Most ebikes are just too big.
At least, thats how I always feel whenever I get a new ebike to review.
Mind you, Im 6 feet tall, so its not that Ineeda smaller bike.
I just appreciate the practicality.
They usually arent built for cargo either, and the better ones are also often woefully expensive.
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Notably, the M-Class is one of few ebikes with a mid-drive motor for under $2,000.
This provides more responsive assistance and an improved center of gravity, yielding an all-around more natural-feeling ride.
These reasons and more are why the big-name bike brands use mid-drive motors almost exclusively.
Nor are parts as easy to find as the popular budget models from Bafang.
On several occasions, fellow cyclists complimented or inquired about the bike while stopped in the bike lane.
There are some concessions made for the price point, of course.
The external battery screams ebike!
Still, the handlebars are narrower than most, so this isnt a huge deal.
And if youre handy and dont mind the additional expense, you’re able to alwaysadd this functionalityyourself.
But my favorite thing about the M-class might actually be the ride experience.
This little ebike hastonsof power and doesnt seem to care that Im a 250+ lb rider.
The motor achieves this while being quieter than most high-torque e-bikes too.
Power aside, the M-class is just plainfunto ride.
The combination of an internal gear hub and shift detection works beautifully for erratic city riding too.
Despite the power available, the range is also impressive.
Its not all perfect though.
For one, the bike might actually have a littletoo muchpower.
For another, despite the power available and 28mph limit, the bike isnt really geared for high speeds.
But I hope Ariel Rider considers changing the stock setup for its next update.
Other than gearing, Id also swap the tires.
It checks off almost everything I want in an ebike.
You might have to wait longer for parts.
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