Hebb ElectroGlide 1000 Review

Hebb Electroglide 1000 Electric Bike Review 1
Hebb Electroglide 1000 Electric Bike Review 1

Summary

  • Feature rich neighborhood or commuter style ebike with fenders, lights and rear rack
  • Weight is distributed well from front to rear and kept low to the ground for balance
  • Powerful 500 watt motor combined with 37 volt 14 amp hour battery offers great power and range

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Hebb

Model:

ElectroGlide 1000

Price:

$2,599 USD

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2013

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

62 lbs (28.12 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17 in (43.18 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)

Frame Types:

High-Step, Step-Thru

Frame Colors:

Black, Silver

Frame Fork Details:

Basic Suspension with 45 mm Travel

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

7 Speed 1x7 Shimano Nexus Internally Geared Hub

Shifter Details:

Triggers on Right Bar

Pedals:

Plastic Platform

Stem:

Adjustable Angle

Handlebar:

Low Rise, Swept Back

Brake Details:

Tektro Mechanical Disc on Front, Band Brake on Rear

Grips:

Rubber, Semi-Ergonomic

Saddle:

Velo Plush with Flip Up Lever

Rims:

Weinmann Ultimate Explorer

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Marathon Plus, 26" x 1.75"

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

Reflective Sidewall

Accessories:

Plastic Chain Guard, Front and Rear Plastic Fenders with Mud Guards, Front and Rear Lights, Bell on Left Bar, Rear Carry Rack with Pannier Blockers, Triple Bungee and Spring Latch, Double Leg Kickstand

Other:

Quick Release Rear Wheel, PWM Controller with 20 Amp Overload Protection, Removable Battery Pack, Replacement Parts and Support at hebbebikes.com/price-list.php.

Electronic Details

Motor Type:

Front-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Battery Voltage:

37 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

14 ah (Optional 10 ah)

Battery Watt Hours:

518 wh (Optional 370 wh)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

4 hours

Estimated Min Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Estimated Max Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Display Type:

LED Console

Readouts:

Battery Level, Power Level

Display Accessories:

Rear Light Switch, Cateye Monochrome Cycle Computer

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Twist Throttle

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)


Written Review

The ElectroGlide 1000 picks up where the earlier ElectroGlide 500 left off, adding several useful features and enhancing the quality of the frame and components. The most notable upgrades are the 500 watt motor (up from 350), upgraded 14 amp hour battery (up from 10) and the addition of pedal assist. Frame upgrades include improved rear rack with the addition of bungee cords and improved controller placement and protection. This is one of the best commuter style electric bikes out there and the unique layout of drive systems offers a stable, smooth ride.

Hebb has mounted a 500 watt geared hub motor to the front wheel of the ElectroGlide 1000 which is very unique in the ebike space. To have such a powerful motor mounted to the front fork and include a shock absorber, they really had to reinforce the drop outs. By doing this however, they freed up the rear wheel and hub to use a seven speed Shimano hub gear. This is awesome because it allows you to shift at standstill and keeps the chain tighter and out of the way vs. if they used a standard cassette on the rear. Hub gears replace the function of a cassette and internalize the system of gear shifting thus protecting the moving parts from dirt and water.

This bike does a great job of integrating and protecting the motor, gears and battery but also protects the rider. The fenders work very well and are high quality. They don’t rattle around or hit your feet when pedaling because the wheel size is 26″ vs. 29″ which many mountain bikes and road bikes use. This is a big benefit that I think many people overlook with the new wider wheel standard. The front and rear light also protect the rider and are especially useful and important on a commuter style bike. Both are powered by the main battery pack but the front light requires you to press a button on the light to turn it on. It’s a minor annoyance compared with some fancier systems that integrate lights, power and control feedback into a fancy LCD system.

The controller system and computer on the ElectroGlide 1000 are quite basic, but they get the job done. Instead of integrating everything they have chosen to include an after market Cateye Velo 5 computer. The power setting box is a little chunky and takes up a lot of space on the handlebars. I’m not sure how valuable all of the settings are here but it works well enough for riding. Once you turn the bike on, pick a power level and begin pedaling the bike just goes. The neat part is you can actually use the twist throttle at any time to override pedal assist.

There are a few downsides to the this bike, including the full width twist throttle vs. partial twist. I’ve just grown accustomed to the half twist throttle and feel like it might be safer in bumpy conditions or with sudden movement. I also don’t love the plastic pedals but those are easy and inexpensive to replace. My final complaint is the shock absorber performance which is basic and doesn’t include lock out. I’ve also noticed that when powering the bike with the motor, the shock kind of sticks due to the forces being applied on the fork.

All things considered, this bike is well though out and delivers a balanced ride. If you compared it with the Pedego City Commuter or Cruiser bikes you’d notice that the weight is spread out better while offering the same power. I love that this bike has an adjustable neck, fenders and lights and that the battery is well protected and low to the ground. It’s also removable for charging and the seat has a flip-up tab that makes this action very easy. Whether you’re a larger person who wants the extra power of a 500 watt motor or someone who just needs a commuter bike, the ElectroGlide 1000 is a great option.

Pros:

  • Maximum rider weight of 350lbs, the 500 watt motor offers enough power to actually support larger riders
  • Offers pedal assist mode for increased range
  • Built in bungee straps on rear rack
  • Removable battery pack with flip up seat for easy access
  • Plastic pant guard covering the chain
  • Front and rear lights powered off of the main battery pack
  • Front light is bolted to the frame vs. fender so it’s sturdier and won’t bounce around when riding
  • Fenders stay out of the way and have great mud flaps built on
  • Oversized tires, adjustable neck and front shock combine for comfort
  • Rear rack uses standard sized tubing which works well with most panniers, rack is improved and upgraded from the ElectroGlide 350
  • Great power from the 500 volt motor combined with 37 volt battery pack
  • Increased range with standard 14 amp hour battery pack
  • Easier to mount on bike racks due to straight top tube
  • Available in high-step and low-step designs for different rider sizes
  • Well balanced from front to rear in terms of weight distribution
  • Includes water bottle braze on mounting points on downtube

Cons:

  • Oversized power selector takes up space on the front
  • Entire right handle grip is used for twist throttle vs. partial grip twist
  • Low quality plastic pedals are easier to slip off of
  • Heavier electric bike at 62 pounds
  • Separate LCD unit for displaying speed, distance etc.

Resources:

More Hebb Reviews

Hebb ElectroGlide 500 Review

  • MSRP: $2,599
  • MODEL YEAR: 2012

A solid performing commuter style ebike with fenders, lights and rear rack. Weight is distributed well from front to rear and kept low to the ground...

Comments (15) YouTube Comments

George Sears
10 years ago

Court,

I’ve been reading a lot of reviews on your site, and this bike really seems interesting. So often the bikes seem a little marginal if you want to carry some weight on the back. To me, carrying something is what would make an e-bike really useful.

This is an interesting package. The website for Hebb is pretty good. Your videos do a great job of showing how the components are put together, especially a bike like this that is front drive.

Thanks!

  Reply
Court Rye
10 years ago

Hey George! I’m glad the review helped you. The founder of Hebb really built a unique bike here and has been refining it over the years. The price is pretty good and I’m excited about the 500 watt motor size as the power and torque go a long way for a bike like this. Keep your eye out as I’ll be reviewing a TON more ebikes in the next couple of weeks, I’m doing a road trip in California right now visiting all of the West Coast shops :)

  Reply
John
9 years ago

Hebb bikes are actually rebadged eZee bikes, not that there is anything wrong with that, they are the best electric bikes Made in China. You can see the complete range of eZee bikes here http://ezeebike.com/

  Reply
Court Rye
9 years ago

Thanks for the insights John, it’s interesting to dig into this space and realize that even some of the mainstream ebikes can be found direct from China or listed under alternative brands in different countries. I usually balance the support and warranty offered by one brand with the lower cost and higher risk, perhaps even last gen build, that can be found for less going direct. Not that this is the case here, just interesting.

  Reply
John
9 years ago

Hi Court, If you click on the following link you will see that that there are several dealers in the US selling eZee bikes without rebranding http://ezeebike.com/distributors/

  Reply
Court Rye
9 years ago

Thanks John, I’ll keep an eye out for these shops and try to get some reviews when I visit California next month.

  Reply
Chuck
9 years ago

Dear Court, Really enjoyed you video on the HEBB bike. My wife was given one of these bikes from her sister. It’s in perfect condition. The only problem we can’t charge the battery because the bike hasen’t been ridden or charge for over a year. We were told by the bike shop were it was Purchased that there is a safety feature in the battery that will not let you charge the battery if the battery has not been charge for some time. I called Mr. Bill Hebb and he told me to contact a electric bike shop in Portland Oregon were I might get a battery for around $700 normally around $850. The person at the shop was very knowledgeable about this bike and said there was a 35% chance that he could induce a trickle charge and fool the batter in to thinking it had a charge on it and that it would allow the battery to take a full charge. Have you any experience with bring back a battery that has not been charge for sometime and wil not accept a charge. If not can you recommend a source were I can purchase a battery possibly less expensive than retail? I live in the Seattle, WA area. Thank You, Chuck

  Reply
Court Rye
9 years ago

Interesting, thanks for the context Chuck! I have heard of people “fixing” old batteries like this by trickle charging or even reversing the charge but I have never tried it myself and have definitely also heard of fires from damaged batteries and using incorrect chargers (specifically for older Lithium-ion batteries). I would approach with caution here… I do know a person who used to run a bike shop and might have some tips or even know where and how to get you a cheaper battery. Head over to the forums, copy and past your question in the Q&A section and add @Ann M. anywhere in the body of your message to alert the person I’m talking about. Maybe she will have some advice :)

  Reply
John
5 years ago

The front fork on my Hebb ElectroGlide bike snapped while I was getting on it. I went down fast and hard, landed on my chin, and spent 12 days in the hospital with a subdural hematoma. I left the hospital in a wheelchair. People can discuss the fork all they want but in my personal experience I would NOT ride this bike — and if you own one, stop riding it. If I had been moving fast I would likely have died.

  Reply
Court
5 years ago

Oh man! I’m so sorry to hear about the hardware failure and your resulting injury John. Thanks for sharing here… I don’t think Hebb is in business anymore and I haven’t been reviewing as many cheap ebikes these days, especially with the higher speeds that some of them can go. Get well <3

  Reply
John Mosley
5 years ago

I have for sale from my broken Hebb e-bike a 15 AH battery with few hours on it and the front motor, recently refurbished and in fine condition. Please contact me if interested.

  Reply
Court
5 years ago

Thanks John! You are also welcome to post in the EBR for sale section in the forums here. I hope you are able to find a buyer and appreciate that you’re trying to keep the battery in use vs. just throwing it away :)

  Reply
Joey Thatcher
3 years ago

Looking for a Hebb Front Hub Motor 36 watts /350 watts

  Reply
Court
3 years ago

Hi Joey! I’m not sure if Hebb is still in business, but perhaps you could ask for help with that part in the Hebb ebike forums. The next best option might be to order from a company like Electric Bike Outfitters who sell a range of motors, batteries, and displays that could be a replacement. I hope this helps!

  Reply
Joey Thatcher
3 years ago

Thank you so much!

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