Not to leave it without some extra flair, this model features functional fenders to prevent splashes when riding while also adding to the aesthetic appeal of the bike. Regardless, the battery seemed to be securely locked into its rack, so it’s probably not an actual concern, and probably just more mounting evidence of our insane paranoia. Though I don’t have much frame of reference for e-bikes, check out our list of the best e-bikes if you’re looking for other options. It’s worth noting that each e-bike in that guide is more expensive, planting the Schwinn Monroe firmly in beginner/entry-level territory.
A second look is invaluable as a rider, where we’d often even be grateful for a first look from drivers. It’s basically the Goldilocks option, offering enough performance and functionality for everyday commuters without pushing the price too high. We’ve addressed those concerns by designing Extended Life Batteries for a couple of our best-selling e-bikes. Upright seating position makes for a comfortable ride for those with longer torsos. If you’re stepping off your e-bike for a quick second or for an all-night study session in the library, you’ll want to make sure it’s properly locked up.
There is a battery life indicator on the left handlebar, and the Shimano Revo-shift lever — which controls what gear you’re in — on the right. Riding this Schwinn without the pedal assistance on is, as you’d expect, just like riding any other bike… That said, the ride is extremely smooth and comfortable , and it’s obvious by the design that the bike has an eye on casual cruising — and it definitely delivers that. While each and every Schwinn electric bike comes with a step-through frame, some come with more accessories than others, such as integrated LED lights, fenders, or a rear rack.
As mentioned above, you do have to start pedaling to engage the electric assistance though you don’t have to pedal much to approach max speeds. Nonetheless, I wish there was a way to zip around town without having to pedal at all. Despite my desire to only bike for exercise, I do admit I get lazy sometimes. When I finally started riding, I discovered that I couldn’t be completely lazy. You can’t just sit on the bike and have it zoom you around town — you actually have to pedal to engage the electric motor. This plants it in the territory of pedal-assisted e-bikes rather than full-on motor-assisted.
Simply put — plenty of people would rather bike to work than drive there, if distance and climate factors are in their favor, for reasons environmental and health-related. At first, I was nervous about the bike going 20 miles an hour. On my long rides on a hybrid bike, I averaged mongoose excursion 15 mph but once I got going, I realized 20 mph isn’t a big deal. Similar to how you can change gears on a multi-speed bike, you can choose how much the motor assists you, too. If you’re having trouble going up a hill, just increase the assistance to maintain your speed.
More powerful than all the other Schwinn e-bikes, the Coston DX has a 360Wh battery with a 45-mile range and a top speed of 20mph. Some Juiced mongoose excursion ebikes come with 1000w motors and go over 30mph. Just check your local laws, because you will need a license to ride those on the street.
The crank is a three-piece 42T, mounted on the 6061 aluminum frame with internal cable routing. Slightly different again is the fork which is a 26” Hi-Ten steel, 100mm bolt-on. My pedal assist stopped working and it sounds like my gear is clicking. The riding position is comfortably upright but still able to lean into things off-road. It still lets you stand if you’re trying to get up a particularly steep part of a hill or over a rough section on the trail. The up and down are mostly for adjusting the pedal assist levels up and down.