One of the only deep step-thru electric bikes powered by Bosch that's available in the US for 2015
Near perfect selection of accessories including full length fenders, integrated LED lights, carry rack and hydraulic disc brakes with nice extras like kickstand, chain guard, ergo grips, gel saddle and bell
Not as well balanced as other Bosch powered ebikes given the rear battery rack vs. center, only available in one size and priced higher than many other cruisers due to premium drive system
Speed, Battery Voltage, Odometer, Estimated Range, Clock, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip Time, 4 Assist Levels
Display Accessories:
Independent Button Pad with Tactile Button Feedback
Drive Mode:
Advanced Pedal Assist
(Combined Torque, Cadence and Speed Measured 1,000 Times Per Second), (Eco 50%, Tour 120%, Sport 190%, Turbo 275%)
Top Speed:
20 mph (32 kph)
Written Review
BH, a bicycle company from Spain that started in 1909, has been selling electric bikes in the US under the name Easy Motion since 2013. They’ve been fairly successful, offering three different lines (Neo, Evo and Nitro) with a complete range of City, Hybrid and Off-Road models that all use geared rear hub motors and an integrated mid-mount battery pack. They look beautiful, are priced fairly well and can be found all across the nation at ebike dealerships for test rides and ongoing service. For 2015 they’ve tweaked the model slightly and are now offering two mid-drive electric bikes powered by Bosch motors, batteries and control units. These models, including the Xenion Bosch City Wave and Bosch Cross don’t offer throttle mode and won’t go above 20 mph like most of their predecessors. They are also significantly more expensive, retailing for ~$4K vs. ~$3K. While this might raise questions for some around ride style and budget, I’m actually very impressed with the new models and my favorite is the Bosch City Wave because it’s one of the only true low-step frames available with a Bosch drive system in the US for 2015 and that’s a big deal for petite riders or those who don’t have the flexibility and range of motion required to mount a traditional high-step.
Driving the Easy Motion Bosch City Wave is a second generation Bosch Centerdrive motor. It’s mounted to a plate right where the seat tube and downtube meet and contains a gearing system designed translate pedal rotation and electric drive power into efficient movement. You might notice the smaller sprocket here which actually rotates about twice as fast as a traditional larger chainring would and this gives the motor a mechanical advantage while also lifting the chain for higher ground clearance. Now you don’t actually have to pedal twice as fast, the motor unit is geared to roughly double rider input (and you can pedal this bike with the motor turned completely off, it’s still very efficient). The beauty in how this system works is that it measures the bicycle speed, rider pedal speed and rider pedal force roughly 1,000 times per second and that translates into fluid power exactly when you need it. So even though this ebike doesn’t have a throttle like most of the other Easy Motion bikes, it still feels very peppy (depending on which drive mode you choose) and can actually go about twice as far as the others even though it has a smaller battery pack (which keeps it light weight). I’ve tested other electric bikes that use this same Bosch powered geared mid-drive motor and actually taken them off road, off jumps and straight up rocky trails without issue. It’s truly an amazing system and more than adequate for a hybrid city cruiser bike like this.
Powering the middrive motor here is a Bosch Powerpack 400 with Lithium-ion cells manufactured by Samsung. It offers 36 volts of power which is about average, along with 11 amp hours of capacity which is just above average. As mentioned earlier, the power and capacity offered by the battery is used extremely well by the drive system and can deliver upwards of 60 miles per charge (no joke) on flat terrain with a ~170 lb rider on a calm day. What’s really unique about the battery pack on the Bosch City Wave model vs. the Bosch Cross from Easy Motion is that it mounts in a rear rack vs. on the downtube. This is one of the only ebikes I’ve seen in America that uses this mounting option and it does have the drawback of placing weight higher up and more towards the rear which isn’t as optimal for balance. Don’t take this the wrong way, there are many great ebikes with rear-mount batteries that work fine… and especially in this case with the mid-drive motor and suspension fork that helps to balance it out. The benefits are that the frame can offer a lower and more open step-thru design and you get a rear rack that can be used for porting things around. I love that the rear rack comes with an integrated triple bungee for quick attachment of papers or boxes but am usually more interested in using side mount panniers which will easily fit this standard sized rack. The side blocker tubing helps to keep any bags and supplies from rubbing on the tire or bumping the rear fender.
There is so much to appreciate with this ebike and one of the biggest benefits is just how easy it is to manage day to day. The battery pack slides out easily for charging on or off the frame but uses an ABUS locking core for security when parked, the LCD display panel also comes off and both of the wheels attach with quick release! So this means you can store the fancy bits inside, charge them conveniently, swap them out easily if there’s ever an issue, change flat tires easily, load the bike into cars more easily (and with less weight) and get the eight speed drivetrain serviced by traditional bike shops who won’t be as intimidated by the rear end of the bike. It’s just a great setup all the way around! Activating and using the electric systems on this bike is very intuitive thanks to Bosch’s “Intuvia” display panel. Once the battery is charged and locked to the frame you just press a power button and the display comes to life showing battery level, speed, distance traveled, range expected and pedal assist mode. There are four levels of assist and the highest one is seriously powerful while the lowest is what I tend to use daily and offers that incredible range mentioned earlier. I made a short video that covers the actual operation of the Intuvia here along with the official manuals but it really is easy to use. While not ever Bosch powered ebike has integrated lights, the Bosch City Wave does and they are also powered by the Intuvia display (which is also backlit). The lights are integrated, meaning they run off of the bicycle systems and don’t require their own batteries, and in this case they are powered by a Shimano dynamo hub on the front wheel which converts a bit of movement energy into electricity. This adds expense and weight to the bike but ensures that the lights will always work as long as you’re moving (and even for a few moments after for safety) vs. ebikes that tap into the main battery to power the lights.
To wrap things up, I want to call out the full length fenders that are used on this bike which add to the safety and utility of the LED light system and the quality Shimano hydraulic disc brakes for excellent stopping, rain or shine. As someone with a bit of neck and back pain myself, I love the suspension fork and seat post shock which help to smooth out the ride. I also like the swept-back handlebars which deliver a more upright ride position and ergonomic grips which dampen vibration and relax wrists. The stem on this bike is a tool-free adjustable angle design which makes fitting a lot easier and can accommodate taller or shorter riders. The gel saddle is nice as well and is narrow enough that it doesn’t chaff my inner thighs the way that some true cruiser seats do. the 700c wheels are large and medium-narrow which creates efficiency and speed but again, the suspension helps to reduce their stiffer feel when riding. I like the reflective sidewall stripes that they feature, the aluminum alloy platform pedals are stiff and feel sturdy and the kickstand is nice. There is literally one one thing I would change about this electric bike and that would be the addition of a water bottle cage mounting point on the seat tube. As it comes, you might have to buy an aftermarket adapter or just put a bottle in a bag on the rear rack. Everything else here is awesome, maybe an extra size or two would make it even more accessible but frankly, given the relatively low price (for a Bosch powered ebike) and the reputation and network of Easy Motion, this is a wonderful electric bike that’s capable and durable.
Pros:
Excellent two year comprehensive warranty from BH (the company that makes Easy Motion) upgradable to 5 years if you register the bike
High quality Bosch-made second generation Centerdrive has “zero maintenance schedule” meaning it’s meant to stay sealed and last for a long time without issue
Extremely comfortable ride thanks to the suspension fork, seat post shock, padded saddle, adjustable angle stem, ergonomic grips and padded gel seat
Great utility/safety features including full length fenders with mud flaps, integrated front and rear LED lights, reflective tire stripes, partial chain guard, rear rack with triple bungee cords and bell on right grip
This bike is easy to to park and store for commuting or travel thanks to a sturdy kickstand, removable LCD display and battery pack and the quick release wheels
Step-thru frame is fairly rigid thanks to the oversized motor mounting plate, it weighs ~53 lbs which is okay given the suspension and accessories
Hydraulic 160 mm disc brakes by Shimano are easy to actuate compared with mechanical, they were smooth and squeak free during my review
The drive system on this bike pulls the same chain as the rider and therefore benefits from the eight speed cassette for climbing or riding at higher speeds, it can get 65+ miles of range per charge using the lowest level of assist in standard flat conditions
Built in shift-detection helps to relax the motor as you change gears, this keeps the chain and sprockets from mashing which reduces the need for tuneups and extends the life of hardwar
Cons:
One of the more expensive step-thru city/commuter style electric bikes I’ve reviewed based on the higher quality drive system and battery, it seems that no Bosch powered ebikes sell for below ~$4,000
Unlike almost every other Bosch powered electric bike I’ve reviewed, this one has a rear-rack mounted battery pack which isn’t as balanced on the frame or low for improved center of gravity, it still works great and may be necessary for the full step-thru frame design
Only available in one color (white) and one standard size (medium) but this works out alright for most riders thanks to the tool-free adjustable stem and seat post height
This is a pedal-assist only electric bike which means you have to pedal at all times in order to activate the motor, many people like this style (and it is the most widely acceptable on bike paths etc.) but it may be inconvenient if you really just want to scoot around or are carrying a load on the rack and don’t want to upset the balance by pedaling
This motor creates a noticeable whir and whining sound at higher RPM, while it can climb almost anything and is super efficient it does produce more noise than a gearless hub motor and even some geared hub motors (see video review above)
No threaded eyelets for mounting a water bottle cage on the seat tube, this seems like it could have been a great addition considering there appears to be space on the frame
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