Lastly, the Marshall comes with integrated LED frame light and headlight, but with just a battery taillight. 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. While riding, press the thumb throttle button to activate the motor without pedaling. You can turn the lights on and off with a button on the handlebar controller. Press and hold the + button for 3 seconds to turn on just the headlight. Press the power button to turn the controller on.
It’s the large battery with a five-hour recharge time that separates the Coston DX from the others. This creates a more seamless look and functionality with both the front and rear lights. The Marshall has a 6061 aluminum frame with internal cable routing, along with JAK 7 mechanical disc brakes with a 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear rotor.
Overall, the bike is pretty similar to its 26-inch wheel model. The only big differences come in the form of smaller wheels and a slightly smaller range. Now, the Healy Ridge bikes are not what we’re used to seeing when it comes to electric mountain bikes, but they are perfect for beginners. From the Coston DX to the Schwinn Mendocino, the Schwinn electric bike line-up covers anything from on-road to off-road, from a casual cruise to running errands with the kids.
Different components are present through the Mendocino, including the Shimano Tourney rear derailleur and Shimano REVOSHIFT 6-speed, twist shifters. The crank is a three-piece 42T, mounted on the 6061 aluminum frame with internal cable routing. Slightly different again is the fork which is a 26” Hi-Ten steel, 100mm bolt-on. With a top speed of 20mph and the choice of pedal-assist or throttle power modes, you will have plenty of choices when it comes to unleashing the power of the motor.
So if you’re using liberal throttle, keep in mind that you’re going to wind up with limited range. As a commuter e-bike, I’m also glad to see some good commuter specific parts, like the included fenders and the excellent lighting. Not only do you get typical head and taillights, but you also have LED frame lights built into the sides of the battery. That adds a nice nighttime glow to the bike to give you better side visibility – an area where most bikes are lacking.
If you leave the battery in the bike, there is a rubber port cover you need to move before plugging in the bike. This helps keep the battery dry if you get caught out in the rain. If you’re using an e-bike to commute or run errands, or if it’s a particularly hot day, the throttle might be a better way to go. The throttle is a thumb lever on the left side of the bike, next to the LED panel.
The tail light does glow somewhat, but it’s not very bright, and it goes out as soon as you stop moving. If you look closely, you can see the metal bar sticking through the wheel. Also, the switchblade key is visible, inserted into the lock.
The controller is what you use to turn the motor on/off, select your level of assistance or throttle, and monitor battery level. It even controls the integrated lights on some models. It’s everything you need right at your fingertips. Easily recharge in as little as 4 hours with a standard household outlet and the included charging cable. E-bike batteries can be removed for charging or storage. To sum up, many of the Schwinn electric bikes include accessories and features that are worth hundreds of dollars, and the Mendocino electric cruiser bike is quite a rare find.
However, BionX was around, with their I2C torque sensing motors, so there’s at least some better stuff available. There are four or five pieces of plastic that clip together to seal this thing up very well. Road or trail grit will stay out, and chain oil will stay in. They can do this because all the shifting is done in the rear hub – so it’s a straight, simple chainline with nothing other than two sprockets and a chain. I really, really like this feature – I can ride it in long pants and not get dirty, and if I take it on a dusty trail, the chain will stay clean and grit-free. This is awesome, and I’d love to see more bikes doing something like this.
So, no matter how you like to ride, there’s an e-bike for you. For more information, check out our blog post on e-bike styles. Each frame is available in step-through form and includes wide tires, integrated lights, upright positioning, and a powerful motor. With every schwinn mountain bicycles, there is the option of using pedal-assist or throttle. Ride up to 20 MPH with the 250-watt brushless geared hub drive pedal assist motor that gives you a boost while you pedal.