There are a number of issues a superb e-commuter bike ought to have, and Precedence’s Present Plus is a kind of bikes that ticks all of the containers. Boasting a robust mid-drive motor, a 720Wh battery, a 5-speed Shimano Nexus inside rear hub, and Gates’ CDX Carbon Belt Drive, the Present Plus will get you the place you’re going with ease. That mentioned, I did discover this bike performs significantly better in Class 2 mode than Class 3, as it really works arduous to ship its high velocity in that mode.
High quality-wise smart this bike is an apparent step above these value-priced, offshore-manufactured e-commuters you see marketed on social media. The Present Plus is a strong commuter bike from a good bicycle model. Along with providing a cushty using place, key commuter necessities like fenders, racks, and built-in lights are all included.
Meeting:
From the largely assembled state it arrived in, build up the Present Plus was simple. I needed to set up the entrance wheel and fender, handlebar and pedals, and pump up the tires. Anybody with fundamental bike data may do that, and Precedence offers many of the instruments you’ll want with the bike. In addition they present a QR code and a hyperlink to an meeting video on their web site.
Whereas the bike was very effectively packed by Precedence, it’s apparent that whoever dealt with mine was not cautious with it. The entrance brake rotor arrived bent, and the entrance wheel has a slight warp/hop as effectively. I additionally needed to knock the seat guts off the publish with a picket block, as I discovered the decrease piece seized into the publish once I went to regulate the saddle place. Fortunately, there was no extra severe or unfixable injury.
The one factor that doesn’t look notably eye-pleasing in regards to the Present Plus is the bundle of cables coming from the left aspect of the handlebars. It’s a bit longer than crucial and hangs down greater than it must. In any other case, the bike seems to be fairly good and exudes a way of high quality.
Experience Impressions – Match/Consolation:
The Present Plus encompasses a 6061 Aluminum body and fork, and the body gives a unisex step-through design. I’ve no bother with increased high tubes, however the step-through body is solely simpler to mount.
Straight away, I observed the Present Plus gives a really snug using place. I’m 5’10” and I’m using a medium body. Even with the adjustable stem set at a low 10° rise, I used to be sitting fairly upright, so I left it in that place. The well-padded Selle Royal gel seat is sweet and comfy, and I’ve been using the bike and not using a chamois.
The attain on the brake levers is fairly lengthy, however they do have a attain adjustment. I managed to dial within the levers sufficient for myself, however riders with smaller fingers should still discover them a bit far out. On my first lengthy experience, I discovered the ergonomic grips a bit uncomfortable, as I’m used to spherical MTB grips. After extra rides, I obtained used to the grips and now discover them completely snug and supportive.
Elements:
A fundamental function of the Present Plus is the Gates CDX Carbon Belt Drive system, which requires no want for lubrication and nearly no upkeep. The belt drivetrain runs easily and quietly, and I had no mechanical points with it by any means. Additionally, it’s good to not have to fret about staining your pants, particularly for those who’re using to work.
I just like the 27.5” wheels and 50mm broad tires that Precedence specs on the Present Plus. I’m not a fan of fats tire commuters as an avid rider, I favor higher rolling velocity over a softer experience, particularly given this bike largely stays on paved surfaces. The tires are broad sufficient to deal with some reasonable off-road terrain, so that you completely can blast throughout a bumpy subject or experience gravel trails. Something a lot rougher than that’s pushing this totally inflexible bike’s intentions. Bonus factors to Precedence for together with puncture-resistant multi-surface tires.
Fenders are a necessity for commuting, so I’m glad this bike will get two that present loads of protection. The fenders do get rattly on something rougher than packed gravel, or when dropping off a curb, however on easy surfaces they stayed quiet and by no means required any re-adjustments.
Precedence’s 174 Hudson dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors work effectively, simply providing ample energy for a commuter in any climate situations. Precedence features a set of metallic platform pedals with the bike.
The included kickstand was very handy, and it’s designed to assist the bike with packed cargo luggage. There’s a water bottle mount on the bike’s high tube, so you possibly can convey some hydration with you. It’s not probably the most elegant location, however a minimum of it’s an choice.
Gearing and Controls:
As for gearing, the Present Plus’ Shimano grip shifter is straightforward to grasp and works completely effectively – simply ease up on the pedals whilst you shift up or down. The Nexus internally geared rear hub gives 5 gears, which give a superb vary for the Present Plus. Consumers do have the choice of buying this bike with an Enviolo CVT-style rear hub and shifter, however I examined the Shimano model.
On the high finish, gear 5 is tall sufficient that you simply’re spinning a cushty cadence on the bike’s high help velocity (in Class 2 mode at 20mph). On the low finish, I infrequently rode in gear 1 because it’s very low, however it might be nice for climbing steeper hills.
For the reason that legislation in British Columbia limits ebikes to 20mph, I largely stored mine in that setting… however within the title of testing, I needed to strive the Class 3 28mph mode! Precedence’s meeting video reveals find out how to modify the bike’s high velocity utilizing the controller.
When you want to hit max velocity, you’ll positively wish to be in gear 5, as something decrease would require a quick cadence. I discovered gear 3 will get a bit too quick at about 22-23mph, gear 4 will get you to round 24-25mph, and equipment 5 will take you to the restrict. When you intend to experience this bike at 28mph for prolonged distances, one taller gear could be good, however for shorter bursts, the Present Plus’s gear vary is ample.
One factor you’ll wish to keep in mind is to shift right into a decrease gear earlier than stopping the bike – that may make sure you get off to a pleasant, highly effective begin. Beginning in 4th or fifth gear is just too gradual a cadence for the motor to kick in successfully, so that you’ll have a number of gradual, labored cranks till the help ramps up. Beginning in gear 3 or much less is good for leaping off with noticeable help energy.
Precedence’s show unit all the time remained simple to see all through brilliant sunny rides, in dim areas, and in complete darkness. I observed it’s nonetheless simple to learn by means of a little bit of mud, too. The show unit is giant sufficient to make studying key experience information and settings simple, however it’s not too cumbersome.
The show reveals your battery life, help stage, speedometer, odometer, and tripometer. You can too scroll by means of show screens to see your common and max speeds, the length of your experience, or entry the settings display screen.
I discovered Precedence’s management unit ergonomically sound and simple to function. The controller consists of the bike’s energy button, a button to manage the lights manually, an data button to scroll by means of show screens, and plus and minus buttons to toggle by means of help ranges.
Holding the minus button for 2 seconds places the bike in stroll mode, and holding each the plus and minus buttons opens up a settings menu. This menu gives a number of choices, together with resetting the journey odometer, adjusting the bike’s most help velocity, and extra. The throttle sits subsequent to the controller at your left grip.
Motor/Help Energy:
The Present Plus is assisted by a mid-drive motor, which offers as much as 500W of energy and 140Nm of torque. The motor makes use of a torque sensor to ship help energy, and supply was all the time easy and predictable. I by no means observed something inconsistent or unnatural in regards to the help at any velocity or energy stage.
Help ranges one and two provide noticeable assistance on flat terrain, however stage 3 is the place you actually begin crusing alongside. Ranges 4 and 5 convey on the ability extra and get you as much as max help velocity faster. For uphills, help ranges 4 and 5 are superb. The steepest hill in my space was no drawback in both, whether or not pedalling or utilizing the throttle. I did shift right down to gear 3 on the steep hill, however by no means needed to go decrease.
In Class 2 mode, the bike’s throttle is enjoyable and highly effective, even at stage 3. It will get you as much as 20mph fairly shortly and simply, however ranges 4 and 5 speed up even quicker!
After I switched into Class 3 mode, I observed the decrease help ranges wrestle at increased speeds. To achieve 28mph, I had to make use of ranges 4 or 5. Even at help stage 3, I needed to crank fairly arduous to get the bike past about 24mph (and that was on flat terrain). Stage 4 or 5 will get you as much as the bike’s max velocity, however meaning if you wish to experience the Present Plus at 28mph often, you’ll be lowering the bike’s vary.
I additionally observed the throttle wouldn’t maintain the bike at 28mph, even on a flat street. Within the highest help stage, the throttle would convey me to about 21mph and no quicker. I even pedalled as much as a better velocity, then held the throttle. The bike slowed right down to round 20-21mph, then maintained that velocity. After testing the Class 3 mode, I’ve to say the Present Plus is a good Class 2 bike, however it’s not as nice as a Class 3.
Vary:
The Present Plus is provided with a 720Wh battery that may get you fairly far… however utilizing the help freely, I didn’t get too near Precedence’s claimed most. Please word that each one my vary testing was finished with the bike in Class 2 mode.
Proper out of the field, on its manufacturing unit cost, I rode 16 miles over about an hour. I rode largely in help stage 3, however tried 4 and 5, plus the throttle, too. This took the battery from just below half to almost useless. This appeared a bit brief, however once I gave the bike a recent full cost, the vary improved.
On a full cost, I killed the battery with 73 miles on the odometer. I’d say a 57-mile vary is excellent, however it’s lower than promised, as Precedence claims as much as 75 miles (in Class 2 mode). These rides concerned a mixture of energy ranges 3-5, and a bunch of throttling. Additionally, my city is generally flat, however I did purposely experience up hills a number of occasions only for testing.
My subsequent cost cycle achieved a bit much less, giving me 50 miles of vary. I’d say my using was fairly just like the final cost, utilizing the identical energy ranges on the identical terrain.
The bike’s battery will be charged within the body, however can also be simple to take away for off-bike charging. Simply twist the important thing and push the button to pop it out. The battery drops out fairly simply when you notice it’s important to maintain the entrance wheel straight to present it sufficient room.
Precedence says a full cost ought to take 4-5 hours, and in my case, 5 hours of charging topped off the totally useless battery. An indicator mild on the charger turns from crimson to inexperienced as soon as the battery is charged. I did discover Precedence’s battery charger is sort of loud! As quickly as you plug it in, a fan begins making a whirring noise that I may hear within the subsequent room.
One evening, I killed the Present Plus’s battery to see what sort of warning it provides you. Whenever you get very low on energy, the final bar of battery life begins to flash. Whereas on the final bar, I began to note the ability dropping off, and this discount was equal between pedal help and throttle modes. From flashing, I rode about 3km earlier than the help energy merely wasn’t serving to anymore. The second time I ran the battery useless, the help energy lower out fairly shortly. I obtained about one mile earlier than the ability all of the sudden dropped to zero.
When you do run out of battery, this isn’t the worst ebike to pedal with out help. There may be drag from the motor while you put a bit effort into the pedals, however not when pedalling frivolously, and there’s no drag while you’re cruising. The Present Plus’s road-friendly tires roll properly, and the 55lbs bike glides alongside flat floor fairly effectively… however I wouldn’t wish to heave it uphill with out energy.
Lights:
Late one night, I rode by means of city and into the countryside to check the Present Plus’s lights. The 600 lumen headlight is certainly adequate for the bike, because it’s brilliant sufficient to be noticeably useful even in semi-lit areas. In darker areas, it’s ample for the bike’s max velocity, however for those who routinely traveled a darkish street, I may see some riders in search of extra entrance lighting. The inventory mild offers good visibility as much as about 30 toes, so at high velocity, hazards or obstacles must be seen, however they strategy shortly. The tail mild is fairly brilliant, making certain motorists can see you.
Precedence’s computerized mild perform labored completely, as each lights got here on when the bike was powered up at nighttime. With the lights on for practically an hour, I didn’t discover any appreciable drain on the battery.
For bonus factors, it might be superior if the handlebar management unit had lit-up arrows/icons. I noticed immediately I couldn’t see the controls at evening, however fortunately, they’re easy and intuitive.
The Precedence Present Plus retails for $3299. Frames can be found in S/M/L sizes, and your shade selections are Charcoal (as examined) or white.
As for substitute components, Precedence will carry batteries, motors, wiring, controllers, and different elements for a few years following any mannequin’s launch.
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