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. As an avid cyclist who commuted to and from the train for years in the past, I see e-bikes as a very reasonable step forward in commuting. The bike should have an estimated range of 18 miles without pedalling.
7-speed twist shifters offer smooth gear changes, mechanical disc brakes deliver all weather stopping power, and the alloy frame provides lightweight durability. 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 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. I’m sure that keeping it in low pedal assist will still net riders the claimed maximum of 35 miles that Schwinn promises.
It looks like a tough, no-nonsense bike that verges on mountain bike durability. The layout is also comfortable, with a seat and ergonomic setup that is suited to long rides. While you can ride in light rain or snow if needed, it is not recommended to expose the e-bike to water, as this may damage the battery and other electric components. Press the power button on the battery to turn the e-bike on. This button is located on the underside of the downtube near the cranks. The battery meter is comprised of five segments to give you an estimate of how much power you have left.
It also has a hidden pocket in the seat, which is a pretty neat way to store your phone, keys, and other small items. Rest assured, riding one of Schwinn’s e-bikes will quickly feel just as second nature as riding the traditional (or analog) bike you’re used to. In fact, we’re pretty sure you’ll end up preferring it to your old bicycle.
And, since you brake while coasting (not pedaling), there isn’t any extra power that would affect your braking. Once you get on your e-bike, hold down the power button for 2 seconds to turn it on. Press the up arrow to choose the level of pedal assist you want. You can easily increase your assistance level when you feel more comfortable using the PAS and want to try riding longer distances or going uphill.
And at the end of the day, we’re talking about an affordable cruiser, so I didn’t expect to find high-end shifters, hydraulic disc brakes, or suspension on the bike. The Shimano schwinn beach cruiser Tourney shifter, mechanical disc brakes, and plushy spring saddle are enough for me. I’ve seen this level of components on electric cruisers that cost nearly twice as much.
While electric mountain bikes tend to be fairly pricey — it’s not uncommon for them to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,000 — the recommendations below represent a wide range of budgets. Check back often, as we’ll be updating our ebike coverage regularly, looking at standout models like the Juiced RipCurrent S and the VanMoof S3. While riding, use the “+” button to increase the level of assist as desired, and use the “-“ to decrease. A higher level of assistance requires less pedaling effort.
But it being a midweek day, I had the trail mostly to myself and was able to test all the assist levels — learning that the bike could indeed do the advertised maximum assist speed of 20 mph. When Schwinn contacted me about reviewing one of the bikes, I chose the Coston DX in the step-thru version, which makes for easy mounting. It also has upgraded fenders, a rear rack and a unique storage saddle that opens like a clamshell with the hinge in the nose and has room for your wallet, phone, energy bars or a multi-tool. All three models have headlights, taillights and integrated downtube lights for full visibility. Riding around on electric bikes might feel a little surprising at first, but most people who try it love it.