2014 GenZe Recreational e102 Review

The Recreational e102 electric bike is an entry level build from GenZe, an ebike subsidiary of the Mahindra Group (an Indian multinational automobile manufacturing corporation headquartered in Mumbai). This thing offers a nice purpose built frame with good weight distribution, removable battery pack for convenient charging and easy transportation, pedal assist and throttle mode and it comes in two frame sizes. In my opinion it’s a pretty solid ebike considering the ~$1,500 price tag, 18 month warranty and optional suspension fork upgrade. In comparison to the high-step e101 from GenZe, the e102 delivers a more upright ride, is easier to mount and comes in smaller frame sizes. While the components on both of these electric bikes aren’t top of the line, the gear range is limited and the aesthetic is more basic in my view, they could be a great option for students and other price sensitive buyers.

The motor on the GenZe e102 is a 250 watt geared hub that’s mounted in the rear. Being geared, it offers a bit more torque for starting and climbing and is also small and light weight but it’s not as durable as a gearless option or as efficient as a mid-drive. This is your generic, “get the job done” kind of motor and it shines in this capacity. It’s relatively quiet as shown in the video review above and it practically disappears behind the 160 mm mechanical disc brake rotor on the left and seven speed Shimano Tourney cassette on the right. Overall, this is a fairly stealth ebike meaning that it blends in with normal bikes. I also like the torque sensing pedal assist setup here, some other bikes feel too responsive and the power feels uneven as you push forward with each foot. The e102 feels smooth ovarall and climbs quiete well in pedal assist mode.

Powering the Recreational e102 is quality Lithium-ion battery pack with Samsung cells. It offers 36 volts of power and 8.7 amp hours of capacity which is slightly below average but more than sufficient for an efficient 250 watt motor. It’s a solid setup and my favorite part is the ability to remove the pack easily. This makes transporting the frame (perhaps on a car or bus rack where you might have to lift the bike) much easier. It also makes charging more convenient because you can park the bike outside and just bring the pack upstairs or whatnot. The only downside here is that the display is not removable so you’re more prone to vandalism and degradation through sun exposure over time.

Operating this electric bike is pretty straight forward but you still get a wide range of settings to mess with. Once the battery is attached you press the remote button pad near the left grip to activate the bike. From here you can navigate up through five levels of pedal assist with each offering more power (and using the battery more quickly). Alternatively, you can arrow down to zero and just use the twist throttle for instant power. This is fun and can be very useful if you’re trying to balance a load of supplies or keep your feet up when crossing a puddle. The LCD display is backlit, large and full of standard readouts such as speed, distance traveled and battery level. I love that it swivels forward and back so you can adjust the view angle and reduce glare when riding.

To me, this bike has a lot of potential. GenZe got the big things right with battery placement, multiple drive modes and frame sizes and the warranty is solid. The disc brakes are nice, the kickstand is sturdy and the traditionally sized 26″ wheels are going to be cheaper to service. If the bike was a couple hundred dollars less, the display was removable and there were bosses for a rear rack this would be a grand slam for me. I’d probably immediately re-invest those savings into the upgraded suspension option. But then again… I’m a fit, light weight rider who can do fine with a smaller motor and I tend to pedal along as I ride. If you are less active and want more of a scooter, there are other petite step-thru ebikes to consider like the Pedego 24″ Cruiser.

Pros:

• Delivers on balance, drive mode options and frame sizing for a reasonable price tag, solid 18 month warranty and service centers in some cities
• Battery pack can be charged on or off the bike which is convenient for commuters or if you need to carry the frame up stairs or use it on a rack with weight limitations
• The battery pack locks to the frame with a solid metal core so you can leave it at bike racks feeling relatively safe
• Front and rear mechanical disc brakes provide great stopping power and tend to work better than rim brakes in wet or dirty environments
• Brakes cut power to the motor when activated for improved safety
• LCD display panel is large, center and easy to read, it also swivels forward to back which is useful for reducing glare
• Optional front suspension fork adds a lot of cushion when riding at higher speeds, great if you use your wrists a lot for working at a computer and don’t like the road vibration, this bike does employ a more forward position which adds to the potential strain
• Modest hub motor size blends right into the rear wheel and is mostly obscured by the disc brake rotor and cassette, makes this bike a little more stealth
• The motor is relatively quiet and efficient, capable of reaching long distances when used in lower pedal assist modes
• Step-thru frame is easy to mount or stand over at stop signs or red lights and the two frame sizes provide a better fit for petite riders

Cons:

• Lots of generic low end components including the seven speed Shimano drivetrain, they get the job done and keep the bike cheap but may require more maintenance over time
• No rear rack bosses, you can easily attach fenders but it would be nice to add a carry rack for commuting with books and supplies
• Higher price point for a near entry level electric bike, there are others at the $1K mark but they don’t all balance weight as well or offer pedal assist or warranties like this
• Smaller 250 watt motor requires pedaling to overcome hills and doesn’t use a quick release so fixing flats, truing wheels and replacing tires requires more effort
• LCD display panel is not removable… and looks pretty nice, not a great combination for an entry level ebike that might be left at bike racks on campus a lot