This review was provided for free using a demo bike. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of EVELO products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the EVELO electric bike forums.
Observations:
- The Omega is very similar to the Aurora Limited that I covered in 2020. They both share the same mid-drive motor, Gates belt drive, and electronic enviolo CVT. The Omega has a more hidden battery pack, optional rear rack vs. built-in, and no suspension fork.
- The Aurora is very approachable due to the deep wave step-thru frame design, but supports an impressive 350lbs of weight. It didn’t flex during my ride tests, and even though it only comes in one frame size, there’s good adjustability in the seat height and the handlebar can be swiveled to modify reach and body position.
- EVELO is recognized for having good customer service in the ebike industry, including a trial period where individuals can buy and test a bike and then receive a full refund if it’s not a perfect fit. They offer an outstanding four year warranty, and they have been in business since 2011. This makes them one of the oldest dedicated electric bike companies in North America that I’m aware of.
Pros:
- The EVELO Omega is a purpose built product. That includes the hydroformed aluminum alloy frame with internally routed cables, two-tone metallic paint job, and expertly chosen accessories (quality fenders, lights, stem, handlebar). Note the frame has a break at the right seat stay in order to make it compatible with a belt drive system but it still has a high weight rating of 350lbs.
- Pedal assist is smooth and natural because the controller measures cadence, rear wheel speed, and pedal torque. Additionally, the trigger throttle can override pedal assist for increased power and speed at any time. This makes it easier to start the bike or catch up to a friend without pressing additional buttons. Note that the throttle is not active at all in assist zero.
- The Omega uses a Dapu mid-motor that has performed well for several years now (on the EVELO Aurora Limited and many Pedego ebikes I’ve covered). It’s powerful and fairly quiet in my experience.
- The motor supports high cadence, meaning it won’t fade out as you pedal quickly. This is a characteristic that I appreciate, though it’s not super relevant on an automatically shifting ebike… it could make a difference if you use the app or get the manual controller, it’s nice to have.
- Both brake levers have motor inhibitors and activate the rear light. This improves safety and visibility as you ride in different conditions.
- The hydraulic disc brake hardware is also pretty good. Notice the larger 180mm front rotor that adds mechanical leverage and cooling ability. Both levers offer adjustable reach to fit different hand sizes.
- High volume plus sized 2.8″ wide tires give this bike a smooth feel, and increased stability. Even though it doesn’t have a suspension fork, the increased air volume make it fairly comfortable, especially on neighborhood streets and sidewalks. The tires also have puncture protection, which reduces the chance of getting a flat. Just make sure you operate with the recommended pressure between 20 to 45 PSI.
- I was really delighted to see that EVELO chose to use a 15mm thru-axle design for the front wheel vs. a standard 9mm axle with quick release. This improves wheel strength and handling, it also keeps the front disc brake rotor straight and easier to alight so there’s less bending and potential for scraping noises when you ride with a heavy load or at speed.
- The bike is really set up to be comfortable, providing an upright body position that reduces back and neck sensitivity, allowing you to spot traffic and chat with friends. Note the Satori Stargazer 45-degree 110mm riser stem, swept back handlebars, and custom-cast ergonomic grips. You could also add a 27.2mm suspension seatpost aftermarket if you wanted to further cushion the ride.
- The battery pack is removable for reduced weight when lifting and servicing the bike. It makes charging and storing much more convenient! Avoid subjecting the battery to extreme heat and cold to help extend its life. I have read that extreme heat damages lithium-ion cells and extreme cold stunts them temporarily which reduces your range.
- The battery pack offers above average capacity at 720 watt hours, and uses the high energy density 21700 cells. This makes the battery smaller and lighter for the same capacity as older smaller cells. I appreciate that EVELO provides a fast 3 amp charger as well, so you don’t have to wait as long to get back out for another ride!
- The LCD display panel is large, easy to read, very intuitive to use, and has lots of advanced options such as brightness adjust, max speed adjust (so you could lower it from 20mph or go up to 25mph for “off road” use) and there’s even a password option to further secure the bike when locked outside. It’s not removable, but it does swivel to allow you to reduce glare.
- The frame has bottle cage bosses on the seat tube in an easy to reach location! Whether you use them for a bottle, folding lock, mini pump, or other accessory (or none at all), it’s nice to have the option. EVELO also sells a basic rear rack for cargo and a battery-equipped rear rack for extended range and cargo!
- If you get the second battery pack, I love that it can be charged in-tandem with the main battery, so you don’t need to unplug and re-plugin the second battery (from what I’m told). That’s a pretty fancy feature.
- The Enviolo AUTOMATiQ CVT hub is a very cool drivetrain because it allows you to focus on riding and keeps the handlebar very clean… there’s no shifter! It automatically raises the gearing ratio as you gain speed, and then shifts down when your pedal cadence slows or stops. An optional app and controller interface offer two shifting modes and more control, if you want to experiment more.
- The gates Carbon belt drive is super quiet, lightweight, and durable. I’m told that they tend to last longer than traditional chains, and they don’t bounce around or fall off as easily. Gates has a special CDX center-track design that keeps their belt on track, and it has worked well during the hundreds of test rides and reviews I’ve conducted using it over the years.
- The button pad that controls the display is easy to reach and very intuitive. The + and – buttons raise or lower assist and the power button activates lights when pressed after the bike is already on. In doing so, it also changes the display color scheme to be darker, so it won’t ruin your night vision. Holding the Set button will allow you to change the units, adjust the top speed, and even adjust the brightness or set a password.
- I like where and how they positioned the kickstand on the left side at the rear of the frame vs. in the center where it could have created pedal lock.
- With a torque rating of 115 newton meters, this is one of the most powerful ebikes around. I was impressed by how well it climbed the dirt hill during my demo, and feel that it would inspire confidence for people who live in hilly areas or weigh more, or plan to carry heavy loads with that optional rear rack.
- Weight is distributed very evenly across this frame, notice the motor and battery are positioned low and center on the frame. I also love how the charging port and locking cylinder are located high on the main tube, so you don’t have to bend down and kneel in order to plug the bike in or remove the battery!
- I was delighted to learn that the electronic shifting for the Enviolo AUTOMATiQ runs off of the main ebike battery! If it senses the battery getting low, it will automatically shift to a low easy gear so you can pedal home without struggling if the battery completely runs out.
- The Selle Royal memory foam saddle was very comfortable, and styled to match the bike. It’s a small thing, but EVELO actually includes a bottle cage and water bottle with this bike.
- I appreciate that the bike has walk mode (just hold -) as well as the lights on/off (just tap power), and allows you to adjust settings (hold Set when the bike is powered on).
Cons:
- The all-black tires look clean and professional, but they do not have reflective sidewall stripes which could enhance your visual footprint and overall safety. Considering the white and silver frame with integrated lights (especially the headlight with side windows), this is still a fairly visible product compared to most.
- From what I could tell, the rear light is blocked by the rear fender. This is resolved if you purchase the optional rear rack, because it has a second light built in that’s actually brighter with two LED’s.
- Since EVELO mostly sells direct (aside from a few dealers and their flagship Seattle warehouse where you can test ride and buy in person), most customers will have to perform some assembly. The bike is fairly heavy, and that requires extra strength to unpack carefully and then dispose of the cardboard. It’s less convenient than going to an ebike shop, and that goes for maintenance service as well. Thankfully, this mid-drive motor, belt drive, and CVT hub should be extremely reliable… and they tend to be very clean.
- It would be nice to have a USB charging port built into the display or button pad to charge portable electronics, some of the other EVELO models offer this, but not the Omega.
- The Enviolo NuVinci continuously variable transmission hub shifts automatically, but it’s not as efficient as a standard cassette. It also weighs more because the hub itself contains metal orbs and traction fluid. This part is unique, rare, and adds to the overall cost of the bike. To me, it seemed like it shifted from the lowest to the highest vs. a smoother ramped feel that I achieve when shifting manually. Perhaps this could be refined with the optional app.
- Since the bike only comes in one frame size, it might not fit every rider perfectly. Thankfully, the stem and handlebar are not proprietary, and could be replaced with different hardware for a low cost.
- The bike is fairly expensive, but I haven’t really seen an equivalent build from another company. Furthermore, EVELO has been around for so long and is known for their build quality and customer support. I think it’s worth it if this is the bike setup you want, it just costs a bit extra at $4,699.
- It’s fairly heavy at 63.7lbs because of the powerful 9lb motor, reinforced step-thru frame, larger tires, thru-axle, fenders, chain cover, lights, and enviolo CVT. Compared to the Aurora Limited, it’s over 6lbs lighter because it doesn’t have a suspension fork or rear rack. I think they made the right decisions and actually think the weight is good all things considered. I would just be careful lifting it and definitely remove the 8.5lb battery when transporting it to reduce weight.
- This is a minor thing, but the rear wheel speed sensor is a bit exposed. Be careful not to bump it if you’re riding through high brush or sticks, or if you’re cleaning the frame aggressively with a rag.
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