They cost less to produce, and they are basically bulletproof in terms of user error. Then one day, a fellow mountain biker asked if I wanted kent hybrid bike to ride his bike around the parking lot. After a few seconds of strenuous pedaling, the bike suddenly took off with explosive force.
To see how much fun the Kent Torpedo e-bike is, check out my video review below! Then keep reading for my complete thoughts and testing (yes, I rode it too!).
This 6-speed pedal-assist bicycle has a sturdy, steel frame. The motor is mounted in the rear wheel and adds 180W of power in full power mode. There are medium and low power modes that provide even softer assistance. An led battery meter is mounted on the handlebars that also houses the power mode selector. The motor doesn’t add any assist unless the rider is pedaling, and the assist cuts out immediately when pedaling stops. The brake levers that control a pair of v-brakes also have sensors to cut motor power any time the brakes are pulled.
The medium power mode seems like a nice happy middle ground. Now before I start getting disgruntled comments, let me start by saying this isn’t a small motorcycle – it’s a pedal-assist e-bike. The Shimano drivetrain shifted flawlessly between its eight speeds, and the mechanical disc brakes on the front and rear worked capably in dry conditions. At this price point, you’re going to have to deal with some compromises. I wish the bike came standard with thru-axles or quick-release skewers for the wheels.
The safety of our campus community remains a top priority, and we encourage everyone to Share the Road and look out for their fellow Flashes. While the battery seems to last for a while on low power mode, high mode drains it quicker. I asked Kent Bicycles about the possibility of buying spare batteries to swap in and make for a longer ride, and they’re kent hybrid bike looking into offering them on their website. With a front suspension fork that isn’t much to write home about but still works just fine, the bike is somewhat sporty. We built a classic front yard ramp and had fun seeing who could get the most air. Of course, all the fun is in going fast in high power mode, though that drains the battery quicker.