Find the right e-bike to get you zooming from A to B.
City
Low step
Much like the Speedmaster, this e-bike from Hybrid surprised us in all the right ways. Its unique selling point is the stiff and light carbon composite frame – a material usually found on high-end road and mountain bikes. This meant it was one of the least flexible step-through bikes we’ve ridden (in a good way). The frame stiffness contributed to the confident handling and efficient pedalling our testers noted.
The Bafang drive system comes from a Chinese manufacturer with a long record of making electric bike systems. This mid-drive model delivers smooth power and lots of it. This Hybrid was the easiest bike for going up steep hills and assists to 32km/h. While you might need to dial back the assistance to extend riding range, there’s still plenty of “go” from the motor on lower settings. Its parts are all good quality, with a bump-absorbing suspension fork, puncture-resistant tyres, a large gear range, a full set of guards and a rack.
Hybrid has thought carefully about this bike and the intended rider. We think it’s more than capable of urban riding and covering longer distances.
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Each e-bike was taken on a test route by two riders. The 5km route in and around Wellington’s CBD included city traffic, fast flat roads, hills, kerbs, wooden bridges and a busy waterfront path shared with pedestrians.
We also put the e-bikes through a gruelling 20km route around Wellington’s Wadestown and Northland suburbs. The main challenge was climbing a 2km-long hill five times at a steady 20km/h (a kilometre of vertical ascent) and descending the same twisty narrow road between climbs. It also included a short, steep section of rough path with a narrow barrier negotiated at walking pace, an undulating 5km of suburban streets, and a steep descent requiring brakes to keep the e-bike to the 50km/h speed limit.
Our riding tests, along with a static assessment of the features and functions of each e-bike, were used to score the performance of the motor system and the bike. Overall score includes:
Motor system (50% of overall score)
Bike (50% of overall score)
$5150
City
Low step
No
One size
Bafang
m400
Mid
300W
80Nm
32km/h
5
504Wh
Down tube
700mm
45mm
Road
Plastic
Rear mount
10 / Trigger
RST 100mm
Disc (hydraulic)
A sturdy comfortable ride
Pros
Mid point of the battery.
Carbon fibre makes it lighter.
Superb after sales service and good assistance in deciding on changeable parts like a suspension seat.
Feels comfortable and stable on the road.
Cons
Drink holder and flashing lights.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
Linda B.
Used 6 months or more