Easy Motion Evo 29 Review

The Evo 29 is one of the largest trail bikes that Easy Motion offers in part due to the 19.5″ frame but also because the wheels are 29 inches in diameter. The benefits are a smoother ride over cracks, rocks or bumps and increased rolling momentum once you’ve gotten up to speed. It’s a beautifully made ebike with purpose built frame that keeps battery weight low, center and nearly hidden thanks to a custom paint job. The color is a bit unique and there’s only one choice (as with the size) but I love the addition of hydraulic disc brakes and quick release systems on both wheels. With this electric bike you get 30 speeds to pedal with which makes climbing or hitting higher speeds easy and you also get a decent RockShox fork with lockout so it performs well on trails or streets. That’s actually my favorite part about this and other Easy Motion off-road models like the slightly smaller Evo 27.5, they both have rack mounting points at the back so you can carry cargo and use this for more than just weekend fun. For ~$3k this is a solid bike from a reputable company with an excellent two year comprehensive warranty.

Driving the Evo 29er is a quality geared hub motor offering 350 watts of power. It’s painted black to match the spokes and wheelset which is a nice touch and it’s relatively small and light weight. For some ebike riders 350 watts may sound a bit weak but the system tops out around 550 watts and is stronger feeling than many equivalently rated systems I’ve tested. It’s made by Dapu which is good brand and it functions smoothly. Compared with a gearless alternative, this motor is a bit louder (as shown in the video review) but definitely not the loudest I’ve tested and a heck of a lot lighter weight. Getting the bike up to speed is one thing but slowing down is also important and the hydraulic disc brakes on the Evo 29 are solid. They’re not top of the line and may squeak a bit when wet but they are easy to actuate with just a finger or two which is great for bumpy terrain where you need a solid grip on the bars.

Powering the bike is a wonderfully designed 36 volt 11.6 amp hour battery pack that mounts directly into the the top of the downtube. This pack contains highly rated Samsung cells and features an LED power gauge so you can easily tell if it’s full or empty even if it’s not mounted to the bike! By keeping weight low and center on the frame Easy Motion has improved the balance and maneuverability of their bikes and that’s especially useful when navigating unstable terrain. Apart from the design itself, the mounting interface is solid and secure (featuring a locking core) and you’re able to charge the pack on the bike which is a big upgrade from older Easy Motion lines like the Neo. My one gripe here is that the charging interface is different on the pack than it is on the bike… which means you need an extra little wire adapter which could get lost. Also, the way the power port is positioned near the bottom bracket exposes it to contact with the left crank arm which could actually break the plug off if you moved the bike while charging. Just be careful :)

Operating the Evo 29 is very simple. Once the battery is charged and mounted you simply hold the center button on the display for a few seconds and it comes to life. Some other ebikes make you switch the battery on independently from the display system and that takes extra time. The console on the Evo series is thin but sturdy feeling and can be reached with your left thumb even without taking your hand off the grip. This is a great physical setup because it means you can maintain a grip but also interact with the controls, using the up and down buttons to navigate from no-assist (throttle mode) up through four increasingly powerful levels of torque sensing assistance. The higher you go, the more boost you get but you also drain the battery quicker. One of my biggest grips about this and other Easy Motion electric bikes is that the throttle does not override assist. My favorite level to cruise in is Eco but when I encounter a hill I’m forced to either arrow down on the display, momentarily disabling assist so I can use the throttle to help a bit extra… or arrow up and get more assist but not be able to use the throttle. I guess it’s a personal preference and by separating the two modes riders may be less likely to accidentally activate the throttle while bearing down on the right grip… If I could change the system I’d use a trigger throttle and let it override assist. This would maintain a sturdy grip but give you more control as a rider.

To summarize this bike I’d say it can be an excellent choice for a less hard core mountain biker and perfect for someone who takes dirt paths on occasion but prefers a mountain bike setup for urban riding. It’s a hardtail with narrow bars, a mid-level suspension and geared motor vs. mid-drive. For the price you get a really elegant look and a great warranty but lack on the finer controls and balance. The battery weight is low which is nice but the hub motor just isn’t going to perform the way a mid-drive could (in terms of efficiency and handling). I’ve also noticed that the pedal assist surges for a second or two after I stop pedaling and can even be activated by the chain bouncing which isn’t what you want if you’re on truly gnarly terrain. Surprisingly, many trail bikes don’t have those rack bosses and even though this one doesn’t have bottle cage mounts, it’s fixable with a seat adapter or CamelBack. This is a solid mid-level trail bike and a great option for someone who wants a 29er with lockout to use around town.

Pros:

• The battery can be charged on or off the frame, this is convenient for people who store their bikes inside, it also means you can make the bike lighter for transport
• Nice peppy motor even though it’s rated at a more average 350 watts, it’s a higher quality build from Dapu and it’s small and light weight which is good for trail riding
• Four levels of pedal assist with the lowest being very efficient (much less powerful than the Neo line from Easy Motion in 2013/2014)
• Beautiful frame with excellent weight distribution of electronic systems (motor and battery), tapered head tube is sturdy and the suspension fork is solid
• Just like the battery, the display panel is also removable which reduces exposure to weather or theft when parking outside
• Built in motor inhibitor on both brake levers, this is especially useful in pedal assist mode because the motor cutoff isn’t as instant as motor start
• Larger 29″ wheelset elevates the bike and works great with the large 19.5″ frame (this is one of Easy Motion’s largest ebikes), the wheels take more energy to start but roll over bumps and cracks efficiently
• Threaded eyelets on the rear seat stays and dropout area are perfect for adding a rack, the Evo 29 makes an excellent urban bike or commuter with a rack as well as a trail bike
• Excellent gear range with 30 speeds to choose from and higher end Shimano Deore components that should endure
• Handy quick release on the front wheel and a unique “tool free” release system on the rear wheel, these systems make trail maintenance easier
• Updated motor power cable position (comes out on the left side and is tucked in near the axle for reduced exposure if the bike tips)
• Good quality on the batteries (made by Samsung) and a solid two year comprehensive warranty, easier to find and test ride this e-bike since it’s from a major brand

Cons:

• Maybe due in part to the downtube style battery pack and the angled top-tube this electric bike doesn’t offer bottle cage mounts, consider a saddle rail adapter, wear a CamelBak or setup a rear rack and use a bag
• While this bike does offer pedal assist as well as throttle mode you cannot override assist with the throttle
• Given the potential for trail or mountain use of an off-road ebike like this I would prefer a trigger throttle vs. a half-grip twist because the grip would feel more secure for handling rough terrain
• The TMM4 torque sensor is great for starting and feels relatively smooth getting up to speed but seems to delay a bit after you stop pedaling, it can also get triggered if the chain is bouncing around a lot which could be destabilizing on a trail bike like this
• Only one frame size and color scheme to choose from here, this is one of the largest frames from Easy Motion and it’s elevated higher due to the larger wheelset

Resources:

• Official Site: http://www.emotionbikesusa.com/ebikes/EV765
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/6eC2boLNJfykTrMe8