HiPeak ELIAS Step-Through Folding E-Bike on CleanTechnica

The parents at HiPeak, an electrical bike producer, just lately despatched us a pattern of their ELIAS foldable electric bike. On this article, I need to try the bike’s specs and canopy a few of what I like in regards to the bike, in addition to the place it might be a little bit higher. General, I’d say that it’s a fairly respectable folding bike, with a few options that set it aside from the remaining.

Options and Specs

The HiPeak ELIAS Step-Thru Fat Tire Folding Electric Bike is a high-performance electrical bike that may attain speeds as much as round 28 mph. It has a foldable body and 20″ fats tires for optimum stability and luxury. Its lithium-ion battery permits for an estimated vary of 40 to 60 miles on one cost. This bike additionally features a 750W brushless motor and torque sensing pedal help know-how that present a easy driving expertise, in addition to adjustable stem, seat put up, handlebars, and extra. It even has a 350 lb carrying capability, so there’s room within the weight funds to place some cargo on the rear rack.

Talking of the rear rack, e-bikes usually come with out rear racks, fenders (mud guards), and cargo straps. You will get them, however for an additional price. However, the HiPeak ELIAS comes with all of those, so it can save you your cash for further tubes and different stuff you’ll need. That alone makes this bike a fairly respectable worth proposition.

One other factor I actually favored in regards to the ELIAS was that its grips weren’t the artificial leather-based ones that include so many different e-bikes. As an alternative, they arrive with rubber grips which have a gel-like really feel within the outer layer. I’m unsure precisely what the fabric is, nevertheless it makes for a fairly snug experience, even when hitting some bumps.

And, in contrast to among the rivals, the bike is available in two colours for $1299, with one particular colour coming in at $1349. So, you’re not solely getting a good set of components, however you’re getting it for tons of cheaper than most.

How It Rides

We’ve reviewed a number of 750w e-bikes at CleanTechnica, and in relation to energy and acceleration, this bike is fairly much like the others. This isn’t a foul factor, as a result of rules in most states set a most of 750 watts of energy in order for you to have the ability to take your e-bike on bike-only trails, bike lanes, and different bike-only locations.

One distinction I observed was that the bike was fairly quiet, even with the throttle twisted utterly. Most e-bikes make a little bit noise, however you hear a number of that noise coming from the hub motor’s gears as an alternative of the electrical motor itself. The distinction wasn’t enormous, nevertheless it was noticeable.

At most velocity (set by default at 20 MPH and will alter as much as 28 MPH), the bike felt very steady and cozy, regardless of being a folding bike with solely 20″ wheels. This in all probability has quite a bit to do with the bike’s comparatively heavy fats tires, which helps add extra stabilization by way of gyroscopic forces.

Like most fat-tire bikes, the ELIAS was very steady and cozy on bumpy roads, and fairly simply powers by sand and different unfastened materials. Even in a reasonably deep sand patch, I wasn’t capable of actually sink it.

What Units This Aside: A Very Secure Latching System

Once I folded and unfolded the bike, I observed one thing fairly cool. Whereas there’s often a clamp that you must launch earlier than the handlebar and principal body tube will fold, this bike had a secondary latch for each of those actions. In different phrases, it requires two completely different strikes earlier than the bike will fold.

What’s nice about that is that you simply’ve received virtually zero probability of folding the bike whereas driving it. So, you’ll by no means have to fret about kicking or bumping the bike and having it come aside at 20 MPH. I don’t suppose I’ve to clarify why it might be very unhealthy for that to occur.

One Small Factor To Watch Out For

Once I took the bike out for its first experience, we discovered fairly shortly that you must at all times lock the battery to the bike. Most e-bikes received’t energy on except the battery is locked to the bike, however this one has a change you possibly can flip to allow or minimize energy.

The main draw back to this method is which you could simply experience away and get to hurry on electrical energy with a battery solely held on by gravity (with most different e-bikes, you’d know one thing was fallacious as a result of it had no energy). When you hit a bump or collection of bumps, the battery will be jarred misplaced and find yourself on the highway.

Happily, this bike’s battery appears to be constructed like a tank and suffered solely beauty harm after we deck checked our evaluation bike. It took a lickin’ and saved on tickin’.

The explanation I describe this as a small factor is that it’s fairly straightforward to keep away from. Simply be 100% positive to lock the battery to the bike earlier than you experience away. With the important thing locked, the battery sits very securely and received’t come off.

Ultimate Ideas

General, I believe that is in all probability the most effective deal we’ve seen for folding fat tire e-bikes. Not solely is it properly outfitted with respectable components you’d see on bikes that price $500+ extra, nevertheless it comes with equipment a lot of these bikes don’t include, and this all will get to your door for below $1400 (assuming you reside within the Decrease 48). Plus, it has a really sturdy latching system so there’s no danger of catastrophic failure.

So, if this bike is in your funds, it’s a good purchase.

HiPEAK ELIAS Specs

• Battery: 720 Wh (48V 15Ah)
• Motor Controller: HiPEAK Intelligence controller; 48V, 750W
• Show: Cost indicator, speedometer, odometer, journey odometer, pedal help degree, motor watts, headlight/tail mild indicator, and so forth.
• Motor: 750W brushless gear hub motor, 
• Lights: Entrance: Normal LED headlight, Rear: Built-in tail mild with brake mild
• Pedal Help: 7 degree pedal help with 12 magnet cadence sensor
• Vary: 40-60 miles per cost
• Throttle: Half twist throttle
• Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes with 180mm rotors
• Mechanical gearing: Shimano 7-Pace

Tires: 20” * 4” puncture safety fats tires

This text is sponsored by HiPeak Bike