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iGO Electric Aspire Camillien Review

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Electric Bike Review

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Bafang 250 Watt Planetary Geared Hub Motor

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien 36 Volt 10 5 Lg Battery Pack

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Drop Bars With Fsa Foam Tape Control Pad

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Display Closeup

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Lcd Color Display Panel

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Shimano Sora Hoods Shifters Brake Levers

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Front Alloy Rigid Fork

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Puncture Protected Reflective Tires Upgraded Rims Black Spokes Eyelets

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Trp Hy Road Mechanical Brake Levers

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien 170mm Cranks Vp Plastic Platform Pedals

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien 160mm Mechanical Disc Brakes Maxxis Overdrive Excel Tires

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Auto Rq Torque Sensor Bottom Bracket

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Double Chainring 32 48 With Plastic Guard

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Downtube Integrated 36 Volt Battery Pack

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Igo Branded Velo Saddle 30 4 Rigid Seat Post

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Seat Stay Mounting Points For Fenders Racks Frame Lock

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Shimano Sora Rear Derailleur 11 32 Cassette

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Downtube With Battery Removed

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien 2 Amp Ebike Charger

Igo Electric Aspire Camillien Stock High Step Blue

One of the most affordable road style electric bikes with drop bars and a decent 18-speed drivetrain. Available in two frame sizes, sold through dealers as well as online, ships as a Class 1 product but can be unlocked for faster 28mph (45km/h) Class 3 performance using the free smartphone application.
Extremely lightweight at 40.6lbs (18.4kg), and balanced front to rear. The 250W Bafang planetary geared hub motor performs at 450 watts nominal due to a custom high power controller, it offers up to 45 newton meters of torque and actually performs pretty well for climbing and maintaining higher speeds.
Dual-sided 32 pulse torque sensing bottom bracket creates a smooth natural ride feel and helps to extend range. TRP mechanical disc brakes perform well and stay cleaner than rim brakes. Upgraded puncture resistant tires also have reflective sidewall stripes. The bike can fit up to 42c sized tires, and has mounting points for fenders, racks, and two bottle cages.
All aluminum frame is durable but not as light or vibration dampening as carbon fiber or titanium. Display panel interaction requires left hand to be on flats or taken off of the bar entirely and it starts from 0 each time, so more clicks. Smartphone app struggled to stay synced, no place to charge portable electronics. Hub motor creates zipping noises at high speed.

Make:

iGO Electric

Model:

Aspire Camillien

Price:

$2,299 ($2,499 CAD, Free Shipping in North America)

Body Position:

Forward, Forward Aggressive

Suggested Use:

Road, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1), Speed Pedelec (Class 3)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive, 18 Months on Battery

Availability:

Canada, United States

Model Year:

2020

Total Weight:

40.6 lbs (18.41 kg)

Battery Weight:

4.7 lbs (2.13 kg)

Motor Weight:

6.6 lbs (2.99 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy, Hydroformed

Frame Sizes:

19 in (48.26 cm)21 in (53.34 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Large 54cm Frame: 21.5" Seat Tube, 20.5" Reach, 31.5" Stand Over Height, 35" Minimum Saddle Height, 42.5" Maximum Saddle Height, 18.5" Width, 67" Length, 40" Wheelbase

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Satin Blue-Grey with Orange Accents

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Hydroformed Aluminum Alloy, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Slotted Axle, 18mm Nuts

Attachment Points:

Fender Mounts, Front Rack Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Frame Lock Mount, 2 Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

18 Speed 2x9 Shimano Sora Front Derailleur 32-48 Prowheel Chainrings with Plastic Guard, Shimano Sora Rear Derailleur 11-32 Tooth Shimano Cassette

Shifter Details:

Shimano Sora ST-R3000-R Dual Control Paddles on Left and Right

Cranks:

SMA Forged Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length

Pedals:

VP-536 Large Plastic Platform with Rectangular Nubs

Headset:

Threadless, Internal Cups, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Forged Aluminum Alloy, 90mm Length, 9-Degree Rise, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter, Four 10mm Spacers, One 20mm Tapered Base Spacer

Handlebar:

Aluminum Alloy, Drop Bars, 450mm Width, 125mm Drop, 31.8mm Bore

Brake Details:

Shimano Sora ST-R3000-L-R with 160mm TRP Rotors, TRP Hy-Road Dual Piston Hydraulic Calipers, Shimano Sora Four-Finger Mechanical Drop Bar Levers with Hoods

Grips:

FSA Foam Grip Tape

Saddle:

iGO Branded Velo Hybrid, Black

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Single-Bolt Clamp

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.4 mm

Rims:

Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 700x30c, 22mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Reinforcement Eyelets, Black

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge Front, 12 Gauge Rear, Adjustable Nipples, Black

Tire Brand:

MAXXIS Overdrive Excel, (700x32c) 28" x 1-5/8" x 1-1/4"

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

50 to 75 PSI, 3.4 to 5.1 BAR, Silk Shield Puncture Protection, Ebike Rated, Reflective Stripes

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, MDA 1lb 42 Volt 2 Amp Charger, Internal Cable Routing, Twist Locking Weather-Resistant Connectors, Custom 36 Volt High Power Density Sine Wave Controller, 113kg (250lbs) Max Load, Rust Resistant KMC X9 Nickel Plated

Motor Brand:

Bafang 250W

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

450 watts (Higher Nominal Output Programmed Into Controller)

Motor Peak Output:

550 watts

Motor Torque:

45 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

LG 18650 3,200mAh Cells

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

10.5 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

378 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

3.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

35 miles (56 km)

Estimated Max Range:

55 miles (89 km)

Display Type:

Color Backlit 2.25" LCD, Haptic Feedback, Fixed, Buttons: +, -, M, Power (M and Power Buttons on Lower Edge of Display), Lights: Hold + (No Lights Included with Bike), Walk Mode: Hold -, Clear Readouts: Hold + and -, Settings: Hold M, Optional Smartphone App (iOS, Android) Adjust Ride Mode, Acceleration, Off-Road Mode

Readouts:

Motor Output (10 Bars and Watts Number), Battery Charge Level (5 Bars and Percentage Number), Current Speed (Kilometers or Miles), Trip Distance, Trip Time, Odometer, Avg Speed, Max Speed, Assist Level (0-5), Lights Indicator, Trouble Indicator

Display Accessories:

1 RGB LED Charge Level Indicator on Battery

Drive Mode:

Torque Sensing Pedal Assist (Double-Side Bottom Bracket Integrated 36 Pulse Sensor by Auto RQ)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(28MPH with Off Road Mode Using Smartphone App)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by iGO. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of iGO products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the iGO Electric bike forums.

Observations:

UPDATE! The disc brakes are mechanically actuated hydraulic dual piston. I referred to them as being purely mechanical in the review and in my pros/cons, and I still believe that the wire and housing will increase drag and resistance for the right lever (rear brake) but the action is smoother and braking force may be applied more evenly :) the second update is that although this ebike does not ship with lights, turning on the lights (by holding the + button) will activate backlighting on the LCD display panel.
iGO Electric has been selling ebikes since 2006, way before EBR had even launched! I considered their products when I bought my first ebike in 2011 because they used purpose-built frames, offered free shipping in the US and Canada, and were available to answer questions via email and phone. They’re still doing a great job, and have expanded the lineup quite a bit in recent years. The Aspire line is feature-rich, and utilizes a downtube-integrated battery pack that helps the bike blend in with non-electric bikes.
There are two Aspire models, both are efficient road-oriented products with narrower tires. The Camillien features drop bars while the Vendome brings flat handle bars, fenders, a minimalist rear rack, a kickstand, and integrated lights. The Vendome is more of a commuter platform while Camillien is pure sport… That said, it still features mounting points for fenders, front and rear racks, a frame lock, and two bottle cages. This is a unique electric road bike because of its low price point, responsive torque sensor, and smartphone app with tuning features (including Class 3 support). For those who want a lighter frame, hydraulic disc brakes, and other fancier features in a true road bike form, check out the iGO Electric Performance+ Series Carbon CGV with Bafang mid-drive motor vs. hub motor. Find the free app by searching iGO Connect on Android or iPhone device app stores.

Pros:

Purpose built frame with downtube-integrated battery pack, internally routed cables, and lots of accessory mounting points! Note that iGO is using a threaded connector with little rubber washer making it more durable and water resistant than press-fit. There are bosses on the fork for a fender or front carrier, bosses at the rear for a fender, frame lock, and carry rack, and two bottle cage mounting points on the seat tube and top tube!
Very low price point considering that it comes in two frame sizes, utilizes a 32 pulse torque sensing bottom bracket, custom high powered controller, and Bluetooth smartphone app. Furthermore, iGO is a company that has been around for such a long time and provides great customer service and warranty support… to me this product offers a lot of value and is unique because there aren’t many road ebikes out there at the more affordable level.
I really appreciate the extra width on the fork, seat stays, and chain stays because it allows for higher volume tires to be used, including gravel grinder tires! The default tires are 700x32c and I was told that the frame can support up to 700x42c. That would add stability, comfort, the opportunity for tread vs. slicks, and the downside would be increased weight, drag, and possibly increased noise.
If you do ride the bike on dusty roads or convert it to more of a gravel grinder and go off-road, it’s nice to have disc brakes because they elevate the braking surface and stay cleaner than rim brakes.
The bike is very lightweight and balanced front to rear. Most electric road bikes are light, and this one stays true to form at just over 40lbs (18.4kg) which makes it easier to pedal up to speed, easier to lift, and easier to flip for wheel servicing on the go. The battery can be removed to further reduce weight by 4.7lbs (2.1kg).
Having a removable battery means you can help it last for more charge cycles by storing in a cool, dry location. Extreme heat degrades lithium-ion cells and extreme cold will temporarily stunt them and halve your range. It also means that you can lock the bike up outside and bring the battery in for a top-off if you commute to work or school.
This is an 18 speed with a double chainring setup using entry level Shimano Sora derailleurs (one step up from the base). That means you can start the bike and climb very easily with log gears, and you have a lot more choices for pedal cadence at medium and high speeds… adding comfort. I’m glad they didn’t go with a triple chainring. The front derailleur acts as a guide (to prevent chain drops) and there’s a plastic chainring guard to protect pant legs.
I love that the stock tires are puncture resistant and have reflective sidewall strips! Changing flat tires on ebikes takes additional time and effort if they use hub motors (the front wheel offers quick release and is pretty standard). With the rear, you have nuts and a power cable connector to deal with.
iGO used extra thick spokes on the wheels here, 12 gauge in the rear to support the hub motor and lighter 13 gauge up front. I like that they chose black spokes, to match the rims, and also added eyelets on the rims to further increase strength and durability. The wheels and tires are both upgraded in ways that will support the added power, weight, and speeds of electric assist.
These are minor details, but I appreciate the rust resistant chain and wide plastic VP pedals. Many road bikes don’t come with pedals at all, but for an affordable product like this, platform pedals make it easier to approach and enjoy for casual rides.
The display is pretty fancy, but still easy to operate. It’s color, which helps to separate all of the indicators, and it buzzes with haptic feedback when + and – are pressed. Use the + and – buttons to navigate through the nine levels of assist and hold + to activate or de-activate the lights (if you get the Aspire Vendome). Hold the – button to activate walk mode if you’re struggling to push the bike up a hill or through grass. Hold + and – simultaneously to clear trip distance, trip time, and max speed. Hold the M button (located at the base of the display) to get into settings. The display can angle up or down to help reduce glare, and you can reduce brightness (for night riding) in the settings menu. Theres even an area in the settings menu that communicates error codes, so you can tell iGO what is wrong and they can honor the excellent two-year comprehensive warranty and send out a replacement part
Notice how the 90mm stem is boosted up by a 20mm tapered spacer and four 10mm spacers. The bike ships with a more upright comfort oriented geometry, but you can adjust this to be more aggressive by flipping the stem to angle down and re-positioning spacers above it to lower the handlebar. This will improve your aerodynamics by changing to a more forward body position.
iGO sells other even more affordable electric bicycles like the Core Elite II for $1.9k, but it doesn’t offer the frame-integrated battery pack or color LCD display like the Aspire series. I feel like the Discovery and Aspire models are still very reasonably priced, and I like that the smartphone app can unlock them to go 45km/h (28mph) for off-road use, which is not an option for the Core models.

Cons:

Considering that the bike works with a smartphone application, it would be very handy to have some sort of USB charging outlet on the display or battery pack to keep your phone charged! It’s not a big deal however, because the color display works pretty well and the smartphone app can be accessed, updated, and then stowed vs. using it as a secondary display. It’s mostly a tuning app anyway.
The Bafang planetary geared hub motor does create some buzzing zipping noises, especially when operated at higher powers and the highest speeds. I actually noticed a high pitched sound around 20mph (32km/h) that could be annoying for some riders. It’s louder than some of the fancier mid-drive electric road bikes I’ve tested with Brose, Bosch, and Bafang motors.
As is often the case with drop bars, the display is only accessible when your left hand is on the flat section. You might actually have to take your left hand completely off the bar to press the + and – buttons to raise and lower assist. I wish the display let you press – once to cycle up to the highest level of assist vs. having to press + + + + + each time the bike turns on, it resets to zero every time and requires a lot of clicks.
The smartphone app uses Bluetooth that isn’t very strong, I had to position my phone near the bike each time and even get close to the bottom bracket to boost the signal. If you walk away from the bike, the app unpairs and has to be reset completely (closed and then opened) vs. having a refresh or automatic reconnection. It’s not a huge deal because the app is more of a one time update then close type of thing.
One of the cost savings measures that this ebike employs is the use of mechanically actuated hydraulic brakes vs. full hydraulic. They work very well, but still require more hand effort and may gum up and set in over time compared to full hydraulic. The rear brake caliper in particular is oriented so that water and dust could collect on the wire and drip into the housing, which gunks it up and adds friction over time.
The all aluminum frame and fork keep the price down and make it possible to have additional rack and fender mounting points, but this material isn’t known for comfort. Many road bikes offer carbon fiber forks, but that’s not available here. Consider replacing the 30.4mm rigid seatpost with a suspension post (use a shim if you cannot find the correct size).
The battery charger is small, very lightweight (just 1lb) and seems durable because there are no vents or fans to be seen… but it only puts out the standard 2 amps, so it could take longer to fill the bike. Expect around four hours for a full charge from empty if you drain it that far.
iGO really tries to support physical dealers by dedicating any online sales in their region to them, shipping the bike to them for assembly and support… but if you buy direct, there’s some work to do unpacking, assembling etc. These bikes come 95% assembled: just attach the front rack with 4 bolts, put the stem onto steer tube, add the pedals, the front fender and the headlight. Assembly can take some time, and the tools they include are pretty basic.
The display panel is not removable, and it’s kind of small at 2.25″ diagonal. If you park at a public rack, the display could get scratched or tampered with and will take more sun and weather damage over time. You can swivel it to reduce glare if you don’t over-tighten the clamp screw.
In general, the display is kind of dim when it’s bright outside. I like the color setup, but monotone grayscale displays offer higher contrast and seem to work better in bright daylight.
As cool as the haptic vibration feedback seems in principal, it was a bit too soft for me to really notice when riding at medium speeds because of the wind and road vibration. There is s till a tactile click with each button press, so that’s good :)
The smartphone app is cool easy to use, but kind of basic. There are no map features or turn-by-turn directions here, just three profiles for selecting power (Economy, Standard, Sport). Each can be customized, and you can unlock “Off Road Mode” for higher top speeds.
There’s a bit of delay when you stop pedaling, before the motor cuts out entirely. Since iGO is using a torque sensor for this ebike, they did not include motor inhibiting brake levers… they are probably very difficult to find for road bike brake levers.
This is a very minor complaint, but I didn’t see a slap guard on the right chainstay. You could use some clear box tape or order a sticker or sleeve online to keep the paint looking nice and reduce clinking sounds on rough roads.

Useful Resources:

Official iGO website
Local iGO bike shop directory to find an iGO dealer near you for fitting and test rides

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Harry Schmidt

4 years ago

I saw your writing “ships as a Class 1 product but can be unlocked for faster 28mph (45km/h) Class 3 performance using the free smartphone application.”

I’m looking for a class 1 e-bike to ride on flat rail trail. Old man just looking for something simple. Can you help me.

Court

Hi Harry, this particular ebike is setup with a more forward and aggressive geometry. Perhaps that’s what you want, but even as a 37 year old myself, that’s a bit uncomfortable. Instead, I’d probably zero in on a more upright city or cruiser model. There are many to consider, which I’ve listed here. If you find one that looks good, just comment again with any questions and I’ll try to help. Look at Surface 604 and Rad Power Bikes for affordable or Specialized and Trek at the higher end :)

Patience

3 years ago

Hi Court! Thank you for this professional review!

Hey Patience! You’re welcome, thanks for commenting and sending some encouragement :D

Aggressive Rider

The bike looks identical to the one they’re selling right now (January 2022) so why are you saying it’s a 550W motor in the article? It looks like a 250W hub motor from here. And, hey, even with that little power I’d probably buy one but for the parts group which, while having a reputable brand, is, well, cheap. Can the sora 9 be replaced with ultegra? 11? What’s the largest tire that would fit?

I’ve read a lot of reviews here but I’m not sure what your target market is or how, using the site, I can find what I’m looking for! That’s probably my own fault as I’m really looking for high performance road that can take gravel and will do hills…. And there’s no way I want to pay what they’re charging for the specialized bikes… I am their target market, surely, but their prices are just dumb.

A bit rambling. Sorry! But, er. May I should take one of these and just upgrade the mechanicals to Dura Ace…

Hey! I appreciate the feedback and am in the process of improving how the site works and which bikes are covered. I convey stats to the best of my ability, and I try to verify independently when possible, but sometimes I have to just go with what companies tell me. You’ll find a mix of premium ebikes and some mixed or affordable ones here, and I agree that it can be frustrating to see low-end components on electric bikes when the drive system, frame, and price would suggest a higher groupset. Not sure what advice to give, just wanted to acknowledge the struggle :)

aggressive rider

On reading more carefully… 550W is the peak output. That’s kind of cool and interesting. In general it feels like people give their peak as the nominal. So a 250W can do 550W… Interesting.

Regardless, I guess I just don’t get e-bikes in general. Somehow I figured they’d be things that cyclists would grab for a little more oomph but I see very few bikes that fit this mold!

Thx for the site and HNY.

Frank

2 years ago

Did you ever tried/tested the offroad mode on this bike? I have one of these bikes and no matter which mode I chose (offroad or not) the motor cuts off after you reach 23mph. I even went into the advance configuration screen of the 500c display and speed limit is configured at 25mph max (not that you can reach this speed either) and this setting cannot be modified to higher speeds.

Hi Frank! I usually do not test the off-road settings on bikes if I’m in an area that does not permit it. I do get the impression sometimes, that bikes will say “unlimited” but the motor and battery still have a top achievable speed just based on physics. That might be the case here… depending on the terrain, tire pressure, and rider weight, it might only go to 23mph when “unlocked” hope this helps, maybe someone else will chime in too!

Michelle

I’m looking for a gravel ebike for my 6’5″, 250lb husband. I see the Camillien comes in two frame sizes: is the larger size big enough for comfort or should I be looking at a different model? And what would you suggest.

We are not hardcore bikers but looking for a way to get out and enjoy our area more often (rail trails and some roads). Thanks for any direction you can give.

Hi Michelle! I’ve seen more gravel ebikes in recent years, but it’s still a niche. Some of them really cost a lot, but this Camillien seems reasonable. It has the custom battery design that looks great, a sturdy frame with some good attachment points. When you mentioned rails to trails, it made me think that a hardtail hybrid or cross country mountain bike could add a bit of stability and comfort with larger tires and a suspension fork. Lots of people go for the fat tire ebikes now, for comfort and stability reasons. If you guys are cyclists who are comfortable with a harsher but more efficient ride, then a gravel bike is fine. If you go for it because it looks cool, there may be a day when you wish there was a way to add a suspension fork. I usually add suspension seatposts to take the edge off of bumpy terrain. I tend to ride farther and at higher average speeds on ebikes, so comfort is a primary focus. The trade off will most likely be weight. This Camillien is 10lbs or 15lbs below most basic e-mountain bikes and fat bikes. I hope this helps!

CHARLES E CATING

Hi Court, nice review! I am curious how the bike feels on the flats or on a slight downhill after the assist cuts out. Do you find much resistance from the Bafang hub motor? I’ve been looking at bikes with the Mahle x35 hub motor (Ebikemotion), and would really appreciate a comparison to this higher-end system regarding the bike as a bike (operating without assistance). I’m looking closely at the Canondale Topstone Neo SL 2, FYI. At $3600 it is at the extreme of affordability for me, but is lighter, accepts wider tires, and offers the Mahle motor. Any thoughts?

Hi Charles! Most hub motors these days are planetary direct drive. They are light and freewheel without any drag. If a gearless direct drive is used instead, the bike will likely advertise regen capability. Anyway, the iGO Aspire Calillien shouldn’t introduce any drag, and Bafang is a decent part, even though it’s not as fancy as the MAHLE or some mid-drives. I don’t have a lot to say about the different hub motors since I haven’t tested them back to back recently. For me, the decision might come down to dealer support, the look of the bike, and other components or apps that you would appreciate. iGO seems to offer good value, they’ve been around for many years and do a decent job. Cannondale is a higher quality brand, but they seem to have a limited ebike offering and I haven’t seen them at dealers nearby… so that negates some of the higher costs. Ebikemotion is a brand I’m even less familiar with at this time, but maybe people will comment or you can get more feedback in the EBR forums. Wish I could be a little more helpful, but this is all I got at the moment ;)

Hi Court. Thanks for the reply. Ebikemotion is the brand name associated with the Mahle x35 system. My reason for looking at the Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 is that it comes equipped with the Mahle system and is very light at about 32 Lbs. This leads me to believe that it will ride and handle more like a standard bike than more typical e-bikes – something that attracts me. I’m only looking for assist on hills or should my legs give out. Best.