Co-op Cycles CTY e1.1 Electric Bike
A little sporty—but not taking things too seriously—the Co-op Cycles CTY e1.1 electric bike zips assuredly around town, thanks to pedal-assist power and flat-resistant tires.
Key Details
- Low stand-over height design makes the bike easy to get on and off and easy to stabilize while standing at a stop
- Upright riding position gives you great visibility; adjustable stem lets you fine-tune the cockpit to fit you
- Bafang 250W hub-drive motor offers a smooth ride with 5 pedal-assist modes, plus a walk mode
- Bafang 43V/450Wh battery comes equipped with a lock so you can feel confident parking it around town; can be removed to charge at your desk at work or in your garage
- Touch points like seat, hand position and grips are designed with a focus on comfort
- 27.5 x 1.95 in. flat-resistant tires let you roll fast on city streets and roll over obstacles
- Durable 36-hole double-wall rims ride mile after mile
- Hydraulic disc brakes deliver reliable stopping power
- Included front light runs on the battery so you don't need to think about keeping them charged; included rear light uses easily replaceable household batteries
- Battery charger included
- Comes with a bell
- Center kickstand is easy to use and super stable
- Tested 40-mile range depends on many factors; to get the most out of your range, use lower modes more frequently and save higher modes for hills
- Bicycle weight limit is 300 lbs. total, including rider + all gear carried on the bike and on the rider's body
- Complies with UL 2849 – ACT Lab LLC
- NOTE: Specs and images are subject to change based on component availability
Imported.
- 1 year of free adjustments (see more below)
- In-store bike assembly
- Pickup in store or curbside
- Bike experts available at 170+ bike shops
- An additional year of free adjustments on e-bikes
- 20% off shop services
- Free tubes with purchase of flat tire repair (Co-op Cycles brand tubes only; tube must be installed at time of purchase)
New bikes go through a normal break-in period, after which they should be readjusted. All electric bicycles sold at REI include free adjustments for the defined period (one year after purchase date for non-members, or two years for REI Co-op Members)—as many times as you need. Included: derailleur and brake adjustments, lateral wheel truing, hub and headset bearing adjustments, tire inflation, chain lubrication and e-bike firmware updates. Not included: replacement or installation of new components or accessories, any other services. Call your local REI Co-op Bike Shop for more information.
UL2849 certified
| Best Use | Recreational Cycling |
|---|---|
| E-Bike Classification | Class 1: pedal assist up to 20 mph |
| Motor | Bafang 250W with Bafang 43V/450Wh removable battery |
| Motor Type | Geared Hub |
| Motor Torque (Nm) | 45 Newton meters |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
| Battery Capacity (Wh) | 450 watt hours |
| Battery Removable | Yes |
| Charge Time (hrs) | 6 hours |
| Pedal Assist Range | 40 miles |
| Frame | 6061 aluminum |
| Step-Through | No |
| Bike Suspension | No Suspension |
| Fork | Aluminum with 1-1/8 x 1-1/2 in. tapered steer tube |
| Crankset | Aluminum with steel 42T |
| Shifters | Shimano Altus, EZ-Fire, 7-speed |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Altus, 7-speed |
| Rear Cogs | Shimano 14-34T, 7-speed |
| Number of Gears | 7 gear(s) |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Brakes | Tektro Hydraulic with 180 mm rotors |
| Brake Levers | Tektro |
| Rims | Co-op Cycles double-wall, 36h |
| Front Hub | Shimano |
| Rear Hub | 36 hole |
| Wheel Size | 27.5 inches |
| Tires | Schwalbe Big Ben 27.5 x 1.95 in. with flat protection |
| Tire Width | 1.95 inches |
| Handlebar Shape | Riser Bar |
| Handlebar | Co-op Cycles 6061 aluminum; 31.8 mm at center; 22.2 mm at ends |
| Stem | Promax HQ adjustable |
| Seat Post | Co-op aluminum |
| Saddle | Co-op Comfort Plus with memory foam |
| Pedals | FPD alloy |
| Headset | 1-1/8 x 1-1/2 in. threadless |
| Chain | KMC for e-bike |
| Weight | 48 pounds |
| Bike Weight | Bike weight is based on median size, as sold, or the average of two median sizes. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
| S | M | L | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height Range | 5' - 5' 6" | 5' 5" - 5' 10" | 5' 9" - 6' 3" |
| Reach | 370 | 380 | 390 |
| Stack | 570.6 | 584.7 | 603.5 |
| Effective Top Tube | 544.4 | 564.3 | 586.1 |
| Seat Tube Center-Top | 385 | 435 | 485 |
| Standover Height | 679.6 | 744.6 | 766.7 |
| Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 73 | 72.5 | 72 |
| Wheelbase | 1047 | 1063 | 1079.4 |
| Chainstay | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| Fork Offset | 46 | 46 | 46 |
How we measure bikes
- Standover Height Standover Height is a measurement from the ground to the top of the top tube, measured at the midpoint of the top tube.
- Reach Reach is the horizontal distance from the center of the cranks to the center of the head tube, measured at head tube level.
- Stack Stack is the vertical distance from the center of the cranks to the center of the head tube, measured to the top of the head tube.
- Effective Top Tube Effective top tube is the distance from the center of the head tube to the center of the seat tube/seat post, measured parallel to the ground.
- Seat Tube Center to Top Seat Tube length is the measurement of the seat tube, from the center of the cranks to the top of the seat tube.
- Head Tube Length Head Tube Length is measured from the bottom to the top of the head tube.
- Head Tube Angle Head Tube Angle is the acute angle between the head tube and the ground (measured towards the rear of the bike)
- Seat Tube Angle Seat Tube Angle is the acute angle between the seat tube and the ground (measured towards the rear of the bike).
- Bottom Bracket Height Bottom Bracket Height is a measurement taken vertically from the ground up to the center of the cranks.
- Wheelbase Wheelbase is the measurement from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle.
- Chainstay Length Chainstay Length is the measurement from the center of the cranks to the center of the rear axle.
- Fork Offset Fork Offset, or rake, is the distance from the front axle to a line drawn parallel to the center of the head tube or steering axis.
Better gear is built together
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Solid bike, lots of fun too.
I'm 5'7", about 100 pounds, and commute to work daily on a bike in all weather except snow. I kit my bikes out for touring, and travel with about 20-30 pounds of gear daily. (My work tools, water, coffee, lunch, heavier jacket and rain pants, plush a roadside patch kit and collapsible pump.) I got the medium size of this bike. As for subjective opinions - this bike is fun. Riding it is a breeze. For my needs of getting around town it will absolutely hold up, and it gives me the option to go to the next town over and back on a single charge. It was great for both higher speed riding and slow, relaxing riding through parks and groomed trails. It will absolutely haul a weeks worth of groceries (for one person) with ease. It cut about five minutes off my average commute to work. It is also quiet, you won't hear the motor but rather the wind and birds as you ride. As for a more technical review: I put 30 miles on this bike the day after getting it. Overall ride is a bit bumpy - you will want to stand up if you're going to hit a larger bump. Performance on roads is solid, gravel is a bit slippery at times but easily managed. Grass performance is akin to gravel but slower. Packed dirt will make it slide around more. Sandy ground performance is bad. You will slide around quite a bit and turning is very difficult, requiring much wider turns to be stable. You can however pass through sandy patches in a mostly straight line if required. There's 5 assist levels on this bike, and a walk assist mode. Walk assist acts somewhat like a throttle and pushes the bike along at a brisk walking pace. It cannot be used while riding. It made pushing the bike up a 30% grade hill in testing quite easy. The other five assist modes (numbered 1-5) change the power output of the motor. Level 1 will easily maintain 15mph up a 20% grade hill. On flat ground with high pedaling cadence you can easily hold 18-20. Stiff and gusty headwinds you will slow down to about 15. Level 2 will easily push the bike to 18-20mph into stiff headwinds, even while going up 10-20% grade hills with my usual work cargo load. I never felt the need to push the bike to higher power levels except when doing steep hill tests. I did my steep hill tests on a grassy hill with a 40-75% grade (I'm eyeballing here), this needed assist level 3 or more. Level 3 on low gear will get you through it, level 5 on low gear will plow through such climbs with ease. The brakes are solid, and held up well to fast downhill tests, including on gravel. It is very controllable. Stop distance was about 10-20 feet depending on road surface and speed before the stop. Steep downhill tests at 15+ MPH required about 30 feet of brake distance to come to a complete stop. The seat is not the most padded seat in the world but it has grip - I used to slide around on the leather seat on my old bike on a regular basis. Kickstand is adjustable and has a wide textured foot. Felt stable on hard and soft surfaces. The battery is removed from the side, pivoting to the left from the bottom. I have had no issues getting it in or out. It also had foam feet on the back of the battery. The battery has its own charge indicator, and the included charger has an indicator light that will blink, then turn solid when the battery is charged. It will also turn red if there is issues. The integrated headlamp is quite bright and has a built in front reflector beneath it. The tail light however is a combination of a light and reflector, it also is not tied to the bike itself and uses 2 AA batteries. It is only a solid red light with no blink options. It has a mounting bracket to clip to the back of the seat, with an additional clip to be put on a bag. The bike also comes with a stand alone tail reflector; it's a universal kind I was able to move to my cargo rack. The display is brief, to the point, and not cluttered. It has an odometer you can reset, as well as a variety of options. It also contains menus that let you see the battery's status in better detail. Refer to the user manual to find this. It will also report on the health of the bike's systems if it encounters problems such as a failing battery or overheating. The bike also comes with many bolt holes for accessories, plus three mounting points on the triangle, one on top, one on the seat post, one on the bottom by the seat post. Accessories I have put on my bike: I have a pair of BriskMore handlebar mirrors, these have long arms and mount to the handle bars. I have had no issues with these beyond needing to tighten the bolts quite a bit more than anticipated due to the bumpy ride. I have a pair of basic pogies for cold weather, they fit over the brakes and shifter just fine. I use a Topeak Super Tourist DX 2.0 cargo rack for my trunk bag, it mounts to the bike just fine. The rack fits snugly, and naturally pinches itself to the frame. (This rack pairs with Topeak slide rail trunk bags, and has generic mounting points for panniers.) I got Portland Design Works metal fenders from REI for this bike (27.5 x 2.5" size). Mounting them was difficult but they do work with the bike. **They say to remove the wheels. The back wheel is not quick release, and the motor has a cable connected to the frame by a zip tie.** I opted to deflate the rear tire to access the bottom rear bolt to mount the fenders. It was slow but doable. The rear fender for this set also has two forks to mount it to the back, due to having the cargo rack the bolts included with the fenders where not long enough to mount both the rack and both forks, I could only use one fork. This works as the fenders are still mounted to 2 other positions but I will be getting longer bolts. If I had to do this again I'd just go to REI.
Great Ebike!
Saw this new offering and test rode it! I was so impressed with the way it rode and performed, I quickly bought it! I have owned several Ebikes (Yamaha’s, Cannondales, and Swytch kit conversions) so have lots of experience with the ride and feel of various ebikes. This bike is a home run! The ride and feel are great and noteworthy. It rolls really well. Took a 33 mile ride. At the beginning of the ride, 47 miles of range (in Level 1) was shown. At the end of the ride, 24 miles of range was shown. That translates into a range of 57 miles. Very impressive! The Bafang system (hub motor, torque sensor, and 450 whr battery) is superb! Installed a suspension seat post and a modified handlebar setup. The bike is now the favorite of 3 ebikes owned!
Good value and well made
This is my first purchased electric-assisted bike. I was leaning toward a more excensive name brand e-bike, but wanted to start with a lower priced bike - just in case I didn't like the battery power and extra weight of an e-bike. The CTY e1.1 appears well made, less expensive, and is light for an e-bike (45 pounds). Not a lot of added-on extras however, such as fenders and luggage racks. It does come with a front light and key locking battery. The CTY e1.1 is easy to ride around town on, easy to lift onto the car rack, and quick to charge. The seat is comfortable. It is a good looking bike (in my opinion) in the Pirate Black color.
Does it do the job? YES and more!
If you are hoping for a review about specs or sick modifications - this isn't it. I am not a diehard cyclist, but I do care about reducing my carbon footprint. Plus I get a gross amount of childlike joy riding my bike to work with the wind blowing in my hair. I live about 4.5 miles from work (so close to 10 miles round trip). I am a former professional basketball player - and honestly my body just isn't the same anymore. I was hoping an ebike would 1. be fun to ride around 2. not put too much strain on my leg muscles while also giving space for some light fitness 3. be easy to take care of. THIS BIKE IS AWESOME! I have had mine for over a year a half now - absolutely zero issues. It rides like a dream - although there is ZERO suspension so don't expect to hit any sick curb jumps easily. I even added a REI Beyonder basket on the back to tote my lunch to and from the office. I know this is a big purchase. I know it is daunting. For real, this bike is everything and more I need for my commute to work and around my community. It is a great introductory Ebike and I LOVE it. I've clocked 300+ miles. You can likely get 35 miles on the bike before needing to charge. Just do it. You will not regret it.
Update
I am updating my past review to add a few things to note after riding it 150 mile the past month I purchased the small frame. Be prepared that neither waterholders that attach underneath or above fit a water bottle. Even with a small water bottle it hits the battery and the top rack hits the handle bars, the top rack should have the holder connections lowered 3 inches. I know this has to do with a small frame but it's frustrating. If you want to attach a rear cargo rack you will have to purchase bracket extenders, no big deal and cheap, but good knowledge to have. Still give this bike 4.5 stars, great value for the money, but could use some redesign for different frame sizes.
CTY e1.1 - an excellent bike at a reasonable price
Super bike! It is just what you need and nothing more. Nice positive gear changes, totally fine pedal assist, easily maintained 20mph uphill despite my 200+ lb ride weight.
Nice ride, for my commute to work.
I used to have the REI Co-op CTY e2.2 Mid Drive electric bike. I returned it because of the reliability issues I was having with the Shimano 6100 motor. After researching for a long time, I was convinced that Mid Drives were superior to Hub Drive motors. Well, now I'm not so sure. After test riding Hub Drive bikes like the Cannondale Treadwell, Electra Townie and the Co-op CTY e1.1 I was willing give the Hub Drive a chance. I like the way they feel on the road. It feels like someones pushing you from behind. After doing a lot more research about Hub Drives and specifically, the Bafang Hub Drive Motor, I bought a CTY e1.1. (Not the Gen e1.1), that is an entirely different bike. The CTY e1.1 did it for me. It is much faster from take off than the e2.2. It's lighter by almost 7 pounds so it's easier to pedal without power assist. I was surprised at how smoothly the gear shifted on the Shimano Altus derailer. I had a Shimano Alivio on the 2.2 and it used to clunk on downshifts. (Yes, the techs adjusted it many times and told me that was normal). This bike claims 40 nm of torque. I would say that's pretty accurate. Going up steep hills takes little effort in its highest setting but drains battery power faster. I traveled 8 miles up a 10% to 15% grade hill in assist level 5 just to see how much battery power I would use. When I reached my destination, I still had 60% to 70% left on my battery. Overall, I think the 40 mile range they claim is pretty accurate. However, this all depends on what kind of physical shape you're in and the kind of riding habits you have. I pedal at 0 power up slight hills, level streets and downhills. I only use level 5 on very steep hills. The e1.1 has torque sensors instead of cadence sensors. Torque sensors in my opinion are superior to cadence sensors since it measures how much power output is needed as soon as it senses pressure on the pedals. Cadence sensors on the other hand has to wait until it can sense the half or full rotation on the crank to distribute power to the pedals. This lag in power makes a huge difference when you're at a stop light and want to get moving as fast as you can. Overall, I like my new e bike. For the price, you can't beat what you get. I have to admit that going uphill on my CTY e2.2 was a little easier since it had 60nm vs. 40nm torque, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I just have to wait and see how this bike performs in the future.
I have 2 of these bikes!
I purchased two of these, one for me and one for my wife. I’m recovering from a medical condition and didn’t find it comfortable riding my mountain bike everywhere I went. It was just too uncomfortable of a position so I wanted a bike that had a more upright geometry. These bikes have performed well, the only modification I have made is a thudbuster seat, post to take some of the rigidity and take some of the roughness out of bumps and curbs. Bikes are solid. I purchased them during the big bike sale and saves a ton. We have ridden them on longer rides 15+ miles and no issues at all.
Superb value, comfortable, amply fast
Overall extremely pleased with this bike. Great specs for the price. The hydraulic disc brakes feel great and stop the bike effectively and easily. The 1x drivetrain makes shifting really simple. Super comfortable grips, adjustable stem, good saddle. Set up really comfortably from the shop. Very comfortable bike to ride, super stable, upright position, easy cornering. It's stable low speed and high. Pedal assist works really well and is easy to use. Overall weight isn't too bad and the bike can be lifted or transported on a rack fairly easily.
Exactly what I needed for commuting
I purchased this bike as well as the Generation co-op 1.1 ebike. I am returning the Generation and keeping the CTY, primarily because of a power issue that has nothing to do with the assist/ electric features. The CTY has far more power than the Generation (regardless of whether assist is on). Both bikes have seven gears but the Generation cannot be comfortably pedaled beyond 15mph, as the cyclist's legs just start spinning like a hamster with no power beyond the pedals. The CTY still has power behind the pedals at 20 or 21 mph. That's a big difference, both for enjoyment of the ride and for getting home in time for dinner. Both bikes were comfortable for me to ride and easy to figure out the electric features. Definitely worth $100 more to get the CTY and enjoy my commute that much more.