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eProdigy is a Canada-based electric bike company that has been producing and selling a range of mid-drive products since 2011. Their Achiever motors are compact, efficient, and in the case of the Magic and Magic Pro… very powerful. This is an ebike that was designed from the ground up to be approachable, comfortable, and utilitarian. The base model comes with a smaller battery and traditional 9-speed Shimano Alivio derailleur but the Magic Pro, which is the focus of this review, comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) NuVinci drivetrain. For those who are unfamiliar, the NuVinci N380 can be shifted at standstill and uses a slide of 380-degrees vs. stepped gears. There’s no mashing or clunking, and this is especially relevant when paired with a centerdrive because there’s more power going through the drivetrain (your legs power and the motor). The NuVinci hub adds a bit of weight and friction, but works perfectly with the Gates carbon belt drive for clean, quiet operation. In order to offer the N380 or upgraded NuVinci Harmony (which provides automatic electronic shifting for $499 more), the Magic Pro was designed with a cutaway frame for the belt to fit on. The frame only comes in one size, to keep the price down, but is offered in two colors. With hardware like the adjustable angle stem, swept-back handlebar, and wide range of saddle heights, it remains approachable even though there’s only one frame size.
There is so much to say about this electric bicycle, many things that set it apart and make it both enjoyable and utilitarian. Take the wheel size and tire choice for example; eProdigy opted for a middle-sized 27.5″ diameter vs. 26″ or 28″ and this allows for a blend of approachability (the frame sits closer to the ground) and comfort (the slightly larger wheel size can span cracks, overcome obstacles, and provide more cushion because of increased air volume). They chose Premium Schwalbe tires based on their highly puncture-resistant casing and reflective sidewalls. Even the rims have been upgraded with reinforcement eyelets to improve strength. The bike fork and frame have reflective accents, and the headlight and backlight are wired-in, running off of the main battery. There are some drawbacks to consider here however: the rear light is a bit basic with only one LED and the kickstand is fitted with an adapter vs. a standard tab, the fork is rigid vs. using suspension, the plastic fenders can rattle a bit, and the motor makes a whirring noise regardless of power level. Frankly, there aren’t many products out there that offer a belt drive, the NuVinci systems, battery capacity choices, and a sturdy step-thru frame. Notice how the downtube and seat tube are reinforced with an additional bar for strength. The bike felt stable and tracked well during my test rides in Burnaby, Canada. One of the founding team members, Melody, even hopped on for a test ride. She’s 5’2″ (157.48 cm) and was able to mount and pedal comfortably while still having room to lower the saddle more if she had wanted. Owners of this bike can lower the motor power and even reduce the top speed… they can disable the throttle completely to go from Class 2 to Class 1 if needed, but I love how the trigger throttle overrides assist for easy starts and those times when you might want to rest your legs. The Magic Pro is a wonderful addition to thee eProdigy lineup, my favorite model to date, and it’s the platform that is being used for their new rental program in Vancouver called Bees Knees Rentals.
Driving the Magic, Magic Pro with NuVinci N380, and Magic Pro with NuVinci Harmony is the same 750 watt Achiever mid-motor. This is a proprietary canister drive system that is very compact, but capable. Its peak output reaches 1,000 watts and I’m told the torque can be as high as 120 Newton meters. That’s significantly more than Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano and the other big name brands that hover around 70 to 80 Nm. For someone who weighs more or expects to climb a lot of hilly terrain, the extra torque is a great thing. However, that force is all transmitted into the chain or belt and the gearing system, and there’s no fancy shift detection to keep it from straining the drivetrain. It’s less of an issue with the sturdy Gates carbon belt drive and CVT hubs, but the base-level Magic (with that 9-speed cassette) could take some damage if you don’t shift carefully. I found the 12-magnet cadence sensor to be very responsive, but it’s not as dynamic as a torque or torque+cadence sensor… so you’ll really want to ease off or even tap the brakes when shifting gears if you get the standard Magic. Coming back to the Magic Pro with the CVT hub, you can shift however you want… even when using the throttle, because there are no steps in the gearing. It cannot mash and there’s only one belt ring cog and one rear sprocket so the belt cannot drop off. Many shops and brands that work with the Gates belt drive system have told me that it is extremely reliable and clean. It’s also quiet, but the Achiever motor does produce some whirring noise when in use, so the quiet is spoiled a bit. I love that both the chain or belt are covered by a full-length plastic chain cover to keep your pant legs or dress ends clean and snag-free. Both wheels are covered by durable plastic fenders with rubber flaps. I noticed that they utilized double support stays to reduce rattling, which is great. All things considered, I welcome and appreciate this proprietary motor system because it’s aesthetically pleasing, powerful, and compatible with a throttle while most other mid-motors are not.
Powering the base level Magic is a 48 volt 8.7 amp hour battery pack, but the Pro models come with a higher capacity 14.5 amp hour battery. It doesn’t weigh much more, I’m guessing under one pound, and is physically the same size. It’s just using fancier “high-capacity” Lithium-ion cells. For people who might wish to upgrade the battery on the stock Magic ebike, eProdigy only charges $375. The higher capacity 696 watt hour battery will help you ride further or move more weight and climb more effectively. It’s a neat upgrade, and there are many ways to spend the energy… not just the motor. The integrated lights are efficient but do draw a bit of power from the pack, the backlit display is the same, and both the battery and display panel have USB ports built in for running or charging portable electronic devices! I’ve seen many ebikes that only have a USB port on the battery, and this requires a long cord that could get snagged while pedaling. By having a port up at the display panel, you could charge your phone, an additional light, a GPS device, or maybe some fun Christmas lights while riding. Once you reach your destination, the main battery pack could be removed for charging or to use as backup power. I frequently remove the battery from my ebike to fill up at work and to keep it out of the hot sun or cold winter air. Extreme temperatures can be hard on Lithium-ion packs and it’s best to keep them charged up and avoid going under 20% to keep the cells from stressing. Thankfully, eProdigy has opted for high-quality Panasonic cells here, which are known for being long lasting and reliable. All things considered, the battery pack is sturdy (being encased in aluminum alloy), well designed (with a handle for easy carrying), and positioned well on the frame (low and center for balance). The charger is a bit basic, only putting out 2 amps vs. 3 or 4, but is compact and lightweight.
Operating this bike is a cinch, once the battery pack has been charged and locked onto the frame, you simply hold the center button on the rubberized control pad which is mounted near the left grip. The monochrome LCD boots up, displaying your current speed, battery level, and assist level 0-5. Level zero disables pedal assist and the throttle, but allows the display and lights to run. Weighing in at roughly 58 lbs with the NuVinci N380 and high-capacity battery, this isn’t the lightest ebike… but the rear rack, fenders, and lights all contribute, and it’s also not the heaviest bike out there by any means. So pedaling it around without assist is possible, especially with the efficient tires, as long as you have them aired up appropriately (higher pressure is more efficient but less comfortable). Speaking of comfort, the ergonomic grips and gel saddle feel very good, but I’d probably purchase a 30.9 mm seat post suspension if I was riding far or expecting bumpy road conditions. Back to the display, you can activate the lights by holding the up arrow and activate walk mode by holding the down arrow. Simply clicking these buttons will raise or lower assist, and I love how the throttle is active with full power anytime you’re using 1-5 assist, it’s not capped by the level. Considering that the trigger throttle offers variable power output, it’s just nice to be able to really juice it to catch up with a friend or climb a short hill… but leave your pedal assist down in a more modest 1 or 2 level for pedaling. This display is fairly large, and it can swivel a bit to reduce glare, but it is not removable. I feel like it’s well protected at the center of the riser handlebar, but it could still get scratched at a rack and take some sun and rain damage over time. The systems should all be highly water resistant (eProdigy is based in Vancouver where it rains after all). I appreciate how most of the wires are internally routed through the frame, and how nicely the blend in on the dark grey colored frame, but the white one might be safer for early morning and night rides.
I really enjoyed covering the eProdigy Magic Pro and catching up with Melody Chan to hear about their rental program. Electric bikes can empower people to commute to work without knee and hip strain or sweat, they can flatten hills, reduce the effects of high wind, and they can enable us to ride together if skill levels differ. They are super efficient, especially mid-motors, and in this case super intuitive (with the shifting at standstill or electronic auto-shift option). I haven’t explained that much… but for $499 extra, the NuVinci Harmony lets you set a preferred pedal cadence, and then it automatically shifts to allow you to pedal with the same force and at the same speed by slowing the bike down or speeding it up. It’s a very unique option, one that lets you focus more on the surroundings vs. shifting. I feel that the grip shifter on the N380 is also very intuitive, and the control pad is reachable and simple enough to be enjoyable by less tech savvy riders. I realize that shifting gears can be confusing and intimidating for some riders, and then you add a little computer into the mix and it can feel overwhelming. The eProdigy system is very intuitive and also durable with the NuVinci CVT, you won’t grind gears or damage it at bike racks or if the bike tips as easily. Yes, the bike costs a bit more with these options, but they should last. That also goes for the company, they are super friendly and provide an excellent two-year comprehensive warranty with all of their products. For those who want to commute with the bike, the rear rack was sturdy and had both pannier hangers as well as bungee loops. The kickstand is positioned out of the way, the pedals are large and sturdy, the adjustable stem is simple to use and doesn’t even require tools. One of my favorite aspects of this ebike however, is that it comes with adjustable hydraulic disc brakes that have motor inhibiting levers for instant stops. The bike feels natural and safe, it gives you lots of control, and I think it looks great as well. Big thanks to eProdigy for partnering with me on this post and to Melody for meeting with me. I’ll do my best to answer questions in the comments below and welcome you to join in the discussion and post stories and photos in the eProdigy Forums!
Pros:
- Extremely clean, quiet, and durable drivetrain, this ebike uses a Gates carbon belt drive instead of a traditional chain, there’s no derailleur or cassette at the back so it’s less likely to go out of tune or get damaged
- Instead of changing gears, you smoothly adjust through a 380-degree range of cadence options using the NuVinci N380 continuously variable transmission hub, you can adjust this whether the bike is moving or stopped
- The battery and motor are positioned very well on the Magic Pro, both are kept low and centered on the frame which improve handling and stability
- The bike only comes in one frame size but it’s extremely easy to approach and mount because of the wave step-thru design, and you can dial in fit with the adjustable angle quill stem and swept-back riser handlebar
- I was really impressed with the high power and torque of the proprietary Achiever mid-motor, it offers 750 watts nominal and up to 120 Newton meters of torque for easy starts and effective climbing
- Excellent utility and safety here with reflective puncture-resistant tires from Schwalbe, reflective accents on the fork seat tube and rear rack support, integrated front and rear LED lights, a sturdy built-in rack with pannier hangers, and a chain cover and full-length fenders
- The motor is very compact, almost hidden compared with many other mid-drive solutions… it doesn’t offer fancy shift detection and it does produce some whirring noise when driven at full power, but it’s actually pretty impressive for an off-brand part (compared to Shimano, Brose, Yamaha, or Bosch)
- eProdigy is offering two versions of this ebike and the more expensive pro model comes with a high-capacity battery pack that fits into the same downtube interface, it provides 48 volts and 14.5 amp hours making it above-average for longer or more powerful rides
- Very few mid-drive powered electric bikes offer throttle operation but the Magic and Magic Pro do! It’s a handy option for people who might not be able to pedal comfortably or those who need help getting started
- The cadence sensor that activates the motor when pedaling is completely internalized and well protected, it felt very responsive to me but you can also just override using the throttle for immediate power
- Minor praises here, I like the adjustable kickstand, sturdy alloy pedals, quality rims with reinforcement eyelets, and internally routed brake/shifter/electrical cables (even though some cables are exposed below the bottom bracket), the black frame really hides the cables and battery pack well but the white frame color could be safer in low light – keeping you more visible from the sides, it’s nice to have a choice
- The frame felt pretty responsive and stiff despite being a step-thru, you can see the little brace tube near the base of the downtube (where it meets the seat tube), this still won’t be as stiff as a high-step, but it’s a lot more approachable
- Both the battery pack and display panel have a full-sized USB 2.0 charging port so you could maintain a phone, Garmin GPS device, or other portable electronic accessory on the go and when parked
- Unique wheel size here, the 27.5″ diameter splits the difference between a low frame height 26″ vs. a low attack angle 700x 28″ (it’s a balance of approachability and comfort)
- Great brakes, you get easy-pull hydraulic disc brakes with average sized 160 mm rotors, and both levers offer adjustable reach for smaller or gloved hands and they also have motor inhibitors built in for immediate power cutoff
Cons:
- The NuVinci N380 adds to the weight and price of the bike, there’s a special fluid inside that enables shifting but this also produces some friction that reduces efficiency compared to a traditional cassette
- There’s no suspension fork here but the ergonomic grips, comfort saddle, and fatter 2.0″ tires provide decent comfort, you could always purchase a basic 30.9 mm suspension seat post like this to reduce impact on rough streets
- The display and button pad are easy to use and relatively easy to see, you can swivel the display a bit to reduce glare, but it is not removable and could get scratched or just take more weather-wear if you park outside at a public bike rack
- Minor consideration here, the charging port for the battery is positioned near the left crank arm and could expose the wire to snags or bumps if you’re charging it on the bike, just be careful
- Minor consideration, there are no bottle cage bosses anywhere on the bike, it seems like there might have been room on the seat tube, but I can see how that would have exposed an accessory to being kicked when mounting or dismounting, consider using a basic trunk bag like this with a bottle holster instead
- The rear light only has one LED, it doesn’t blink or do anything besides a constant on and it’s just a little basic… but at least it runs off of the main battery pack vs. disposable cells and turns on with the control panel vs. an independent switch :)
- Weighing in at nearly 58 lbs, this isn’t the lightest electric bike, but at least the 7.4 lb battery is removable if you do need to lift it or perform maintenance
- eProdigy has limited dealer reach in the USA which could make finding and test riding a unit a bit difficult… but they also sell online, be prepared to do a little setup work in this case, the company has been around since 2011 and is super friendly so that’s nice
Resources:
Mike R
6 years agoHooRay! Finally, a mid drive ebike thats both powerful and has a throttle! The thicker tires are a better choice for here in Midwest, as most buyers here prefer that. Nuvinci and Gates belt are a nice touch too. On $3000 ebike though, they certainly could have put a bit higher end LCD display on it.
Replycourt
6 years agoHey Mike! I agree with you, this electric bicycle offers a unique combination of features… and perhaps they opted for a more basic display because of the USB port built in? A few of the high-end ebike displays also have this (in the form of Micro USB) but they aren’t sold to work with a proprietary motor like eProdigy uses. It would be nice if this display was removable but overall, I think it’s a pretty decent choice :)
ReplyMike H
6 years agoAre the Magic bikes currently available (12-Jun-2018)? I followed the links to the eProdigy web site and found nothing about the Magic or Magic Pro bikes.
Replycourt
6 years agoHi Mike! I called Melody Chan (the woman in the video) asking about the availability of the Magic models and she said that the website has been undergoing some updates but they are available and you could call the company to ask questions and place an order (888) 928-9328 good luck :D
ReplyAlice Bruce
6 years agoWe are considering the Magic base model with the upgraded battery and display. You mention the mid-drive motor with the the 9 speed cassette could be susceptible to damage when not shifting correctly. How big an issue might this be? We plan to use the bike around town and for pathway rides both of which include some hills. Thoughts on this becoming a maintenance problem medium / long term?
Replycourt
6 years agoHi Alice, that’s a good question… I haven’t seen a lot of complaints or issues with the other eProdigy models over the past couple of years (when I’ve reviewed them with slightly weaker motors) and none of those older models used a belt or continuously variable transmission, meaning that they would have been susceptible to chain and sprocket wear. On the one hand, I could definitely force the bike to do hard shifts and eventually break the chain and bent the sprocket teeth if I wanted to… but with a little bit of patience (not shifting hard when transitioning into climbing situations, easing off before shifts, applying the brakes to activate the motor inhibitor before shifting) the bike could shift just like a normal unpowered bicycle. It really depends on how you use the system, I have been able to mash and grind gears on the fancier motors with shift detection (like Bosch) so this is all to say that it really comes down to how you ride. The eProdigy Magic Pro should work just fine for your stated use case, just go in with some extra care to help make it last. Even if you do break the chain someday or bend a cassette ring, you can replace those pretty easily with the help of any bicycle shop for tens of dollars, maybe hundreds if you replace the entire cassette and derailleur :)
ReplyAlan Mefford
6 years agoI am an 81 year old bicycle rider that just couldn’t deal with the hills anymore in Hilo, Hawaii. I started looking into electric bicycles and I had a check list that included mid mounted 750 watt motor, step through frame, minimum 12 watt hour battery, manual throttle, peddle assist, belt drive, and no derailleur shifting. I had about decided that such a bike didn’t exist when I found this review. We don’t have a dealer so I bought a Magic Pro on line. Court’s review was a confidence builder and I wasn’t disappointed when I got my bike. The packing detail was good. It was double boxed and almost every part was wrapped. It was mostly assembled with only the front wheel, seat, bars, and front fender to deal with. It is a beautiful bike with a very clean design. The fit and finish are excellent. It is easy to ride and with the low center of gravity the balance is better than a normal bike. AND it climbs hills! I go anywhere in Hilo and I know the bike is going to handle it. I also know I will run out of energy long before the battery runs out of power. The continuously variable Nuvinci transmission is much easier to use than a derailleur. I learned that taking a little pressure off the manual pedaling going uphill allows for very easy shifting. It is much easier to find the right ratio than with a derailleur. The manual throttle is really important to me. It makes it very easy to get going when crossing a street. The bike will even handle mild dirt and gravel trails but it isn’t meant for off road use. All in all, it is a very smooth bike to ride. I thought it was going to be good but it is even better.
We don’t have a eProdigy dealer so warranty is handled by the home office. The bike is a new 2018 model and, since it comes from Canada, tariffs were about to go into effect when I ordered the bike. It wasn’t surprising that a couple of problems showed up. My contact was Melody Chan, daughter of the founder of the company. She proved to be an always available absolutely tenacious problem solver. She even made a special video in their shop covering the installation of a replacement part. She won’t quit until her customer is taken car of. I have absolutely no concerns about not having a local dealer.
The Magic Pro has put me back into a recreation I love. I highly recommend the bike and the company, eProdigy Bikes.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Alan, I truly enjoyed your comment and am so glad to hear that this ebike has allowed you to enjoy cycling again. Yes, Melody is wonderful… Thanks for sharing your story, I’m sure that it will help others who are wondering about the shipping / no dealer situation. Take care and ride safe in paradise!
ReplyCamiel
6 years agoFirst of all, congrats on having put together a truly useful site for everything e-bike. This bike is on my short list for purchase this spring. Two questions:
- Your pictures seem to show exposed contact/charging pins at the top of the battery. Is that indeed what I’m seeing?
- Any idea why eProdigy likes to put their cargo rack on a forward slant? I grew up in Holland and it just looks wrong!
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Camiel! Cool name :) Perhaps the two pins you are seeing are actually white label dots on the LED charge level indicator. I did not see any exposed pins on this battery pack, aside from the interface at the bottom of the case that is completely hidden when the battery is mounted. As for the rear rack, perhaps they are using a stock frame for the Magic series that can be modified with a suspension fork. In that case, the front of the bike would be elevated a bit and the rack wouldn’t slant forward so much. That would be my guess. It was a unique product to test ride and I really enjoyed it. Whatever you decide on, I hope it works well for you!
ReplyAlan Mefford
6 years agoHi Court, I have been looking for a suspension seat for my Magic Pro and found an error in the bike specs. The seat post isn’t 30.9mm dia. but is a little used 30.4mm. It is actually stamped on the tube. This is at least true on my bike. I took a picture of the stamping but haven’t figured out how to attach it to this note. The stamping is down toward the bottom of the tube. It is impossible to get an accurate measurement of the post tube ID. The tube is slightly deformed from the slit that allows for clamping tightly. I got measurements from 30.4mm to 30.8mm. It looks like I am going to have to use a 27.2mm seatpost with a 27.2mm to 30.4mm shim.
While on the suspension seatpost subject, do you have a favorite? I’m looking at the Thudbuster ST because of reviews and I don’t want to increase my seat height. I’m an old guy and need to seat a little lower that it should be.
Alan
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Alan! Thanks for the update, that’s interesting. I have noticed that sometimes the review models are slightly different than final versions or new model years. I do very carefully measure all of the specs, but there have been occasions where a mistake was made. I’m sorry that the measurement listed here was not accurate in your case and yes, a shim would be a great way to solve this. I love Thudbuster and agree that it keeps the minimum saddle height lower. The SR Suntour NCX is also a good option in the quality/value segment. Lots of seatposts can be found on Amazon for cheap, but they seem to be vulnerable to twisting and lifting the bike by the saddle vs. Thudbuster and SR Suntour (or getting up into something like the Kinekt Bodyfloat hardware).
ReplyTerence Wong
4 years agoHi Alan and Court, thanks for both your comments with this. I was pretty set on the Kinekt 2.1 Bodyfloat Isolation Seatpost but wasn’t sure which diameter would work best as the Magic Pro seatpost was confirmed with Melody to be 30.8mm I brought it into the Ohm shop in North Vancouver (one of the few dealers that sell the Kinekt in shop) and they were able to help me out. We tried the 27.2mm with a shim at first but in the end, the 30.9mm did fit alright with a little help of some grease and twisting. So for anyone deciding on a suspension seatpost, you could rest assured that the 30.9mm will be fine without any need for a shim.
Side note, the Kinekt is amazing. Total night and day difference, like riding on a cloud.
Rick Weir
5 years agoDo you have any dealers in Alberta? – Rick
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Rick! I just visited the official eProdigy website and used their little dealer locator tool. It looks like there are two stores in Alberta! I’ve listed their information below to help you out:
I really enjoyed the Magic products from eProdigy and feel that their customer support is great. I hope this helps you and invite your feedback in the future, either here on the review page or back in the eProdigy ebike forums :)
ReplySimon
5 years agoWhat is the maximum torque recommended for the N380. Is 120 newton-m to much for this hub?
ReplyBILL BRYTAN
5 years agoI just had a chance to extensively test the Magic Pro and have some points to add to Court’s wonderful review. The Magic Pro is now available with a suspension fork and the Nuvinci hub will not shift while the throttle is engaged as a safety feature. All models now also appear to be available with the advanced lcd display which has the ability to remove speed limits for offroad use. I was able to hit 28mph moderately pedalling my 212 pound load and could have gone faster if I had more room to accelerate. I spoke with a man who claims to have done 45mph with a weight of 180 pounds; the lcd is settable to a max speed of 45mph or 72kph but the old 350 watt motors could not possibly pull it. This is the most powerful e-bike motor I have ever experienced and the extra expenditure for nuvinci hub and gates belt drive will be offset within 3 years of reduced maintenance costs. There is no cruise control but the amount of speed from full throttle is variable by changing gear and assist levels. This will probably be the next e-bike purchase I make.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoWow, great follow-up details here Bill! Thank you so much for chiming in with these updates. It sounds like I should get in touch with the eProdigy folks and review some of their newer bikes ;) I’d love to hear more from you if you do end up buying one of these. Thanks again.
ReplySaul Garcia
4 years agoThe eProdigy website seems to be showing bikes from 2018. Are they still in business? I couldn’t find the bike that Bill Bryant describes.
Terence
4 years agoYes they are. Just picked my Magic pro up yesterday!
They’ve been running low in stock due to the pandemic so your order might take a while to arrive. Bill is correct and there is a front suspension as an upgradable feature to the bike. I think there is cruise control though based on the LCD instructions, but as I just got the bike, haven’t had a chance to check that out yet.