The Felt SPORTe Step-Thru is a more approachable version of the standard SPORTe. It’s available in two smaller sizes and both have a lower stand over height so they’re easier to mount and hold at stop signs and lights, especially if you’ve got gear on the rear rack. This thing is part road bike, part city bike. You get a stiff, relatively light weight aluminum alloy frame (though not as light as their NINEe hardtail) with efficient narrow tires mounted on a 700c medium-dish rim. While aluminum is known for being durable, it’s not super comfortable over extended distances at higher speed… That’s why many road bikes offer a carbon fork and some city bikes, like those from Surly, opt for Steel. Given the soft gel saddle, ergonomic grips and two frame sizes, this ebike strikes a balance between power transfer and comfort but I’d consider adding a seat post shock for daily use with 10+ miles of riding. There are plenty of mounting points for fenders and racks and Felt even offers their own as premium matching add-ons along with quality lights from Busch & Muller that can run straight off the main battery pack. At ~$4K this bike is well priced given its use of the Bosch Centerdrive but similarly priced electric bikes like the Haibike Trekking include fenders, rack and lights as well as a suspension fork for the same price. The thing is, the Trekking is only available in a mid-step frame, doesn’t come in as many sizes and weighs 10 pounds more… I’m so excited to see Felt entering the ebike space because they produce quality gear with an emphasis on performance. The question with this is, why doesn’t it have drop bars if it’s meant to be a road bike and if not, why isn’t there more emphasis on comfort?
The drive system in use for the Felt SPORTe Step-Thru features a 350 watt geared center drive by Bosch. It’s their second generation system built for the US market capable of reaching 20 miles per hour with pedal assist mode only. I love how responsive this system is; it senses your pedal torque, pedal speed and wheel speed on the fly. I also love that Felt has added a custom chain guard cover that conceals the front cog and keeps your pants clean. This could be especially useful on a step-thru frame where a rider might be wearing longer flowing outfits (I’m talking about girls in dresses, yes). The motor itself is mounted low and center which creates excellent balance (especially since the battery is mounted just above) and it leverages the 10 speed cassette in the rear to perform optimally as you switch from low to high gears. One downside to this system is increased noise when compared to a gearless direct drive motor like that found on the Specialized Turbo S or Stromer ST2 but again, limited sizes and heavier frames there. The mid-drive wins out when doing wheel, tire and tube maintenance and it also reduces unsprung weight… but for a road bike like this, that doesn’t really matter as much and I prefer the quiet operation of gearless motor systems that sometimes even offer regenerative braking (like those from BionX). The Bosch system is smart, sensing when you shift gears to limit the strain on your chain, but most ideally suited to climbing and distance applications in my view.
Powering the motor and optional lighting kit is a 400 watt hour Lithium-ion battery pack. It mounts directly to the downtube and is so narrow that it won’t touch your legs when pedaling. Unfortunately, given the limited space on the downtube of this bike there aren’t any water bottle cage mounting bosses so you might consider accessories like this that fit on your seat post. Despite this one hangup, I’m actually a big fan of the battery pack and mounting design for the aforementioned weight distribution and balance benefits. I love that the pack can be charged on or off the bike and includes a solid metal core lock (by ABUS) for security. Considering how light this bike is to begin with, if you choose to remove the 8.8 pound battery you can actually enjoy riding in non-electric mode just as you would with a regular bike. Removing the pack also makes this ebike easier to transport or carry up stairs to store inside etc.
To turn on this bike you simply connect a charged battery and then press a power button at the lower left corner of the display. The large backlit console is mounted front and center for easy viewing and offers several readouts with a constant show of speed, battery and assist level. I love that the display is removable in case you’re parking in a rough area or want to reduce sun exposure. There’s a button on the top right of the display, as well as the remote button pad fixed near the left grip, that has an “i” on it and this lets you cycle through overall distance, trip distance, max speed, average speed, estimated range, and time. My favorite readout is range because it dynamically adjusts as you arrow between four levels of assist (and weighs in how much battery capacity you have left). The higher levels of assist provide more power and torque but also drain the battery more quickly. So, using the left mounted button pad you can literally change assistance without taking your hand off the grip and without even looking down thanks to the tactile “click” feedback. It’s a great design that lets you focus on riding the bike vs. interpreting menus and it’s native to all Bosch Gen2 systems.
Overall this bike features some excellent hardware accessories (Shimano hydraulic brakes, Deore XT derailleur, Selle Royal gel saddle) and a solid frame setup (stiff light weight 6061 aluminum, rack and fender attachment points, CNC ferrules for integrating wires through vs. on top of tubing) but I’m left with a few gripes. I’m probably being extra hard on Felt because they’re a leading bike manufacturer and this is their “regular” edition bike that most people will gravitate towards (especially shorter riders). Electric bikes tend to be ridden more often, over further distances and at higher speeds than their traditional bicycle counterparts and this one could have been designed with a greater emphasis on comfort in my view. On the flip side, if it’s a road bike then comfort could be less of a focus but the geometry isn’t aggressive enough and it should have drop bars and weigh even less. What remains here is an in-between solution that’s meant to be an affordable catch-all and uses nylon pedals that aren’t as stiff or grippy, ergonomic grips that don’t have lockers and can end up shifting and rotating as you ride and some great city “options” that cost extra money to add. Frankly, I’m a bigger fan of the Felt NINEe hardtail for commuting because it’s more comfortable but still fairly efficient given the large 29″ wheelset and suspension lockout for reduced bob.
A lightweight, high speed, sleek commuter style electric bike with completely rigid frame and fork, narrow tires coast efficiently, quick release on both wheels. Sturdy Aluminum alloy fenders and chain cover keep you clean and dry, integrated lights help…...
A light-duty electric cargo bike that can carry a single child seat on the long rear rack, available in three frame sizes, nimble handling, optional front rack. Not as heavy as other cargo e-bikes in part because of the Shimano drive system,…...
A surprisingly light weight electric cargo bike with an abundance of rack and tie down mounting points for use with a myriad of accessories. Powered by the award winning Bosch Centerdrive motor system that offers high torque output, shift…...
Deep step-thru frame design for easy mounting, available in four sizes for excellent fit, comfortable ergonomic grips and suspension fork with lockout. Great utility features including quick release front and rear, a welded rear carry rack (capable…...
A stylish fat tire electric bike with unique camouflage paint job, stylish Old Man Mountain cargo racks and integrated Motion Stella 300 headlight. Offers 11 speeds with a quality SRAM X1 drivetrain, second generation electronic systems by Bosch...
Performance level full suspension electric bike with 650b wheelset and Bosch mid-drive motor. Exceptionally light weight ~44 lbs and stiff, available in four frame sizes for a perfect…...
Ultra light-weight hardtail electric cross-country / mountain bike with efficient 29er wheels and premium components. Capable off-road or as a rugged commuter, seat stay bosses for adding a rear rack,…...
Light, stiff and fast with efficient frame, wheel and tire design that strike a balance between city and road performance. Plenty of bosses for adding your own fenders or a rear carry rack, Felt offers…...
Premium fat bike with efficient Bosch Centerdrive motor offering improved balance and torque in dirt, sand and snow. Light weight, high performance 6061 aluminum frame with carbon fiber bars and aero fork, available…...
Christina
8 years agoThis review was extremely helpful when it came to choosing an ebike. I started with no knowledge and through your reviews I became well educated. I decided to go with the this bike (Felt Sport e, not step thru) and love it! The sales price of $2,600 was terrific, and brought it to an affordable level.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoAwesome! It’s a high quality electric bike… I love Felt frames and their style is cool, the Bosch system should hold up very well for you. Thanks for the feedback and kind words!
Reply