The GOTRAX Endura electric bicycle is the solution to the question, "What e-bike would you recommend if I wanted to spend the least amount of money possible without getting a lot of junk?"
It's not the best e-bike I've ever tested, but it still gets huge points for combining acceptable features with a reasonable price of $649. I've tested e-bikes before that took too many shortcuts, and this isn't one of them. It makes certain concessions, which we'll go over, but it still comes out on top.
Premium e-bikes are a lot of fun, but their high price tags limit them to riders who are lucky enough to be able to buy them.
E-bikes with a lower price tag can help deliver equal happiness, convenience, and utility to the average person. And GOTRAX knows a thing or two about building electric two-wheelers on a budget.
I've been using GOTRAX electric scooters for several years, both for business and for personal use around town.
GOTRAX has made a name in the electric scooter industry as a no-frills, get-the-job-done electric scooter that can do most of the functions of more expensive scooters for a fraction of the cost.
It's now up to them to see if they can accomplish the same for electric bikes.
Endura e-bike tech specifications from GOTRAX
- Motor: 250W rear hub motor
- Top speed: 15 mph (25 km/h)
- Range: Claimed up to 28 miles (45 km)
- Battery: 36V 7.5Ah (270 Wh)
- Load Capacity: 265 lb (120 kg)
- Frame: Aluminum alloy 6061
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
- Extras: Minimalist LED dot display with battery gauge and PAS level indicator, included rear rack and fenders, throttle & pedal assist, LED headlight
GOTRAX has upgraded its scooter lineup to include e-bikes.
Scooters are small, two-wheeled electric vehicles that are convenient to use, but they don't offer much else.
On the other hand, e-bikes have a lot more going on. There are two independent drive trains, more contact points, larger wheels, more cable runs, suspension, and other factors to consider. So it's not as simple as increasing the number of scooters available on GOTRAX.
However, I think they did a wonderful job here. The Endura is a pleasant bike to ride, and it's hard to believe it's only $649. To put it another way, it doesn't ride like a budget bike.
I will admit that I am more impressed with the quality of the bike's electrical system than the mechanical system, and we'll discuss why. But first, let's talk about electronics.
I can tell you right away that the performance isn't outstanding because to the low-power 250W motor and 36V electrical system, but it still works. It won't get your blood moving, but it will provide you with a relaxing and comfortable ride.
The pedal assist technology gives me a nice, relaxing boost, and the throttle lets me take it easy if I want the bike to handle the majority of the job. Because the Endura's battery is only 270 Wh, which is little by today's standards, I tended to ride with pedal assist to get the most range out of the battery. With a top speed of 15.5 mph (25 km/h), even riding at top speed on throttle-only doesn't put too much stress on the battery. And, let's be honest, we're not talking about a lot of electrical muscle here with such a low-power motor.
Even though this isn't a high-performance e-bike, it performs well for the money. In certain cases, like as the well integrated battery, it even goes above and above. If you paid the same amount of money on an Amazon e-bike, you'd probably get tacky-looking bolt-on batteries or perhaps batteries in a bag on the handlebars. The GOTRAX Endura, on the other hand, features a sleek integrated battery that locks into the frame and can be removed for charging. Or, more accurately, it must be removed for charging. The battery's only disadvantage is that you can't access its charge port without removing it from the bike.
That small quirk is a tad annoying, but the electrical side of things is rather great overall. The battery is compact and well-integrated. The motor is likewise modest, but it performs admirably for flat-land touring — even if it is incapable of handling large climbs on its own. There's also the option of pedal assist with throttle, which is a significant advantage over pedal assist-only e-bikes. The display isn't spectacular, but it does the job as an LED dot display, and there's even a headlight that uses the main battery. There's no tail light, but I'm not going to complain too much about that because I've seen e-bikes costing three times as much without one.
As a result, the electronics are actually rather good. However, when it comes to bike components, it's a bit hit-or-miss. I'm happy they put money into the electronics, but the bike parts could be a little more expensive.
The front fork, for example, leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, having suspension is good, but at what cost? It just doesn't feel as solid as a good suspension fork should. A rigid fork, which I know would survive for years, would have been preferable. And I'm not familiar with this tyre brand other than the fact that it's a random Chinese tyre maker. I wasn't expecting Maxxis, but I was hoping for at least a pair of entry-level Kendas.
Shimano's shifter and derailleur are likewise at the bottom of the chain. Not bad, but not outstanding. Of fact, for an e-bike that is mostly a pleasure cruiser, they are more than enough.
The designs aren't really beautiful and feel a little dated from the early 2000s, but the bike itself is strong. Considering the bike's low power, the "super sport" logos are laughable, but I like to think of them as ironic.
So, while we can easily see where GOTRAX cut corners to save money, they also surprised me with a few key details at the same time. There's the saddle, which is actually rather comfortable, and the fact that fenders are included as standard equipment. Even the rear rack is included as standard, saving you money over e-bikes that charge extra for lights, fenders, and racks.
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