The OHM Urban XU700 is a top of the line commuter style electric bike that includes everything you’ll need to deal with hills, rain and storage. It includes matching fenders, hiqh quality Wellgo pedals, a Topeak Explorer rack and dynamo powered LED lights – front and rear. I would have liked to demo the bike more in the video review but was running short on time at the New Wheel in San Francisco, one of the US based shops that carries this model. OHM is a Canadian company that has been a leader in the ebike space since 2005.
The motor driving this electric bike offers 350 watts of power in a direct drive (gearless) configuration. It provides smooth, quiet assist using torque sensors and is a high torque (HT) configuration meant to tackle hills more easily. I’ve reviewed the stand alone BionX 350 kit which uses the same motor and controller as this and am continuously impressed with the ease of use it offers. I like that it also offers four levels of regeneration as well as regenerative braking. This extends the battery life by putting energy back in when you slow down and it also limits wear on your brake pads.
Powering the motor is a custom designed 37 volt 9.6 amp hour Lithium Manganese battery pack. It mounts in a sort of wedge configuration between the seat post and downtube that seems more sturdy than a traditional BionX battery pack to me. It’s lockable and completely removable for charging on or off the bike. It even has a built in handle, making it easier to take off and carry up to the office if you do use it for commuting. At 355.2 watt hours, this pack is no slouch in terms of range or power. I’ve approximated 30 to 50 miles in the specs above because it really depends on how you ride the XU700 – relying on the trigger throttle or using assist more frequently.
Note that as with other BionX systems this bike requires you to reach a speed of two to three miles per hour before the throttle will engage. This can be a real bummer if you have to stop at a light when climbing a hill and you leave your gear in a harder setting. The 27 speeds on this model are great but they use traditional rings and rear cassette so you can’t switch at standstill as with a geared hub. Overall I have very few grips with this bike. It looks great, is sturdy and well balanced, includes a nice warranty and uses trusted name brand parts and drive systems. OHM ebikes are often used for rental fleets because they are durable and intuitive. This is definitely a higher end electric bike, and the price shows, but you’re getting tremendous value and the little extras like dynamo powered lights are worth it if you’re a serious commuter.
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Ken S.
10 years agoIf you are looking for the best ebike then look no further than the Ohm XU700 16. I spent the last 18 months doing just that. I’ve put on over 16,000 km on two other ebikes, and due to a car door opening into me while riding 3 weeks ago I ended up with my 3rd ebike. This one, has everything that I have found lacking in the other two bikes, and boy do I appreciate that.
It took a wee bit of getting used to (only 10 minutes) the way the torque sensor “rides” when compared with simple, crude, cadence sensors I road with before. The XU700 is just so smooth that it was .. different. The way it works really is more like a fine tuned human machine interface, really, -it feels more like the legs are part of the bike and the hills are, well just not there… The frame for me is perfect size and fit (22.5″), it can be difficult to get the right size.
I love the regen!. I was not really that high on this before but having it is well worth the extra. Going down one hill every day at 60 km used to be a bit hair raising, especially when a car pulls out of a street when I was at peak speed 2/3 the way down. I didn’t like wearing out the breaks. Now it’s ~30 km. I’m not worrying half as much about losing half my body if I wipe out, and I’m generating. I doesn’t get much better than that.
Gearing is perfect and smooth as silk, well set up by the wheel man at Cit-E-Cycles. Found myself going too fast and I’m only on assist level 2 of 4. I have to remember that I still am recovering from that car door and some soft tissue damage, never mind 60 years.
Console and control is the best I have used. Even with winter gloves easy to turn on/off, lights, +/- and throttle all easy to use and access. Some of those functions were not easy with the previous consoles, -I end up having to take gloves off to activate lights or changing display, resulting in numb fingers this time of the year. Oh and console’s ability to be removed is brilliant. The issue with keys in the battery and locking the bike with the key was always an issue with the last two bikes, keys stick out, and lanyards for the keys get caught up in things.
Love the seat, will see how it work on longer rides on the weekend but so far excellent. The other components included with this bike are all top of the line and on this very slick frame it’s a package that I have not seen anywhere! If they don’t see me now with the lights this bike comes with then they aint’ looking! I know, it’s up to me anyway to look, but the lights both front and rear are as well, brilliant. Another home run.
Was into work by 0600 this morning as I just couldn’t sleep thinking about my first ride in. For me, this bike is the best bar none.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Ken, thanks for sharing your story! Sounds like you’re really enjoying the OHM with BionX. I agree, regenerative braking is pretty cool and the lights, fenders, rack, suspension and and overall build quality is just great :)
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