2015 EZ Pedaler X350 Review

The EZ Pedaler Crosstown X350 folding electric bike is sleek, compact and packed with significant upgrades over the previous model, the F-350 making this a solid choice for a variety of riding adventures. A more relaxed fork and stem angle adds to the comfortable upright position for the rider and stabilizes steering. The speed on the X-350 is controller limited to 18mph with the trade-off being better torque for hill climbing and acceleration. Along with the trigger throttle, there’s a faster acting 12 magnet cadence sensor that’s more sensitive giving the 5 level pedal assist system a smoother and more natural ride. With the new internal frame battery, the bike feels balanced and weighs in at 50 lbs, 2 pounds lighter than before. Given all the included goodies, the fenders, rear rack, lights and Shimano Nexus hub, this is a solid offering in the mid-level folding ebike space.

Powered by a Bafang 8Fun 350 watt geared hub motor in the front wheel, there’s a little hum from the motor but the benefit is stronger hill climbing. This durable motor is laced into a rugged double wall 20″ rim with heavy duty 13 gauge spokes to handle the acceleration and stresses of typical roads. Both brake levers include a motor inhibitor switch to cut power during braking or for an emergency as an extra safety feature. Adding to the rider’s comfort is a simple Zoom suspension fork with an increased fork angle, or rake, as mentioned earlier to help buffer road bumps and keep steering stable. Not a high performance fork, it has limited travel and no adjustments or lock out setting. The steering feels a little slower with the front mounted motor; however, this creates space in the rear wheel for the Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub, an internal system which can be shifted while you’re at a standstill and requires very little maintenance. It’s also a bit more protected if the bike tips or gets bumped when folded and packed into a tight space (much less exposed than a traditional derailleur).

Here’s the real beauty of the this bike: a 36 volt 10.4 am p hour (374.4 watt/hrs) internally mounted frame battery that is well protected, sleek looking (or hidden rather) that is still removable for easy charging or safe storage from weather extremes. At ~5 lbs, this lightweight Samsung Lithium Ion battery pack fits nicely into the frame and further effort has gone into reducing rattle with the inclusion of a set screw under the tube (tighten the screw to hold the battery securely, loosen it to take the battery off), there is also a key lock on the underside for security. The power dense lithium-ion cells used in the pack are rated for up to 1,000 charge cycles of worry free riding before degrading. To really meet that estimate I recommend storing them between 20% and 80% full and using a cool dry location (extreme heat and cold are not your friend and may prematurely age the cells). Since the charger is so compact and only weighs 1.3 lbs, it’s easy to carry along on rides to top off the battery pack or effectively double your range. It’s a simple 1 prong unit with no vents or internal fans and plugs, so it’s very quiet and works with any standard 110 volt outlet. For RV and boating where the bike may be stored for long periods of time, be sure to top off the battery every couple of months.

Once the battery is charged and mounted you can power up the control console by pressing the power button on the LCD display (mounted near the left grip). This new LCD display unit swivels to avoid glare and presents a lot more data than the previous EZ Pedaler LED based system. Two of the buttons, top and bottom step you through the 5 level pedal assist that can be changed as you ride for better performance. The power button toggles to different screens displaying a six bar battery gauge with voltage and power current readings, total mileage and trip odometers with actual speed and a clock function. Another nice touch, the integrated LED headlight powered by the main battery pack has its own button on the console. Unfortunately, the rear tail light has a manual switch and is powered by a set of replaceable batteries, so don’t forget to turn it off once you’re done riding! This console is easy to reach and use while riding, very intuitive and a great improvement over last-gen tech.

Overall, the EZ Pedaler X-350 is a solid, high quality ebike at a reasonable price. Folding the bike is pretty easy and there’s a new handle that adds structural strength to the frame while also making it easy to manage and lift. Notice that the wiring harness is a bit tight with the frame folded, so make sure the main motor connector doesn’t pull apart. In addition, the pedals fold flat trimming the width of the bike when folded. The color coded connectors on the handlebar wiring harness are a nice touch and make reconnecting easier. The rear roller brake that’s part of the Shimano Nexus hub is softer than the front V-brake but is adequate given the non-technical riding most owners will be targeting with an electric bike like this. You get good acceleration with the smaller front wheel but it has a tendency to spin freely when starting or turning while throttling. Rather than use quick release skewers each wheel is bolted on and the kickstand hangs down a bit when riding so use caution during quick turns. The internal gears are nice and clean but offer fewer speeds than the e-Joe Epik SE, a similar e-bike I’ve covered in the past. With the wider profile hybrid tires, front suspension and cushy saddle, this is a comfortable riding bike at a good value.

Pros:

• Nice solid feel for a folding bike and weighs 2 lbs less than the previous version, the F-350
• Battery now located inside the frame which makes for a sleek appearance, yet is still removable for convenient off-board charging
• Comes with a complete set of accessories, including front and rear lights, rear rack and fenders for a very full value ebike
• Double kickstand provides better stability when parking this bike, particularly with heavy loads on the rear rack
• New LED console offers 5 levels of pedal assist, backlight for easier reading in low light, plus a wide selection of extra performance and electronic status information
• The internally geared 350 watt front hub motor is packed with plenty of climbing power and torque because it benefits from the smaller 20″ wheel size, it’s smooth and not too noisy
• Extra long 500mm seatpost allows very tall as well as petite riders to comfortably fit this ebike
• The very well designed and durable Velo Comfort saddle has a wider profile, cushioning and an ergo cut-out in the middle and this along with the basic suspension fork helps dampen road bumps for a less stressful ride
• Shimano Nexus geared hub is clean, requires less maintenance, can be shifted at standstill and keeps the chain shorter and tighter so it won’t fall off as easily

Cons:

• Slight spin of front wheel when starting fast or during hard turns when using the thumb throttle can make the steering feel a little light and lose grip
• The rear roller brake that is integrated with the Shimano Nexus hub lacks the same stopping power of the front V-brakes
• Although the double kickstand is helpful, it hangs down fairly low in its ‘up’ position making it easier to snag during a quick hard turn
• Fair amount of stress on wiring harness while folded which could pull the main connector at the motor, at least there is a quick disconnect that is easy to plug back in so you’re not pulling on the actual wire end points
• Rear light has to be switched on manually which makes it easier to forget or leave on, it also runs on separate batteries, no bottle cage mounts on this bike mean you might have to use the rear rack and a bag like this