Total Weight:
37 lbs (16.78 kg)
Frame Material:
Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
19.29 in (48.99 cm)20.47 in (51.99 cm)21.65 in (54.99 cm)22.83 in (57.98 cm)Geometry Measurements:
30.5" Standover Height
Frame Types:
High-Step
Frame Colors:
Matte Black, Silver Polish, Satin Orange, Gloss Blue
Frame Fork Details:
Rigid Aluminum Alloy
Frame Rear Details:
12 mm Axle with Bolts
Attachment Points:
Bottle Cage Bosses
Gearing Details:
1
Single Speed, 14TCranks:
YD 110 Alloy, 46T
Pedals:
HI Alloy Platform with Rubber Tread
Headset:
4.5 cm Riser Stack, 1-1/8"
Stem:
4" Length, 2° Rise
Handlebar:
Low-Rise Alloy, 23" Length
Brake Details:
Promax Linear Pull, Tektro Ebike Brake Levers with Rubber Edge and Motor Inhibitors
Grips:
Flat Rubber, Black
Saddle:
Velo Active
Seat Post:
Aluminum Alloy, Black
Seat Post Length:
300 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
27.2 mm
Rims:
Alloy Double Wall, Mid Dish, 36 Hole
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 14G, Black
Tire Brand:
CST Super HP, 700 x 28c
Wheel Sizes:
28 in (71.12cm)Tube Details:
Presta Valve
Accessories:
Full Size USB Charger on Battery Pack and Display, Walk Mode (Hold + Button), Hold Set to Adjust Power Mode, Press Power Button for Backlight, Park Branded Kickstand
Other:
Locking Removable Battery Pack, Plated Stainless Steel Horizontal Dropout with Torque Washers
bikerjohn
8 years agoNice review, Court! That Populo has a clean look. Hoping to see a review of the Populo Peak, soon.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoThanks! Yeah, I’m excited to check out some of their other models in the future and learn more about the company :)
ReplySusan
8 years agoThis bike checks off everything on my list except for the stupid non-removable display. I have had countless parts stolen off my bikes when forced to lock up outside. Even if the thief couldn’t remove the display, there’s a good chance they would just smash it out of frustration- so then that leaves you with a non-operational motor. Wonder if Populo would replace it.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey Susan! Unfortunately part of my girlfriend’s bike rack was just stolen the other day… for no reason! Now she can only put one bike on it and I’m guessing that somewhere out there, possibly in a bush, is the extra bar. Sometimes people are lame… Anyway, I do think that Populo would be likely to have replacement parts for sale. They seem like a bigger company with their act together but you might want to reach out and ask first (and check the price). I’m guessing the displays will be $100 a pop. The other approach would be to actually unscrew the display and re-mount it with velcro then unplug at the end of each ride when parking. Hope this helps… None of the more affordable electric bicycles seem to have removable displays.
ReplySusan
8 years agoHey Court, After several months of debating and a current order in to Electron wheel that I’m planning on cancelling, I think I’m going to get this bike. I agree with your DIY modification recommendation. It looks like they sell extra batteries and I’m thinking this one is designed in a way that you can upgrade and modify it on your own even if Populo decides to discontinue the model. My only problem is figuring out what to do with my 8 month old Fuji Feather.
Diego Carrington
8 years agoHi Court! I just left a message on the voltbike elegant and I thank you very much for your response and even going further getting a code for a better price, you are really awesome.
Your website is so detailed and extensive that when you think you found a great option, you come across to a different great review.
That made me come across this model, populo sport. As I mentioned before, my budget aims for a cheap and reliable option and from what I can read this one hits good points. It looks discrete enough to not get unwanted attention (hopefully saving it from robery) and I think that the accessories missing (fenders, rack and light) can be covered with around 100 bucks using the options you provided. Also… 2 year warranty!
I promise I won’t be jumping on any more reviews asking if they are “my new best option” but knowing that the voltbike elegant might be small for me (6’2, 200 lb), what do you think comparing this Populo Sport with the radcity and its $1450 price? (which the sweet 50$ off).
I’m just a little concerned about the 250w not being powerful enough for me and from my Ebike lack of experience I don’t know if the lack of throttle is a must when buying one.
I really thank you for your time and attention!
ReplyDiego
Court Rye
8 years agoHi Diego! The bikes each offer something unique and I find myself justifying each… whether based on price or the specific use case scenario. I find that shops and companies promote their own as “the best” and people often use power as a deciding factor but you’ve kept a really open mind and that shows a lot of wisdom. Professional long distance cyclists put out around 200 watts from what I’ve read so if you get an ebike that can offer up to 250… and usually beyond that with peak output, you’re going to have a good experience. In parts of Europe they limit ebikes to 250 watts and people like them just the same. That said, since you have option and are a taller and heavier rider who wants something that will last and work with accessories I’d still push you towards the RadCity. The rack is sturdy, the fenders fit and won’t rattle as much, the tires will provide some cushion (along with the suspension). The Populo and other bikes like E-Glide are awesome for being minimalist but that’s not what I hear you describing as the use case. I have been in the position of trying to save money and then disappointed later when the bike didn’t perform (and I hear that a lot about ebikes, buyer’s remorse for not going higher quality). If you’re in this for a tool, get the right tool. The Rad Power bikes are still very affordable value oriented products, saving $400 or even just $300 after you get fenders, rack, lights etc. might leave you feeling like the extra power and strength and size would have been worth it. But again… any of these bikes can be GREAT if you work with them and look on the bright side of the base technology :)
ReplyJW ZHANG
8 years agoHey Susan, You are right, you are not the only one mentioned about the removable LCD screen since we released the product two months ago. We started design process a week ago for removable version for future production, for the time being we will send free replacement to customers who got their screen stolen or smashed whatever reason until we have upgrade.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoWow, that’s a neat offer. Thanks for sharing the news JW! I’m excited to see your improvements on future reviews.
ReplyBenjie
8 years agoHi, I just want to thank you Court for the awesome reviews you do. I purchased the Populo sport Dec. Of 2016, i’m getting to know the ebike and still learning how I can apply it with my cycling hobby. I normally ride average of 15-25 miles for recreational and exercise proposes. Just wanna share a small feedback about the range from this ebike. Ridden it from Fullerton to Huntington beach and back on single charge. Approximately 50miles, on eco mode, averaged 18mph. From a bellow average cyclist, which I use to do with my single-speed none ebike 5 years ago. I’m just happy I’m able do this again.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoThat’s awesome Benjie! Sounds like you’re really enjoying the Populo Sport… I love hearing real-world stats on distance per charge so thanks for sharing that. Would you mind sharing your height and weight so others can approximate their own performance?
ReplyRai
8 years agoDo you ship to Niagara region, Canada? How much for shipping cost?
ReplySusan
8 years agoI noticed your stats on the battery are different than what is listed on Populo’s site. They state it is a Panasonic, not a Samsung, although both produce great batteries, and their site states 8.7ah instead of the 10.4ah. I don’t know if that makes an overall difference in the performance however I am curious why they would change battery companies only after a few short months. Do you have any info on that? I just purchased the bike today and will definitely report back on performance!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Susan, thanks for the update… I’m actually visiting a shop right now and pulled a battery off one of the Populo Sport models. It says 36 volt 8.7 amp hours so yeah, I guess they changed it or I was given inaccurate information for the review. Thanks for pointing this out. Maybe the different battery size meant that they needed to change brands? Either way, I agree with you that both offer solid products that should last well. I’m excited to hear your updates after some ride time :D
ReplyNoel
8 years agoHey, I’m pretty confused and I don’t know if this is the bike that would meet my needs or not. I’m a student and I don’t have a lot OF money. Thing is I need to go about 20 miles to get to university and go all the way back home every day. I was wondering if this bike has that much range (40-50 miles) on power mode and if not, then what would be a good option for me ?? Thank you !!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Noel! I like the Populo Sport but am not sure it would go as far as you’re talking about… The cool thing about the bike is that it’s relatively light and efficient so even if you run out of juice it’s still going to be easier to pedal than some others out there. Given the kind of daily use you’re talking about however, I’d consider a Bosch powered electric bike because they are super efficient, reliable and the batteries are higher capacity than Populo but still very compact and light (so you can bring them into class for protection or easy charging). There are more Bosch ebikes available now from a wide range of companies. I haven’t finished my review yet but the BULLS Cross E is going to be $2,499 and comes out later this year in a step-thru design. I realize that sounds like a lot more money but the bike will definitely go further and last longer based on my experience. Maybe look around for deals on last-season Bosch powered ebikes by using the sale section in the EBR forums here.
ReplySusan
8 years agoOk, so I finally got around to un-boxing yesterday and it took me only an hour to assemble with my limited knowledge and confidence of assembling bikes-gotta make sure all the bolts are on tight and that you’ve put bike grease on the right parts as well as oiling the chain which they forgot to add in their video.
I rode it for the first time on my way to work straight through Boston and into Cambridge and from the first moment I began pedaling I could not stop laughing at what an incredible feeling it is!!! “Pedal-assist” should really be called “throttle pedal” because I only had to do a quarter of a rotation before the motor kicked in and zipped me off.
It is heavier than my steel single speed Fuji Feather but I was able to carry it down five flights out of my apartment building. Some minor adjustments I’ll make will be adding ESI bar grips for a more comfortable ride and possibly a shorter stem because even at 5’8″, the reach is a bit aggressive for my back.
I tried both normal and high mode but I didn’t really notice a difference as I think I was able to achieve 33kmh (20pmh) in both modes. I saw some youtubers get it up to 28mph so I’ll have to experiment.
As someone who has commuted to work nearly every day in Boston for the last 10 years on single speed bikes, this was a perfect transition into the electric bike world. I like the fact that I can just order another battery rather than say sending a Copenhagen or Electron wheel back to the factory when the battery dies. I love the simple design without permanent clunky racks or other items in order to keep the lightness of the bike. I also think because of its minimal design, it will be much easier for myself or a local bike shop to maintenance. I’m counting on Populo to stay committed to this model by offering upgrades and other accessories that will keep the bike running for years to come.
I’m in love with this bike after only one ride and can’t wait to fly around town this summer!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey Susan! I enjoyed reading your testimonial and tips about assembling and enjoying the Populo in Boston. You must be in great shape going up and down all of those stairs :P
Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm, I also hope Populo honors this bike by keeping parts available and offering good support. Feel free to chime in again anytime with updates and ride safe out there!
ReplySchorschico
7 years agoSUSAN,
just so you know, Ferris Wheels in JP has started carrying this bike in their store, so you have now a place to go and fix any issues.
I was pretty sad since I contacted them 6 months ago when I was looking for my first and they told me they didn’t carry any ebikes because they were too expensive and there was no market. So I went with the Eglide-ss (super-happy, but it’s great to have some local physical support). Glad that they have changed their minds. It looks like an awesome ride. They told me they plan to increase their list of ebikes to include multiple gears in the future.
ReplyTim
8 years agoWhen I saw upgrade referring to the Samsung battery, I had to laugh. Don’t let the 8.7 vs 10.4 amp-hours fool you. Panasonic cells are far superior and degrade VERY SLOWLY over time. Samsungs not so good after a short while. I work with laptops and have even made ebike batteries from their cells. I always prefer Panasonic and Samsung is not close. FYI Sanyo not that great either.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoInteresting, thanks for sharing your experience with both brands Tim. I’ve heard that the cell density or quality level can matter as well and that the battery management systems make a difference… and having a fuse. It’s a bit misleading to just go by brand but I try to use it as an indicator for quality here and there. Where do you get your battery cells, pack designs, motor kits etc.? Sounds like you’re really into this :)
ReplyJimBo
8 years agoI just picked up a barely used (100 miles), large frame Populo Sport (in matte black). It’s aesthetically sleek, its power delivery is smooth, and the LCD’s volt readings are a nice touch. The battery, however, rattles loudly in its mounts going over bumpier pavement.. I wish your review ride (and my *test* ride) wasn’t so brief. and only on smooth pavement. I might have offered a little less for it! Still, I got a great deal on what Court calls a “beater” in the review.
After getting it home and giving it the once-over, I put ten miles on it riding to and from the Post Office with the tires pumped to 100 psi. Sure enough, I hit a small pothole and got a flat, so I promptly ordered new 700x35c tires and self-sealing tubes from Nashbar. Meanwhile, I’m kind of worried about the battery – I’ve experienced 8-9 brands of ebikes from bike industry behemoths as well as crowdfunded startups, and this is the chintziest battery setup I’ve seen thus far.
The bottom battery mount was loose, but tightening it as much as I could did nothing to reduce the pronounced noise when riding over rougher stuff. When I removed the battery and shook it a little I could feel the cells moving around inside, almost liquid-like… should I be nervous? This shaking didn’t produce nearly as much noise as it makes on the bike, so clearly it’s just the mounting system. The Populo battery sure *looks* like a Bosch, but it’s clearly nowhere near the same quality.
I’m wondering if other Populo owners’ batteries rattle etc. I’m also curious if anyone else’s display has a constant full-battery reading, even as you watch the voltage readout and LED indicators on the battery itself drop to lower and lower levels. During Court’s review, I can see a voltage reading of 37.2, but the battery meter’s completely full. At full charge, my voltage reading was 40.3, so maybe it’s a common glitch?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoInteresting… thanks for sharing all of these details JimBo. In the past, I have met people who used layers of duct tape to cushion and tighten their battery interface as the plastic mounting points wore down over time and the pack started to rattle but internal rattling is a whole different thing and very concerning. Damaged ebike batteries have been responsible for fires at shops (who are working to repair them) and even during rides on hot days like this. I’m wary of offering any kind of advice but would definitely start with a Populo dealer or even the company itself to see if an exchange / discount could be worked out for a new pack. I did not spend enough time with the Populo Sport to comment on battery readout but it sounds like you’ve identified an issue with their system.
ReplyJimBo
8 years agoThanks for the prompt response, Court! I applied Gorilla tape in the spaces of the battery mount where you can see rubbing had occurred, but now I’m especially nervous about the cell movement inside the battery so I doubt I’ll ride this bike again until its battery is replaced. I sent Populo an email over the weekend, and tried calling today at about 10am PST; hopefully they’ll call/write back soon. I’ll post an update if/when they do.
I also want to ask them whether the replacement batteries on their website are made with Panasonic or Samsung (it doesn’t specify but it does say they’re 10.4Ah and I believe the Panasonics were 8.8). I’m always wary of vague ebike specs (especially regarding electronics), but caught flak on the EBR Forum for calling another small ebike company out on their loosey-goosey approach to posting specs… I can understand the need for flexibility, but consumers deserve to know exactly what they’re buying, IMO!
Regardless of cell manufacturer, the Populo’s battery *builder* may be the culprit in the internal cell movement, or it could be that the loose mounts caused this issue over time. I have several other ebikes, however, including a few eMTBs that had seen much rougher terrain over longer periods, and none of them – including the crowdfunded startups – have batteries that did this. So I really hope they’ll replace it under warranty. They don’t specify “original owner” on their generous warranty, but they do limit their liability (understandable), and say, “If a defective part is found during the warranty period and the customer notifies us immediately, **the seller will repair or replace the part based on his sole discretion**.”
JimBo
8 years agoUpdate: I got a replacement battery from Populo, but it also had an unsealed seam in the same spot the original had. Black 3M electrical tape blends right in with the matte black plastic battery case, so I taped the seam and you can barely tell it’s there. After two rides, the tape has held up and the internal cells do not move around inside like to original did. But there’s a small piece of something rattling around in there – I can only conclude that. they’re sourcing cheap batteries from a marginal supplier.
This brings me to Susan’s earlier comment/observation that Court’s review says the Sport’s batteries use Samsung cells while Populo’s specifications on their website say Panasonic. When I looked at their replacement battery offering for $329, I noticed it didn’t mention any brand at all. They have a little “live chat” function, however, so I asked “Panasoic or Samsung cells?” on two different visits a week apart. First time, they siad Samsung and asked where I was getting Panasonic from. I told them it’s specified that way on the Sport web page! The second time, however, they said Panasonic!
Something really sketchy’s going on there…
Susan
8 years agoJimbo’s battery experience is really alarming. I tried to purchase an extra one but at the moment they’re sold out. The frustrating part is they claim you can’t just find a similar shape and spec battery to use so what’s going to happen when this one dies? My bike dies with it? The fact they can’t truthfully reveal the manufacture is a red flag. I’ve been biking to work every day since I got it back 3 months ago in mid-March and the battery doesn’t quite seem as strong as it was in the beginning (the voltage goes down quickly). If I have trouble getting a replacement from them, I may just look into a whole new power supply for the motor if that is at all possible. I’ve been sealing the battery in saran wrap on rainy days as I don’t want to risk water damage.
The Populo web chat help person confirmed that a medium 55 would fit my 5’8″ height. Now, under the new specs for the sizes, they still have a 55 medium but it clearly states it is for those that are 5’10” and over- this would explain why the reach is just too far on mine.
Bottom line is it is still a great and powerful bike but because they needed to meet specific benchmarks for this price, they are not forthcoming about the specifics of the parts. I’m starting to worry that an electrical overhaul may come a lot sooner than I anticipated.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Susan, that’s a frustrating experience but you’ve got a healthy constructive attitude. Your stem could be swapped for a shorter one or higher angle to reduce reach. I can’t speak for Populo batteries but you could reach out to Rechargeable Power Energy in Nevada for a replacement if/when you need a refill. I believe they repack almost any electric bicycle battery :)
Brucifus
7 years agoI bought a Populo Sport in December and was really getting a lot of use out of it until it abruptly died on a morning commute. I had noticed significant internal rattling in the battery, as another commenter noted, even though my commute is over fairly smooth pavement the whole way. That first bike had about 600 miles on it.
Populo did not question my warranty, although they ignored my multiple requests to discuss it over the phone. They sent me a brand new replacement with a few included improvements to the new model (water bottle cage, rack bosses on the seat/chainstays) and covered return shipping costs. I thought I was back in business, until this second bike failed again during my morning commute. The replacement has less than 100 miles on it.
At this point, they’ve lost any future business from me. If I’m going to use something for my commute, I need reliability.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoWow, thanks for sharing your experience with the Populo Sport here Brucifus, I hope this helps others who might need a sturdier or more reliable mode of transport. I do my best to dig in with the videos and writeup but I cannot communicate longer term use the way you have here. I’m glad Populo at least tried to help you with a replacement but understand why you might need to move on now. The good news is, more and more high-end drive systems are coming down in price. You can get Yamaha, Shimano, Brose, and Bosch for a lot less in 2017 than you used to be able to and I hear good things in terms of reliability from dealers.
ReplyDewey
7 years agoPopulo recently posted on the Reddit ebikes forum about the battery issues reported with their ebikes. This is the response from Populo’s representative Estaban, reposted here with his permission:
- Batteries shifting around: when we investigated the “rattle” issue, we found that the mount on the battery was where most of the noise was coming from. The current mount is a metal on metal slide. We are in the process of designing an injection molded mount that will reduce the noise significantly in the next release. From our research, the current mount does not affect the durability or performance of the Sport.
- Battery cells – In our first production, we had some battery cells that were Samsung and some that were Panasonic. All batteries in our current production are now Panasonic ONLY.
- Quality Assurance – We have an extensive quality check at our factory and we distribute from our warehouses nationally.
- Battery availability – At the moment, we have a reserved supply of batteries for warranty replacement. If you need to replace a battery under warranty, contact us at our website or go to your local dealer. If you’re looking for a spare battery to buy as an extra, we have a shipment coming now! Spare batteries should be available at the end of this month.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThis is great information Dewey, thank you so much for reposting here… and getting permission! You’re awesome, I hope Populo keeps EBR and the forums in mind for future updates like this. It makes me excited to check out their newer models and I respect that they are in touch with their user base like this, offering an explanation for questions and concerns.
ReplySwetang
6 years agoI just took my bike, the Populo Sport V2, to my work and then as it was raining I decided to take the bus but the bike was out side on cycle rack of the bus so it was exposed to rain. Then I discovered a couple hours later that it just stopped working! Is it not supposed to ride in rain?
Replycourt
6 years agoHmm, that’s unfortunate! Most ebikes (including the motor, battery, and display) are designed to be water resistant. I don’t know as much about the Populo company but am assuming that based on their lower price point, maybe their systems aren’t quite as durable? Maybe let it dry out completely and see if it turns on again. Perhaps if that does not work, you could reach out to the company and ask for help or a replacement display panel, which is usually the problem. I have heard some people will put a ziploc over displays with a rubber band to keep them tight… but then if water gets in under the ziploc and the weather heats up, that water can vaporize and get into the display even easier than if there were no bag. I hope these suggestions help and I wish you the best! You’re welcome to post back here with whatever happens :)
Reply