Name: 2017 Electric Bike Company Model S Review
Item: 2017 Electric Bike Company Model S
Author: Court Rye

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2017 Electric Bike Company Model S Review

Electric Bike Company Model S Electric Bike Review

Electric Bike Company Model S Mxus 750 Watt Hub Motor

Electric Bike Company Model S Rear Hitch And Rack Battery

Electric Bike Company Model S Large Cruiser Bars Adjustable Display Padded Grips

Electric Bike Company Model S Lcd Display With Usb Adjustable Stem

Electric Bike Company Model S Integrated Headlight Metal Basket

Electric Bike Company Model S Front Basket With Steel Mesh Insert

Electric Bike Company Model S Grand Star Comfort Saddle Suntour Ncs Suspension Seat Post

Electric Bike Company Model S Step Thru Womens Frame

Electric Bike Company Model S 180 Mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Electric Bike Company Model S High Capacity Samsung Battery With Lock

Electric Bike Company Model S Large Adjustable Kickstand

Electric Bike Company Model S 8 Magnet Cadence Sensor Steel Chain Cover

Electric Bike Company Model S Cantilever High Step

An affordable, but powerful, cruiser style electric bike available in four colors or with custom graphics, impressive battery quality, and size, integrated lights and basket options
Comfortable upright body position supported by large tires, swept-back handlebar, vibration-dampening steel fork, plush saddle with rubber bumpers and a suspension seat post
Pedal assist and throttle mode for those who want instant support, powerful hydraulic disc brakes with adjustable levers for small hands, stainless hardware to deter rust in beach environments
Single-speed drivetrain is simple and durable but limited in terms of pedal cadence options, the bike is heavier than most at ~75 lbs and the rear-heavy frame flexes, shipping costs ~$200 extra

Make:

Electric Bike Company

Model:

2017 Model S

Price:

$1,499 ($199 Shipping, Fully Assembled)

Body Position:

Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Cruising, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Speed Pedelec (Class 3)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, 3 Year or 1,000 Cycle Battery, Lifetime Frame

Availability:

United States, Canada

Model Year:

2017

Total Weight:

74.7 lbs (33.88 kg)

Battery Weight:

10.2 lbs (4.62 kg)

Motor Weight:

8 lbs (3.62 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

18 in (45.72 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Step-Thru: 18" Seat Tube, 25.5" Reach, 17" Stand Over Height, 75" Length, High-Step: 18" Seat Tube, 25.5" Reach, 31.5" Stand Over Height, 75" Length

Frame Types:

Step-Thru, High-Step

Frame Colors:

Black, White, Orange, Red

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Steel, 9 mm Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

10 mm Threaded Axle

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Eyelets, Front Rack Eyelets, Fender Bosses, Trailer Hitch Mount

Gearing Details:

1 Single Speed, 16T or 18T, Derailleur Mount (Optional 7 Speed Drivetrain)

Cranks:

170 mm Aluminum Alloy, 52T Chainring, Integrated Cartridge Bearing

Pedals:

Wellgo Alloy Platform with Rubber Tread

Headset:

Sealed, Integrated Cartridge Bearing, Threaded Quill, 1-1/8" Diameter

Stem:

Adjustable Angle, 0° to 90°, 100 mm Length

Handlebar:

Steel, Oversized Cruiser, 28" Width

Brake Details:

Bengal or Tektro Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Bengal Helix 7 or Tektro Four Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors and Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Padded Stitched Leather with Lockers

Saddle:

Grand Star, Oversized Comfort, Rubber Bumpers, Real Leather

Seat Post:

SR Suntour SP12 NCX Suspension

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

JetSet, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 36 Hole, 32 mm Extra Wide

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14G Front 13G Rear, Double Cross Pattern, Silver or Black

Tire Brand:

Maxxis Gypsy, 26" x 2.1"

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

SilkWorm Puncture Protection, 35 to 65 PSI, Ebike Specific

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve, Puncture Stop Sealant

Accessories:

Steel Fenders with Reflective Mud Flaps, Steel Chain Cover, 12 Volt Power Port on Batter with USB Plug Adapter, Aluminum Alloy Front Basket with Steel Mesh Insert, Adjustable Length Kickstand, Independent Aimable Bell Light (2032 Coin Battery), Integrated Two LED Headlight Reflector, Integrated LED Rear Light (In Battery Box), Coiled 6 Foot Combination Lock, Cell Phone Holder, Speaker Holder, Optional 5 Amp Quick Charger ($95), Optional Front Basket Battery (48 Volt, 14 Amp Hour with Internal Charger and Toggle Switch $699), Optional Surf Board Attachment ($60), Optional Stand Up Paddle Board Trailer ($250), Optional Rear Bolt-On Basket ($99), Optional Rear Child Seat ($199), Optional Dutch Front-Load Cargo Conversion ($995)

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack with Replaceable Fuse, Smart BMS Overcharge Protection Limit, Integrated 2 Amp Charger (Built-in Fan, Retractable Cord), Built in USA, 360 lb Max Weight

Motor Brand:

MXUS

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

750 watts

Motor Peak Output:

990 watts

Battery Brand:

Samsung 33G NMC

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

18.9 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

907.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

35 miles (56 km)

Estimated Max Range:

90 miles (145 km)

Display Type:

Fixed, Backlit, Monochrome LCD

Readouts:

Battery (4 Bars), Timer, Assist Level (0-5), Speed, Average Speed, Max Speed, Motor Watts, Voltage, Odometer, Trip Distance, Temperature

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad on Left (Hold Up to Activate Lights, Hold Down to Activate Pedal Assist), 5 Volt USB Port on Back of Display

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (8 Magnet Sensor)

Top Speed:

28 mph (45 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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The Electric Bike Company has been around in one form or another since 2012 when they launched as Madiba Electric Bikes (that’s Nelson Mandella’s nickname btw) then updated to Newport Electric Bikes (since they’re based in Newport California) and finally settled on the Electric Bike Company. The models I reviewed here were originally called the Newport Cruiser Classic and Step-Thru but were renamed Model C and Model S respectively. It sounds like the company has had a long and interesting journey to get here, but the results are very impressive. Dollar for dollar, this is one of the most polished, feature-rich electric beach cruiser bikes that I have ever tested! It comes with a high-capacity long-range battery pack, stainless steel hardware to resist rust, puncture-resistant tires with sealant-filled tubes, integrated lights and a sturdy front basket, optional steel fenders, locking padded grips and a premium comfort saddle with a high-end suspension seat post from Suntour that retails for $150+ all on its own. These guys must have known that I love comfort! Between the steel fork and extra long cruiser-style handlebar (also steel), the seating position feels very comfortable and upright. It’s the kind of bike that doesn’t stress your back or neck, allowing you to enjoy the sights and converse with friends as you pedal along… or don’t pedal at all.

The Model C and Model S from Electric Bike Company offer a unique blend of Class 3 high-speed performance (up to 28 mph assisted) and instant throttle on demand power up to 20 mph. The internally geared 750-watt motor looks small but really packs a punch, peaking at around 900 watts. The throttle on-demand drive mode is a big win for people with sensitive knees like myself. In fact, it’s the default drive mode when you first activate the bike on. And given the heavier ~75 lb footprint of the frame and its single-speed drivetrain, it’s quite useful to have help getting started from zero or climbing. Having just one gear means less maintenance, a lower likelihood of dropping the chain and less noise… but the larger rear sprocket is setup to perform best at high-speed when the bike is already moving along at a decent clip. At one point in the ride test, I slowed down to take a sharp turn and then tried to pedal myself back up to speed. I found it very difficult to accelerate without motor assistance. Note also that the power cable running to the motor is a bit exposed on the right side of the bike. Don’t let this get snagged or bend (especially if the bike tips over) if the cable breaks the motor will become useless and could be expensive to replace.

There is so much information to share about this bike, it’s clear that the designers are passionate and enjoy cruising because they included speaker mounts and a cup holder on the bar… not to mention a flick bell light accessory that points where you steer. You can swap the front end of this bike for a cargo bay, add a rear basket to increase cargo capacity, add a secondary front-basket battery to further increase range, attach a heavy-duty trailer with the integrated hitch mount and even customize the paint job with your logo or hand-drawn art. The stock colors are glossy black, white, orange and red but it only comes in one frame size for either high-step cantilever or low-step wave. The adjustable angle stem is great for fitting but isn’t as sturdy long term in my experience, this is one area that you might want to replace with a rigid stem once you know the height and reach distance you like. The bikes are obviously rear-heavy and the price is actually ~$200 more than the MSRP states because you’ll have to pay for shipping… but these are minor gripes. A great many cruiser style ebikes have opted for the rear-rack battery design because it looks beautiful and frees up the center section for step-thru models, it also offers the utility of a rear rack. As much as I enjoy power and speed, the potential for frame flex made me a little wary of pushing the limits here. I was very happy to see integrated motor inhibitors on the brake levers which cut power to the system instantly as you activate them. Large hydraulic disc brakes did an excellent job of stopping the bike and this is another area where nicer components had been used. I believe you can adjust the top assisted speed on this bike by entering into the settings menu on the display panel, though I’m not exactly sure how (please chime in with a comment if you know!) I did most of my riding using the highest level of assist for filming but found that the first two levels of assist felt plenty powerful and kept me under 20 mph. The cadence sensing operation felt a little jerky when starting in the higher levels of assist vs. a torque sensor but did not require me to exert myself, simply turn the cranks to get the motor going. The large variable-speed trigger throttle made acceleration very smooth and controlled, it didn’t impact my right grip as some twist throttles do. Note that the stock battery offers 48 volts and 18.9 amp hours, which is about double what I see on other ebikes, but that the charger keeps them from being filled to 100% in order to extend life and stability. The battery design is unique in that it incorporates a charger. There’s a retractable cord on the left side that can plug into any standard 120-volt wall outlet. It’s a normal 2 Amp charger which could take 6+ hours to completely fill the pack, but if you want to go faster, the company also sells a 4 Amp charger.

Operating the bike is a two-step process involving a power switch on the base of the battery mount and a press of the control panel power button. I’d usually gripe about this because it means more time and the potential for mounting and then realizing that you have to get off again to switch the bike on… But in this case, the second power switch on the battery pack can deter tampering and accidental activation of the throttle. Given the size of the battery, this is also a great safety measure to keep the systems stable and isolated. The Electric Bike Company offers an amazing three-year warranty and has chosen the more expensive energy-dense Samsung 33G cells for their products. Unfortunately, there was an incident where one of the packs caught on fire outside on a beach in Southern California in early 2017. I waited to write and publish my own review here until I could speak with the company and hear about what had happened. They explained that the controller had been modified during after-purchase service and that it wasn’t completely clear why the battery had acted as it did. It appeared to be a hot day at the beach and thankfully, the bike was isolated on a concrete pad, surrounded by sand. Nobody was hurt but the owners did loose some personal effects. The incident happened the day after the Electric Bike Company had launched their new website and to their credit, they dropped everything and responded immediately. It sounds like they offered full support to the owners, who purchased two additional bikes despite the battery failure. A federal representative from the US consumer safety commission was invited to examine the product and there was no recommendation for a recall. Samsung representatives were also called in for feedback.

At times, ebike batteries that get damaged or tampered with can fail. These products usually have fuses to prevent fires but extreme heat and the imperfections of mass manufacturing introduce more variables. Not to mention the way that they are treated post-purchase that is out of a company’s control. Ebike brands as big and well-trusted as Pedego have performed recalls on their products after similar events. I’m highlighting this here to say that it seems like the Electric Bike Company is still a healthy company that offers great customer support (they have three phone numbers on their website contact page!) and does right by the end user. when it comes down to it, you’re getting a pretty standard display panel interface with the same readouts and options as many other ebikes, a powerful but standard motor… just a larger battery with more speed options.

Operating the bikes felt good to me, the eight-magnet cadence sensor was responsive enough that, combined with the brake lever motor inhibitors, I always felt in control. As someone who isn’t super tall (I’m about 5’9″), the step-thru model felt very comfortable and would probably be my choice as the loaded racks would make swinging my legs over and around a more difficult task. In addition to these two Model C and Model S products, the company also offers a stripped down 36-volt product for $1,000. It’s impressive to see a team of two engineers and one founder/financier putting so much energy into what amounts to two cruiser ebikes at this stage. When you go to their website, which looks pretty nice, and explore the “what’s coming” it’s hard not to feel excited. And the best part is, they’re doing a good job with these accessories. There was nothing on this bike that felt like a cheap afterthought. Even the less expensive bell/light kickstand matched the accents and felt like useful upgrades. In a world where $1,500 seems to get bare-bones products, the Model C and Model S really stand out. And in fact, their price was dropped substantially from the initial listing. Perhaps that’s due to some of the bad press with the fire? From what I can tell, and from what I hear from shops like the Electric Bicycle Center in Fullerton California and Ebike Supply in Irvine California, this isn’t a fly by night company that will leave you hanging. It’s a well-funded, committed team that has created something quite special. I welcome your thoughts and feedback, this review was completely unpaid and these are my own thoughts after riding and speaking with shops and the company directly.

Pros:

Four color choices, including classic black and white, and there’s even a personalization option where you can draw on the frame with paint pens or add a logo before they assemble it
Available in high-step cantilever as well as low-step wave for easier mounting and stabilization, the step-thru frame flexes a bit more
It comes with an incredibly sturdy, well-made, basket on the front for holding gear…
or puppies! The basket is frame-mounted for strength and can be removed easily
Purpose-built reinforced Aluminum alloy frame and rack hide wires and provide increased strength for the weight and forces of electric drive power, the steel fork dampens vibrations
I love that it has lights that run off of the battery pack so you don’t have to worry about charging accessories, the basket-mounted headlight is great (though it does not point where you steer since the basket is frame mounted… the bike does appear to have a bar mounted mini-light plus bell that does aim where you steer)
Comfortable body position with vibration dampening steel fork, long swept-back handlebar,
padded grips and saddle and a high-quality suspension seat post
Wonderful attention to detail with the accents all matching (black or silver) including crank arms, pedals, seat post, handlebars, stem, spokes and more
Nice pedals, they’re large and stiff but have a rubber traction pad vs. sharp pins, they felt solid but won’t cut your shins as easily if you slip off
Extra-large battery is designed to last longer by not fully charging, it has a built-in retractable power plug which means it doesn’t require a separate charger, though they do sell an optional quick charger
Three-year warranty that covers the battery! that’s one of the most generous warranty offerings I’ve seen from any electric bike company
Despite being compact, the motor is very zippy and capable of high-speed 28 mph operation, it feels powerful which is important for carrying loads, climbing and simply moving the additional weight of the frame
Thank goodness it comes with large hydraulic disc brakes, considering the weight, power and cargo potential here… you need that stopping power, I like the adjustable reach levers that will fit people with small or large hands better
Stainless steel hardware is designed to be rust resistant, they wanted the bike to hold up well in beach conditions, the tires come with puncture protection
Impressive price point at ~$1,500, there’s also a stripped-down lightweight version of the with a 36-volt front-rack battery for people who don’t need as much range or power for just ~$1k
Considering how large and heavy the high-capacity battery pack is, I love that it’s removable because that will reduce the weight of the bike by ~10 lbs, making it easier to transport or repair
This e-bike really lets you tap into the battery capacity for your own use, there’s a 12 volt cylindrical port on the right side of the pack (like a cigarette lighter plug in an automobile)
as well as a standard USB 5 volt port on the right side of the display panel for charging a phone,
lights or speaker up front
Normally I would complain about a two-step power process, but given the power and throttle operation of this bike I think it’s a good thing, the first switch is way back on the battery near the back edge on the bottom side… so try to remember to click it on before you get yourself situated for a ride or you’ll have to get off to reach it ;)
The bike does have dropouts for adding a hangar if you want to change from a single speed to a 7-speed drivetrain
The bike starts off in assist level zero to reduce accidental throttle activation… always turn the bike off before lifting or moving it so you don’t bump this and have it take off on you
I believe you can adjust the top speed of the bike which could make it safer and more enjoyable for people who aren’t in a hurry or don’t have great balance

Cons:

This thing is heavy at ~75 lbs and much of the weight is positioned at the back with a rear-mounted hub motor and rack mounted battery, this decreases stability and negatively impacts handling but is not uncommon for cruisers
As with many hub motors, the power cable runs through the axle and protrudes from the right side of the bike where it could get snagged or bent if the bike tips, if that cable gets damaged the motor could become useless
Even though the bike has lots of rack options, it does not come with bottle cage bosses, I like to have this option because they make items easy to reach accessories and will keep them from rattling around as they might in a basket, apparently you get a bar-mounted cup holder with the bike
The drivetrain is simple… which is good for low-maintenance and weight reduction, but you only get one gear to pedal with, that’s not optimal for slow uphill climbing… it’s geared more for steady high-speed cadence to reach ~28 mph in the highest assist level
I wasn’t there when it happened and have only the company’s word to go off of here, but it appears that one of the Electric Bike Co. bikes had a battery fire in Newport Beach in early 2017, the company responded quickly and investigated with Samsung and a federal investigator from the US Consumer Protection Agency (who did not recommend a recall), it sounds like the controller might have been damaged during aftermarket maintenance, the customer purchased two additional bikes on their own volition after this event
It’s nice to go fast and great that the Newport Cruiser has an extra-large battery to take it further (given the air resistance at 20+ mph) but the frame isn’t as balanced or stiff as many other speed pedelecs and would be painful to crash, so be careful!
The display panel is not removable, it can swivel forward and back to reduce glare if you don’t over-tighten it

Resources:

Official Site: http://www.electricbikecompany.com/
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/N8TthAehkUFNbgFR9

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Sanford Simmons

8 years ago

How much is it as tested?

Court Rye

Hi Sanford! I believe it would be $1,600 or thereabout since it had fenders. Everything else is included as I understand. You can reach the company pretty easily with their contact page and the team has been very responsive and positive with me doing the review. I hope this helps you and wish you luck :)

What a deal between the little mud flaps and the BEST basket I’ve ever seen on a bike this is a GREAT looking ebike.

I agree, it’s very refined, feels like they put the extra energy into making it special :)

solom01

Actually after going to their web site the price for these bikes is really confusing. It appears that if you buy one of their in-stock bikes it’s $1,250 (including the bigger battery, basket, fenders and so forth but if you order a new one a lot of these things are options so the price after shipping charges is closer to 2K. It may be my confusion, but after listening to the review where the owner kept stressing that all of these items were included I feel that none of this was made very clear. I was looking for an ebike for my wife and this seemed like a great deal, but I think I’m back to considering the Surface 604 Colt – at least their website is easier to understand.

I hear you and agree, the original price they told me for this bike was closer to $2,500 but when I called to check-in about how the fire thing worked out they said the price was $1,500… but then the website says $1,250? I know this situation has been difficult for them but it would be nice to have a clear set understanding. I like how their website looks but indeed, did find it confusing. Like there were two areas to buy and choose options? Calling them directly gave me peace of mind, I was told that they were still adding to the website. The cargo accessories were neat but also not finished or completely fleshed out. Maybe they’re trying to cut back and clarify, at least I hope :)

Joel Taylor

Court, could you consider adding bottom bracket size (width) to your spec list?

I’m thinking of ordering one of these based on the build quality, very ample power and battery but was thinking of adding a Schlumpf Drive Mountain Cargo for some real low end pedal power. It only fits 68mm to 72mm bottom brackets, like the Metropolis Patterson (68mm BB requirement) you wanted to fit on the Sonders Thin. As you found out the Sonders happens to use a non-standard 80mm* bottom bracket. Knowing the BB size would be helpful.

*80mm seems to be common on Fat-bikes and some Mountain bikes.

That’s a great idea Joel, I’ll start looking for that info. In the mean time, reach out to Marc at Ebike Supply as I think he carries this product and might have one on hand to measure :)

steve

Nice bikes but that motor seemed loud. I know you can’t always tell on a video so I am asking how you would rate the motor sound level.

Hi Steve! The frame-shots that I do are often very loud… misleadingly so. The vibration from the motor on the frame, through the camera mount, adds to the sound. Listen during the parts where I’m holding the camera vs. the up-close shots. To me, this motor was not much different than other geared hubs :)

Tedward

Just ordered the bike and have been working with the company to arrange an expedited shipping setup (something not an option on their website). So far, they have been very responsive and nice to work with. I’ll check back and update how the whole process goes (delivery/setup/quality/etc.). Maybe even an unboxing video (?) Thanks again for the in-depth review! It certainly affected my buying decision.

Hey Tedward! Wow, thank you so much for giving back to the community here. I for one would LOVE to see an unboxing video or just hear your thoughts on the whole process once the bike is in hand and usable. Comments like yours make a big difference, I only get to see brand new “ready to ride” stuff and that leaves out a lot of information. Thanks :D

Jacob

I’m curious about the legality of this bike in normal “bicycle” situations (city and maybe maintained trails/connections between streets). It’s listed as “Class 3” but it has a peak motor output well over 750 watts.

In particular, I live in Portland, Oregon and I’m wondering where I can and can’t ride it legally, but I don’t necessarily expect anyone to get that specific. Oregon’s rules seem to confuse things further as the ODOT definition of an e-bike allows for 1000 watts of power output but the motor can’t be capable of propelling the vehicle faster than 20 mph on level ground…

I guess the rules are still getting fleshed out and maybe jumping right into one of the most badass ebikes upon first considering them is a bit rash?

Hi Jacob, I believe there are many electric bikes with motors that peak above 750 or even 1,000 watts. My understanding is that the nominal rating is what matters… along with the top speed and whether it uses a throttle or not. I’d recommend this product for people who need the extra power and like the design of the frame or utility of the extra features. You’re correct that the rules are still blurry in many locations and does not seem to be an activity with a lot of enforcement. There are times that I wish more was being done because I dislike the loud, stinky, gasoline powered bicycles that people build. I’m open to your thoughts and experiences, my own have been entirely positive from state to state, I don’t think I have ever been approached or criticized for riding an ebike… but that also reflects how I ride and behave.

Jessica

I’m confused because the specs you list are different than those they list on their website. They only list their motor at 500W. I also can’t find anything about the warranty on their site. This seems like a really great bike, but I’m hesistant due to website issues.

Hi Jessica! This sometimes happens, companies won’t quote their own specs correctly or they will feed me incorrect information and change their own site later to reflect the update (or maybe they change parts etc.) I would encourage you to contact them directly to ask. The information I gathered (aside from motor wattage) was all done by me by hand. I relied on them for the motor wattage… so maybe they changed something? I hope this helps and wish you luck finding the perfect ebike for your lifestyle and budget :)

Nick Muzzio

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to attach a bike chariot to these bikes? I cannot use the extended rear axle that comes with the chariot as it’s not compatible with the motor axle. I was thinking maybe I could use one of the welded tabs but not sure it will be strong enough to pull the chariot. The bike has that rear tow loop welded into the frame, but I can’t think of a way to use that with a chariot. Any ideas would be much appreciated! PS thanks for the great reviews!

Bill

Just ordered two model S in white, with basket and fenders. Including shipping to the East Coast total is $3,392.00. Now for the hard part: WAITING!

Sounds like you and a friend are going to have a lot of fun Bill! Hope the bikes arrive soon and work great for you :D

Thanks for the shout out. My friend “wife of 50 years” and I are trading the motorcycles for a more sedate mode of transportation. Now that we’re retired and travel the country in an RV, it seemed like a perfect match to get ebikes for exploring the bike trails that many times are near RV parks. On our trips we’d see younger people enjoying their bike rides, but we could never participate because are older legs just can’t keep up. Hopefully the Model S’s will allow us to get back out on the trails.

I’ve done a lot of research online and have watched hours of reviews including many of yours. I chatted with the folks at Electric Bike Company and spoke with Sean and their advice and your review helped me make the decision. So if this turns out to be a mistake, it’s your fault :-)

There’s a large demographic out there that could benefit from an ebike and manufacturers would be smart to pay attention to us baby boomers. Thanks for the reviews and I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Tom

7 years ago

Hello Court, I’m an avid reader of the site, having spent close to a year now trying to decide on an e-bike. I know it’s been a year since you’ve reviewed the E-Lux, but I was wondering if you could compare the E-Lux to this EBC Model S in terms of “bang for the buck.” The E-Lux has fewer options from which to choose, and has free shipping (maybe expired in June?), while the Model S has many options and a steep shipping cost. I’m really looking for an “out the door” price for both. Thanks.

Hmm, I like the options that EBC offers but feel like E-Lux is more established and stable. My preference is definitely for the mid-mount battery to improve handling and stability so that also pushes a bit towards E-Lux. There are so many factors to consider with these products because of the colors and different options. It’s hard to ignore what EBC is offering with their Model S and it did feel very powerful and appeared to be well made. I’m not sure there’s much more I can say without knowing you and weighing the value of extras vs. price? I hope this helps a little and welcome you to explore the forums to get more info on each brand.

Thanks very much for the reply. I’m a 65-yo retiree looking for an ebike for exercise and for taking in an RV to campsites and such, and I don’t want to spend a fortune on the bike. I hope to use it for recreation and some errand-running at home in place of a car. I will look in the forums as you suggest, but last time I looked at the E-Lux forum there was not much there. But this is very helpful. Thanks again.

Dayzeedee

Iorderedmybikeoveramonthagoandhaveyettoreceiveit.

Hmm, that’s a bummer, please keep us updated! I hope it arrives soon, have you reached out to the Electric Bike Company to see why it’s taking so long?

Joseph

HERE IS MY REVIEW OF MY ELECTRIC BIKE COMPANY BIKE.
Ordered online March 21 2018. Called while ordering and Sean helped me via phone with the order. Great man to talk to and a huge help. My bike was complete and shipped April 5 (so about 2 week build time). Then took about 10 days to ship from California and arrive at my Florida home on the evening of April 19. Was packaged nicely. Had one minor scratch on it when it arrived where the box was rubbing the back rail during shipping. Had one question on the battery locking mechanism so I called and Sean answered. He worked with me on my question to my satisfaction.

Been riding a week now. Bike works as promised and is everything I hoped for. Quality is top notch, which is also why it weighs in at near 75 pounds! But the overbuilt parts will be well worth it since this bike takes a beating at 20 mph to 26 mph when not being able to avoid dips and sewers that are in the bike lane. They do give a good jolt on a beach cruiser at those speeds!

I have now rode the bike every day for a full 7 days. I have only charged up once a day in the evenings, and it does take a long time to charge to full capacity. I have 334 miles on the bike already. Average speed is 16 mph. I am riding in maximum assist level 90% of the time which cruises at 22 mph to 26 mph depending on conditions and climbs nice inclines still at about 16 mph to 18 mph. I slow to the lowest assist if on a sidewalk or looking for a destination, which still moves along nicely around 9 mph to 12 mph depending on conditions. It says I hit a 32 mph max speed, which must have been coming down one of the inter-coastal bridges since the way the bike is geared with only a single gear, peddling your heart out will get you no better than 28 mph and a lot of wasted effort. I have rode 42 to 61 miles every day without plugging in and never had a concern on range yet. 42 miles is a very comfortable range with still good battery left on the indicator. The 61 mile ride had my battery indicator about exhausted; yet she kept on trucking along just fine in maximum power assist. So I would say there was still a few more miles left to go, although that may be the max I push the limit unless I want to be pushing or peddling a 75 pound bike on my own with no assist and no throttle.

My bike is the Model C with basket and fenders and suspension seat upgrade and the 18 ah battery upgrade. I am 6’2” and 215 pounds clothed. I live in coastal Florida. So hot, humid, moist, and mostly flat with strong winds and very occasional steep bridges to traverse from the islands to inter-coastal to mainland. If the bike continues to perform as it did this past week and the components hold up as quality components should, I will be smiles for years to come.

Only concern. I stopped in bike shops to get a few accessories like saddle bags and an old honker horn and tie downs. They will not service an e-bike unless it is one they carry. So come service time, I will contact Sean and see what he says. So not really a concern about my bike, more a concern in general with servicing an e-bike not bought at a local shop that also sells the specific model you bought. Anyway, I believe I read somewhere they have a national contract with a mobile service company to do repairs and tune ups. So fingers crossed that is available in Florida.

Joseph, St Pete Beach Florida

court

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing these insights and your experiences, Joseph :)