The Ascent MD, a Step-Through mountainbike, is one of the many cross-over ebikes that 90% want. This is a great option…
Mid-drive is what the MD stands for and it’s exactly what you need in this type of bike. The power comes from a Bafang motor M400 and 630Wh 36V batteries. All good. This step-through is thorough and very useful. Tick. Shimano brakes are great and activate the brake lights. Tick and a gold star. Schwalbe Marathon MTB tires are puncture-resistant. Tick. It is very comfortable. The review model also had an SR NCX suspension post, which was great. Tick tick.
It is the highest tier product in their range, with a RRP of $4200. You might also be interested in a Black ATB or Smartmotion XCity. Magnum Navigator is another option, depending on how important you consider the MTB styling and full-step-through.
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You may be wondering who MeloYelo is. Not Mellow Yellow (a 60’s era song by Donovan featuring at least one Beatle) and not Mello Yello (Coke’s version of Mountain Dew) but a company founded by Rob McEwen and supported by a bunch of enthusiasts around NZ, who have a background in electric vehicles thanks to the Evolocity schools programme. You may have seen ebikes for a while and remember that they used to sell conversion kits. However, like most resellers, they now offer full ebike packages, leaving conversions up to those who want to build their bikes. You can also see the potential for this bike to be made by older Kiwis.
So, how did it all go? It was a great ride for me and ElectricMeg. It was too small for me (6’6″) but I was able to ride it. It is truly a medium-sized bike. A L is also on the way, according to His&Hers. Meg thought it was too long for her 5′. However, you can request back-swept bars that will help. The 26-inch wheels made it easy to reach any height. You really have to test before you buy a bike to be sure you are satisfied with your results.
Both of us felt comfortable on the bike. It won’t do anything surprising. It can either tick or not depending on how you look at it. Only 4 and 5 of the five power levels really delivered the goods. My throttle failed me, coming in at 10 km/h which seems a bit absurd. Bafang doesn’t allow zero-start throttle. It’s better than having no throttle, which you can get with Bosch and Shimano. For the less-strong rider, throttles are great for helping you get started. Bafang’s motor is smooth and competent, which is exactly what you need on a bike such as this.
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Meg asked me to include the excellent gears as well. They also have Shimano 9speed Alivio gears, which are decent. Deore 10 Speed would be a better choice. It has a larger range and a bigger front chain-ring. It’s only $4200, so I have the right to be picky. The tyres are slightly knobby to provide off-road grip and puncture-resistant to withstand the glass fragments you might encounter on the way to brunch. A puncture on a bike or car is the worst thing, but these tyres won’t let you down.
Although the mudguards won’t completely block your eyes, they will stop most mud from getting in your eyes. It is fully integrated with a generous 630Wh battery for a range that won’t cause anxiety. The charger was slow, a little cheap-looking, and fan-cooled. Rob, please find another charger! You can charge the bike on and off, but a well-integrated battery will allow you to leave it on. The lights are well integrated, as is the carrier. It can hold panniers and a trunk bag. Grandkids? It’s possible, but not for that. They can be put in the Mazda’s back.
Although I enjoyed this bike, it didn’t leave me feeling smug. It’s hard to explain the magic of some bikes. You will feel the difference when you ride a Specialized Vado, or Cube Touring. Although you’ll be paying more to get the same level of spec, it may not feel the difference. You should test it before you commit. You might love it, but your mileage will vary. Buy if you love it. You won’t regret buying this bike. It has a great specification and comes with a good warranty.
Are you still having questions about the bike? Is this the bike everyone wants? It is, in fact. If you are looking for a bike with high-quality performance that will look great on your Burstner motorhome, then this is the place.