Who's got a Current?

[Jmarc]

So this is a very interesting and appealing bike. Just wondering who has one, and what do your likes and dislikes? Curious to hear what owners have to say since there's not much out there in terms of posts from owners or video reviews on youtube.

 

[onlineaddy]

Priority Bicycles just launched the most affordable Gates belt mid-drive e-bike

Not bad for a full spec Gates drive, mid-drive with internal gearing, and 28mph speed assistance. ;) https://electrek.co/2020/10/02/priority-bicycles-just-launched-the-most-affordable-gates-belt-mid-drive-e-bike-yet/ Priority Bicycles has just launched their latest electric bicycle, the...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Achterbahn]

You may have seen this already, but I wrote a bunch about mine when I got it last year. There are a bunch of posts scattered around this thread (look for posts with pictures) start with the one in this link. Maybe I'll consolidate it in a single review and post it to this forum.

 

[Jmarc]

You may have seen this already, but I wrote a bunch about mine when I got it last year. There are a bunch of posts scattered around this thread (look for posts with pictures) start with the one in this link. Maybe I'll consolidate it in a single review and post it to this forum.

Actually came across yours posts. Extremely informative. How's it going for you now and how would think the bike would hold up in the place like NYC? There's not a lot of hills here, but there's tons of stop and go, lots of traffic, and a lot of bumps in the road. Oh, lets not forget about dirty streets and other hazards like broken glass seemingly all of the place. I currently have a '20 Espin Sport, so comparable to the Ride1Up 700 or Aventon Level for about a year, and i've already gotten at least 3 flats from tire punctures an unavoidable bump in the road. So I'm wondering how durable is the bike and the tires. Mind you, I've changed out the stock tires on my bike for a pair of Schwalbe Energizer Plus which are rated high on durability as it is. Just so many damn road hazards here. I'm just intrigued by the mid-drive for that natural bike feel and obviously the belt drive for the low maintenance. Also how the motor itself is holding up considering its not a Bosch, Brose or even Bafang.

 

[Achterbahn]

Actually came across yours posts. Extremely informative. How's it going for you now and how would think the bike would hold up in the place like NYC? There's not a lot of hills here, but there's tons of stop and go, lots of traffic, and a lot of bumps in the road. Oh, lets not forget about dirty streets and other hazards like broken glass seemingly all of the place. I currently have a '20 Espin Sport, so comparable to the Ride1Up 700 or Aventon Level for about a year, and i've already gotten at least 3 flats from tire punctures an unavoidable bump in the road. So I'm wondering how durable is the bike and the tires. Mind you, I've changed out the stock tires on my bike for a pair of Schwalbe Energizer Plus which are rated high on durability as it is. Just so many damn road hazards here. I'm just intrigued by the mid-drive for that natural bike feel and obviously the belt drive for the low maintenance. Also how the motor itself is holding up considering its not a Bosch, Brose or even Bafang.

While searching for a good e-bike, I've learned a thing or two, but tires is definitely an area I know nothing about - sorry! All I can say is I ride in San Francisco which has broken glass from car windows EVERYWHERE. I have about 1200 miles on this bike and no tire-related incidents so far.

Talking specifically about the Current, I think it would be even better suited for NYC for a couple of reasons: First, because the Priority team is based in NYC, which means their experience, testing, etc is all somewhat influenced by their NYC life. Second, and probably most important, is that the smaller number of monster hills makes everything easier. I sometimes wish the Current had a bigger battery, or a stronger motor, or more gears. This is because in the absence of very low gears (like with a Rohloff), I need to use high power assist levels, which drains the battery fast. With a flatter topography, your battery will last longer, you won't need a super powerful motor like a Bafang Ultra, and the existing gear range will be sufficient.

In terms of durability - I am not an expert. As I mentioned, I only have 1200 miles on it, but the bike is as good as new. The only quality complaint I have is that the paint job chips more easily than other bikes I am used to, so if you're rough with your bike, it won't stay looking pristine for long.

The motor will always be a concern for me. There is no way around it. It is a completely unknown brand that is cheaper than the big name alternatives. I only know one or two people online that had motor failures, and Priority promptly replaced them. As much as you might be able to order a replacement from Alibaba if Priority ever goes out of business or stops carrying this model, in general, you will probably be dependent on Priority for any problems or service.

 

[Jmarc]

While searching for a good e-bike, I've learned a thing or two, but tires is definitely an area I know nothing about - sorry! All I can say is I ride in San Francisco which has broken glass from car windows EVERYWHERE. I have about 1200 miles on this bike and no tire-related incidents so far.

Talking specifically about the Current, I think it would be even better suited for NYC for a couple of reasons: First, because the Priority team is based in NYC, which means their experience, testing, etc is all somewhat influenced by their NYC life. Second, and probably most important, is that the smaller number of monster hills makes everything easier. I sometimes wish the Current had a bigger battery, or a stronger motor, or more gears. This is because in the absence of very low gears (like with a Rohloff), I need to use high power assist levels, which drains the battery fast. With a flatter topography, your battery will last longer, you won't need a super powerful motor like a Bafang Ultra, and the existing gear range will be sufficient.

In terms of durability - I am not an expert. As I mentioned, I only have 1200 miles on it, but the bike is as good as new. The only quality complaint I have is that the paint job chips more easily than other bikes I am used to, so if you're rough with your bike, it won't stay looking pristine for long.

The motor will always be a concern for me. There is no way around it. It is a completely unknown brand that is cheaper than the big name alternatives. I only know one or two people online that had motor failures, and Priority promptly replaced them. As much as you might be able to order a replacement from Alibaba if Priority ever goes out of business or stops carrying this model, in general, you will probably be dependent on Priority for any problems or service.

Really appreciate your thoughtful insight. Everything you're saying makes a ton of sense. If your tires are holding up out there in SF, then they would probably hold up here. My concern is also with the no name motor, but you make a great point about Priority being right here from NYC, so service and support shouldn't be that bad assuming they stick around for awhile. Thank you again for taking the time to give your feedback!

 

[Mailrail]

Based in part on Achterbahn’s thoughtful and lengthy review on this site, I switched from a Dost I had on order, to the Priority Current. It arrived in late November so I haven’t had a chance to ride it very much in the winter weather here in Kentucky. What little I have ridden, it has been a pleasure. The bike was (fairly) easy to assemble, thanks to the excellent video Priority posted. It’s my first E-bike, so it’s kind of tough for me to compare it to anything. I will say that for the 30 or so miles I’ve ridden it, I still felt like I was getting exercise, which is important to me.

 

[Doggyman1202]

I'm a very satisfied owner. I purchased mine last August, and my riding is limited to recreational adventures. I'm currently just north of 300 miles. (I'm in northern New England, and while I know a few polar bears that ride in frigid weather, I'm not one of them). I can't add much to Achterbahn's extensive analysis, but having owned or ridden several e-bikes beforehand, the Current was a quantum leap forward.

I sure hope Priority is around for awhile, as the customer service has been nothing short of outstanding. Other than the Current, their product line consists of high quality traditional bikes. I've spotted a few on local trails, so I assume they have a following for those as well.

I've been impressed with the overall comfort of the Current. With all the online chatter about the benefits of suspension forks and seat posts, I find the Current's rigid frame just fine on the dirt/gravel rail trails I typically ride. I have no interest in modifying my Current in that regard or any other way. Mine came with 2" Goodyear tires, and so far, so good.

It's tough to quantify mileage range, but I reliably get 40-50 miles per charge. My last long ride was 36 miles, and a textbook example of mixed surface and terrain (flat, hills, dirt, gravel, pavement). I would estimate on that trip a PAS average between 2 and 3 at 4th gear, again on average (Shimano). I ended that journey with 3 out of 10 bars of power, so I assume I could have mustered another 10 or 15 miles before the battery died. I weigh 165lbs.

My nitpicks: A) The front fender rattled and then rubbed the first few rides, but probably because I had the bike in and out of my SUV. With that said, I solved the front fender issue by removing it altogether. I don't miss it. B) My bike came with the battery lock in the opposite position as the instruction video. This did lead to some initial confusion and a very minor mishap when the battery dislodged while riding, but once I understood the problem, the reversed position became a non-issue. C) Since I typically ride on rougher than average terrain, the front light has a tendency to move around. It's a small annoyance, but I haven't found a way to keep it locked in place yet.

I'm neutral on a few things: A) The Current's display is not as slick as some of the colorful units on similarly or even lower priced bikes, but it gets the job done, and easy to read. B) The seat seems like a good compromise between comfort and sportiness. I ride with padded shorts underneath so I'm okay with it. If I had to ride to work in business attire, and padded underwear wasn't an option, then I'd consider a true comfort saddle upgrade. C) I think the gear ratio on the Shimano is also a fair compromise. I rarely ride in anything lower than 3rd gear unless I'm riding up hill. I sometimes wish there was a 6th or 7th gear though.

In summary, I'd say the Current is one of my most satisfying purchases in recent years, and I'm always guarded against "confirmation bias". I freely admit to buying my share of transportation (bikes, cars) clunkers over the years. Nothing is perfect, including the Current, but I would argue that it's actually a good value at $3k, give or take. I remember reading a review of the Specialized Como SL 5.0 (I was interested because a local store sells it) and it shares a very similar design philosophy, including a custom motor. However, that bike sells for about $5k, so I did not give it serious consideration. In any case, Jmarc, I'd highly recommend the Current to any e-bike shopper that can afford it.

 

[Jmarc]

I'm a very satisfied owner. I purchased mine last August, and my riding is limited to recreational adventures. I'm currently just north of 300 miles. (I'm in northern New England, and while I know a few polar bears that ride in frigid weather, I'm not one of them). I can't add much to Achterbahn's extensive analysis, but having owned or ridden several e-bikes beforehand, the Current was a quantum leap forward.

I sure hope Priority is around for awhile, as the customer service has been nothing short of outstanding. Other than the Current, their product line consists of high quality traditional bikes. I've spotted a few on local trails, so I assume they have a following for those as well.

I've been impressed with the overall comfort of the Current. With all the online chatter about the benefits of suspension forks and seat posts, I find the Current's rigid frame just fine on the dirt/gravel rail trails I typically ride. I have no interest in modifying my Current in that regard or any other way. Mine came with 2" Goodyear tires, and so far, so good.

It's tough to quantify mileage range, but I reliably get 40-50 miles per charge. My last long ride was 36 miles, and a textbook example of mixed surface and terrain (flat, hills, dirt, gravel, pavement). I would estimate on that trip a PAS average between 2 and 3 at 4th gear, again on average (Shimano). I ended that journey with 3 out of 10 bars of power, so I assume I could have mustered another 10 or 15 miles before the battery died. I weigh 165lbs.

My nitpicks: A) The front fender rattled and then rubbed the first few rides, but probably because I had the bike in and out of my SUV. With that said, I solved the front fender issue by removing it altogether. I don't miss it. B) My bike came with the battery lock in the opposite position as the instruction video. This did lead to some initial confusion and a very minor mishap when the battery dislodged while riding, but once I understood the problem, the reversed position became a non-issue. C) Since I typically ride on rougher than average terrain, the front light has a tendency to move around. It's a small annoyance, but I haven't found a way to keep it locked in place yet.

I'm neutral on a few things: A) The Current's display is not as slick as some of the colorful units on similarly or even lower priced bikes, but it gets the job done, and easy to read. B) The seat seems like a good compromise between comfort and sportiness. I ride with padded shorts underneath so I'm okay with it. If I had to ride to work in business attire, and padded underwear wasn't an option, then I'd consider a true comfort saddle upgrade. C) I think the gear ratio on the Shimano is also a fair compromise. I rarely ride in anything lower than 3rd gear unless I'm riding up hill. I sometimes wish there was a 6th or 7th gear though.

In summary, I'd say the Current is one of my most satisfying purchases in recent years, and I'm always guarded against "confirmation bias". I freely admit to buying my share of transportation (bikes, cars) clunkers over the years. Nothing is perfect, including the Current, but I would argue that it's actually a good value at $3k, give or take. I remember reading a review of the Specialized Como SL (I was interested because a local store sells it) and it shares a very similar design philosophy, including a custom motor. However, that bike sells for about $5k, so I did not give it serious consideration. In any case, Jmarc, I'd highly recommend the Current to any e-bike shopper that can afford it.

thanks for the feedback. It really does sound like a great little bike. Might I ask what size frame you purchased and your height for some perspective?

 

[Doggyman1202]

I'm 5'11" and went with the medium which is absolutely fine. It fits like a glove. It also fits in my 2019 VW Tiguan without having to remove the front wheel. I'm not sure the large frame would have worked. I like to ride with "5 o'clock" leg extension, and there is room to spare on the seat post. (The handlebar is also adjustable).

One other benefit of the Current is the very manageable weight. (52lbs with battery and 44 without according to my scale). While that's not featherweight, I learned that weight matters much more than I imagined when I first started e-bike shopping.

 

[Mathew Nelson]

I just bought a Priority Current from Costco and really like the bike. I bought the Shimano version. This is my first eBike and I play around with road riding a traditional road and mountain bikes but am not that seriously so I don’t think I fall into the category of a bicycle enthusiast. To be honest, I bought the bike on a whim and am not sure what I’ll use it for exactly. I live in San Francisco, a city so small I generally walk everywhere and easily put 10 miles on my pedometer on a weekend day. I understand that this isn’t the case for others but my 2 cents.

I bought a white medium (I’m 5’9” 180 lbs) and it was delivered in about a week. Setup took about 30 mins and was very simple, basically popping the front wheel in and screwing down the handle bars. The hardest part of the setup was the enormous amount of packaging to take off and then dispose of.

My initial thoughts were pretty typical I think for a new eBike user; so much power and it’s so easy to go from one place to another. It makes me think about selling my Vespa as it is about the same function but with no gas, registration…. But also not as fast. But I also worry constantly about the bike being stolen out of my garage or if I’m out and not watching it every minute. Not sure if that will change over time but I am looking into insurance as all I hear now are the stories of stolen bikes.

As for the bike itself, it fits perfectly. I didn’t adjust the bars at all, just the seat angle and height. The brakes are amazing and I can easily lock up either wheel or modulate braking for a quick stop.

I see all the posting about battery life, etc… and I suppose I’ll get to that at some point but am still figuring out shifting and PA level combos. I am pretty nervous to ride in San Francisco which is a bit odd as I’ve ridden a motorcycle here for 25 years but bicycles are just a different beast. So to get more comfortable, when I visit Sacramento nearby, I bring the bike and do 40 mile rides along the river trails.

This is where I start to wonder if I made the right choice about buying this bike. For background, these trails are mostly flat but do incline up as you head north east to Lake Folsom. Nothing dramatic. So on the flat empty trails, I wanted to see what the bike could do. I got up to 18 to 22 effortlessly, really a joy to ride comfortably in that range and the bike’s sweet spot. I was in PA2-3 and 5th gear. I have never used a gear lower than 3 on the bike but I have also not ridden in SF / hills. BUT I wanted to see what the bike could do and check out the PA5 all the way up to 28mph. So pedaling as fast as I could reasonably, PA5 / gear 5 - feet spinning like crazy with no resistance to speak of, I broke 29mph. Totally not sustainable but interesting. Anytime after 24mph I was looking for gear 6 or 7 – which is obviously not present. I need to play with backing off the PA so the bike would be more stable and have more resistance while pedaling but that seems counter intuitive.

So I’m wondering if I’m trying to use the bike for it’s real purpose. I feel like I might be trying to make it a motorcycle. I have contacted support just to see what they had to say and they sent over links for replacement belt and sprocket to modify the gearing. I might try this as it is only $200. Ideally I’d like to go about 30mph – but with some effort:

A new front sprocket and belt could increase you gearing! Here is a combination I know to work.

Front Sprocket:
https://northwestbicycle.com/products/gates-carbon-drive-cdx-centertrack-front-pulley-46t-4-bolt-104mm-bcd-cr8020?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxc6PBhCEARIsAH8Hff38gQ42QNI12ItpL2GUqdrDX9vEFzdrYrYpnBCv2HDz9LCIrUL0bD0aAibMEALw_wcB
122T CDX Belt:
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/gates-carbon-drive-replacement-belt

 

[Achterbahn]

Happy to have helped with some of your decisions!

So on the flat empty trails, I wanted to see what the bike could do. I got up to 18 to 22 effortlessly, really a joy to ride comfortably in that range and the bike’s sweet spot. I was in PA2-3 and 5th gear. I have never used a gear lower than 3 on the bike but I have also not ridden in SF / hills. BUT I wanted to see what the bike could do and check out the PA5 all the way up to 28mph. So pedaling as fast as I could reasonably, PA5 / gear 5 - feet spinning like crazy with no resistance to speak of, I broke 29mph. Totally not sustainable but interesting. Anytime after 24mph I was looking for gear 6 or 7 – which is obviously not present. I need to play with backing off the PA so the bike would be more stable and have more resistance while pedaling but that seems counter intuitive.

This is everyone's feedback so far. I think they made a mistake marketing this bike as 28mph. The motor itself can handle 28mph, but the gearing makes it uncomfortable to sustain it if you're not used to high pedaling cadence. I use gears 1-3 A LOT because of monster SF hills AND because riding in traffic in a major city can be dangerous at 25mph+, with car doors opening, delivery vehicles double parking on the bike lane, etc. Sustaining 28mph also makes the battery drain in a flash, which is 100% expected.

That said, this feels like a good bike for my use case. I often wish it had lower gears, since hills are pretty intense, but overall it works well for me.

 

[Jmarc]

Happy to have helped with some of your decisions!


This is everyone's feedback so far. I think they made a mistake marketing this bike as 28mph. The motor itself can handle 28mph, but the gearing makes it uncomfortable to sustain it if you're not used to high pedaling cadence. I use gears 1-3 A LOT because of monster SF hills AND because riding in traffic in a major city can be dangerous at 25mph+, with car doors opening, delivery vehicles double parking on the bike lane, etc. Sustaining 28mph also makes the battery drain in a flash, which is 100% expected.

That said, this feels like a good bike for my use case. I often wish it had lower gears, since hills are pretty intense, but overall it works well for me.

Out of curiosity, did you get the Shimano or Enviolo hub? As for the speed converson, I currently have an Espin Sport which is a 500w rear hub set up for Class 3. I could in theory hit 28mph, but I barely ever go over 20mph because I'm riding in NYC everyday. Between traffic and all the streetlights, I can't really hit 28mph, nor is it that safe to. Plus it just seems like the SRAM gearing setup on my bike just isn't conducive for it. I have an 8 speed11-32t and everytime I hit 6-8 gears, my chain just starts to click. Mind you, I just had my derailluer adjusted the other day as well, but its always been a problem. That said, is there any e-bike that's set up to be a Class 3, where the components on the bike are truly meant to sustain speeds that high? I feel like unless you have a really high end gearing components, or a 750-1000w hub, the sweet spot for most e-bikes is in that 20mph range +/- 2mph anyway, which appears to be the case for the Current as well. Not a bad thing, just doesnt seem like bikes that are $3k and less are truly built to comfortably sustain 28mph.

 

[Mathew Nelson]

Happy to have helped with some of your decisions!


This is everyone's feedback so far. I think they made a mistake marketing this bike as 28mph. The motor itself can handle 28mph, but the gearing makes it uncomfortable to sustain it if you're not used to high pedaling cadence. I use gears 1-3 A LOT because of monster SF hills AND because riding in traffic in a major city can be dangerous at 25mph+, with car doors opening, delivery vehicles double parking on the bike lane, etc. Sustaining 28mph also makes the battery drain in a flash, which is 100% expected.

That said, this feels like a good bike for my use case. I often wish it had lower gears, since hills are pretty intense, but overall it works well for me.

Since I live in SF as well and will be taking my Current out this weekend, I'm curious what monster hills you are riding that will need the 1-3 gears. I'd like to do a comparision. I have taken short rides around the flats of the Mission, over to Dogpatch and up to Noe Valley but nothing more than that. Tomorrow will be Folsom St to the Embarcadero, Crissy Field and then across the Golden Gate to Sausalito. That seems pretty flat to me so not sure it will be a good test of gearing.

I think it's funny that I'm trying to gear my bike up and you are trying to gear yours down! Perhaps a small chain ring for you?

 

[Mathew Nelson]

Out of curiosity, did you get the Shimano or Enviolo hub? As for the speed converson, I currently have an Espin Sport which is a 500w rear hub set up for Class 3. I could in theory hit 28mph, but I barely ever go over 20mph because I'm riding in NYC everyday. Between traffic and all the streetlights, I can't really hit 28mph, nor is it that safe to. Plus it just seems like the SRAM gearing setup on my bike just isn't conducive for it. I have an 8 speed11-32t and everytime I hit 6-8 gears, my chain just starts to click. Mind you, I just had my derailluer adjusted the other day as well, but its always been a problem. That said, is there any e-bike that's set up to be a Class 3, where the components on the bike are truly meant to sustain speeds that high? I feel like unless you have a really high end gearing components, or a 750-1000w hub, the sweet spot for most e-bikes is in that 20mph range +/- 2mph anyway, which appears to be the case for the Current as well. Not a bad thing, just doesnt seem like bikes that are $3k and less are truly built to comfortably sustain 28mph.

So is it reasonable for me to think the bike should be going 24 to 30mph on long flats? It feels like I asking the bike to do something it isn't designed / geared to do. I am happy with cruising at 18-22mph 80% of the time but in those long stretches it feels odd.

 

[Achterbahn]

Out of curiosity, did you get the Shimano or Enviolo hub? As for the speed converson, I currently have an Espin Sport which is a 500w rear hub set up for Class 3. I could in theory hit 28mph, but I barely ever go over 20mph because I'm riding in NYC everyday. Between traffic and all the streetlights, I can't really hit 28mph, nor is it that safe to. Plus it just seems like the SRAM gearing setup on my bike just isn't conducive for it. I have an 8 speed11-32t and everytime I hit 6-8 gears, my chain just starts to click. Mind you, I just had my derailluer adjusted the other day as well, but its always been a problem. That said, is there any e-bike that's set up to be a Class 3, where the components on the bike are truly meant to sustain speeds that high? I feel like unless you have a really high end gearing components, or a 750-1000w hub, the sweet spot for most e-bikes is in that 20mph range +/- 2mph anyway, which appears to be the case for the Current as well. Not a bad thing, just doesnt seem like bikes that are $3k and less are truly built to comfortably sustain 28mph.

Everyone that mentions specific gears (e.g. 1, 2, 5) has the Shimano, since the Enviolo has no gear numbers - this includes me. Your experience is more like mine: city riding is dangerous, and I don't feel comfortable doing 25+ knowing someone can cross the street at any moment and I'd have to slam the brakes.

I unfortunately have no experience with Class 3 derailleur e-bikes to compare to. I do think achieving and sustaining 28mph is possible as long as the e-bike is built with that in mind. Belt-driven bikes are limited by the gear ratio of each hub. With a derailleur, a strong motor, and good enough design, you could theoretically keep adding gears until you're happy. The Espin is not really a premium bike. A Frey CC or, on the cheaper side, Rize RX could handle that.

The clear downside is that these bikes would either have to be VERY heavy to include a battery that could handle this much power.

Since I live in SF as well and will be taking my Current out this weekend, I'm curious what monster hills you are riding that will need the 1-3 gears. I'd like to do a comparision. I have taken short rides around the flats of the Mission, over to Dogpatch and up to Noe Valley but nothing more than that. Tomorrow will be Folsom St to the Embarcadero, Crissy Field and then across the Golden Gate to Sausalito. That seems pretty flat to me so not sure it will be a good test of gearing.

I think it's funny that I'm trying to gear my bike up and you are trying to gear yours down! Perhaps a small chain ring for you?

To be clear, I probably wouldn't want to change my chain rings. I am happy with the top end of the range, where I can comfortably do 24mph. If I swapped the chain ring, I would gear it down successfully but lose the top end. Since there's no no-compromise option, I am happy where I am. I can still make it up most hills if I kick up the assist level. The thing is, battery goes down FAST if I do that all the time.

Since you're going to Sausalito, that would be a good test. On the way back to SF, going from Sausalito to the highway, there are some pretty steep inclines. It will be a nice test to know what gears + power levels are comfortable for you. If you want to test your bike, you can try Filbert, Greenwhich, or Lombard, between Polk and Larkin. Closer to the Embarcadero, Union, between Stockton and Montgomery, or Valejo, between Sansome and Montgomery. These will be a good example of a little more challenging hills, at least for me! I am not a very fit guy!

Can you trace your route to avoid these streets? Absolutely, but I'd much rather not have to worry about that. If I lived in a flatter city, I wouldn't have to think twice. Also, you can always crank assist up to 5, but if you're going far, you have to think that you might not have enough power to carry you back.

I'm pretty happy with the Current, but obviously an expensive hub would make the experience a lot more enjoyable, with a bigger range.

So is it reasonable for me to think the bike should be going 24 to 30mph on long flats? It feels like I asking the bike to do something it isn't designed / geared to do. I am happy with cruising at 18-22mph 80% of the time but in those long stretches it feels odd.

It is reasonable for you to expect that. However, this specific bike doesn't do that very well

 

[Doggyman1202]

So is it reasonable for me to think the bike should be going 24 to 30mph on long flats? It feels like I asking the bike to do something it isn't designed / geared to do. I am happy with cruising at 18-22mph 80% of the time but in those long stretches it feels odd.

Agreed. It's still a bicycle, and comparing it to motorcycles, Mopeds, Vespa scooters, et.al sells it short. The Current is great at what it's supposed to do. First time e-bike riders might not appreciate how fluid and natural the Current feels compared to a cadence rear hub competitor. To quote Bob Seger, "it's like tryin to tell a stranger about rock n' roll".

 

[Mathew Nelson]

Nice 42 mile ride on Sat - from the Mission, up to Twin Peaks, through Golden Gate Park, through the Presidio, over the Golden Gate Bridge then dropping down into Sausilito. My observations were:

- This is the perfect city commuting bike. I strongly recommend this bike if you are looking to go to and from work or errands that are around 10 to 15 miles each way.
- My complaints about stock gearing being to low didn't apply at all. I found on steeper hills that using PA1 / gear 2 was perfect - low and slow - even on the return ride up the switchbacks to the bridge. There were very few long straights so riding at 22mph was fine.
- My complaint about range is the same. I originally planned on carrying the power adapter and recharging over lunch. Still might do that. It is becoming clear that I will be using the bike for long casual rides and most likely will order the range extender, still on the fence, leaning very strongly to buy it. I made it home with 1 or 2 bars but was VERY conservative and turning PA to zero on flats - which was fine - but most of the day, all I did was think about how much power I was using or battery status. I kept thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice to never think about range again"

Relive 'Fun ride with Matt'

View my ride: Fun ride with Matt

www.relive.cc

 

[Achterbahn]

- This is the perfect city commuting bike. I strongly recommend this bike if you are looking to go to and from work or errands that are around 10 to 15 miles each way.
- My complaints about stock gearing being to low didn't apply at all. I found on steeper hills that using PA1 / gear 2 was perfect - low and slow - even on the return ride up the switchbacks to the bridge. There were very few long straights so riding at 22mph was fine.

Glad to hear you had a good time! And yes, those lower gears sure come in handy in SF

I use mine for shorter trips (10 mile round-trip) and I love it! When coming back from work at night I prefer to kick assist up to level 3 and cruise. No need to further tire myself after a long day at work!

 

[mojoe]

I just received my Current a week ago. A few months ago, I did a test ride on a Gazelle (Shimano shifter version). I'm not sure why, but riding the Gazelle didn't feel quite right for some reason. So, two weeks ago, I decided to take a chance on ordering the Current.

This is my third ebike in the past two years. The first was an Ecotric (which I sold), the second a Gocycle GX (which I'm keeping).

As for the Current, I love it. I bought the Shimano version. Because of shortages, the tires that came on my bike were Goodyear Transit Tour, 27.5" x 2.0". These aren't as slick as the WTB tires they were using, so I like them better.

One minor QA issue - when I unboxed the bike, the display was hanging loose and was missing one bolt. This didn't happen during shipping. Priority didn't comment on the flopping display, but did quickly send me two new bolts. Otherwise, the box and bike arrived undamaged. It is actually double boxed.

Do watch the assembly video that Priority posted. I found it helpful. They also have a video on how to change the rear tire, and other videos.

I have ridden it several times this past week. A one mile ride, a two mile ride, a six mile ride and two 12 mile rides, for a total of 33 miles. Some on paved bike paths, some on small town roads, with and without bike lanes. So far, the rides have been on mostly flat terrain.

I was surprised on the short ride (to the bike shop because of a squeaking front rotor), that when I was returning, I forgot to turn on the assist, and didn't notice it for several blocks. The reason it is easy to forget to turn on the assist is partially due to how quiet the motor is. The belt is silent, but the motor produces a very low whine when in use.

On relatively flat terrain, this bike has more than enough assist and gearing. I rarely used more than assist level one, and almost never used fifth gear. One time I used fifth gear, and hit 23 mph without even trying (the motor cut off at 20 mph). First gear is low enough that you almost don't need it on the flats, but I'm sure it will be helpful on the hills.

I did buy the optional mirror with the bike. It turned out to be the exact same mirror that I had gotten on Amazon for my first ebike (same price, too). I had to move the left brake lever and button pad inward, so that I could move the mirror as far left as possible. I still get a bit of my arm in the view.

Unlike a lot of ebikes, mud guards and lights are standard, but strangely, no bell. I like the rotating handlebar stem. I move mine up 30 degrees, for a more upright position. Of course, this much rotation also required that I reposition the brake levers, display and button pad.

Although a gel seat comes with the bike, I found it a bit hard. I bought one of these, which I also have on my Gocycle:
Wittkop Medicus Air (touring version): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0845PGYYZ/

I had an Abus folding lock already, so I installed it on the top tube. Just yesterday, I added a Kryptonite Ring Lock (cafe' lock). I was going to get a cafe' lock from Abus, but I found a local bike shop that had the Kryponite lock, and it comes with mounting straps, for less money. It looks like the Kryptonite lock and straps are made by Axa. You have to be careful when mounting a cafe' lock, so you don't pinch the brake line. I mounted the lock on the underside, and got the straps to just clear on either side of the brake line mounting lug. These Axa mounting straps have two straps per side, so look to be more secure than the ones Abus sells.

It may be overkill, but I'll use the folding lock to secure the frame and front wheel, and the cafe' lock to secure the rear wheel, making it harder to steal parts. Speaking of stealing parts, the seat post clamp is a quick release, which I also replaced (30.9 34.9 mm).

I am still on my first battery charge. With 33 miles ridden (mostly on assist level one), the battery gauge shows five out of ten. I'm going to keep riding it before recharging, to see if this rate holds up. I'll stop when I get one bar, as I don't want to push my luck.

I have the large frame. I am 6', 1" and have the seat post up about 5" to the seat brackets. I had it a bit higher, as measured to the "correct" seat height, but liked it a bit lower, for less leg extension.

With my experience so far, I would be willing to tackle some more challenging rides with this bike. The ride from Carson City to Virginia City is mostly uphill. Most of the way, it isn't too steep, but the last few miles from Gold Hill is very steep. I feel that there is enough motor on this bike to do it. I'll have to wait a bit to try this, as I'll be away for a few months very soon.

Before buying, I read all the reviews and watched all the YT videos. Now that I have a Current, I understand why they all liked this ebike, especially for the price.