Total Weight:
54 lbs (24.49 kg)
Battery Weight:
7.3 lbs (3.31 kg)
Motor Weight:
8.5 lbs (3.85 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
13 in (33.02 cm)15 in (38.1 cm)17 in (43.18 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)Geometry Measurements:
16.5" Stand Over Height
Frame Types:
Step-Thru
Frame Colors:
Metallic Silver
Frame Fork Details:
Rigid Aluminum Alloy
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Front Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses
Gearing Details:
7
Speed 1x8 Shimano Altus, CS-HG20-7, 22-30TShifter Details:
microSHIFT TS70 Triggers on Right
Cranks:
Lasco EB05 Chainring with Alloy Guide, 42 Tooth
Pedals:
Resin Platform with Non-Slip Tread
Headset:
VP Semi-Integrated Ahead, 4 Risers
Stem:
Promax Aluminum Alloy
Handlebar:
Promax 25.4 mm Diameter, Steel, 630 mm x 55 mm Rise
Brake Details:
Tektro Linear Pull with Generic Levers
Grips:
Velo Dual Density, Semi-Ergonomic Rubber
Saddle:
Velo Commuter with Integrated Handle
Seat Post:
Promax Aluminum Alloy with Quick Release Collar
Seat Post Length:
324 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
29.8 mm
Rims:
DM18 Alexrims Doublewall, Aluminum Alloy
Spokes:
Stainless Steel 13 Gauge, Black
Tire Brand:
Kenda Hybrid, 26" x 1.95"
Wheel Sizes:
26 in (66.04cm)Tire Details:
30 TPI
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Pre-Wired for 6 Volt LED Lights (Front and Rear), Single Side Adjustable Length Kickstand, Welded-On Battery Support Rack with Standard-Gauge Surround Bars (For Panniers or Trunk Bag), Aluminum Alloy Chain Guard
Other:
Locking Removable Battery Pack, 2 Amp 1.8 Pound Charger, KMC X8 Chain, Modus 36 Hole Hubs with Quick Release (Both Wheels)
Sofia
9 years agoI have this bike, I love it. The only thing is that you really need to know your gears to make the best use of the battery, excellent overall!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for sharing your thoughts Sofia! glad you’re enjoying the Raleigh Sprite iE :D
ReplyMarc t
2 years agoSalut, can you explain me how to switch from miles to kilometers? Do you have a link that I can follow for the programming? Merci
Ron
9 years agoThanks for this excellent, comprehensive review, Court. It was instrumental in my purchasing a Raleigh Spite iE. I also took into account your reviews of the Raleigh Detour as well as those of the Trek Lift+ and the Pedego 24″ Interceptor. Took test rides on both the Sprite and the Pedego. The other two were not available in my (smaller) size locally.
The Sprite suited me perfectly from the git-go. I agree with your assessment wrt the saddle, seat-post and the pedals, all of which I’m replacing and that’s not a problem. But the overall ride experience is perfect for me. Great choice for my first e-bike.
My only regret at this point is that the Currie boost pad/button isn’t available where I live (western Canada). I’m trying one eastern Canadian bike shop but haven’t heard back from them yet as to whether they can even source one. A couple of US shops sell internationally but charge exorbitant shipping fees that inflate the price of that item by 200%! Anyway that’s my small rant.
Again, thanks for the review. This is really a superb source of good info on e-bikes.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey Ron! So glad the reviews helped guide you and thanks for chiming in. Sorry the boost button has been difficult to locate in Canada, I hope you’re able to find a US shop willing to send one up (or take a road trip down here soon). Feel free to post updates of the bike as you get to use it more often :D
ReplyMichael
8 years agoWow, talk about a thorough review. That was one excellent video review of the Sprite ie with a beautiful backdrop. It’s funny, I havnt rode in over 20 years, since I was a kid, but I recently am looking to possibly buy a bike again. I could not believe how little the designs changed. Then, I looked into electric bikes and finally, bikes with style, and then some. I asked Mr. Google about electric bikes and he yielded me results such as the audi bike, Ford bike, the scoot e bike – which people are saying is going to be HUGE later in 2016. There saying its the next hooverboard craze which was temporary popular this past year but for several reasons faded . . . Anyway, thanks again for the review.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoSure thing, I hope the Scoot E is made better than Hoverboards and doesn’t cause more fire concerns… This Raleigh is made by Currie Technologies which also makes IZIP and has been in the space for over a decade. They do a good job, I’m glad you enjoyed the review :)
ReplyM.P.
8 years agoThe izip e3 sumo is another really nice electric bike, has big tires too, but it’s pricey. New ones are around $3k.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoYeah, some of these ebikes can get pretty pricey… You get a warranty and higher quality components, batteries, display etc. so it can be worth it, especially if you’ve got a dealer nearby :)
ReplyRUrschel
8 years agoI’m confused by your statement that the top speed with assist 1 is around 11 miles per hour. Isn’t the top speed how fast you can peddle in top gear with assist cutting out at 20 mph?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoTechnically yes, that’s the definition. I was generalizing about how it felt to me, like I noticed a big drop off in support from the motor in Level 1 around the 11 mph mark. I like that there’s a difference in power and speed with each level in some cases because it enables more cautious riding in crowded environments. That’s not always the case… Hope this helps to clarify :)
ReplyRUrschel
8 years agoYes, that does help, thanks. I just got back from test driving and buying it. I’m 6’1″ and fit with full leg extension on the medium frame. Accell Corp. is underselling the Vibe/Sprite. I’m 70 with a bad leg and did 15 mph with no assist. Assist level 4 in 7th gear is as quick from a start as many a motorbike I rode back in the 50’s and 60’s. This is similar to dangling your feet in the air and making pedaling motions. I’ll be riding hills when I get the bike delivered. I believe there is a huge untapped market of baby boomers for ebikes.
Mike
8 years agoHi there. Love your reviews. Helped me in making informed decisions about selecting a bike. I have the two mounting points on the right down tube like you pointed out on my SRSunTour suspension fork. They are for a hub dynamo light cable.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoOh cool! Thanks for this info Mike, dynamo lights are very cool (and popular in Europe). I hope you enjoy whichever bike you choose :D
ReplyMike D
8 years agoRaleigh now offers the Trike version of this bike. Planning to review that anytime soon?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey Mike! I think I saw one in person earlier this year but it wasn’t a final version (and I think I saw it again at Interbike). Yeah, I’m super excited about the trike and want to review it. There’s a long list of bikes to check out, thanks for expressing your interest in that one :D
ReplyAshley
8 years agoHi Court! Love the reviews! I’m between this bike (Raleigh Sprite), the Raleigh Misceo, iZip Metro and Izip path and I live in downtown Philadelphia with around a 4 mile commute every day. Pretty flat city here, but curious what if/any you reccommend. I like them all!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Ashley! Great group of ebikes you’ve selected here. Did you know that Raleigh and IZIP are owned by the same parent company! You should get good support for whichever bike you choose. Depending on your leg length, the Sprite iE could be an excellent choice because it’s a step-thru whereas the Misceo is a bit stiffer and sportier bit higher and the Metro is sort of a mid-step but has the cool rear rack and basket up front. The Path is an in-between of the Misceo and Metro because it has the rack but is more sporty… but not quite as sporty as the Misceo. Your height, weight and perhaps budget all come into question and could influence your choice in this matter. Now that we’ve arrived at the end part of 2016 many shops have sales going on in preparation for 2017. You could get any one of these bikes for a deal and be very happy with it but I’d need to know more about your intended use and body type to provide more insight. I hope this quick comment helps :D
ReplyBarbara
8 years agoI just went to the Raleigh site and don’t even see ebike or electric when I search. Does anyone have a link to their ebike line? Thanks1
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoGreat question Barbara, try this link. I will update the Resources section in the review above, their website was down when I published this :)
ReplyRon
8 years agoI recently tried out this bike and noticed that, for 2017, the computer has been integrated with the leftt-hand control and is much simpler. Could you share your feelings about that?
Thanks
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Ron, yeah! I’m actually planning to review the 2017 model soon and you’re correct. The new mini-display is actually pretty good. It shows your speed, estimated range (if you tap the power button once in any of the assist levels), your assist level number and battery level. The downside is that you don’t get trip distance, odometer, max speed and the numbers are smaller and trickier to read. I personally love how it blends in and feel that the integrated Mini-USB port is a cool upgrade. But the battery lights red, yellow, green vs. an info-graphic is a slight downgrade. I hope this helps you!
ReplyRon
8 years agoCourt,
Thanks for getting back to me. I have a couple follow-up questions.
The combination of the mid-drive motor and throttle option makes the Sprite iE an attractive choice, but I’d rather have an internal-gear hub. Is it possible to install this on the bike? Does it make sense?
Ron
8 years agoHi Court, I think I miscommunicated in my previous question. What I want to know is, would it be feasible and practical to replace the Shimano Altus gear set on this bike with an internally geared hub?