Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This entire review is based on one day of ownership. I will update it appropriately to match my ownership experience in the next few months. I’ve been kicking the virtual tires of electric bikes for the better part of the year. Here is Seattle, we have a company that makes a very similar product that retails for $600 more than this bike that’s very popular and reliable. Ordering one online seemed dicey. When I saw that Amazon would ship it directly to my local bike store who would in turn assemble it, fit it to me and tune it for free, I decided to go for it. It arrived at the shop three days after I ordered it and when I called to arrange its assembly and pick up, the techs told me it was ready to go. I came to the shop a little sheepish since they sold high end name-brand road, mountain and $3600 dollar E-Bikes and they just had to assemble my Chinese knock-off one I ordered online. As the clerk rolled the Ecotric out, I asked him for his honest opinion, assuming that he’d tell me something along the lines of “well, you get what you pay for I guess”. I was pleasantly surprised when he told me that the owner of the shop had assembled mine and had been “test riding” it all afternoon. He assured me that it was surprisingly well built and that I was going to have a good time. Bonus-before I left the shop I was told to bring it back after the first 100 miles and they’d give it a free tune-up. The bike is surprising big, like motorcycle big. I’m 6-02, 230 and I had to lower the seat to ride it comfortably. Great news for you big riders out there. My wife is 5-06 and with the seat all the way down looks like a child on an adult bike. The finish, paint and welds seem to be of good quality, as are the brakes, pedals, cranks and gears. The motor is quiet and POWERFUL! At level five, you’re going 0- 21 mph pretty dang quick on levelish terrain. Especially if you’re using pedal assist. The motorcycle style throttle can be used independently-no peddling required. Super fun, but I’m sure it eats up the battery. Speaking of the battery, it locks in place and is easily removable with the key, a really nice anti-theft feature and great for charging in the house, although they include an extra cable extender should you need it for plugging in the bike in a garage. Also, not featured in the description but nice to know, the battery housing has a USB plug built in for on the go power while you travel. The display was another nice surprise. It’s backlit, for nighttime rides and includes a battery life indicator, MPH, bike odometer, trip odometer and number of charge cycle count. Little things worth noting- -This beast is heavy. Good to keep in mind if you live in a walk up or intend to take it places on a bike rack. -It’s gonna need fenders. Here in the wet PNW, these big tires are going to throw some mud and water up your backside without them. -the brakes are reversed from a normal bicycle to accomdate the throttle. Left is rear and right is front. Important to know before you get up some speed and end up over your handlebars at a stop sign. All in all, I’m pretty excited about this 1k purchase and intend to have about 10k worth of fun in the coming months.