Everly 202 Review

Everly 202 Electric Bike Review
Everly 202
Everly 202 Aikema 250 Watt Geared Hub Motor
Everly 202 36 Volt 5.2 Amp Hour Battery Pack
Everly 202 Sparrow Swept Back Handle Bar Scud Display
Everly 202 Scud Backlit Lcd Display Console
Everly 202 10 Magnet Cadence Sensor
Everly 202 Generic Linear Pull Caliper Brakes
Everly 202 14 Speed Drivetrain Microshift Derailleurs
Everly 202 Kenda Kwest 700x38c Tires
Everly 202 Electric Bicycle
Everly 202 Geared Brushless Hubmotor Akm 13
Everly 202 Scud E Bike 3652 Battery
Everly 202 Electric Bike Review
Everly 202
Everly 202 Aikema 250 Watt Geared Hub Motor
Everly 202 36 Volt 5.2 Amp Hour Battery Pack
Everly 202 Sparrow Swept Back Handle Bar Scud Display
Everly 202 Scud Backlit Lcd Display Console
Everly 202 10 Magnet Cadence Sensor
Everly 202 Generic Linear Pull Caliper Brakes
Everly 202 14 Speed Drivetrain Microshift Derailleurs
Everly 202 Kenda Kwest 700x38c Tires
Everly 202 Electric Bicycle
Everly 202 Geared Brushless Hubmotor Akm 13
Everly 202 Scud E Bike 3652 Battery

Summary

  • A light weight, relatively affordable, full-chromoly steel electric bicycle offering 14 speeds and efficient 700c wheels that make it fun and efficient to pedal
  • Surprisingly comfortable upright body position thanks to sparrow style bars that sweep back towards you hands, padded leather grips and leather saddle
  • Minimal assist-only motor offering 250 watts of power and a half-sized 36 volt 5.2 amp hour battery, the top drive speed is ~18 mph and the cadence sensor was a bit slow to respond
  • Impressive year long comprehensive warranty, available in US, CA and MX with $50 shipping in the US, only comes in one frame size and high-step diamond but two fun colors

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Everly

Model:

202

Price:

$1,199

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Yeah Comprehensive

Availability:

United States, Mexico, Canada

Model Year:

2016

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

37 lbs (16.78 kg)

Battery Weight:

3 lbs (1.36 kg)

Motor Weight:

4.7 lbs (2.13 kg)

Frame Material:

4130 Chromoly Steel

Frame Sizes:

19 in (48.26 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

20.5" Seat Tube, 21.5" Reach, 31" Stand Over Height, 69.5" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Gloss Orange, Gloss Blue

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Chromoly Steel

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Front Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses, Saddle Bag Loops

Gearing Details:

14 Speed 2x7 RB microSHIFT, 13-32T

Shifter Details:

microSHIFT TS70 Triggers on Left and Right

Cranks:

35T Small Chainring, 51T Large Chainring

Pedals:

HLI Plastic Platform

Headset:

1-1/8" 45° x 45° Sealed Cartridge Bearing, 3 Spacers 1-1/2"

Stem:

Threadless

Handlebar:

Sparrow Style, Swept Back, Aluminum Alloy

Brake Details:

Generic Mechanical Linear-Pull Caliper

Grips:

Stitched Leather

Saddle:

Kuben Leather, Active

Seat Post:

Zoom

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

Single Walled, Aluminum Alloy

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge

Tire Brand:

Kenda Kwest, 700 x 38c

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Flick Bell, Adjustable Length Kickstand, Optional Toba Aluminum Rack $40, Optional Sunlite Front Basket $30, Optional Replacement Battery $250, Fortified Theft-Proof Fortified LED Lights $70

Other:

Hazmat Qualified Shipping $50, Locking Removable Battery Pack, Drivetrain and Brake Parts Compatible with Shimano

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Aikema AKM-13

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Peak Output:

450 watts

Motor Torque:

14 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

SCUD

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

5.2 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

187.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

1.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

15 miles (24 km)

Estimated Max Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Display Type:

SCUD, Fixed, Grayscale, Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Battery Level Percentage, Speed, Odometer, Assist Level (0-5)

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist (10 Magnet Disc)

Top Speed:

18 mph (29 kph)


Written Review

The Everly 202 is an electric bicycle that emphasizes pedaling, it embraces efficiency with a minimalist 250 watt internally geared motor and 187.2 watt hour battery configuration. The motor spec is below average by US standards but common in Europe, it’s roughly equivalent to doubling your own pedal output. This isn’t a bad thing if you enjoy nimble handling, lighter overall weight and a more active ride style. There’s no throttle on this e-bike, you literally have to pedal in order to make the drive system switch on but you don’t have to push especially hard because it operates using a cadence sensor vs. a torque sensor. I was surprised with the power it generated, helping me up one particularly steep hill near Laguna Beach, California but a little underwhelmed with the response time of the cadence sensor. I was surprised by the second-long lag because the sensor utilizes 10 magnets and the most I’ve ever seen is 12, the delay was a bit trying at moments where I really needed the help but wasn’t pedaling consistently and at times when I stopped pedaling (even braked) but the motor continued for a moment on its own. The brake levers on this ebike do not have motor inhibitors (perhaps because the motor is relatively weak) and I found the levers and linear-pull calipers a bit slow and dull feeling. Maybe I’m just used to 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes on mountain bikes? Everything performed… I did get motor support and was able stop in time, it was just more of an average experience. But hey, for the price (roughly $1,200) the bike looked surprisingly nice and was a joy to carry up stairs and maneuver around the neighborhood.

Many of the classic or vintage styled pedlecs I’ve tested in the past opt for front mounted hub motors because they’re easier to install allow for a larger cassette (or internally geared hub) in the rear. Take the Faraday Porteur and Porteur S as a high-end example or the ElectroBike Light. The Everly 202 uses a basic seven speed cassette in combination with the rear-mounted hub motor but doubles the gear choices and extends cadence range by running a two sprocket chainring cluster up front. So you get 14 speeds here and while the derailleurs were generic, the shifters worked well enough and it enabled a wider range of ride speeds. You do shift gears with this product, it’s much more like riding a traditional bicycle but that’s not so bad and frankly, it’s refreshing to see in an industry that’s flooded with very powerful but heavy, more expensive, offerings. This is the kind of electric bike I’d feel proud to ride around town because it looks beautiful but would be less worried about leaving at the rack because it’s tough and cheap. The display panel is small and sturdy (though not removable) and the motor is protected by the frame… it actually blends in behind the cassette pretty well. The battery does not blend in so much and there was a bit of rattling during my test ride tests but at least you can take it off for charging and it only takes an hour and a half to get from zero to full! Considering you get front rack and rear rack mounts along with two bottle cage braze-on sets and bag loops at the rear of the saddle, you could always carry the charger with you and top it off at work, class or your friend’s house. A second battery pack is also not out of the question at just $200. You could leave one at work and one at home and run a loop draining completely with each leg of the trip. The bigger point remains, you pedal this bike to go and it doesn’t weigh much so you end up getting solid range at 15+ miles per charge… probably closer to 20+ if you’re under 160 lbs and it’s even enjoyable to pedal without motor assistance.

At the end of the day, yes many of the parts are generic and that includes the motor, battery pack and plastic pedals. I guess Aikema and Scud are just new to me so maybe not fully generic, it sounds like Freway electric bikes also uses Scud or is a subsidiary of them. The brakes are average and even the frame is more bicycle than e-bike with zip-tied wires vs. internally routed… but everything is there and you get a nice year long comprehensive warranty. I prefer a rear-mounted hub motor as used with this design and it ran pretty quietly, I like having at least 7 gears and while the motor won’t help you above 18 mph you can definitely top 28 mph by pedaling with the larger front sprocket and higher cassette gears. Lots of people find cheap kits online and build their own ebikes but they don’t usually turn out this clean. If you can deal with the higher stand-over height, don’t mind the $50 shipping and are looking for a little boost around town then this would be a great option. I would totally get this for riding around campus at college or commuting in a city. The ride quality really surprised me with the upright position, swept back bars and steel frame. The saddle felt tight and hard but that’s always the case with leather until it gets broken in and the tightener-adjustment thing underneath was really cool.

Pros:

  • The saddle is really unique and nice, it’s made from genuine leather, has a corset style shape-keeping bind underneath and an integrated stretch mechanism at the nose so you can keep it firm over time as the leather softens
  • So many braze-ons and threaded eyelets on this frame… you get two bottle cage mounting points, holes for adding fenders, eyelets for traditional rear racks and on the fork for a basket or pannier
  • The display panel is super small and cool looking in my opinion, it’s easy to reach, intuitive to use and backlit, I like that it goes “around” so you can skip from zero assist up to level five and vice-versa
  • I love how light weight and balanced this electric bicycle is… at ~37 lbs it’s one of the lightest models I’ve tested and the weight is fairly evenly distributed across the frame and kept low for good balance
  • The is one of the most affordable electric bikes I’ve tested, especially considering it offers 14 speeds, ships for $50 in the US and comes with a one year warranty!
  • Surprisingly comfortable to ride… the steel frame and fork absorbs vibration and the 38c tires offer good cushion, best of all the “sparrow” style swept-back handlebar and padded grips provide a more upright body position keeping back and neck muscles from straining too much
  • Available in two fun colors, bright gloss blue and bright gloss orange… perhaps Everly likes the Denver Broncos?
  • Solid adjustable length kickstand reduces tips and scratches, the seat post has a unique accent at the top for style I suppose and the branding is simple, beautiful and vintage
  • One of the most bicycle-esque electric bikes I’ve tested, it’s meant to be pedaled and performs well with so many gears and the efficient large city wheels, I had no problem carrying it up and down stairs and I’m sure it would work on most hang-style bike racks

Cons:

  • The motor is on the small side by American standards but this keeps it light weight and efficient, the battery is about half the size of what I’d call average but keeps the triangle free for two bottle cages or accessories and is super fast to charge at ~1.5 hours
  • Even though there are 10 magnets on the cadence sensor, it took a bit longer to activate and de-activate during my ride tests
  • I couldn’t figure out how to switch from kilometers per hour to miles per hour… minor gripe but this could be annoying (or teach you how to use metric)
  • The battery pack rattles around a bit, you might be able to tighten the fit with some layers of electrical tape to act as a shim or use some rubber bumpers but don’t overdo it or the pack might not click all the way down and fall off… which is much worse than some rattly noises ;)
  • Lots of generic or lesser well-known parts here including the motor, battery, derailleur, plastic pedals and v-brakes with levers that are on the small side given the extra effort required for mechanical activation
  • The top speed is a bit more limited here at ~18 mph compared with most ebikes I test in the US that go ~20 mph or up to ~28 if they are speed pedelecs
  • Only available in traditional diamond high-step which might be a little tall for short-legged riders (standover height is ~31 inches)
  • No motor inhibitor switches built into the brake levers, this means there can be a second-long delay when stopping (where the motor continues running, fighting your brakes)

Resources:

Comments (11) YouTube Comments

DukeTG
9 years ago

Thanks for the detailed and helpful review! How would you consider the Everly for a rural commute, as opposed to city only? I have a 13 mi commute one way with a couple mild hills, all on road shoulders. I’m looking for an ebike to cut the time down, not for a pedal-free experience, so the lack of throttle isn’t an issue. It sounds like sustaining a 20ish mph pace with pedal assist isn’t a problem?

  Reply
Court Rye
9 years ago

The Everly could be a great fit for active riding like you’ve described but the motor tops out around 18 mph vs. 20 mph so the experience might be more like occasional assist when wind or hills come into the picture and mostly your pedal energy on flats and downhill. The main benefits are light weight, relative comfort and lower price tag from my point of view. Your commute sounds pretty long, you must be in excellent shape!

  Reply
DukeTG
9 years ago

Excellent shape is a bit of an overstatement. :) I can make the 13 mi commute, but it takes me like an hour and a half, so I pretty much never do, and instead bike the 1 mi to the bus. My goal is for this to be exercise for me so I want it to still require some effort. Even if I can ride with assist at 18 mph vs 20 mph, that would still be about twice the pace, which is what pretty close to I’m looking for. Thanks again!

JJ Price
8 years ago

Does this bike have a quick-release on the front wheel? Thanks!

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Hi JJ! No, I’m pretty sure it does not because the axle is built into the hub motor and uses bolts at the end. You may be able to call the company and ask about solutions, there are aftermarket parts for QR but most of them are for 11 mm skewers and I’m not exactly sure how thick the axle is here.

  Reply
JJ Price
8 years ago

Can this possibly work for a 5’6″ rider? It looks like it’d be a couple inches too high?? Thanks for your help!

  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

Hi JJ! I think if you’ve got decent balance and are comfortable riding high-step bikes the Everly could work for you but it might not be as easy to get on or stand over at rest… You might have to use tippy toes. For reference, I’m 5’9″ and you an see how I stand over and ride in the video, my inseam is 31.5″ so keep that in mind, I tend to have long legs for my height :)

  Reply
Jenny Price
8 years ago

Thanks so much, Court–and your site has been SUPER helpful for making my decision on which bike to buy. I ended up stumbling into a great deal on a demo iZip Path, so I checked your review and went for it. Jenny

Bill K
8 years ago

Here’s my 8-month review (approximately 600 miles): Reason for purchase: I live in the foothills of far northern California’s coastal range. At 65 years of age, the constant up-and-downs were taking the pleasure out of riding from my home, so I decided to try a pedal-assist bike. Even though my cycling friends still tease me, I have found that I tend to nearly always be peddling. I’m just going faster, further, and having more fun while still getting plenty of exercise.

  • Range: 30-mile average when using assist only for hills; 22-mile range when aggressively pedaling in full assist mode. My flat-land mileage is astronomical as the large chain ring keeps bike moving at a good pace and the assist is seldom used.
  • Pros: Price; classic styling; upright posture; fast battery recharge; smooth ride; knowing that I can get home (uphill from everywhere) without arriving heavily exhausted.
  • Meh: Weight — the assist negates the weight issue; lack of sustained power — will not pull a long, steep grade for more than 30 seconds without tripping the thermal overload, but it is easily reset after a few seconds of inactivity; assist works better when accelerating uphill which is way too cool; top speed achieved is 25 mph, coasting downhill — I could have gone faster but 25 mph is uncomfortably fast for me; average uphill speed is 15 mph; brakes — old technology, but they work.
  • Cons: Bike not pre-assembled as one would expect. Everything — even the pedal cranks — needed to be tightened and adjusted, as if it were being shipped to a bicycle shop instead of the consumer; frame is too large for most adults to comfortably straddle.
    Would I purchase again? Yes. I’d even buy another one today for my wife if it were available in a smaller frame size.
  Reply
Court Rye
8 years ago

That was wonderful Bill, I enjoyed reading along and appreciate your thorough feedback on the bike having owned it now for a while :)

  Reply

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