Serial 1 RUSH/CTY Step-Thru Review

This review was provided for free using a demo bike. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Serial 1 products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Serial 1 electric bike forums.

Observations:

• The Serial 1 brand name is a reference to the first Harley Davidson motorbike called the Serial Number One, which was a pedal start moped. The brand is actually a Spinoff from Harley Davidson, which remains a stakeholder, and they operate independently. You can find Serial 1 ebikes being sold through many physical Harley Davidson dealers, over 120 independent ebike shops (including Reckless Shipyards in North Vancouver where I filmed) or buy them direct online.
• Serial 1 has a special partnership with Google, using their Cloud AI, SIM chip, and mapping technology. This allows for accurate GPS mapping with street and bike path data, as well as security features like bike tracking and remote disable with flashing lights. The service is free for two years, then requires a service fee. You’ll need the Serial 1 smartphone app to fully utilize these features. Note that these features were not available on the 2021 models, and I was told that those older ebikes cannot be retrofitted. The best way to tell 2022 models and beyond is that they will have a USB-C cable at the stem.
• The RUSH/CTY model originally came in both high-step and step-thru in 2021, but in 2022 they discontinued the high-step version. However, you can get a high-step RUSH/CTY Speed that is more expensive because it’s Class 3 and goes faster.

Pros:

• The bike looks amazing, very professional and refined. Notice the premium paint and two color choices, the black highlights that make the frame look thinner, the hidden wires that route through the handlebar, stem, and body.
• It comes with everything you need for riding in all sorts of conditions. The plastic fenders are sturdy, relatively quiet, and wide and long enough to provide good coverage. The lights are bright, visible from multiple angles, and run off the main battery pack. The tires are puncture resistant and have reflective sidewall stripes!
• Many ebikes come with a rear rack, but this one also has a front rack! I think they would work well for trunk bags and panniers, but the rear rack also has a bungee loop for a simple tie down. Note that overloading the front rack could impact steering because it’s fork mounted vs. steer tube mounted.
• The weight isn’t too bad at roughly 27kg 60lbs considering it includes so many accessories, is using a CVT hub, and has Boost hub spacing with plus sized tires. The weight is positioned lower and more centrally than most other ebikes I’ve tested. It’s sturdy, stable, and compliant.
• It’s easy to miss if you don’t know bicycle brands and parts, but the Praxis crank arms, Sapim spokes, locking ergonomic grips, tool-free adjustable kickstand, Wellgo platform pedals, and sealed saddle with integrated handle are all upgrades that improve durability and ride quality.
• The Gates Carbon Drive belt is quieter, cleaner, and more durable than a traditional chain. The way it’s configured, the frame tubing and right chainstay act as a chain cover, protecting pant legs or dress ends from touching and snagging. Serial 1 was smart about their frame design, they configured it with a belt drive in mind so there’s no break in the frame to get it on, instead the rear dropouts hang lower than the seat stay. This improves strength and frame stiffness.
• Wires and cables are almost completely hidden, being routed through the handlebar, stem, and main body of the frame. This looks beautiful, but also reduces snags. Note the headset has oversteer protection, so you can’t twist it all the way around and strain or break the cables inside! This is an awesome little touch that would be easy to miss.
• Serial 1 was creative with the frame design, adding a little “Glovebox” compartment above the battery bay. It’s fairly large, and locks securely with the same key as the battery. This would be a great place to stow a lightweight jacket, tool set, folding lock, and anything else you’d like to bring along for utility or safety!
• I love that the bike comes in three frame sizes! This improves fit and makes riding more comfortable. Apparently the entire frame and parts like the handlebar scale up, so it feels “right sized” at each level.
• The motor is extremely quiet and smooth. It uses a Gates Belt Drive inside, so there’s less whirring and buzzing than some competing products. It activates and rides smoothly too, because of the multiple sensors (rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque). Note the rear wheel sensor and magnet are tucked in near the disc brake rotor vs. using an exposed spoke magnet.
• In my opinion, the brakes are overkill for a Class 1 city model like this, but they just used the same ones as the Class 3 RUSH/CTY Speed… and that’s a good thing! The larger rotors and longer quad piston calipers provide leverage and cooling benefits, the adjustable reach levers will fit a wider range of hands, which pairs nicely with the multiple frame sizes.
• The headlight is excellent! It’s large and bright, putting out 900 lumens, and the housing is sturdy aluminum alloy. I love that the mounted it high and center on the stem/handlebar area. It’s easier to see up there, isn’t blocked by the fender or rack (or a small trunk bag if you mounted on there), and points where you steer.
• In addition to the headlight, there’s also a “running light” head tube badge. This increases your visual footprint because it’s more visible from the sides than the headlight itself, which does not have side cutouts like some other lights I’ve seen.
• The battery pack design is modular, so you could always upgrade from the 529 watt hour to 706wh for roughly $1,100 to increase your range… or you could share batteries between family members. I was told that Serial 1 is using the fanciest cells available, the 21700 size that are high density (so lighter without taking as much space).
• I am glad that Serial 1 chose a fancier display for this model than the MOSH/CTY, because it’s easier to read and provides a lot more feedback. There are dedicated buttons for the lights, it has walk mode, and the transflective LCD is easier to read in bright conditions than the tiny LEDs on the other model. It’s easy to reach, and the buttons are intuitive once you explore it a bit, so you can press to change assist levels without looking down.
• The Google partnership for maps on the optional smartphone app means you get some of the best routing data, including bike paths and greenways. The remote locking and tracking system should increase your chances of recovering the bike if it gets stolen.
• The battery charger is great, offering higher speed 4 amp output, and the right angle plug won’t get snagged by the left crank arm when it’s plugged in. It’s also fairly compact and light, feels very solid for the performance level.
• Serial 1 has a great warranty with two years comprehensive, five years on the frame, and since they have a wide range of products sharing similar parts (battery, fenders, racks, displays, chargers) I suspect they will have some longevity and repairability.

Cons:

• To me, the frame looks a bit chunky at the bottom bracket area. Serial 1 designed a modular battery pack that sits lower on the frame, and I think this contributes to the aesthetic. In short, this line of ebikes isn’t as stealthy as some of the competing products I see… but the upside is that more weight is positioned low.
• Both the charging port and locking cylinder to release the battery are located low on the left side of the downtube, very close to the left crank arm. In my experience, they require more energy and flexibility to reach… and it’s easy to bump your head on the left handlebar when getting back up. I noticed the rubberized cover for the charge port can be a little tricky to line up and set.
• It appears that the only Serial 1 ebike model that includes bottle cage bosses is the SWITCH/MTN. I like having these mounting points to make it easy to bring fluids or mount a folding lock… but at least the RUSH/CTY models have racks and a little cubby “Glovebox” that could be used . Consider a handlebar cup holder or trunk bag with bottle holder as an alternative.
• The Enviolo Automatiq is preconfigured to offer a 75 RPM target cadence, which I find a bit slow. In order to change this, you have to download the Enviolo app vs. having a physical shifter like most traditional bicycles. This is in addition to the Serial 1 smartphone app for mapping and ride stats.
• The LCD display panel that comes with the bike is called the Brose Allround. It shows battery charge level, but isn’t super precise (5 bars vs. percentage), and doesn’t have a range estimate tool built in. I appreciate that it’s color and transflective, making it easier to read in bright conditions, but it is fairly small and could be difficult to read for some riders.
• The rear lights are positioned very low on the frame, which could make them harder for cars to see. I have a helmet with a built in light and often attach another light to my backpack to be extra safe. At least the rear lights both have two LEDs, are visible from the sides, and go bright when the accelerometers detect that you’re stopping!
• Although this model comes with two integrated racks, they both have relatively low 10kg 22lb weight ratings. The rear rack also specifies that it is not designed to support child carriers. While these racks look clean and help to support the fenders, I feel like some utility is being lost compared to other products I’ve tested.
• Because Serial 1 is connected to Harley Davidson, they have a relatively large network of “dealers” but they also sell online and ship direct. If you go this second route, there will be some unboxing and assembly involved. Also, since the bikes are very proprietary, it might be difficult to get parts and service from traditional shops. Even if a Harley dealership is nearby, I wonder if they have the tools and support staff to handle bicycles at this stage?
• I love that the bike is using a fancier locking core from ABUS, and the keys can be matched to other lock accessories! However, I asked if Serial 1 sells pre-configured locks and was told “you have to do that through a 3rd-party ABUS retailer, as we are not currently set up to sell those locks” but they did provide a link with instructions here.
• It sounds like you’ll need a 2022 or later model to get the USB-C port, SIM chip, and smartphone app compatibility. I would double check for this at time of purchase if you’re buying from a dealership, make sure it has the USB-C port at the stem, because this adds a lot of utility.
• The bike is fully rigid, there’s no suspension fork or seat post suspension here. The benefits are lower cost, improved stiffness, and reduced weight. They chose high volume “plus sized” tires to dampen vibration and improve ride quality, but you’ll have to spend extra on your own to get more comfort. Consider any 27.2mm suspension seatpost if you have a sensitive back, shoulders, or neck, but note that it will raise the minimum saddle height by a few inches.

Useful Resources:

• Serial 1 electric bike dealers.
• Official Serial 1 website.