Kent Torpedo review: A kid’s e-bike, tested by a fun uncle and some kids

You need a basic understanding of how to use tools, but make sure to rotate the front brake pad. You can order it constructed; however, the price would be prohibitive. The shipping package included the majority of the bike’s pre-assembly. To prepare for riding, it took no more than thirty minutes and a few simple items.

But when the bike was pointed uphill, the performance was much less impressive. With me pedaling and the power assist at maximum, my speed frequently dropped down into the single digits on steep hills. One day while riding a local trail, I took a wrong turn and found myself on a black diamond trail with some huge drop-offs. My front suspension forks took the brunt of the punishment and consequently locked up. It’s true that the Kent 27.5″ electric mountain bike is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market. But before you click “buy now,” be sure you know the pros and cons of this pedal-assist bike.

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. Many individuals are concerned by the concept of a youngster riding an electric bike because they imagine kids racing down the street without even pressing a pedal. While this is absolutely possible, it is not likely, nor is it the aim or design of children’s e-bikes.

kent electric bike

Kent Torpedo is not difficult to peddle without the battery, though it is going to feel heavier when compared to a standard kid’s bike. The adjusted motor adds no additional resistance except a few pounds of unnecessary weight. There’s also a 6-speed gearstick to help kids climb slopes in the right gear even when kent hybrid bike there’s no electricity. In case the battery dies during a ride, this gearstick surely makes pedaling more tolerable. I started riding mountain bikes when I was a teenager in Augusta, Georgia. When I say mountain bikes, I really mean a 90s Huffy 18-speed I bought from Walmart for $60 without a front suspension.

Its 24V 5.2Ah battery is adorably small yet provides up to 15 miles (25 km) of range if the kid keeps it in low power mode. The item is exaggerated for its rankings, exactly as Kent’s lawyers undoubtedly insisted. It works well as an electric bike because it provides enough help to boost confidence through an electric push, to assure kids that they can tackle anything. Its finest application is that it helps to get kids away from screens and back to the outdoors, thus witnessing more children growing up on the streets like in the past. Although you can connect the throttle to your current controller, it’s conceivable that in order for it to function, you will need to be pedaling.

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. Not wanting to give up my precious gym time, I bought two electric pedal-assist bikes. I chose the Kent Electric Mountain Bike 27.5” from Walmart for a couple of reasons. The motor doesn’t add any assist unless the rider is pedaling, and the assist cuts out immediately when pedaling stops.

And the mechanical disc brakes are likely plenty for a 250W bike that isn’t going to get up to 20 mph (32 km/h) very quickly. The advantages of mid-drive motors, though, mean that you’ll usually find them on higher-end electric bikes, whereas low-cost electric bikes tend to favor hub motors. Without the battery, the Kent Torpedo is easy enough to pedal, though it will definitely feel a bit heavier than a typical kid’s bike.

To see how much fun the Kent Torpedo e-bike is, check out my video review below! Then keep reading for my complete thoughts and testing (yes, I rode it too!). The history of Kent begins in the early 1900s, when American immigrant Abraham Kamler started refurbishing bicycles in New York City. In 1909, Kamler established his own bicycle store on the Lower East Side.

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. Then one day, a fellow mountain biker asked if I wanted to ride his bike around the parking lot. After a few seconds of strenuous pedaling, the bike suddenly took off with explosive force. It was an e-bike, an electric pedal-assist MTB with a motor that engages when an internal sensor encounters a hill. If these were throttle-enabled e-bikes, then I probably wouldn’t be so jazzed.

But the motor only adds assist when the rider is pedaling. It appears to be as good as, if not slightly better than, the others. It should be simple enough for most individuals to assemble, as long as you have the proper Allen Key set.