ProdecoTech Stride R Review

The ProdecoTech Stride R is one of the more affordable ebikes I’ve tested and I love that it comes with a front shock to smooth out the ride. The power it offers is good but the drive system is limited to throttle only which tends to reduce range and climbing ability because there’s no incentive to pedal along. That said, it’s zippy, quiet and the battery is removable which makes transporting the bike easier (because the pack weighs about 7 pounds). It only comes in one size that’s sort of medium and one color (white) but the step-through frame is easy to mount and control if you have to stop and put your feet down. The folding pedals don’t offer as much space for your feet (or stiffness for pedaling) and I think they were just added because Prodeco uses them on other bikes. Ultimately, this one’s designed to be an upgrade from the Stride 500 with better components and suspension but it’s still an entry level bike.

The motor driving the Prodeco Stride R offers 500 watts of power in a direct drive (gearless) configuration. 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 freewheel system. It also does not take advantage of regenerative braking which some other gearless systems offer.

The battery pack powering that motor 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 ebikes because it uses Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry vs. other Lithium-ion mixes. The pack is kind of large (and you can upgrade it to be even larger but note the limited strength of only one support strut per side vs. two on the higher end bikes. Ultimately, you get power and decent range here but only have a twist throttle to take advantage of it (which is part of why the range on this bike is kind of average). The pack 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 Stride R 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 seemed misleading. 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.

I think of this ebike as a refined version of first generation technology in the space. 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 Stride R 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 who fits the frame.

Pros:

• Very affordable and includes a great two year warranty (but read the fine print, does not cover normal wear on battery)
• Strong 500 watt direct drive motor has decent 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 cycles
• Eight gears is enough range for faster pedaling or climbing and makes riding easier if the battery runs out
• Larger Continental tires are durable and somewhat soft when riding over bumps and cracks
• Tool free 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

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 grip
• 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 (white)
• Interesting plastic folding pedals seem unnecessary on a non-folding ebike and don’t offer as much stiffness or platform space as larger metal ones would

Resources:

• Official Site: http://prodecotech.com/bikes/stride-r/
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/f5c9iuKHPH6jbuuJ9