The Easy Motion EVO Cross is an “evolved” version of the NEO Cross “new” line which arrived in the US in 2013 from Spain. Easy Motion is part of BH which has been making traditional bicycles since 1909 and that really shows in the frame design, larger gear range (24 in this case vs. 10 on many ebikes) and drive system integration. The Neo Cross was the most popular ebike model for BH in the US for 2013 and 2014 and it would follow that the EVO Cross will also be a popular choice. That’s because it’s extremely versatile with rack and fender mounts, efficient with narrow tires and four levels of assist and cool looking with a matching frame, motor, battery and LCD display panel. The EVO cross 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 Cross 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 Cross.
So I’ve already touched on the motor a bit, it’s very nicely integrated into the look of the frame. Offering a modest 350 watts of power, I am always surprised by just how powerful it feels under throttle or pedal assist. 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 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 get loose more easily 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.
The battery pack on the EVO Cross is quite impressive because it builds on the older NEO line 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 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 the same benefits but now you can 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.
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! I love that Easy Motion matches their displays to the frame of each bike (choosing black or white to blend in). To get things going, just charge the battery then hold the middle button for a few seconds. From here 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 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 Cross is an easy electric bike to appreciate and even love. The price point is great considering the larger battery, beautiful 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 on an ebike 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 modest 350 watt geared motor
- Purpose-built frame with beautifully integrated battery pack mounted to downtube, 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 high-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 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 smoother and offers better range, this was a request from many customers of the 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
- 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/EV705
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/nyorEm2q4bZRBEgL9
Tom says
Hi Court, Thanks so much for posting this review. I have been patiently waiting for this bike to come out. It seems that this bike has everything a person would want and at a decent price point. I also like the great warranty easy motion offers. This past year I was ready to buy a different bike but held off once I saw this bike. I was wondering if this bike could be modified to make it more upright. This has been my biggest problem trying to find a bike that is nice looking and allows me to be more upright due to some lower back problems. I was considering their city bike for 2015, but I like the price point of the cross. I have two local ebike stores that will carry this bike and am limited to other brands that are offered unless I travel to another city. I was hoping you could give some advice on modifying this bike or other bikes that might fit my needs. Have a great holiday. Thanks, Tom
Court Rye says
Hi Tom, I agree that this is a really well rounded bike at a great price point… The interesting thing is that I have the Easy Motion manual for 2015 and have noticed that nearly all of their EVO bikes are the same price at $2,999 so the City (which has fenders, lights and an upright position) might be your best bet vs. trying to modify this frame. Sure, you could get some swept back bars, add a different riser stem and convert the EVO Cross but if you can just get a bike that’s already setup like that and come away with a few nice accessories then why not? Depending on your height they have two City bikes for 2015 with all of these extras and the high step looks larger while the low-step will be easier to mount but less rigid and probably a bit less long. Both of the EVO City bikes (City and City Wave) will have 700c ~28″ wheels that are efficient and lift the frame higher but if you’re kind of short and want a more compact ride then check out the EVO Street or EVO Eco Lite which is actually the cheapest EVO costing just $2,399. Again, all others for 2015 in the EVO line should go for $2,999. Hope this helps!
Jonathon says
Hi Guys
i have an Evo Cross EU 250 watt and have had a crash and here in New Zealand no one will tell me what the rims are so i can buy some new ones can some please please help me ?
Kind Regards
Jonathon
Court Rye says
Hi Jonathon! I think that any rims which will work with a 700x38c tire could work on this bike. My guess is that the front hub spacing is 100 mm and the back is 135 mm. You can zoom in on the pictures of the wheels and maybe show them to a local shop. I don’t think they need to be perfect matches in every way, but they should be disc brake compatible and you may need to rebuild the rear wheel because it is spoked to the hub motor… and this requires custom spokes. I think the best thing to do is bring the bike into a shop and have them rebuild the existing wheelset but use new rims.
Tom says
Court, Thanks so much for your reply. To be perfectly honest, I looked at the city and wave, but was aesthetically drawn to the cross. I want to make sure that the bike I purchase is the one that I can’t wait to ride the next day, if that makes any sense to you. It will probably be a month or so before I get to test ride them. FYI, I’m 60 years old, 5’8″ and 175lbs. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Have a great holiday! Tom
Court Rye says
Sure thing Tom, I’m excited for you! Definitely reach out again once you’ve had a chance to customize the bike and ride a bit. You can share pictures and your own review in the Easy Motion forums if you’d like to help others learn about it.
Chris Nolte says
Nice review Court! Tom – I just figured I would mention that it is easy to modify the Cross to be more upright. This was one of the more common things we did to the Neo Cross at our shop. We generally swap the stem out for an adjustable one and add a wider saddle. The more upright you sit the wider saddle you’ll need to support you.
Tom says
Chris, Thanks for the information. I just found out that the local bike shop is receiving their shipment of the Evo Cross this week. Once we get a day without pouring rain, I’ll go test ride one. They also carry the Felt 9E, and the Dash. Two bikes which I really enjoyed trying. Your help is appreciated. Tom
Miguel Diaz says
Hi Court Rye, I’m interesting in buying a EVO JUMPER 29” -36/12 -Color Red. I live in Santiago Chile. I like to by one and Inporter toi Chile.
Court Rye says
Hello Miguel, I apologize for the delayed response here… I wask asking around to dealer friends and nobody responded :( I do not know how or if this electric bicycle can be imported to Chile. You may want to reach out directly to Easy Motion to see if it is possible or whether they can recommend a dealer. Here is their dealer locator tool and at the top right of the page is a “Contact” page that you could use to reach out to them. I wish you luck!
Pete says
Your ebike reviews are great! Watched the video of the comparison of Stromer and Easy Motion. My question is how do the tires on the Stromer handle trail riding. I believe they are not traditional mountain bike tires. Regards, Pete
Court Rye says
Thanks Pete! I was very impressed with how well the Stromer performed off-road. The ST1 Platinum model that we had felt powerful when climbing and the tires maintained traction but without suspension it did feel rather stiff at times. Still, the tires are Schwalbe Big Ben, 26″ x 2.15″ which are wider than standard 26″ and provide more cushion. They have an evenly distributed checkered road pattern that provides good grip in most conditions that are hard packed. In loose dirt and gravel they might not perform as well as the knobby tires found on most mountain bikes. I hope this helps :)
Robo7 says
Tested this bike side by side with the dash and the evo smoked the dash on the extreme incline we went up…That 350 watt geared motor has some serious torque!
Court Rye says
Nice, thanks for the “real world” comparison. Geared hub motors are zippy and the Dapu that Easy Motion uses tends to go faster than 20 mph in my experience but I also like the smooth quiet feel of the gearless hub on the Dash, once it gets going you can reach up to 28 mph which is impressive. I wish the Dash had some sort of regeneration mode but otherwise it’s also a solid bike in my opinion :)
Robo7 says
Excellent commentary Court! I had tried the dash prior to the side by side comparison between these two excellent bikes. I live in an area with plenty of hills and want to make sure my bike can climb well. I would go with the dash hands down – except for the side by side with the Evo. I used to live in flat Florida and may have preferred the dash there. Finally, I by far preferred the stealth, braking, and refined look that Easy Motion gave this bike..I am renting an Evo Cross next weekend and hopefully that will help me make my decision.. Thank you for the thoughtful reviews and helpful insights.. Keep up the good work!
josh says
Thanks for your great reviews Court. I test drove the Evo today and was very impressed. You gave this and the IZIP E3 Dash a 10/10 review. So if you could have just one, which would you choose? I see the Dash is on sale for about $500 less than the Evo at the current moment, not sure that changes your pick. Thanks in advance for your thoughts on the 2. Josh
Court Rye says
Hi Josh! While I like the integrated battery on the Easy Motion better (in terms of appearance) the IZIP ebikes seem to have great customer support and the gearless motor is smooth, reliable and quiet on the Dash. It’s a solid bike (especially the 2015 version if that’s the one you’re looking at) and is capable of going above 20 mph (close to 28 mph) for faster commutes. Both companies have had 2+ years of experience making each of these models so most of the kinks have been worked out. I hope this helps! It might also come down to what size works best for you, I believe both come in multiple sizes ;)
Lee says
Given the choice of the Easy Motion Evo Cross or the Evo 27.5 which would you buy? I don’t need mountain bike capabilities but the paved trails I ride are bumpy. I’m leaning towards the Eco Cross. I also will be riding occasionally on hard packed dirt trails (The C&O canal in DC). Are there other similar hybrid type e-bikes with a sub $3,000 price, that I should consider? I definitely want both pedal assist and throttle capabilities. Are the motors OK if one gets caught in a rainstorm?
Court Rye says
Hi Lee! My preference is for the knobby tires and larger suspension found on the EVO 27.5 or even the full suspension model but I’m extra sensitive… I think for hard packed trails and mostly streets the EVO Cross would be fine. It will be lighter and more efficient (and offers two frame sizes vs. just one) but the drive systems are all the same. IZIP used to offer throttle mode on their E3 Dash model but I believe it’s gone now for 2016 because they were working towards a more European standard… even limiting throttles in the USA but it turned out they were allowed after all due to some extra work by Pedego. On that note, Pedego has an awesome hardtail trail bike called the Ridge Rider that’s very similar to the EVO 27.5 offering cadence sensing pedal assist and twist throttle that could work for you.
Joseph Barrow says
Bought this bike new in Washington, D.C. 2 months ago. Will not turn on sometimes and quite often will just turn off while riding. When power cuts you are not in a sympathetic gear so you will lose control. This has been very dangerous in Washington traffic. If I take It somewhere I can not trust I can get back. The electronic control seem very cheap and after research online I have found many comments about same problem. This bike is heavy and very hard to ride with the power out. If you are stuck miles from home you can not leave a 3000 dollar bike chained up in any part of town.
Court Rye says
Sorry to hear about the issues you’re having Joseph… that’s no fun. I experienced a few battery controller issues on a demo bike recently. There are heavier and less efficient bikes out there but in my experience the additional effort of pedaling any ebike can be a drag. Hope your next bike is better or that you can get some help with a fix :/
Calvin says
Hi Court, Thanks for all the great reviews … you do an excellent job.
I love my 2016 Evo Cross. I want to go on a BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia) that will surely get some rain. What precautions should I take for riding in the rain? Or, should I avoid rain at all costs? Do I need to carry a tarp with me? Or cover the control panel an battery with taped plastic?
Thanks in advance. Calvin
Court Rye says
Hi Calvin! I’m not a rain expert but have had my share of wet days in Austin during the rainy season ;) one thing I noticed was that my glasses got fogged on the inside due to cooler air or covered with droplets on the outside due to splashing and rain. I think a helmet cover with bright colors and reflectors could help and maybe a visor like “Da Brim” which velcros on the outside edge (my Mom has one and loves it). Also, a rain coat with vents so you don’t overheat while pedaling. Sometimes I cover my display but always let it dry off without the cover later so water and condensation doesn’t fog up the inside as temperatures warm up. I hope this quick list helps you… there are lots of products to explore like shoe covers… gloves and of course, lights. Feel free to post your own story and suggestions in the forums, I’m sure others would love that and you can upload pictures there vs. the comments here on the site :)
Calvin says
Thanks for the quick reply Court. I didn’t mean to waste your time responding with non-bike precautions for riding in the rain … sorry about that. I should have been more specific … I meant to ask for precautions that would be specific to the Evo Cross. I did more reading … and it sounds like
Do you think that saran wrap would work for all of the above? Can you think of anything else?
Thanks, Calvin
Court Rye says
Hi Calvin! Those precautions all sound reasonable… the only sensitivity I feel is going overboard and sealing in water. That’s when condensation could become an issue. sounds like you’ve got a great start and I appreciate your clarifications ;)
Calvin O'Rear says
Hi Court, Thanks for all the great reviews… you do an excellent job.
I once loved my 2016 EVO Cross from EZMotion. My ebike has a broken motor (TBD) or something. I have been working with an Atlanta bike shop and EZMotion since 9/2019 to get something resolved. I am totally satisfied with my local bike shop. However, EZMotion Missouri has been 95% uninterested in getting my ebike repaired or replaced. Several parts have been replaced and I am approaching another September without a fix or warranty replacement. It appears that BH USA only cares about sales… not much else!!!
Would you know anyone in a position of authority (can get something done) at BH or EZMotion that cares about the customer or the BH reputation. My EVO Cross purchase has turned out to be huge mistake!!! Please help if you can.
Thanks so much in advance!!!
Calvin
Court says
Hi Calvin! Gosh, I am so sorry to hear about your situation, and I’m disappointed in Easy Motion. I haven’t had a contact in the company for quite some time because they shut down in California and I believe that they relocated to where the president was living, in another state. I’ve only heard rumors and not heard back from people within the company when I reached out. You might be out of luck… but at least your comment can help others who might be considering working with them. One other possibility is to post in the BH Ebike Forums that we setup here. I’m so sorry man, and I apologize for the delay on this comment reply :(
Vaclav says
Hello, Is there a recuperation breaking? Thank You for Your answers.
court says
Hi Vaclav! No, this electric bike uses an internally geared hub motor and I have only seen regen or recuperation on gearless hub motors… even then, not every manufacturer offers it. Stromer and BionX have been leaders in offering regenerative ebikes :)