They really thought out the balance, accessories and drive modes to make it simple and practical to use. The price was great and the components were built to endure. I like that they included little things like water bottle mounting points that so many ebikes skip (in part due to midframe batteries). The suspension isn’t top of the line and doesn’t include lockout but it definitely smoothes out the ride and the adjustability of the stem and handlebars is wonderful. The motor driving this bike offers 180 watts nominal power and up to 250 watts peak. It’s a planetary geared design by Protanium and it offers good torque while keeping weight down.
This will release the latch, allowing you to lift it up and open the seat compartment. If you leave the battery in the bike, there is a rubber port cover you need to move before plugging in the bike. This helps keep the battery dry if you get caught out in the rain. If you’re using an e-bike to commute or run errands, or if it’s a particularly hot day, the throttle might be a better way to go. The throttle is a thumb lever on the left side of the bike, next to the LED panel. It has about an inch of travel between off and full, and you can push the throttle part way down or all the way down.
The included kickstand is also nice because it mounts near the back wheel so it doesn’t get in the way when you need to back the bike up while the kickstand is down. Anyone who has tried to back up a bike while the pedals are schwinn beach cruiser locked with the kickstand will appreciate what I’m talking about. A 7-speed transmission from Microshift also adds to the commuter street-cred, giving those in hilly areas the ability to run through the gears on hills.
The battery has to be on before turning the bike on which got me the first time I tried. The battery is a 288 watt-hour battery built with cells which takes about 4 hours to charge. While you can ride in light rain or snow if needed, it is not recommended to expose the e-bike to water, as this may damage the battery and other electric components. You can turn the lights on and off with a button on the handlebar controller. Press and hold the + button for 3 seconds to turn on just the headlight.
Shipping generally starts at $99 but depends on the model (some bikes are not eligible for 85% assembly). The battery meter is comprised of five segments to give you an estimate of how much power you have left. When it comes to buying things in the 21st century, we seem to have an embarrassment of riches. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be an exhaustive and daunting task to pick the best electric bike. Riders of all ability levels and all shapes and sizes can pretty easily determine the best e-bike for them with just a few minutes of reading and research.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Coston CE e-bike is that is built like a tank, which is both good and bad. It’s good because everything on the bike feels solid and borderline rugged. The downside is this bike feels about as heavy as a light-armored schwinn ebike vehicle. The bike tops out at around 57 pounds, which is tank-like in the biking world. By comparison, my poor, neglected Trek bike weighs around 25 pounds. That’s a big difference when you’re picking up the bike to turn it around or put it on a car rack.
Front and rear mechanical disc brakes deliver all-weather stopping power and speed control. You can ride with confidence through rain, dust, and more. Over the years, Schwinn has empowered millions of people, earning a special place in the hearts and minds of generations of riders. We have spent over a century building the bicycle industry into what it is today, and we’re not done yet. A Schwinn e-bike only activates extra power when you pedal and when a PAS level is turned on. We’ll start our ranking of the best e-bike brands with a company that’s as American as apple pie.
Make sure everything is working properly before you hit the big hills or rockier trails. This is also a great time to test out your pedal assist system (PAS) for the first time! If you notice any issues with how you assembled your e-bike, take it back home and make adjustments as needed. And at the end of the day, we’re talking about an affordable cruiser, so I didn’t expect to find high-end shifters, hydraulic disc brakes, or suspension on the bike.
Speaking of which, check out my video below to see the bike’s performance and features in action, including those cool frame lights. Aluminum cruiser frame provides lightweight durability with a vintage-inspired look that never goes out of style. Plus, the comfortable upright riding position makes riding a delight. Rest assured, riding one of Schwinn’s e-bikes will quickly feel just as second nature as riding the traditional (or analog) bike you’re used to. In fact, we’re pretty sure you’ll end up preferring it to your old bicycle. There’s a very good chance that you’ll never need any additional assistance with your e-bike or run into any problems.
You get a 7-speed gear system on the rear wheel with a single gear on the front. The shifter is on the right handlebar opposite the LED display for the motor on the left. As a commuter e-bike, I’m also glad to see some good commuter specific parts, like the included fenders and the excellent lighting. Not only do you get typical head and taillights, but you also have LED frame lights built into the sides of the battery. That adds a nice nighttime glow to the bike to give you better side visibility – an area where most bikes are lacking.