Name: Motiv Stash Review
Item: Motiv Stash
Author: Court Rye

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Motiv Stash Review

2018 Motiv Stash 350 Watt Planetary Geared Bafang Hub Motor

2018 Motiv Stash Downtube Internal Lithium Ion Battery Paint Matched Fenders

2018 Motiv Stash King Meter J Lcd Display

2018 Motiv Stash Tektro Brake Levers Integrated Bell

2018 Motiv Stash Tempo Spring Suspension With Headlight

2018 Motiv Stash 36 Volt Removable Battery

A feature-packed folding electric bike available in six beautiful colors, telescoping stem and extra long seat post allow it to fit a wider range of riders, established brand with good support
Large 180mm mechanical disc brakes provide above-average stopping power, both brake levers have motor inhibitors and the 12-magnet sealed cadence sensor is fairly responsive
Twist throttle mode overrides assist for instant power, modest 350 watt geared motor feels smooth, integrated lights keep you visible and run off of the battery for convenience
Paint-matched alloy fenders, sturdy steel rack with bungee attachments, puncture resistant tires are wider than average to improve comfort, very basic suspension fork, the stock saddle is a bit hard

Make:

Motiv

Model:

Stash

Price:

$1,549

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Urban, Commuting, Travel

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States, Australia

Model Year:

2018

Total Weight:

49.9 lbs (22.63 kg)

Battery Weight:

4.1 lbs (1.85 kg)

Motor Weight:

8 lbs (3.62 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

12 in (30.48 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Unfolded: 12" Seat Tube, 24" Reach, 24.5" Standover Height, 24" Width, 62.75" Length, Folded: 36.75" Length, 22" Width, 26" Height

Frame Types:

Folding, Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Matte Black, White, Blue, Aqua, Green, Torquoise

Frame Fork Details:

Tempo Spring Suspension, 63 mm Travel, 25 mm Stanchions, 100 mm Hub Spacing, Standard 9 mm Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135 mm Hub Spacing, 12 mm with 10 mm Flats Threaded Axle with Nuts

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

8 Speed 1x8, Shimano Acera Derailleur, Shimano Cassette 11-32 Tooth

Shifter Details:

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

Cranks:

Prowheel Forged Alloy, 170 mm Arms, 52 Tooth Steel Chainring with Plastic Guide

Pedals:

Wellgo K20410 Plastic Platform Folding

Headset:

Threadless Internal Cups, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Alloy, Telescoping Height, 240 mm Base with 150 mm Extension, 25.4 mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Promax Alloy, Flat, 600 mm Length

Brake Details:

Tektro Aries Mechanical Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Tektro Levers with Motor Inhibitors and Rubberized Edges and Integrated Bell on Left

Grips:

Faux Leather, Padded, Stitched

Saddle:

Velo, Sport

Seat Post:

Truvativ Hussefelt, Alloy, Forged Head

Seat Post Length:

550 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

35 mm

Rims:

Alloy, Double Wall, Deep-V, 36 Hole, 25 mm Outer Width

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Kenda, 20" x 2.125" (57-406)

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

40 to 65 PSI, 2.8 to 4.6 BAR, 280 to 460 KPa, Puncture Resistant

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Center-Mount Adjustable Kickstand, Paint-Matched Alloy Fenders with Rubber Flaps (57 mm Width), Steel Rear Rack with Spring Latch (25 kg 55 lb Max Weight), Integrated Headlight, Integrated Backlight

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, 1.3 lb 2 Amp Charger

Motor Brand:

Bafang

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

350 watts

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

9 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

324 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

15 miles (24 km)

Estimated Max Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Display Type:

King-Meter J-LCD, Fixed, Monochrome, Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Battery Level (5 Bars), Clock, Assist Level (0-5), Speed, Odometer, Trip Meter

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad, Buttons: Up, Mode, Down, (Hold Up and Mode for Lights, Hold Down for Walk Mode, Hold Up and Down for Settings), USB Type A Port on Left Side of Battery (5 Volt 500 Milliamp)

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Twist Throttle (12 Magnet Sealed Sensor on Right)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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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 review was sponsored by the Electric Bicycle Center which is based in in Fullerton, California. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Motiv products.

I’ve been reviewing Motiv electric bikes for several years now and the Stash is their first folding model. Each year they keep finding ways to improve this bike while keeping the price point basically the same. It features an internally mounted battery, pedal assist and throttle mode, and this year they’ve added paint matched alloy fenders, a rack and lights (great if you ride in the rain or at night), while keeping the price at $1,549, the same as last year’s model where you had to add those on for an additional $99. Way to go team Motiv! This is one of the nicest looking folders I’ve seen because of the curved top tube and six color choices (matte black, matte blue, white, aqua, sea foam and turquoise). Weighing in at ~50 pounds vs. last years ~45 (due to fenders, rack and lights) it’s not the lightest contender, but it is one of the most comfortable and that’s due to the basic Tempo suspension fork (with roughly 63mm travel), and the oversized Kenda 2.125” tires. I appreciate an upright and “full sized” ride because my back and neck tend to get sore on bumpy terrain, especially when I’m leaned forward, and the Stash delivered on these points. I’m 5’9″ and the extra long seat post delivered full leg extension, something not always easy to find on a folding bike.

Motiv stuck with the 350 watt planetary geared hub motor which, when combined with the smaller 20″ wheel size, offers a lot of torque. It’s zippy and responsive, and I like that I always felt in control because I could override the five levels of assist with the twist throttle instantly and both brake levers have an integrated motor kill switch so there were no delays. The brakes are well thought out, they’re Tektro Aires with 180mm rotors, rubber lined levers, and an integrated bell on the left. Many other affordable ebikes like this go with flick bells that usually don’t produce the same loud ring and tend to crowd the handlebars. The cockpit on the Motiv Stash is clean and allows easy access to the control pad on the left (up, mode, and down for interacting with the display) and an oversized thumb shifter on the right for shifting through the eight speed cassette in the rear. Two improvements they made this year are the upgraded Shimano Acera rear derailleur vs. last year’s entry level Tourney, an upgrade of several steps, and a 12-magnet sealed cadence sensor vs. last year’s six. The cadence sensor is more of an on/off feel, but the motor ramps up fairly smoothly and at least this sensor is higher resolution, it responds faster with 12 magnets vs. 6. And again, it’s worth mentioning that these upgrades don’t raise the price from last year’s model.

Motiv has been working on this new electric bike for some time and the attention to detail really shows. I especially like the battery design which is hidden inside the frame and yet can still be charged on or off the bike. It can also be switched off when mounted, to keep people from tampering with your display, and it even has a USB Type A charging port positioned far forward on the main tube, so you can actually use it while riding. This is something I haven’t seen from many other companies. I’d recommend using a right angle USB adapter to keep the cord from getting kicked while pedaling, and use some zip ties to route up towards the handlebar. I also appreciated the matching accessories and the fact that black wires tend to blend in, especially on the darker color choices. With this bike, you’re getting upgraded 180mm Tektro Aires mechanical disc brakes, (vs. the 160 mm from last year’s model), locking grips and a quick release front wheel. I like that they still included folding pedals but the plastic isn’t as stiff or sturdy as an alloy pedal, but for the price point and all the upgrades your getting I would consider this a fair trade off for stow-ability and convenience.

The LCD display is easy to navigate and features a backlit mode, which also turns on the front and rear lights. Again, this is another upgrade as last year’s model had only the front light wired in. I also appreciate that the battery display has five bars (the outer perimeter around the battery display counts as one) vs. four bars found on many other displays. It allows you a more accurate reading of battery life, which is really a nice feature for longer commutes. Still, it would be even nicer to have 10 bars or even a battery percentage, but this display balances compactness with ease of use and gets the job done. Besides the five levels of assist, the Stash also features a walk mode, which might come in handy if you’re walking your bike up an incline, or if you get a flat tire. You do have to hold your finger on the button for walk assist to operate though, which some people find to be a bit of a hassle. It’s a nice option to have, whether you use it or not. As with many displays, this one is not removable but can swivel a bit to reduce glare. Do be careful with the display when folding the bike so that it doesn’t get scratched against parts of the frame or wheel. This is a challenge or consideration with most folders, especially if they end up on one side during transit. I sometimes use a blanket or towel for added protection :)

The updated Motiv Stash is a winner in my book, it comes with lots of good upgrades, keeps the price stable, and offers above-average customer support. In many ways, the 2018/2019 model exceeded my expectations. The rack holds 55lbs. And, combined with the fenders and lights, this bike could make for an excellent commuting platform. It’s peppy, responsive and comfortable for a folder, and even on bumpy terrain I had a blast riding it with Sam. One additional area for improvement might be to add a derailleur guard, to protect the derailleur when folded or from tips. I like that you get eight speeds (vs. last year’s seven) and a larger 52 tooth front chainring, which helps to balance pacing and feel more like a normal full sized bicycle. The largest rear sprocket is 32 teeth vs. 28 on many competing products, and that offers a great mechanical advantage for climbing. As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comments below. I also invite you to post pictures, recommend accessories, and connect with other owners in the Motiv electric bikes forum.

Pros:

Suspension fork, even though it’s not adjustable and doesn’t have lockout, it adds a lot of comfort given the more compact frame and smaller diameter 20″ wheelset
Larger than average 2.125” tires with added puncture resistance provide both comfort and stability
paint matched fenders in alloy won’t rust, wrap around supports won’t come loose or go out of place as easily
350 watt motor is on the upper end for folding bikes and this one is a Bafang 8fun, a brand I’m familiar with and trust
nice chain guide keeps the chain on track, which is especially nice given the smaller wheels which tend to bounce around more than larger ones that span cracks
Upgraded Shimano Acera vs. tourney rear derailleur, 11-32 tooth 8 speed cassette is an upgrade from the older Stash
Mid step frame, highly adjustable seat post and stem accommodates a wide range of rider sizes
I like that the frame, motor, spokes, wheelset and pedals are all black, this is a sleek looking bike and the wires blend in well on the matte black and blue frames, and even on the lighter colored frames the wires are well wrapped and routed and do not look busy or cluttered
You get five levels of pedal assist, walk mode, throttle only mode and throttle override at full power all the time, with motor inhibitors on both brake levers
Good weight distribution, the battery is hidden and protected inside the frame, it locks as well for security and there’s an on/off switch and USB charging port for charging portable electronics, the pack can be charged on or off the frame
sealed cadence sensor that’s responsive and stays clean vs. the older large magnet style
Bottom bracket support arm, another upgrade as the older models didn’t have one
180mm Tektro Aires mechanical disc brakes are much larger than other folding ebikes that seem to go with 160mm, this larger size provides a mechanical advantage for powerful stopping and requires less hand strength
Solid one year warranty, Motiv has been around for several years now and the founder, Cameron, is supportive for dealers and customers and I trust him
battery has an on/off switch built in, along with a USB Type A port for charging accessories (5v 500ma)
Both lights run off of the main battery pack vs. using disposable AA cells, this is convenient and more sustainable
Six color choices (Matte Black, Matte Blue, aqua, sea foam, white, turquoise)

Cons:

Stock saddle is a little firm, might want to swap for a comfort saddle or get a long suspension seat post
No magnet or bungee clasp to keep the bike folded, consider a regular bungee cord with plastic ends so it won’t scratch the frame
Kickstand is in the middle of the bike, which can cause pedal lock when backing up
Matte paint shows finger prints and smudges more than a satin or gloss finish, I talk about this in the video
The headlight might bounce up and down being mounted to the suspension arch vs. the headset or handlebar
The middle folding joint is a bit large and could be an area to watch out for, so you don’t bump your knee when pedaling
At 50 lbs. it’s not the lightest folding bike, but again, with the rack lights and fenders it’s definitely not the heaviest either

Resources:

Official Site: https://www.motivelectricbikes.com/
More Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/D4DNMTGwBo2gK4BK8

January 29, 2024 (11 months ago)

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Terry

6 years ago

Hi Court, this is unusual, no comments at all? Anyway, if you must choose between the Motiv Stash and e-Joe Epik SE, which would YOU choose? And why?

Court

Hi Terry! I think we’re just at the slower season for bikes and this is a fairly recent review. I’d probably go with the Stash because I like how it looks and have been in touch with Cameron more recently. I really like Willy (owner of e-Joe) but I saw your other comment about how they weren’t as responsive to your inquiries.

Thanks!

Brian

This bike is $1800 on their website. Maybe Sam sells it for $1500. Wish NYC would get their act together on Ebikes so more stores would sell them.

I thought NYC was allowing ebikes now? Might just be Class 1, seems like they’re making progress in the right direction :)

James

5 years ago

Hi Court,

Thanks for all the great reviews!
Its made my research and understanding of the EBike market that much better. Please thank Sam as well, I wish I lived in CA to be able to test ride at his shop.

I’ve narrowed my research down to two bikes – E-Joe Epik SE and the Motiv Stash. Both bikes are very close in spec with the exception of the motor – 350w vs 500w. I live in Seattle and will be using this bike on my daily commute. Seattle is very wet year round with slick concrete roads and I’ll be going up a very long hill with a pretty decent incline. I’ve been testing my commute using Uber’s Jump bikes which I believe are using a 250w front wheel motor. I’m able to climb the hill but it does take some serious effort.

I love the look of the Stash vs the Epik but my main concern without being able to test drive either of these bikes is if the Stash 350w motor will perform well enough for me to climb serious hills. I don’t mind pedaling to help but would like to be able to cruse up vs struggle as I have with the Jump bike.

Like I said, both bikes are very close in spec, there area few plus and minus to each but I would most likely go with the Stash if it can perform on hills. What would you recommend in this circumstance and I greatly appreciate the help.

Cheers,
James

Hi James! I like both of these ebikes and feel that the motor power could be similar for climbing when you consider the smaller wheel diameter compared to the JumpBikes. I believe that they are 26″ while most folders are 20″ which gives the hub motor a mechanical advantage. I do know that Cameron provides excellent support for his Motiv products, and I like the style a lot. I think you could be happy with either, but there is a difference in motor power going from 350 to 500 watt.

James E. Tillinghast

Thanks Court, super helpful! In the end I went with the new E-Joe EPIK Carbon. The style is closer to the Motiv Stash but has many of the benefits of the EPIK SE plus the 500w. Not as many accessories but I can dress up with fenders and rack if need be. Wish it had the magnetic wheel clasps on fold ;) but found on Amazon for $7. Hoping you will be able to review once it comes out. Cheers!

John

Hi James – how has the Epik Carbon been?