I have to say that I’m very impressed with these additions to the line up in the shop this summer. For a few hundred dollars more than the Pedego Cruiser you get a well equipped bike that’s ready for serious commuting duty right ‘out of the box’. At the heart of both the Pathfinder bikes is the 400 watt geared motor that I’ve had great success with for the past three years. It is lighter and stronger than a comparable direct drive motor and it freewheels when not engaged. These qualities make it a stronger hill climber as well as being more efficient (greater range per charge). In short, its my motor of choice for Ashland and surrounding areas. The Pathfinder ST is a full size step thru frame bike. It has a 7-speed internal rear hub – no more derailler issues – ever! It sports front suspension and a disc brake, a larger 14 AH battery for greater range, integrated lights front and rear, fenders, rear rack, and a rear wheel lockout feature. It has manual throttle control as well as a very smooth pedal assist mode with both high and low settings for completely automatic, worry free riding. The low central positioning of the battery adds to the stability and balance of both style bikes. Its VERY easy to remove and can be recharged on or off the bike. Electric cut-off brake levers add another level of safety.
The Pathfinder Mini is a smaller, lighter version step thru frame bike. This is the bike for anyone who feels at all intimidated by the size or weight of standard ebikes. 20″ wheels front and rear give this bike an extremely low center of gravity and make it easier to transition from ‘ in the saddle’ to ‘standing’ position. It’s easier to move around and load into your car. The smaller wheels coupled with the same 400 watt geared motor as its larger sibling gives this little bike a BIG appetite for hills. It climbs like a baby goat! Its $300 lower price reflects the following changes:10AH battery, linear pull front brake, solid front fork, 3-speed rear hub, manual throttle only, no rear wheel lock out or speedometer.
Either of these bikes is a sensible choice for sustained daily use in our environment. They are well conceived and well constructed. Strong efficient motors coupled with plentiful accessories move these bikes up a notch from fun cruiser to serious commuter…without losing any of the fun factor!
Pathfinder ST – $2195 available in black, white, blue, silver
Pathfinder Mini – $1895 available in black, white (shown without battery installed – oops!)
