Once I was invited to an ENVO occasion, I knew I’d get an opportunity to take a look at their ebikes, although the occasion was principally to disclose their new electrical ‘UPT’ automobile. Whereas the UPT was fascinating, it’s on the sting of Bikerumor’s scope so I used to be glad we spent a while driving a couple of of ENVO’s ebikes too.
Along with their line of familiar-looking ebikes, ENVO additionally had their semi-enclosed Veemo three-wheelers obtainable for check rides. I received the prospect to briefly trip the Veemo, plus ENVO’s D50 and STAX ebikes.
One be aware – Since these bikes weren’t the main focus of the launch occasion, the Veemo, and D50 I rode weren’t totally constructed to present specs. These variations are famous under.
ENVO D50:
The D50 is ENVO’s all-purpose ebike, constructed on an aluminum hardtail body. With mounts for racks and baggage the D50 will be an excellent commuter, can haul cargo, or will be ridden on MTB trails with a couple of element upgrades. ENVO additionally sells an ST50 mannequin, which is mainly a D50 with a step-through body.
The D50 comes with an SR Suntour 80mm suspension fork (not the RockShox fork proven on my demo bike). The bike comes with 27.5” wheels, however the body is able to working 29s. You’ll have to swap the fork to a 29” mannequin for those who upsize your wheels.
The D50 is powered by a 750W rear hub motor and a 48V 15Ah battery. Its prime pace is 28mph, and its vary is as much as 93 miles (utilizing the bottom pedal help degree). In the event you want to double the bike’s vary, a second full-sized battery will be added. One possibility ENVO presents is a torque sensor; the D50 comes inventory with a cadence sensor, however if you need extra response out of your pedaling inputs you possibly can go for a torque sensor as an alternative.
The D50’s controller offers 5 pedal help ranges and a throttle. A 9-speed drivetrain presents ample gear vary for commuting however can be a bit missing for MTB (particularly given the D50’s giant entrance chainring). Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide dependable, all-weather stopping energy.
The ENVO D50 sells for $2099. Small and Giant body sizes are supplied, which ought to match riders from 4’11” to six’6”.
Preliminary Impressions:
Straight away I seen the D50’s 750W hub motor presents plenty of energy. We received a number of probabilities to trip up steep roads on our quick check trip, and even within the 3rd help degree out of 5, the bike had no downside crusing up them. The D50 nonetheless climbed with ease after I relied on throttle energy solely.
I did discover fairly a little bit of overdrive on the D50. I discovered the rear hub motor nonetheless offering energy for 1-2 seconds after I ended cranking, which might be harmful for those who’re not anticipating it. With the inventory cadence sensor, getting the bike going from a better gear took a good bit of effort. The non-obligatory torque sensor would possibly assist with preliminary pickup since it will possibly detect how arduous you’re pushing the pedal. As soon as the facility comes on, it comes on fairly strongly and also you choose up pace quick.
I’ve had restricted expertise with ebikes which have throttles, however I’ll agree it’s a handy characteristic. It undoubtedly got here in helpful once we veered onto steep uphill streets and I used to be pedaling within the flawed gear. The D50’s throttle supplied loads of energy and fast acceleration.
The D50’s hydraulic brakes supplied greater than sufficient energy for fast stops, and they might be ample for much less intense path rides too. At 5’10” I’m inside the advisable top vary for the D50, and I had no points with how the bike match me.
ENVO Stax:
The Stax is ENVO’s stealthy ebike possibility (although the huge seat put up is a little bit of a giveaway). This 6061 T6 aluminum flat bar gravel bike has a inflexible aluminum fork and presents a quicker, sleeker trip versus the D50. The Stax is quick on pavement, however since they gave it 700x40C gravel tires it will possibly deal with light-duty off-road terrain too. Coming in at 42lbs, the Stax isn’t tremendous gentle, however not too heavy both.
The Stax’s hub motor presents 500W of output, and the seatpost battery offers 36V and 12.8 Ah of juice. The vary tops out at 625 miles, and the max pace is 20mph. ENVO’s controller presents 5 ranges of pedal help, and the bike I rode had a throttle as properly. Because you’ve received energy, ENVO gave the Stax an built-in headlight.
Different non-electric elements embody an 8-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. The Stax body does have mounts for fenders and rear racks if you wish to haul some cargo. ENVO presents the Stax in a single unisex body dimension, supposed for riders from 5’5” to six’5”. It sells for $1879.
Preliminary Impressions:
Straight away I believed if I selected an ENVO ebike for commuting functions, I’d go for the Stax. I just like the stealthy look of the bike, the very cheap weight (you may truly carry this ebike up stairways), and the quick roll of the 700x40c tires. Sitting proper in the midst of the Stax’s advisable top vary, I discovered the body match me fairly properly.
Even with 500W the lighter Stax has loads of energy on faucet. The bike dealt with steep uphills with no issues on the center help degree 3. Just like the D50 I discovered the help energy comes on fast and robust, and launches you ahead a bit all of the sudden. The throttle alone has no downside rocketing this bike alongside the streets and up hills.
ENVO says the Stax has ‘race-inspired’ geometry, and I wouldn’t disagree. The bars felt fairly low on this bike, and the attain leaned me ahead into a reasonably aggressive driving place. I discovered the Stax’s handlebars fairly slender however I’m used to driving 800mm MTB bars. The bars had a beneficiant backsweep, too. In the event you’re questioning, it wouldn’t be straightforward to swap to a drop bar on the Stax, for the reason that controller/throttle is made for a flat handlebar.
ENVO Veemo:
The Veemo is a semi-enclosed three-wheel velomobile, with entrance and rear suspension and a partial roof to maintain you principally weather-protected. The ENVO staff mentioned the lean roof works properly sufficient that you simply don’t should put on waterproof clothes on a wet trip. For these moist days, the Veemo has a windshield wiper. Contained in the enclosure, the Veemo presents a 60-liter cargo space behind the rider.
The Veemo is at the moment being field-tested in Vancouver by a meals supply employee named Sam. Apparently, he’s loving it, principally as a result of sitting within the Veemo’s seat for 8 hours a day is much more comfy than sitting on a conventional bike seat.
Max energy from the Veemo’s hub motor is 750W and 80Nm of torque, the max pace is 20mph, and its vary is as much as 125 miles (with the twin battery possibility). Like ENVO’s ebikes, the Veemo presents 5 ranges of pedal help and a throttle. A 9-speed drivetrain offers gear vary, and the Veemo stops by way of hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels (with regenerative braking). Different helpful commuter options embody head and tail lights, aspect mirrors, and a parking brake.
As for dimensions the Veemo’s entrance wheel width is 35”, its size is 79”, and it stands 59” tall. The Veemo weighs 135lbs. Its adjustable seat ought to match riders between 5” and 6’4”.
*Video c. ENVO Drive Programs
In Vancouver, the Veemo is totally authorized to trip in bike lanes… patrons would possibly need to confirm native laws. The Veemo retails for $6199. ENVO is at the moment accepting down funds with availability anticipated in April 2024.
Preliminary Impressions:
This was my first ever trip in an enclosed three-wheeler, so I’ll warn you I’ve no foundation of comparability! I used to be curious to see how it might deal with and the way secure it might be, however shortly discovered it straightforward to drive. The Veemo’s entrance suspension is agency sufficient that you simply don’t lean deep into corners, however it nonetheless smooths out bumps within the street. After chatting with ENVO’s staff, I used to be satisfied the Veemo gained’t tip over except you do one thing drastic. Apparently, nobody has rolled a Veemo but!
I used to be completely happy to search out the Veemo’s turning radius was tight sufficient to get round metropolis intersections with no issues. I additionally discovered the hydraulic brakes supplied sufficient energy to cease the Veemo simply.
Pedaling Round City
With a full backrest, the Veemo’s seat was very comfy, and I had no points with the trip stance. I might get sufficient energy to the pedals however sat in a reasonably upright and cozy physique place. I solely had one ergonomic difficulty: My heels hit the ground underneath the pedals a couple of instances whereas we cruised round. A bit extra space there may be very best.
The Veemo I rode had an outgoing Bosch motor system on it, so I can’t touch upon the Veemo’s drive system. ENVO has up to date the drivetrain with their very own electronics since this prototype was constructed.
The Veemo isn’t actually that huge, however it undoubtedly feels wider than an everyday bike whenever you’re driving it. It’s huge sufficient that as we had been cruising round Vancouver’s aspect streets, automobiles had been extra cautious of driving round us than if we had been on bikes. On bike paths, the Veemo was slender sufficient that different cyclists might simply cross by.
With only a quick trip on every, that is all I can say about ENVO’s Veemo, Stax and D50. For full particulars on every go to ENVO’s EBike BC retail web site, or envodrive.com.
