And at the end of the day, we’re talking about an affordable cruiser, so I didn’t expect to find high-end shifters, hydraulic disc brakes, or suspension on the bike. The Shimano schwinn beach cruiser Tourney shifter, mechanical disc brakes, and plushy spring saddle are enough for me. I’ve seen this level of components on electric cruisers that cost nearly twice as much.
This is a relaxed, upright cruiser that has the ability to handle a fairly wide range of riding trails. This would be a fine choice for younger or beginner e-bike riders thanks to its excellent lighting and comfortable layout — if, that is, its price were a few hundred dollars lower. Press and hold the “+” button for three seconds to switch on the headlight. After leaving the cemetery, I pedaled a county road that unrolls over five hilltops with valleys in between. On the downhills, I went to 0 assist and flew down, hitting 36 mph on one of them. In each case I pedaled unassisted part way up the next climb, moving to a numbered assist level only when gravity began to bite.
It’s packed with power, making it perfect for cruising around town, across campus, or even along the coast. The bike’s padded bench seat is also a standout feature, providing riders with a comfortable place to relax while they ride. When the battery is fully charged, the usage gauge on the display shows five bars. But then, this Schwinn is not intended for touring or racing.
Press the power button to turn it on, which will enable use of the motor, lights, and other electronics. That being said, the more you ride the Coston, the more it feels less sturdy than you first thought. The seat post has a tendency to slide under weight, and the fenders and other elements feel a bit cheap and rattly. That’s surprising, considering Schwinn’s reputation for quality.
You also know first-hand how difficult it is to find pants, a comfortable bed or a bike. But don’t worry, The Coston CE is the best electric bike for tall riders. At just $898 with its current Black Friday sale price, the Schwinn EC1 definitely offers more bang for your buck than a lot of other electric bikes out there. While riding, press the thumb throttle button to activate the motor without pedaling. Use the power button on the handlebar controller to activate the pedal assist.
It also has a hidden pocket in the seat, which is a pretty neat way to store your phone, keys, and other small items. Rest assured, riding one of Schwinn’s e-bikes will quickly feel just as second nature as riding the traditional (or analog) bike you’re used to. In fact, we’re pretty sure you’ll end up preferring it to your old bicycle.
There’s a button located on the underside of the downtube near the cranks. Despite that initial impression about the size, my first ride showed me that the Schwinn schwinn ebike was eager to roll, and nimble in the way that a large athlete can be quick on his feet. The only hitch I encountered was when installing the front fender.
Otherwise, the headlight is adjustable to your preference, and the rear light is built into the fender itself. The Coston e-bike comes with a typical brick-on-a-string charger that plugs into a normal 110v outlet. Schwinn advertises that it takes about four hours to charge. You can plug the battery in while it’s inside the bike, or you can use an included key to remove the battery from the bike for charging. Nothing feels cheap, plastic-y, or vulnerable to quick failure. You also get two different frame sizes to choose from, which is a big upgrade over the single one-size-fits-all frames that many e-bike companies still offer.
One thing I miss from previous e-bikes I’ve had was a range estimator that gave you an idea as to how much further you could ride at your present power level under present conditions. Such a feature is fairly inaccurate all things considered, but some estimate is better than no estimate. The Coston e-bike is controlled with a handlebar-mounted LED panel with three buttons on the side. The panel displays your speed and power level, plus you can cycle through other functions like an odometer, tripometer, and other stats like average speed, max speed, and total ride time. As reviewed, the bike didn’t have much in the way of storage, but other models have a rear rack and even storage in the seat. Speaking of the seat, it’s not the most comfortable I’ve ridden on, but that’s easy enough to replace with a third-party seat if you like.
Schwinn e-bikes deliver the same great riding experience with the addition of pedal assist motors and rechargeable batteries that let you roam farther than ever before. All Schwinn e-bikes are Class 2, which are the most widely accepted. They include both pedal assist and throttle functions, with a top speed of 20 MPH. Class 2 e-bikes are approved for use on bike trails in most cities and states.