THE PROPELLA MINI IS A COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT BIKE PERFECT FOR URBAN RIDING! THE MINI IS PERFECT FOR RIDERS SEEKING TO STORE OR TRANSPORT A BIKE IN SMALLER LIVING SPACES OR VEHICLES. IT’S ALSO GREAT FOR RIDERS THAT ARE NEW TO E-BIKES AND ARE LOOKING FOR A LIGHT, AFFORDABLE, AND STYLISH OPTION!
www.propella.bike
A new lightweight, single speed, Class 1 model from Propella,
Micah at Electrek posted a review recently, as did Sam Gross on the EBR Youtube channel. (Links below). Both are very polished and professional evaluations, but the EBR print review really tells you
everything you need to know if you're considering one of these. I added my two cents to the Youtube reviews (somewhat against my better judgement since the YT comments section is typically a s***show of trolls and nincompoops).
I purchased a Mini primarily as a secondary e-bike and my first impressions are pretty positive, inasmuch as it's too cold and icy around here now to really give it a go. As Micah and Sam both point out, it's not a bike for everyone, but to borrow the overused vernacular, the Mini's minimalism is "a feature, not a bug" in my book. At least on paper, the Mini compares favorably to the base version of the Carbo X I had once considered, which costs at least 2.5 times as much. While it lacks the belt drive, seat post battery and folding capability (which I didn't care about) of the Carbo X, the Mini is a much better value proposition. It hardly weighs more than the Carbo X at 33 lbs, and a hair under 30 without the battery. The battery doesn't weigh much either, (3.5 lbs) and $250 for a spare seems reasonable as a way to double the range.
I'm 5'11" and weigh 165 lbs. While Propella lists my height as "marginal", I find the overall fit reasonably comfortable. I like to ride with "5 o'clock" leg extension, and ideally I'd like the handlebars an inch or two higher, but they're not adjustable.
I don't intend to upgrade the Mini in any meaningful way since it defeats the low cost part of my mission with this thing. With that said, the grips are on the hard side, so it remains to be seen if that's an issue on a longer ride. I'm fairly comfortable on the standard saddle, especially since I ride with padded underwear. I might add a light or two and bar end mirror.
Thumbs up overall based on my limited experience thus far.
https://electricbikereport.com/propella-mini-review/
