Review: 1.5 kW FREY CC full suspension electric commuter bike

It’s not daily that you simply see a full suspension electrical commuter bike. Particularly not one with the parts and construct high quality of the FREY CC electrical commuter bike.

However the FREY CC isn’t your common e-bike.

FREY is best known for its high-performance electric mountain bikes that rival the most effective $6,000 European electrical mountain bikes, but at half the worth. So whereas FREY has earned its revered popularity within the mountain bike world, it got here as a shock when FREY not too long ago unveiled its first commuter bike.

Much more stunning was how a lot the FREY CC inherited from its mountain bike brothers, which helps flip it into an electrical commuter bike that may deal with any commute.

I not too long ago had the chance to visit FREY’s headquarters in Jinhua, China, the place I spent a couple of days testing out the FREY CC. And I got here away majorly impressed.

FREY CC e-bike video evaluation

Take a look at the video under of my time driving the FREY CC e-bike, then learn on for the remainder of my evaluation.

FREY CC tech specs

• Motor: 1.5 kW peak rated Bafang Extremely mid-drive motor
• High pace: 59 km/h (36 mph)
• Battery: 48V 17.5Ah (840 Wh)
• Body: 6061 aluminum
• Entrance suspension: RockShox RECON RC Increase 130-150 mm journey
• Rear Suspension: RockShox Monarch 110mm journey
• Shifter: Shimano Deore
• Brakes: Magura MT5-e hydraulic disc brakes with 203 mm rotors
• Extras: Colour LCD show, aspect stand, mounting for rear rack, water bottle mount, step-through design, Maxxis/Schwalbe moto tires

What makes this bike particular?

The FREY CC is a commuter bike in kind and performance, however it’s loaded with high-end electrical mountain bike elements. High-shelf suspension, brakes, wheels, rims, tires, shifters, and so forth. You identify it, the CC has it.

That implies that the bike is overbuilt for a typical metropolis commute and comes nearer to motorcycle high quality than customary e-bike high quality. Nothing on this bike goes to rattle free or put on out over time like a price range e-bike. It’s merely constructed to such a excessive customary that a median city commute is nearly laughable for it. FREY is used to constructing e-bikes that may go flying meters within the air day after day. So once they got down to construct a commuter bike, they put the identical degree of sturdy design and engineering into it.

Subsequent, try that motor. The Bafang Ultra motor is simply a beast. It’s generally rated at 1,000 W, however this can be a steady determine and is probably going underrated for authorized causes. The motor pulls an trustworthy 1,500 W or extra throughout peak energy output corresponding to hill climbing or accelerating, in case you have it in highest energy mode.

And naturally you don’t have to enter excessive energy mode. However in case you have hills in your commute otherwise you need to have the ability to blow previous automobiles when the sunshine turns inexperienced, this bike can do it. The facility is so sturdy that it’ll convey a smile to your face each time you flip the pedals or twist the throttle. Within the lowest gear and highest energy setting, the bike can wheelie itself fairly simply, although you received’t do that except you’re enjoying round.

The opposite wonderful thing about the FREY CC electrical commuter bike is how a lot battery capability it manages to cover contained in the body. A detachable 840 Wh battery means you’ll get some severe vary from this bike. FREY doesn’t promote an actual vary, doubtless as a result of it could possibly differ wildly relying in your driving type and the way a lot energy you need to use. However assuming a practical 25 Wh/mi effectivity on throttle-only, you’re taking a look at a minimal of 30 miles (50 km) of no-effort driving. Should you had been to make use of the torque-sensing pedal help granted by the Bafang Extremely motor, you may greater than double that vary to a real 60 miles (100 km). These are avenue numbers we’re speaking right here, however the FREY CC may be very a lot meant as a avenue bike first.

I say “avenue bike first” as a result of that’s not all it could possibly do. With that twin suspension, the FREY CC isn’t simply nice at dealing with potholes — you possibly can legitimately hit the path with this bike and have a significantly enjoyable time. Which is form of bizarre to contemplate, contemplating it’s a commuter e-bike. Most e-bikes are designed primarily for avenue or off-roading, however not each. The FREY CC, however, can legitimately deal with absolutely anything thrown at it. It has the ruggedness and high-end suspension wanted for severe mountain biking, it has a robust motor to climb mountains, it has the most effective e-bike brakes within the business for flying again down the opposite aspect of the mountain, and it has a snug step-through design for a lazy on a regular basis commuter e-bike. It actually is perhaps the most effective of each worlds.

So how a lot does a motorcycle like this price? Most likely not as a lot as you’d suppose. With a starting price of $2,980, the FREY CC is priced equally to different e-bikes with barely a fraction of its battery capability or motor energy — to not point out the high-end elements discovered on the bike.

The bummer for pricing is that FREY doesn’t have very many native sellers all over the world, that means that outdoors of elements of Europe serviced by UK and Swiss sellers, in addition to others probably coming aboard , you’ll doubtless need to order your bike instantly shipped from the corporate’s Jinhua manufacturing facility. That may be solely reasonably painful (round $300) if utilizing sea mail, or loopy costly (round $800) if utilizing air mail. FREY is difficult at work rising its international vendor community, but it’s also organizing group buys that may assist scale back transport prices. That means, clients in a rustic can all use slower sea transport to ship a container of bikes without delay which can be then mailed the remainder of the best way to clients’ doorways. FREY at present has certainly one of these group buys open for US clients, and is wanting into different choices as nicely.

So whereas it’s not the simplest electrical bike to acquire, it’s truthfully the most effective commuters I’ve ever ridden. The bike is a tank that’s designed to final a lifetime — actually longer than at this time’s lithium-ion batteries may ever final. So whereas many e-bikes attain their finish of life nicely earlier than long-life parts like batteries lastly chunk the mud, I may see FREY CC e-bikes needing battery swaps later within the decade to maintain them going as sturdy because the day they arrived.

What do you consider the FREY CC electrical commuter bike? Tell us within the feedback under!

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.