Good take on this bike. I have the 1.1 and I love it! I will say that I disagree with your assessment of the kickstand. I find it to be super stable and am thoroughly impressed with it as opposed to a standard lean on kickstand.
I have the other first version of this bike and I love it. Besides the positives you mentioned, I really like that it has a torque pedal assist system rather than a cadence system. When I was testing lots of different ebikes I felt like the bikes with a cadence system felt like they jumped ahead. Specifically, when turning the bikes with cadence would speed right up again in the middle of the turn when I wanted to still be navigating the turn slowly. Bikes with the torque system would stay slow until I pressed the pedals harder for speed. The first torque system seems much safer to me and this bike was at least $500 cheaper than other bikes with torque and that doesn't include the perks of getting it at REI where I'm a member.
Wishing I could still find this in stock at any REI... even hard to find a used one for sale. I'd love to hear more about the handling while towing the trailer (and how that compares to riding with no trailer).
Good video, good bike. My wife and i both have this bike and they are fun. We easily get 50 miles on a charge with mostly level 1 power assist (lowest amount of power assist). Her battery lasts longer probably because she’s much lighter than i am.
I love this bike, it does 40-50 miles depending on gear and assist level. Mine goes uphill really good on a steep overpass at level 3 assist at 17 mph, I didn’t want to attempt that steepness but had to find out if it can and it did. The kick stand is great in my experience and I really like it. My only con on this bike is the Alan key wheel release vs the quick release like on my MTB and road bike, but that’s only because I prefer to transport it inside my suv with the front wheel off for space so it can stand vs laying down. Great video. I was worried since they were discontinuing it I asked REI and their customer service said if we ever need a battery replacement or extra battery we can purchase it from bafang website.
been eyeing between this since it looks really simple and is cheap. having it be from REI is nice. I already own an ebike (zizzo eforte) but it only has an 18mi range according to zizzo. the 40-50mi advertised by REI on the e1.2 sounds nice. Also was looking at an Aventon Abound or Globe Haul LT so I can take a passenger (girlfriend). But I guess she could just ride my eforte or the new bike. (or Tern GSD... if I had the money 😭)
the e1.2 is good affordable option if you don't care about the lack of a throttle and suspension. I've loved riding it around town. If you're going w a cargo bike, the Abound is a good affordable option but if you're willing to spend a bit more & don't care about the short rear rack, the Globe Haul is a good option. I've only ridden the Abound and I like it. My main issue w it is the wobbling handlebars if you're carrying a ton of weight (200+ lbs).
do you know if the four-bolt pattern that holds on the front is the same as what Rad bikes uses? I'm thinking about getting this but might want to upgrade that front rack to one of the Rad baskets. Alternatively, I might put on the Trek Fetch+ 2 front rack/panniers for easy storage since that looks like the same sizing
Not sure...but I think I can check. I may have a rad power bikes basket laying around the garage. I'll check in the next few days and report back to you.
Good take on this bike. I have the 1.1 and I love it! I will say that I disagree with your assessment of the kickstand. I find it to be super stable and am thoroughly impressed with it as opposed to a standard lean on kickstand.
I've never adjusted the kickstand so I'll try that! and thanks for the comment
How much would a new battery and charger cost me
I have the other first version of this bike and I love it. Besides the positives you mentioned, I really like that it has a torque pedal assist system rather than a cadence system. When I was testing lots of different ebikes I felt like the bikes with a cadence system felt like they jumped ahead. Specifically, when turning the bikes with cadence would speed right up again in the middle of the turn when I wanted to still be navigating the turn slowly. Bikes with the torque system would stay slow until I pressed the pedals harder for speed. The first torque system seems much safer to me and this bike was at least $500 cheaper than other bikes with torque and that doesn't include the perks of getting it at REI where I'm a member.
Can I buy a used battery and a charger for the co-op
Wishing I could still find this in stock at any REI... even hard to find a used one for sale. I'd love to hear more about the handling while towing the trailer (and how that compares to riding with no trailer).
Good video, good bike. My wife and i both have this bike and they are fun. We easily get 50 miles on a charge with mostly level 1 power assist (lowest amount of power assist). Her battery lasts longer probably because she’s much lighter than i am.
Do you have information on how to connect the kids trailer?
I love this bike, it does 40-50 miles depending on gear and assist level. Mine goes uphill really good on a steep overpass at level 3 assist at 17 mph, I didn’t want to attempt that steepness but had to find out if it can and it did. The kick stand is great in my experience and I really like it. My only con on this bike is the Alan key wheel release vs the quick release like on my MTB and road bike, but that’s only because I prefer to transport it inside my suv with the front wheel off for space so it can stand vs laying down.
Great video. I was worried since they were discontinuing it I asked REI and their customer service said if we ever need a battery replacement or extra battery we can purchase it from bafang website.
been eyeing between this since it looks really simple and is cheap. having it be from REI is nice.
I already own an ebike (zizzo eforte) but it only has an 18mi range according to zizzo. the 40-50mi advertised by REI on the e1.2 sounds nice.
Also was looking at an Aventon Abound or Globe Haul LT so I can take a passenger (girlfriend). But I guess she could just ride my eforte or the new bike. (or Tern GSD... if I had the money 😭)
the e1.2 is good affordable option if you don't care about the lack of a throttle and suspension. I've loved riding it around town.
If you're going w a cargo bike, the Abound is a good affordable option but if you're willing to spend a bit more & don't care about the short rear rack, the Globe Haul is a good option. I've only ridden the Abound and I like it. My main issue w it is the wobbling handlebars if you're carrying a ton of weight (200+ lbs).
do you know if the four-bolt pattern that holds on the front is the same as what Rad bikes uses? I'm thinking about getting this but might want to upgrade that front rack to one of the Rad baskets. Alternatively, I might put on the Trek Fetch+ 2 front rack/panniers for easy storage since that looks like the same sizing
Not sure...but I think I can check. I may have a rad power bikes basket laying around the garage. I'll check in the next few days and report back to you.
The 24" hubs on rims seem to be easier to replace to if need to.
definitely! smaller wheels are underrated in many ways!
Small correction: These are 20" wheels. Really rides / handles well.
I love the bike! Your points are all valid. I did just read on the REI website that they have discontinued the 1.1. Probably the 1.2 is next
I wonder if REI will continue making ebikes...the next iteration of the e1.2 would be a great bike.
Any recommendations for an ebike with a larger battery range? Upwards to $2,000 at a similar weight to this one
I almost got one of these bikes for my 5'0" wife but from videos I did not at all believe the 5' claim. Glad to hear this confirmed