To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I regularly charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by EVELO, who sent me the bike to keep. 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 Aurora and Galaxy products from EVELO have a lot in common, so I want to explore that for a moment and give you some perspective. EVELO first launched the Galaxy series in 2017 with the Galaxy ST and then followed it up with the Galaxy 24″ in 2018/2019. That model came in two different versions, introducing the “fully loaded” setup with premium touch points and brakes. EVELO has since simplified their lineup by only offering one bike, now called the Galaxy 500, which resembles the fully loaded Galaxy 24″ product. In recent years, they switched from Bafang to a new motor provider called Dapu for improved reliability and display options. Benefits include the ability to raise the max speed to 25mph and have a throttle mode that can override each level of assist vs. being capped by it. The Aurora Limited uses the same motor, drivetrain, and has a very similar aesthetic to the Galaxy 500. However, it moves the battery mid-frame for improved balance, offers a welded-on rear rack vs. bolt-on, and utilizes larger 26″ wheels that elevate the bike for taller riders. Although it uses the same motor, the 48 volt battery and customized controller allows this Dapu motor setup to offer 105 newton meters of torque and 750+ watts, which is more than the Galaxy 500. The bike is very approachable due to the mid-step frame design, but supports up to 350lbs of weight and didn’t flex during my ride tests, what you sacrifice here is weight (larger size and additional frame structure for strength add weight to the bike).
- EVELO is one of the few ebike companies that I’ve seen using belt drives, continuously variable transmission systems, and electronic shifting. When you consider the mid-level price point of the Galaxy and Aurora, these components really stand out and set them apart. The company is also widely recognized as offering some of the best customer service in the 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.
Pros:
- The EVELO Aurora Limited is a premium build with sturdy hydroformed aluminum alloy tubing, extra plates and gussets for improved strength, smooth welds to create a clean quality aesthetic, internally routed cables, two-tone metallic paint job, and expertly chosen accessories (fenders, lights, stem, handlebar).
- I love how they setup the throttle, it activates from standstill in any of the five assist levels and offers full power based on how far you press the trigger. It’s a great setup that is very empowering, and is an improvement over their older designs in my opinion.
- EVELO switched to Dapu from Bafang in recent years, because it allowed them to offer throttle on demand and has been more reliable (including the display). Pedego is another company that I trust who has used this drive system, and the feedback seems to be very positive. I believe that Dapu is a Japanese brand.
- The motor controller is fairly advanced, measuring rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque. This makes the bike feel natural and smooth when starting and accelerating. Both brake levers have motor inhibitors, so stopping is also nearly instant and creates a strong feeling of control. Many similar products that use mid-drive motors with advanced sensors like this do not have motor inhibiting brake levers or offer throttle mode. That really makes the bike unique.
- High volume puncture resistant tires give this bike a smoother feel and increased durability. They lower the attack angle, performing and handling more like a 27.5″ wheel while still keeping the bike frame low to the ground for approachability and stability at standstill. Because they are plus sized, measuring 2.8″ in width, they offer more stability when riding and increased air volume which improves comfort.
- 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 hydraulic disc brakes are great, notice the larger 180mm front rotor that adds mechanical leverage and cooling ability as weight shifts forward. The hydraulic disc brake levers both have motor inhibitors and offer adjustable reach to better fit different hand sizes! The motor inhibitors also activate bright mode on the rear light when they are pulled.
- The bike is really set up to be comfortable, providing an upright body position that reduces back and neck sensitivity and allows you to spot traffic and chat with friends. Note the 45-degree 110mm riser stem, swept back handlebars, ergonomic grips, and adjustable suspension fork (offering compression, lockout, and preload). Of course, you could 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 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 downtube 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.
- The Enviolo Automatic CVT hub is a very cool drivetrain because it allows for shifting at standstill, and provides two shifting modes. The first is blue, which lets you select a pedal speed that will stay the same even as the bike dynamically goes faster or slower (automatically adjusting based on terrain and workload). The second is orange, which lets you choose a gearing ratio that remains constant, this is more like a gear on a traditional bicycle… a low gear will feel comfortable when climbing but may have you spinning fast and feeling slow on flat or downhill sections as the bike reaches higher speeds with less effort.
- 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 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 as not to 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.
- The battery is packed by a reputable company called Greenway and contains A-grade Samsung or Panasonic cells. EVELO spends extra on this and it makes the bikes reliable, which allows them to offer such a long term 4-year warranty.
- Unlike the Galaxy 500, this frame has a single-tube mono stay in the rear instead of seat stays and chain stays. This means that they did not have to cut the frame to get it to work with a belt! That makes it stronger, but it also makes the frame a bit heavier. In general, I feel that they did a good job with the design, reinforcing the rear section by using multiple rack support arms. I like where and how they positioned the kickstand on the left side at the rear vs. in the center of the bike frame where it could have created pedal lock.
- Nobody wants a flat tire, and you can reduce them by running at the recommended PSI pressure levels (20 to 45PSI) but at least removing the rear wheel on this bike is made easy because of their sliding dropout design. You just unplug the Enviolo hub cable and loosen both nuts, then the wheel drops down. The front wheel is even simpler. I appreciate that both tires have a puncture protection liner to reduce flats as much as possible.
- Moving the weight of the bike and riders takes a lot of power, mid-drives tend to be some of the most powerful when combined with a gearing system (the Enviolo CVT in this case), and since the motor is rated up to 105 newton meters, this is actually one of the most powerful ebikes around right now.
- Weight is distributed very evenly across this frame, notice the motor and battery positioning. Even with the heavier rear stay and rack, the bike balances out because of the suspension fork up front.
- I was delighted to learn that the electronic shifting for the Enviolo Automatic runs off of the main ebike battery! If it senses the battery getting low, it will automatically shift to the lowest gear so you can pedal home without struggling if the battery completely runs out.
- This is a minor “pro” that isn’t executed perfectly, but still worth highlighting. The battery pack has a full sized USB charging port built into the side, near the standard charging port. You could use this while camping or as a backup battery for devices when the battery is not on the bike itself. In its current position, the charging port is far from the handlebar (where I’d mount my phone), and could create snags if you run a wire.
Cons:
- The rear rack probably works best with trunk bags that sit on top or pannier bags that hang over vs. the kinds that clip onto circular tubing. The rack is made from thicker rectangular tubing and doesn’t have any quick-connect interfaces or pannier hangers like a lot of other racks. It’s also limited in terms of capacity, supporting up to 45lbs vs. 55lbs. It may support the Yepp! Nexxt Maxi child seat, that clamps on from the sides, but EVELO recommends using a child trailer with this ebike instead.
- 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 silver frame and integrated lights, this is still a fairly visible product compared to most.
- There are LOTS of wires at the front of the bike because there are so many systems and sensors. Additional wires include brake motor inhibitors, display console, trigger throttle, and independent button pad (along with standard brake lines and shifter cable). These extra wires join together in one big bundle that passes fairly close to the headlight, and sometimes bumps it. This could impact the positioning of the light, so keep an eye on the bolt that secures it.
- 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 time and 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.
- It would be nice if the display had more readouts such as average speed, max speed, estimated range, and showed battery percentage vs. five bars (representing 20% increments). I would also love to have a USB charging port built into the display to fill my phone from the ebike battery if it was being used for GPS or other apps. Thankfully, the battery pack does have a USB port built into the side, but plugging in here would create some clutter and a snag hazard while riding.
- The Enviolo NuVinci continuously variable transmission hub is intuitive to shift with, but it’s not as efficient as a standard cassette. It also weighs more because it’s full of traction fluid, and it costs more. For an application like this, I think it’s a great fit, but these are all still considerations to make.
- Since the bike only comes in one frame size, it might not fit smaller riders perfectly. I’m 5’9″ and it felt pretty good to me while pedaling. They recommend the Galaxy 500 for riders who are 4’10” to 5’10” tall.
- Most step-thru ebikes that use a single tube design suffer from frame flex. That is really minimized here, but it’s not as stiff as a diamond high-step frame and it may not be compatible with all car racks without using a crossbar adapter, so keep that in mind.
- Considering that EVELO is smaller and less well known than Trek, Specialized, or Giant, this ebike is priced fairly high. I think the components, quality of the build, and excellent customer service justify this price, but it is still on the more expensive side, and that’s a consideration.
- The Aurora and Galaxy models are definitely on the heavy side, this one weighs about 70.2 pounds, and some of that is due to the reinforced frame, fenders, and rack, as well as the continuously variable transmission hub. For this reason, it’s nice that the battery can be removed to reduce weight by 7.6 pounds
- Make sure that the battery is actually locked into position before you ride away, it was tight and difficult to align for me during this review. It slides out to the left side, not up like similar looking batteries. I actually had to hit and kick the battery to get it back into place and then press down slightly to hear it click. Hopefully this is not the case for every owner! Dropping the pack could definitely cause damage and be expensive to replace, so make sure you handle with care and always make sure it’s locked into place before riding.
- 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.
Mike says
For that high of a price, and that heavy of an ebike, I’d expect it to at least have a 17 amp hour battery, if not a 21 amp hour battery. Also, instead of an off brand on the tires (Innova) they should have something like Schwalbe’s Super Moto’s on it. Again, that is just a super high price for what you are getting, and especially since it is a Direct to Consumer model, they are likely raking in 100% margin, instead of the industry typical 30% margin. The buyer will have no local dealer support that knows the product, and MAYBE the folks at Evelo could find and beg a dealer to work on it for the customer if a problem develops that a consumer can’t handle. And most consumers in my experience, don’t even own tools, let alone know how to use any.
The remaining components are ‘ok’ but not high end enough to justify that price point. The Dapu motor at that rating is really a mystery. Dapu was using the Tongsheng motor which is rated for a max of 500 watts. It’s not the strongest motor out there, so it would really be interesting to see the internal workings of the Dapu, and how they are accomplishing that level of power without having the gears rip apart. The Tongsheng has ok gears for its power rating, but going above 500 watts would not be very smart.
Is the Enviolo really worth that kind of money? The jury is out on that one, because whenever I have ridden ebikes with that hub, I really haven’t noticed it doing much of anything for the gear ratios. It seems like it just allows the motor to do more work, and drain the battery faster, whereas if it had a regular cassette, it is a more positive action and you know the gears are providing the extra leverage. Personally, it seems it’s there to protect Evelo from damage and loads of wear and tear that is typically caused when using a mid drive motor.
The one upside of this ebike that I can really see, is for really heavy riders and the 350 lb weight rating, yet the spokes are not what I would expect to see for that amount of weight, and I’d still want 12 gauge in the rear despite having that hub to soften the instantaneous power transmission from the mid drive through the chain.
But Surprised it’s limited to Class 3 with a motor that is supposedly that high of power rating. If I was looking for a step through in that price range, personally I would go with a Dost, and its proven Bafang motor, but much longer range dual battery set up. And compared to pricey-for-what-you-get Pedego’s, the Evelo is not a bad choice. But again, no local dealer. Keep that in mind.
Court says
Great insights Mike, I appreciate your thorough considerations laid out here. It sounds like you have done a lot of research, or just know about motors and the industry (with dealers vs. direct sale). I love that EVELO is producing something different with their products, they are creative, but do cost more. You mentioned DOST and I agree that this is another innovative company doing some good stuff. One big difference is the multi-sensor mid-drive here from Dapu vs. the all cadence sensing motor BBSO2 from Bafang. I love how DOST set it up, but the power delivery just isn’t as natural or dynamic because of the older and less sophisticated controller and sensors. Great price on the Drop and Kope though :)
Barry says
I replaced the Innova tires (26×2.8) with Schwalbe Super Moto-X (26×2.4) after my rear tire developed a slow leak due to catching a thorn. I noticed that the higher rolling resistance of the Moto-X tires reduced my range on a fully charged battery from 33 miles to 30 miles. But the peace of mind brought by having a higher puncture resistance tire was worth it. I also agree that having a larger battery or dual battery setup would increase the appeal of the bike though it would, of course, increase the price further. Evelo sold me a second battery at a great discount, which I strap to the rear rack when going on longer rides. I also determined that I can go about 20 miles using only the throttle, which I thought was an interesting data point; my weight with the spare battery on that ride was about 217 lbs. I really enjoy the automatic Enviolo hub, especially when coming to a stop and then starting up again. The hub gear will automatically downshift when you come to a stop so you don’t have to bother with any manual shifting. But I can see that the Enviolo hub is not as efficient as a derailleur and probably accounts for some of the lower battery range.
Court says
Hi Barry, great comment! Thanks for sharing your personal stats along with the range you’re able to achieve. I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying the bike, and that EVELO helped you out with a discounted second battery :D
Fred says
I currently own a Delta-X with the BBSO2 Bafang motor and cadence sensors. The power delivery can be a little abrupt like you said, but you learn to anticipate that and get used to it fairly easily. Riding it is very similar to what you mentioned in this review about riding the aurora with a full CVT automatic transmission. You learn a new riding style that takes into account the characteristics of the bike that you are on and adapt over time. I am considering adding to or replacing the current bike with an Aurora Ltd. How would you describe the difference in comfort and ride between the 2 bikes? Any preference if using it on roads and gravel trails? Could you also compare the NuVinci N380 cabled actuated CVT transmission on the Delta vs the newer electronically controlled Enviolo Harmony CVT on the Aurora? Thanks Court, and thank you for your excellent reviews.
Court says
Hi Fred! Great questions. The shifting is definitely less physically demanding on the enviolo automatic electronic twist shifter vs. the physically actuated N380. The good part is that it’s easier to shift, but the downside is that it simply won’t shift if there is power running through the drivetrain, you cannot force it as much by twisting hard. The Aurora is a nice bike, very approachable, quiet, and smoother than the EVELO Delta-X because of the different motor that uses torque and cadence inputs vs. just cadence. Depending on the tires you choose, I think that it could be similarly capable off-road because these are both hardtails with mid-range spring suspension. The high-step frame on the Delta-X will be stiffer for sure, but the Aurora Limited really isn’t that bad… just keep in mind that it’s roughly 4lbs heavier (which is probably mostly because of the heavy-build rear rack). Hope this helps ;)
Mike says
How did you feel the power was on this compared to some of those BBSHD bikes out right now?
Court says
Hi Mike! Good question, the bike felt very powerful and capable to me. I actually shy away from some of the overpowered motors, like the BBSHD, because their rating may exceed the legal limit. Usually, nobody cares… but in the case of an accident, it could become a liability in court. For me, that’s a risk that I’m not willing to take because I like to ride on paths and trails where the rules are more strict vs. private property or something :)
Mike says
Thanks for the reply! I’m a pretty hefty guy, so I wanted to make sure it’d be able to move me along pretty well. I think based on this review it sounds like it’d be fine. My current bike is an 80Nm hub drive with only a cadence sensor and I’ve been looking for the next step ‘up’ to something bit a bit more natural feel but that can keep me zipping along when needed. I’m definitely going to keep this one on my short list!
Court says
Sure thing Mike, I genuinely think that this would be a great choice. Dapu has made some great motors, and even if this was only rated to 80nm like your hub drive… you’d get a mechanical advantage when operating in lower gears. I love how approachable the bike is, and definitely felt that it was sturdy for being a step-thru. The higher 350lb max weight limit here vs. 250lb or 300lb on most competing products really sets it apart. I feel like you found a great one here for your shortlist :)
Henri says
Hi Court, I know this is an old review, but the new Enviolo AutomatiQ system is renewing my interest in that bike. You have ridden a lot of Bosch Gen4 CX motors, how would you compare the climbing ability of the Aurora with the Dapu vs a gen4 CX equipped bike? Slightly more powerful going uphill. A Lot more powerful? Night and day :)
Thank you for the feedback
Court says
Hi Henri! Yeah, the AutomatiQ system is pretty neat. I’ve covered it on some other ebikes. As for motors, I really like Bosch because of reliability AND the shift detection. It’s not perfect, but I think it reduces drivetrain wear. That’s not as much of an issue with a CVT vs. gears, so now it goes back to Dapu vs. Bosch. I feel that Dapu does pretty well and it’s nice that they have a throttle. If you like the bike, I wouldn’t hold back simply because it’s not using Bosch. Pedego has used Dapu for some time, I’ve seen them on some smaller brands too, and I haven’t heard specific complaints about it. I hope this helps! You could also ask around in the forums for more perspectives.
Henri says
Thanks Court, does no comments on the climbing power means not a lot of difference? Cheers
Court says
Hi Henri, kind of… It’s more that I haven’t compared the Dapu to the newest Bosch CX directly or with a small time between one and the other so I cannot be as exact in comparing. My blurry feeling is that they are similar, but Bosch CX is probably more dynamic, zippier feeling, and possibly more powerful in general. My guess is that the Dapu would feel a little slower to pick up and cut out, and offer less power. The CX is one of if not the highest performing motor, even compared to the Shimano EB8 and Brose Mag S based on my ride tests.
Henri says
Thanks. Strange though as the Bosch Gen4 CX is supposed to be 250W sustained 850W peak with 85Nm oof torque, but the Dapu on the Aurora limited is rated for 750W sustained and 1000W peak with 105Nm of torque. So if it is not really more powerful, something is up with the numbers.
Court says
Yeah, I’m giving you qualitative feedback from outdated memories that aren’t super clear. That said, the number haven’t always matched the experience for me with ebikes. I want to help, but don’t have much else to say without potentially getting it wrong. What I do remember is how the CX motor impressed me, and how I was not disappointed by Dapu. I tend to be optimistic about new contenders, but maybe I wasn’t scrutinizing it enough. I’d love to hear your thoughts, whichever way you go!
Henri says
OK, I understand. I will keep digging as there is very little info out there about that Enviolo Dapu motor… Take care
Court says
Good luck Henri! I wish I could help more.
Jim says
I can’t decide between the Evelo Atlas, the Auora limited, or perhaps another brand. What’s appealing about the Aurora is the automatic shifting and the power manual shifting. The issue is that I don’t like how the bike looks, and I am concerned about the Dapu motor lasting. I have heard that the motor develops some noise over time, which may be reflective of quality issues. This makes the Atlas seem ideal, considering it has the Bafang motor; however, I hear it’s a pain to shift with this unit. I looked at the Dost Kope as a possible contender, but are there any other models with a throttle, gates belt drive, front suspension, and easy shift to consider? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!