I lately had the possibility to take a look at the Meta 2024 electrical bike, which inserts the invoice for what many individuals are looking for in a hybrid-style commuter electrical bike. So may this be the journey you’re searching for? Let’s discover out!
To come back together with me on a take a look at journey, try my video evaluate under. Or head down even additional to learn the remainder of my evaluate.
- Motor: 500W continuous-rated geared hub motor in rear
- Prime pace: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Vary: As much as 45 miles (72 km)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh) with an optionally available second battery
- Weight: 61.7 lb (28 kg)
- Payload capability: 286 lb (130 kg)
- Tires: Innova 24x 3.0″
- Brakes: Twin-piston hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Suspension fork, LED show, LED lighting, Shimano 7-speed drivetrain, torque sensor, included fenders and rear rack, left-side thumb throttle, adjustable handlebar stem
What you get with a 24″ e-bike
The primary main distinction right here is that the bike makes use of barely smaller than normal wheels, at 24 inches in diameter. They’re additionally a bit wider than what you’ll normally discover on commuter-style electrical bikes, measuring a stable 3 inches vast.
The result’s that the bike feels a bit extra like a motorbike within the turns, with wider and smaller-diameter wheels that lead to much less of the bicycle really feel. Leaning into these activates 24×3.0″ tires is a pleasant and comfy expertise due to that decrease middle of gravity. After all, the included throttle exaggerates that comfy motorcycle turning feeling once you don’t must pedal like a typical bicycle, both.
That being mentioned, it’s best to positively nonetheless give pedaling a good shot, for the reason that bike features a torque sensor that makes the pedal help really feel fairly good, prefer it’s really responding on to your exact inputs as an alternative of simply lurching the bike round when it thinks you wish to go.
The inclusion of a entrance suspension fork and the adjustable handlebar stem additionally add extra consolation to the bike, enhancing the journey and letting you dial within the handlebar peak and angle as you see match. The entrance suspension fork isn’t notably high-end, however it appears ample for fundamental road using. Make no mistake: this isn’t fancy suspension, it’s fundamental stuff however appears to soak up these bumps effectively sufficient for a $1,699 e-bike. In case you’re new to e-bikes then that may sound like loads, till you be taught that bikes with the title model suspension elements simply price over twice this a lot.
As good because the adjustable stem is for fine-tuning the peak of the bars, the handlebars are nonetheless a bit farther swept again than I usually desire on an city bike, encroaching upon cruiser bike area. They aren’t completely cruiser bars, however they positively have extra of that laze sweptback model to them. Some individuals love that, however I’m extra of a straight-bar form of man.
What in regards to the energy?
I do know the motor is simply rated for 500W, however it positively felt extra highly effective than that to me. The facility supply should be properly dialed in as a result of it by no means felt missing, and I’m not a man who’s afraid of a higher-power bike. I’m usually discovered on at the very least 750W e-bikes (although I journey a little bit of every little thing), and so this mannequin positively shocked me that it may hold with the higher-power fashions.
The hydraulic disc brakes do a superb job of giving the bike highly effective, dependable stopping energy. That’s additional essential on e-bikes with extra highly effective motors, as you by no means need extra ‘go’ than you might have ‘cease’. Certain, at solely 20 mph (32 km/h), you’re not going to be hitting class 3 speeds with this bike. However sturdy brakes are nonetheless essential, so I’m glad to see stoppers that work effectively right here.
The bike additionally has a reasonably large battery, measuring 720Wh, which means the vary can be fairly good. They declare as much as 45-ish miles on the inventory battery, however you possibly can add both a 14Ah or 17Ah battery to the body, providing you with as much as 100 miles of complete vary.
Eunorau has lengthy been good about providing additional battery choices, which is nice for people who wish to take longer rides and even use their e-bikes commercially, comparable to for supply riders.
I used to be a bit shocked to see the somewhat low weight capability of the bike, at the very least in comparison with different fashions available on the market. With a weight restrict of 286 lb (130 kg), this bike isn’t going to suit the fullest of rider figures. That does appear a bit odd to me for the reason that bike positively doesn’t really feel light-weight or flimsy. In truth, it’s over 60 lb and feels effectively put collectively, however Eunorau has typically gone with an underpromise-and-overdeliver technique (similar to the ‘500W’ motor that positively feels stronger), so maybe they’re simply enjoying it protected with the decrease weight score.
Sum all of it up!
So right here’s my takeaway: The Eunorau META 2024 within the 24″ dimension appears like a extremely enjoyable and fairly comfy bike to journey. The punchy motor and added torque sensor are nice for energy supply, and the smaller diameter wheels make for a pleasant compromise in journey really feel, protecting the bike and middle of gravity a bit decrease with out the downsides of even smaller wheels.
The suspension isn’t one of the best, however it works high quality for many bike lane use, and I’m glad to see included elements like LED lighting, fenders, and a rear rack.
At $1,699, the bike provides you fairly good worth on your cash. There are higher offers on the market and I’m not going to say there’s something terribly revolutionary right here, as a result of there isn’t. However it’s a stable possibility out there in a number of sizes and a number of colours, and would doubtless serve a commuter rider effectively of their hunt for this degree of specs.
