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    The Harley-Backed Serial 1 E-Bike Is Well Worth $5,000 | Digital Trends

    We’ve all seen individuals driving e-bikes. And there’s even an excellent likelihood you’ve taken one for a spin, for those who reside in a metropolis with a bikeshare program. Up till final week, that was my solely publicity to e-bikes. I hadn’t ever been on a critical e-bike, nor had I actually thought of shopping for one or understood simply how a lot they price. Think used automotive cash.
    I had a possibility to spend a morning driving two new e-bike fashions from Serial 1, an organization backed by — and stuffed with expertise from — Harley-Davidson. Now, I completely perceive why somebody would pay upwards of $5,000 for a bicycle.
    Andrew Martonik/Digital TrendsTearing up metropolis streets
    I began out on essentially the most inexpensive, and easy, mannequin: The MOSH/CTY (henceforth often known as the Mosh). It instantly caught my eye with its modern design and flat black paint. “Mosh” is an ideal title, as a result of the bike is muscular and appears able to tear up terrain. It has no fenders or fairings, and even its energy controller is an easy set of LEDs reasonably than a display. It’s about simply hopping on and driving — and having blast doing so.
    Ripping across the streets at 20 mph — with out breaking a sweat — is addicting.

    And I did. I instantly ripped across the streets of the Upper East Side and thru Central Park, simply sweeping by different bikes within the bike lanes at a prime pace of 20 mph. The Mosh actually goads you into driving rapidly and aggressively, as a result of it solely has one gear. And because it’s a pedal-assist bike, you solely get energy if you’re pedaling — so if you’re up above 15 mph, you actually need to pedal aggressively to maintain the motor shifting and your pace fixed.

    You have 4 energy modes — eco, tour, sport, and increase — that modify the facility offered relative to your pedaling. Boost is sufficient to have you ever beating vehicles off the road in metropolis visitors with out even standing up, however tour is loads that will help you sustain with different bikes or handle hills with out a lot pressure. I wouldn’t be stunned if the common Mosh rider caught to “boost” 100% of the time, although; that energy is addicting.
    It’s downright enjoyable, and also you rapidly begin to benefit from the quirks of the powertrain. But due to this, the Mosh isn’t a lot a commuter bike — it’s extra of a $3,400 toy for shorter journeys and occasional bouts with the grime. It can tear up metropolis terrain, however not for lengthy rides — though the cost vary simply reaches 75 miles. The different Serial 1 I rode instantly after the Mosh is the precise reverse, and I beloved it much more.
    Andrew Martonik/Digital TrendsA speedy commute
    The RUSH/CTY SPEED (We’ll seek advice from it as Rush Speed going ahead) is a general-purpose, errand-running, commuter-focused bike, and it presents itself and rides precisely inside these parameters. Narrower tires, full-length fenders, baggage racks, shiny paint, and a handlebar controller with a small display all level to this bike’s objective.
    But right here’s the factor: It has extra pace, and extra functionality, than the Mosh. You get a prime pace of 28 mph — the utmost allowed earlier than this bike turns right into a moped so far as authorities regulation is anxious. There’s a 33%-larger 706Wh battery to match. And right here’s the difficult bit: There’s a CVT (constantly variable transmission) within the rear wheel hub. I detest CVTs in vehicles, however the utility is excellent right here.

    I’ll spare you the technical particulars, however principally, a CVT is a transmission that doesn’t have particular person “gears,” but it may possibly nonetheless change an efficient gear ratio utilizing adjustable rollers. The Rush Speed’s CVT can present something from a 1:1 to 3:1-plus ratio, and it’s managed electronically by an app in your cellphone. You set the best gearing for the quantity of labor you need to do and how briskly you need to speed up, and it intelligently adjusts relying in your pace mode and pedal energy to maintain you on the proper gear ratio always.
    The impact is great. From a cease, you pedal very calmly, and the bike strikes gently, however as you choose up slightly pace, the motor help kicks in and the transmission adjustments to use extra of that energy to the bottom. The result’s clean and seamless acceleration, even as much as a whopping 28 mph. And as a result of the CVT can max out at a excessive ratio, you possibly can really cruise at 20-plus mph with no ton of pedaling, in contrast to on the Mosh. It additionally raises the efficient energy you’re getting out of every of the identical 4 modes you’ll discover on the Mosh.
    The motor and gearing pair completely to offer acceleration and pace.

    I used to be cruising previous noon Manhattan automotive visitors, and beating every part in Central Park by a number of mph. Fully seated, with little effort, I cruised up the Queensboro Bridge at over 15 mph — and I’m not a small particular person. Turning round, and placing the 59-pound weight (10 kilos heavier than the Mosh) in movement, I used to be going 30 mph again down the span. Those are loopy numbers for an e-bike, and I can see precisely how somebody might commute a good way on this bike — all with out breaking a sweat.
    Depending on how a lot time you spend in “boost” mode and what your terrain is like, vary can range dramatically, from 25 to 115 miles. Real-world vary with some spirited driving might be going to be about 70 miles, which means many individuals might get by means of a workweek from a cost. The battery is definitely detachable for charging for those who don’t need to lug the entire bike as much as an condo. It goes from 0 to 75% in 3.5 hours and tops out at 100% in one other three hours.

    Attention to element
    No matter which mannequin you select, you’re getting the advantage of Serial 1’s nice design. You can instantly inform these bikes have been purpose-built from the bottom as much as be e-bikes based mostly on the good consideration to element. Unlike most inexpensive e-bikes, Serial 1s have a customized battery constructed into the lowest-possible level on the bike, down by the pedal meeting. That retains the bikes steady at excessive speeds and in corners, which you discover straight away. It’s additionally considerably distinctive that the motor is positioned in keeping with the pedal meeting, reasonably than out on the wheel hub, which once more retains weight in the best place and dramatically lowers the rotating mass of the wheels.
    Now I perceive why you’d spend $5,000 on an e-bike.

    In addition to a high-quality motor, the bikes use a carbon fiber belt drive, which is quieter, cleaner, and maintenance-free. Every little bit of cabling is routed by means of the body, so nothing is free or cluttered. There are modern LED brake lights built-in into the again of the body, and a strong LED headlight on the entrance. (Plus, the Serial 1 badge on the prime of the fork illuminates.) Absolutely nothing in regards to the bikes shout “Harley-Davidson,” however you possibly can inform that the oldsters at Serial 1 have the identical mobility heritage and meticulous focus.
    Serial 1 says that an amazing majority of its pre-orders have been for the top-spec Rush Speed mannequin, which makes full sense after driving it. The Mosh doesn’t essentially have as a lot attraction, regardless of being cheaper, and the Rush Speed is simply $500 greater than the bottom Rush. You need that energy and bigger battery. The solely cause to get a base Rush is to get the “step-through” mannequin, which is simpler to hop on and off of.
    Andrew Martonik/Digital TrendsIt’s not possible for many individuals to even take into account spending $3,400 on an e-bike, not to mention $5,000. But for anybody who’s leaning towards having an e-bike as a major technique of transportation round a metropolis, it’s value trying on the appreciable advantages of selecting one which’s constructed from the bottom as much as present the very best e-bike expertise. Once you begin evaluating, specs and options, you’ll discover the Serial 1 is definitely aggressive. Sure, it’s the value of a used automotive, however that doesn’t imply it’s overpriced.

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