ProdecoTech Mariner 500 Review

The Mariner 500 is a powerful folding electric bike from ProdecoTech that repositions the hub motor in the rear when compared with their older Mariner 7 ebike that had it in the front. The benefit is improved traction and steering but one downside is a completely rear-heavy bike. During my tests I experienced a bit of speed wobble (where the front wheel shakes at higher speeds) and found that the bike could wheelie more easily. At ~48 pounds it weighs about as much as a full sized ebike but the removable battery pack makes it lighter to lift and store and the small folding design is convenient for travel. In short, this thing has excellent power for climbing and the smaller 20″ wheels create even more mechanical advantage for the motor. While the smaller wheels also ride bumpier the basic suspension fork and seat post shock help to make it feel comfortable.

The motor powering the Mariner 500 is a geared rear-hub design offering 500 watts of output. That’s pretty powerful for even a full sized ebike so it’s very capable on this smaller design. You can hear the electronic whir that the motor creates when really unleashed in the video review above. It’s not super quiet but the geared design provides excellent torque and helps the hub fit into a smaller form factor which accommodates the nine speed SRAM cassette. ProdecoTech partners with SRAM and benefits from nicer components like the X9 cassette and also Avid hydraulic disc brakes. In the review I talk about how 180 mm rotors and hydraulic brakes might be overkill for a smaller bike like this but considering the weight and power here they might be warranted and they certainly work well.

The battery pack offers ~48 volts of power and 9 amp hours of capacity. That’s a lot to begin with but you can also upgrade to a 12 amp hour pack for longer range or purchase a second normal sized pack to leave one charging while the first is in use. The Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry is known for being relatively light weight, durable and heat resistant. The contents of this battery are great but I’m not a huge fan of the mounting system which is at a bit of an angle and positions the pack high and way towards the back. Furthermore, you can’t use this rear rack area for actual storage. There are no mounting points on the top or side of the rear rack. Also, the key has to be left in the battery control socket while riding which means you could hear some jingling or have issues with other keys snagging stuff if you use a large keychain. Not a deal killer but not ideal either.

The control system on this bike is relatively straight forward, once the pack is charged and mounted on the rear rack (you can also charge while it’s mounted) just insert the key and twist the throttle. Unlike some fancier bikes, this one only provides a twist throttle and there’s no LCD display readout for speed, power mode or remaining battery level. Instead, you have three LED’s to reference which act as a basic guide for how full the battery is. They go from Green to Yellow and Red and are less precise than some other systems. While this setup may be simple, it’s also intuitive and just about anyone can hop right on and use it without issue. The parts are basic and help to keep the overall price of the bike low.

The ProdecoTech Mariner 500 does some important things very well: it folds and is powerful. While the design isn’t as refined, balanced or sleek as some other folding ebikes it also costs less. Some of the components are really quite nice and the two year warranty is solid. I’ve visited the ProdecoTech manufacturing center in South Florida and was impressed with the domestic workforce they employ and their stated mission to provide great service. While I appreciate pedal assist, the 25+ mile range of this twist throttle setup is quite satisfying and with the addition of a backpack the whole rear rack storage thing becomes less of an issues. This could be a good choice for heavier riders who want extra power but still need the folding design.

Pros:

• Removable battery pack can be charged separate from the bike or taken off to reduce frame weight during transport
• Top tube threaded eyelets are a nice extra that make it easier to bring hydration along if you install a water bottle cage
• Suntour Swing suspension reduces vibration and impact from bumps on your wrists and arms when riding, while it offers minimal travel and no lockout it also weighs less than a full double crown suspension fork
• Seat post suspension reduces back and neck strain, especially given the smaller 20″ wheels that don’t span cracks as well as larger wheels would
• Large hydraulic disc brakes are easy to activate with just one or two fingers and provide excellent stopping power
• One of the most powerful folding electric bikes I’ve seen with a solid 500 watt 48+ volt combination, very high torque for climbing, improved mechanical advantage thanks to the 20″ wheel

Cons:

• Rear heavy design with the hub motor and battery in the back, ideally the weight should be low and center, I’ve done little wheelies for fun but accidentally tipped too far back and hopped off as the bike smashed into the rear battery as I held the handle bars (the battery did not break which was awesome!) ride safe…
• Rear rack supports the battery only, there’s no foundation for adding a bag or panniers there
• Key has to be left in the battery pack when riding, it mostly stays out of the way but can jingle when riding
• Heavier design than some other folding electric bikes due to large batter, rack and upgraded motor
• Folding frame isn’t as stiff as a fixed design and that combines with the weight to create a sloppy feel when turning, I’ve also experienced some speed wobble when approaching 20 mph (the front wheel and fork can get the jitters)

Resources:

• Official Site: http://prodecotech.com/bikes/mariner-500/
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/Q96V2LiCKa2J522w6