Kent Torpedo review: A kid’s e-bike, tested by a fun uncle and some kids

We offer a rental service with a bespoke nationwide drop-off and collection service. NABA’s 2019 figures also found e-bikes were used some 1.7 times more than traditional bikes. The bill would mean the removal of sales and use tax on e-bikes and related cycling equipment.

The line will include the Van Dessel e-MTB, the Captain Shred, and the Van Dessel gravel bike, the Passepartout, which were engineered from the ground up around the new Panasonic GX0 motor. The Univega USA touring e-Bike, the UVG-1, will feature Panasonic’s X0 motor system, weighing in at 3.7kg. If there’s one thing worse than running out of battery before you’re home, it’s surely your young child’s heavy e-bike running out of battery before you’re home.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive ebike for casual weekend rides, the Kent Electric Cruiser demands consideration. The price means that it lacks some of the advanced features of many electric models, and even more basic ones like quick release, but it looks great and rides well. We are here to help and give you impartial advice on all matters related to electric bikes in Hastings. If they can swing it, I 100% recommend grabbing a second battery. It’s about the size of a small water bottle and easy to stick in your bag when the family goes on a ride.

Given the fire-engine red color scheme, 26-inch whitewall tires, and swooping handlebars, I felt like a fatter, hairier Pee Wee Herman pedaling around my city. The Kent Torpedo kid’s electric bike is an excellent pick if you want something economical yet top-notch for your little ones. With its 180W motor, 6-speed gearing, and LED display, your kids can enjoy a smooth and tailored ride. The website also hosts a safety quiz that reinforces the messages seen in the videos about proper rider behavior, including where to ride and how to park. Scan the QR code on your phone or click on the link below to take the Safety Quiz. If riders score 100% on the quiz, they will earn $5 in Spin credit.

The bike comes about 75% pre-assembled, and I only needed to attach the front wheel and fender, handlebars and saddle. Things started off on the wrong foot when I realized some of kent hybrid bike the seat post assembly pieces were missing. (Luckily, my local bike co-op was able to hook me up with the needed parts!) But that was really the only major problem with assembly.

Nicer (i.e., more expensive) e-bikes tend to use fancier mid-drive motors like those made by Brose, Bosch, Yamaha, and other major German or Japanese manufacturers. The Electric Cruiser offers three levels of electric assist, with a maximum boost of 20 mph. A very basic LED display indicates battery and power-assist levels but doesn’t include a speedometer or mileage counter. The Kent Electric Cruiser is a very pretty bike, with the removable Samsung lithium-ion battery integrated into the frame.

Tax incentives on e-bikes seem to be the legislative flavour of the day – witness the proposals for a nation-wide 30% saving on e-bikes. Once funding is completed via the company’s Indiegogo campaign, production is expected to begin in May with shipping slated for October. The V-brakes similarly aren’t incredibly high quality, but then again, they work just fine. This is a $498 kids e-bike after all – not a $17,000 S-Works for lycra-clad dads. While the Electric Cruiser was lighter than most e-bikes I’ve tested over the years, I would still hate to have to haul it upstairs or lift it onto a car rack. We ask that you return your bike to the same place it was purchased.

Speaking of steps, the step-thru frame comes in only one size but should fit most riders five feet and taller. To turn on the bike, you need to first hit a button underneath the battery, then another on the LED display. The battery’s on button isn’t in a highly visible place but is slightly raised so you can find it by touch. Your bike frame & fork are protected under our Lifetime Warranty policy.