Product Overview
Packed with great features yet still a fair price as electric bikes go, the HovCity 27.5 Step-Thru is a great all-around city bike that can handle gravel paths too.
Starting with the electrics, this sports a 500W Bafang SUTO rear hub motor that will give as much as 45 Newton meters of torque. That amount of torque from a 500W motor isn’t near the top end of such motors, and if faced with regular, big climbs, you may find yourself struggling on the pedals toward the top of the hills. However, Bafang is one of the biggest global e-bike motor brands, and with a two-year warranty, you can expect many years of riding.
The battery has Samsung cells capable of 1,000 charging cycles over its two-year warranty. Doing the 40 miles per charge would allow you to ride over 1.7 times around the world! As with Bafang, Samsung is another big name in its field, and again with a two-year warranty, expect a lot of riding out of it. Sat in the downtube, it puts weight nice and low for a similar riding feel to that of a traditional bike.
The e-bike has a 3A charger, allowing for a full four-hour charge. That’s quick as e-bikes in this price range go and could let you do a longer ride with it plugged in and ride home a good 30 miles. If unlocked to 28 mph full speed via the app, this would be a quality, lower-cost commuter.
The big names don’t end there with a Shimano drivetrain too. Though this is only warranted for six months of use, derailleurs take a lot of abuse from riding, especially when putting electric power through them on an e-bike. Still, with seven gears and a range of great ratios, cycling should be a breeze with this gear system. The 28-tooth cassette will limit you in a very hilly city, like the 45 Nm of torque from the motor. We recommend you choose a more powerful e-bike if you live in Portland, OR, or San Francisco, CA.
Comfort is core to riding the HovCity thanks to the upright riding position and 2.2” wide tires. Though similar in thickness to mountain bike tires, this is no trail monster – the thickness adds to the comfort of absorbing the bumps and inconsistencies of the road or track. A couple of drawbacks here — ride the bike on a long first ride to see how comfortable the saddle is and consider an aftermarket one as required, as the saddle might be a little uncomfortable after ten or so miles. Your derriere will thank you! Finally, the suspension fork lacks a lockout, which could mean a bit of a dipping sensation when braking hard.
The color LCD display shows a variety of parameters with just a glance. The color scheme can allow you to look quickly as it breaks up the picture, allowing for a direct focus on speed, range, etc., without taking your eyes off the road.
A word on the throttle. It’s OK for shorter distances and will pull away from a complete stop, both good aspects. Don’t expect the 40-mile claimed range from HOVSCO unless you’re small and on a very flat route. Pedal assist will get you better distances per charge, but again we reckon on 40 miles at a stretch – not the 60 claimed by the manufacturers.
Thanks to a handy app, you can unlock the bike’s speed to 28 mph, look at the distance you’ve ridden, and update the firmware yourself. This is a great little aspect that you might only use a few times, but it lets you completely control your riding experience.
As a whole, a lot is going for the HovCity 27.5” Step-Thru. Light, agile, and fun to ride, it will last you many good years of riding if looked after.
Reasons to Buy
This is a quality electric bike for the list price of $1,499. In most cities across the USA, it will handle the terrain well thanks to its electronics. It is a good looker as e-bikes go, too, thanks to the proportions of the wheels and frame, combined with the fenders and the muted yet feminine color schemes.
The quality components will serve you many years, especially if you get them serviced annually and keep the gears oiled. Expect to use it for at least 4-5 years with minimal major servicing or repairs.
Things to Consider
If unlocked via the app to 28 mph, this may break the law in many state jurisdictions. Check what the e-bike laws are in your state before doing so.
We recommend you order the rear rack as an accessory. You may want a local bike shop to fit this, so expect another $100 outlay, including labor for the bike to be used to its full potential. With the rack, it means you can carry your purse and laptop without them giving you a sweaty back. You can even do the shopping too!
