Total Weight:
49 lbs (22.22 kg)
Battery Weight:
5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)
Motor Weight:
7.75 lbs (3.51 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
18 in (45.72 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)Geometry Measurements:
18" Stand Over Frame with 26" Wheelset and 19" Stand Over Frame with 700c Wheelset (Both Have 19" / 483 mm Seat tube, 24" / 610 mm *StepThru tube, 43" / 1090 mm Wheelbase)
Frame Types:
Step-Thru
Frame Colors:
White, Cream, Black
Frame Fork Details:
Rigid, Aluminum with Steel Steering Tube
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Euro C-Lock Bosses
Gearing Details:
8
Speed 1x8 Shimano Nexus Inter-8 SG-8R31 Internall Geared HubShifter Details:
Shimano Nexus Grip Shifter on Right Handle Bar.
Pedals:
Wellgo Aluminum Alloy with Molded Plastic Body, Platform
Headset:
Internal 1 1/8 Threaded
Stem:
Zoom Adjustable Angle
Handlebar:
Aluminum City Comfort, Swept 22 mm
Brake Details:
Front: Tektro 857 AL V Brake, Rear: Shimano Roller-Brake, Tektro Aluminum Levers with Integrated Motor Cutoff
Grips:
GYES Leather G-311
Saddle:
GYES Classic Dual Coil Adjustable Leather Spring Saddle GS-115
Seat Post:
ZOOM Aluminum SP-238
Seat Post Length:
330 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
27.2 mm
Rims:
Huafeng Aluminum HF026
Spokes:
Stainless Steel
Tire Brand:
Kenda Kwest 193, 26" x 1.5" or 700 x 35c
Wheel Sizes:
26 in (66.04cm)28 in (71.12cm)Tire Details:
Cream Sidewalls, Reflective Sidewall Stripe
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Magnetic Induction Key (Hold Over Twist Display to Activate), Matching Front and Rear Fenders, Aluminum Alloy Cargo Rack, Adjustable Length Aluminum Kickstand, Integrated Bell on Brake Perch, Spanninga Trendo LED front Light, Spanninga Pixeo LED Rear Light, KMC UG51 Chain
Other:
Locking Removable Battery Pack (Can Charge On or Off Frame), Integrated LED Power Meter on Battery, Battery Charger Weighs ~1.3 lbs
Trina
8 years agoHi there – I am 5’5″ – do you think this bike would be too big for me?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Trina! No, I think this would work very well if you can get the smaller 18″ frame size. It’s a step-thru so mounting and standing over the bike before you start should be comfortable. It also has swept back handlebars and an adjustable stem so you can really dial in the comfort and fit… You want to feel stable so it would be ideal to test ride the bike and get it tuned just for you but honestly, even the larger 19″ frame would probably work if you can get that support, setting it up. I hope this helps you! Would love to hear your thoughts if you get it or go for a test ride :)
ReplyLaima
8 years agoHi, I am only 4’10” – will this bike be too big for me? I recently rode an electric in Europe and it was a wee bit large but mostly because it was not a step-through.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Laima! The step-thru frame should help a lot and since the Benelli Classica comes in two frame sizes that makes a difference too. Go for the smaller frame and then adjust the seat height and even seat position (maybe slide forward) as well as the handle bar angle and stem. The seat tube on this bike goes fairly low and the wheel size is 26″ vs. 28″ so that’s all good. I think it would be a decent choice but the best way to know for sure is visit a local shop and take a test ride :)
ReplyKathleen
8 years agoHi Court. I’m new to e-bikes and looking to purchase for my commute to work (25km/day with some steep climbs), as well as possibly using it for longer trips during holidays. I’m looking at the Benelli Classica N8 8-speed (on sale $2000 CAD) or the iGo Metro Ergofit SE (on sale $1600 CAD). I’m female, 5’9″ tall and weigh 145 pounds. I looked at the 2 review videos and details, and comparison chart (thanks for all the great resources) – wondering if you would recommend one over the other?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Kathleen! At this stage, having narrowed down to two models, I’d emphasize the customer experience and shop availability more than anything. The Benelli sounds like a great deal, are both bikes available from the same seller? iGo has been around for a long time but I’ve heard mixed feedback on their customer service. On the other hand, I have never spoken with a rep from Benelli, just saw one at a shop once. Hmm, difficult decision! I’d love to hear more or which one you’re leaning towards and why… and how you like it if you just buy one.
ReplyNic Klein
8 years agoHave you come across any way to switch the display to Kilometers? I just purchased this bike and I love it in every way except that it seems to only display the odometer in miles. Its not the biggest problem by any means but I would prefer the readouts in Kilometers. If you know of a way to switch this I would greatly appreciate the advice.
ReplyDoug Walton
7 years agoPurchased about 3 years ago and am satisfied except that if the power assist is not used for 3 – 4 minutes it switches off and it in then necessary to stop to restart when needed. Can the computer be reprogrammed to remain on as long peddle are rotating? We have another electric assist bike made by the same company which does. Any comments appreciated.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHmm, this isn’t something I can answer as I do not know. Perhaps another owner or shop tech will see your comment and reply. Thanks Doug!
ReplyDoug Walton
7 years agoThanks for the reply. After more investigation I suspect this is a factory defect on this particular bike. We have a second bike made by the same manufacturer, but a different model, and it stays on as long as pedaling. We purchased these bikes on line from Costo Canada and their source is Kennedy Sales in Toronto whom I am trying to contact. Thanks Doug
liz
7 years agoWhat is this bike like if you aren’t using the power. What is it like for peddling?
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHi Liz, it has been a while since I test rode the Benelli Classica, but I have ridden many similar models since and they usually feel pretty good when unpowered, just heavier. The gearless front hub motor is small, light, and won’t produce drag, so it should ride just fine on flat, smooth terrain.
ReplyTousignant Richard
7 years agoj’ai achete un velo clacica electrique au mois de novembre 2017,l’lnterupter magnetique a fonctionner une fois et ne veut plus actionner.c’est quoi le probleme,
Replyje demeure a salaberry de valleyfield au quebec.
Court Rye
7 years agoJe suis tellement désolé d’entendre parler du problème que vous avez avec le capteur. J’ai entendu dire que parfois les inhibiteurs du moteur du levier de frein peuvent empêcher le moteur de démarrer (si le capteur est brisé). Peut-être pourriez-vous essayer de débrancher le fil électrique des deux freins pour voir si cela fixe le capteur. S’il vous plaît laissez-nous savoir si cela aide :)
ReplyDavid Chan
7 years agoI just bought one at a Bike Show in Toronto 2 days ago for $1100 Canadian (it was a demo, otherwise it would cost a little over $1700)! It has the bigger battery. After 16 miles including a steep climb of the escarpment it still had about 75% of the battery left. The ride was quite comfortable in this city with terrible road surface condition. The upright position was very good for my arthritic hands and elbows. I love it. I just need to find small panniers that would fit the rack in the back.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoAwesome! It sounds like you found a great deal David, thanks for sharing your experience with the comfort of the bike and the larger battery. I hope it holds up well for you, I really like the style of the Benelli Classica. Some of my friends said they went to the show, did you see anything extra neat or interesting there during your time?
Replyted thurlby
7 years agoDo you have to continueously peddle to have power? Saw to of these new 2016 for $2500 do you think that would be a good buy. He says they were ridden. White. Looking for a nice looking for my wife and I when we go camping or on a level trail. Am looking at the “Black Max” folding bike, they said they have the same batteries as the Rad Mini or they are the same bike? Thinks for any reply.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHi Ted, I think you simply set the pedal assist to one of the 1-4 levels, it cannot be in zero for the throttle to function. Once you have arrowed up to 1, 2, 3, or 4, the trigger throttle should become active immediately. I’m not sure that I have seen the Black Max folding bike, so I can’t really say. Whenever you buy an older ebike or one that is used, expect the battery to have some degradation. Even if it just sat there for a year or two, the Lithium-ion cells will lose some capacity. It does sound like an excellent deal. Maybe test ride them and inspect them closely before making a decision because it can be difficult getting post-purchase support on an older ebike or one that is not as mainstream. Will the shop provide any sort of warranty for you?
ReplyCedric Lalonde
7 years agoI live in Canada, Ontario and I saw a super big special in the online US Home Depot. I would pick it up, it’s around 1h30 drive.
But there’s a:
Despite that, the specs shows that they have the same range, at 45 miles (70 km). I’m 5″8 – 170 pounds, do you think the 250-Watt motor will be strong enough for me? If not, since they have the same battery, can I change the front hub motor for a 350-Watt? I guess it will not change a lot since they’ve put a 3 speed derailleur on the bike, what do you think? I like it with the full leg extension, will it be better for me a 26 or 28 inch wheel? Thank you for your great work! :)
Replycourt
7 years agoHi Cedric! It looks like a pretty good deal to me. The weaker motor will be lighter and they have definitely simplified the design by placing it in the front wheel. Taller 28″ wheels will feel more comfortable when riding over cracks and be more efficient but reduce the mechanical advantage of the hub motor (making it less torquey from standstill). I love the fenders, lights, longer chain cover, lower stand over height, and hidden battery pack. This thing looks more like a bicycle than an e-bike and probably won’t drop the chain or have as much squeaking or chain drops with the internally geared hub. Given your height and weight, I think it would work just fine, but you will have to contribute when climbing steeper hills. I like the reflective tires and unique dropped retro bars. I have not tried this exact model, but I’m guessing that it would feel comfortable and upright. It doesn’t say how wide the tires are and there’s no suspension, so it could be a little stiff on some bumpy sections of road, but I actually think the bike would perform pretty well with the lower 25 km/h top speed, reducing power draw on the battery.
I hope these thoughts help you and will reply again if you have further questions. If you do get this ebike, please share your experience in the comments or in the Binelli forum section as I’m sure others are seeing the good deal and wondering similar things ;)
ReplyCedric Lalonde
7 years agoThank you very much for your complete and fast reply! :) If I buy this bike I will definitely share my experience in the forum. Thank you, it’s very appreciated!
Rohn Anderson
7 years agoHi, I’m 6’1″ about 250 and have both hips replaced and a shoulder replaced. Looking for a bike that will work well for casual riding, to get out with my wife and spend some time together. Thoughts on this bike? Seems to have a good price point and reviews. Home Depot sells it for 650.00, and I’m wondering if that is a good intro into E-bikes
Replycourt
7 years agoHo Rohn, yeah! Someone else was asking about this ebike recently because they saw it at a big box hardware store as well. Sounds like a few things have changed, but overall, the bike still looks similar. If you have hip and shoulder sensitivity, consider some of the recumbent trikes. They are very stable and some people have had good luck with their leg and hip issues since the leg is forward vs. down.
ReplySHANNON ST DENNIS
6 years agoMy wife bought one of these in 2016 and loves it. She rides it 18 KM each way to and from work. Do you know where I can get a manual for it? I need to change the rear tire on it and am worried about adjusting the gears and brake.
Thanks
ReplyShannon
Court
6 years agoHi Shannon! Most of the ebike manuals I’ve seen don’t go into bike maintenance and repair so much as overview the motor type, charger functionality, battery tips and warnings etc. For flat fixes, wheel truing, and derailleur adjustment I think that any online guide or video would work. I usually take my e-bikes to local bike shops for tuneups because they have specific tools, grease, and bike-safe lubrications that can be used. A full tuneup should be under $100 and will help your bike last a lot longer. Check out this video to start and use the details in my review here to know what tire size is used etc. since I record most of the details you’ll need to replace parts, or just look at the labels on your own bike parts if it’s slightly different than the one I covered :D
ReplyDewey
6 years agoThe bike is still listed for sale on the Home Depot website for $1500 or refurbished from http://benellibikes.ca for the same price. I have the Nexus 8 IGH on my bike and really like the wide range for climbing hills.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoNice! Thanks for the input, Dewey :)
ReplyKevin Montgomery
6 years agoThere is a traditional diamond frame version of this bike on the Canadian Benelli site. I haven’t been able to find any mention of it in the U.S.
ReplyErica
6 years agoHello, I am interested in purchasing a Benelli Classica N8 from Costco, Canada. I will be using the bike for short trips in and around my town. One hill near our home that I cannot avoid has a steep incline for about a mile. I will want to peddle assist but want to be certain this bike could handle this incline. Is the bike capable of handling a 1 mile incline of approximately 45 degrees?
ReplyErica
6 years agoMy bike has been ordered and I am looking for pannier bags. What are the dimensions of the rear cargo rack?
ReplyBeatriz
5 years agoHi I bought the benelli 28″ classica because the 26 ” was sold out. I am 5’3″ and I have a hard time because its too high for me, is there a way that I can change the tires to 26″ instead? If so where can I order the new tires?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Beatriz! I’m so sorry to hear that… I think your best bet would be to sell the bike and get one with 26″ wheels, or smaller, because it’s not just the tire but also the rims, spokes, and hubs (including the hub motor) that would be swapped out… or the hub motor would need to be spoked into a smaller wheel. That’s going to cost a lot and ultimately, the rim brakes probably wouldn’t reach or work with smaller wheels :/
Replybaltazar
5 years agoI called customer service to ask to replace the battery. They didn’t know how to answer. They are not polite, and they don’t know s***. They should have a person to answer the phone and provide solutions for the customers.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoBummer, I am so sorry to hear that Baltazar. When I do these reviews, I always strive for detail and bring a lot of optimism, but some companies have provided a better post-purchase experience and actually stayed in business while others have not. I’m sorry that you got a bike from a company that seems to be struggling with their ebikes. Consider reaching out to FTH Power about repacking the battery. I visited their factory in SoCal and they have been very supportive and easy to work with over the past couple of years. Here’s a post I made about them in the EBR forums.
Reply