Kent Torpedo review: A kid’s e-bike, tested by a fun uncle and some kids

The brake levers that control a pair of V-brakes also have sensors to cut motor power any time the brakes are pulled. Mid-drive motors, on the other hand, are more costly to produce due to their more complicated design. That complication also makes them a bit more touchy, at least for new riders that aren’t used to shifting a bike.

The New Jersey tiny bike business eventually grew into a larger establishment. The business has been producing excellent electric motorcycles and supplying their parts to retailers across the country since 1947. On my second test ride, I tried out the short 3.4-mile singletrack trail that we ride each week. But I ended up popping both the front and rear tire tubes, probably due to my weight stressing the tubes. Popping a tube wouldn’t be so bad, except I had to walk the bike the remainder of the trail.

Kent currently offers three electric models for adults, plus one for kids. Alongside the 27-inch Kent Electric and Kent Step-Through Electric, the Cruiser is more of a unisex offering and is available exclusively from Walmart. For our third eMTB trip, I chose a 16-mile gravel forest service road in nearby Helen, Georgia. The first half was mainly uphill and the bikes performed magnificently. Somehow, we made it the whole 16 miles without a flat and with our brains intact.

And the mechanical disc brakes are likely plenty for a 250W bike that isn’t going to get up to 20 mph (32 km/h) very quickly. The advantages of mid-drive motors, though, mean that you’ll usually find them on higher-end kent bayside cruiser electric bikes, whereas low-cost electric bikes tend to favor hub motors. Without the battery, the Kent Torpedo is easy enough to pedal, though it will definitely feel a bit heavier than a typical kid’s bike.

kent electric bike

The medium power mode seems like a nice happy middle ground. Now before I start getting disgruntled comments, let me start by saying this isn’t a small motorcycle – it’s a pedal-assist e-bike. The Shimano drivetrain shifted flawlessly between its eight speeds, and the mechanical disc brakes on the front and rear worked capably in dry conditions.

Schwinn also offers a Mendocino cruiser, though this looks more vintage than beach styled. Speaking of steps, the step-thru frame comes in only one size but should fit most riders five feet and taller. We wisely dismounted on the steepest uphills kent hybrid bike and also walked one suicidal downhill. Other than my one crash in a deep washout, we survived the worst trail in the area and had a blast. Second, at $500 and with free shipping, these bikes are about half the price of every other similar brand.

A 52″ person would find it ideal, and it should last about two years. Certain individuals disagree because they believe it would be too tiny. “I bought this for my 9-year-old son’s birthday, and it was wonderful for him. Electric bikes enable children to ride their bikes for longer distances and at higher elevations. The model number can be found on the lower portion of the seat tube just above the crank on a black and silver decal.

Mid-drive motors, unlike hub motors, actually power the bike through the standard gears on a bicycle. E-bikes have become the favorite transportation method of hunters these days. The reason is that e-bikes have a lot to offer as benefits.

Most of these buyers probably haven’t ridden a bicycle in decades and are looking for a cheap and non-intimidating way to get back on the bike. Retailing for under $700 (around £515/AU$970), the Kent Electric Cruiser was created for them. There are numerous trails in North Georgia with large inclines and several over 15 miles long that we had intentionally avoided.

The power in medium mode setting appears to be a nice, contented middle ground. The assist motor makes the 39.4 lb e-bike feel lighter than its actual weight. While the motor helps to compensate for the extra weight, e-bikes can still be much more kent road bike difficult to maneuver than standard bikes. This is especially true for tweens and teens who ride adult e-bikes weighing up to 70 pounds. Kid-specific e-bikes are typically lighter than adult bikes, but they are also significantly more expensive.