In the past, the range you got depended on how much work you were willing to put into it. On my older e-bike (also a Schwinn) I get about the same 20 miles of range at level 5, but I also get closer to 40 miles at level 3. In many cases, we get these bikes still-in-box from both manufacturers and bike shops as overstock. While you will typically not be eligible for manufacturer warranty for these bikes, this is how we are able to offer them at such a steep discount.
They include both pedal assist and throttle functions, with a top speed of 20 MPH. Class 2 e-bikes are approved for use on bike trails in most cities and states. Easily recharge in as little as 4 hours with a standard household outlet and the included charging cable. Despite my weight and the strain it put on the motor, I found that the bike really does have a 45-mile range on a single charge. I didn’t have a chance to precisely time how long the battery takes to charge from empty but it recharged completely overnight or during a full workday.
Even though this electric bike offers 24 speeds (and thus has grip shifters on the left and right handle bars) the cockpit is relatively clean. The grips are comfortable, the brake levers work fine with the Tektro rim brakes and the display console and thumb throttle are easy to reach and use. There’s not a lot of choice here, you just turn the console on with a 0/1 toggle switch and either begin pedaling or push down on the giant paddle trigger. This makes the bike easy to use for just about anyone and reduces distractions when riding. If you want to know how fast you’re going you will need to add an aftermarket LCD display as seen on the bike in this review and that could cost ~$25.
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. The Coston e-bike is controlled with a handlebar-mounted LED panel with three buttons on the side. Front and rear mechanical disc brakes deliver all-weather stopping power and speed control. This guide is designed to make the decision to buy the best e-bike for riders of all types as simple and stress-free as possible.
The Schwinn Ridgewood launched recently in the electric bike market. The battery locks in under the frame of the bike, and the front wheel/fender tended to get in the way when removing or reinstalling the battery. One feature I liked was a secondary tab you need to retract to remove the battery.
Otherwise, the headlight is adjustable to your preference, and the rear light is built into the fender itself. I understand that I’m a big guy, and I’m also about 50 pounds over the maximum advertised weight schwinn electric bike for this bike. I was probably never going to get 35 miles out of this or any other bike. That being said, I also didn’t get much extra range beyond miles, even after I set the pedal-assist at level 3.
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. It has about an inch of travel between off and full, and you can push the throttle part way down or all the way down. Overall, I think Schwinn needs to better balance its approach when it comes to the motor and how hard it pushes, especially when it has a full charge. So, if you commute, or you frequently run errands, an e-bike can save you a lot of gas, and get you outside more.
Our e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries for their electrical stability, storage capacity, longevity, and lighter weight. The battery is easy to recharge with a standard household outlet and the included charging cable. When fully charged, Schwinn e-bike batteries last up to 45 miles.
One thing I miss from previous e-bikes I’ve had was a range estimator that gave you an idea as to how much further you could ride at your present power level under present conditions. Such a feature is fairly inaccurate all things considered, but some estimate is better than no estimate. At level 5, the throttle propels you up to 20 miles per hour and disengages if you go faster than that (for example, if you go downhill). 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.
The Schwinn GSE or “GSElectric” is an electric bike that was sold from 2007 to 2009 in a couple of different forms. There was a cruiser style frame and the city commuter “World” setup you see here. Although it is becoming harder to find, many of these are still on the road with their original high quality Lithium Polymer battery mongoose bmx packs. In my opinion it’s a great setup with everything you need to cruise around town running errands. It’s also great for commuting to work where you can easily remove the battery pack for a quick charge before heading home. The fenders keep you dry while the larger 700c wheels and hybrid tires provide efficiency in coasting.