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Two-minute assessment
The WAU X electric bike is all in regards to the tech. A wise show empowers you with all the information you’ll want throughout your trip – from present vary, pace and motor output to arising servicing updates. The distinctive good lights embody rear pink operating lights, clear amber indicators and vivid pink brake lights. These enable you to stand out on the highway and look epic at evening. Plus, the security measures – from an alarm system to GPS monitoring – make this bike fairly powerful to steal (and get away with it).
Then there’s the ability. This bike is nice for taking off in visitors. There are eight gears operated by a Shimano S-HG41-8 derailleur, 5 pedal help modes relying on how a lot additional oomph you need, and the acceleration throttle on the deal with bar can zip you away easily as much as 15-20mph when the roads are clearer.
The vary is right down to the detachable Samsung battery – 378W for the 40-mile and 886W for the 100-mile vary. For avid riders frightened about operating out of juice, WAU throws in a rear energy pack to present 1980W and as much as 215 miles of vary.
With a smooth design and black aluminium body, the bike has an understated look – till your rear amber indicators begin to blink that’s! The light-weight body with entrance fork suspension and 28-inch highway tyres, imply the bike alone weighs 21kg; 22.8kg with the 40-mile battery and 25.3kg with the 100-mile one.
The usual 40-mile vary bike begins at £1,797 (about $2,300 / AU$3,300), and goes as much as £2,899 (about $3,700 / AU$5,300) if you would like the highest spec. Add equipment and upgrades through the net WAU shop, together with a full-colour show (£129.95 – about $170 / AU$240) and a specialised bike rack (£89.95 – about $120 / AU$160). The order course of is speedy, as WAU normally ship in beneath 48 hours to the UK. It’s additionally straightforward to get began and keep, as a whole lot of the tech is contained and the saddle might be merely adjusted.
The bike is a possible game-changer on this Covid world. It’s a stable metropolis rider with greater than sufficient energy in your commute. It’s additionally useful for mini adventures because the vary and clean pedal help make it an effective way to see extra of your native space, with out getting too puffed.
WAU is a UK start-up, and thru this e-bike is at present inbuilt Hong Kong, there are plans to maneuver the manufacturing line to Nottingham.
Worth and launch date
The worth of the WAU X depends upon the vary you need. The preliminary 40-mile vary begins at £1,797 (about $2,300 / AU$3,300) which is sufficient for informal riders. Should you’re searching for a commuter e-bike, then we’d counsel the 100-mile vary mannequin at £2,297 (about $2,9200 / AU$4,100), which must be sufficient for many riders.
For colossal vary, the 215-miler at £2,899 (about $3,700 / AU$5,200) contains an extra rear battery.
Design
We rode the 2020 flagship WAU X bike, and essentially the most stand-out design function is the 2 pink strip LED lights on the again. A change on the handlebars permits you to effortlessly point out left or proper, and whenever you brake, these mild up brighter, which is ideal for night rides. The one we reviewed didn’t include an built-in entrance mild, nonetheless all bikes now include a standalone rechargeable entrance mild and sooner or later, WAU will add an built-in one.
The aluminium body and traditional commuter bike profile make it smooth and lightweight. As a smaller rider I discovered it comparatively straightforward to carry and manoeuvre. The battery is encased in a tamper-proof black plastic compartment, etched with a operating brand mild. It’s detachable, making it straightforward to cost wherever, each time – you simply must unlock the casing with the bike key. Utilizing the good charger, you possibly can totally cost the 40-mile vary from flat in three hours, and the 100-mile takes solely 4.5 hours.
WAU has ensured the upkeep of the bike is low-key. The 28-inch Vee Metropolis Cruz tyres have an anti-puncture function. All elements such because the hydraulic brakes, gearing, suspension, tyres and bearings are simply and shortly serviced nationwide, and spare elements are available.
One of many bike’s weaker factors is the usual sport saddle. This was uncomfortable after a day of commuting, so put money into the padded saddle with twin suspension springs.
Efficiency
The WAU crew handed the bike over with what regarded like a set of automotive keys, consisting of two keys and an alarm fob. It will have been extra slick to include this into one with an alarm button, nevertheless it does make this e-bike really feel filled with tech.
To start out your trip, merely unlock the bike and activate the ability change on the bike show. Simply watch your hand on the throttle when stationary! Arriving at your vacation spot, you possibly can activate the anti-tamper alarm. The alarm is ready with a reassuringly loud chirp whenever you lock the bike with the important thing.
Handily, the pc, battery and GPS are all enclosed in an impenetrable hardened plastic enclosure that matches inside the bike body.
WAU nonetheless recommends locking the bike to a safe bike rack with a extremely rated D-lock, so the bike can’t be picked up and put in a van by any organised thieves. You possibly can observe its location with in-built 24/7 GPS and there’s a geo-fence perform, enabling you to set your individual digital parameter, triggering an alert to your telephone in case your bike leaves that boundary, so you possibly can take motion shortly.
The bike’s energy is delivered by a 250w rear hub motor, which is clean within the choose up and pretty responsive on the throttle after a few pedals. The motor ensures all energy goes to turning the rear wheel, with out placing pressure in your chain or crankset, like mid motors can do.
The acceleration is snug – there’s no jolt when the motor kicks in, serving to you safely navigate visitors and pedestrians, and the bike comes geared up with Shimano hydraulic brakes.
A barely extra responsive throttle would assist when track-standing at visitors lights, however apart from that, it’s clear that the WAU X was constructed for the commute, reaching as much as 20mph with minimal pedal effort and we solely wanted to cost each couple of days.
The bike is supplied with 5 energy pedal-assist modes, managed through the handlebars. We discovered that the fourth setting was the optimum degree for max pace, minimal effort and it allowed us to modify to PAS 5 when on an incline.
There’s additionally an eight-speed cassette on the rear, which supplies simply the correct amount of adjustment to forestall your legs free spinning when travelling at pace.
You possibly can alter the suspension as you trip. That is because of the lockout through the entrance fork suspension (SR Suntour SF18-NEX-E25), enabling you to show it off when driving on clean roads or uphill to enhance the bike’s effectivity. You possibly can then flip the suspension again on when going off-track for a smoother trip. Having mentioned that, biking by south London’s quite a few potholes was nonetheless a bit stiff on the rear.
The tires are sturdy traditional highway tyres however for me felt slightly slim. You may want one thing chunkier in the event you’re new to bike commuting or searching for a bit extra highway presence – just like the feisty Rayvolt Torino. Regardless of that, the ingenious mechanical and digital design makes the WAU X one of many smoothest and pleasant e-bikes to trip proper now.
First reviewed September 2020
Purchase it if
You need an e-bike in your commute and past
You possibly can enterprise additional in your weekend adventures – simply put money into the gel padded seat first.
You need slick design
The streamlined profile and iconic lights make this bike fashionable and understated.
You are safety acutely aware
Should you’re commuting into the town, the added alarm and geo-fence options offers you additional peace of thoughts.
Do not buy it if
You need a bespoke match
This can be a one-size matches all bike, so maybe not one in the event you’re on the shorter or taller aspect.
You need an e-bike with plenty of presence on the highway.
The slim body and low-key design means it should mix in throughout the commute.
You need one thing easy
Should you all the time retailer your bike someplace safe or simply trip for leisure, you received’t really want all the safety and alarm tech.
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