Spadger $420 electric bike review from Amazon — Is it cool or crap?

How good can one of many most cost-effective electrical bicycles on Amazon be? That’s precisely the query I got down to reply after I purchased a Spadger folding electrical bike for the cool sum of $420 earlier this 12 months. It could not have a lot in the best way of additional options, nevertheless it certain does decrease the barrier to entry for anybody seeking to get their first e-bike on a funds.

Price range e-bikes have all the time been a bit controversial.

At any time when we cowl costly e-bikes (I’m speaking in the $4k all the best way as much as $10k range), there’s all the time a handful of feedback to the tune of, “Any e-bike that prices greater than $500 is a rip-off.”

Now that is after all not true, and shows some critical ignorance about what goes into high-end e-bikes to create a car value 1000’s of {dollars}. But it surely additionally demonstrates that there are numerous individuals who aren’t ready to drop 4 figures on an e-bike, even when there are some great e-bikes that can be had for under $1,000.

So in the present day we’re going to seek out out what goes into a really bottom-of-the-barrel e-bike that may drop the worth down to a ridiculous $420.

Let’s get began.

Spadger electrical bicycle video evaluate

Take a look at my video evaluate of this low cost little e-bike, then learn on to get all of the finer particulars of my expertise beneath.

Spadger e-bike tech specs

• Motor: 250W rear geared hub motor
• High pace: claimed 25 km/h (15 mph) — I received slightly below it
• Vary: 17-25 km (10-15 mi), however anticipate the decrease finish of that vary
• Battery: 36V 4Ah (144 Wh) non-removable
• Cost time: 2-3 hours
• Weight: 14.5 kg (32 lb)
• Max load: 120 kg (265 lb)
• Body: Aluminum
• Tires: 12 1/2″ x 2 1/4″
• Brake: Exists (single rear disk brake)
• Suspension: Haha! Oh wait — you’re critical?
• Extras: LCD show with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS stage indicator, LED headlight, PAS pace settings, thumb throttle, bell, fenders

First issues first: the great

So right here’s the factor: I had low expectations going into this evaluate, and I really got here away pleasantly stunned by the Spadger e-bike. It’s not nice, nevertheless it’s a lot higher than I anticipated.

Initially, it’s a completely purposeful e-bike. And it’s not a kind of scooter-style e-bikes without pedals. This can be a legit bicycle which you can pedal if the battery runs out, although most individuals will use the thumb throttle and experience it like a seated scooter.

But it surely does have actual pedals, an actual chain, a rear disk brake, pneumatic tires, a entrance headlight, a bell and even cruise management. It’s a completely purposeful bicycle that may hit speeds of practically 15 mph (25 km/h) on flat floor. It may well go even quicker downhill, as I terrifyingly found. And the rear disk brake really works, which was tremendous handy towards the underside of the hill.

Despite the fact that 250W isn’t a lot energy, the bike’s tiny 12-inch wheels lead to greater torque than most 250W motors ship. On flat floor with my 70 kg (150 lb) weight, the bike labored simply nice. On small hills, the bike once more stunned me by climbing with none pedaling wanted. Giant hills have been an excessive amount of for the Spadger and it actually struggled. Nonetheless, a little bit of pedaling helped alleviate some pressure on the motor and helped me summit even bigger hills.

The bike folds on the handlebars (however not within the center like a traditional folding e-bike) and may simply slot in practically any automotive trunk or sideways behind an SUV with no need to fold down seats or chopping into passenger house.

I put round a dozen miles or so on it earlier than handing it off to Electrek‘s Fred Lambert to maintain piling on the miles, and someway the bike retains going. It could appear to be a hunk of junk, nevertheless it performs prefer it’s received a coronary heart of gold. Or copper and lithium. It’s the little e-bike that might. And it does.

Now it’s time for the unhealthy

Despite the fact that the Spadger stunned me with how nicely it really works, issues aren’t all rosy. As you’d anticipate, there are a selection of compromises right here.

Initially, the battery is tiny. At 144Wh, that is round a 3rd the dimensions of common e-bike batteries. Curiously although, that doesn’t lead to a 3rd of the vary. Due to the sluggish pace and low energy of the bike, it’s extra environment friendly than I anticipated. Whereas most e-bikes get round 20 miles (32 km) of throttle-only vary, the Spadger can begrudgingly make it to almost 10 miles (15 km). It’s a sluggish 10 miles, although, and also you’ll most likely get bored earlier than the battery offers out. Pedaling can assist the battery go farther, however once more, right here’s one other concern.

The only gear ratio and tiny wheels imply you may’t pedal the bike previous round 8 mph (13 km/h). Any quicker and your legs are spinning like an egg beater. Which means you may’t actually pedal help on the bike’s prime pace. As an alternative, you’ll should decelerate even additional, which suggests excruciatingly sluggish speeds. As an alternative, I discovered pedaling to solely be helpful throughout uphill climbs, for the reason that bike goes slower. And fortuitously that’s the precise time that you simply’ll wish to be pedaling anyhow.

Subsequent, all the things on the bike is reasonable. The brake is reasonable. The plastic pedals are low cost. The wheels are low cost. The tires are low cost. It’s all low cost. And you realize that going into this. It’s a $420 e-bike, for crying out loud. It’s laborious to purchase an electric bicycle conversion kit with out the bike for that value — not to mention a whole absolutely purposeful e-bike.

So there’s no manner this factor goes to final for years and years of laborious use. I’ve ridden e-bikes that you could throw down a few flights of stairs and then ride away as if nothing happened. This bike ain’t it.

Electrek’s Take

As I mentioned, I’ve really been pleasantly stunned by the Spadger, however solely due to the low value. If this was a $700 e-bike then I wouldn’t look twice. But at just $420 with free shipping, there’s really a case to be made right here.

With regards to all the things I listed in “the unhealthy” part above, nothing is a deal breaker for me, although a lot of this stuff will restrict the use case.

For anybody who wants a long-range e-bike, look elsewhere. Want a better energy e-bike for hills? Keep on moving, pal. However for those who stay within the metropolis and want a small e-bike for native journeys or one thing to stay behind your automotive, this e-bike may match the invoice.

It’s a easy, no-frills e-bike that’s simple on the pockets and may assist some hesitant new riders get their ft moist with e-bikes. I perceive that newcomers to the e-bike world may not wish to drop $1,500 on a brand-new Rad Power Bike, and one thing just like the Spadger can assist somebody get the texture of whether or not an e-bike is correct for them. Then it may be gifted to a buddy when somebody is able to improve to a “actual” e-bike.

As a traditional every day rider e-bike for most individuals, this most likely isn’t the bike. However for a particular area of interest that received’t break the financial institution, there’s really one thing attention-grabbing right here.

If you wish to seize your individual, I bought mine on Amazon here.

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