When Giant’s new “lifestyle-inspired” electric powered bicycle sub-brand name Momentum unveiled the Voya E+ 3, it did so at a positively mid-vary selling price of $2,400. That introduced it in below the fancier mid-travel e-bikes in most bicycle shops but nicely over the price-oriented immediate to consumer e-bikes. Thinking about it has just one wheel solidly in just about every camp, let us see how it competes against the relaxation of the field.
I experienced the probability to get some arms-on screening with the bicycle when Momentum agree to enable me go nuts on 1 of their demo versions for a few of months. Possessing never ever tested an e-bike from this brand in advance of, I wasn’t very certain what to expect immediately after I covered the bike’s authentic unveiling.
On the just one hand, it is a reasonably reduced-driven hub motor e-bicycle and hence is not going to knock anyone’s using socks off in the power section.
On the other hand, Large is aware of their way all-around a bike, and as a result the bicycle is very well manufactured with primarily good-quality parts, and so I realized this just one would be better than a refreshing-off-the-boat white-labeled electric bicycle right from China, so to talk.
You can come along with me on my rides in my screening online video down below, then retain looking through for the relaxation of my full evaluate.
Momentum Voya E+ 3 online video overview
Momentum Voya E+ 3 tech specs
- Motor: 250W rear hub motor (30 Nm torque)
- Battery: 250 Wh
- Top rated velocity: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Selection: Up to 45 miles (72 km)
- Pounds: 39.7 lb. (18 kg)
- Frame: Aluminum
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
- Tires: 700 x 38c
- Extras: Streamlined body-integrated display screen, 9-speed microSHIFT transmission, rapidly 4A charger, two shade choices, 3 frame dimensions, mounting hardpoints for add-ons, kickstand
A bit of both equally worlds
The Momentum Voya E+ 3 is element convenience bicycle, aspect commuter bicycle. It’s not as ahead-leaning as it might glance (see my trip movie higher than for reference), but also isn’t a entirely upright, cruiser-design and style ride possibly.
Amongst the relaxed contact points in the saddle and handlebars, it’s a a lot improved emotion journey than some extremely-light-weight commuter e-bikes out there, which is for guaranteed.
It is also only borderline “ultra-light-weight.” At just under 40 lb. (18 kg), it is absolutely a lighter electric bicycle than we’re utilised to viewing. But it’s also not going to blow away in the wind. Yet again, that is the initial of several compromises you’ll see in this e-bike.
Part of the lightweight design arrives from the lower power drivetrain. That rear hub motor is just 250W and 30Nm (although I’ve also noticed Giant literature that lists it as 25 Nm, so I’m not absolutely sure which to believe). Anyway you slice it, it’s a modest support motor, not a powerhouse.
It is wonderful for receiving you up to the bike’s prime velocity of 20 mph (32 km/h), but not quickly. This is very much a cyclist’s form of e-bike. It’s for someone who enjoys biking – as in pedaling – but desires a continuous tail wind in the kind of some mild electric powered support.
If you punch it up into the highest aid method, then you are going to feel some great power, but it is never ever likely to come to feel overpowered. The Momentum Voya E+ 3 just ain’t that style of e-bicycle, individuals.
The battery isn’t huge either at just 250 Wh, but which is essentially pretty appropriate for the bike’s style and design. With an strength-sipping motor and controller, you can make that battery previous all afternoon.
Huge suggests it will stretch alone to 45 miles (72 km) in the cheapest help environment. I’m not positive if it will or not, as I just could not deliver myself to ride around in pedal aid environment 1 all the time. It’s these a light level aid that I retained offering into the urge to bump up the electrical power amount by a simply click or two. I like a little bit far more ability than that, what can I say?
But when it does arrive time to recharge, the 4A charger will get the battery largely stuffed in hardly two several hours. Between a decreased-than-ordinary battery capacity and bigger-than-normal energy charger, it is a bit like filling a bucket with a hearth hose: It happens rapidly.
On the person interface aspect, there is a properly built-in “display” in the leading tube that requires the put of the kind of electronic displays we’re made use of to seeing on the handlebars. You’ve acquired a pair of LED bars to suggest battery stage and pedal aid level. There is a multi-purpose button for turning the e-bike on and for generating ability choices. It almost disappears into the top rated tube, which is a snazzy and low-profile way to do it. You cannot fault the Momentum Voya E+ 3 for obtaining as well significantly gear in your confront, that’s for positive. And I’ll choose a nice, clear pair of handlebars any working day of the 7 days.
The other a lot more mechanical interface factors are nicely spec’d as very well. The hydraulic disc brakes are punchy and confidence inspiring. The 9-pace MicroSHIFT transmission provides lots of room to operate as a result of the gears. And the quite slim bars make this a nimble ride that cuts a pleasant compromise in between twitchy and responsive.
There is of study course no suspension on the bike, it’s a commuter following all. But the 38c tires in 700c diameter are a bit even larger than you’d see on a purely city experience, so there is a very small little bit a lot more forgiveness there. Even so, this is not the bicycle for an individual that has big back again troubles or just doesn’t like experience the topography of the street.
Though I’m mostly happy with almost everything I see right here (even if I could constantly do with a minimal far more energy), I’m a bit astonished by the polymer pedals. They just bounce out as affordable wanting, and I did not anticipate to see plastic pedals on a $2,400 e-bicycle. They may be lighter, but they scratch up rapidly and they just really don’t look the component for these types of a classy and elegant e-bicycle like this.
Eventually while, for a mid-priced e-bicycle, I consider the Momentum Voya E+ 3 results in a mid-degree journey. It compromises nicely among the fancier bicycle store e-bikes and the direct to client rides. You can get bigger conclude components with the previous and you can get extra electrical power and battery with the latter. But if you are on the lookout for a Goldilocks solution in the middle, I can see this falling into that area of interest.
I may endlessly fault Momentum for not supplying us crafted-in lights, which I assume are a necessity on a real commuter e-bike, but I’m satisfied with the relaxation of the bicycle. It is a higher-stop and far more nicely refined equipment that I normally see from direct-to-buyer companies, and it would not seem out of put sitting future to a $3,000-$4,000 bicycle retail store e-bicycle.
But it also will save you various thousand pounds with a less difficult drivetrain and modest part variety.
As well as with 3 distinct frame sizes to pick out from, it goes way past what we usually see from e-bikes at fifty percent its price vary.
The Momentum Voya E+ 3 won’t be for every person, but it may possibly be the missing backlink among the great and the fantastic that is sorely lacking in this sector. If that’s what you have been on the hunt for, then I’d advise checking it out. If you never want a minimal-energy electric powered bicycle for mild guidance, then I’d skip it in favor of bigger-power products with additional bang (and electricity) for your buck.
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