Letters: Thoughts on e-bikes in Kent

They cost less to produce, and they are basically bulletproof in terms of user error. Walmart has long offered an interesting array of low-cost electric bicycles. Some of the bikes have even dipped down into ultra-budget territory with prices below $400. It can be a good option for those that want the utility of an electric bicycle but don’t have a lot of spare cash. But while Walmart is known for its super cheap e-bikes, the company has never offered higher-end e-bikes with nicer features like mid-drive motors. At least, not until now with the launch of Kent’s new mid-drive electric bike.

His daughter helped us on the day and was able to collect us from and return us to the station. The bikes are brand new and come with all the necessary equipment. Marcus provided us with a map with a choice of routes marked out.

There are two battery options, 625Wh and the dual battery system of 1125Wh and a choice of Kiox and Nyon displays and dropped top tube frame on the single battery options. SPIN shared eScooters and eBikes must park within one of the designated SPIN GeoZones to end any ride. When riders end a trip, they must park in the GeoZone that appears on the app or SPIN may issue fines for non-compliance.

Add this item to the cart, alongside your choice of ebike(s), which you can find here. Electrek reports that the steel-framed Torpedo sports a 180W 24V rear hub motor with a 125Wh battery. Needless to say, it’s pedal assist, so it’s definitely a bike and not a mini e-motorbike thing.

For just a bit more at $1,799, the dual batteries, significantly higher power/speed, hydraulic disc brakes, and a pile of other features blow this Kent bike away. But Lectric’s model is also a folding fat tire e-bike and won’t fulfill kent bike the trail bike role that Kent’s offering here claims to satisfy. We hired the bikes for a day to travel from Staplehurst train station to Sissinghurst Castle. Marcus was exceptionally helpful when I was arranging the hire.

Cheaper mid-drive electric bikes tend to opt for Chinese-made mid-drive motors like those from Bafang, Truckrun, Tongsheng, and others. In the case of Kent’s mid-drive electric bike, seen above, it’s not clear exactly which 250W motor is used. Nicer (i.e., more expensive) kent bike e-bikes tend to use fancier mid-drive motors like those made by Brose, Bosch, Yamaha, and other major German or Japanese manufacturers. Kent’s Electric Cruiser has plenty of limitations, but it’s doubtful the people buying this bike will care too much.

This is a purely recreational bike for parents to keep up with their sugar-fueled kids on neighborhood rides or for couples getting a little exercise on their local rail trails. If that’s what you’re looking for, the Kent Electric Cruiser will make kent bike both you and your wallet happy. The Electric Cruiser offers three levels of electric assist, with a maximum boost of 20 mph. A very basic LED display indicates battery and power-assist levels but doesn’t include a speedometer or mileage counter.

The Shimano drivetrain shifted flawlessly between its eight speeds, and the mechanical disc brakes on the front and rear worked capably in dry conditions. For our third eMTB trip, I chose a 16-mile gravel forest service road. The first half was mainly uphill and the bikes performed magnificently. The last 7 miles turned into an obscure, unmaintained dirt/gravel downhill road covered in sticks, pinecones, sharp rocks, and other precarious tire-popping rubbish. Somehow, me and my wife made it the whole 16 miles without a flat and with our brains intact.

With a few upgrades you can confidently ride almost any terrain and the pedal assist adds just enough boost to get you up the annoyingly difficult uphills without making you feel like you’re riding an overpowered dirt bike. To emphasize the point, Panasonic debuted the e-bikes at January’s sprawling International Consumer Electronics Show alongside the new Harley-Davidson electric motorcycle, LiveWire. Solving problems that don’t exist for normal kids There might be a use for less able kids. So it’s always encouraging to see new speed pedelecs come on the market and the French brand Moustache have just announced the Friday 27FS Speed with a dual battery option. The website also hosts a safety quiz that reinforces the messages seen in the videos about proper rider behavior, including where to ride and how to park. Scan the QR code on your phone or click on the link below to take the Safety Quiz.