2020 AddMotoR M-430 Review

Video Review

Written Review

This is the AddMotoR M-430 step-thru electric bike and the version we received for review is the Cyan color and it’s absolutely stunning! It’s a soft, baby-blue but shines really nicely in the sunlight. The M-430 also comes in Black and Pearl White, and has a starting price of $1,899.00 USD. If you’re watching this review during the 2020 holiday season then you’re in luck because AddMotoR is running a holiday sale up until Christmas Day. They’ve knocked off $200 bucks on the M-430, and if you’re into the step-thru models you may also want to check out the M-50 as that one also has a $200 discount up until Christmas Day. 

Alright, so let’s dive into the specs here on the M-430, starting with the motor, which is an AddMotoR branded 48 volt, 750 nominal watt hub motor that can bring the M-430 up to a top speed of around 28 mph in the unlocked configuration. This top speed can be reached using the half-grip twist throttle on the right-hand side of the handlebars, or by using the cadence sensing pedal assist. Like all cadence sensors, this one has a bit of latency with the motor activation and deactivation, but thankfully the throttle is live from 0 mph, so it’s really a non-issue. 

The derailleur on the M-430 is going to be a Shimano Altus 7-speed, which is a nice little upgrade from the Tourney. Really love to see that. It also has a double-sided aluminum bash guard, and paired with the Altus it should help all but eliminate derailments. And since the bash guard is aluminum, it should also help protect the chainring teeth in the event of a strike… which let’s be real, is pretty unlikely with a step-thru cruiser but still a great piece of equipment to have nonetheless. Paired with the Altus is a Shimano SIS Index thumb shifter, and I know I keep saying it but that’s just not the best shifter in my opinion. I think it would probably make more sense for AddMotoR to use the upgrade points from the derailleur and instead apply them to some trigger shifters. It just makes the shifting experience a little bit more enjoyable.

For the battery on the M-430 we’ve got a 48 volt, 16 amp hour system with a max estimated range of 55 miles. Max ranges are normally estimated, or tested, using absolutely perfect conditions — like no head winds, flat ground, low pedal assist settings and fully inflated tires — and it can be a little shocking to find the real-world ranges are quite a bit lower. That being said, AddMotoR’s max estimated range is actually pretty conservative, especially given the larger-than-average capacity battery. So I’m going to give them some bonus points for that. 

The battery is of course locking and removable, so it can be charged and stored separately from the bike, and quickly swapped out if you have more than one. There’s also a battery level indicator on the top of the battery which serves as a great way to quickly check how much juice is left when the battery isn’t actually connected to the M-430’s electrical system.

To help bring the M-430 to a stop, we’ve got Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors in the front and rear. While not as powerful as hydraulic disc brakes, these still offer plenty of stopping power, and I appreciate that the brake levers are equipped with motor inhibitors, which instantly cut power to the motor whenever the brake levers are depressed and ensures the shortest possible stopping distance. Good stuff.

This step-thru is actually a pretty cush ride. We’ve got AddMotoR branded front spring suspension with approximately 80 mm of travel, and this suspension does have preload adjust and lockout so you can customize them a bit to best suite your ride style. 

My favorite thing about this step-thru, and really all step-thrus, is just how approachable they are. It’s just so much easier to swing your leg over the low, swooping top tube compared to having to karate kid kick it over the saddle like with traditional half-diamond frames. Step-thrus are also great because you can stand over the frame with your feet flat on the ground, which is really nice when waiting at stop lights and crosswalks. 

This bike is a bit heavier than average with a curb weight of around 73 pounds, but some of that weight is coming from the suspension, fat tires, fenders and double tube design, which is great because it adds some more strength to the frame. I love that this frame comes with pre-drilled bosses on the front, which would be perfect for throwing on a basket. If you do have a front-basket, a frame-based mounting point like this is way better than handlebar mounts or using the arch of the suspension. “Why,” you ask? Well, because the frame-based mounting points spread the weight of the basket over the whole frame, which makes it easier to steer and keep the contents of your basket from spilling out whenever you turn the handlebars. AddMotoR definitely gets a few more bonus points of this.

The M-430 also has an integrated headlight and tail light which can be turned on and off with the button pad. These lights are bright enough to help oncoming traffic spot you from a distance, but not so bright that they can be used to sufficiently illuminate your path at night… unless you plan on creeping along at like 5 mph.

I’m a big fan of AddMotoR for two main reasons. First, they have an absolutely ginormous selection of ebikes, and second, they have pretty competitive pricing, especially when they run their sales like they’re doing right now. I also appreciate the 1 year comprehensive warranty, and free shipping, which does some additional value. 

I think the M-430 makes a lot of sense for anyone looking for an approachable, easy to ride electric bike. Maybe you have lower back problems, maybe you have knee issues… maybe you just like the way the swooping tubes look!