However, for everyday commutes to the office or grocery store, it’s a bonafide vehicle replacement. For $1,000, the Coston offers the basics as well as a sturdy ride. It even has frame lighting, which is a nifty feature absent in all our other test bikes and increases your ability to be noticed by motorists at night.
The bike’s 1,500-lumen light with three different modes provided excellent visibility, ensuring a well-lit journey. We may have gotten a little too “trigger happy” with it, as we never did make it close to the website claim of 125 miles before having to charge it. However, like most e-bikes, the portable battery is easy to pop off and charge overnight. And the big display in the middle of the handlebars has all the necessary numbers on it, so we were well aware of the battery life before it got too low.
If the rider pedals at 100% effort all the time, the range will be much greater than if the rider relies on the motor to do most of the work. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we break down all of the variables and terminology that you need to make an informed purchase. Once your primary bike needs are met, check schwinn mountain bicycles out our guides on accessories like bike lights and bike racks. The motor peaks at 1500W and 160 Nm of torque, which is nearly twice that of even the most powerful of the other bikes we tested. Basically, this “bike” is so powerful it sits in a bit of a gray area as far as what U.S. law considers an electric bike.
While we didn’t test this specifically, we rode it every day for an average of 8 miles and went between all of the modes depending on how fast we needed to get somewhere or how we were feeling that day. If you need more range, there is an option to get a range extender. To charge it back to full capacity, it only took 2 and a half hours, which is on the faster end. The components consist of Sram and Praxis, which are all high quality. The chain is protected by a minimal chain guard, minimizing the need to oil it.
On this list, the ET Cycle F1000 and the Specialized Turbo Vado SL are great commuter options. Both bikes have at least eight gears, a comfortable saddle, and a rear storage rack. Gears aren’t strictly necessary on an electric bike, but they do help to expand your range, and they’re quite handy in hilly areas. The 2022 Schwinn Ridgewood electric mountain bike makes uphill climbs easier and riding on level surfaces faster and more fun. The 250-watt pedal assist motor can boost your speed up to 20mph for an extra push when you need it most. A multifunction control unit on the handlebar allows you to select the amount of boost while also indicating battery reserve.
With a few minor improvements to the user interface, it could definitely be one of our top picks. Now the kids are able to ride longer distances to go to their different activities and actually prefer it over getting a ride in the car. And they still do reach for their traditional bikes for shorter rides and rides with friends. The ET Cycle F1000 is great for beach riding and people who aren’t interested in getting a workout.
Like the instrument cluster in a vehicle’s dashboard, an electric bike’s display informs the user of facts and figures related to their ride and their bike’s performance. Most e-bike displays are small 1-3-inch screens with options for switching between settings and modes. Most displays read out MPH, total trip mileage, current modes, and remaining battery life.