Name: Pedego Element Review
Item: Pedego Element
Author: Court Rye

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Pedego Element Review

Pedego Element 500 Watt Dapu Geared Hub Motor

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Pedego Element Color Matched Rigid Alloy Fork

Pedego Element 160mm Mechanical Disc Brakes 20x4 Fat Tires Color Matched Rims

Pedego Element 18 Amp Motor Controller In Seat Tube

Pedego Element 48 Tooth Chainring 170mm Crank Arms Plastic Wellgo Pedals

Pedego Element Velo Hybrid Saddle Extra Tall Spacer For Stem

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Pedego Element 7 Speed Microshift Drivetrain 12 28 Tooth

Pedego Element Bike Manual Shim Tools 3 Amp Charger

A compact fat tire electric bike designed around a sturdy but approachable mid-step frame. With its low stand-over height and potential for low minimum saddle height, this is one of the few ebikes that works well for petite riders and even kids! The highly adjustable top-speed settings for pedal assist and throttle add safety or extend range by reducing power consumption. Optional aluminum alloy fenders, rear rack, headlight, and bags add utility.
Six beautiful colors allow for personalization if friends, partners, or family members each buy an Element. The removable interchangeable battery pack is fantastic because it positions weight low and center on the frame, provides powerful 48 volt power flow, and offers USB charging! There is also a USB charging port built into the base of the LCD display panel (for maintaining smartphones and other portable electronic devices). Faster 3 Amp charger included.
The drawbacks of smaller 20" wheels include higher attack angle and twitchy steering, but both are addressed by the high volume 20" x 4" fat tires here. These tires provide stability and an air cushion that reduces vibration and smooths bumpy terrain. The 5PSI to 30PSI pressure range can actually accommodate sand, packed, snow, and other soft terrain if lowered to 5PSI! Powerful 500W to 864W geared hub motor offers 45Nm of torque, chain guide protects pants and reduces drops, decent 7-speed cassette for comfort at different speeds.
The tires do not have an extra puncture resistant lining to help reduce flats. There's no suspension fork, but the bike ships with a 30.4mm to 27.2mm shim for use with an aftermarket suspension seatpost. The mechanical disc brakes require more hand effort and are less adjustable than hydraulic. Somewhat limited 12 to 28 tooth cassette.

Make:

Pedego

Model:

Element

Price:

$1,495

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Sand and Snow

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

One Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States, Canada

Model Year:

20202021

Total Weight:

57.2 lbs (25.94 kg)

Battery Weight:

6.9 lbs (3.12 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.5 lbs (3.85 kg)

Frame Material:

6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17 in (43.18 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

17" Seat Tube, 20.5 Reach, 21" Stand Over Height, 34.5" Minimum Saddle Height (31.5" if You Cut the Seat Post), 39.5" Maximum Saddle Height, 27" Width, 64" Length, 40" Wheelbase

Frame Types:

Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Blue, Black, Red, Orange, Green, White

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Aluminum Alloy, 135mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

170mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Keyed Axle with 19mm Nuts, Lock Washer on Left and Right

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack, Fenders, Bottle Cage, Front Light

Gearing Details:

7 Speed 1x7 microSHIFT 26 RD-M26S-7 Derailleur, Shimano HG20-7 12-28 Tooth Cassette

Shifter Details:

microSHIFT TS71-7R Triggers on Right (One-Way High Lever, Four-Shift Low Lever) (Optional NuVinci Grip Twist on Right Bar)

Cranks:

Forged Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length Crank Arms, Square Tapered Spindle, 48 Tooth Steel Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guide

Pedals:

Wellgo B239DU Plastic Platform with Reflectors

Headset:

Semi-Integrated, Zero-Stack, Threadless, Straight 1-1/8" (44mm Outer Diameter)

Stem:

Promax Aluminum Alloy, 6° Angle, 90mm Length, One 190mm Spacers, One 10mm Tapered Bottom Spacer, 31.8mm Handlebar Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Promax, Swept Back, Aluminum Alloy, 30mm Rise, 640mm Length

Brake Details:

Star Union Mechanical Disc with 160mm Rotors, Shimano Single Pull Mechanical Calipers, Star Union Four-Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors and Rubberized Edge

Grips:

Star Union, Flat Rubber, Inner Lock Ring (4mm Hex Wrench)

Saddle:

Velo ZL-3126F Hybrid (Optional Upgrade Program)

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Independent Steel Seat Clamp (Two Nuts)

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.4 mm

Rims:

Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 82mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Paint Matched

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 12 Gauge, Silver with Adjustable Brass Nipples

Tire Brand:

Kenda (Custom Made), 20" x 4" (98-406)

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

5 to 30 PSI, 0.4 to 2.1 BAR

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Rear-Mounted Single Side Adjustable Length Kickstand, Flick Bell on Left Side of Handlebar, Optional Upgrade Package Including Matt Black Aluminum Alloy Fenders ($55), Rear Rack ($40, Compatible with Pedego Bags, 25kg / 55lb Max Weight), Integrated Headlight ($40, 40 LUX), Optional Pedego Bags

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube Semi-Integrated Battery Pack, 18 Amp Sine-Wave Controller, Pedego Branded 1.9lb 54.6 Volt 3 Amp Battery Charger, 250lb Max Weight Rating, KMZ Z-Chain Narrow

Motor Brand:

Pedego Branded Dapu, 48V Brushless Geared

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

864 watts

Motor Torque:

45 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Manufactured by SDI, Model PG111304AA, A Rated 18650 Cells, Samsung 2.6mAh Cells, 4P13S (Optional Panasonic)

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

10.4 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

499.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

3.3 hours (Up to 6 With Larger Pack)

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

45 miles (72 km)

Display Type:

BigStone C300U, Fixed, Adjustable Angle, 2.5" Grayscale Backlit LCD, Buttons: +, M, -, Change Readouts: Press M, Backlight: Hold +, Settings: Hold + and -, USB Type A Charging Port Below Display (5 Volt 600 Milliamp)

Readouts:

Motor Power Output Indicator, Battery Charge Level (5 Bars), Current Speed (MPH or KMH), Assist Level (0-6), Odometer, Trip Distance, Trip Time, Max Speed

Display Accessories:

USB Type A Charging Port on Battery (5 Volt, 600 Milliamp)

Drive Mode:

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

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

Number of Gears

030

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To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I regularly charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by Pedego, who sent me the bike to keep. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Pedego products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Pedego forums.

Observations:

Pedego was one of the first electric bike manufacturers in the USA. They started out by converting Electra Townie bicycles into ebikes by using kits. Once they began designing their own products, setting up storefronts, and expanding from California to other states, they gained market share and were recognized as an innovative leader. I’ve reviewed Pedego electric bicycles dating all the way back to 2012 and their City Commuter was the second electric bicycle that I ever purchased for myself.
Pedego products tend to have this vintage or classic cruiser style. They focus on happy colors, comfortable geometry, and a great customer experience through their shops… but they are also known for having higher prices. The Element is their most affordable model to date, but it still benefits from multiple color schemes, a great comprehensive year long warranty, and availability through shops (so you don’t have to unbox and configure the bike all on your own). Even though this is a less expensive product, I found the quality of parts and overall design to be above average.
Most Pedego models offer pedal assist and throttle mode. This allows people with sensitive knees to get started easier, or take a break during a long ride… letting the motor transport them. Their controller is setup to start the bike in zero (no pedal assist or throttle), but you can click – once to get to level six (throttle only), and if you press + to navigate from assist level 1-5 you can easily override and add power by using the variable speed twist throttle. It’s one of my favorite user interfaces because it gives you so much choice.

Pros:

The bike looks fantastic. Pedego did an excellent job selecting the bright fun colors and then applied them with a satin semi-gloss and metallic tone. The frame, fork, and rims all match perfectly and really differentiate this model from most of the other “affordable” products in this price range.
I’ve really emphasized the approachability of this product in my video review and some of the notes here, but the bike felt just fine for me at 5’9″ and I think it could easily handle six foot riders as well. The frame feels very solid because of the double tube design, it’s a mid-step vs. a wave style step-thru frame with only one tube. They nailed the compact design and I think that both kids, petite adults, and full sized adults will feel comfortable on it.
The touch points are pretty good. The saddle, wide platform pedals, and flat grips all work well together. Despite not having suspension or ergonomic grips, the bike is comfortable because of the high volume 4″ wide tires.
One of the big advantages to buying a Pedego is that they have so many dealers! You can go it, test ride a bike, and get their help fitting it just right. There’s no waiting for a box, unpacking it, figuring out what to do with the cardboard and zip ties etc. you just buy it and go. The shops are also very helpful when it comes to maintenance, display software updates, battery replacements, and many of them offer tours as well. This all costs money, so I see the $1.5k price point of the bike as extremely good.
Perhaps most owners will use the Pedego Element as a fun neighborhood bike, but it’s truly off-road capable. The knobby tires provide great traction and the wide 5PSI to 30PSI tire pressure range gives you options for riding in dry sand without sinking in or being super efficient to maximize range on paved surfaces.
The electronic systems are outstanding for this price point. Everything from threaded connectors with little washers to internally routed cables, a fully enclosed 18 amp sine wave motor controller, premium Samsung battery cells, two USB charging ports (one on the battery and one on the display panel), to the 45 newton meter rated Dapu geared hub motor.
The motor they chose looks great with the black casing and Pedego branding. It’s smooth, relatively quiet, and rated from 500 watts nominal all the way up to 864 watts peak. What’s really great about this setup is that the motor is spoked into a smaller 20″ wheel, so it gets a mechanical advantage for starting and climbing compared to a larger 26″+ wheel. This is great for off-road use, carrying heavy loads, or climbing hills.
This is a little thing, but worth mentioning. Pedego got almost all of the hardware in black (wheel hubs, crank arms, chainring guide, seat post, stem, handlebar etc.) which looks great. The spokes are silver, which also looks good and could provide more reflection and visibility for safety, but everything else is black.
Some companies have chosen a single-speed drivetrain for their value priced models, but Pedego went with a pretty decent seven speed! The trigger shifters work pretty well and the 12 to 28 tooth cassette provides a decent range for neighborhood and light off-road use. I really love the aluminum alloy chainring guard because it protects pants, dress ends, and reduces chain drops and chainring strikes if you go over tall logs… it acts as a bash guard for the bottom bracket.
Pedego specced a high-resolution 12 magnet sealed cadence sensor on this bike, and it works very well. Note that both brake levers have motor inhibitors to override assist and throttle, and the bike starts in assist level zero for safety. You can adjust the top speed by entering display settings holding + and – simultaneously. Then navigate through the following items: Set 1 reset trip distance, Set 2 adjust throttle speed (can go down to 7.4mph), Set 3 adjust tire size (20″ is default), Set 3 choose units mph or kmh, Set 5 pedal assist top speed (on is US rated 20mph off is European 25km/h rated), Set 6 throttle top speed (on is US rated 20mph off is European 6km/h rated), L software version, C controller software version (good for diagnostics checking).
Most electric bikes just have 1-5 pedal assist, but Pedego added 6 which is a throttle only mode. If you go to zero, neither pedal assist or throttle will be active.
The display panel is pretty simple by default, but has lots of settings options, as described above. It’s easy to see and reach, located near the left grip, and there aren’t too many buttons to distract you. I love that the twist throttle is connected to the right grip, it’s not two separate pieces of hardware… it feels solid and reliable. I love that they chose threaded, color-matched, water resistant connectors for all of the electronics.
I really appreciate how Pedego included bottle cage bosses, a flick bell, upgraded extra wide platform pedals, and provisions for adding fenders and a rear rack (even if the later two cost extra). They added a wire for an optional 40 LUX headlight as well, and there’s a mounting spot where the fender fits on at the front. I hear that they also sell a battery powered rear light, along with bags that are compatible with the rear rack.
It’s a little thing, but the kickstand they chose is great. It offers adjustable length and is positioned far to the rear, so it won’t cause pedal lock with the left crank arm if you back the bike up.
Great battery charger, though it’s a bit larger and heavier than some at 1.9lbs, it offers 3 amp charging speeds vs. 2 amp so you can fill the battery in just 3.5 hours. I also like that the battery has a handle for easier release and transport and is mounted partially in the frame for improved aesthetic and lower weight distribution.

Cons:

Despite its compact size and lack of fenders, rack, and lights by default… the bike still weighs a lot. This is a fat tire ebike after all, and the battery cells aren’t as high-capacity as the more expensive options. At 57.2lbs, the Element could be difficult for some people to lift onto car racks, carry up stairs, or change flat tires. Consider removing the 6.9lb battery pack to reduce weight.
This is a minor complaint, but the controller box that is built into the base of the seat tube blocks the seat post when you try to lower it all the way. As a result, if you want to achieve the very lowest saddle height, you may have to cut the seat post. Shops should be able to help you with this and replacement 30.4mm seatposts should be very affordable if you resell the bike to a taller rider someday.
The brakes used on this bike are just okay; you get 160mm mechanical disc brakes. The levers have rubberized edges for improved comfort and warmth, but they don’t offer adjustable reach or smoother easier actuation like hydraulic disc brakes would. The rear brake (right lever) will require more hand effort, since the cable stretches further. The rear brake cable housing is angled up so dust and water may accumulate and gunk up the line more quickly over time than if it was angled down.
Safety is always a big consideration for me, so I wish the tires had reflective stripes and the bike came stock with integrated lights. At least the colors they chose are all metallic (the paint looks beautiful in person). You could opt for the white frame to increase the overall visual footprint, which is advisable if you ride at night, especially considering the lower positioning of the frame due to the smaller wheels.
The tires come from Kenda, a reputable manufacturer, but they don’t offer puncture resistant lining. This means that if you ride off-road frequently or with lower tire pressures, there’s an increased likelihood of getting a flat. At least the front wheel has a quick release system for easier flat fixes. The rear has two 19mm nuts and easy disconnect for the motor cable… plus the shops should be able to help for a fee.
This is a very minor gripe, but they did not include a chainstay protector sticker or neoprene wrap. The short chainstay and taller 48-tooth chainring may reduce chain slap, but it would be a bummer to have the nice paint get nicked up over time if you’re riding off-road a lot. Consider using a piece of clear box tape on top of the right chainstay as a cheap and easy preventative measure.
Another minor consideration, the display panel lists walk mode if you hold the – button for a few seconds, but it doesn’t actually seem to work. I reached out to Pedego to ask about this and they showed me how to set the twist throttle at low speed to simulate walk mode and said that perhaps in the future they could enable it. Again, not a huge deal since the bike has a throttle, it just threw me off since the “6km” icon does appear when holding -, which is what shows on other models that do have walk mode functining.
The official max weight rating is only 250lbs, despite the thicker 12 gauge spokes and overall solid build. I think Pedego is just being cautious here, but if you weigh more than 250lbs or really load the optional rack up with cargo, you may get loose and broken spokes… so keep an eye out. Many comparable products say 300lbs or even 350lbs.
Pedego used to offer an industry leading two-year warranty and bikes came with touch-up paint. Perhaps they had to drop to one year and remove the paint to lower prices (especially with the Element). Consider using nail polish if you do get a scratch or nick, and note that the all-aluminum frame, fork, and fenders will not get rusty like steel would.

Useful Resources:

Official PEDEGO Element Webpage

October 28, 2020 (11 months ago)

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George

11 months ago

Yet again, a terrific review Court. I appreciate both the detail in the video review and the work in gathering all specification detail in the written review. EBR is the only place we see that kind of detail.

The short overall length of the Element would likely allow full containment in my Honda Fit without removing the bike’s front wheel. I appreciate the discussion on the cabling at about 13:30 in the video. One aspect of the design I find a bit troubling is the stream of wiring out of the bottom bracket, which could be vulnerable, and, if damaged, could be expensive and time consuming to repair. You mention the chainring should provide some protection. Exposed wiring in the same location is also a characteristic of the Rad Power Bikes RadMission.

I contacted Pedego corporate for specifics on the speeds for each PAS level, and this is what was provided. The max speed for each level of pedal-assist is listed below:

PAS 1: 8 MPH
PAS 2: 11 MPH
PAS 3: 14 MPH
PAS 4: 17 MPH
Pas 5: 20 MPH
PAS 6: Throttle only

You can’t ask for a much more lovely urban environment than Vancouver, BC to be stuck in during this pandemic! Be safe and best wishes.

Court

Hi George! It’s nice to hear that my work and attention to detail is appreciated. Thanks for adding to the discussion with your insights about fit in a Honda Element (great car btw), and the pedal assist top speed levels. That’s wonderful! Yes, I’m staying healthy and trying to keep that good attitude and do good work. Thanks again :)

Steph

Nice review. I think that might be a good size for us short folks! I tried another bike and had to sell it as it was just too big… downside of online purchases that you can’t try before buying. Even with the “test” period, some want 20% of the price back as the restock fee and you have to find a place to take it to ship.

I do wish you would bring a short person along when you are doing smaller bike reviews. Someone who is 4’10 or so as that would really point out the actual rider height. I hope that my localish Pedego shop gets one or two of these in so I can try for myself…

Hi Steph! I hear ya, and I’ll strive for more co-op reviews in the future. The extra safety and sensitivity around health lately has limited some of the filming, but I can say for sure that this is one of the best ebikes I’ve ever reviewed for petite riders. I hope you get to try it, and perhaps you can even chime in here with your feedback about how it works!

John

3 months ago

How does a pedego element handle in winter conditions?

Great question John! I haven’t tested it in snow, but I have ridden other ebikes with fat tires like this, and they tend to do alright! Especially if you lower the air pressure. Some people even add spikes to the tire (they screw in special metal studs). Extreme cold tends to limit battery capacity, so your range can be cut in half… and some brake fluids can slow down, but this model uses mechanical brakes, so I think it would hold up pretty well :)

Reg

Hi Court, very nice review like all your other ones… Thanks! Here in Canada, the Element is $2,450 which feels like lots of cash for somewhat cheapo components that I’ve never heard of before… Who the heck is Microshift? Who the heck is Star Union? I don’t understand how this Element ebike is so popular. I think Pedego should use nicer components.

Hi Reg! I agree that some of the components listed here are on the cheaper end of the spectrum. As a reviewer, I have heard of Microshift and Star Union, but only in the past few years. I think that Pedego started speccing them due to parts shortages from traditional suppliers like Shimano. The increased taxes on Chinese manufactured goods, and global supply chain issues from the pandemic and Suez Canal blockage have made it difficult for some companies… so I think they try to find a similar part and substitute it sometimes. The price of the bike didn’t drop, but the M2 money supply has increased greatly since 2019, so there is probably inflationary pressure informing the prices of many goods (certainly tuition, housing, and healthcare). Hope this perspective helps :/

Hi Court, thanks for explaining why Pedego went that way with the components. I was thinking of buying the Element, but only if I can make sure if I can change the rear derailleur and brakes. I have another ebike with Shimano Acera 7 speed rear derailleur and Avid BB7 front and rear brakes. All work great! Do you think I can install these nicer components on an Element? Thanks for your help Court! Greatly appreciated!

1 month ago

Hi Court, I finally bought an Element… and to tell you the truth, I’m very, very disappointed. PAS 1 and 2 do nothing, nada. It’s like pedaling a regular non electric bike. I have to always start in PAS 3, to get a bit of power from the motor. Also, the PAS are very jerky, not smooth at all. I’m not very happy with the Element.

I have another ebike, (Canadian version of Qualisports Beluga), and the PAS is very smooth, not jerky like the Element. And last, but not least, the Motor cable is right beside, touching the back rotor. Each time I use the rear brake, the Motor cable gets very hot because the rotor is touching the Motor cable… What was Pedego thinking placing the motor cable touching the rotor… Major screw up Pedego. I’m going to sell my Element.

Hi Reg, thanks for the great feedback and insights about the motor cable heating up. I wish I had the review unit in front of me again to see what you mean and figure out a way to zip tie it in a different position or something to try to address this? Sounds like the power at lower levels of assist isn’t performing the way you’d like either… That’s too bad. Selling sounds like a good choice, and I’m glad you’ve got another ebike that’s working well! I liked the Qualisports products a lot when I covered them a while back. Thanks for the testimonial about them ;)