It can actually be hard to tell if it’s working or not, until you tap the on/off switch and realize, yes, it’s helping out nicely. There’s no need for the max assist level on flat ground. Riding this bike is easy enough, once you remember to turn the key on. Turn the key on back at the battery pack, then turn the handlebar controller on (if you want the assist), get on, and start riding. There’s not a great spot for the wheel lock key, though you can sort of wedge it into the frame if you try. In any case, it’s one of the better stock seats I’ve seen on an electric bike so far. Nice job here - this seat is absolutely suited to what the bike is good for. This is the front light (a Lumotec Oval Halogen) and reflector. This is awesome, and I’d love to see more bikes doing something like this. As is standard for geared ebike motors, it has no significant rolling resistance when the wheel is turning faster than the motor. It’s not a bad choice for a small assist - it’s not going to cause any drag when you’re not using the assist, and it’s fairly light. As this bike isn’t at all suited to hills, this isn’t a problem at all. So if you’re using liberal throttle, keep in mind that you’re going to wind up with limited range. Whether you’re commuting, exploring new trails, tooling around town, or all of the above, a sport hybrid e-bike can handle it all. Schwinn e-bikes deliver the same great riding experience with the addition of pedal assist motors and rechargeable batteries that let you roam farther than ever before. Accelerate up to 20 mph with the pedal assist motor. Choose your level of assistance or ride without it completely. One thing I miss from previous e-bikes I've had was a range estimator that gave you an idea as to how much further you could ride at your present power level under present conditions. Such a feature is fairly inaccurate all things considered, but some estimate is better than no estimate. At level 5, the throttle propels you up to 20 miles per hour and disengages if you go faster than that (for example, if you go downhill). Class 2 e-bikes are required to stop assistance past 20 miles per hour. Level 1 throttle tops out at around 10 mph while level 5 will give you the full 20 mph. That being said, the small-ish 250W motor isn’t going to be a powerhouse on hills. The bike accelerates fine on flat ground, but you’ll definitely need to add some leg assist if you’re going to be climbing tall hills. Speaking of which, check out my video below to see the bike’s performance and features in action, including those cool frame lights. 6-speed twist shifter offers smooth, reliable gear changes. When you think about EVs, you probably (rightly) think of cars. But there's another class of EV that might have slipped below your radar, but which has transformed my summer in very unexpected ways. The bike was provided by Schwinn for the purposes of the review. Putting your bike together is actually pretty easy. We have a video that details electric bike assembly and with a few basic tools you'll be out and about in a matter of minutes. They’re a Toshiba SCiB unit, and have, on paper, an insane cycle life. I’ve covered the battery pack elsewhere, in great detail. Also, how to bypass the BMS if it’s gotten unhappy. I’ll start at the front interface to the drivetrain. The pedals are nice metal units, with a grippy rubber strip around them. Many e-bikes also include extra features like integrated lights, storage, fenders, rear racks, and more. You can even add your own extras with our selection of e-bike accessories, including water-resistant pannier bags and heavy-duty e-bike locks. So, no matter how you like to ride, there's an e-bike for you.