Although this is a kid’s bike, it is doubtful how it would perform on trails better suited for adult riders. There have been criticisms involving consumers complaining that the bike has a very weak frame and breakable gears thus weakening its ability to travel in long hikes. The 10.4-amp hour battery promises around 1 hour 20 minutes of run time, or around 25 miles, using the electric assist at varying levels over the course of the ride. The Kent Electric Cruiser is a very pretty bike, with the removable Samsung lithium-ion battery integrated into the frame. 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. If you’re looking for an inexpensive ebike for casual weekend rides, the Kent Electric Cruiser demands consideration.
The geared motor doesn’t provide any extra resistance other than adding a couple pounds of needless weight. There’s also a 6-speed shifter that makes it easier for kids to climb hills in the proper gear, even without electric power. If the battery does die on a ride, the shifter definitely makes it more manageable to pedal. E-bikes for kids are sized in accordance with wheel size, just like traditional kids’ bikes. Consequently, your youngster will probably fit on a 24′′ kids’ electric bike if they are currently riding a 24′′ bicycle. As all motorcycles, it’s crucial to consider the minimum and maximum seat heights because, depending on the brand, they can differ significantly within a wheel size.
A group of us would carpool out to a lake trail, then ride with reckless abandon, flying over the handlebars multiple times each trip. One of the biggest benefits for adults is that electric bicycles can help make rides longer by not exhausting the rider so quickly. When the family goes out for a ride together, kids can’t always keep up with their stronger parents. But if the kids have small helper motors, a longer ride is definitely in the cards. Although mode in low power appears to last longer, high power mode consumes the battery faster.
Everything was going great until I encountered a 11%, 6-degree incline. Even while pedaling and in the highest level of assist, the bike barely had enough torque to push me up the hill. At one point, I smelled burning plastic when it hit me that the smell came from the motor, which was burning hot from overuse. When I sold the CrossFit gym and moved to Gainesville, Georgia, I lost all of my MTB-riding friends, so my bike went into storage.
Kids should be a certain age before they are mature enough to handle the extra power of an e-bike, even a low-power one like this. It is most likely equipped with a speed-level PAS control, allowing each level to select a different wheel speed as opposed to a different power level. You may confirm this by hand-cranking the pedals while the bike is upside-down while testing the wheel off the ground and checking the wheel speed. You will notice a noticeable shift in speed with each change in assist level if it is speed-level related. If the child uses the 24V 5.2Ah battery’s mode in low power, it can travel 15 miles (about 25 km) without charging. The thrill of driving swiftly in a mode that releases high power is undeniable, however, the battery life is shorter.
This year, I introduced my wife Haley to some local beginner singletrack in our new town of Cleveland, Georgia, and she loved it. I installed new front forks on my bike, purchased her a ride, and we started making the weekly trek for a short 30-minute trail excursion. Electric bikes amplify your pedaling power and your ability to do and see more.
But to be honest, I see this kids e-bike as a great thing. 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.
Major bicycle manufacturer Kent is announcing today its first electric bicycle designed specifically for children. The Kent Torpedo packs an e-bike system onto a 20″ kids bike, charging up the ride with more distance and speed. The bike kent electric bike is built on a steel frame and sports 20″ wheels. My 7-year-old nephew struggles to touch the ground while my nearly 9-year-old nephew fits on the bike easily. The fact that younger kids can’t fit on it is probably a good thing.