Rayos is a previous generation quality eBike. The bike is powered by a frame mounted 600 Watt motor. The 14 amp hour battery pack tucks neatly in the mountain bike frame. The lead acid pack is heavy but reliable.
The design was ahead of its time, and has been adopted by the likes of The Beast super eBike. At $1,200 US, we think the bike is a total bargain - while they still make them that is.
RMartin
4.5 Stars
Rmartin eBikes has been marketing their brand online since 2006. There are currently about a half dozen models available.
LX1: The LX1 is 59 pounds of eBike powered by a 350 Watt rear hub motor. The battery pack is a keyed, removable 36 volt Li-ion 10 amp hour unit that tucks in behind the seat tube.
Pedelec and a rear mounted bike rack are standard features. Top end is 18-20 mph, with a range given as over 30 miles with pedal assist. The LX1 is very well priced. We are not sure about the long term, but reviews of this eBike are very good.
The LX1 can be yours for a special price of $1,098 US, delivered. This is a pretty good deal.
R10-H: This eBike offers a full suspension aluminum frame and disc brakes. The front fork is adjustable. The 36 volt 10 amp hour battery pack powers the 350 Watt rear hub motor. The bike weighs in at 60 pounds and claims a 25-30 mile range depending on conditions.
Other standard items include a pedelec function, front and rear LED lights, and a rear mounted rack. The bike goes for around $1,300 delivered. Sounds pretty good.
MiPower: An upgrade of the R10 brings you to the top of the RMartin line, the MiPower. The MiPower has all the features of the R10, plus it boasts a 500 Watt rear hub motor powered by a 36 volt 14 amp hour battery pack. The battery pack is mounted on the downtube instead of behind the seat. This eBike comes in a step through as well as men's type frame.
The MiPower is manually powered by a 7-speed Shimano cluster, and weighs in at 58 pounds. Range is claimed at 60 miles, partly as a function of 5 levels of pedal assist. Still, sixty miles seems a stretch. In any case, this bike can be yours for $2,000 US. The bike comes with a 1 year warranty. This is a good deal compared to other eBikes in this class.
LF8: A folding bike has joined the RMartin lineup. The LF8 folder runs on a 250 Watt rear hub motor pushed along courtesy of a 36 volt Li-ion pack. The bike claims 20 mph and 25 miles of range.
Pedelec is standard, and a 1 year parts replacement warranty backs the bike. The 20 inch wheels fold up with the frame to: L 34" W15" H 27". The LX8 runs close to $1,100 US. It appears to be well built, but reviews are not yet in.
Sanyo Eneloop 3.8 Stars
The Sanyo Eneloop is a graceful looking eBike with pretty good specs. Power is by a 250 Watt front hub motor. The motor is fed by a 24 volt 5.7 amp hour Li-Ion battery pack.
Range claimed as 17-37 miles. The 35 end of that estimate seems very optimistic to us. True that the bike is relatively light at 50 pounds. However, manual gears are also limited to a 3-speed rear hub. This would make pedaling in all but flat terrain and low wind conditions very difficult. Price of the Eneloop is about $1,600. This is too high for the performance in our view, despite the quality of the build.
Schwinn
4.5 Stars
Schwinn has had a line of eBikes for the past five years or so. We cover the lineup in some detail on our Schwinn page. Reviews are very good. All of the Schwinn bikes we have owned have been bullet proof. We like them and we give them 4.5 stars. Prices on the Schwinn models range from $1,500 to $3,000 US.
Shadow Wireless
NR
The Shadow wireless eBike promises a lot. The bike checks out a new paradigm in motor and battery mounting and storage, as well as the controls - no wires.
E+ bikes use wheel mounted motors and batteries, but the Shadow uses spokeless wheels as well. Transmitters from the handlebars control the system.
Power is through a 500 or 1000 Watt motor. Range is claimed as 30 - 60 miles depending on the battery selected; the base model comes with a 10 amp hour unit. The bike weighs in at 59 pounds and is limited to 20 mph.
The Shadow is too new for many reviews to come in. It is priced at around $2,200 US. If the bike performs as well a bike with regular controls, we like it a lot.
Sinclair X-1
NR
The sinclair X-1 eBike is single gear recumbent style ride. Power is provided by a 24 volt system pushing a 190 Watt motor. Final weight is 66 pounds.The resulting performance of the rig is not as good as most eBikes listed here.
We mention this eBike mostly because of the shell over the eBike. The acrylic cover includes a roll cage. This is a great idea in our view and would be well off replicated.
X-1 price is about £600 (€706, $960 US).
Stealth Hurricane
NR
The Stealth is a specialty eBike that is really an emotorcycle. The pedals just barely qualify the cycle as a bike. The machine weighs in at close to 120 pounds!
The Hurricane series comes in two models with 5,000 Watts of peak power and a top speed of 50 mph. While the Hurricane is a really cool concept, we wonder why it even has pedals.
Foot pegs would make it a lot more useful. But then they could not call it an eBike. When was the last time you pedaled a 120 pound bike uphill or against the wind for long?
Previous Stealth models retail for around $8,000 - $10,000 US.
Stromer
4.5 Stars
Stromer is a Swiss designed and built eBike with the 36 volt battery pack built into the downtube of the suspension aluminum frame.
Power is provided by a 600 Watt (continuous) rear hub motor. Top speed is listed as 20 mph, likely faster with pedaling or upgrades to the controller. Manual gears are provided by a Shimano derailleur and 8-speed cluster. Brakes are disc, front and rear.
Range is given as 20 miles power only and up to 45 miles with pedaling. The bike weighs in at a somewhat heavy 62 pounds. Note that the peak power of the motor may exceed legal statutes. Price of the Stromer is $2,850 US. It is a high quality eBike. We like this one.
