The ProdecoTech Titanio 29er is incredibly light weight, off road ready and city chic all at once. It’s a combination I’m sure lots of people have imagined but until now it just wasn’t commercially available in a purpose built, warranty backed package… You’d have to try and make one yourself for considerably more money and probably end up with something that wasn’t nearly as comfortable to ride. Many ProdecoTech electric bikes offer a large powerful motor system with scooter style throttle. This one empowers the rider directly by reducing weight and minimizing the role that the drive system plays (relying on pedal assist and a smaller motor). It’s a bike that could easily be mistaken as non-electric but still adds considerable range and enjoyment at a price that’s reasonable considering the components in play.
The motor in use here offers 250 watts of power nominal with 420 peak in a friction drive (geared) configuration. Most electric bike hub motors are either direct drive (using large heavy magnets which can drag when turned off) or planetary geared (high torque and lighter than direct drive but noisier). This is the first friction drive I’ve tried and the experience was great. It’s quiet, only producing a high pitched whir or wine as I rode around, and smooth. I’m told that the motor spins up to speed before actually engaging and this does delay the power you get as a rider but once it kicks in it feels smooth and strong. For an active rider who wants to pedal and keep weight low it’s a great trade off and the system also freewheels so you don’t get any drag when the bike is off.
The battery pack on this bike offers 33 volts of power and 6.2 amp hours of capacity. It’s a unique energy size that’s a bit below average when compared to other ebikes but the upside is the battery container. A black or silver cylinder that’s designed to look just like a water bottle. It even fits in a sturdy but standard cage by Zéfal making it extremely easy to remove the pack from the bike. This means you can charge it anywhere (on or off the bike) and is fairly light at ~6 pounds so riding this bike in non-electric mode is completely reasonable and even satisfying. Aside from a few extra pounds in the front hub motor, without the pack this is basically a ~25lb hardtail mountain bike… that looks great.
The added weight of the front motor isn’t enough to change the steering and handling characteristics of the Titanio very much. And a huge upside to not putting the motor in the rear is reduced complexity and time required for changing flats and servicing the rim and spokes. Generally speaking, the electric drive systems in use on the Titanio don’t disrupt the bicycle underneath, even the control panel 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.
The Titanio 29er is more bicycle than scooter. It longs to be pedaled and even positions the rider in a more forward leaning, aggressive stance. This is a welcomed change in the world of ebikes (especially from ProdecoTech) where so many are large, heavy and overpowered. For active individuals who want to go further, climb easier and avoid overheating this is an amazing option at a good price. I could easily see myself commuting to and from work with it and the suspension and larger knobby off-road tires add a lot of comfort vs. a road bike. When you’ve got a motor to help you out, it’s okay to go with less efficient options in favor of comfort. The 29″ wheels have great rolling momentum, a higher angle of attack and the ability to span cracks and bumps fore easily for on or offroad use. The titanium frame, which looks great, also dampens vibration and resists corrosion. This bike will last (and comes with a solid 2 year warranty) and the high end components by SRAM are no joke. It’s not the kind of bike you need to worry about getting stranded on because the 10 speeds and light weight make it a pleasure to pedal regardless.
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