Name: Espin Sport Review
Item: Espin Sport
Author: Court Rye

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Espin Sport Review

Espin Sport Bafang 500w Geared Rear Hub Motor

Espin Sport 55lb Rear Rack Spanninga Integrated Taillight Plastic Fender

Espin Sport Cockpit Monochrome Lcd Forward Riding Position

Espin Sport Sr Suntour Suspension Fork 100mm Travel Spanninga Integrated Headlight Kenda Komfort Front Tire

Espin Sport Zoom Two Finger Adjustable Brake Lever

Espin Sport Shimano Altus Derailleur 1x8 11 30 Tooth Cassette

Espin Sport Wellgo Platform Pedal Plastic Bash Guard 45 Tooth Steel Chainring

Espin Sport Rear Mounted Adjustable Length Kickstand

Espin Sport Zoom Hydraulic Disc Brakes Dual Piston Caliper 160mm Rotor

Espin Sport Control Pad Variable Thumb Throttle

Espin Sport Included Allen And Socket Wrench Multi Tool

The Espin Sport is a feature-complete commuting and mixed-use Ebike that includes a rear rack, plastic fenders, integrated lights from Spanninga, and an SR Suntour suspension fork
The suspension fork works well with locking ergonomic rubber grips and a large Selle Royale Freeway saddle to provide comfort for long commutes, and the Sport can also handle trails and some off-road riding, especially if you add some low-cost improvements such as puncture protection and perhaps a suspension seatpost
Ample power from the rear hub motor by Bafang using either cadence-based pedal assist or the variable thumb throttle, hydraulic brakes by Zoom are easy to actuate and include motor inhibitors, and the Shimano Altus 1x8 setup provides a reliable shifting experience
The cadence sensor is not sealed leaving it vulnerable to damage or loss of magnets, there is no puncture protection or reflective sidewall striping for the tires, and there are also no reflectors on the spokes

Make:

Espin

Model:

Reine

Price:

$1,799

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Urban, Commuting, Trail

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, 3 Year Frame

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2019

Total Weight:

54.9 lbs (24.9 kg)

Battery Weight:

7.3 lbs (3.31 kg)

Motor Weight:

9 lbs (4.08 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminium Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17 in (43.18 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Mid-Step Measurements: 17" Seat Tube, 27" Reach, 29" Stand Over Height, 32.5" Minimum Saddle Height, 24" Width, 73" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Black, Cobalt Blue

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour XCT ATB Coil Suspension Fork, 100mm Travel and 28mm Steel Stanchions, Preload Adjust, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

8 Speed 1x8 Shimano Altus Derailleur, Shimano Altus CS-HG200-8 12-32 Tooth Cassette

Shifter Details:

Shimano Altus Triggers on Right (Pull High, Three-Shift Low)

Cranks:

Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 45 Tooth Steel Chainring with Plastic Bash Guard

Pedals:

Wellgo Platform, Aluminum Alloy, Reflective

Headset:

Internal Cups, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Aluminum Alloy, Adjustable Angle, 65mm Length, 32mm Clamp Diameter, Three 10mm Spacers, One 5mm Spacer

Handlebar:

Aluminum, 610mm Length, 10mm Rise, 5° Back Sweep

Brake Details:

Zoom Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Dual Piston Calipers, Two-Finger Levers with Adjustable Reach, Motor Inhibitors

Grips:

Ergonomic, Rubber, Locking

Saddle:

Selle Royal Freeway

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.4 mm

Rims:

Double Wall, Aluminum Alloy, 36 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 12 Gauge, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Kenda Komfort, 27.5" x 1.95" (48-584)

Wheel Sizes:

27.5 in (69.85cm)

Tire Details:

40 to 65 PSI, 2.8 to 4.5 BAR

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Plastic Fenders with Rubber Mud Flaps (70mm Width), Aluminum Alloy Rear Rack (Pannier Hangers, 25kg 55lb Max Weight), Spinninga Integrated LED Headlight, Spinninga Integrated LED Taillight, Aluminum Alloy Adjustable Length Rear Mount Kickstand

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-mounted Battery Pack, 1.2lb 2amp Charger

Motor Brand:

8Fun

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

700 watts

Motor Torque:

50 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

18650 Cells

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

14.5 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

672 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

50 miles (80 km)

Display Type:

AP7, Fixed, Tool Adjustable Angle, 3" Monochrome, Buttons: Up, Down, Power (Quick Press Power to Cycle Readouts, Hold Down for Walk Mode, Hold Up for Lights, Double Tap Power for Settings)

Readouts:

Battery Charge Level (5 Bars), Pedal Assist Level (0-5), Current Speed Odometer, Trip Odometer, Average Speed, Max Speed

Display Accessories:

Trigger Thumb Throttle on Left

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 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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To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by Espin Ebikes. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Espin products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the Espin electric bike forums.

Observations:

Espin has another model called the Flow, it is sold as a separate model but it is essentially a step-through version of the Sport as everything except for the frame is identical. We reviewed the Flow back in 2018, you can check that review out here to see how things have changed: Espin Flow Review
Espin uses a hybrid distribution model. They started selling direct to consumer and continue to do so, but they also work with dealers in the US. At the time of filming there are about 10 dealers available in the US, and Espin is working on adding more. Since there are only 10 dealers so far you may not live near one, but if you do you can take advantage and visit the dealer for fitting and test riding – not to mention maintenance and support down the road!
Josh Lam, one of Espin’s co-founders, has lived in Shanghai and speaks fluent Mandarin. This has allowed him to select factories effectively and work with them very closely, and it seems to be a big part of how they’ve been able to provide so much quality at a low price point for all of Espin’s Ebike models

Pros:

The Sport is what I call “feature-complete” as it comes standard with a rear rack, fenders, a suspension fork, and integrated lights
The rear rack is a standard rack with a weight limit of 55lb (25kg). A rack like this isn’t as strong as a weld-mounted rack, but having a standard rack is attractive for a lot of people because it’s easy to find accessories such as trunk bags or panniers that can attach to the standard gauge tubing… and of course you can also remove it if you need to do so, for example you might want to mount a trailer or another accessory that needs to mount at the same points
The fenders on the Sport are large and plastic, which means they are more lightweight and a bit more resilient than steel or alloy
The integrated lights are made by Spanninga and they are high quality, emitting plenty of light for visibility in addition to being great for safety. Having both the front and rear light integrated makes them easy to turn on and off from the control pad, as opposed to some Ebikes that have a separately powered and controlled rear light
A good range of adjustments available for different sizes of riders, I was particularly impressed by being able to raise the saddle far enough to get full leg extension while riding. I am 6’3″ and it is rare for me to find this comfortable of a fit on a one-size-fits-all bike like the Sport. Also helping with the approachability is the angle of the top tube, it’s what I call a “mid-step” since it’s lower than a high-step but not into step-thru territory
The Sport shines as a mixed-use bike. The rack for storage, fenders to keep you clean and dry, and considerations for comfort make it a solid commuting bike that also has plenty of range thanks to the 696 watt-hours of battery capacity. The suspension fork and forward riding position help it to perform well for trail and off-road use as well, although if you plan to do much of that you should probably add some puncture protection to the tires and perhaps a suspension seatpost for particularly bumpy terrain
Plenty of power from the 500-watt Bafang rear hub motor accessible through cadence-base pedal assist or by using the thumb throttle on the left grip. This is a good (and common) combination on Ebikes in this price range, cadence sensors are great for cost-savings but there is some delay when starting and stopping, so it’s nice to have the throttle for getting started before the cadence sensor kicks in
Another note on the motor: The Sport ships from Espin as a Class 2 ebike but it is capable of higher speeds, so if you wish you can increase the top speed to 28mph which pushes it to a Class 3. There are a lot of considerations to make first, make sure you check the laws and regulations in your area, and keep in mind that operating at a higher speed will mean more wear and tear on the motor
Plenty of stopping power thanks to hydraulic disc brakes from Zoom, these are using dual-piston calipers and 160mm rotors and are easier to actuate than mechanical brakes. Another benefit is that hydraulic brakes require less maintenance, and I also appreciate that these brakes are equipped with motor inhibitors. This means that squeezing the brake levers even a little bit will cut off power to the motor, an important safety feature on a bike like this that uses a cadence sensor since there is a delay between when you stop pedaling and when the motor shuts off
The Shimano Altus groupset is a step up in quality compared to Tourney, Shimano’s entry-level groupset. This is a 1×8 setup with trigger shifters and a range of 11-30 teeth on the rear cassette, and I appreciate the large plastic bash guard on the chainring which offers protection and keeps the chain from bouncing off when riding on bumpy terrain
The ride experience is comfortable thanks to the Selle Royale Freeway saddle, locking ergonomic rubber grips, and the 100mm of travel in the suspension fork from SR Suntour. This is a coil suspension fork so you can adjust the preload on both sides, good to do if you are a heavier rider or carrying a lot of cargo. Everyone can appreciate comfort but it becomes even more important when riding daily for a medium or long distance commute!
Full throttle power is available from any of the four assist levels, this is my preferred configuration… for comparison, some Ebikes will limit throttle power according to assist level. I prefer having full throttle even when riding in assist level 1, it’s nice if you’re riding at a slower pace and just need to accelerate to catch up with a friend or pass someone on a bike path
Clean and efficient integration of electronics components make the Sport look sleek, and this also helps to lower the theft risk. Many Ebikes are very obvious and scream high-dollar to a thief, but the Sport is fairly stealthy thanks to the seamless battery integration in the downtube and the rear hub motor being less obvious than a mid-drive motor
The monochrome LCD is fairly big and incredibly easy to read even in direct sunlight
The included multi-tool is impressive, offering a range of Allen wrenches and even socket wrenches, this is a nice upgrade when most manufacturers will only give you one Allen wrench and maybe a screwdriver

Cons:

The cadence sensor has 12 magnets for high resolution, a nice upgrade compared to the four-magnet sensor on last year’s model… but it is not a sealed sensor. It is positioned well between the bash guard and the frame, but it is still vulnerable to getting bumped and bent, and to magnets falling out. If you notice odd behavior from pedal assistance, this sensor should be the first place to inspect.
The Sport is only available in one frame size which is a 17″ frame. It is adjustable and you can also check out the Flow model if you prefer a step-thru variant, but if you’re a very short or very tall rider I recommend you test ride at an Espin dealer before buying.
The right chainstay does not have a slap guard and is thus vulnerable to getting scratches by the chain when you go over bumps. You can pick up a proper slap guard for cheap at any bike shop, or go with a more low-tech solution and just add some clear tape.
These Kenda Komfort tires are fairly basic and do not include any puncture protection or reflective striping, and actually there aren’t even any side reflectors on the spokes. This is a bummer for me because side visibility is important for safety, especially when riding at night, so I recommend at least adding some reflectors to the spokes. Adding sealant or a puncture-resistant liner is low cost to do yourself, just keep in mind anything that requires you to remove the rear wheel on the Sport will be more difficult due to the rear hub motor.
Every type of fender has its trade-offs, the downside of plastic fenders is that they tend to rattle more than steel or aluminum alloy fenders. The plus side is that they weigh less and are immune to the scratches, rust, and dents/dings that can happen with metal fenders.
The suspension fork has decent travel but is coil only which is fairly basic and doesn’t offer lockout, however you can still use the clickers on each side to adjust preload if you find yourself bottoming out
There are no bottle cage bosses which would be useful not just for bottle cages but also for mounting all sorts of other accessories. You can still mount directly to the frame but it won’t be as stable as mounting to bosses.

Useful Resources:

January 29, 2024 (11 months ago)

Espin Reine Review

MSRP: $2,000
MODEL YEAR: 2019

The Espin Reine is an approachable and feature-rich mid-drive city commuter that includes plastic fenders, integrated lights, a rear rack, and a Suntour NEX suspension fork. It is a new offering from Espin and their first bike with a mid-drive motor instead of a rear hub motor. The upright relaxed riding position, swept-back ergonomic grips, Suntour NEX suspension fork, and an upgraded…...

Read Review

Espin Flow Review

MSRP: $1,888
MODEL YEAR: 2017

A value priced speed pedelec with assistance up to 25 mph, eight-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain, 160 mm mechanical disc brakes with motor inhibitors. Reflective tires and integrated headlight increase the visual footprint and are a big deal on…...

Tommy McDearis

5 years ago

I am considering the purchase of two Espin Flow bikes. I have been choosing between Rad, Aventon and Espin. Espin currently has a sale in progress that takes the price from $1799 to $1199. Are there any big negatives with this bike you can share? I have owned bikes for years, but never an e-bike, and for some reason, I am uncharacteristically nervous about this purchase. My wife and I are both 5’7″ tall. Will we have any issues with the bike’s size?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Tommy

Court

Hi Tommy! I am most familiar with Rad and Aventon. Espin seems to offer good value and the bike looks solid with the integrated battery and standard hub motor from Bafang/8Fun. If you’re really need to save some money, I feel that it could be a great bike because it’s outfitted with everything you need! Most ebikes that are priced like this only come in one frame size, and it’s the “medium” size that will fit most people. With your height of roughly 5’7″ I think you’ll be fine. The bike might not hold its value as well as a Rad Power Bikes model, and I’m not quite as familiar with their customer support, but that’s a sweet price point for something with fenders, a rear rack, and lights. The saddle looks good, I’ve used that display before, and the throttle is nice to have as well. I hope this reduces some of your anxiety… If it were me, I’d probably go with the Espin or Rad because I’ve heard that Aventons can be difficult to build and that can be a hassle if you don’t have all of the tools easily available :)

Joshua

4 years ago

Hi Tommy. I am about to pull the trigger with the Espin Sport. They still have the $1199 promo price which seems like a bargain with the specs it has. Did you end up getting it? Satisfied?

Bob M

I just purchased the Espin Sport and although I have several issues with the bike, it is a good, fun bike. The biggest problem is the fact that I cannot get one response from support for several days. I have called and left voice mails, I have emailed them numerous times and still have not received one response from their so-called “support” that they brag about in their ads.

Donald E Hoolihan

I am looking to replace the suspension seat post on this bike with a Cane Creek 3G Thudbuster. Available diameter is 30.9 mm vs Espins 30.4 mm. Will I have difficulty adapting the new seat post to the bike?

Great question, Donald! I’d recommend getting a smaller seat post diameter and using a shim like this to adapt it to your Espin. This is actually what companies like Riese & Müller do for their brand new ebikes (since they use different sized tubing for added strength) and it works out pretty well. The most common seat post size I see is 27.2mm so that could be good for the Thudbuster :)

Ron Siegel

I wrote you a few days ago about buying a bike in Scottsdale AZ and asking your opinion on Espin Sport vs Magnum Metro +. I now notice that the shop also sells the Surface 604 Colt which is also priced under $2000. Where does that fit in your recommendation since it has torque sensor? Would your opinion be the same on the step thru models of these 3 bike manufacturers. I will be having knee surgery in August

Thanks for your feedback and advise

Oh man! I hope the knee surgery goes smoothly for you, Ron. I really like Surface 604 and Magnum. Since it’s a shop, perhaps they will let you test ride both to compare the torque sensor vs. cadence sensor! Your decision might come down to price, color, or just the frame style. It sounds like a great ebike shop!! Good luck :)

Does anyone know how I can stop the rattling of the back fender? Or is it just something I have to deal with because they are plastic as opposed to the metal ones?

Thanks.

David Stoeckle

I live in Portland and want to make sure the bike I buy is ok with some light precipitation outside. I wouldn’t ride it in a storm, but I feel like it will inevitably be ridden in some light rain… will that damage the electronics on this?

Thanks,
David

Tyson Roehrkasse

Hey David, all Espin bikes will be just fine riding in the rain. Almost all ebikes will, you would just want to avoid leaving them outside in the rain or fully submerging them in water :)

Thanks Tyson!

I’m looking at the Cyberbike ‘frisco’ model as well. I also don’t see any information about water resistance, but it sounds like from your comment that it’s pretty likely it is. Would you have any idea about that? thank you! I can’t find it on EBR, it’s at https://cyberbike.us/products/cyberbike-tron1

thanks for your help :)
david

Joshua Johnson

Hi Bob,

That’s odd. I have always gotten prompt responses from Espin. Are you phoning the 888-296-4550 number and emailing the hello ad espinbikes.com? I added puncture resistant tires, added some mirrors, and another light for the top bar. Wish it had come with bottle cage bosses. Using a velcro strap on one for water. So far, so good.

-Josh

Leroy Keim

3 years ago

Brake Issues: watch out guy’s as the brakes on the Sport and Flow are about as cheap as you can go on hydraulic brakes. They work fine for the trail riders because they don’t use much brakes. But, if you’re a commuter on the county roads in the hills then the brakes DO NOT LAST. The problem is on both the handle and the caliper either leaks fluid or sucks air in the line and doesn’t brake anymore. We are a bike shop in Ohio and we have to do more work on the Espin brakes then any other bike that’s being made right now. Bottom line is do not buy a bike with Zoom Hydraulic brakes. As they do not hold up!!

Hmm, that’s great feedback Leroy. Zoom does tend to be a cheaper brand from what I’ve seen on other parts like suspension. Sorry to hear that their hydraulic disc brakes have been causing you extra work… I’ll keep this in mind when reviewing.