Schwinn Sidewinder eBike Review Tower 100-Point E-Bike Scoring

The pictures you are seeing on the product page are the pictures of the bike you will receive if you purchase it. If you have any questions or if you want more pictures, don’t hesitate to reach out at  or via our chat. Your sales taxes will be calculated at check-out and vary per state. Meanwhile it is possible that you don’t see any sales taxes applied to your purchase.

Choose your level of assist on the easy to use 3-button control pad and the 250watt motor will provide boost as you pedal allowing you to enjoy longer rides or defeat steep hills. The twist grip shifter allows you to adapt the 7-speed drivetrain to the terrain. The aluminum frame with integrated battery keeps weight low and makes the bike easier to control. Mid-drive motors are often considered the premium option because they result in a more comfortable ride and long-lasting performance. A rear hub motor is more commonly found in e-bikes and is more suited for riding on flat ground. These motors offer a maintenance-free experience but don’t offer as much power as mid-drive options.

Fortunately, when riding, I can’t tell that it weighs more than my other bikes. Some of the added weight is attributed to the battery, which checks in at about six pounds. As mentioned above, you do have to start pedaling to engage the electric assistance though you don’t have to pedal much to approach max speeds. Nonetheless, I wish there was a way to zip around town without having to pedal at all. Despite my desire to only bike for exercise, I do admit I get lazy sometimes.

Class 2 e-bikes are required to stop assistance past 20 miles per hour. Level 1 throttle tops out at around 10 mph while level 5 will give you the full 20 mph. Of course, the premier feature of this e-bike is the “e” part. This is a class 1/class 2 e-bike in that it can be a pedal-assist bike schwinn ebike up to 20 mph or you can use a dedicated throttle lever without pedaling. You will want to check your local regulations to find out what is legal in your area. Most places are fine with class 1 e-bikes, but different municipalities have different rules pertaining to class 2 and above.

This usually equates to a max speed of around 20 miles per hour. This speed is perfect if you’re looking for an electric cruiser bike. The 250-watt rear hub motor on the Schwinn Mendocino allows it to reach 20 miles per hour. Even better, it has a throttle function, so you can use it to go back home in comfort exactly like a tiny electric motorcycle.