Raleigh Misceo Sport iE Review

In case you’re comparing the Misceo iE to the Misceo Sport iE (which costs ~$100 less) I’ve identified the following differences… The Sport model is about one pound heavier, does not come in the extra large size of 21″ (just 5″, 17″ and 19″), includes SKS fenders, an aluminum alloy rack with 18 kg weight limit and Spanninga LED lights that are wired in. It does not use electronic Di2 shifting or have an internally geared 8 speed Shimano Alfine hub, instead it uses a 10 sprocket cassette with Shimano SLX derailleur… which means it does not offer shift detection. It comes in satin black instead of metallic blue and is still only available in high-step, the tires are slightly narrower with 35c vs. 40c diameter but you get front and rear quick release skewers vs. just the front on the standard Misceo iE which you can learn more about here.

The Misceo Sport iE is a tight city commuter electric bike that could even be used for medium range trekking or touring… The battery pack weighs just 5.8 pounds so bringing a second one along is not out of the question and with the rack you could easily add a trunk bag or panniers. The geometry is medium-aggressive with a flatter handle bar, standard round grips and a firm saddle but it comes in three sizes and offers a carbon fiber fork to improve fit and address vibration (the frame is all Aluminum). Compared to the 2015 Misceo iE frame the seat post is thicker and the frame is longer 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 which are handy for all sorts of things!

The frame improvements seem to have added ~2 pounds over the 2015 model but this is still a light weight electric bike at just 44.5 lbs (depending on the frame size you get, I was riding the Large ~19″). The Sport is less expensive than the Standard iE and amazingly, both models are lower than 2015 with a listed price of $2,599 and $2,699 respectively. You still get the two year comprehensive lifetime frame warranty and since Raleigh has been around since the 1890’s theres a sense of confidence that parts and support will be around for quite a while longer. Other highlights for me are the quick release wheels, 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 but I’d call it slightly below average or “efficient” compared with other offerings in the field right now, it’s certainly one of the quieter motors and it operates smoothly even when shifting. The peak output is 500 watts with 50 Nm of torque, it responds proportionally to your pedaling input but also senses cadence so it’s less tiring to use and can be operated at slower speeds if you just pedal more gently (perhaps in crowded areas) as shown in the video review above. 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).

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
• Full utility commuter accessories including full length plastic fenders with support arms and integrated LED lights for night riding
• 10 speed drivetrain only requires one derailleur in the rear and the Shimano SLX component level is at the higher end of parts
• Nice looking paint (but only available in one color, satin black) 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, reasonable price point ($100 less than the internally geared Raleigh Misceo iE which offers electronic shifting
• Fairly light weight at ~44.5 pounds, especially considering it comes with the fenders, rack, lights and a kickstand
• 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 on both wheels as well as the 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 three frame sizes (the standard Misceo iE comes in four with the XL size) so it should suit a decent range of rider heights and leg lengths
• 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
• The electronic button pad is small but easy to reach and has a tactile click when pressed, the system also produces an electronic beep which can be disabled by entering the menu (hold the up and down arrows simultaneously for a few seconds)

Cons:

• This ebike is more efficient and offers great power transfer but the tires are fairly narrow and require 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/bL1tJ5YFFULk9oac8