Easy Motion EasyGo Street Review

The EasyGo Street is an entry level step-thru city bike (or almost a cruiser) with lots of accessories for improved utility and comfort. Compared to the other EasyGo offering, the Race, this electric bike is $400 more expensive but really geared towards a different customer. Frankly, it would be my choice between the two bikes but it’s a bit small for my body size (I’m about 5 foot 9 inches). The low-step frame is easy to mount and stand over at stop signs but feels solid thanks to the double downtube design and wider more rigid bottom tube. It looks beautiful in gloss white with red accents and the fork and grips tie in nicely. Easy Motion is part of BH, a bicycle company from Spain dating back to 1909… These guys emphasize the bicycle aspects of their ebikes first and integrate electric drive systems in a way that preserves the aesthetic and emphasizes active riding. It uses a torque sensor vs. cadence which means you have to push in order to activate the motor and there’s no throttle.

Being an entry-level offering, many of the components and accessories are lower quality. That includes the Shimano Tourney TX drivetrain and shifter which are bottom of the line. You get six speeds and considering the more limited 15.5 mph top assisted speed of this electric bike, that’s fine… and honestly, I didn’t struggle hitting 20 mph on flats when pedaling in the higher gears, I just noticed that the motor wasn’t helping as much. This performance limitation becomes a strength in terms of maximizing range and taking advantage of the smaller 250 watt motor and 36 volt 5.8 amp hour battery pack. This electric bike is specced more like what you’d see in Europe where e-bike laws are more restrictive. In the USA however, I’m used to seeing 20 mph top speeds with 350 watt motors and 36 volt 10 amp hour batteries that will climb more effectively and feel zippier with a cadence sensor and sometimes even a throttle. BH’s Easy Motion has offered this sort of performance with past Neo and Evo models that you can still find but seems to be standardizing more of their ebikes, trying to keep prices low and promoting the Class 1 pedal assist only configuration. If you’re looking for a petite bike like this one but want more power consider the Easy Motion Evo Eco Lite. Another very similarly sized but much more powerful electric bike than either of these is the Pedego 24″ Step-Thru Cruiser for comparison and if you want even more power and lights check out the Pedego 24″ Step-Thru Interceptor model which can be fitted with color matched fenders. Both of these bikes are upwards of 15 pounds heavier than the EasyGo Street… and that’s going to impact transport and riding in a big way, it’s why I called it an “almost cruiser” earlier. It’s a more active bike that feels relaxed in some ways but is meant for pedaling and really empowering you as a rider vs. take you along on something that behaves more like a vehicle.

I’m a fan of this design and would love to see more sizes and perhaps an even lower price point in the future. Adding a rear light built into the battery would be phenomenal and possibly allowing the US version to easily reach 20 mph as well. Given that the bike offers four levels of assist, I wouldn’t mind if the highest level was a bit more responsive and zippy because my knee gets sensitive when pushing too hard. I love that the rear rack is rated for 25 kg (55 lbs) so you could add a child seat or basket and that it includes bungee cord connector spots and pannier blockers to keep your bags from bumping the wheels and spokes but I didn’t love how rattly the fenders were… perhaps mine just needed some adjustment :)

Pros:

• Extremely affordable for a brand name electric bike, especially given their vast dealer network and solid two year warranty (five if you register the bike)
• Very light weight at ~44 pounds, especially considering the fenders, chain guard, rack and suspension fork
• Excellent LCD display system, it includes lots of very detailed feedback including speed, total and trip range time and top speed, assist level and it’s backlit and removable!
• The TMM4 torque sensor is smooth and efficient, it will increase the range of this bike compared with a cadence sensor pedal assist but does require more pedal input from the rider so you’ll work harder
• Compact ~1.4 pound charger is easy to take along to top off along the way for increased range, it uses a fancy magnetic socket called the EnergyBus standard
• High quality appearance, nice paint and matching fork resemble the more expensive Easy Motion electric bikes
• Decent comfort thanks to the wider tires, gel saddle, swept back handlebar and suspension fork but there are no adjustments on the fork and it has limited travel
• Six speeds is decent for a more affordable bike with the limited top speed and not everyone wants to go fast so this bike delivers a more controlled bicycle-like experience which they might enjoy
• I appreciate the kickstand and how all of the wires were run through the frame for improved aesthetic and durability, there are even two black rubber bands that hold the brake inhibitor wires close to the bar to reduce clutter
• The motor is mounted with torque arms for improved strength and the power cable is tucked in closer to the hub vs. coming in from the axle on the side (which means it’s more protected if the bike tips)

Cons:

• The headlight is great to have but runs off of independent batteries so don’t forget to turn it off after each ride! I wish there was a rear light as well, seems like they could add a few LED’s onto the battery pack
• The motor power cable enters from the end of the axle and is more exposed than on some of the other Easy Motion e-bikes where it runs into the side and is tucked in near to the frame (which helps reduce snags, bending and wear if the bike tips over)
• You pretty much have to take the battery pack off the bike with you when parked… it doesn’t lock to the frame, thankfully it’s compact and light weight but you’ll still be carrying ~3 lbs with you at all times
• Motor power really drops off above ~15.5 mph, I could hear it operating up to ~20 mph but the power was significantly reduced even when riding with the highest level of pedal assist and pushing hard
• No quick release skewer on either wheel which would make it easier to transport or perform maintenance
• The fenders rattled more than some of the higher quality bikes, you can hear it in the video review above when I travel over bumpier terrain
• The motor continues to output power even after you stop pedaling and sort of fades out, I think this is designed to reduce the feeling of surge while pedaling and thankfully the brake levers have motor inhibitors for a more instant stop

Resources:

• Official Site: http://www.emotionbikesusa.com/en/bicycles/ebikes/easygo-street-eg316-us.html
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/KnfQEyUTRsGGxjSm6