Denago despatched us a evaluate copy of the step-through mannequin of its $1,799 Commute bike, and we’ll take you thru what we considered this huge, well-equipped, and comfort-focused bike.
The Denago Commute is a motorcycle that places a premium on rider consolation and has fairly a number of built-in options that received’t depart you wanting for a lot. At $1,799, it’s not fairly a price range bike, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly priced in comparison with the sphere given all of its extras, although there are nonetheless a number of completely different selections we want they might have made.
Denago Commute Step-Via tech specs
Motor: 500 W rear geared hub motor with 50 Nm torque
High velocity: 20 mph (32 km/h) throttle, 28 mph (45 km/h) pedal help (Class III)
Vary: 45 mi (72 km) est.
Battery: 48V/13.6Ah (652.8 Wh), frame-integrated, detachable, included 3 amp charger
Drivetrain: Microshift 8-speed, chain
Max load: 280 lb. (127 kg) max rider weight, 55 lb. (25 kg) load restrict on rear rack.
Body & Fork: 6061 aluminum
Weight: 66 lb. (30 kg)
Suspension: Fork & seatpost suspension
Brakes: Zoom Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotors
Extras: Monochrome LCD show with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS stage indicator, odometer/tripmeter and PIN code lock; left-side thumb throttle; cadence sensor; steel entrance and rear fenders; rear rack; kickstand; built-in headlight; rear reflector with battery operated tail mild (2x AAA)
I discussed above that the bike is huge, and I don’t say that evenly. Denago’s dimension chart suggests S/M dimension for riders 5’0″-5’9″ and L/XL for five’9″-6’4″. However I’m 6′ and nonetheless wished the saddle may go decrease than its lowest place (38″ from the bottom) on the L/XL bike. I wasn’t in a position to take a look at whether or not the S/M dimension would really feel higher for me on the entire, however undoubtedly take into account test-riding for those who’re on the borderline of Denago’s sizing chart. And for those who’re too huge for many bikes, this may be simply what you’re in search of.
This dimension does make for a easy and cozy experience, together with the bike’s massive 27″ x 2.6″ tires, suspension in each the seatpost and fork and its large padded saddle. The bike does have a “strolling mode” activated by holding a handlebar button, which helps if attempting to push the large bike up an incline, and so on.
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Denago says that regardless of the bike’s identify and goal market (commuters), it has truly been surprisingly fashionable amongst older clients attributable to its consolation, massive dimension, and upright seating place from the swept-back handlebar and adjustable stem. I can actually see how this might be the case. It’s fairly a soft experience. And the step-through design makes the bike simpler to mount, even whether it is fairly huge.
The bike comes well-equipped with a number of good options, like steel entrance and rear fenders, monochrome digital show, adjustable stem, hydraulic disc brakes, rear rack, headlight, and a sturdy kickstand (rear-mounted, so don’t overlook to kick it up like I at all times do).
Two extras we’d wish to see are some form of water bottle/drink holder (you’ll have to seek out your individual manner round this, there are not any built-in mounts on the body) and a taillight built-in into the bike’s battery. It does include a taillight, but it surely requires 2x AAA batteries to function, and must be turned on manually separate from the bike/headlight.
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The bike’s cadence sensor and pedal help can result in some quirky motion. Neither throttle nor pedal help can be utilized from an entire useless cease, each require you to get shifting first. So for those who occur to be on a hill or any form of unusual terrain, it takes effort to get this huge 66 lb. bike shifting earlier than the electro-motion kicks in (although the aforementioned “strolling mode” can be utilized in these circumstances).
And cadence sensors are robust for group rides too, as a result of it’s arduous to precisely tempo whoever you’re driving with (except everyone seems to be on the identical bike mannequin). Throttle might be utilized in these circumstances, however the thumb throttle doesn’t actually permit for exact velocity management both.
However then, it is a matter of style. Some choose cadence sensors as a result of they will “ghost pedal,” with out having to place even a small quantity of drive into pedaling, which can assist for these with accidents or dangerous joints (see: the aforementioned aged). However the throttle already permits for that, so I discover cadence sensors considerably redundant. I’d choose throttle for no pedaling, torque sensor for pedaling, and completely different pedal-assist ranges for various speeds.
If I’m already spending $1,799 on a motorcycle, I really feel like I’d reasonably have a torque sensor for ~$100 extra, since in my view a torque sensor simply offers a a lot better expertise. Denago’s fats tire bike has a torque sensor on a $1,799 bike (with larger battery, motor and tires, however not as many extras), so it will possibly actually be finished.
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The identical goes for a belt drive, which might value extra so as to add than a torque sensor, however which I additionally choose. Particularly for a commuting bike, the place commuters may put further emphasis towards avoiding the danger of chain grease on their enterprise garments.
A part of it’s because I significantly disliked the MicroShift 8-speed shifter. It felt like I may by no means get into and keep within the gear I wished to be in, and the configuration of the shift levers is just not intuitive. Maybe I’ve simply been spoiled by belt drives.
For a motorcycle that’s in any other case so effectively outfitted, these are two fairly huge headline options that I believe can be good to have. $1,799 isn’t within the “costly bikes” class but, but it surely’s undoubtedly not the most affordable bike on the market, so so long as I’m spending a bit extra on a motorcycle with a number of extras, I’d like these to be a few these extras, even when it knocked the value up one other couple hundred {dollars}.
To regulate issues, the bike has a considerably plain monochrome show with all the fundamental info you’d anticipate – velocity, battery, odometer, and so forth – and in addition features a PIN code lock. The show is serviceable, however for those who put on polarized sun shades like I do, it turns into a lot much less readable:
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You possibly can’t activate the display whereas the bike is plugged in, so if you wish to verify charging mid-charge, you’ll must depend on the purple/inexperienced/blue LEDs on the battery itself, or LEDs on the reasonably massive exterior 3 amp cost brick (which will get you a full cost in ~4.5 hours).
The battery on the Denago Commute impressed me with its vary and sturdiness. Whereas e-bike vary is a tough matter as a result of driving conditions fluctuate so broadly – terrain, velocity, rider weight, and the way a lot pedaling they love to do (I’m a 155 lb. light-weight and a compulsive pedaler, which each prolong my vary) – it felt like this bike has greater than sufficient vary for its commuting viewers. Denago says this bike has 45+ miles of vary, although with my common driving patterns I might get round 60. However once more, I can’t cease myself from pedaling, so for those who identical to to take a seat again and use the throttle, you’ll get lots much less distance than me.
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The battery is detachable, so might be charged at house or whereas connected to the bike. The battery weighs just below 8 lb. (3.6kg) and is fairly simple to hold in a single hand.
However I discussed sturdiness – proper after I received this evaluate bike, I sustained an damage that made me unable to experience for a number of months. So I additionally occur to know that this bike will preserve a cost for a number of months with little to no vampire drain. Not dangerous! Not a standard level that we get to evaluate, however right here we’re.
At $1,799, the Denago Commute is a fairly well-priced bike in comparison with the competitors. There are a number of different options we’d wish to see on it, however these would add to the value and maybe take it out of the sub-$2,000 tier, or must substitute a few of the different lengthy listing of options already included on the bike. As is, the bike does embody a laundry listing of a lot of the options you’d need on a motorcycle this value, which makes it purchase for somebody in search of a giant, exceptionally snug bike with a giant battery.
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