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. The front suspension fork pairs nicely with the seat post shock and the ergonomic grips, swept back handlebars and adjustable stem keep your hands and arms comfortable. Even though this bike uses a relatively weak motor, it rides well and keeps the overall weight down. It’s also very balanced because the battery pack (while high up) is in the back and the motor is in the front.
But even the mid- to low-end Shimano parts are perfectly fine for this level of bike. The Schwinn EC1 is one of those simple e-bikes that can reliably bring a smile to your face. So buckle up and check out the video review of the Schwinn EC1 below, then read on for all the tech specs and juicy details. The Schwinn EC1 isn’t a powerhouse, and it doesn’t have top-shelf components. It’s easy to see the affordable quality when you see a Schwinn.
Lithium is known for being light weight and since this pack is also relatively small at 266 watts vs. 360 or so, it helps to keep the overall weight of the bike down. The pack has a built in handle and LED light readout for a quick estimate of remaining battery capacity. The pack locks to the frame and does require the key to be left in to a second slot in order to be used. This is a definite con schwinn beach cruiser as your keys can jingle around when riding making them and the bike frame more vulnerable to damage and scratches. A lightweight, very affordable, name-brand electric bicycle available in three frame sizes for improved fit, purpose-built frame with color matched saddle, grips, and deep dish rims. Efficient 250 watt Bafang hub motor feels smooth and responds quickly to a 12-magnet cadence……
The motor is quiet during operation and blends in with the rest of the bike. I did notice some speed wobbles at higher speeds when riding with no-hands (be careful not to let this get out of control or you may crash). One upside to a front hub motor is that it reduces the complexity of the rear wheel which usually has cogs and a derailleur already crowding the space. One thing I would have liked to see on the front wheel with this ebike is a quick release as this is offered at the back and also on the seat tube and it just makes servicing easier.
Now, with the Pedal Assist System, the force responsible for going forward is you pedaling. The motor still comes into play here and provides some assistance by giving an extra boost each time you pedal. Using PAS, the bike will not accelerate without use of the pedals like the throttle does. The Pedal Assist System, or PAS, is a feature of your e-bike that provides extra power behind each pedal. It all runs through the LCD display located on the handlebars, from here you can toggle between one of 7 levels of assistance and turn on the PAS. Once you turn it on, the system engages each time you pedal on the electric bike.
The decently large tires also make it a fun bike for nature trails and gravel paths. I wouldn’t want to take it off any jumps due to the lack of suspension, but it’s not really meant for that, either. This is a relaxed, upright cruiser that has the ability to handle a fairly wide range of riding trails. But of course half the fun of riding a bike is using your own power for propulsion (or at least sharing the load).
But while the Schwinn EC1 isn’t a fancy cruiser, it is a comfortable and pleasurable ride. The 250 W motor doesn’t sound powerful, but when I put it in the highest assist level I don’t have to do any work. I can just lightly spin the pedals to activate the pedal sensor and the motor does all the work for me. Feature rich, relatively affordable, light weight electric bike from ~2009 well suited for city use. Lithium polymer battery pack is fast to charge, easily removable and balanced with the front…… That is not the case with this e-bike and I think it comes down to a question of power management.
I like that they included a bell with the bike and would love to have also had some lights for safety. Considering the relatively low price point aftermarket lights are something that could be added easily later on. A commuter ready electric bike with upright handlebar, adjustable suspension seat post, and comfortable plus sized tires. It comes with sturdy aluminum alloy fenders, a rear rack, and integrated lights..
Schwinn’s electric bicycle line has significantly expanded over the last couple years. When I first started riding electric Schwinns, I was largely limited to cruiser e-bikes. But with several new commuter-specific e-bikes like the Schwinn Coston CE that I recently tested, this household bicycle name is making a big move on the wider e-bike market.
All three of the new Schwinn ebike models have step-thru and standover versions, 20mph speed limit and 250-watt brushless geared hub drive motor. I’m sure that keeping it in low pedal assist will still net riders the claimed maximum of 35 miles that Schwinn promises. I’m not about to pedal around in the lightest pedal assist setting all day, especially since this isn’t a high power e-bike to begin with.