Pedego Step-Thru Comfort Cruiser Review

The Step-Thru Comfort Cruiser II is a second generation build of one of Pedego’s base model electric bikes introduced for 2015. It’s very affordable at just over $2k (with the smallest battery and no fenders) but you still get a lot of quality parts and an excellent warranty. The Classic Comfort Cruiser was designed with comfort in mind, the seat tube is angled back and this lets your feet come forward when riding which feels more like a recliner chair than an active aggressive road bike. Further supporting this ergonomic position is a gigantic cruiser style handle bar that sweeps back towards you and this helps to reduce back and neck pain because you don’t have to reach and lean forward. It also keeps your head up and alert for spotting traffic or other cyclists and pedestrians. The saddle on the Step-Thru Cruiser is large and comfortable but a bit wide at the nose meaning you could experience inner thigh chaffing if you pedal rigorously and for extended periods. In my opinion, this bike is best suited to leisurely neighborhood cruising because the frame isn’t especially stiff or light weight and the gear options are limited at seven. That’s not a bad thing, it keeps things simple and durable and that also applies to the drive system which offers twist throttle only.

Driving the Step-Thru Comfort Cruiser is a 500 watt geared hub motor built into the rear wheel. This thing is truly capable (especially if you upgrade to one of the larger 48 volt battery options). It’s painted black to blend in and hides fairly well behind the seven speed Shimano cassette on the right side and 180 mm Avid disc brake rotor on the left. The brakes are a real highlight on this ebike because the levers are upgraded (there’s even a bell built into the left lever) and disc brakes offer a lot of stopping power, even in wet conditions. That’s important when you’ve got a larger motor like this and a heavier frame. The optional fenders are definitely worth the $100 if you live somewhere with a rainy season and I love that they are color matched and securely mounted to the frame. To conclude on the motor, it is a bit noisier (being geared) but it’s zippy and made with high quality parts from Dapu (one of my preferred motor makers). It even has a quick disconnect built into the power line near the right chainstay which is handy if you have to do wheel or tire maintenance. There are no quick release systems on the wheels themselves (so you’ll need tools or the help of a shop) but the tires are pre-Slimed for self sealing and the optional Schwalbe Balloon tires are kevlar lined for further toughness.

Powering the Pedego Step-Thru is a high quality Lithium-ion battery pack that uses energy dense Samsung cells. It comes in four options including a 36 volt 10ah or 15ah size and a 48 volt 10 or 15ah size. I recommend stepping up to 48 volts if you weigh over 180 lbs because this will help the motor be more efficient. For lighter riders, the 48 volt system will just feel zippier and climb better but also add weight. Speaking of weight… the battery mounts high and at the rear of the bike (where the hub motor also resides). This means the bike itself is very rear heavy and the frame has to deal with a bit of “crack the whip” if you really turn hard. The rack itself is overbuilt and again, matches the frame nicely. It protects the battery well, features an integrated spring rack and works with some bags and panniers but not all. The extra-thick tubing might require a velcro or strap style bag like the one Pedego sells. As far as rear-rack batteries go, this one is very nice and I like the integrated LED backlight because it adds a bit of safety. There is also a built in fuse that’s replaceable and an on/off toggle switch. This switch is a mixed blessing because it requires an extra step and might confuse some riders as to whether the bike is on if they just try using the front on/of button. It can help to extend the life of the pack by reducing phantom drain if you’re storing the pack… just remember to turn it back on before riding ;) Pedego also added an LED charge level indicator right onto the top rear end of the pack which helps you determine charge state when it’s not on the bike.

Operating the Pedego Step-Thru Comfort Cruiser is about as easy as it gets for an electric bike. Once the battery has been charged, connected to the rear rack mount and clicked to “on” you’re ready to go. There’s a second on/off button built into the twist throttle console area and this activates the bike. When the pack is full you see three colored LEDs light up next to the twist throttle (Green, Yellow and Red) and you’re ready to go. Twist the throttle a little bit to go slowly… twist it a bit more to increase your speed and power. It’s that simple. If for any reason you let go of the throttle, the motor instantly shuts off and you begin to coast. Having used similar spring-loaded plastic twist throttles, I recommend easing off gently vs. letting the throttle snap back to origin when you’re ready to slow down or stop. It’s a fairly durable part but over time this “snap” action can damage the connections inside. I had to replace a twist throttle on one of my ebikes and wasn’t expensive but it did take time and I hadn’t realized the damage I was doing. The rest of the handlebar/cockpit area on the Comfort Cruiser is clean and well organized. The brake levers are easy to pull, the large thumb shifter works well even with gloves on and the integrated bell is sturdy and nice sounding.

I really enjoyed testing the 2015 version of this classic cruiser e-bike design from Pedego. Just a few years ago the same cruiser models model were using heavy gearless motor that didn’t feel as peppy and relying on battery packs that were ugly and not protected or surrounded by a functional rack. Pedego has also experimented with different kickstands and of course, added the rear light system. There are more and more “entry level” electric bikes that resemble this cruiser setup but this is definitely near the top in terms of quality (especially at this price). If you’re someone who wants a time-tested bike with a solid warranty and a truly refined set of features then this could be a great fit. It’s perfect for “fun” riding, just cruising around the neighborhood or downtown. I know a couple that has two of these (a his and hers combo) and they take daily rides out on the bike path. It isn’t a huge source of exercise but it’s a great way to get some fresh air and stretch and you can always pedal more without having to worry about exhausting yourself before getting back home, just twist the throttle!

Pros:

• Multiple fun color options to choose from, they do the frame, rack and chain guard so it looks beautiful and very “complete”
• The battery locks to the frame for security and the key does not have to be left in while riding which is great (fewer snags, less easy to forget to remove the key when parking)
• Base level Pedego, the most affordable model they offer but it still uses the same quality frame, high-end battery cells from Samsung and disc brakes as the more expensive Interceptor models
• Upright body position reduces back and neck strain, the oversized “cruiser” handlebar helps to absorb shock from bumps in the road along with the “comfort” oversized saddle, the seat tube is angled back so your feet go forward more like sitting on a chair
• Trusted brand with a long track record of sales and rentals in the US, now available in Europe and Asia Pacific, warranty covers one year comprehensive and up to three partial
• Optional matching fenders cost $100 and are made with durable aluminum alloy, optional Schwalbe balloon tires come in multiple colors and offer kevlar puncture protection
• Extremely easy to use with an oversized seven speed shifter and basic variable speed twist throttle, this means fewer parts to break or get overwhelmed with for less experienced cyclists
• The battery pack is removable for convenient charging off of the bike, this also reduces weight when transporting the frame, I like how the rack surrounds and protects the pack when it’s on the bike
• LED charge level indicator readout built right into the battery, there is also a red LED backlight for safer riding at dusk or dawn
• Integrated cables and electrical wires stay out of the way (routed right through the frame) which improves the look of the bike and reduces snags

Cons:

• The matching chain guard is great for keeping your pants or dress clean but it can easily get bent (especially on the step-thru models) so be careful when mounting and pedaling
• The tubing on the rear rack is strong and painted to match the frame but it’s larger than “standard” which means it might not work with all clip-on panniers or bags, Pedego sells their own velcro-attaching saddle bag
• Hard rubber grips pass more vibration through to your hands compared with the upgraded leather stitched padded option on the Interceptor models
• The saddle is large and fairly comfortable but not as nice looking as the one on the Interceptor, there is also no seat post suspension so you feel more bumps when riding
• No pedal assist options here, just twist throttle, the display is also very basic (three colored LED lights) so you can’t tell how fast you’re going or how far you’ve traveled
• The frame (especially the step-thru style) can feel flexy at times due to the high rear rack and battery, this is more of a relaxed bike design and is also fairly heavy which could be an issue if you run out of juice or have to move it frequently (onto racks, into your car or truck etc.)
• The battery pack has to be switched on independently from the drive system (using the twist throttle console up front) this means you could forget to turn the pack off or get confused when the bike won’t switch on only using the front console

Resources:

• Official Site: https://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/shop/step-thru-comfort-cruiser/
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/8GzKMGCY6ZwHr6d29