Ebike Industry Updates

Hard-tail eMTBs of course don’t have the same smooth ride as full-suspension e-bikes, but in addition to being less expensive, they are lighter and require less service, and often last longer. And while full-suspension designs are exciting, in much of the U.S., the downhills aren’t long enough to really enable a rider to make use of the rear suspension. So while a hard-tail eMTB will feature a bumpier ride than a full-suspension model, it tends to be more efficient when pedaling on flat ground.

There is a front fork to talk about though. With most all-terrain and fat-tire e-bikes that are billed as being suited to off-road riding, we generally see a suspension fork of between 60 and 120mm of travel; 100mm is common. Aventon chose the RockShox 35 Silver TK suspension fork with 130mm of travel. Performance wise, I thought it was great. It held up well over several rounds on our local trails. As a 235 lbs human, I thought I was getting the ideal sag at around 35%. Why point out what I saw on the scale the last time I was on it? Well, you can’t adjust the compression at all, so heavier than me and it might have to much sag. Aventon has a lot of good here so I don’t want to overblow this point, but it would have been nice to have a fork you could adjust.

Another great touch that Aventon gave the Ramblas was the dropper post. Dropper posts have become necessities on both mountain bikes and eMTBs. With the press of a lever, a rider can sit down on the seat and lower it, then release the lever and the seat stays down. This allows the rider to move around on descents, drop-offs and any technical terrain where the presence of the saddle can hamper the rider’s ability to move.

We often talk about how the one-size e-bikes can’t really fit everyone. The Aventon Ramblas comes in four sizes because riding on technical terrain calls for a well-fitting e-bike in a way that commuting to work doesn’t. If a cruiser doesn’t fit just right, it’s not a big deal, but if an eMTB doesn’t fit right, the rider’s balance and ability to control the e-bike can be compromised.

With four sizes, Aventon estimates that the Ramblas will fit riders from 5 feet 1 up to 6 feet 5, with each size accommodating about a 4-in. range of heights. We think they got this right.

The LMT’D V2 arrived as a Class 2 e-bike with throttle and pedal assist up to 20 mph, though it can be switched to a Class 3 through its settings menu. This grants access to pedal assisted speeds up to 28 mph (the throttle remains limited to 20 mph). As such, I performed a Speed Test in both its Class 2 and Class 3 modes to measure its maximum speeds in its 5 PAS settings. The data from both tests is graphed above.

Our test course is a flat section of paved bike path with straights and curves. Due to the LMT’D’s use of a torque sensor for motor engagement, I maintained a consistent, casual-to-moderate level of effort so as to observe the differences between settings.

In Class 2 mode, I began the test by pedaling with the PAS deactivated (PAS 0) and reached 10.6 mph comfortably. My speeds increased relatively steadily to 13.5 mph in PAS 1, 15.8 mph in PAS 2, 19.1 mph in PAS 3, and 21.0 mph in PAS 4. With the bike limited in its Class 2 settings, there was no room left to go above my PAS 4 speed; I measured the same maximum in PAS 5.

In Class 3 mode, there was an immediate and noticeable difference in the motor’s output across the full span of assist levels. I once again noted steady increases of speed, with maximum results of 14.8 mph in PAS 1, 18.9 mph in PAS 2, 22.8 mph in PAS 3 and 25.1 mph in PAS 4. Finally, I felt a significant kick upon selecting PAS 5; the bike rocketed to 29.9 mph with its maximum output.

With a 48V, 750W rear-hub motor, the bike’s ability to reach the Class 3 limit in PAS 5 (with some gusto, I might add) was no surprise; this is a powerful motor that is able to draw and use current from the battery quickly. However, I found that the bike’s ride felt much more reserved than I expected in its lower PAS settings than I expected based on its specs. I thoroughly appreciated the bike’s non-electric feel, so this was a pleasant surprise!

When pedaling becomes a backup, not an option, it makes sense to design a ride with a more comfortable seat, greater stability at speed and bigger tires with more traction. That said, on those occasions when you do choose to pedal, it’s nice not to have your knees bumping your chin and I’m not sure I’ve ridden an e-moped that gave me a more comfortable seated position. We’re all going to misjudge range at some point and find ourselves a mile or two from home. The e-bike that makes pedaling home as easy as possible is going to cause less range anxiety, and that’s one thing the QuiteKat Lynx has going for it. I wouldn’t have guessed I could go nearly 10 mph on a 100-lb. e-bike with the motor off. So, kudos and all.

QuietKat’s Variable Power Output (VPO) is one of our favorite features. The unlimited mode is great fun when no one else is nearby, but in traffic or on a bike path, it’s helpful to be able to switch this to Class 3 or Class 2 operation in an effort to be a good neighbor.

QuietKat’s app improves the user experience with features like GPS tracking both while riding and when parked, locking and unlocking the Lynx and more.

With UL-certification becoming a must-have, we were glad to see that QuietKat secured UL 2849 certification for the Lynx. That means the full electronics system including battery, charger and motor has been certified safe.

QuietKat’s warranty is a little more stringent than we usually see as it covers the Lynx for one year or 1000 miles, though the frame carries a lifetime warranty. Those wanting additional coverage that includes accident protection can purchase a one-, two- or three-year supplemental warranty at the time of their purchase.

First, comfort: the bike features a great-feeling CHIFA leather saddle that I found extremely comfortable after hours on the bike. Like the JackRabbit OG, the XG uses foldable pegs for foot placement. These felt sturdy and stout, even as a rider with large feet. The bike’s standard rubber grips were pleasantly squishy but otherwise as expected.

In terms of fit, the XG is advertised as being able to accommodate riders from 4’-9” to 6’-6”. Few bikes can fit such a broad range of users with a single frame size, but the XG has one clear advantage. With no pedals, riders need not be concerned with proper leg extension – they simply need a comfortable seat. Our tallest and shortest testers (Michael at 6’-5” and Kaleigh at 5’-4”, respectively) enjoyed their rides in comfort and style, proving JackRabbit’s advertised height range completely on point.

The overall feel of the ride ranged from lively to relaxing. In Eco, the bike’s cruising speed was a comfortable balance between getting us where we needed to be and allowing us to enjoy the scenery. In High, the ride was a bit more thrilling with punchier acceleration and a more energized feel.

Regardless of power level, the XG’s handling was incredible! With such a short wheelbase, we could almost literally turn on a dime, and with its robust motor, the bike could easily power through turns.

With a low-profile off-road tread pattern on its 20” CST tires, the XG can handle some light dirt or gravel roads. There is no suspension that comes standard, though the 2.4”-wide tires help to smooth some dips and bumps.

In terms of comfort, the bike excels; its riding position, while having a slight forward-lean, is mostly relaxed and upright. It features a well-shaped Bontrager Commuter Comp saddle with a great balance of softness and supportiveness. The bike includes ergonomic rubber grips with plenty of support, and large rubberized pedals with plenty of grab – but no pegs to inflict shin wounds in the event of a slip.

The Allant+ is offered in three frame sizes and two frame styles; the high-step we tested fits riders between 5’-5” and 6’-6”, while the step-thru or “Stagger” model is made for shorter riders between 5’-1” and 6’-1”. At 5’-11”, I fit squarely in the middle of the accommodation range for the Large frame, and it felt perfect for me in terms of saddle height, reach, etc.

As I mentioned previously, the bike felt firmly planted, but still handled incredibly responsively. Its 660mm handlebars provided quick steering, and ultimately felt wider and roomier than they were. The 27.5”x2.4” Bontrager E6 Hard-Case Lite tires helped the bike feel stable and offered cushioning to help counteract the absence of a suspension – which itself plays a role in the bike’s confident handling but makes bumps more pronounced.

A huge element that contributed to the overall ride feel of the Allant+ is its Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor. In addition to providing a remarkably smooth and consistent feel to its pedal assistance, the system includes highly functional technology to make rides easier and more enjoyable.

Our test bike was outfitted with the manufacturer’s SmartphoneHub that includes a basic black-and-white LCD, but features a spring loaded clamp mount that allows riders to use their smartphone as a display. When paired with the bike through Bosch’s COBI.BIKE app, users have seamless access to up to 10 pre-selected contacts for making calls with Bluetooth headphones/earbuds, streaming songs through Apple Music or Spotify, turn-by-turn navigation with Apple Maps, ride tracking through Strava or Komoot, and health/fitness data through Apple Health or Google Fit.