The City E-Bike

by Charge Makes City Riding Effortless

Communicating through crowded and congested cities during high traffic hours can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Charge Bikes introduces its City Electric Bike to help commuters get from point A to point B with ease. You don’t just want a bike that gets you to point B; you want a bike that makes navigating city streets feel smooth and effortless, and the City E-Bike does that.

The City E-Bike comes with a standard and low step frame, along with two different sizes: Small (5’1″ – 5’9″) and Large (5’10” – 6’3″). This customization allows riders to choose a frame size that feels just right.

With that being said, how do you know that the City Bike is the right choice for you. The following highlights some of the key characteristics of this bike and if it’s worth the $1,699 price tag. ​

Design

These days, many electric bikes are looking more and more like a standard bike, and the City bike is no different. Aside from the frame-mounted battery, the City looks similar to a traditional hybrid bike.

The battery is removable, allowing you to take it inside to charge instead of forcing the whole bike in, which is very useful for those living in apartments.

The bike comes with a display on the handlebar that indicates your speed, allowing you to maintain a specific speed. The display also shows the power assist level, coming in 5 different modes to help you climb hills without a problem.

When the sun goes down, and you’re still riding, you won’t have to worry because the City bike comes with front and rear lights that switch on automatically when needed.

Another handy component is the puncture-resistant Goodyear tires that let you ride in any weather without falling like you would on a lesser bike. In combination with the lights, you have some added security to keep you safe when commuting through city streets.

For easy storage, the City bike has foldable handlebars and petals. While this feature may seem controversial, it helps a lot with storage. A folded City bike can fit into most spaces, as nothing pokes off the sides too harshly. Although, when riding, the petals feel somewhat flimsy and low quality, as if they were to break off at some point. But the handlebar feels steady, with its foldability being harder to notice.

One noticeable, annoying component is the fender. It’s meant to prevent mud from getting on your pants and legs, but they come slightly out of place can rub against the tire, making a constant noise.

Features

The City E-Bike has its removable battery, but does it last long enough for you? At 418 WH, the battery has a range of 50 miles. To some, this is way more than enough; to others, this may barely get you back home. Especially if you require speed and you’re holding down the throttle button most of the ride, that 50 miles may quickly cut down to 40.

Speaking of the throttle, the City bike uses this as a form of pedal assistance, which helps you reach its maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. While some may think that’s not fast enough, most cities have this as the top speed limit for bicycles. Still, other bikes can help achieve higher speeds if that’s what you are looking for and it is permitted in your area. ​

The main component that helps you to reach that 20 mph is its motor. At 250W, Charge’s City bike can get you to move 1 mile in 3 minutes. The motor helps you move steadily, even when going downhill. Where most bikes would get shaky and unsteady, the City bike stays stable, maintaining your confidence in your ride.​

A great, unexpected feature of these bikes is it’s automatic tire pressure sensors. The air pressure sensor indicator displays a green LED when your tire is adequately inflated but displays red when it needs air. Some may think this is unnecessary since you can feel your tire’s pressure much more than you would a car, but it can help you get the most out of your ride.

Pros:

• Range

  The City E-Bike has an advertised range of 50 miles per charge, although your mileage will vary based on the conditions you’re traveling in. While not ideal for long-haul riding, the City bike is perfect for commuters traveling within a 20-mile radius.

• Battery

  Many bikes still do not have a removable battery that allows for more effortless charging and replacement, so this is an excellent addition.

• Foldability

  Though the foldable pedals can feel flimsy, folding the bike into something more compact makes it much easier to store.

Cons:

• Power

  The City bike helps significantly in navigating all terrains and weather but can still be hard to pedal up steep hills manually.

• Price

  While this bike’s price is excellent compared to others, it’s not quite as powerful and functional as other bikes within this price range.

Final Thoughts

The City E-Bike is a fantastic bicycle and an excellent option for commuters, whether in an urban or even a slightly rural environment. The bike can get you from point A to point B in any weather conditions faster than any standard bike would be able to and does so with a sleek and elegant style

Although it may struggle to match the power and capability of other bikes in its price range, at $1,700, the City E-Bike by Charge Bicycles is a perfect pick for commuters operating on a budget.