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A high-cushion cruiser for road miles and mellow trails, with room to breathe and bounce to spare.
Not so long ago, I found myself rushing to drop my little one off at daycare, navigating through increasing traffic along our route, and as a result, rising stress levels. I wanted a faster, easier, and more fun way to make these daily trips better.
Coincidentally, that’s when the Electric Bike Company (EBC) reached out to see if I’d like to review one of their eBikes. I immediately said yes, knowing their bikes are made in the USA (Newport Beach, California), deliver fully built, and are completely customizable (I love anything custom!). I chose the Model R as on paper, it appeared to best suits my daily needs, and I can confirm, this eBike has completely transformed my morning (and afternoon pickup) routine.
As a parent to a lively 14-month-old, I’m always open to solutions that simplify life while keeping things fun. Over the past few months, this e-bike has turned our daycare drop-offs into mini-adventures, and made getting from point A to point B more effortless, and enjoyable – I also love that it’s getting Sebastian into bikes at an early age.
Why I chose to review the EBC Model R over their other eBikes
Let’s face it, when you’re juggling parenting duties, you need things to just work (If you know, you know…) – I don’t have time to waste. What first caught my eye about the Model R (as with all EBC eBikes) was that it’s built in the USA, fully customizable, and, this is a biggie… delivered fully assembled. No confusing awful instructions to “follow”, and no hours of setup, just a fully built bike at your door, ready to ride.
I’ve reviewed some eBikes in the past, which were a total nightmare to assemble, and not because of me, I’ve assembled and reviewed plenty of eBikes in my time… no, this has been because the instructions were awful, and clearly done by someone in another country with no experience of actually putting the bike together. SO, for me, a fully built shipped bike is GOLDEN.
When it came to the Model R specifically, a few features appealed to me; the front suspension, capability to include a child seat, and it stylish cruiser design. The 26-inch diameter (with 3″ width) Rhino tires and the suspension fork make navigating everything from smooth pavement to bumpy trails feel that much smoother and stable for me and Sebastian. On our way to daycare, I’m dealing with different surfaces, and I like that the Model R handles them all well.
Key Specifications of my custom Model R
- Price: Starting at $2,099 from electricbikecompany.com
- Top Speed: 23mph (with pedal assist and throttle). With throttle only, I’ve been getting a maximum speed of 20mph – which is plenty with a little one onboard. The website says you can get 28mph top speed but I have not been able to reach that.
- Throttle: Thumb throttle for quick acceleration
- Mileage on a Single Charge: Around 50 miles (depending on terrain, rider weight, and pedal assist level)
- Bike weight: roughly 56lbs
- Battery: 12Ah, removable lithium-ion battery
- Motor: 500W continuous power which is what you should use to be able to maintain the motor warranty (750W peak output)
- Pedal Assist Levels: 5 levels
- Brakes:: Four-piston hydraulic disc brakes for great stopping power – as demonstrated in my video
- Suspension: Front suspension fork for smoother rides over various terrains
- Tires: 26-inch Rhino tires with reflective sidewalls for added visibility. 3 inches wide.
- Rider Height Range: Best suited for riders between 5′ – 6′ 8″ on 24 inch wheels and 5′ 2″ – 6′ 10″ on the 26 inch wheels
- Weight Capacity: Supports up to 420 lbs (ideal for carrying passengers, gear, or child seats)
- Frame Material: Durable aluminum frame (weather-resistant)
- Lights: Integrated front and rear LED lights. They do not brighten when you pull the brake levers.
Custom Design and Family-Ready Features
Let’s talk about customization because it’s one of the unique selling points of the Electric Bike Company. You can tailor your bike’s look and features, and I went all out with a sleek Tiffany blue frame and matching fenders (it pops on the road and improves visibility).
The cruiser-style handlebars offer a comfortable ride, and the plush, high-density foam seat makes things extra comfortable on the butt.
For daycare runs, I equipped the bike with a rear MIK™ rack and a compatible Urban Iki child seat that just clicks into place. My son loves it; he’s comfortably strapped in with the soft Inaho Beige straps, and I’m reassured by how sturdy and secure the setup is. Plus, watching him smile and giggle as we cruise to daycare is absolutely priceless, haha.
💬 How about your kids? How do they react when you take them on your rides? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments! 🙂
Riding experience is smooth, stable, and confident
When it comes to the ride quality, this bike is smooth, quiet and very stable – a lot of this comfort comes from the front suspension forks, large wheels and 3″ wide tires, and large seat.
The thumb throttle makes it easy to get up to speed, even when I’m balancing the added weight of a child on the back – a good reason to use it.
The Model R isn’t the lightest eBike but it has a tough build, and stability because of it.
And with a 500W motor (750W peak output), there’s plenty of power whether we are cruising on flat roads or riding back up the steep hill to our home.
If I’m cruising casually, Pedal Assist Level 2 or 3 is perfect, and it feels like a courteous speed when passing walkers on cycle paths, but when I need an extra boost, Level 5 is where it’s at, and this is what will give you 20MPH. 🚲💨
You can activate and deactivate pedal assist by holding down the bottom button on the controller. The motor is fairly quiet by eBike standards, which is something I appreciate while riding.
⚡️ Have you tried a pedal-assist e-bike before? Let me know how it compares to your traditional ride!
Safety first approach with solid brakes, lights, and stability
As a new parent, suddenly safety means a lot more to me. The Model R uses four-piston hydraulic disc brakes that provide powerful stopping ability, even in wet conditions, on downhill rides, or when riding with a high payload. They’re incredibly responsive, and that gives me peace of mind every time I take my son on a ride.
Speaking of visibility, the integrated LED front and rear lights are essential for those early morning or late afternoon daycare runs – to turn on the lights, simply hold down the top button on the controller. The reflective sidewalls on the Rhino tires also help ensure we’re visible to cars and other cyclists, especially from side-on, an angle where your main lights may be less visible from.
Range and battery life
A key factor in any e-bike purchase is range, especially if you commute or make regular trips to say, daycare or school, for example.
The Model R offers up to 60 miles on a single charge depending on how much you use the motor assist, how much payload you have on the bike, and whether you ride hills, etc.
Even with my son and all his gear loaded up, I can easily get through a week of daycare drop-offs without needing a recharge. I definitely don’t get 60 miles on a charge, however, it’s more like 45 miles for me.
Built for practicality, and made to last
With a weight limit of 420 lbs, the EBC Model R is built for people who need to haul a little extra. Whether it’s groceries, gear, or a child, you can load up without worrying about overloading the bike. The durable aluminum frame and weather-resistant components mean this bike is in it for the long haul.
I also like how quiet the bike is to ride – watch my video review for a full run down on that and also other demonstrations like acceleration, top speed, stopping speed, noise level, and what it’s like to lift, for example.
Where to buy the Electric Bike Company Model R
Ready to upgrade your ride? If you are, you can design and buy your very own Model R directly from the Electric Bike Company’s website – if such choice overwhelms you and you just want to get the same setup as me, let me know in the comments and I can share all the options I went for.
Prices start at $2,199 $1,699.00 (Fall discount) and with so many customizable options, it’s an investment that’s truly tailored to your needs.
The Model R is a solid, reliable, and fun ride that will last you for years to come – and I couldn’t be happier with my set up right now.
Bottom line: Is the EBC Model R for you?
Pros:
- USA-made is very reassuring
- Customizable design means you don’t have to over pay for features you don’t need
- Delivered fully assembled – saves time and headaches
- Powerful motor and excellent battery life
- Safe and stable, even with a child seat
- Smooth ride across various terrains
Cons:
- Heavier than some smaller e-bikes (but worth it for the stability!)
- I wish I had the torque sensor as it would provide a smoother, more responsive acceleration with pedal assist.
- Using the handlebar brakes, disables the throttle entirely. Sometimes I like to dial in my speed this way on other eBike brands when navigating corners or pushing the bike.
- Pulling the brake levers does not make rear lights get brighter.
Component Gallery
Have questions about the Model R? Let’s chat in the comments!
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💬 What do you think? Have you tried an e-bike for your family routines? Drop your thoughts below!
