The Easy Motion EVO Jet is an “evolved” version of the NEO Jet and part of a line of electric bikes which launched in 2015 for North America. The Neo series launched in 2013 and during its time was one of the most popular series of ebikes that I got to test and review. What makes the Jet so special is the easy mount step-thru frame design combined with a clean, integrated look thanks to the motor and battery design. Easy Motion is part of BH which has been making traditional bicycles since 1909 and that really shows in the frame design here. This ebike has a larger gear range (24 speeds vs. just 10 on many ebikes) and a nice set of hydraulic disc brakes for easy but powerful stopping. It’s an extremely versatile electric bike with rack and fender mounts, efficient narrow tires and four levels of assist to help you climb steadily or reserve energy while riding over long distances. The EVO Jet is a blast to pedal, the modestly specced motor actually produces a lot of torque and is easy to get above 20 mph in pedal assist mode even though this isn’t officially a “speed pedelec”. The big differences from earlier Jet models is the battery design which now allows charging on-frame and has a higher energy capacity and a quick release rear wheel with quick connect power cables. Aside from those additions and the new tubing design (and an additional $300) the bike is remarkably similar to the Neo Jet.
The motor that drives this ebike is very nicely integrated into the look of the frame. It offers a fairly average 350 watts of power output but actually feels great to ride. As shown in the video review above, the motor is fairly quiet but being geared it does produce more of a whir than some gearless motors. It’s painted black to sort of blend in and the electronic cable connecting it to the controller is now located on the left side of the frame and closer in towards the hub. This has two benefits: it reduces clutter on the drivetrain side of the bike where the Shimano Alivio eight speed cassette and derailleur are mounted and it also keeps the power cable out of harms way if the bike tips over. Some of the older Easy Motion Neo motor cables could break or become loose based on their more exposed position. In short, the motor and its cable hide very well behind the 160 mm rear disc brake rotor and cassette contributing to the “stealth” nature of this ebike but it still offers a powerful zippy feel, especially in throttle mode.
The battery pack on the Evo Jet is quite impressive because it builds on the older Neo designs and addresses one big complaint that customers had. Many people wanted to charge the pack on the bike but were forced to take it off every time because there was no charging outlet built into the frame. This made dropping and scratching the battery easier but that was somewhat overlooked because it matched the frame, kept weight low and used high quality cells. With the new Evo line you get the all of those same benefits but now you can actually charge it on the bike… and it’s about 30% larger in terms of energy storage! Offering 36 volts of power and now 11.6 amp hours vs. the old 8.8 this pack is remarkably small. It uses quality Lithium Manganese Samsung cells and now also has a built in LED power readout so when you do take it off the bike (during transport or to charge inside) you can see how full it is without going back to the bike. The battery is one of the nicest looking, highest quality designs on any electric bike I’ve tested to date and despite being wedged between the top tube and downtube on the Jet it actually comes on and off fairly easily.
Connecting the rider to the battery and motor is a beautiful, low profile backlit LCD display panel that I go over in detail with this video tutorial. It’s the same design they’ve been using on the Neo line since 2013 and it’s still intuitive, easy to reach and removable! To get things going, just charge the battery then hold the middle button for a few seconds (it takes a moment longer to activate than some ebikes I’ve tested as you might notice from the video). Once it’s on, you can press the up or down buttons to explore throttle mode or four levels of assist. You get more power with the higher assist levels but you also burn through the battery more quickly. The one complaint I have about the control system here is that you can’t use the throttle to override pedal assist and this would be nice for adding power when riding in the lowest level of assist to simply overcome a short hill climb. As it stands, you either have to arrow up to a higher assist level or arrow down to throttle mode briefly and then back up to a low, efficient level of assist. In any case, the twist throttle is located on the right bar and the display lists your speed, battery capacity, time, max speed and distance traveled.
The Evo Jet is an easy electric bike to appreciate and even love, it’s basically the step-thru version of the Evo Cross which is the most popular electric bike model that Easy Motion sells in the US. The price point is great considering the larger battery, beautiful frame design and multiple sizes and I appreciate the extras such as grippy aluminum pedals, suspension fork, hydraulic brakes and ergo grips… even if they are all a bit more basic in terms of quality. This bike will excel in a variety of environments from neighborhood to city riding, commuting and even light packed trail riding. The efficient tires will help you get good range but aren’t as forgiving on bumps (consider a seat post shock) and the removable battery will help you extend the life of the bike (store at neutral temperatures and charge after each ride) and make it easier to transport. If you’re looking for good value or a first ebike then this could be a great fit.
Pros:
- With the EVO line of electric bikes form Easy Motion you can charge the battery pack while it is still mounted to the bike frame, no need to take it off every single time (very handy if you store your bike inside or near a power outlet)
- Offers both throttle mode and pedal assist with four levels to emphasize range or speed, zippy powerful feel from the efficient 350 watt geared motor
- Purpose-built frame with beautifully integrated downtube mounted battery pack, this keeps weight low and center for improved balance and handling
- The display panel, battery pack, suspension fork and hub motor are all painted to match the bike and blend in to make it look more like a normal bicycle, the drive systems are relatively stealth and won’t stand out
- The LCD display is removable, easy to reach and activate from the left grip, backlit for use in low lighting conditions (just hold the down arrow for two seconds)
- Tektro E-Comp levers have motor cutoff switches built in, the large 180 mm front rotor and standard 160 mm rear rotor offer good stopping power
- Large 700c wheelset with efficient hybrid tires provides great rolling speed and increased range but aren’t as soft as larger ones might be (the suspension fork helps)
- The suspension fork smoothes things out and has a lockout to reduce bob on smooth surfaces, it’s relatively small and light weight to keep bike nimble
- Seat stay bosses could be useful for adding a rear rack if you wanted to use this as a commuter bike, it also has fender attachment points
- With 24 gear combinations to choose from, this bike is easy to pedal at low speed when climbing or at higher speeds when traveling long distances, it easily reaches 20+ mph in pedal assist mode
- Two frame sizes to choose from, provides a better fit and more comfortable ride (only one color and one frame style of low-step)
- New tool-free rear quick release system makes changing flats and doing service much easier, the motor power cable also has a quick disconnect built in
- The motor power cable location has been updated, now entering the hub on the left side of the bike vs. the right where the derailleur and cassette are, this helps to reduce complexity, clutter and damage if the bike tips
- TMM4 torque sensor activates the motor smoothly and the control system reduces surge when pedaling but the motor does run a bit longer when you stop pedaling
- The Eco (lowest level) of pedal assist is now gentler and smoother which provides better range, this was a request from many customers of the older Easy Motion Neo line
- The battery uses high end 18650 Lithium Manganese cells from Samsung that are light weight and long lasting, excellent energy density here (lower weight, more power)
Cons:
- Entry level suspension fork from SR Suntour with limited adjustability, basic rubber ergonomic grips without lockers to keep them from spinning
- No bottle cage mounting points on the downtube or seat tube, this means you’ll need to add one to the seat post or saddle rails, carry a bag or setup a rear rack
- Throttle cannot be used at all when riding in pedal assist mode, you have to arrow down to “No Assist” and then activate using the half grip twist
- Hydraulic disc brakes provide decent stopping power but aren’t as smooth as Avid and may rattle or squeak more with use
- The controller on this bike lets the motor run a second or two long after you’ve stopped pedaling, this reduces “surge” (the jerky feeling of power going up and down with each pedal stroke) but makes the bike feel unresponsive at times
Resources:
- Official Site: http://www.emotionbikesusa.com/ebikes/EV715
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/A9EBadhiaxBsMvEaA
Andy says
Thank you so much for your excellent reviews. I have really enjoyed your website. I bought the Evo Jet and it meets all of my needs for commuting and for having fun.
Court Rye says
Awesome! Glad you found a bike that works for your needs. Good choice on the Jet :)
Andrew says
Hi. I have an Evo Jet and love it. It fits all of my needs – peppy, fun to ride, many gears to get the right candance, good battery life, nice looking (I have never gotten so many compliments on a bike). The bike became much more fun and comfortable after I installed a Body Float suspension seat post. Before that, there were too many jolts to my spine.
Court Rye says
Great feedback Andrew! I’m a big fan of suspension seat posts as well, haven’t tried the Body Float yet but did own a Thudbuster and really appreciated the extra cushion ;)
Earl says
Your reviews and website are awesome. Anyway you can do a video break down on the differences in the hardware or applications for each Easy Motion. They are all priced the same and other than size I am trying to figure the best one for me. Once again great job!
Court Rye says
Thanks Earl! You’re correct about the pricing strategy from Easy Motion, it’s designed to let you simply focus on the type of bike you want vs. being confused about drive system, battery etc. they’re all the same… Maybe I can just help you here, what kind of riding do you like or plan on doing? How tall are you and what body position do you prefer (more active/forward or relaxed/upright)?
Gary says
Mr. Rye, I’m a mature 5′ 8″ male who uses the car to go to the store on the corner of the next street. Now that I have diabetes and an irregular heartbeat, besides having a weakened leg from polio and need to exercise as unappealing as that sounds to me. I want to get a new bike and have been researching ebikes on the web. I feel I need a bike with a throttle because I’m overweight at 220 pounds and definitely not in shape. I could ride to the store or 15 or 20 minutes away to the post office or health stores, etc. and it might be fun. Basically I rode a regular bike years ago for a about a year when in college. I would appreciate any help with choosing an ebike. My preferred riding position would be relaxed and upright, however there are mounds everywhere and I’m not interested in attempting to pedal up them. I’d never make it, hence the need for the throttle. I’ve seen some bikes online, such as the IZip Dash and the new 2016 Easy Motion Evo Ebikes, epecially the Street, Cross, and Jet. I would appreciated having you give me several ebike options to choose from that you’ve seen or reviewed. Thanks.
Court Rye says
Hi Gary! Thanks for expanding on your situation… I realize ebikes are expensive and if it’s your first time choosing it can be tough to narrow down and choose. Given your height and limited range of motion I think the Pedego Cruiser Step-Thru could be a great fit. It will be easier to mount than a high-step frame and more powerful than the IZIP or Easy Motion bikes depending on the options you choose. It has larger, softer tires and a big comfortable saddle as well as swept-back handlebars for improved ride position. If you go with their 500 watt motor and 48 volt battery you will get excellent power and range. For a bit more money I’d highly recommend the Pedego Interceptor in Step-Thru which includes pedal assist and some nice upgrades including lights. With the Interceptor, you can override pedal assist with the twist throttle at any time (and you’ll get full power so those hills and mounds you mentioned won’t be a problem) but I think using pedal assist mode as your default will help you stretch, improve range of motion and build your health vs. just riding around on a scooter without pedaling along :P