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iGO Electric Discovery Bonaventure Review

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Electric Bike Review

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure 500 Watt Hub Motor 53nm Torque

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Downtube Removable Battery Pack Ebike

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Flat Handlebar Padded Grips Adjustable Stem

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Custom Color Lcd Display With Haptic Feedback

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure 50 Lumen Buchel Shiny Headlight

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Sr Suntour Nex Suspension Fork

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure 180mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes From Tektro

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Velo Saddle With Handle

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Adjustable Kickstand Alloy Fenders Rear Rack

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Custom Bottom Bracket Controller Box

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Plastic Chain Cover 170mm Crank Arms Wellgo Pedals

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Buchel Edge Rear 2 Led Light

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Shimano Altus 8 Speed

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Ebike

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Samsung Battery 48v 14ah 672wh

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Sans 2 Amp Electric Bike Charger

Igo Electric Discovery Bonaventure Stock High Step Blue Metallic

A feature-complete hybrid electric bike with sturdy tubular alloy fenders, custom rear rack with triple-bungee strap, and quality integrated lights. Advanced 32 pulse cadence sensor is more responsive and durable than most competitors. Powerful 48 volt battery system with pure sine wave controller supports a custom 500 to 750 watt hub motor that performs great
Sturdy spokes and wheel with reinforcement eyelets should stay true longer, they support up to 300lbs max rider + cargo weight. Decent suspension fork with lockout and preload adjust to reduce bobbing and improve efficiency depending on terrain and rider weight. Comfortable ergonomic grips and tool-free adjustable stem. Great kickstand
Fancy color display gives you lots of information and provides some buzzing haptic feedback when pressed (so you don't have to look down as frequently to confirm an interaction). However, the bike does not have a USB charging port, which would be handy considering they offer a smartphone app! Premium color-coded connectors with washers are highly water resistant. Both brake levers have motor inhibitors for added safety! Large 180mm hydraulic disc brakes are easy to use and very powerful
Only available in one frame size and color, but the company does offer a full sized step-thru version in metallic black called the Atwater... and a slightly smaller step-thru in white called the Berri (which uses 26" wheels vs. 28" here). Overall, the bike runs a bit small. The throttle does not override pedal assist, and 9-levels of assist require lots of button presses to get full power every time you ride. The battery can be tricky to get off of the frame since the front wheel and fender are fairly close to the downtube

Make:

iGO Electric

Model:

Discovery Bonaventure

Price:

$2,299 ($2,599 CAD, Free Shipping in North America)

Body Position:

Upright, Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive, 18 Months on Battery

Availability:

Canada, United States

Model Year:

2020

Total Weight:

62.5 lbs (28.34 kg) (55.2lb Without Battery Pack)

Battery Weight:

6.8 lbs (3.08 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy, Hydroformed

Frame Sizes:

17.5 in (44.45 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

17.5" Seat Tube, 23.5" Reach, 27.5" Stand Over Height, 31.5" Minimum Saddle Height, 38" Maximum Saddle Height, 25.75" Width, 74" Length, 44.5" Wheelbase

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Deep Metallic Blue with Light Blue Accents

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour NEX DS Suspension, 63mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, Preload Adjust, 28mm Stanchions, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

142mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Slotted Axle, 18mm Nuts

Attachment Points:

Fender Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

8 Speed 1x8 Shimano CS-HG200-8 11-32 Tooth Cassette, Shimano Altus Derailleur

Shifter Details:

Shimano Triggers on Right (One-Way High Lever, Three-Shift Low Lever)

Cranks:

Prowheel Forged Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 42 Tooth Steel Chainring with Plastic Cover

Pedals:

Wellgo Platform with Rubberized Tread

Headset:

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

Stem:

Satori EZ3 Tool-Free Adjustable Angle, 110mm Length, 80mm Height, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter, One 20mm Tapered Spacer

Handlebar:

Aluminum Alloy, Flat, 650mm Width, Black

Brake Details:

Tektro Hydraulic Mechanical Disc with 180mm Rotors, Dual-Piston Calipers, Three-Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors and Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Stitched Faux Leather, Ergonomic, Non-Locking, Black

Saddle:

Velo Hybrid, Integrated Handle, Black

Seat Post:

Promax, Aluminum Alloy, Single-Bolt Clamp

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.6 mm

Rims:

6061 Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 82mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Reinforcement Eyelets, Black

Spokes:

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

Tire Brand:

MAXXIS RE-VOLT, (700x47c)

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

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

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Aluminum Alloy Fender-Supported Rear Rack (Standard Gauge Pannier Hangers, Triple Bungee Strap, 25kg 55lb Max Weight), Aluminum Alloy Fenders (60mm Width), Buchel Shiny 50 Integrated Front Light (50 Lumen, Side Windows), Buchel Edge Integrated Rear Light (2 LED), Flick Bell on Right, Rear-Mount Adjustable Kickstand (40mm Mount Spacing)

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, Sans 1.5lb 54.6 Volt 2 Amp Charger, Ergofit Adjustable Seat Height and Stem Fits More Riders, Internal Cable Routing, Twist Locking Weather-Resistant Connectors, Custom 48 Volt High Power Density Sine Wave Controller, 136kg (300lbs) Max Load, Rust Resistant KMC Z-Chain

Motor Brand:

iGO Drive by Shengyi

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

750 watts

Motor Torque:

53 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung 18650 3,500mAh Cells

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

14 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

672 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

55 miles (89 km)

Display Type:

Color Backlit 2.25" LCD, Haptic Feedback, Fixed, Buttons: +, -, M, Power, Lights: Hold +, Walk Mode: Hold -, Clear Readouts: Hold + and -, Settings: Hold M

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 (0-9), Lights Indicator, Trouble Indicator

Display Accessories:

4 LED Charge Level Indicator on Battery

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (Bottom Bracket Integrated 32 Pulse Electronic Cadence Sensor)

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 watt3,000 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)46 in (116.84 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

Number of Gears

030

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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:

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 Discovery line is feature-rich, and utilizes a downtube-integrated battery pack that helps the bike blend in with non-electric bikes
There are three Discovery models, all priced at $2.3k USD ($2.6k CAD). The Bonaventure, Atwater, and Berri all utilize the same battery pack, which is cross-compatible. They each come with fenders, rear racks, integrated lights, tool-free adjustable stems, and are compatible with a smartphone application for iOS and Android. The Discovery Bonaventure is the focus of this review, and is the only high-step model. It and the Atwater both use large 28″ wheels which elevate the frame and lower the attack angle (making them a bit smoother). The Atwater and Berri are step-thru models, but the Berri is smaller and uses 26″ wheels that bring the frame closer to the ground, giving it a very approachable 17″ stand-over height. All of the Discovery Series models from iGO are all hybrid style bicycles that blend city, cruiser, and mountain design elements to optimize performance with comfort. Note the flat handlebar and suspension fork blended with an upright geometry and adjustable angle stem.

Pros:

100% feature-complete with everything you’d need to ride in the rain, mud, snow, or commute to work… day or night! Great tubular aluminum alloy fenders, above-average integrated lights with side windows, sturdy rear rack with 25kg (55lb) max load and a triple-bungee strap
iGO included a pair of bottle cage bosses below the top tube! This is great, whether you use it for fluids or an accessory like folding locks or mini pump, because you might not always want to bring a trunk bag or panniers… or wear a backpack
iGO sells other even more affordable electric bicycles like the Core Elite II for $1.9k, but it doesn’t offer the higher capacity frame-integrated battery pack or color LCD display. I feel like the Discovery 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
None of the parts used on this ebike are entry-level. The Shimano Altus drivetrain is one step up from base, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes utilize large 180mm rotors, and the tires offer puncture protection. You also get ergonomic grips, a flick bell, and a nice adjustable kickstand… the hardware is all great for this price point
Even though the frame only comes in one size, the adjustable height seat post and tool-free adjustable angle stem provide a good range of options for different body sizes. Overall, the diamond frame is sturdy and stiff, which is what you want for sporty riding or some bike racks that have to hang the bike from the top tube vs. a platform/tray style rack
At first, I thought that maybe this was a mid-drive electric bike because of the black box thing at the bottom bracket. After asking the company, I learned that this is actually a storage compartment for wires and the powerful motor controller. Separating the controller like this makes it easier to replace, keeps the battery cooler, and makes additional battery packs much less expensive because the electronics in each pack are simpler
Inside that bottom bracket box is 32 pulse cadence sensor that is VERY responsive and durable. Most of the cadence sensors that I see and test utilize 6 or 12 magnets. They can get bumped around easily because they are external… but the electronic sensor that iGO is using here seems like an upgrade. It worked well during my ride tests
Great hardware choices on the adjustable suspension fork. You get preload and compression with lockout to really dial things in for your body weight (pre-load the spring for heavier loads, note that it’s hidden under the plastic cap on the left side of the fork). Lock out the suspension to reduce bobbing and perform more efficiently on hard or paved surfaces
The extra tall and long stem provides improved reach for taller riders, or an upright body position for petite riders (or those with back and neck sensitivity, like myself). Satori makes great hardware, and this stem is more durable than the basic adjustable stems that many competing bikes opt for… I’m glad they upgraded this part, because it makes the bike feel safer
Great attention to the little things: adjustable kickstand positioned perfectly at the rear of the bike (won’t get kicked or cause pedal lock and will support a loaded rack), rack is far back so it won’t block the seat coming all the way down, all hardware is black and matches beautifully (rims, spokes, hubs, fork, seat post, cranks, stem, handlebar etc.), and the chain has been upgraded to be rust resistant (KMC Z Chain)
This is a purpose-built frame with internal cable routing. Note that iGO is using threaded connectors with little rubber washers that are more durable and water resistant than press-fit
The charger is pretty average, offering 2 amp output, but the fact that you can charge the battery on or off the bike means that you can store the bike in a hot or cold environment (or outside) while taking better care of the battery (store in a cool dry location and keep at least half full). This will help the battery last longer, it also means that you can reduce the weight of the bike by 3.08kg (6.8lbs) if you have to lift it onto a car rack or do repairs
The battery connects to the frame without requiring the key, it clicks on securely and makes a sound so you know it’s safe. Do take extra care when handling the battery pack so it doesn’t bump into the fenders when dismounting/mounting since there’s not a lot of space below the downtube
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. 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
The pedals are sturdy and have a rubber tread pattern on top to keep your feet secure. If you slip off, the rubber won’t hurt as badly as metal spikes, so these are great for neighborhood and city riding. If you prefer a sturdier and wider platform, consider something like these Wellgo platform pedals
The rear rack was specifically designed to stay out of the way so the seat can drop further down. It’s rated up to 25kg (55lbs) of weight, and seemed securely attached. I appreciate that the rack has standard gauge pannier hangers welded onto the sides, as well as the included triple-bungee strap for securing lightweight items without the need for any bags
The way that the rear light is positioned on the rack keeps it protected during shipping, it’s under and behind the rack tubing. The headlight has windows on the sides, so you can be seen from more angles and be safer overall… it points where you steer and is fairly bright with 50 lumens output

Cons:

The weight of this ebike is about what I’d expect at 62.5lbs, considering the sturdy metal fenders, higher capacity battery pack, sturdy cargo rack, lights, and suspension fork… but there are lighter options with similar features. For someone who cares about weight and doesn’t need the extras, you could always remove the fenders and rack to save a few pounds ;)
The tires don’t have reflective sidewall stripes, but I did see “Silk Shield” puncture protection iconography… which is nice. I also noticed that the chainring does not have a guide, just the plastic chain cover. This means that the chain could fall off a bit easier when riding over bumpy terrain, and it could be very tricky to get back on without removing the plastic cover
The integrated headlight is pretty bright and protrudes a bit, so should be visible from the sides… but the default mounting position is on the suspension arch, so it could bounce around more than if it was on the stem or handlebar. At least the headlight points where you steer and is wired in to the main rechargeable ebike battery
I love that the battery pack mounts inside the frame! This keeps weight low and center, while improving the aesthetic of the bike… helping it to blend in and look nicer. The downside is that it’s trickier to get the battery off for charging. Be careful when removing it, because you could easily bump the fender or pinch your fingers because the space below the downtube is very tight
This bike is only available in one color and one size. This helps the company to keep the price down, and I feel like they chose well enough… but it is on the smaller side of medium. I had to raise the seat pretty high to get full leg extension, and I’m only 5’9″ tall with a 31″ inseam. The deep blue metallic color blends in with all of the black accessories and cables. It doesn’t show dirt as much as matte white and some other popular colors… but isn’t as visible in dark riding conditions as a lighter color, and there didn’t appear to be m any reflective accents. The Discovery Berri does use white, and it’s a glossy pearlescent white that should look pretty good, not showing dirt
iGO really tries to support 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. It’s nice that the bike comes with a steel derailleur guard, that helps to protect the sensitive bits during shipping. Assembly can take some time, and the tools they include are pretty basic
The throttle doesn’t work in assist level zero, and its power is limited based on the level of assist you choose! This is a big bummer… especially with nine levels of assist. If you contact the company, they can give you the password and you can change assist down to 3 or 5 levels.
The trigger shifter component that iGO chose from Shimano doesn’t offer two-way high shifting, you have to pull back on the lever with your right index/pointer finger. This is a very small consideration, but it’s something I notice because Shimano also sells a two-way trigger that allows shifting with your thumb for high and low, which is more comfortable to me because I can keep my hand gripped more securely at all times while dedicating my index and middle finger to braking
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

Useful Resources:

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

September 21, 2020 (7 days ago)

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Grendel

3 months ago

Thanks for the review. That’s funny that’s just the bike that Ii bought (I posted that on the forum) 2 days ago. It’s preorder so I will have it probably end-of-July though.

Most of the issues you mentioned don’t really bother me except for the throttle limitations maybe, so I’ll see how it goes. I’ll be adding my impressions once I have it.

Court

Hi Grendel! Thank you so much for offering to share your experience and impressions of the bike. I love what iGO is doing, and feel that they offer great value. Yes, the limited throttle is a bit disappointing… but everything else is done very well and you can adjust some of the settings if you contact the company (like the number of assist levels). With 3 or 5 levels, getting full throttle power will be a lot easier to reach :)

jean-yves Gill

je trouve votre velo formidable (bonnaventure) j ai peut etre l intention de faire l achat pour mon premier velo electrique .la chose que je deplore c est que la couleur bleu du velo le denigre compte tenu de tous sont equipements. la couleur blanc nacre le propulserait a avant plan selon mon impresion de baby bomer.

On dirait que vous aimez ce vélo électrique! Je ne suis pas de langue maternelle française, mais je suis content que la revue vous ait aidé. Il semble que vous préfériez le blanc. Je suis d’accord, c’est une belle couleur car elle peut refléter et ajouter de la sécurité. Quel que soit le vélo électrique que vous choisissez, je vous souhaite bonne chance!

Bryan

2 months ago

I just picked up an iGo outland oka from a local dealer here in Oregon. Limited time with it but so far its great! I’m wondering if you got a special version of the app ahead of time? I can’t find the app anywhere. I reached out to iGo to get info but have yet to hear back. Thanks for all your great reviews!

Hi Bryan,

Yeah, they invited me to a preview of the app. It sounds like they should be launching the final version very soon… I’m surprised it isn’t already available. I would offer you my credentials to the preview version, but it’s a one-time use thing that’s linked to my ID. Hang in there! Hope it’s coming soon. I will also email your info to the company to let them know that people are excited ;)

Cheers,
Court

Hi Bryan, I just heard back from iGO about the app. They said “Testing was completed and moved to final approvals yesterday. Based on the info we have from apple, the app should be listed by Tuesday of next week at the latest.”

I hope that turns out to be correct! Very soon, very exciting ;)

Hey Court. Thanks so much for the reply and the information. Yes, exciting news. Can’t wait. I like the Oka a lot so far. To customize it would be just a nice addition.

Cheers!