The 2016 Raleigh Misceo iE is a sporty city bike that could be used for road riding or commuting. The geometry is a bit more aggressive with a flatter handle bar, standard round grips and a firm saddle but it comes in four sizes and offers a carbon fiber fork to improve fit and address vibration (the frame is all Aluminum). Compared to the 2015 version you now get automatic shifting by default (people who have a 2015 model can take their ebike into a certified Shimano dealer to get the firmware upgrade) along with a thicker seat post, longer frame with box tubing on the seat stays and chain stays for improved lateral stiffness, the motor has been tipped down and is now horizontal like the other Shimano STePs powered Raleigh bikes vs. a 45 degree angle in 15″ and you get a pare of bottle cage braze-ons on the seat tube!
The frame improvements seem to have added ~2 pounds over the 2015 model but this is still a light weight electric bike at just 43.5 lbs (depending on the frame size you get, I was riding the Medium ~17″). Amazingly, the price tag is lower than 2015 as well with a listed price of $2,699 and you still get the two year comprehensive lifetime frame warranty. Other highlights for me are the quick release front wheel, removable battery and display (and just how easy the display is to navigate for things like disabling backlighting or the beeps) and the carbon fork. Some of the challenges I encountered include having to remove the battery for charging vs. leaving it on the frame.
The motor driving this bike is plenty powerful with a peak output at 500 watts and 50 Nm of torque, it responds proportionally to your pedaling input but also senses cadence so it’s not just as tiring to use and can be operated at slower speeds if you just pedal more gently (perhaps in crowded areas). With three levels of assist the range can per charge can be upwards of 50 miles if you’re on paved surfaces with higher tire pressure (up to 85 PSI) but the ride is stiffer… I’d probably grab a Body Float seat post suspension and 27.2 mm to 30.9 mm shim to make it work (Thudbuster also has a short travel suspension post that’s less expensive but also less responsive). There’s no throttle on this bike, you always have to pedal but that keeps it Class 1 (legally permitted in more locations) and this is the only Shimano STePs powered electric bicycle I’ve tested with shift detection! That’s due to the electronic shifting which is powered by the same battery and interacts with the motor. Similar shift sensing technology comes stock on Bosch and Impulse powered ebikes and helps to reduce chain, sprocket and gear wear. You can hear it in action during the test ride in the video review above.
Pros:
- Fast and efficient wheels and tires, a more aggressive geometry with low-rise straight bar and carbon fiber fork for a sporty responsive feel
- Improved frame geometry over 2015, the bike has been slightly elongated, the motor is horizontal vs. 45° angle and the rear stays have been transitioned from circular tubing to box which is stiffer – reducing lateral flex (side to side)
- The Shimano Alfine 8 speed internally geared uses a compact electronic shifter that does not protrude beyond the frame so it’s more protected if it tips or is scraped against other bikes at the rack
- Nice looking paint (but only available in one color, metallic blue) with black accents on the frame and black hubs, spokes, rims, bar, saddle and grips, the cables are internally routed for improved aesthetic and fewer snags
- The carbon fiber fork should reduce vibration when riding and helps to keep the overall weight down, I also like that the front wheel uses quick release for easy transport
- Plenty of mounting points for adding a rear rack, fenders and a bottle cage, folding lock or mini-presta pump to adapt to your environment and ride style (road riding vs. commuting)
- Excellent two year comprehensive warranty and with lifetime on the frame, the price has been dropped since the 2015 model and is now more inline with competing offerings
- Very light weight at ~43.5 pounds… though it’s a bit heavier than 2015 due to the reinforced, elongated frame and larger seat post diameter
- The battery pack is locking, removable and only weighs ~5.8 pounds! I love that it fits on the downtube keeping weight low and centered but they still made room for bottle cage braze-ons
- Quick release front and seat post for doing maintenance or adjusting fit on the go, I’d remove the front wheel and turn the bars sideways to fit in a car or smaller elevator
- Quality hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano with medium sized 160 mm rotors for easy smooth stops, should reduce wrist fatigue, two-finger pull levers
- Available in four frame sizes to suit a range of rider heights and leg lengths, I noticed the top tube is more nicely curved than it was in 2015 and the geometry is slightly less aggressive (seat tube and head tube seem more forward angled than before)
- I was told that the bike comes with a kickstand and the demo model I reviewed had one! As someone who parks at shops and leaves his bike in the garage I like having it… it’s easy to take off but can be tricky to find a good matching kickstand to start
- Just like the battery pack, the display panel is removable for safe storage… I like that it’s also easy to adjust (hold the up and down arrows simultaneously to enter the menu) so you can mute the beeping noise or turn off back lighting
- Automatic shifting is a neat feature and I love that the 2015 model can get it with a firmware upgrade! It’s cool that you can also set the default gear to switch back to at rest and use manual shifting easily with the black button on the right button pad
- It’s neat that the two electronic button pads are basically the sam and can be swapped right or left based on your preference, I found the menus simple to navigate and understand (hold the up and down arrows to ender settings to disable the beep, disable backlighting and change auto shift rpm activation)
Cons:
- This ebike is more efficient and offers great power transfer but the tires are high pressure (50 to 85 PSI) so bumpy streets can feel a bit jarring, the fork is carbon fiber which helps with vibration but the saddle is firm, consider an aftermarket seat post suspension like the Body Float or Thudbuster with 30.9 mm diameter
- The battery pack has an on/off button that is used to power cycle the bike vs. doing it up at the button pad and you have to completely remove the battery in order to charge it which increases the potential for drops and just takes extra time
- Pedal assist only electric bike with no way to add a boost button or twist throttle, this keeps it rated at Class 1 which is usable in the most locations and also extends range by making you contribute to the ride and reducing air resistance at higher speeds compared with a speed-pedelec
- The Shimano STePs display panel uses a smaller LCD display unit than Bosch, Yamaha, TranzX and some other leading suppliers so reading your speed and settings isn’t quite as easy for near-sighted folks like myself
Resources:
- Official Site: https://www.raleighusa.com/electric
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/82qQ8jmmMACDoEKZ8
Jack Tyler says
Court, you are obviously on a real ‘roll’ right now with the many iZip & Raleigh reviews you are pumping out. I especially appreciated you explaining, in the Dash review, the ‘brand differentiation’ between the almost identical iZip and Raleigh models. Takes me back to those Dodge vs. Plymouth or Oldsmobile vs. Buick days, which didn’t produce much product differentiation but rather just added overhead. Two Q’s about the Misceo iE please: There’s much that appeals for my intended purposes (around town + maintained trails with some elevation changes): decent mileage, the protected internal hub gearing, shift sensing and, perhaps most important, lighter weight. Q1: Being an older guy, I favor an ebike with a front suspension, even an inexpensive one, to help mitigate joint pain on longer rides. How much difference would the carbon fiber fork really make in helping me avoid cumulative shock loading on elbows/wrists/hands? Or more generally, does it in reality boil down to ‘front suspension’ or ‘no front suspension’? And Q2: Alpine’s IGH looks like a pretty specialized piece of gear, while I expect to be riding in a somewhat remote community (Bozeman, MT), not unlike your Uncle in CO. How reliable are these Alpine IGH units proving to be…and if a problem develops, is it likely I could ship off just the wheel/hub assembly for service or repair? There’s no nearby Alpine expertise available where I’ll be located.
Once again, congrats on these super helpful reviews. I feel like I’m getting much closer to what I really should be purchasing due to these reviews and these follow-on ‘discussions’ you offer.
Court Rye says
Hi Jack, glad you found some value in the crossover comparisons, I’m trying to be respectful to the companies and allow each bike to stand on its own but my real goal is to help potential buyers navigate the space and find the right fit for their budget and intended use.
Q1: I personally would only ever ride the Misceo iE or Sport iE on paved surfaces… and they would have to be smooth. You really feel the bumps and a suspension fork and larger tires goes a long way. This is why I appreciate the Raleigh Route iE and IZIP E3 Dash so much. These models offer suspension, cost about the same as the Misceo iE but don’t have the shift sensing or internally geared hub. For me, the body comfort outweighs the cool internal gearing and shift sensing… you can replace your chain and derailleur if they wear down prematurely due to lack of shift sensing but you can’t replace your back, neck headache etc.
Q2: I have way less experience and feedback here… I’ve heard that the NuVinci variable speed transmission can work well on ebikes since there are no gears inside (just a slide and range of “gears”) and also that the Rohloff Speedhub often used on Optibikes is sturdy. Here’s a conversation from the EBR forums about this topic (though it’s a bit outdated).
Glad the site and my feedback has helped, if you have any feedback about the videos, writeups or other work I do please chime in. I’m always trying to evolve and adapt the work I do. Recently I’ve emphasized more pro/con bullets and shorter writeups letting the video do more of the discussion. My aim is to continue doing a higher number of reviews to help convey the landscape vs. just a handful of bikes.
Bill Ostrowski says
Court, I picked up my Misceo iE and the 2016 is pretty nice to look at. There are a lot of changes over the 2015. I do have a question about bike stems. After riding it for a while a realized I would like a more relaxed ride. Any high rise stems you might recommend? Maybe something with suspension?
Court Rye says
Hi Bill! Glad you’re enjoying the latest Misceo iE… I also prefer a more relaxed (comfortable) ride and have purchased seat post suspensions like Thudbuster in the past (Body Float makes one that’s a bit more expensive) but I have not heard of suspension stems? Maybe a suspension fork could useful, I’m not sure on the measurements or details, consider contacting Raleigh for help, their website has live chat :)
Bill Ostrowski says
Court here is a suspension stem that is coming out. It sounds like it’s releasing in May-June 2016. If you could get a demo unit, it might make an interesting YouTube video.
Court Rye says
This looks awesome! Excellent suggestion Bill, thank you. I just reached out to the company and offered to buy one at cost for review and am hoping to test it for commuting and do a full review this summer :D
Ray T says
I really like this bike because it looks like a standard fitness hybrid bike. I’m glad you reviewed it, I like the overview of the Shimano StePs system.
The only thing I wish is that they didn’t have that chain tensioner in the back that looks like a derailleur. Other regular bikes that have a Shimano internal hub manage to avoid it. That’s one of the advantages of internal hubs because it’s doesn’t have a derailleur hanging out to get bent.
The fact that it has DI2 electronic shifting for this kind of price is pretty amazing. The Alfine Di2 hub is a pretty expensive part by itself that are usually on bikes $1000+ and it seems that Raleigh’s MSRP has been lowered this year making it even better value.
As a guy that owns a few regular bicycles, I tend to like e-bikes that are based off regular models of bikes, because 1) they usually offer them in more sizes 2) they tend to look more like regular bicycles and don’t stand out as much. This Raleigh looks like any other $700 hybrid, rather than something that screams e-bike.
Court Rye says
Good points, I agree with you about the sizes and style. Not sure why they felt it was critical to include a chain tensioner? Perhaps it’s more important with a mid-drive system to prevent chain slip or maybe they were having trouble with the chain coming off which I’ve experienced on a lot of cheaper ebikes.
Scott Tucker says
Hey Court, do you know how to go about the firmware update? I don’t see any computer compatible plugs on the controller? Also, I love my Misceo except am interested in a little more top speed. Looking at the Specialized turbos and wondering how you would compare the Misceo vs. the Turbo for commuting. I have a rolling 18 miles commute each way. Thanks for your knowledge. Scott
Court Rye says
Hi Scott! I believe you’ll need to take the bike into a Raleigh dealer so they can hook it up to their diagnostics system for a firmware update. There might be a special dongle and software required that consumers can’t get themselves :/ as far as the Turbo… I really like that bike, it looks cool and goes faster (between 26 and 28 mph depending on the model you get) which can shorten commute times but also drain the battery faster. Another consideration is the lack of suspension with the Turbo and some other road-oriented Class 3 ebikes. You’ve probably already experienced the sportier rigid feel with your Misceo. The Turbo is cool because it operates very quietly thanks to a gearless hub motor vs. mid-drive and that motor re-captures some energy with regenerative braking. Same with the Stromer ebikes.