Pacific eBikes is a local shop in the Bay Area. They offer a range of eBikes designed to commute in the hills of northern California. Prices are moderate, and the bikes appear to be well made, though the components are not top of the line.
The Cloud: This is the step through version of the basic model. It is powered by a 350 Watt rear hub motor. Power comes from a 36 volt, 10 amp hour battery pack. The bike has a rear 7-gear cluster for manual shifting.
This Cloud claims a range of 15-20 miles at speeds of 15-20 mph. Weight is listed at about 55 pounds. The pack is claimed to get 200-300 charge cycles. Price of the bike is $950 US.
Pacific E-Trike:
The Pacific Trike is powered by the same 36 volt, 10 amp hour battery pushing a 350 Watt motor. The trike can haul a 220 pound load to 13 mph for 20-25 miles. Weight of the trike is 66 pounds, which is pretty good.
The trike is priced at $1,200 US.
The Terra:
The Terra is the cross frame version of the Cloud. It features the same 36 volt 10 amp hour
Li-ion pack. The battery packs are removable by just tilting the seat forward, a nice touch.
Price on the Terra is the same as the Cloud at $950 US.
Pacific eBikes have good specs, and some nice design features. They will likely work well in moderate use, not so well after repeated heavier use. However it is important to notice that these bikes are not built with the highest quality components in the shed. This will increase replacement and maintenance costs down the road.
If you want an eBike for moderate use, a Pacific eBike will likely do the trick.
Panasonic
4.2 Stars
Panasonic is a long time maker of eBike battery packs. The company has a few eBikes out as well.
The EX BE-ENE: This bike is a cruiser type, complete with front basket. The bike weighs in at 61 pounds, but has a 12 amp hour Panasonic pack. The bike claims a 30-40 mile range, which sounds reasonable. At $1,600 it is a pretty good deal.
Given the cost of the bike and Panasonic brand name quality, we give the bike 4.1 stars.
Pedago
5.0 Stars
Pedago has come a long way in the past few years. The company makes quality functional and good looking eBikes. They have focused on practical issues like range extenders while keeping prices reasonable at around $1,600 US.
Pedago's are town bikes powered with 500 Watt motors and 36 volt, 10 amp hour battery packs. The packs mount neatly to rear racks. Extra packs can be added, or Pedago also makes a fuel cell range extender.
With some 220 dealers in the USA alone, the company is doing well. We like the Pedago a lot and give it 5.0 stars.
PiCycle
4.0 Stars
The PiCycle frame is about half a circular segment. This would be about one half of pi. The design is clever, simple, strong and interesting looking.
Power is by a 36 volt NiMh battery pack in the frame. The motor is a 750 Watt rear hub job which seems enough to move the 58 pound bike forward. Stock speed is the 20 mph legal limit. With the proper chainrings, the top end can be pushed to about 45 mph.
Despite the radical styling and performance, the $7,500 US price tag seems way too high for any use but impressing someone. The bike is no doubt well built, but not practical. We give it 4 stars.
Powabyke
4.3 Stars
Powabyke UK has been making eBikes since 1999. The company sells bikes through some 300 dealers. It makes golf carts as well. Powabykes are key operated for security.
Powabykes are powered by 250 Watt front hub motors. Battery packs are removable and recyclable. The company actively promotes park and charge stations in the UK.
Powabyke X-6: The X-6 features a step through aluminum frame riding on 700c alloy wheels. The weight of the bike is only 21 kg or 46.2 pounds. The battery pack however is restricted in size to 4-6 amp hours.
This puts a dent in the range at 10 miles under full power, and 20 miles with pedal assist. Top speed is a UK street legal 15 mph. Pedal power is through a 6-speed Shimano cluster.
Cost is £900 or $1,400 US. The price seems a bit steep for the power and range.
Powabykes are well designed and built. The only drawback we see is the restricted range due to their small battery packs. Otherwise, the Powabyke line looks very good.
Powabyke X-24: The X-24 has all the features of the X-6 but with 24 speed gears for pedal power. The power pack is the same as the X-6 as well.The bike is claimed to retain the same weight as the X-6. The extra gears make sense, especially when power, speed, and range are restricted.
The X-24 is priced at £1,000 or $1,600 US. Again, this bike seems well designed and built, and generally gets good reviews.
Powacycle
4.3 Stars
Powacycle is a UK concern that has been making eBikes since 2004. Now they produce a line of nine different rides from basic lead acid to the modern Li-ion powered bikes. We present a few.
The Milan: This bike has a steel frame and 36 volt, 8 amp hour battery pack. A 200 Watt rear hub motor pushes the resulting 31 kg or 68 pound eBike along to a top end of around 15 mph.
This bike compares with the Currie Ezip Trailz. The Powacycle goes for more at around £520 Pounds, or $800 US, but appears to be a solid built eBike.
The Salisbury LPX: This is the next step up from the Milan. The Salisbury frame is aluminum and is powered by a 24 volt 10.5 amp hour Li-ion pack. The motor is the 200 Watt rear hub motor. Weight of this eBike is a respectable 22 kg or 48 pounds. This eBike goes for £780 pounds, or about $1,200 US.
The Extreme: This is at the top end of the Powabyke line. There are two models: the extreme mountain bike or Infineum Extreme, and the road version, the Continental Extreme. The Continental retails for around £1,700 Pounds, or $2,700 US. The Infineum comes in at around £1,300 Pounds, or $2,000 US.
Powacycle also produces a line of three folding eBikes, great for train commuters. These bikes feature 180 Watt hub motors powered by 24 volt 10 amp hour Li-ion battery packs. The folding bikes range from 18 kg or 39.6 pounds to 22 kg or 48.8 pounds in weight.
All three folders feature rear racks and 6-speed Shimano gears as standard gear. Price on the folding eBikes is from £730-£780 or from about $1,150-$1,200 US.
Powacycle eBikes have consistently gotten good reviews over the years. There are a few problems mentioned regarding weight and balance of the bikes, and minor instrument problems. However, most Powacycle customers seem happy with their eBikes.
