With the ability to climb that enormous hill in your commute with out breaking a sweat is likely one of the luxuries of using an ebike. Much less luxurious is attempting to lug a 70-pound chunk of metallic up a slim staircase whenever you again get residence.
Ebikes are sometimes the quickest and most versatile method of getting round cities, however their usually heavy and hulking frames typically make them inconvenient to personal in the exact same neighborhoods.
Most metropolis dwellers don’t stay on floor flooring, nor have they got ground-level storage or indoor parking area. The load and measurement of ebikes typically imply you possibly can’t use typical storage options like wall mounting. And the monetary enchantment for thieves means long-term out of doors storage is a no-no.
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That’s why I typically advocate ebikes that stability weight and energy in a method that’s sensible for long-term metropolis use. Few ebikes available on the market match that invoice in addition to the Propella Mini, an $899 (+$50 delivery within the US) mini-velo that weighs solely 15 kg (33lbs).
The Mini clearly isn’t the bike for everybody. Its 250W hub motor is simply good for 30 km/h (18mph). Its 250 Wh battery vary is rated for 20-35 miles — ok for many commutes, however not for longer day journeys. It’s a single-speed bike with no throttle or torque sensor, which means you’ll have to put some effort into the steeper hills. And its 20-inch wheels and lack of suspension or fats tires imply it gained’t be supreme for consolation or off-roading.
Some individuals simply need extra highly effective ebikes. That could be as a result of they’ve mobility points, as a result of they wish to preserve sweating to a minimal, or as a result of they merely have the necessity for velocity. That’s fantastic, and if that describes you, this isn’t the bike for you.
However should you’re on the lookout for a handy ebike that gained’t break the financial institution — particularly should you’re a metropolis dweller — the Propella Mini is a blast to trip.
It seems fairly good too. There’s nothing tremendous fancy right here, however I respect the matte black design with blue accents all through, even when the shades of blue don’t completely match (sorry, I’m choosy about my blues). It makes the design really feel slightly extra thought-about than the standard mishmash of disparate parts you discover on this worth vary.
I’m additionally a giant fan of the 20-inch wheels and small body. Once more, it’s not for everybody — Propella has three bikes with 28-inch wheels for the small bike haters — however it makes the Mini as nimble because the BMX bikes many people rode as children. It’s simple to weave between visitors, and the puncture resistant-tires are nonetheless chunky sufficient to soak up some bumps.
The small wheels additionally permit the bike to suit all kinds of physique sorts. Propella says it will probably work for riders 152 cm (5’0”) to 185 cm (6’1”), though 157 cm (5’2”) to 178 cm (5’10”) is good. I’m 182cm (6’0”) myself and located it snug to trip, though I’d ideally swap the handlebars to ones with a better rise to optimize consolation.
However largely, the small tires and body simply make the bike rather more compact than your typical ebike. Weight apart, the Mini is simpler to maneuver by slim hallways or to sling over a shoulder when climbing stairs.
Though 250 W of energy isn’t a lot to put in writing residence about, it’s nonetheless going to be a lot for most individuals — there are definitely far costlier ebikes which have comparable energy (like most bikes bought in Europe). And regardless of the dearth of a torque sensor, I used to be impressed with the comparatively easy tuning of the fundamental cadence sensor and Bafang motor. The motor kicks in pretty rapidly after pedaling (a few half-turn of the cranks) however doesn’t really feel as jerky as most different cadence-only ebikes I’ve examined.
Likewise, the mechanical disc brakes are greater than ok for the 18mph high velocity. Some glorious ebikes on this worth vary just like the Aventon Soltera and Ride1Up Roadster embrace rim brakes, and the Propella Mini clearly sports activities extra stopping energy than these two.
You could be questioning: why not get a folding ebike? Certain, as quickly as you’ll find one which weighs 15 kg (33 lb), prices lower than $1,500, and isn’t complete junk.
Apart from, the inflexible body has different advantages. It’s, properly, extra inflexible, so it feels higher to trip and also you don’t have to fret concerning the bike ever snapping in half (extraordinarily uncommon, however it happens). It additionally gives extra mounting factors for equipment and storage, and it makes the bike simpler to hold.
My private bike is a Brompton Electrical, so I can undoubtedly respect the advantages of a folding design, however mix the Propella Mini with one thing just like the Revelo Thinstem and folding pedals, and it’ll hardly take up any area in your residence in any respect. You gained’t be capable of take it into eating places and grocery shops with you, however the Mini remains to be sufficiently small that it’ll match inside most vehicles and gained’t be completely obnoxious in crowded subways.
With a 250 Wh battery, you shouldn’t anticipate enormous vary, however the 250 W motor and restricted high velocity imply the bike’s 20-35 mile vary claims are nonetheless practical. Furthermore, the battery is detachable with the included keys, and Propella sells additional battery models for $250, so it gained’t value you a lot to double your vary down the highway.
The readily-accessible battery additionally signifies that, in contrast to different light-weight ebikes with built-in batteries, swapping out a lifeless battery with a recent one when the battery finally dies solely takes a couple of seconds (assuming Propella is promoting them). The additional batteries solely weigh 1.1 kg (2.5 lb) too, so you would theoretically triple your vary and nonetheless preserve the whole weight beneath 18 kg (40 lb).
The one factor concerning the Propella Mini that drives me slightly nuts is the dearth of built-in lighting. Propella sells some exterior lighting choices, however there’s little excuse for not hardwiring lighting into the battery. It sucks to have your mild run out in the midst of the night time — I’ve been there — and built-in lighting is much less prone to be snatched by a thief.
And lighting isn’t simply handy for late using; a 2012 study of practically 4,000 cyclists confirmed these utilizing daytime operating lights have been 19% much less prone to be injured.
Typically ebike firms justify the dearth of built-in lighting by saying you might have extra and higher choices with exterior lighting. If that’s the case with Propella, it might have a minimum of been good to have a USB port on the show so you would at all times high off your exterior lights. It’s doubly annoying that the show doesn’t have backlighting, making it practically ineffective at night time.
Illumination woes apart, my most important takeaway from testing the Propella Mini is that it’s simply a straightforward ebike to stay with. It doesn’t have the fanciest parts, essentially the most highly effective motor, or the longest vary, however it’s an enticing trip that gained’t be an enormous burden in your again or checking account.
These are qualities many individuals already search for of their common bikes. This one simply occurs that will help you rise up the hills too.
