December 24, 2010

Okay, here is the Hebb Electro Glide electric bike review! In a nut shell; this has to be one of the more “solid” e-bikes that I have tested. Hebb refers to their bikes as the “Affordable Luxury Bike” and it seems to be true.

I have ridden this bike for a couple of weeks up hills, on paved streets, down gravel paths, through snow and ice (I used studded snow tires ), into headwinds, etc. The sometimes harsh conditions of Flagstaff Arizona have definitely put this electric bike to the test.

My usual ebike testing circuit is my commute to work (13 miles round trip) and some errand running (20 miles total).  This route does include some very steep hills usually on gravel paths.

Features of the Hebb Electro Glide

Below are some of the features of the bike.  They are also included in the video below if you want to take a look at the bike.

The cockpit: Bell, cycle computer, integrated lights come stock

 

Features and Specs:

• Comes in triangle frame or step through frame
  
• Black or silver color
• Adjustable stem for adjusting to riders of different sizes
• Accessories: integrated LED lights, fenders, rear rack, bell, cycle computer, kickstand
• Suspension fork
• 350 Watt front hub planetary gear motor (eZee)
• 37 Volt 10 ah Lithium ion battery that can be locked to the frame or remove with a key
• Throttle only
• Aluminum frame
• Shimano 7 speed Nexus internal gear rear hub
• Front disc brake and roller rear brake
• Schwalbe tires
• Speed = 20 mph
• Range = 20 – 30 Miles
• Price = $2199 MSRP

So What is the Ride Like?

Like I said before this bike has a very solid feel to it.  Nothing rattles, it is a smooth ride, and the quality of the components are good.  It definitely does feel like it is a luxury bike.

The motor is relatively “torquey” and can accelerate from a stand still pretty quickly even without pedaling.  It does bog down a little on the really steep hills, but it makes pedaling up a steep hill a lot easier!

The range?  So far I have got 20 miles out of it without running too low on battery power.  I have not had a chance to run it all the way down for a full range test yet, but when I do I will add that to this review.

The motor is a little noisy, but I personally didn’t notice it too much especially at higher speeds.  After putting more miles on the bike I have noticed that the motor is a bit noisy.  It is not horrible, but something to note if you are looking for a silent e-bike.

Time for the Pros and Cons!

Pros

I really like how durable this bike feels.  The quality of the components are good and the fact that there is nothing that rattles on the bike makes it seem solid.  Here are my thoughts on some of the stock components:

• The eZee motor has been around for a long time and is a well known brand
• The Shimano 7 speed internal gear hub is a nice clean touch; no derailleurs.
• The Schwalbe tires are well known for their durability
• The wheels feel very solid
• I really like the integrated LED lights that run off the battery
• So many included accessories, including a cycle computer!
• The front disc brake and rear roller brake are powerful and they work well in wet weather.
• The battery charger appears to be high quality compared to other standard ebike chargers.

Shimano Nexus 7 speed internally geared hub and roller brake

This bike comes with so many useful accessories that it is almost a turnkey, fully equipped commuter bike.

Cons

Okay, the price has to be a con.  At $2199 it is not the cheapest electric bike out there, but you do get what you pay for.  This is a quality electric bike and with that comes a cost.  I wish ebikes were less expensive and hence available to even more people, but that is a topic for another article!

The motor did bog down on some really steep gravel path hills that I tested the bike on, but with a little help from me made it up the hill ok.  It seemed to do pretty well on the steep paved climbs.

The suspension fork that comes with this bike is not the most active.  At least on the bike that I tested it didn’t seem to take the “edge” off of the rough spots in the road as well as other suspension forks that I have ridden on.

This is a small complaint, but the seatpost is fairly low quality compared to the other components on the bike.  I don’t think it will break; it’s just a normal steel seatpost, nothing special.

This bike may not offer the most comfortable position for someone looking for a really upright bike.  I come from many years of cycling so the position felt very comfortable to me.  If you want a more upright position this could easily be fixed by changing the handlebar to a high rise handlebar.

Personally I think it would be nice to have folding baskets or bags that you could carry some groceries with as a stock accessory.  Of course that would add to the price and not everybody would want those.

Who is this electric bike for?

I think think this bike is for someone who wants a sturdy electric bike for regular commuting and/or recreational riding and doesn’t mind spending the extra money for the quality of the bike.  The smooth and solid ride combined with the plethora of accessories really makes the bike seem luxurious.  I think the Hebb Electro Glide is that type of bike that you can rely on for day after day riding.

Comments or Questions?

Please let me know if you have any questions about this bike.

Also, please keep in mind that this is a relatively short term test.  This testing can’t really give you the long term review of durability and reliability.  My thoughts on the quality of this bike are from previous experiences with similar bikes.  If you own this bike and have some input on the long term durability, please share your comments with the Electric Bike Report community below.

Thanks!

-Pete

© Electric Bike Report.com

 

©Ken Kalb 2009

Out of the box, the Hebb Electro Glide is road ready in less than 5 minutes. As an old-time bicycle enthusiast, I’m immediately impressed by how every single component is high-quality and well thought out. No scrimping or compromises here, yet also nothing superfluous. It is immaculate. And everything is in precise adjustment. As anxious as I was to ride it, we just stood there and admired the fit and finish, as well as the intelligence of the design. This machine is drop-dead gorgeous.

The 7-pound 36 Volt 10 Amp Lithium-Ion Phosphate battery slips tightly behind the seat tube after tripping a special seat-post release — sitting right at the bike's center of gravity. Was it all show and no go? Time to turn it on and put the rubber on the road.

I spin the pedals, twist the motorcycle-style throttle all the way back, and start firing down on the rapid-fire thumb shifters through the Nexus gears all the way up to 20+ mph. Whoosh. I immediately understand why this bike is called the "Electro-Glide." It feels a lot like surfing on a glassy wave — perfectly smooth. I lightly depress the brakes and bring it back to zero. The Tektro front disc and Shimano roller rear brake produce a feathery touch and stop you on a dime. While at the stop sign, I up shift full range from high gear (7th) to low (1st) gear — an invaluable feature of the Nexus transmission, and something you simply can't do with a standard derailleur bike. I circle back to report my first impressions to my friend, and he notices the very wide grin on my face. "I like it!"

This bike is tight — built more like a piano than an electric bicycle. It perches up easily on its sprung-loaded center-mounted kickstand when not in use. It is fully appointed with fenders, headlight and taillight — both powered by the main battery, speedometer/odometer and a strapped luggage carrier that will hold 60 lbs.

One of my criteria for a good electric bike is that it is a decent pedal bike as well. So I turned the power off and pedaled the bike around the Santa Barbara beach area bike path for 4 miles. I was delighted by how easily it pedaled and freely it coasted, as well as its comfortable ergonomics. This is partially because the sturdy aluminum frame spreads its wheelbase out to 47 inches — placing the crank-set slightly forward. This provides a superior angle for pedaling ease. Riding position is absolutely perfect for comfort and visibility, with all of the controls placed as though custom fitted for your anatomy. The high-quality suspension front fork smoothes out the bumps and the premium Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires ride beautifully, besides being highly resistant to flats. I’m particularly happy they use the Schwalbe’s (a $60+ tire) — as most E-bikes scrimp on using quality rubber — your very connection to the road.

The Hebb is a power-on-demand bike, so you can ride it like a motorcycle, pedal it like a bike, or do any combination of the modes with total control. I don’t like power-assist bikes that add power to your pedaling as they seem more like a treadmill and are not nearly as versatile or fun. The Electro Glide has a wonderful balance of human and electric power, and a seamless integration of modes. 

It weighs in at 59 pounds in full dress, not heavy by electric bicycle standards, though not a flyweight either. But roaring down a hill at 30 miles per hour, I felt steadier and safer than on my $3000 road bike. This is partially because of the longer wheelbase, the precision of the components and the Schwalbe’s. After riding the Electro Glide for the last week, I am thrilled to report that this is simply an awesome machine. It’s been a long time coming!

There are lots of ways to ride it. If you’re in workout mode, twist the throttle all the way back and melt the thumb shifter through the gears right up to full speed, then use the power to maintain your speed if your speed lags. This bike is quick, and you feel every one of the 700 Watts of peak power in the sweet spot of the torque curve. Up serious the hills, you simply click the thumb shifter a couple of times to downshift, while maintaining most of your speed — a truly amazing feeling. While on a road test, I paced a pack of road cyclists decked out in their full colors through some uphill twisties, who had to stand up on their pedals to keep up with me. When commuting around, I use the power in bursts to maintain cruising speed, pedal some, and also let the bike freewheel for maximum range. Sure, you can ride the bike around just like a motorcycle, but the way the torque curve works, you really get the maximum benefit when adding some assistance. You can get as much or as little exercise as your mood dictates. You get used to riding around several miles per hour faster than you usually do. This machine is both fast and a ton of fun.

The Hebb goes a true 20+ mph — the legal limit for a non-registered pedal vehicle. Note that normal speed on a pedaled bike at a fast cadence is about 12-15 mph. It also easily gets its advertised 25+mile range thanks to its advanced Lithium Ion battery. I torture tested it over the steepest Santa Barbara foothills (Mountain Drive, Las Canoas, Botanic Gardens, etc.) and with adequate pedaling tackled them all and still got over 30 clocked miles!

I am also impressed by the sturdy build quality. I’ve been told the manufacturer recently rode one 3000 kilometers through Africa in 14 days and had a ball! And Hebb backs it up with a generous 2-year warranty on the frame and 1-year on the battery.

The advantages of transportation that requires no registration, no insurance, no license, plus the ability to ride and park anywhere — on the street, the bike path, alley, sidewalk, on or off road make this new generation of electric bikes stiff competition for gas-powered Vespa-style two wheelers. When you also factor in the ability to get exercise, the near-silent ride, the low cost of operation (10 cents for 20 miles), the fun and joy factor, and your freedom from petroleum — you realize this is a big wave of the future.

Lee Iacocca always wanted to make a bike like this, and came pretty close with his final 36 Volt E-Bike. But it was thoroughly over-built and cumbersome to pedal, weighing in at over 90 pounds. The TidalForce M750 was also on the right track, though its complexity as well as its battery problems caused its downfall. Now, with advances in battery, motor, and bicycle technology, the electric bike has finally come of age.

Each of the new generation (3.0) of E-bikes has its plusses and minuses. The Giant is unfortunately — power-assist, the Ohm and Schwinn Tailwind are too expensive (3500), the A2B is too cumbersome to pedal, and the Ecobike uses low-end parts. So in my opinion, the Hebb Electro Glide 500 is the best of the new bunch.