Tag: electric

Hovsco HovRanger electric bike review – A truly fun bike to ride

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REVIEW – I love zooming around on a bike. However, I need to be more in shape, and a few hills around where I live can make an otherwise enjoyable ride a bit of a chore. Along came the HOVSCO HovRanger Electric Bike, and I’m back in business!

What is it?

The HOVSCO HovRanger Electric Bike is a 7-speed, 27.5″ adult ebike with a 500W electric motor with torque sensor.

What’s in the box?

  • HOVSCO HovRanger Electric Bike
  • Tool kit
  • Charger
  • Instruction manual

Hardware specs

  • 500W Peak 970W Motor
  • Torque-sensing assist feature
  • 48V 15Ah LG Battery
  • 40 to 60 mile range
  • Max speed 28mph
  • Total Length: 72.6″
  • Wheelbase: 45″
  • Max seat height: 40.6″
  • Payload capacity: 300lbs

Design and features

The HOVSCO HovRanger Electric Bike came almost 85% pre-assembled. I was planning on assembling it outside, but after a long period of not snowing, it started to snow the day the bike arrived. That was a real buzz kill.

The bike was packaged very well and even had a nice cloth bag over the seat, which I later decided to use as a carry bag for the charger and tools. Assembly primarily involves attaching the handlebars, front tire, kickstand, and pedals. The directions were clear, and most of the assembly was common sense. There is also a Youtube video showing how to assemble the bike.


I chose the Step-Over model in the Indigo color scheme. It looks terrific with the slightly metallic finish. Featuring a 500W high-speed BAFANG SUTTO brushless motor and 65Nm torque sensor, the HOVSCO eBike outperforms cadence sensor e-bikes.

A very nice looking bike. Several people commented on how nice it looked when I stopped to take photos!

The removable 48V 15Ah (720 wH) LG Lithium-Ion battery provides up to 40 miles of range, 60 miles of range on pedal-assist mode, and recharges in as little as 4 hours. The battery can be recharged before it’s depleted without harming its capacity. A 120 LED flashlight is built into the battery, providing a useful light source for camping or repairs.

Three light modes also make the light handy in an emergency. There is also a battery level indicator on the battery so you can check the charge when the battery isn’t in the bike. The battery can also be charged in or out of the bike by simply plugging it in. The battery is quickly moved by turning the key and a knob, making it easy to take inside to charge.

There is a lock to prevent the removal of the battery.

The HOVSCO eBike is the first bike I’ve owned with disc brakes. The professional front and rear 180mm hydraulic disc brakes perform very well in all conditions. The dual hydraulic front suspension fork provides a smooth and comfortable ride. However, there is no rear suspension.

The brakes get a workout with
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China’s BYD blames Brexit as it rules out UK for first electric car plant in Europe | Automotive industry

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The world’s largest seller of electric and hybrid cars will not consider building its first European car factory in the UK because of the impact of Brexit.

China’s BYD, which has been backed by the US investment billionaire Warren Buffett since 2008, intends to take on household names such as Tesla and become one of the three most popular electric vehicle brands in Europe by the end of the decade.

China’s top-selling electric car maker, which is targeting sales of about 800,000 cars annually in Europe by 2030, has shortlisted locations in Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Hungary.

“As an investor we want a country to be stable,” said Michael Shu, BYD’s European president, speaking to the Financial Times. “To open a factory is a decision for decades. Without Brexit, maybe. But after Brexit, we don’t understand what happened.”

BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, said the UK had not even made a top 10 list of possible locations to build its first European car plant. The company already makes buses in Europe.

“The UK doesn’t have a very good solution,” said Shu. “Even on the long list we didn’t have the UK.”

The Hong Kong-listed BYD, which has its headquarters in Shenzen and began developing batteries in 1995, intends to become a global powerhouse in the electric vehicle market.

It is not the first manufacturer to have cited issues relating to Brexit in deciding not to expand business opportunities in the UK.

Tesla’s chief executive, Elon Musk, said in 2019 that the decision to leave the EU made it too risky to build a gigafactory in the UK. The company built its first European plant in Germany, where it also created a research and development base.

Other car manufacturers are also being forced to assess their business requirements amid tough global economic conditions. Ford announced 4,000 job cuts in Europe including 1,300 in the UK in February.

Ford has said it would invest $50bn (£41bn) in electric car production by 2026, but it must also decide what to do with operations built around the internal combustion engine before bans on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Jaguar has pledged to go all-electric by 2025 and BMW said last month that half its European sales will be electric by 2030.

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BYD is one of a handful of Chinese companies – such as Nio, Xpeng and Li Auto – targeting the European electric car market.

It has launched three models in Europe, in markets including Norway and Germany, and the all-electric Atto3 sports utility

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How I hit 37 mph testing an electric bike

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The Ride1Up REVV1 FS is a rare breed of e-bike. It’s not that the design is that unique. In fact, it’s obviously another SUPER73 imitation. But what makes it so unique is that it’s a really good SUPER73 imitation. And by that I mean it’s built more like a moped or motorcycle than like an electric bicycle, which translates into an amazingly good ride.

Now don’t get me wrong here: This is not an electric motorcycle.

The purists out there will try to claim that it is. And I understand their argument. But it’s based on the misinformed premise that anyone can take this 20 mph electric bicycle out of the box and turn it into a crazy powerful speed machine. And while that’s true with many other e-bikes, it’s not true for the Ride1Up REVV1. To actually unlock it outside of Class 2 (20 mph) mode into Off-Road mode, you’ve got to contact the company to request the unlocking procedure that includes multiple passwords used at several steps.

It’s not something that a kid is going to figure out, and it allows Ride1Up to control who gets Off-Road mode while giving them one more chance to remind you that it’s for use outside of public streets.

Even when left in 20 mph Class 2 mode, the REVV1 is an awesome electric bicycle that offers an incredible ride. But when you unleash the beast, it gets so much better. I tested out both types of riding, which you can see in my video review below. Keep on reading after the video to see the rest of my written review.

Ride1Up REVV1 FS video review

Ride1Up REVV1 FS tech specs

  • Motor: Bafang 750W continuous hub motor
  • Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) stock, but I hit 37 mph (59.5 km/h) in off-road mode
  • Range: 30-60 miles (48-96 km)
  • Battery: 52V 20Ah (1,040 Wh)
  • Weight: 93 lb (42 kg)
  • Tires: CST Scout eMoped All-surface Tires, 20″x4.0″
  • Brakes: 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes
  • Front suspension: Dual-crown 120mm air fork, preload and rebound adjust with lockout
  • Rear suspension: DNM AOY-38RC, rebound, air pressure adjust and lockout
  • Extras: Long bench seat, included fenders, large LED headlight with hi/lo beams and tail/brake light, turn signals, horn, LCD display, kickstand
ride1up revv1

Out-of-the-box riding

Just from looking at it, the Ride1Up REVV1 is obviously a beast. But many e-bikes talk tough. The REVV1 walks the walk, too.

The bike’s CST Scout moped tires combined with that front and rear suspension let riders carve hard into curves and hit larger obstacles than you’d expect to be comfortable.

The long bench seat actually feels really nice under you and is thicker than it looked when I first covered the bike’s unveiling. It’s also made from nicer material than I had imagined, giving it a real fabric upholstery that feels good under you. There’s no cheap imitation leather or plastic-feeling vinyl here. This feels like a motorcycle saddle.

ride1up revv1

Regarding suspension, I will note that the rear suspension felt a bit stiff for me,

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G-Drive ZM electric bicycle evaluate: 1,300W electric moped cruising!

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The G-Power ZM electric bicycle is one of those people e-bikes that borrows closely from motorbike styling although sustaining its road-legal status as an electric powered bicycle. But the motorbike influence does not just operate skin deep it’s also got a strong journey to match.

G-Pressure ZM tech specs

  • Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
  • Best velocity: 28 mph (45 km/h)
  • Variety: Claimed 60-80 miles (96-128 km)
  • Battery: 48V 20Ah (960 Wh)
  • Weight: 85 lbs . (38.5 kg)
  • Max load: 400 pounds (181 kg)
  • Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors
  • Extras: 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, substantial colour Liquid crystal display, LED headlight and tail gentle, 50 %-twist throttle, detachable battery, padded bench seat with room for next passenger, fenders, kickstand, mag wheels

G-Power ZM online video overview

Want to enjoy me just take this e-bike on a series of check rides? Examine out my video evaluate below!

Rides like a modest-structure electric motorcycle

All the things about the G-Drive ZM screams moto, not bike.

I’d simply call it a quite true-to-variety electrical moped, even if it technically suits into the e-bike classification.

Of course, it’s a class 3 e-bicycle in the US, but it rides extra like a moped that has vestigial pedals for resting your toes. You could pedal it in the event of a lifeless battery, but the 85-pound (38-kg) bicycle isn’t going to be a pleasure to pedal at anything much more than all-around 4-5 mph (8 km/h). And lord assistance you if there’s even a tiny uphill part on your pedal trip back dwelling.

But with the selection for a 48V and 20Ah battery (or a more compact 13Ah battery if you want to help save some hard cash), you ought to have lots of selection for a day trip. And given that the $1,899 entry-stage model with the 13Ah battery is only $100 less costly than the 20Ah model, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to shell out that more Benjamin to get 50% a lot more assortment.

g-force zm electric bike

In addition to respectable variety, the G-Force ZM is also speedy and peppy with a 28 mph (45 km/h) major speed. The 750W Bafang motor is actually putting out closer to 1,300 watts of peak electric power, and the bicycle has superior acceleration less than my 150-pound (68-kg) load.

The twin suspension setup can make for a at ease ride, however I do not know how the suspension would fare below the max 400-pound (181-kg) fat rating (or if the acceleration would be approximately as peppy).

The 110mm-journey suspension fork is adjustable, but the rear suspension is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of predicament. It’s fine for me and tends to make for a fantastic ride, but it’s not exactly heading to handle a downhill mountain bike path. Speed bumps are a minimal additional its pace.

Which also begs the issue, why did they give the bicycle knobby tires? The four-inch unwanted fat tires in a 20-inch diameter size are wonderful for street using, apart from that the knobbies

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A fun fat-tire electric utility bike

Yura

The Himiway Big Dog is a new “cargo” bike from Himiway, a popular electric bike brand that has expanded its product line considerably over the last year. While I’m not sure this bike qualifies as a true cargo bike by most definitions, it’s definitely a fun little utility e-bike that cruises more like a mini-moped.

Himiway Big Dog tech specs

  • Motor: 750W 86Nm rear hub motor
  • Top speed: 40 km/h (25 mph) after unlocking
  • Range: Claimed up to 130 km (80 mi)
  • Battery: 48 V 20 Ah (960 Wh)
  • Weight: 36 kg (79 lb)
  • Max load: 181 kg (400 lb)
  • Frame: 6061 aluminum
  • Suspension: Front suspension fork
  • Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
  • Tires: 20″ x 4″ Kenda fat tires
  • Extras: LCD display with speedometer, wattmeter, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer, tripmeter, front and rear LED lights, half-twist throttle, includes rear rack (wooden) and front/rear fenders, center kick stand, front of bike has mount for optional rack
  • Price: $1,999 (or $200 off with code BF200 for Black Friday) or $1,799 on Amazon

Himiway Big Dog video review

My wife and I had a blast testing out a pair of Himiway Big Dogs on a recent trip to Vermont, where we soaked up the fall weather and enjoyed cruising on powerful electric two-wheelers.

Check out our experience in the video below:

Fun, powerful, and comfortable too!

We only had the bikes for a couple days, so I wasn’t able to do as in-depth testing as I normally do, but even in just a few days we still got to really enjoy these e-bikes and get a sense of what they’re made of. And while these aren’t high-end e-bikes like fancy $4,000 electric cargo bike options, there’s a lot to like.

Sure, there are pros and cons to the Himiway Big Dog just like most e-bikes. But there are enough of the former to outweigh the latter in most cases.

Let’s get those downsides out of the way first. The bike is quite heavy, weighing in at a hefty 79 pounds (36 kg). And it’s not just they’re heavy — the bike is also bulky. I only had to carry the two Himiway Big Dogs up three or four steps each day, but it was a doozy. The bikes are fairly long and the big hub motor puts that weight quite rearward. It’s doable, but it’s not at all like picking up a smaller e-bike.

himiway big dog e-bike

Next, the pedal assist is quite surge-y. I’m not sure if that’s the best word to describe it, but it really comes on with quite a surge of power.

In fact, that’s why I consider these to be more of a moped-style e-bike. With that hand throttle at the ready and plenty of power on tap, it’s hard to fight the temptation to ride them like a moped where the pedals are largely for resting your feet.

If you do want to pedal, you certainly can. But

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HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike review – a truly excellent foldable ebike

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We use affiliate links. If you buy something through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

REVIEW – I’ve been riding electric motorcycles and more recently ebikes for almost a decade now. I love electric bikes, especially as a way to get around town quickly and efficiently while still offering the opportunity to get a good workout when I want. We’ve been looking for a while to get a good second ebike for my partner so we can ride together, and the HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike looked like the perfect one for her. Even if HOVSCO hadn’t been sending me one to review, if I’d heard about them I’d have likely selected this one to meet our needs after researching the different models on the market today. Many of the more portable folding bikes look like clown bikes to me, with tiny wheels and usually no front or rear shocks, which look like they’d be rather painful on anything but perfectly smooth terrain. In the suburban jungle we usually ride around, larger tires and some shock absorption are necessary.

What is it?

The HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike is an electric bike with a step-through frame form factor, with fat tire wheels. This particular ebike allows you to ride with no electric motor assistance, or with a throttle pushed down and no pedaling, or with “pedal assist” where the motor combines with the rider’s efforts to propel the bike forward. You can either treat this like a scooter/moped style vehicle and just throttle all over town, or you can treat it like a regular bicycle and get to places faster with less (or no) sweat.

What’s in the box?

  • HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike
  • AC wall charger
  • Installation tool kit
  • 2 year warranty on the frame, motor, and battery, 30-90 days on other parts.

Hardware specs

  • 750 W (1032 W peak), 85 Nm. torque SUTTO (sub branch of Bafang) motor
  • 720 Wh, 48 V, 15 Ah Samsung/LG Lithium-ion battery with built in light
  • Up to 60 Miles range, 4 hours charge from empty
  • Suggested rider height: 4’11” to 6’3″
  • Max weight: 450 Lbs
  • Max hill climb assist: 40 degrees
  • Torque Sensor pedal assist
  • Class 1 ebike out of the box, Class 2/3 unlocked via smartphone app
  • Max speed throttle-only: 20 mph
  • Max speed pedal-assist: 28 mph
  • LCD digital display
  • Frame: 6061 Aluminum alloy with internal battery
  • Weight: 66.4 lbs
  • Dimensions Unfolded (with handlebars in lowest position): 66.92″ long x 48.82″ tall x 24.61″
  • Dimensions Folded:

Design and features

For a relatively new bike company (founded in 2019, headquartered in Ontario CA), HOVSCO has put out a bike that feels on par or better than bikes I’ve ridden or owned from market leaders like Rad Power. I couldn’t find any fit or finish flaws worth writing about, and while I’m not an expert on every bike component out there I’ve ridden

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