The Raleigh Detour iE was updated for 2016 to use a mid-drive motor instead of the gearless direct drive hub, this improved balance and reduced weight by ~5 pounds. Check out the latest Raleigh Detour ebike review here.
The Detour iE is an urban style electric bike build around the time-tested non-electric Raleigh Detour bicycle frame. While it only offers 8 gear speeds instead of 21, the 500 watt motor with throttle mode and four levels of pedal assist makes it easy to ride in any condition. The drive system comes from Currie Technologies which has been a leader in the US ebike space since 1997. It’s a well rounded bike at a good price with a solid warranty. Coasting is efficient due to the large 700c wheels sporting narrow hybrid-tread tires. You don’t get suspension and those tires combined with the aluminum frame can be more stiff and jarring than a cruiser but that also keeps the weight down and extends range. The swept back handlebars, comfort sprung saddle, ergonomic grips and multiple frame sizes add comfort. Body position is somewhat upright so you can spot traffic and avoid a sore back or neck, it would be excellent for commuting, the rear-rack battery design makes adding a bag or panniers very easy. All you might need are some lights.
The motor driving this ebike is a high quality 500 watt gearless direct drive hub located in the rear. It’s heavier than some geared equivalents but runs smoother, quieter and will last longer. This is actually one of my favorite electric bike motors because it rides so smooth… but there is some cogging (drag from the larger electromagnets when the motor is off) and this is standard with gearless designs. One of the really neat features of how it mounts to the frame is that the motor cable has a built-in quick connect and the rear wheel features quick release! This makes transporting and servicing the bike much easier and is kind of rare in the hub-motor world. The motor itself is from the Currie Electro-Drive line which is also used on some Diamondback and IZIP models.
Powering the bike is a solid 48 volt 8.8 amp hour Lithium battery pack with high quality Manganese cells. The 48 volt configuration is above average in terms of strength and really lets you take advantage of the 500 watt motor. What might otherwise feel mushy (when using the throttle) feels zippy even though the motor isn’t geared. The pack is removable for convenient charging and reducing the overall weight of the bike during transport. The rack it’s built into sandwiches the pack between two platforms and surrounds it with metal tubing to avoid impact to the battery itself if the bike tips. The tubing is standard sized which makes adding bags or panniers seamless and it comes stock with a triple-bungee cord for securing basic items.
Operating the bike is very easy and intuitive. Once the battery has been charged up and is secured and locked in the back slot, just press the power button on the control pad and the screen comes to life. Note that the display shown below is not the correct 2015 model, it was the older version which was on a demo model for the review, the new one is similar but has two support arms and a sleeker button pad (as shown in the video review above). The display is backlit with an auto-light sensor for easy use at night and shows your speed, battery level and assist level (as well as a few other readouts). For the best range or climbing power I suggest using pedal assist but it’s also nice to have instant power from the throttle and you can always use the throttle in conjunction with pedaling to add a bit more power in the lower three levels of assist. the display actually has a range estimator built in so you can determine which level of power to use and avoid running out of juice. in terms of pedal power, you get an eight speed cassette in the rear and a trigger shifter interface on the right bar. It’s pretty standard and eight speeds is enough to get around town and climb hills without adding the complexity of a second front derailleur. I really like the front chain guide they’ve used here which doubles as a bash guard in case you hit a curb.
The Raleigh Detour-iE is an ebike that combines quality frame building and dealer support with trusted motor and battery technology. It’s two big companies coming together to offer something purpose-built for a mass audience. This is a higher quality build and you get things like cruise control, a 12 sensor pedelec system which is extra smooth and responsive and a removable battery and quick release wheelset. It’s polished and the two frame types and multiple sizes make it easier to ride for a broader audience of customers. The downside to this model is that all of the weight is in the rear but that keeps the price down and adds some utility with the rear rack setup. Frankly, it works very well for urban riding or commuting but if I was planning to do more aggressive race type riding or trail stuff I’d choose a model with a mid-mounted battery and pay a bit more. Depending on your needs this could be a good fit and the great part is, it may be available at a dealer nearby who can let you take a test ride.
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Tommy T.
9 years agoThe flex you had in the high step bike is much worse in the low step bike. This bike is hard to ride for riders with balance problems. The tall wheels, tall frame and the battery sitting so high dooms this ebike to be hard to ride for some people. I removed the power wheel, battery and re installed the original wheel. I enjoy riding my Raleigh as a pedal bike. Healthy riders can handle this bike with no problems and as an Ebike it is fun to ride. Good review.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for your perspective Tommy, glad you enjoyed the bike but yeah, the low-step doesn’t have the strength of a triangle frame and can feel more flexible. It is a rear-heavy design and does have some negatives because of that.
ReplyTony
8 years agoThank you for the thoughtful review Court. I recently test road this bike and a 2015 Misceo. Two of the design shortfalls mentioned above bothered me enough to pass on the Detour for the moment: the cogging and the extreme rear-bias weight. The combination made pedaling without assist seemed quite difficult, but this may be only in comparison to the Misceo. Electricbikereview.com has been an immeasurable resource in my hunt for an ebike to replace my old Curry Phat-flyer standing scooter. Keep up the good work!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoThanks Tony, glad the site is helping with your research, appreciate the updates with your feelings on both designs. Interesting to see more bikes with mid-drive vs. the hub motor setup as you get balance and easy wheel adjustment but sometimes more sound. I’d love to hear what you end up with :)
ReplyTony
8 years agoCourt, to report and update, I went with the Detour iE 2015. The final factors were price, manufacturer, and local service. It was available at half the price of every mid-drive system. When compared to the cost of a regional bus pass, the expense will be recovered within 14 months. I was also sold by Raleigh’s deep lifetime warranty on the frame and Currie’s track record and warranty of 2 years for motor, and 1 year on battery and other components. Local bike shop, Mikesbikes, had swell sales folks and sold me an extremely affordable 5 year service package.
I weigh a svelt 240 lbs. The 500 watt motor on a half-full battery was adequate to assist at level 4 through modest hills without taxing the battery too greatly. I monitored changes in reported available range during inclines. Raleigh Usa claimed their steel frame bikes are tested to 280 lbs. I submitted the question on their website instant message. The manual stipulates 242 lb load, rider, clothing, gear, and packages. So, I tend to be an overload.
5 miles down and hopefully many joyful miles to come over the next 2 years. Thanks again for your most helpful reviews!
Rich
8 years agoI would like to see the weight capacity listed in the specs and reviews. Great reviews!!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoI’ll keep an eye out for them and list when provided. Thanks for adding your voice Rich… In my experience most electric bikes offer 250 lbs of carrying capacity but battery weight, frame type (like folding vs. cruisers) and even spoke gauge can all make a difference.
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