ProdecoTech Genesis 500 Review

The ProdecoTech Genesis 500 is one of the larger folding electric bikes around and it’s also one of the cheapest. As with most Prodeco ebikes this one uses a large gearless rear hub motor and rack mounted battery that sits just behind the seat post. It’s not the most elegant or well balanced design but it keeps the price low and works well with the simple twist throttle drive system. The Genesis comes in one sort of medium size frame and a brushed aluminum color but is functionally the same as the Storm 500 which comes in gold.

Driving this bike is a 500 watt direct drive (gearless) rear hub motor. It offers decent power and operates smoothly without creating much noise. The drawbacks here are weight and size because the motor relies on big magnets inside to create power. Also, when coasting or pedaling without assist the magnets may create some drag vs. a geared motor with a freewheeling mechanism. It also does not take advantage of regenerative braking which some other gearless systems offer but overall it’s durable and gets the job done.

The battery powering this bike delivers ~36 volts of power and 9 amp hours of capacity. That’s kind of average and the pack is a bit heavier than some equivalent designs because it uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry vs. Lithium Manganese or Lithium Cobalt. The pack is kind of large and you can actually upgrade it to be even larger if you want, just be careful over large bumps given the limited strength of just one pair of support struts vs. higher end ProdecoTech bikes.

Ultimately, you get power and decent range here but only have a twist throttle to take advantage of it. Pedal assist adds cost and complexity but helps when climbing hills and ultimately extends your range while giving your wrist a break. The pack on this bike is removable and feels pretty solid but the rack it mounts to is high up and fairly rigid which creates more strain. I listed “no mounting points for cargo” as a con but with the limited support here and somewhat delicate battery interface I think they made the right call.

The low price point makes it easy to get excited about the Genesis 500 but you are trading functionality, range and stability. Prodeco Technologies offers a generous two year warranty but the fine print says it doesn’t cover normal wear and tear on the battery from use which seems misleading to me. There aren’t a whole lot of dealers that carry this bike right now, in part because I believe their margins are very low, but it is available online. If you do get it over the Internet there will be some assembly involved and it can take some effort to work with.

To me this bike is reminiscent of first gen electric bike technology. In the early 2000’s many companies were using rear mounted packs because it’s easy and cheap, they didn’t have fancy pedal assist options and the computers were also very simple or non existent. The Genesis 500 brings updated Lithium batteries that are lighter and longer lasting and a variable speed twist throttle that is fun to use. Over time your hand might get tired (and good luck trying to carry it up stairs) but for the money it gets the job done and could be a solid option for someone willing to screw around a bit and who also fits the frame. Note that when I was test riding this bike I bumped my knee on the battery when swinging my leg over the back. Some of the low-step ProdecoTech bikes like the Stride R help eliminate this concern.

Pros:

• Very affordable, includes a decent two year warranty (but read the fine print, does not cover normal wear on battery)
• Strong 500 watt direct drive motor has good acceleration and climbing power
• Front suspension fork smoothes out the ride but is kind of basic with limited travel and no lockout option
• 36 volt battery uses Lithium Iron Phosphate cells that are average weight but offer a larger number of charge cycles if cared for
• Eight gears is enough range for faster pedaling or climbing and makes pedaling home possible if the battery runs out
• Large Continental tires are durable and somewhat soft when riding over bumps and cracks
• Adjustable stem and handlebars offer an upright riding position that feels good and reduces neck and back fatigue
• Rear light built into battery pack provides a basic level of safety for night riding

Cons:

• No display panel consol for determining how fast you’re going, how far you’ve traveled or precisely how much battery capacity remains
• No pedal assist options, just twist throttle on right handle bar (half grip design)
• Rear mounted motor and battery make bike hard to lift (removable battery helps)
• Single-strut design supports rear battery pack but isn’t as sturdy as the double-strut on other ProdecoTech bikes (though the battery here is smaller)
• Keys must be left in when riding, they can jingle around
• Battery is mounted high up which makes the bike less stable
• No mounting points on the rear rack or battery for a bag or panniers
• Only available in one size (kind of medium) and one color (brushed aluminum with satin clear cote) though this bike is very similar to the Storm 500 which comes in gold

Resources:

• Official Site: http://prodecotech.com/bikes/genesis-500/
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Zcfcusftsfx15oRe8