The Paramount used high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel alloy tubing and expensive brass lug-brazed construction. Class 2Class 2 e-bikes (the majority of e-bikes on the market today) have a throttle that can propel the bike to that top 20 mph speed without any pedal assist from the rider. The bike can accelerate to 20 mph without the rider having to pedal. And like Class 1, these bikes are allowed wherever bikes are permitted.We should add that not all Class 2 e-bikes will get you all the way to 20 mph.
I think the battery built into the bottom tube looks cool. Most ebikes just have a big battery hanging off the bottom tube. Putting the Marshall together takes about 30 minutes and isn’t difficult. It might take you a bit longer if you aren’t familiar with ebikes. It’s still lower than many mountain bikes making it easier to get on and off, especially on awkward spots on the trail. A small, easy to use console is on the left side of the handlebar.
The new frame and component technology incorporated in the Paramount largely failed to reach Schwinn’s mass-market bicycle lines. W. Schwinn, grandson Frank Valentine Schwinn took over management of the company. Schwinn has been a large name within the bike industry for over a decade. Generally producing mountain bikes for all shapes and sizes. The Sidewinder is Schwinn’s take on an electric mountain bike. The Schwinn electric bike scored a 33 on our Tower ebike score.
With 2.6″ tires, you’ve got a lot of air and rubber under you to tackle more than just well-manicured bicycle lanes. Hitting curbs or potholes will be smoother than most pure commuter bikes, especially considering the inclusion of the front suspension fork and suspension seat post. Putting your bike together is actually pretty easy. We have a video that details electric bike assembly and with a few basic tools you’ll be out and about in a matter of minutes.
“Nice to ride, easy to assemble and make adjustments.” — Mark S.“Great ride! Love my Schwinn….Easy to assemble and charge the battery.” — Stephen G. Although it has an aluminum frame, it weighs in at just over 66 pounds. Maybe that’s not such a big deal, but much of the weight is carried high in the frame. My first impression was that the bike felt unwieldy, like I was carrying a bocce set on the rack behind me.
The motor driving this bike offers 180 watts nominal power and up to 250 watts peak. It’s a planetary geared design by Protanium and it offers good torque while keeping weight down. The motor is quiet during operation and blends in with the rest of the bike. One downside to a front mounted hub motor is that it increases the steering weight and changes the ride quality a little bit but the impact is minimized here due to the smaller size of the motor.
It comes with dual-function pedals that have cages on one side and SPD clips on the other, so you can choose the footwear that’s best for you, plus they come with SPD cleats. The front stabilizer has integrated transport wheels that make moving this heavy bike easy. All feet have independent levelers to help stabilize the bike on uneven surfaces. An adjustment knob below the handlebar controls resistance, and there are 100 micro-adjustable levels of smooth, quiet magnetic resistance. In 1938, Frank W. Schwinn officially introduced the Paramount series. Developed from experiences gained in racing, Schwinn established Paramount as their answer to high-end, professional competition bicycles.
Schwinn includes a battery charger with the bike, which plugs into any standard wall outlet you’d have in your home, apartment, or office. To take the battery out of the bike, use the included key to release it, then plug the charger into the battery and then into the wall. If you need to bring the pack inside to charge, you’ll love this setup. It slides right out, and has a nice handle to carry it. In a nutshell, it’s a 24v, 4AH battery pack composed of reasonably exotic lithium titanate cells.
So to offer a full-size electric bike with otherwise nice commuter features yet with such a small battery is a bit surprising. And with a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) combined with both throttle and pedal assist functionality, this Class 2 e-bike will help you fly around the city quickly and effortlessly (if you rely on the throttle). The Schwinn Coston CE is very much a commuter electric bike, but it’s not one of those thin-wheeled schwinn ebike messenger e-bikes.