This review was provided for free using a demo bike and accessories. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Momentum products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Momentum electric bike forums.
Observations:
- Giant is one of the “Big Three” bicycle brands that serve North America, and Momentum is their urban transport lifestyle sub-brand. Their network of dealers is extensive, providing opportunities for fitting, test rides, and post purchase service and repairs.
- Like other premium brands, Giant / Momentum is such a large buyer that they can have their hardware co-branded and customized. This is the case with their drive system here, which is actually manufactured by Yamaha. I’ve covered Yamaha mid-drive motors on Haibike and Yamaha ebikes in the past, and dealers have told me that they tend to be very reliable. I was very satisfied with the motor performance here, and appreciate the ebike specific internally geared hub and upgraded brakes.
Pros:
- This Momentum PackYak E+ is extremely well done, one of the nicest electric cargo bikes I’ve ever seen. I feel that the price is justified, and it will hold up very well over time. I love that it comes in two colors, and understand that they focused on one frame size to keep costs lower but optimized with the seat post dropper to accommodate a wider range of body types.
- The bike is sold globally, and customized for each geography! If you get it in the United States, it will be Class 3 for higher speed riding. This makes it a great choice for commuters or those who are interested in long range touring. Although it may have the higher speed rating, the motor is still extremely powerful for hauling and climbing.
- The frame is purpose built with internal cable and wire routing that looks great and reduces the potential for snags. Motor and battery weight is positioned low and center to maximize stability. A special headset was chosen to slow steering a bit and help the front wheel return to center, which also improves stability when the bike is heavily loaded.
- The frame design is stiff and handled well at speed and off-road. I love that Momentum chose thicker than average disc brake rotors to reduce warping and zinging. They also chose boost hub spacing for the front wheel and a thicker 15mm thru-axle vs. traditional 9mm skewer.
- Excellent wheel size and tire choice. Momentum chose a smaller 24″ wheel that brings the frame closer to the ground, making it easier to mount and load with gear, but they didn’t go all the way to 20″ which has a high attack angle that can feel more jarring. The tires are brand name Maxxis Hook Worm with sturdier build and wide 2.5″ that increases air volume, acting like a shock absorber.
- Speaking of comfort and shock absorption, the seat post on this ebike provides 70mm of heigh adjustment as well as 40mm of suspension travel! It allows different sized riders to use the bike easily and improves overall comfort when riding on rough terrain.
- Awesome drivetrain setup here with the narrow-wide tooth steel chainring, alloy chainring guard, and paint-matched alloy chain cover! The extra-long chain does not bounce around because of the single rear sprocket and double pulley guide system. The Shimano Nexus 5E is ebike specific to be sturdy and shift under load… and it really works. While 5 gears isn’t a whole lot, this thing is tough and allows for shifting at standstill. Sometimes low cargo bikes can have the derailleur get bumped on curbs and other obstacles, so the IGH is just cleaner.
- Excellent hydraulic disc brakes here from Tektro. The calipers have been upgraded to quad piston for a larger braking surface, which adds power and cooling, and the levers offer adjustable reach. The rotors are large 203mm vs. 160mm or 180mm, improving the mechanical advantage and offering better control, and they are extra thick. This reduces warping and zinging… and is important because the wheels are closer to the ground and the rotors could bump on obstacles like bike racks more easily.
- While I do have some complaints about the size and weight of the charger, it is nice to see a fast device like this which can reduce your times between rides or fill the double battery option more quickly. It offers 6 amps vs. the more common 2 amp or 3 amps devices I usually see.
- I appreciate that the battery cover is securely attached to the pack vs. being one that anyone can tamper with at the bike rack. The color matched cover is nice, and the side-mount design of the battery is easier to work with than a bottom mount design in my opinion. It’s setup so there’s a half-step when unlocked, so the pack won’t just tumble out!
- The battery packs use premium Panasonic cells that are known for being near the top in terms of reliability and overall lifespan. I like that the battery has a 5 LED charge level readout on the base, so you can store it separately from the bike but know how full it is easily. I’ve heard that it’s best to store in a cool dry environment and keep at 50%+ full when not in use.
- I believe that the optional second battery is the same design and capacity as the main one, it just doesn’t have a shield on it. The benefit is that the same charger can be used and the price is probably lower, based on economies of scale.
- The bike comes with a black storage box with a key-matched lock! It’s perfect for storing gloves, jackets, and other loose items, and this is also where you can put the optional second battery. I think there is still some space in there, even with the battery! Cool concept, great execution.
- I really like the display panel and button pad. It has dedicated buttons for walk mode, lights, info, as well as the standard + and – for assist levels so you don’t have to memorize combination presses. The control pad has a 1amp USB C charging port built in to maintain portable electronics. The LCD readout uses colors to communicate concepts vs. making you squint to read details, and there are three brightness levels so you don’t lose your night vision! I love that there’s a percentage based charge level indicator here vs. a 5 or 10 dot readout, and a range estimator!
- Great headlights here, the rear light has two LEDs and is protected by the rack. The headlight is extra bright with 550 lumen output, and is positioned on the fender vs. the rack, so it points where you steer.
- Great fender design, they are sturdy enough and well supported enough to not vibrate and make noise when riding off-road. The front fender supports the light, and I didn’t see it bouncing very much.
- I appreciate that Momentum added two bottle cage mounting points on the included front basket! This keeps the frame stronger, the stand-over position clear, and still keeps the bottles within reach.
- The custom kickstand is very well done. It uses steel legs that are super strong, and has rounded bottom portions that roll easily into standing or out to riding. There’s an extension on the left side of the kickstand that can be stepped on to increase leverage, making it easier to lift the bike up into the standing position.
- Nice touch points: the saddle looks good and felt comfortable to me, especially with the suspension post. The grips are fairly basic, but still feel comfortable and are ergonomically shaped.
- I appreciate the premium wheelset with reinforcement eyelets that reduce the chances of cracking as wheels are flexed and trued over time. Momentum also chose thicker 13 gauge spokes for both wheels, and the rear wheel has 4 additional spokes for added strength for hauling kids or cargo.
- The included rear rack can support two child seats, a custom made pair of pannier bags, and also has a support rod for third party panniers! There’s an optional deck saddle, a child surround, and running board pieces. It’s fairly comprehensive and all of the accessories that I saw were done very well. Higher than average 102lb weight limit on the back rack and up to 33lbs on the front rack.
- Momentum says that the bike can support up to 361lbs total, riders between 5’2″ and 6’3″ because of the seat post adjustability and lower mid-step frame.
- I love that the latest control pad includes Bluetooth and Ant+ for use with their RideControl smartphone app and ANT+ wireless devices like Garmin! This was a big deal for Dave because it showed a more precise battery readout and other detailed specs.
- The motor controller measures pedal cadence, torque, and rear wheel speed. The motor performance felt dynamic and responsive, I was even able to go up a curb and climb off road at very low speed! The bike climbed very capably, and shifting gears was smooth.
- I trust Yamaha motors because shops have told me that they are reliable, and the PW-X (which the SyncDrive Pro is based on) is very proven. Giant tweaked this motor a bit to create their SyncDrive Pro. It has a narrow 168mm Q-Factor, is fairly lightweight, and similar to other high out put motors in terms of noise. You get up to 80nm of torque and 360% power output relative to your pedal input.
- Vast network of dealers means that you get in-person advice, fitting, post-purchase tuneups and warranty support. This should not be overlooked if you ride frequently or have limited experience with bike tools, even though it does add to the price of the initial purchase. All of the electronics are IPX6 rated against dust and water, so the bike seems extra durable and might avoid damage to begin with.
Cons:
- This is a minor gripe, but the grips are pretty basic and do not lock. They feel good and are setup to work with the half-grip shifter, but they aren’t very premium given the price of the bike.
- The 5-speed drivetrain seemed to be geared high, I was using the first gear more frequently than expected and struggled to climb steeper grades from standstill. I think it’s setup to support the 28mph Class 3 speed pedelec use case, but compromised on the low end a bit. Internally geared hubs also weigh more than cassette and derailleur setups.
- The bike is very heavy at 84lbs, one of the heaviest electric bikes I’ve reviewed. It will only get heavier with additional baskets, racks, panniers, child seats, and second battery pack. The upside is that the frame is very stiff, and I did not experience speed wobble at all. The weight seemed to dampen vibrations when riding off-road, improving comfort.
- The battery packs charge and discharge sequentially, starting with the main downtube battery. That means you will probably end up cycling that one more completely, more often, which leads to faster degradation. Ideally, batteries are kept between 20% to 80% and I’m not sure when the ebike controller decides to switch to the second pack. If it drains the first one completely, that could cause premature wear vs. a balanced charge/discharge design.
- The charging port for the batteries is positioned low on the left side, which requires bending down. This port is in the direct path of the left crank arm, which could snag the charger cable. I hit my head on the handlebar when bending down to plug the bike in because it’s so wide, please be careful!
- The battery charger is very large and heavy, possibly the largest and heaviest I have seen for the past few years. It does put out more energy, charging faster, but it’s just less portable than some competing designs.
- The charging port on the bike frame is different from the battery interface, so you need a dongle adapter to charge the pack when off the bike. This dongle is an extra step and can be lost vs. just having one plug… and it adds more weight. I am thankful that Momentum has a plastic leash clip thing that allows you to connect the dongle to the main charger :)
- Since the main battery pack has a plastic shield semi-permanently fixed that matches the frame, it’s not as convenient to switch batteries if you want to change the charge order and cycle the second pack more frequently. It may also fade differently than the metal frame, and could be difficult to replace down the line if scratched as colors may change or the bike design may change. I’m a fan of the matched color, but appreciate the utility of a universal battery cover.
- If you choose to purchase a secondary battery, it appears that the seat will have to be raised to its maximum position (or twisted to the side) in order to insert the battery into the storage box. I discuss this in the video review above at 12:14
- This is a very minor consideration for me, but the LCD screen is fairly small. This makes it less prone to scratches, and leaves plenty of room for a phone or other handlebar mount accessory if you wish.
- The pedals leave something to be desired, as they are fairly narrow plastic with rubber grip. They are decent in terms of quality, but something I’d expect to see on a lightweight city bike vs. this heavier high speed cargo bike with fenders etc. the good news is that they are easy and cheap to replace. Consider these Wellgo BMX platform pedals as an alternative.
- There’s no shift sensing built into the Giant (Yamaha) motor controller, and this can lead to increased chain and sprocket wear if you don’t back off a bit on your pedaling while shifting. I think this is less of an issue with the ebike specific internally geared hub, but the heavy loads and high speeds are probably still fairly demanding on the drivetrain components like chainring, chain, and rear sprocket.
Alberto Lau says
I would be interested in this bike, especially because it has a Yamaha motor. My experience with my Yamaha PW motor in my 2016 Haibike Allmtn Sduro Fullseven has been excellent. In five years and 14,000 miles nothing has gone wrong with the motor or the electrical system, including the battery and the controller.
Compared to the Bosch motor that comes with the Tern HSD S+ (which I bought for my girlfriend), the Yamaha motor is much stronger, especially climbing hills. I understand that Bosch makes a stronger cargo motor (available with the Tern GSD), but I have not tried it.
I only wish the Momentum Pakyak had front suspension and that it weighed less.
Court says
Hi Alberto! Thanks for the testimonial about your experiences with the Yamaha and Bosch motors. I think the Pakyak was really well thought out, I especially like the battery design here vs. some of the Giant mountain bikes I’ve reviewed recently. Comfort wise, even without suspension, the Pakyak felt pretty good. I think the added weight reduces vibration and shock, the tires were wide and squishy enough that I felt comfortable on gravel and going over the curbs (video is uploading now and should be available to watch shortly so you can see what I mean).
Dewey says
I’m surprised Giant went with a Class 3 speed for their cargo ebike. It will surely limit appeal to parents living in and riding on street in the suburbs. Where I live in Arlington, VA, the county and Park Service Regs permit only Class 1 & 2 to ride on local paved trails, while over the river in Washington, DC, it’s even stricter as Class 3 ebikes are not permitted to ride on-street bicycle infrastructure including PBL’s. I hope Giant’s dealer software can reduce the top speed to Class 1 20mph?
Court says
Hi Dewey, that’s a great question! I asked the marketing and product folks at Giant / Momentum for some feedback and they said “No it is not possible to govern the max support speed nor technically change its class system from Class 1 (20mph pedal assist) to Class 3 (28mph(45kph) pedal assist). However, in the RIDE CONTROL APP the customer can de-tune each modes support % level to essentially slow themselves down with motor support.” I hope this helps! I was also surprised about the Class 3 setup, but think that it’s a neat option for people who want to use the highest assist and shift gears to make the bike go faster. I think it’s still a fairly intentional action vs. always going fast, if that makes sense ;)
Rick Worthington says
This strikes me as a good competitor for the Benno Boost, which I was planning on getting next year but now I’m not so sure. Really the only thing I can think of that the Boost has over this is that it is close to 20 pounds lighter and maybe 5 inches shorter. The Benno Boost I tried out was a lot of fun to ride, I wonder if the Pakyak, also having 24 inch tires, is fun to ride?
Court says
Hi Rick! It’s funny that you bring up the Benno Boost because a friend and I were discussing the Pakyak E+ recently and made a similar comparison. I like the speed pedelec aspect of the Pakyak E+ for those in the United States. It’s nice to have two completely different drive systems here (Yamaha vs. Bosch), and I like the accessories that both bikes offer. Benno is a cool company, the guy who founded it also created Electra before Trek bought it. I feel that both Momentum and Benno are high quality brands.
Chacaloski says
Bruh I tried this bike this week on Tuesday with the guys from Spokes Etc at Belle View location in Alexandria VA and was really impressed with the speed for a cargo bike. I was not able to test out the bike on a steep hill that was next to the shop cause there is an really dangerous intersection with phone zombies behind the wheel, but I would love to see another vid from you riding a steep hill test to see if this is worth it. I feel like they could have gone with at least 7 gears but they chose 5.
Court says
I’m glad you had fun with the bike! Yeah, a couple people have mentioned that it would have been nice to see a hill climb. Your point about the limited gears (and gear range) is understandable. I think they had limited options on which hardware to use… but overall I think it works great. To me, it felt very powerful and responsive, I was surprised actually. I suspect that it will climb well and haul a good amount of cargo, on par with something like the Bosch CX motor. Perhaps someone else will chime in here with some real world experiences.
Brian says
How do you like this bike compared to the Xtracycle Edgerunner eSwoop?
Court says
Hmm, if cost was equal I’d probably get the Momentum due to higher speed and refined build… but! I have so much respect for Ross and the Xtracycle company. I think that one is lighter and has so many cool accessories. I loved the Pakyak E+ but prefer the Xtracycle brand and would love to see their latest and greatest to really make the decision.
Brian says
Thanks Court!! What about the Tern cycles compared to the PakYak E+ and the swoop? Thanks again
Court says
Hi Brian, I really like Tern. Their products aren’t as long, more of a mid-tail or even short-tail experience, but the accessories, dealers, and overall quality is top notch. They would be my first choice overall as a brand, then Xtracycle as the smaller unique company, then Giant/Momentum. This is not to say that there is something wrong with Momentum, I just haven’t seen them at shops as frequently and haven’t gotten the same level of engagement with the company over the years of reviews I’ve done. This may be them improving and embracing the space more, and the Pakyak E+ is totally unique, it’s just a big company. I’ve seen some decisions on the Giant ebikes that didn’t always make sense to me, but the Pakyak seemed great. I hope that overall, Giant is improving to compete better against Trek and Specialized in the space :)
Zach says
Thanks for the once over on the Momentum PakYak E+ and for your opinions on what is great and what is not so great!
One thing that I didn’t hear you mention, nor can I find any info about it elsewhere, is where does one attach a water bottle cage? Is there a spot for one?
Cheers!
Court says
Great question Zach! This is something I’m always looking for with ebikes, since the battery design might limit traditional bottle cage mounting options. I found that the Momentum Pakyak E+ does have two bottle cage mounts on the front rack (near the corners in a vertical position). It’s a pretty good design because water won’t leak out and they are easy to reach while riding. Alternatively, you could buy an SKS Anywhere Adapter that uses straps to mount on a seat tube or other tubing of the bike frame :)
Zach says
Hey Court,
Thanks for the quick reply and also for the info. I went into a local shop today to have a look at the Pakyak and neither I or the store employee noticed a spot for a water water bottle. I am going back tomorrow to test ride it after the change out the bar stem, installing one that is higher and is a little more forward than the original as I am a tad tall with long arms, so I will have a look at the rack again.
Did you happen to notice that there is a gap at the top of the battery cover when it is installed and locked? The gap is between the battery cover and the frame? Both Pakyak bikes that the local store here has have gaps. We tried to get it to secure flush, tight, but we were not successful.
Since you first review has anything changed for you in regard to the Pakyak? Is there any other brand that has a new cargo bike out that you might like better? Thanks again for answering my questions and for your time, I appreciate it.
Cheers!
Court says
Hi Zach! If you look at the 13th photo in this the gallery of my review (if the first white background photo one is counted as zero) you can see a view from behind the seat post looking at the left angle of the rack. I realize it’s a bit dark, but if you enlarge the photo to full size by clicking the “expand” icon in the lower left, then zoom in a bit, you can see two threaded eyelets for mounting a bottle cage! I believe that both corners of the rack have a bottle cage mount like this that would orient your drink in an upright position and the bottle would sit just below the handlebar so as not to impede steering. I do not remember as much about the battery pack mounting, seeing any gaps, or having any other issues. This seemed like a unique cargo ebike due to the dropper post and high speed operation… but if you’re willing to go with standard Class 1 speed, then there are lots more options including Tern and Yuba at the high end. Here’s the full category of my cargo ebike reviews, but also consider Rad Power Bikes and Magnum if you’re alright with a hub motor. It’s great that you can visit your local dealer and are paying such close attention to the details. I appreciate your comments and insights!
Zach says
Hi Court! As before, thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions and for the info you provided.
I went back to the local bike shop here and test rode the Pakyak again after the shop changed out the handlebar stem. They replaced it with a taller one as the stock stem is too short for me. I am 6’4″ with long arms! They had also maxed out the seat post but with this it was still not comfortable. A mechanic there then suggested that they also swap out the handlebars for one with more of a rise and a tad wider. This ended up working very well for me. The only thing is that the post was extended to the max height and as such then had a bit of play and then with the slight suspension it ended up being too short but just by a small amount. The mechanic then suggested removing the dropper post and going with a rigid post that is longer given that I will be the only one riding the bike. He also pointed out that taking a bike of that design down a very step decline, where one would want to be able to lower the post quickly, is not likely as it would be a heck of a ride!!
I heard back from Giant and they said that the gap with the battery cover is normal and won’t affect anything. I disagree and it’s just enough of a gap that dirt and mud will likely build up inside the frame and around the battery. I am going to investigate further, to see whether or not the battery mount inside of the frame can be moved back into the frame a bit more. I had a look at your video review and the battery cover appears to be flush with the frame without any gaps.
I did check out a Tern GSD, however it did not work for me and my wing span. It’s a great bike but so much of the design is the same as some of the other ebikes that can be found on Alibaba and Aliexpress. The differences are mainly with the drive train, brakes, etc. After riding the Pakyak I much prefer the 24″ wheels on it over the 20″ wheels on the Tern but that’s just me! Rad Power bikes are okay but not the same quality of the Pakyak or Tern which I am sure you know all too well.
I won’t take up anymore of your time. Thanks again for your input and for your webapge. The comprehensive reviews with videos are fantastic and are very well done.
Have a great 2022 – keep safe!
Court says
Cool! Thanks for sharing the details about your height. It sounds like they suggested all of the same things I would (stem, handlebar width and rise, seat post swap). I definitely see how a taller rider would benefit from a sturdy frame and the taller wheels. I agree that Pakyak E+ is a strong contender on the shortlist. The challenge with custom builds like this is the potential for battery gaps and other things that just aren’t quite 100% perfect. Interesting that my video showed a tighter fit with the pack. Not sure what the deal is there… Thanks again for the encouragement with EBR, I enjoy helping out and feel that eBikes are a nice area of work to focus on. I hope you enjoy whatever bike fits (or that you make work) and that it holds up well for you. Reach out anytime Zach.
Joe Leland says
I’ve had this bike for about 500 miles now. I will say you’re review is spot on. An absolutely awesome bike. I love it! I use it on a bike path everyday and trips to the grocery store all the time. Absolutely love this bike.
Court says
That’s great Joe! Sounds like you’ve had some good time riding the bike, hauling some groceries, and it’s holding up well. I appreciate the testimonial and am glad my review was pretty accurate to what you’ve experienced :D