However, it has a cadence, rather than a torque sensor, so it takes a rotation or two of the pedals for the assist to kick in. As it’s a BMX-style bike, the Ripracer is a lot smaller than other mountain e-bikes, which also makes it easier to maneuver around tight spaces. The Yuba Supercargo CL can haul an astounding 500 pounds, making it one of the heftiest electric cargo bikes in its class. Yet, it offers a surprisingly stable ride, thanks to its low center of gravity. Its cargo area is very customizable, letting you convert it from a place to carry groceries to a space to tote your tots to soccer practice.
But there’s another class of EV that might have slipped below your radar, but which has transformed my summer in very unexpected ways. The bike was provided by Schwinn for the purposes of the review. 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.
The frame is the same 6061 aluminum with internal cable routing. However, the same 250W brushless geared hub drive motor is present, as well as the 7-function LCD controller. It’s the large battery with a five-hour recharge time that separates the Coston DX from the others. 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. At the front of the Schwinn Marshall is a 27.5”, Hi-Ten steel fork with 100m travel. This offers plenty of cushion for off-road riding, or in case you hit any potholes on the way to work.
If you’re looking for something slightly more affordable, GoCycle also sells the G4i ($5,999) and the G4 ($4,799). A 2022 version of the G4 has an injection molded composite mid-frame. Then you should check out the Brompton Electric C-Line Explore, which starts around $3,000.
The only hitch I encountered was when installing the front fender. Even at the highest position, the underside of the fender rubbed on the tire, and this was before I pumped the tire up to the recommended pressure. Without knobby tires, the Marshall isn’t going too far into mud or snow, but it is great for easier trails and dirt roads. My testing has been done on gravel roads and wet, muddy trails at around 5° C with a bit of snow on the ground.
The pedal assist level only affects the boost you get when pedalling, not the throttle speed. Each Schwinn electric bike has a powerful motor, pedal-assist, and throttle modes to choose from, and an extended range of at least 35 miles. 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.
The bike tops out at around 57 pounds, which is tank-like in the biking world. By comparison, my poor, neglected Trek bike weighs around 25 pounds. That’s a big difference when you’re picking up the bike to turn it around or put it on a car rack. Before we get into the e-bike itself, I want to take a moment to talk about e-bike ownership and what it has meant for me. I mentioned the shunning of my trusty Trek bike in lieu of my e-bikes this summer, but the reason for that has been life-changing for me.
You won’t notice the wallowy or flexy ride that so often plagues step-through e-bikes, which is confidence-inspiring in corners and when you’re looking to ride it for years to come. Shopping mongoose excursion for an e-bike that retails for less than $1000 can be a mixed bag. We understand people wanting to stretch a dollar as far as possible, especially with inflation being what it is.
I like how the Marshall is a bit more upright than a standard mountain bike but in a better position for standing than a cruiser. This creates a more seamless look and functionality with both the front and rear lights. This bike comes equipped with front, rear, and bottom lights. The front and rear lights are attached to the fenders while the bottom lights are part of the battery itself. If it’s a bright night and you just want some visibility, the bottom lights work well. Otherwise, the headlight is adjustable to your preference, and the rear light is built into the fender itself.
Riders of all ability levels and all shapes and sizes can pretty easily determine the best e-bike for them with just a few minutes of reading and research. John R. Quain has been reviewing and testing video and audio equipment for more than 20 years. For Tom’s Guide, he has reviewed televisions, HDTV antennas, electric bikes, electric cars, as well as other outdoor equipment.