The Neo 650B is a hardtail electric mountain bike with 27.5 inch wheels, 30 speeds and a larger 12 amp hour battery pack. These are the distinguishing charactheristics that really set it apart from other Easy Motion ebikes, specifically the Neo Cross which is one of their most popular models. While the Cross also offers a hardtail design, it comes with larger diameter 700cc (29 inch) wheels and hybrid tires that reduce friction on pavement but don’t offer as much cushion or grip off road. The 650B uses knobby Rapid Rob tires much like the Neo Xtrem but offers 30 gears instead of just 24. And of course, the 650B comes with slightly larger 27.5″ wheels vs. 26″ on the Xtrem.
The 650B feels great riding off road and coasts over bumps and cracks with less jarring movement thanks to its larger diameter wheels. The drawback here might be precision and maneuverability that could come in handy for trials or more technical mountain riding (for this, consider the Xtrem). When switching to on-road riding, the wheel size really shines however because it offers improved rolling efficiency. The front suspension fork also improves riding efficiency because it features lockout so you can reduce bob when peddling hard up hills. It’s a beautiful setup that feels right in a multitude of environments and can go further than most other Easy Motion bikes because of the increased 12 amp hour battery capacity vs. just 9ah.
The battery itself uses Lithium-ion Samsung cells and is mounted directly to the top of the downtube. This keeps the weight low and central on the frame for improved stability when riding. It also looks great… With 36 volts of power and 12 amp hours of capacity it’s able to run longer than the Xtrem or other Neo bikes but otherwise it’s very similar in terms of design. The biggest drawback is that it must be removed from the bike for charging. The gloss finish and beautiful paint on this bike always make me concerned when removing the battery and setting it down on the floor. It would be nice if I could just leave it locked directly on the frame and it would also be great if there was a way to mount a water bottle cage here, if not on the battery itself then on the seat post tube. This is something the Specialized Turbo has solved.
Because the frame of this bike is setup in a sturdy triangle configuration (with a top tube, seat post and downtube) it’s very strong and capable of enduring off road bumps and jumps, even with the battery built into the frame. I especially like this configuration because in addition to strength, it’s easier to lift from the middle and mount on some racks like those which hang from the back of a car or some busses. The only drawback to a high step top tube is perhaps the increased challenge of lifting your foot up and over when approaching the bike. It should be noted that this bike only comes in one 19″ size which is approximately medium. As a 5’9″ male it works perfectly for me but could easily accommodate larger riders.
The motor driving the 650B offers 350 watts of power and uses a geared design which keeps it narrow and light weight. Without this configuration, it would be hard to fit a 10 speed cassette onto the rear hub. When researching an ebike it’s natural to compare specs and consider the larger 500 watt motor designs offered on competing models. In my experience, the 350 watt motor provides great power and is especially effective in the torque sensing pedal assist modes. It’s relatively quiet and smooth yet still powerful due to its torquey geared design. As a ~140lb male I have never felt that the bike was under powered and I have also loaned it to my larger 6’2″ 200lb friend who enjoyed the power and ride quality. Still, geared motors have more parts to wear out than gearless and do not offer regenerative braking. A feature that sounds awesome but is oft described as ineffective on smaller electric vehicles like ebikes.
If you appreciate the aesthetic of Easy Motion bikes, that almost look like regular bicycles, and want something that will ride well on or off road, the 650B is an excellent choice. It’s a bit heavier than some of the other models in the Neo line and still only comes in one size but those larger wheels and extra few gears do make a difference when climbing or bombing hills. It’s capable, well priced and offers an excellent warranty from a company that is really investing in ebikes, both in Europe and the USA. The 27.5″ wheel standard is catching on and becoming a “happy medium” between traditional 26″ and the larger 29″ wheels. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Neo 650B and appreciate the inclusion of both throttle and pedal assist mode. Its intuitive, removable LCD controller is one of the best around and actually runs off the main battery pack so you’ll never need to buy wasteful watch batteries for replacement. While this bike doesn’t offer a great spot for mounting your water cage it does feature braze ons for fenders, a rear rack or lights. It also comes stock with hydraulic disc brakes that are perfect for off road riding where hand fatigue can set in with constant maneuvering and braking.
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Wayne
10 years agoWhat an awesome bike, I’ve had it off road in Phoenix, AZ on Trail 100, and it’s not even fair. Other mountain bikers can’t believe it, and I have a heart condition so I don’t push super hard. I was doubtful that a 350 watt hub motor would help very much, all I can say is OMG! It’s a rocket out there!
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoAwesome Wayne! I’m always impressed with the geared motors on the Easy Motion electric bikes. Even though 350 doesn’t seem like a lot on paper, it’s integrated very well and actually provides an impressive amount of torque. Glad you’re having fun out there! Ride safe :)
ReplyWayne
9 years agoIt’s still going strong! No issues so far.
ReplyCharlie
5 years agoThank you for the very helpful review. Is the battery easy to remove and steal, when parked outside public places where bikes might vanish?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Charlie, the battery pack locks to the frame pretty securely. I haven’t known these packs to be easier to steal than any other locking batteries… in many ways, they blend in so well that they might be less noticeable. That said, I haven’t reviewed the latest round of BH models so my information is about a year or two out of date at this point :/
Reply