Approximately 150 eBikes and 300 eScooters are available. Riding an eBike or an eScooter is a fast, easy way to get from class to class, run errands, and even a short commute. They are a great option for students, employees, and visitors to Kent State University. Kent reckon the battery is good for 15 miles of range, but that will obviously depend on terrain and power usage. Having not ridden Kent’s new e-bike (yet, but hopefully that changes), it’s hard for me to judge it too hard on the spec sheet alone.
I realize these are “tetherless,” but scooters laying on the sidewalk is unacceptable. I don’t know the answer to this problem, but the city and the company need to ensure the sidewalks are clear and safe. If there’s one thing worse than running out of battery before you’re home, it’s surely your young child’s heavy e-bike running out of battery before you’re home. A 180W motor is relatively small and so is a 125Wh battery, but the Torpedo still weighs in at nearly 18kg. That’s quite a bit for a child to shift when there’s no power left. It’s safe to say that not everyone’s entirely on board with the idea of children’s e-bikes.
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. Most of these buyers probably haven’t ridden a bicycle in decades and are looking for a cheap and non-intimidating way to get back on the bike. Retailing for under $700 (around £515/AU$970), the Kent Electric Cruiser was created for them.
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 motor is supplied by an adorable little 24V 5.2Ah battery with just 125 Who of capacity. In low power mode, the battery is sufficient for 15 miles (25 km) of range.
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) e-bikes tend to use fancier mid-drive motors like those made by Brose, Bosch, Yamaha, and other major German or Japanese manufacturers. The Kent Electric Cruiser is a very pretty bike, with the removable Samsung lithium-ion battery integrated into the frame. Given the fire-engine red color scheme, 26-inch whitewall tires, and swooping handlebars, I felt like a fatter, hairier Pee Wee Herman pedaling around my city. If you’re looking for an inexpensive ebike for casual weekend rides, the Kent Electric Cruiser demands consideration. The price means that it lacks some of the advanced features of many electric models, and even more basic ones like quick release, but it looks great and rides well.
Marcus sorted a flat easy route that my son loved as he didn’t pedal once! With nearly 10 years of experience with electric bikes, we are one of the leading experts on e-bikes in Kent. Electrek reports that the steel-framed Torpedo sports a 180W 24V rear hub motor with a kent electric bike 125Wh battery. Needless to say, it’s pedal assist, so it’s definitely a bike and not a mini e-motorbike thing. A fully fitted service centre supports our commitment to your safe cycling where all bikes (not just electric bikes) can be serviced, repaired and overhauled.
Of course, if the battery ever runs out, the e-bike simply turns back into a standard pedal bike. There’s even a six-speed transmission that makes the bike extra pedal-friendly even without any electric assist. 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.
About a Kickstarter project for a biomotion taillight. This makes sense to me, and for years companies have made pedal reflectors and reflective ankle bands with this idea in mind. The new element is active illumination of the cyclist’s legs. I did have to swap a big spacer on the rear wheel from the drive to non-drive side and re-dish the wheel. There were just enough threads on the spokes to do this. I also replaced the flimsy rubber rim strip with a double layer of gorilla tape and I repacked both the front and rear hubs and trued both wheels.
The front and rear mechanical disc brakes offer powerful and reliable stopping power, in all weather conditions. 700 x 40c hybrid tires offer a comfortable and stable ride, while the alloy adjustable stem and quick release adjustable saddle allow for a customized fit. The 350 watt rear hub motor provides kent bike a pedal-assisted boost that gives you the power you need to tackle any incline, while the lithium-ion battery delivers long-lasting power. The handlebar-mounted controller display has 3 speed settings, letting you easily switch between electric assist modes, and provides up to 40 miles of boosted range.
While the Electric Cruiser was lighter than most e-bikes I’ve tested over the years, I would still hate to have to haul it upstairs or lift it onto a car rack.