2023 Electric Bike Company Model Y Review

Video Review

Written Review

Intro:
Electric bikes are all the rage these days, and the 2023 Model Y from Electric Bike Company appears to be a real showstopper. With its stunning Twisted Guava paint job, it's hard not to stare. But is this bike just a pretty face, or does it have the performance to match its looks? Let's dive into the specs and find out.
Motor:
The heart of the Model Y is its 500-watt Electric Bike Company branded rear-hub motor, which delivers a reasonable 60Nm of torque. That's enough power to make even the strongest cyclist at your local spin class green with envy. (maybe even green and purple…get it…like the bike..) With the half-grip twist throttle, you can easily activate the motor and zoom off across your local bike paths. And with the Class 3 mode, you can reach top speeds of up to 28mph, which is faster than Usain Bolt on a good day. In fact, that’s better than Mr. Bolt on his absolute best day! In 2009 when he broke the world record for 100 Meters, he reached a top speed of 27.79MPH. So when you see that display reading out at 28MPH, well, now you can throw a little feather in your cap.
Battery:
The Model Y is powered by a 504 watt-hour battery that provides a minimum range of 25 miles. That might not sound like much, but it's enough to take you on a long ride and still have plenty of juice left over for the jaunt home. The battery is not removable, which can be a downside for some, but it's a small price to pay for such a stylish well-specced bike.
Frame:
The Model Y features a low-step frame design that makes it easy to hop on and off. If you’ve got knee or back problems, generally you’d be leaning towards a step-thru, but in all honesty, I usually prefer that frame style for bikes I just cruise around on anyways. The upright riding position and comfortable saddle make it feel like you're cruising on a cloud. And despite weighing 58 pounds, which is heavier than a bag of rocks, or at least a bag of rocks that weighs 57 pounds, the Model Y can handle a weight limit of up to 420 pounds. That's enough to carry 17.5 Standard Daschunds! Now that’s a stat we don’t see in the Ebike world enough. Horsepower? Sure. But dog-carrying capacity? Unheard of! Until now…
Suspension:
The front suspension of the Model Y is an Electric Bike Company-branded front fork with 80mm of travel, preload, and lockout adjustment. It's like having your own personal shock absorber that takes all the bumps and jolts so you don't have to. The Schwalbe Fat Frank tires not only look cool but create a great attack angle with enough width to offer an additional comfort factor. I was struggling between fun ways to describe the suspension, so here are two: The bike’s suspension makes for a ride that's smoother than Barry White's voice. You'll feel like you're gliding on butter, without any of the calories. Either of those works here.
Brakes:
The Tektro hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors are exactly like the brakes on a Formula 1 car, except different. They’ll last more than 275 miles and they don’t cost $200,000 dollars. But other than that, exactly the same. Electric Bike Company is usually a standout in the braking department, and the Model Y is no exception.
Extras:
The Model Y comes with a color display that shows your speed, battery level, and other important information. It's like having your own personal dashboard, but without the annoying beeping sounds. The full lighting system ensures that you can see and be seen in low-light conditions, so you don't have to worry about being hit by a bus. I mean, you should still be worried about that, it happens. And with a cargo capacity of 50 pounds, you can carry all your essentials, like snacks, water, and a change of clothes, with room to spare. Now, let’s chat about this all-wood trimming here. It is in fact real wood, something that surprised me if I’m being honest. The full fenders keep you dry in wet conditions, so you don't have to go home looking like a drowned rat. The chain guard (also real wood) looks great and functions exactly how we’d expect it to.