At first glance the Scorpion 27 from ProdecoTech resembles the Titanio 29er in that it uses a Keyde drive system. These ultra light weight motors and bottle shaped battery packs blend in and keep weight low and centered but on the Scorpion the motor is rear mounted vs. front mounted and it uses a torque sensor that is much more responsive than the speed sensor on the Titanio. For me, it just rides better and the 27 speeds (verses 10 on the Titanio) can come in handy for faster riding or climbing. It’s surprising to me that both ebikes didn’t opt for the rear motor design and that the Titanio, with it’s knobby tires, doesn’t have more gears for climbing off road? Whatever the case may be, the Scorpion 27 is a bit heavier overall at ~38 pounds (still very light for an ebike) and in true ProdecoTech fashion is only available in one size and color… medium and black :)
The motor driving the Scorpion is a 250 watt geared friction drive that takes a moment to spin up compared with the larger direct drive motors on older, more traditional, ProdecoTech bikes. It’s still relatively quiet and adds a decent boost to riding but is meant to be pedaled with. There’s no throttle on this bike, you activate the motor by turning the cranks and it automatically kicks in to help out. The peak output is ~350 watts but even when it’s working at full speed there isn’t a lot of noise being produced. Given the slick tire design this motor is able to propel the bike up to 20 miles per hour depending on the terrain and how hard you pedal along.
The battery pack fueling this system offers a modest 33 volts of power and 9.3 amp hours of capacity. That’s a touch below average but considering the smaller 250 watt motor and pedal-assist only design it performs very well. I love that the battery cells are contained inside a bottle shaped enclosure. It blends in, keeps weight low to the ground and is super easy to remove. The cells inside are packed with a Lithium-ion chemistry and are made by Panasonic (one of the leading global producers). It’s a great setup but one downside is that you will need to add a second cage mount for a real water bottle somewhere else on the bike. Here are a few options that have come up in the forum.
The control panel used to activate the bike and measure remaining battery is also very well integrated and seems to disappear because it’s so small and unassuming. As soon as you plug the battery pack in and click the red button on top to activate the bike, a black display panel lights up showing a number (denoting your current level of assist) and red bars (denoting battery level). It was tricky to see in the direct sunlight at times (I had to cup my hands around it) but the small form factor might protect it from bumps and tips. It also appeared to be well sealed against water and dust. The only two buttons are a plus and minus and they let you increase or decrease the level of assist. In addition to the control interface you get a standard stem-mounted bicycle computer by Keyde that shows speed and distance and is easily removable to prevent theft and vandalism. That’s mounted in the center while the assist interface is over to the right making it easy to reach with your thumb when riding.
The Scorpion 27 is one of my favorite new bikes from ProdecoTech. While it costs more than their traditional models with larger motors and rear mounted packs I love that it actually performs well as a bicycle verses a scooter. It’s light weight, you can easily add a rear rack to actually carry supplies and the battery is simple to charge. The two year warranty is awesome and ProdecoTech builds all of their bikes in South Florida USA which is admirable. I’ve actually visited and met some of the guys and girls who assemble and service the products. This particular bike is unique because it leverages a Keyde SR300 drivetrain but given the complexity of trying to spoke one of these in yourself (and the expense of adding a RockShox with lockout and SRAM hydraulic disc brakes) it’s easy to appreciate the complete package here. The 26″ Continental tires, double walled rims and Cheetah pedals work great and make for a solid “around town” type of bike that would also be comfortable on light trails and dirt paths.
Powerful geared hub motor and high voltage battery pack for excellent torque and climbing ability. Compact folding design with removable battery, comfortable suspension fork and seat post shock...
Full sized electric bike with unique mid-frame folding feature for easier transport and storage. 500 watt direct drive gearless motor is quiet and strong but only operates on a…...
High speed, off-road only electric bike that's not legal to ride in most states without modification and insurance. Quality SRAM, Truvativ and ZOOM components, hand assembled in the USA, solid two year warranty...
Well priced hardtail mountain bike with light weight titanium frame and larger 29" wheels. Excellent balance and aesthetic appeal with grip drive front hub motor and bottle style battery…...
Inexpensive full sized folding electric bike with 26" wheels and basic suspension fork. Rear-heavy design with hub motor and battery mounted towards the back, single support strut...
Inexpensive full sized folding electric bike with 26" wheels and basic suspension fork. Rear-heavy design with hub motor and battery mounted towards the back, single support strut...
Affordable,highpowerelectricbikewithadecentwarrantybutrearheavydesign. Basicsuspensionforkwithcushyseatandlargertirestosmoothoutthebumps...
Affordable, high power electric bike with a decent warranty but rear heavy design. Limited suspension, relies on cushy seat and balloon tires to smooth out the bumps...
More solid than earlier Phantom ebikes, does not fold and has reinforced battery pack supports. High end RockShox fork with lockout, upgraded pedals (that don't fold) and hydraulic Avid DB…...
500 watt direct drive motor is quiet and capable but offers less torque and weighs more, no regen modes. Simple to operate with LED console and twist throttle only, no pedal assist or LCD…...
One of the most affordable, but still decent quality, entry level electric bikes. Low step design is easy to mount, adjustable neck and shock add comfort, twist throttle…...
Unstable due to steep long travel shock angle and high battery pack position. Relatively low price but tough to test ride as it's primarily available only online...
An affordable, but heavy, folding electric bike with twist throttle only. Available primarily online, offers solid two year warranty including battery pack...
Be the First to Post a Comment