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The latest e-bike *CleanTechnica *had the privilege of reviewing is the Dremax commuter e-bike from Cycrown (the step-through model). Cycrown has a host of e-bike options, including the Verve, which CleanTechnica also recently reviewed…
Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.
The latest e-bike *CleanTechnica *had the privilege of reviewing is the Dremax commuter e-bike from Cycrown (the step-through model). Cycrown has a host of e-bike options, including the Verve, which CleanTechnica also recently reviewed.
Let’s skip right to the best part: Cycrown is offering $50 off for both the Dremax and the Verve e-bikes (discount codes at the bottom of this review) for CleanTechnica readers. Woohoo!
Cycrown Dremax e-bike
On to my experience with the Dremax step-through model. I’m typically an analog cyclist, riding a rather beat up, steel street bike along the bike lanes of San Francisco, though I’ve tested and reviewed many e-bikes at this point. The Dremax might just be the comfortable e-bike I’ve tried, along with being a downright attractive bicycle. This isn’t always the case with commuter e-bikes, especially, as they can be pretty nerdy looking.
Assembly
While the unboxing and assembly was relatively uneventful (in a good way), one con is the manual the e-bike comes with isn’t the most helpful. I opted to find a how-to video online to assist in putting the bike together, which was exactly what I needed. No issues with assembly in general.
A less-than-ideal note: I had to remove the front wheel to transport the bike in my car after it was assembled. Putting the front wheel back on proved to be more complicated than I hoped. It’s a little tricky to get it to sit just right so that the tire doesn’t rub. It took a couple tries, especially without assistance. Again, the manual left something to be desired here, as there was no specific instruction for how to remove and reinstall the quick-release front wheel. Usually I wouldn’t think instruction is needed for something so simple, but I struggled a bit here. Once I got the wheel back on, it rode just fine, so no big deal. Overall, assembling the bike was relatively simple, with the help of the how-to video.
The Ride
This commuter e-bike is smooth and comfy to ride*. *The hydraulic front fork is downright luxurious, absorbing pretty much any bump or dip along the way. The bike also features sturdy, puncture-proof KENDA tires, which are perfect for city streets, though tough enough for some gravel or dirt along your route, if the occasion arises.
Other things I love about this e-bike: the LCD display is bright, clear, and easy to read without too much information on the display, and the bike is super zippy! It features five levels of pedal assistance, and at the highest level, I was getting close to 20 MPH. The Dremax also has a throttle lever for when you need that extra boost up a hill, and it really goes.
The rack, fenders, aluminum frame, etc., all feel very well-made and sturdy. The bike is sleek and aesthetically pleasing; I love the teal color in the step-through model, as it’s not a color you see often, so it gives the bike a unique vibe. I did some research on the average weight of an e-bike, and this one is on the heavier side at 65 pounds, which makes it a tad unwieldy when transporting it or maneuvering when needed.
The Samsung lithium battery holds a charge well, even when using the higher levels of pedal assistance. The battery has around 65 miles of range on a full charge, though that could vary, depending on your usage of pedal assistance and throttle. The battery is also slimmer than a lot of e-bike batteries I’ve seen, creating a more svelte and graceful silhouette for the step-through frame. The brushless gear hub motor feels powerful, though not so much that you feel like the bike is going to take off from underneath you — it’s a good balance. The dual torque and cadence sensors create fluid acceleration, even when using the throttle and pedal assistance.
The Dremax rides with ease, even while shifting gears and while changing levels of pedal assistance. The hydraulic disc brakes are responsive, but not too touchy. I hardly noticed using them, which is a good thing for brakes, as they are super smooth, though capable of quick stops if required.
A con for shorter/smaller folks: the handle bars on the step-through model are pretty wide set. Visiting the “Size and Fit” section of the Dremax Commuter E-Bike page, you can see the ideal rider height for the step-through model starts at 5’4”. I’m 5’4”, with long arms for my height, though the handlebars still feel a little too wide. The seat is adjustable and, overall, the bike doesn’t feel too big at all, it’s just the handlebars that are a little awkwardly wide for my specific size.
Takeaway
Generally, I enjoy this e-bike quite a bit. All features from gear-shifting to brakes to throttle use are smooth, creating a lovely, easy riding experience. The hydraulic front fork is an awesome element. The manual is not awesome and the handlebars are a little wide set, though, overall, the Dremax Commuter E-Biker is a great combination of functional, tough, easy on the eyes, and relatively cool looking, as far as e-bikes go.
Special discount codes for CleanTechnica readers:
Dremax — Discount code: DREMAX50
Verve — Discount code: VERVE50
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