With mobility in itself has transformed drastically in the last few years, we often tend to ignore the most basic form of commute— cycles. The fact that bicycles have had their evolution speaks volumes of technological leap gained in recent years and also our country’s progress.
From pure mechanical work horses for both urban and rural India, cycles have now become smart means of transport and kind of a lifestyle product. Take the EMX+ from EMotorad for example. It is a battery-powered bicycle that not only adds convenience to one’s daily life but also something fun to add in someone’s garage.
EMotorad EMX+: Looks & build quality
Let’s start with how this bike looks and feels. Based on an aluminium alloy frame, the bicycle looks very contemporary with a tall stance. All touchpoints including handlebar grips, the seat, and the bars have a sturdy feel. What I didn’t like much are the lack of proper fenders both at the front and rear and those makeshift rubber flaps neither provide any aesthetic nor any functional purposes.
The snazzy body graphics and paint job are pleasing to the eyes. It gets a small but intuitive screen up front that packs in basic readings like speedometer, odometer, and the 5 levels of speed.
EMotorad EMX+: Performance & Ride quality
Getting onboard the EMX+ is a challenge considering its tall seat and riding heat, especially for those who don’t often spend their commutes riding bicycles like me. Even with the seat at its lowest position, it is a climb for any average height person. However, these can be overcome once the rider gets the hang of the cycle after a couple of spins.
Once you get over the initial jitters, the EMX+ is quite easy to ride, the pedal action is smooth and you pick up pace linearly as you pedal hard. Coming to the electrical part, the cycle comes onboard a 468 Wh lithium-ion battery which is removable. This battery pack provides energy to a 36V 250W rear hub motor. Throttle inputs are crisp so it takes just a wee bit time getting used to it.
The EMX+ comes with a 21-speed gear train (3 front and 7 rear), however, even after trying out various ratios, there wasn’t any noticeable change in forward thrust. Same was the case with the ride modes– marked 1 to 5 in ascending order of performance, but no real change in wheel speed. In my limited experience, I could achieve a speedo indicated top speed of 28 kmph, however, the brochure says a maximum speed of 25 kmph can be reached.
The company claims the EMX+ can return a single-charge of over 60 km solely on electric power and over 80 km on combined electric and mechanical power. However, testing this claim is reserved for another time. Even a 50 km real-world range on sole electric power would be mighty impressive and the EMX+ surely seems capable of achieving the same.
The cycle comes equipped with adjustable suspension at both ends but even in the softest setting, the ride feels harsh and at times bone jarring. The odd pot hole or manhole cover I encountered during my rides, sent shockwaves to my back. What made it worse was the seat which hardly has any real estate. The first thing one should do after buying this cycle is get a larger accessory seat for better comfort.
Another odd bit was the ergonomics. Now like typical mountain bikes, you sit high off the ground, but the reach to the handlebar is long which ends up hurting your wrists after a long ride. The seat adjustment needs to be made in accordance with the handlebar for a comfier rider’s triangle.
Braking performance was one of the few impressive aspects on the EMX+. There was good feedback from both levers and the response was sharp. However, one should keep in mind that as soon as the brake levers are pulled, the throttle is instantly cut off. This takes some time to get used to. Given my ride was confined to fully-paved tarmac of the city, the tyres did more than a fair job, providing apple grip.
EMotorad EMX+: Verdict
The EMX+ is certainly not a perfect cycle and it isn’t everybody’s cup of tea (especially for me). However, for those who are into cycling, and those living in the traffic-stricken concrete jungles of metros, this could be a viable mode of transportation that could also help keep you in shape, if you want to. Priced at Rs 59,000, it looks pricey but considering the battery and range on offer, it manages to justify the price tag in some ways.
Who’s it for? For those looking to switch to an easier and hassle-free means of daily commute in a metro or Tier-1 centre bustling with long traffic, the EMX+ is a good choice.
