A Shimano STEPS E6100 mid-drive motor gives the benefit of an easier cycling experience while offering the ride feel of a non-electric bike. We found the motor’s engagement to be smooth and subtle with a natural feel; only in the Dew-E DL’s highest assist setting did it seem like we were riding an e-bike!
At just 43 lbs, the bike’s relatively low weight also stood out to us by contributing to an airy, responsive, and agile ride. With such a manageable weight, apartment-dwellers can comfortably lift and carry the bike up a few flights of stairs if needed. The Dew-E DL can also be accommodated by standard bike racks for ease of transport.
We also enjoyed the stability granted by the bike’s 650x47mm road tires. With low rolling resistance, these tires also encouraged fast acceleration. In combination with the custom carbon fiber fork, these tires helped to absorb vibrations from the street or path and make the rigid frame much more comfortable.
A list of the bike’s components is provided below, but keep scrolling for the full Kona Dew-E DL review.
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The Dew-E DL feels like an analog bike but gives you much more payoff for your effort!
At 43 lbs, the Dew-E’s low weight (for an e-bike) keeps it feeling light and nimble.
The Dew-E DL’s range potential makes it great for commuting or touring.
When testing the Dew-E DL’s brake system using the process described above, we anticipated great results and were not disappointed. The bike is equipped with a Shimano Altus-tier hydraulic brake system with 2-piston calipers and 160 mm rotors on both its front and rear wheels.
With this brake system and three sets of data from our test, we calculated the bike’s average stopping distance to be 20’-11”. In the big picture of our data, this result is excellent – though by commuter standards it is relatively average, as e-bikes of this category tend to perform well in this test.
The Shimano system did give the Dew-E DL an edge. For perspective, a majority of the other commuter e-bikes we’ve tested used 180mm rotors to disperse heat, but the Dew-E managed a great result with smaller-than-average rotors.
The bike performed well outside of this test, also. In my personal time on the bike, I observed a noticeably responsive feel with quick, powerful stopping ability. The bike’s WTB 650x47mm road tires had a slightly tendency to “skate” for short distances when braking hard, but this was to be expected from the minimal tread pattern. The bike remained stable, planted, and well in my control.
Based on our test results and my experiences, we find it easy to state that the Kona Dew-E DL is equipped with safe, effective brakes.
The Dew-E DL includes a number of bosses on its frame and fork for bikepacking; this is an uncommon feature on the commuter e-bikes we have tested. With four bosses on either side of the carbon fork and two each on the seat tube and down tube, riders can equip gear bags, bottle cages, etc.
In my experience, mid-drive motors exist on a spectrum; on one end they can respond quickly to changes in pedaling, but might feel somewhat inconsistent in their output. On the other, they can feel smooth and steady, but do not respond as drastically to different levels of effort. The Dew-E DL’s motor exists more firmly on the second side, though I found the Shimano drive system to be a good balance of both.
It was refreshing to see such a full package of premium components on the bike; Shimano manufactures the Altus brakes, the Deore drivetrain, the Tiagra wheel hubs, and of course the motor and battery. Many of the other parts are custom Kona components, including the grips, stem, seatpost, handlebars, and others.
It is no surprise then that the Dew-E DL had such a precise feel; the analog nature of its ride is clearly an intentional result of its build.