply. Tried their web contact form and message them on Facebook. It’s like they have no time for even NEW customers. Or they just don’t care.
Frank says
Hi Terry,
I wouldn’t deal with E-Joe if they were the only game in town selling electric bikes. Their customer service is the worst and to the point where I had to file a return with Pay pal to get my money back because they left me in nowhere land waiting for communication from them. The first bike I had to send back and they replaced it with another one that didn’t work. In the end I never recovered $160.00 in shipping cost that I had to go out of pocket to send it back to them because they accused me of trying to steal a bike that didn’t work. It was a very unsettling feeling to go through and I can relate to what you are going through. My guess is they are getting these bikes out of China as a fraction of a cost that they are selling them here in the USA. Retailers are happy to sell them because they have a big profit they are up from. I ended up purchasing a Tern Vektron and have had no issues at all.
I hope this information helps.
Terry says
Thanks, Frank. Very helpful. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the eJOE because of their recent $300 Cyber Monday discount which works out to like $100/month 0% APR on my new credit card. So glad I did not.
Rex Vaughn says
Do you think the e-joe Epic is the top rated bicycle at this price point? It seems to be pretty feature rich compared to some other units. I also really like the Blix Vika+. There are no dealers anywhere close to where we live so we are totally reliant on your reviews and the opinions on the forums. Thank you for your great website and expertise.
Court says
Hi Rex! I like both of these brands but have seen Blix appearing in more dealers and spent more time with the founder. I would rate them higher than e-Joe at this point in time. I also like Enzo and feel that they deliver a great deal of quality for slightly higher prices :)
John Richardson says
Great article, Court. From your review, my wife and I ventured up to the Electric Bike Store in Fullerton, where we met Sam and his wife. We took an eJoe out for a test ride and were impressed. The bike has a lot of power, but smooth delivery. This was a huge deal for us. We had test ridden other folding brands in this price range, but many had jerky all-or-nothing delivery from a stop. For a newer rider, this can be a deal breaker. Thankfully, the e-Joe has a smooth throttle and smooth pedal assist, yet with a 500 watt motor can climb very steep hills. Sam is a great guy, and made the buying process easy. He explaned all the controls, added a comfort seat, and spent some time adjusting the components so my wife felt comfortable. We are enjoying this bike very much. As far as improvements go, I would suggest eJoe look into an upgraded Shimano setup for smoother operation, and integrate the lights to work off the main battery.
For people interested in folding bikes, I would highly suggest test riding this bike and the Blix Vika+. Both have smooth power operation. The Vika has a lower stepover, is quieter, and has a more elegant design. The eJoe has front suspension, disk brakes, and slightly more power, which may be a plus for larger or heavier riders. The eJoe is our second ebike and compliments our Vika very well. Definitely test drive before you buy. Specs alone don’t tell the whole story. Finding a good bike store to work with makes a big difference if you’ve never ridden an electric bike before. Subtle adjustments like seat height and power selection along with a flat and safe test area can really improve your first impression and help you build confidence if you haven’t ridden a bike in a while.
Terry says
Great review, as always, Court. I wonder if you have checked out the 2018 e-JOE folding bike. I am considering getting either the e-JOE or the ENZO folding bike. Your comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Court says
Hi Terry! I haven’t checked out their latest but am planning to visit Southern California soon and will keep an eye out. Both of these ebikes are great, I like the customization that ENZO has done, their cast wheels and stuff :)
Andrew Ward says
Hey Guys and gals… Just want to jump in here and say that I have gotten great service and support. I bought two Epik’s (one for me, one for wifey.) I would say the fails are fairly normal and expected for anything with this much mechanicals and high-powered electrics. No bicycle manufacturer can do the kind of testing and QA that would make this a battle-ready tool… (My employer goes to extraordinary lengths to assure design and production quality. It is an expensive process. (Apple) You cannot expect that from a $1,500 bicycle. In dealing with Yuliya, I have found great support and follow-through, even when the Epik was an wee bit past warranty. Overall.. A+ Love the bikes, and support.. Very very happy.
Court says
What a great comment, Andrew! Thanks for spending some time providing feedback about your experience with e-Joe and some context for your perspectives. I’m so glad that you and your wife are enjoying these fun little bikes and feel grateful for your comment!
Robb C. Rasmussen says
Just acquired what seems to be a non working E-Joe Epik SE. Hope I can get it up and running.
Court says
Hmm, was it purchased used? If it’s brand new, I think e-Joe should offer a warranty to replace the parts or even the whole bike.
Robb C. Rasmussen says
Thanks for the input. I acquired this 2015 e-joe EPIK SE at an estate sale. Original owner has passed. His sister said he had said it had battery problems. After tightening the loose seat, I powered it up. Shows plenty of battery life on controller. I get about three seconds of power on PAS or throttle before it shuts down. When I contacted e-joe they said most likely bad cells in battery. New battery is $500. Also his sister couldn’t find keys so will likely need to have a locksmith open the battery compartment. Not sure if worth the expense. Bike looks new.
Court says
Hmm, well the replacement battery is definitely less than a new bike! Too bad about having to get a locksmith to help. Maybe you can pick the lock yourself with a kit from Amazon. I’ve seen a YouTuber called the lockpicking lawyer who does this a lot. If the bike looks new, you could have a bargain on your hands if they are willing to sell it inexpensively.