Some e-bikes are classified as “Class 1” bikes where the electric motor only provides assistance to the rider when they pedal. Everything after that comes from the power in the rider’s legs.These bikes are allowed wherever bikes are permitted. Just for comparison’s sake, the top riders in the Tour de France average an overall speed of 25 mph through more than 2,000 miles of grueling hill climbs, breathtaking downhill descents, time trials, and flat racing. So even if you hopped on something like our Coston DX, kept it fully charged, and used the throttle the whole time to race against the elite Tour athletes, you’ll still be well off the pack. In terms of performance, the Coston DX falls flat. Its throttle was so lackluster and slow — especially when compared with other bikes of a similar price class — that it sometimes didn’t feel like it was powered at all.
However, there were clear warning signs on the horizon.
Anyone who has tried to back up a bike while the pedals are locked with the kickstand will appreciate what I’m talking about. The Coston e-bike comes with a schwinn electric bike typical brick-on-a-string charger that plugs into a normal 110v outlet. Schwinn advertises that it takes about four hours to charge. You can plug the battery in while it’s inside the bike, or you can use an included key to remove the battery from the bike for charging.
That’s going to be easy here because of the wide open triangle and straight top tube. The bike is very well balanced and even has enough room inside the triangle for a bottle cage mount, which could also work for a folding lock, mini-pump, or other standard accessory. The trade-off here is that the frame feels more rigid and positions your body in a more forward leaning sporty angle… even mounting the frame requires a flexible sporty mindset compared to a mid-step or step-thru. The Monroe 250 uses mechanical rim brakes vs. v-brakes or disc brakes and the motor is more efficient and smooth than zippy. Depending on your fitness level and willingness to pedal, climbing could be a challenge compared to the Monroe 350 or other competing models with more powerful motors.
They sense how hard you are pushing on the pedals and provide enough boost to offset headwinds and hills. But they tend to be higher end models that can cost a considerable amount of money. I am what is politely known as a “budget conscious” person. Although it has an aluminum frame, it weighs in schwinn electric bike at just over 66 pounds. Maybe that’s not such a big deal, but much of the weight is carried high in the frame. My first impression was that the bike felt unwieldy, like I was carrying a bocce set on the rack behind me.
When you add the extra power of an e-bike to these off-road features, you get a truly impressive machine capable of pushing up steep trails all the way to the summit. The Ridgewood is a mountain e-bike that’s ideal for rugged trails. It features a standover frame and is available in two wheel sizes.
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. Of course, some of that weight is in the 288-watt battery which Schwinn adversities as being good for up to 35 miles of range. We’ll get into the range in a moment, but the rest of the bike is fairly standard fare for any bike. You get a 7-speed gear system on the rear wheel with a single gear on the front. The shifter is on the right handlebar opposite the LED display for the motor on the left.
That way, when you unlock the battery it doesn’t just fall out. Some thought was put into the idea there and I appreciated it. What makes me excited about the bike is the possibilities that it opens up, but like a lot of aspects of this bike, it’s something of a double-edged sword. Electric bikes are a ton of fun and I’ve had a great time this summer riding them.
I did a Google search for “cruiser e-bikes” and found a link to the Schwinn website. I confess I have never heard of most of the companies selling e-bikes these days. There was a certain comfort level right from the start about dealing with a brand I knew and trusted.