JupiterBike Discovery X7 Review

This review was provided for free, but JupiterBike did provide a temporary demo bike and accessories for me to test. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of JupiterBike products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the JupiterBike electric bike forums.

Observations:

• JupiterBike launched in late 2016 with a folding electric scooter that could fit into a backpack. As of this review in 2022, the company sells five affordably priced folding electric bicycles that include large and small wheels, hybrid and off-road fat tire.
• They sell direct online, and shipping is included in the base price (for customers in the contiguous United States of America). They are expanding into Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. All products include a one year comprehensive warranty, but they also sell a two year warranty that includes accidental damage.

Pros:

• The bike looks beautiful, to me it looks like it should be more expensive than it is. They used lightweight magnesium alloy for the frame, fork, and wheelset. Notice how smooth everything is, and how custom the frame is with the rear suspension bumper. Although the travel is limited, it definitely improves comfort, and it appears to be adjustable.
• It’s super impressive to have two color options for such an affordable electric bike (gloss white or metallic gray), and the smaller X5 actually comes in four colors and costs $200 less… but uses a smaller battery and only has one gear.
• Since folding bikes get folded, tipped onto their sides, and bounced around at times, it’s nice to see the extra toughness and protection on the Discovery X7. Note the steel derailleur guard, plastic chainring guard, and rubber wheel center stand (which won’t get sharp and rust like a metal support that competitors use).
• The motor rating was higher than I was expecting at first glance, given the low watt hour battery pack. Most folding models use a 250 watt motor, so this one is a bit stronger at 350 watts. It felt decent but didn’t climb the steeper hills without some pedaling. I appreciate that it was quiet, because it’s fully contained in the rear wheel design.
• The disc brakes are pretty basic, but they work well and the cable housings point down so water won’t drip down inside and gum them up! Also, both brake levers have motor inhibitors so you will stop faster and won’t waste the brake pads.
• The bike feels stiff and sturdy. It’s rated at 265lbs, which is above average for a folding electric bike! The main joint isn’t super wide, the stem doesn’t telescope or anything, so it doesn’t feel flimsy. The body position I had as a 5’9″ individual was upright and comfortable. I like the saddle and ergonomic grips.
• I like that the battery pack has a built in plastic handle, for safe transport if you’re charging off the bike. I also love that it locks to the frame, so it cannot be stolen if you leave it in at the rack.
• The charger is super small and weighs less than one pound! It would be very easy to toss into a backpack and top the bike off at work, the coffee shop, or other mid-point destination.
• As simple as the display is, it was easy to reach and interact with. There are just three buttons and three rotating readouts for trip distance, odometer, and trip time. You see battery percentage, speed, and assist level at all times. You must hold the plus button to activate the headlight. The horn button is built into the twist throttle housing on the right. Hold + and – to enter settings and m to cycle through. The P1 setting allows you to change units from MPH to KHM.
• The large thumb shifter is easy to understand and clearly labeled, so you know which gear you’re using. I find that these are easier to interact with when wearing gloves, and easier to learn for people who might be traveling and loan the bike out or just use it sporadically.
• It’s pretty cool that the bike comes with fenders, but you’ll probably need to use a full sized Phillips screwdriver to get them on, because the screws are pre-installed with Loctite Blue.
• The headlight works pretty well, and has a flat cut-off beam that shouldn’t shine up into the eyes of oncoming traffic or pedestrians. It’s neat that it also has an electronic horn built into the back! It works very well.
• The bike is fun to pedal around when turned off, because the tires are efficient and the six-speed drivetrain provides a decent range. Note the larger 48 tooth chainring that was selected to balance out the smaller 20″ rear wheel. The bike also uses shorter 165mm crank arms to reduce pedal strikes. It’s well thought out, not just slapped together.
• Good wire management, even though they are not internally routed. I think JupiterBike was smart to keep them accessible and run below the main tube, because they won’t get pinched as easily during folding and unfolding.
• JupiterBike has been around since 2016, and sells five different models! They seem to be doing a great job, and I was very impressed with the free shipping (to the contiguous USA) and one year comprehensive warranty. Their prices offer great value in my opinion, and they go the extra distance to refurbish and sell used models… that’s awesome!

Cons:

• The cadence sensor looks like ones I’ve tested before, it’s small and the magnets are covered by the water resistant casing, but it didn’t respond as fast. I had to pedal at least one and a half resolutions for it to kick in.
• I love the twist throttle, which offers variable power output depending on how far you twist, but the peak power is limited by the level of assist that has been chosen. I prefer being able to access full power with the throttle at all times, without having to press extra buttons.
• The bike is only sold online, and there’s some unboxing to do, but it’s basically assembled. You just have to put the handlebar on the stem using the quick release clamp. However, my test bike had a loose headset. To tighten it, I folded the stem extension down, loosened two bolts that hold the stem onto the steer post, then tightened the stem cap (which squeezed the headset), then tightened the two stem bolts again. Since the bike doesn’t come with any tools, this took some time and I had to use my own tools.
• I was told that some models will come with Shimano and other models will have Power components, because of supply chain constraints. I was also told that they may discontinue the seat light, because it performed inconsistently at times and was a hassle.
• The CST tires performed well and look nice, but didn’t appear to have any puncture protection or reflective sidewalls. These are nice little extras that I appreciate, and could improve reliability and safety.
• Basic LCD display with no USB charging ports or smartphone apps. I think it does a good job, but is a little bright for night riding. I also noticed that the battery percentage was not perfectly accurate, it would massively sag when using the throttle and then jump back up to “nearly full” which made it seem unreliable.
• If you do get a model that has the rear light built into the saddle, be sure to remove the plastic tab to get the coin battery in contact and working. I did this, and also had to open the battery compartment to reposition the coin battery before it worked. I did not feature the light in my video because it sounds like the may discontinue it due to reliability issues. Consider purchasing a seat post light or wearing one on your backpack or helmet for safety!
• The bike made noticeable rattling noises when I took it over bumpy terrain. I thought it might be the stem or the battery pack inside. After posting the video, someone commented to say that they had the same bike and discovered it was the battery pack rattling inside. They used some tape to surround the pack and that solved the rattling… so I hope this helps if you get the bike and notice the sounds too!
• This is the medium sized folding model from JupiterBike, and is longer and 8lbs heavier than the X5 model. Even though they use magnesium alloy for the frame, fork, and wheels, it still weighs a lot at 47.8lbs so consider removing the battery before lifting.
• The battery capacity is fairly minimal at just 280 watt hours. I consider a small battery to be 350 watt hours and an average pack to be 500 watt hours these days. But, the pack only weighs 4.3lbs and they sell additional batteries very inexpensively if you want to double your range.
• I’m not a huge fan of most folding pedals, and the plastic ones tend to be less stiff and more fragile. This is an easy thing to upgrade if you notice and care they way that I do :)
• Despite having a little roller wheel at the center of the frame, the bike doesn’t fold in such a way that it’s rollable. In fact, it sort of tips to the side since the front half of the bike is longer than the rear. It’s a little less stable than the JupiterBike Discovery X5, which has smaller wheels and a smaller frame.
• The headlight was frequently bumped out of position when I folded the bike, and the plastic display seemed a little vulnerable. Just be careful and aware when folding, and consider using a jacket, towel, or other soft item to protect the frame and delicate parts when transporting the bike folded.
• No bottle cage bosses on the frame, consider the optional rear rack with a trunk bag that has a bottle holster. The grips don’t lock and can twist more easily as a result. The flat handlebar does not offer any reach or height adjust the way a low or mid-rise bar would.
• The bike is geared a little high, so even in the first gear it can feel hard to start and climb. The top speed I was able to hit with the throttle was roughly 16mph, their website says 16mph to 18mph, this is a bit below most Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes that can reach 20mph. The lower top speed isn’t a huge gripe for me considering the smaller wheels and folding design.
• The charge port on the bike frame has a little rubber grommet that protects it, but there’s no leash for this piece. That means you could easily set it down and lose it during charging.

Useful Resources:

• Official JupiterBike website
• Folding Electric Bikes Forum