You may not know about me, but I bike to work every morning through the streets of Brooklyn. Typically, I use a regular bike, but when I had the chance to use this electronic bike from Analog Motion, of course, I wanted to share my experience with all of you. Electronic bikes are great for anyone that’s commuting and doesn’t want to show up to work covered in sweat. They’re also ideal if you have a lot of hills on your ride, or if you’re carrying a heavy haul.
Well, after testing the AM1+, I can tell you whether or not it’s worth it’s hefty price tag, which sits at over $1,500. Let’s get started with this Analog Motion e-bike review!
Pros and Cons
Since I tend to talk a ton about the products I’m reviewing, I decided to tell you straight-up the best and worst things about the AM1+.
Pros
- Lightweight: While most electric bikes weigh more than a mechanical bike, the AM1+ weighs the same while being about twice the size.
- Battery: Although it’s only the size of a water bottle, this tiny device packs a punch, creating a fast and agile ride ideal for cities.
- Minimalist aesthetic: Unlike some electric delivery bikes I’ve seen, this bike is much better looking than the average bike in the United States.
Cons
- Range: At only 20 miles, this bike is pretty limited and has a lower range than most e-bikes on the market.
- Shock absorption: Now, maybe it’s because I’m riding on the pot hole-ridden streets of NYC, but the ride is not the smoothest.
- Price: The AM1+ is not for the frugal at a total cost of $1,544.56.
Related: Security Tips For Cyclists
Design
On the surface, it’s not immediately clear that the AM1+ is different from your average bike. In black and gray, it’s ideal for blending into the cityscape, but let’s dive deeper into it’s design elements.
Weight
Weighing just under 31 pounds (less than the industry average of 44), this bike is perfect for someone that lacks a car and might need to pick up their bike by hand.
Motor
The bike’s motor is integrated into the hub at the back wheel, which has the effect of making you feel like you’re being pushed from behind, as opposed to a mid-drive motor that would feel more centered. I personally prefer the latter, as it creates a ride that feels more stable. Also, motors mounted on the hub of the back wheel make changing flats more difficult.
Battery
It comes with a rechargeable Samsung battery, which only takes a few hours to charge. By the way, that weight of the bicycle includes the battery! Did I mention people often mistake my battery for a water bottle?
Top Speed
The top speed you can go with the AM1+ is 30 mph, which is actually more than the legal limit for e-bikes in the United States, according to Public Law 107-319. Analog Motion manufacturers it’s bikes in the United Kingdom, which explains the discrepancy.
Riding Range
Now, when it comes to riding ranges for e-bikes, the typical range is anywhere from 20 to 100 pedal-assisted miles, according to an article from REI. The AM1+ has a range of 20 miles, which as you can see, is pretty low. I would use this bike for short distances only, as you’ll run out of juice pretty quickly on a long-distance trip.
Materials
Now let’s talk materials. The frame and fork are made out of aircraft grade aluminum, which is the most popular material for building bikes. With the newer types of aluminum alloys, the bike can absorb the shock for you, creating a smooth ride even over bumpier terrain. However, I found that this was not the case with the AM1+, as my rides are usually pretty bumpy.
The real advantage of aluminum? It’s known for being especially lightweight when compared to steel, which accounts for the bike’s low weight. Another advantage of using aluminum over steel is the fact that this bike can’t rust, meaning you can worry less about protecting the paint job, says an article from the website City Bikes.
Tires
The AM1+ has Kenda KWEST 28C tires, which are manufactured in the commuter style. What exactly does this mean? Well size-wise, these tires are in the average 28 inch size, perfect for a bike you’ll be using in an urban or suburban areas. You’ll also get the advantages of wider tires, which generally translate into more cushion and there, more shock absorption, according to an article from the Ebike School. The trade-off? Wider tires also slow you down, reducing your bike’s range, says a piece on the Electric Bike Review.
Commuter tires like the Kenda KWEST are meant for harder surfaces like asphalt or concrete. They’re created with smoother tread, which helps you to avoid skidding if the streets are wet, also a benefit of having a wider tire. Keep in mind that tire pressure also affects your ride and shock absorption, but that’s more of a personal preference, says the Ebike school.
Rims
The bike’s rims are Deep 40mm 700C Alloy. If you’re familiar with aluminum as a bike material, you might already know that it needs to be combined with alloys like magnesium, zinc or silicon, as it’s not strong enough on it’s own. Like the rest of the bike, the rims are lightweight and useful at absorbing shock, giving you a smoother ride in any season.
Saddle
The Analog Motion AM1+ has a black, lightweight sports saddle. Now, as you probably know if you’ve ever biked before, saddles have a really big effect on shock absorption, pedaling and your general comfort. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the saddle to be that comfortable, as it’s pretty narrow. Wider saddles tend to be more comfortable, and I am all about that comfort (not to mention shock absorption).
Gears
Some (okay, most) electric bikes have different gears for different pedaling difficulties. Going up a hill, you want to be in a low gear to make things easier, but when you’re going downhill, switching to high gears makes sense. Of course, this bike is electric-powered, but that doesn’t mean you’ll do absolutely no pedaling. Still, the AM1+ only has one gear, so you won’t have to worry about it.
LCD Display
Finally, the AM1+ also has an LCD display that will tell you the bike’s:
- Speed
- Battery life
- Total distance
- Assist levels, etc.
This can be helpful so you can plan out your route and make sure that you don’t run out on your battery.
Related: The Best Bike Locks of 2019
Recap
As an avid bike rider and commuter, I’m a huge fan of my AM1+. It gets me from my home into work much quicker than literally any other method would take, from the subway to even an Uber ride. And the best part is, I don’t show up covered in sweat, as the bike has a convenient battery. But while I’d recommend the AM1+, I do acknowledge that it’s not the right choice for everyone, so let’s break down who I think it would be good for.
Buy the AM1+ if you’re looking for…
- Lightweight bike: Even though it’s electronic, the AM1+ weighs the same as regular bikes.
- Ideal for commutes: It’s lightweight design combined with it’s tiny battery make it ideal for commuting, especially in a city.
- Beautiful design: This bike is one of the better looking electronic bikes on the market, if aesthetics are important to you.
But avoid it if you prefer…
- More shock resistance: Although the bike is made out of aluminum, I personally found the ride to be a bit bumpy.
- Longer range: 20 miles is a pretty short range, making the bike better for short distances over long distances.
- More comfortable saddle: Again, this is more of a personal preference, but I didn’t find the saddle to be particularly comfy.
As usual, feel free to ask any questions below and I’ll be happy to get back to you soon. Above all, make sure you wear a helmet and in general, be secure!
FAQs
How much do Analog Motion bikes cost?
The AM1+ costs $1441.99 and the AM1 costs 1287.36.
What is the AM1+'s range?
The AM1+ has a range of about 20 miles.
How long does it take to charge the AM1_
It only takes a few hours to charge the AM1+.
How much does the AM1+ weigh?
Including the battery, the AM1+ weighs 30.86 pounds.
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