2020 iGO Electric Discovery Bonaventure Review

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