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e-Moto Sprite Electric Assist L Step-Through Bike
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e-Moto Sprite Electric Assist L Step-Through Bike

Item # 789715

$1699.00

Item qualifies for annual
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With electric power assistance, the e-Moto Sprite Electric Assist L step-through bike provides an extra boost to carry you conveniently on commutes, errands and joy rides.

  • Electric-assist design utilizes a battery powered motor to take the strain off a long commute, haul groceries or simply make quick, easy work of hills
  • 26V 9Ah Panasonic lithium ion battery powers the 250W high-torque brushless rear hub motor; battery can be quickly and easily detached from frame
  • VPAC torque sensor intelligently senses the amount of pressure being put on the pedals and automatically adjusts the amount of power input from the motor
  • This means that when you start to push harder on the pedals to get up a hill, the system knows to drive more power to the assist motor, taking the strain off of you
  • Maximum range of the pedal-assist feature is 25 miles: if you run the pedal assist constantly while pedaling for 25 miles, the battery will be drained
  • Motor assist tops out at a safe speed of 15 mph and also instantly cuts power to the motor once you stop pedaling, keeping you in control
  • Keep tabs on how much battery power remains with the handlebar mounted charge indicator; battery cycle life is 600 - 1,000 charges
  • Recharging the battery is quick and easy: plug charger into 110 - 240V outlet and connect the battery; if battery is fully drained it will take 3 - 4 hrs. to recharge
  • With a quick flip of a switch above the battery pack, the electric power-assist feature can be turned off if you wish to pedal the bike without it
  • Sturdy 6021 aluminum step-through frame stands up to the demands of urban use while providing comfortable, stable handling with easy mounts and dismounts
  • Shimano Tourney 6-speed rear derailleur quickly shifts through the 6 different pedaling gear combinations
  • Tektro V-brakes supply smooth, dependable deceleration
  • Kenda K Series puncture-resistant tires and self-sealing tubes ensure solid protection against flats
  • Suspension seatpost and gel saddle with springs deliver cushioned comfort
  • Rear rack and fenders are included for excellent utility right out of the box; integrated kickstand keeps bike upright for parking and storing convenience
  • Specs are subject to change

After its initial break-in period you might notice your bicycle performing less responsively than the day you brought it home. Not to worry, this is typical of all new bicycles and simply reflects that cables have stretched or their housings have seated themselves into final position. To keep running at peak performance, all REI bicycles come with a FREE warranty tune-up, which should be accomplished between the first 100-200 miles of riding or after the first two months if you're accumulating miles less quickly. Contact your nearest REI bike shop for details and an appointment for this important service.

Imported.

Item 789715

e-Moto Sprite Electric Assist L Step-Through Bike Specs

Specification

Description

FrameAluminium
ForkAluminium
CranksetAluminium, 48t
Bottom bracketSealed Cartridge
ShiftersShimano TX-51
Rear derailleurShimano Tourney
Rear cogsShimano, 6-speed
Number of gears6
BrakesTektro V-brakes
Brake leversTektro
RimsAluminium
Front hubJoytech
Rear hubUM intergrated hub motor
TiresKenda K Series, 26x1.5
HandlebarAluminum comfort
StemAluminum adjustable
Seat postZoom Suspension
SaddleComfort Gel
PedalsPlatform
HeadsetCartridge
ChainKMC
GenderUnisex
Bike weightWhy we don't provide weights

e-Moto Sprite Electric Assist L Step-Through Bike Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Urban Mover UM44L Sprite Electric Assist Step-Through Bike - 2009
 
3.5

(based on 2 reviews)

Reviewed by 2 customers

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Jul

27

2009

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
2.0

Good electric vehicle, poor bike

By Tom Sackett

from Seattle, WA

About Me Casual Cyclist

Site Member

Pros

  • Good Components
  • Lightweight
  • Well-made

Cons

  • Bad geometry
  • Hard to pedal

Best Uses

  • Commuting
  • Errands

Comments about Urban Mover UM44L Sprite Electric Assist Step-Through Bike - 2009:

I test drove the Sprite UM44L at REI this weekend. My route included both flat sections and a few blocks of steep urban streets.

The Sprite is an electric-assist bike. There is no throttle control; the motor only comes on when you pedal, and stops when you stop. Keeping the bike moving requires at least a small amount of effort at all times, except when going down a hill. I could not tell if the amount of power supplied by the motor changes depending on how hard you pedal, but the power felt easily to control. You have to be a little careful when first riding it, because you get up to speed more quickly, and must adjust your timing when joining traffic or crossing an intersection. On the whole, I felt the power-assist worked well.

The electric-assist really helped on the hills, including one of Seattle's steepest. However, I still had to pedal to get up the hill. On a hot day, you'll still work up a sweat riding this bike. This means that you will still get exercise. It also means that you'll still need to change your clothes when you get to work.

I tried riding the bike briefly without the electric assist, and was disappointed. The bike is difficult to pedal smoothly. With each revolution of the crank, there was a sort of dead spot, after which my stroke would re-engage with a clunk. This may be due to the way the motor controller is built into the crank, but it seemed to me that the frame compromised too much rideability to accommodate the battery. (If it is the geometry, it could be that, at 5' 10", I'm slightly too tall for this bike.) There was another problem riding the bike with electric assist. It felt as if I might be fighting the motor. Even when not pedaling, it felt as if the wheels were not spinning freely. I couldn't tell if this was an actual loss of momentum, or if the magnets in the motor where slowing the wheel during part of its rotation, then accelerating it in the next.

This bike is heavier than a normal bike, but most people would not have problems lifting it on to the kind of low bike rack that goes on to the back of a car, or the kind mounted to the front of buses. I would not want to regularly lift it on to a car's roof rack or carry it up stairs.

I test rode the bike because I thought that having an electric bike would encourage me to use a bike for almost all local trips. I already use a bike as my main transportation, but I sometimes don't go places because it's too far, too hilly, or too slow by bicycle. Having an electric bike should allow me to ride my bike to work, without worrying that I'm going to have to ride home to get my car if I need to make a longer trip. Having an electric bike, rather than a scooter, is critical because this is the only exercise I get, and because I need to be able to use bike trails and to put the bike on bus racks and on light rail trains. The Sprite meets most of my requirements, except that it doesn't work well as a bicycle. I would have to keep the motor on all the time, and it would take most of the pleasure out of cycling. I haven't tried other electric bicycles, so I don't know if the Sprite's problems are its own, or if all electric bikes have them.

I also tried the Sprite's "premium" model, the UM44SL. It has a completely different frame and a stronger, 36-volt electrical system. It didn't have the same "dead spot" in the pedaling that I found in the UM44L, but it's much heavier. It's weight makes it harder to pedal, and I would never want to have to lift it. I also wouldn't risk carrying it on the trunk-mounted bike rack I use on my car.

  • Gift:
  • No

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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Aug

1

2009

 
5.0

This bike is NOT a regular road bike

By Dick

from South Hamilton, MA

About Me Casual Cyclist

Pros

  • Attractive Design
  • Durable
  • Great Components
  • Handles Well

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Commuting

    Comments about Urban Mover UM44L Sprite Electric Assist Step-Through Bike - 2009:

    While my comments are related to the UM44SL bike, they are more related to the basic mechanics of the whole range, rather than individual features and as such are relevant here.

    This bike is NOT a regular road bike. I think you have to regard it as a commuting vehicle instead and judge it from that perspective.

    We bought the UM44SL about three months ago and carried it home by car on a roof mounted cycle rack. The weight of the bike minus battery was 5 pounds heavier than our regular bike so it was possible to mount and safely attach the cycle on the roof rack without detaching the front wheel. Since the roof rack is designed to carry a maximum weight of 100 pounds, the bike at 50 pounds was well within the range of acceptable loadings.

    I had a few conversations with the engineers in the UK about the torque sensor, and they told me that the torque sensor does more work than just react to pedal pressure. The idea is for it to flatten hills and it does it by taking pedal pressure, rider weight, wind conditions and terrain into account. Pedal effort is still required, but this is substantially reduced by the torque sensor and the power assist. However if you stop pressing on the pedals altogether, the power assist immediately goes away.

    It is also worth noting that as you get closer to the maximum pedal assisted speed of 15 MPH, the bikes integrated speed sensor recognizes that there is only a few more MPH to reach the maximum speed limit and therefore reduces thrust to conserve energy usage.

    As far as feewheeling downhill is concerned, there is a resistance which is due in part to the dynamo on the front wheel (which powers the front light) and I suspect some resistance from the back wheel due to the motor. However this was compensated for by the increased weight and didn't stop me getting to 25 MPH at the bottom of some hills.

    All power assist stops once the bike reaches 15 MPH but I found that is was perfectly possible on a level or near level road to keep that speed up by normal pedaling so extending the battery range. Once speed reached below 15 MPH, the pedal assist came in gradually as explained above.

    We also found start up speed a little quick but again, after a conversation with the engineers, we were told to pull on the brakes sufficiently to move the brake levers but NOT to actually brake. The effect on this was to reduce the power assist to enable a smoother start. It also helps to start in a lower gear. We found that the range of gears are sufficient to cope with all our needs.

    As far as usage is concerned, we use the bike to go into our local town in Massachusetts which is 4 miles away, and to local shops ranging from 5 to 8 miles away. I have also ridden it for 20 miles at a stretch with no issues and feeling a lot less tired than with a regular bike. All routes contained hills ranging from gentle to steep, and in one case – VERY steep! In all cases the bike performed perfectly. The range has worked out to be around 30 to 35 miles before recharging.

    All in all we are very happy and plan to buy a second bike. This is new technology and it's worth while taking time to find out how it works. The more we found out the more it seemed to us that comparisons with regular bikes were like comparing apples to oranges. This bike need to be seen on its own terms and then in terms of how you intend to use it.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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