I bought the silver version of this bike and have kept following E-bikes on Amazon. My color became unavailable and then R. Martin stopped selling it, so its listing along with my review was removed but this bike is the exact same except for the color (in particular the unique motor placement). I drove it on a mixed terrain, including up and down several hills with 250lbs of rider weight and cargo, probably more than the specified maximum for the motor & gear ratio for hill climbing. The bike only went about 11-12 miles before the battery died. But one of those hills was at least 30 degrees and also around half a mile long, and it pulled it consistently, requiring relatively easy pedaling, traveling at a little over 5mph. I THINK it will pull just about any hill with a recommended weight total combined with pedaling. The owner's manual says something to the effect that it might break the motor's driveshaft to go up hills on electric power alone, and on the big hill it wouldn't keep going up without the pedaling. I was in New Orleans and drove it around with the same amount of weight from full charge until the battery died two days in a row and it went just over 20 miles each day. Though now I pedal more to compensate for that time I got so few miles out of it, though not much exertion is required as long as you have juice to assist you. Flatter terrain and rider weight make a lot of difference in the distance you'll get from one battery charge. There are five indicator lights in a row on top of the included wired-in headlight, four green and one red, and they're turned off one by one as you deplete the battery. Good system, but it stays on 'All green' for a relatively long time, then the other lights go out significantly faster, but you get used to it. The red light pretty much tells you 'Prepare to pedal by yourself and walk up steep hills until you get home VERY SOON.' With seven gears you won't climb a significant hill without the motor. On your left thumb next to the twist shifter is a 'seesaw' button that you push to the left (setting 1), middle (2) or right (3). This is pedal assist, and 3 is 100% assist, 2 is 50%, I think 1 is 25%. Easy to use. A button on the headlight above the battery indicator lights turns the whole electric motor system on and off, the headlight (adequate for night riding, single steady setting) has a separate on/off button, and the integrated taillight has steady and flash option. Disc brakes are awesome compared to alternatives and going down that 30+% hill I mentioned I was able to stop within a reasonable distance. Plastic fender for the front wheel has a flimsy attachment system. Not that it'll fall off, but it's much too loose, and you'll want to tighten it up with extra hardware somehow. Plastic chain guard on the front cracks easily, soon after you start riding and will need to be removed (or just break off the loose parts by hand, it's that flimsy). These two parts cheap parts don't seem to be representative of the whole bike though. The wires related to the motor and battery are well-placed/insulated and seem unlikely to get damaged. Motor makes a slight but noticeable humming/whirring sound when motor is engaged, not annoying though. I'm putting on an adjustable stem to have a more upright style and ergo grips, just something I've always preferred, though with gel gloves two days of hours of riding, at times rough and bumpy jumping up on the sidewalks, it didn't bother my hands or wrists with the current stem and gel gloves. The twist throttle and twist shift systems are intuitive, but as a results the grips are narrow and don't leave much room for your hands compared to what you're probably used to, but resting your index fingers on the twist shifter/throttle instead of the grips can get uncomfortable. Traditional pannier racks on the back probably wouldn't be possible, just look at the photos and you'll see how tough it would be, but attaching a basket to the spring-clip thing mounted on the rear of the frame (actually the battery pack) looks promising. I bought a 12"x18" Bell black basket to match the battery pack and plan to attach it to the spring-clip mounting with cable ties. By itself that clip-spring thing isn't very useful otherwise that I can see, not sure what they had in mind when they went with it. But with pannier bags I've had them on the front wheel of a bike before. Battery can't be removed for charging and charge cord is about ten feet, so you'll have to figure out how to charge it within those parameters. Wheels are easy to remove, as easy as an ordinary bike, much better than the Currie/IZip system that Amazon reviewers claim requires removing part of the motor assembly just to change the rear tire. A couple reviewers complained about the Currie/IZip throttle being being too powerful and even causing them to fall off or crash but this one isn't. But in 5th gear on level ground it easily started accelerating me even without pedaling. I gave it four stars on the review originally, but now that I've seen it go twenty miles two days straight with gel gloves sparing my hands and wrists it's a different story.Click Here to see more reviews about: R10 black electric bicycle
Product Description:
R Martin R10 Electric Bicycle
New - Our R10 now comes with a 10ah battery pack standard, new power console on handlebar, and 8-speed SRAM cassette.
The "R" series bikes are our top models designed to be comfortable and long
lasting. These are the finest electric bikes we have ever offered andcompare
to electric bikes costing more than twice as much.
Our R Martin R10 is a premium power-assist electric bicycle, utilizing our patented bracket mounted motor drivetechnology. R Martin electric bicycles let youcommute and run your errands easily and quickly. You also are able to exercise if you want without exhaustingyourself.
R Martin ADVANTAGES
The R10 gets you where you want to go
The R10 has variable assist electric power so you can pedal as much or as little as you want. You even have a variable twist throttle so you can glide along without pedaling at all. Travel faster and withease. Commuting, shopping, camping, or just out riding in your neighborhood is a breeze on the R Martin R10.
More Power when you need it
Our "R" series bikes let you climb hills easier and with less effort. Rideas a regular bicycle or use the extra power when you need it.
Keep up with the crowd or your spouse.
Three assistance levels give you the freedom and confidence to ridefarther and keep pace with stronger riders.
Save time and money
Our R10 is a bike and can be ridden anywhere a bike can go - even sidewalks. Glide past the congestion and reduce your commuting time. Plug in and recharge for pennies and you are ready to go again.
A Fun, clean and green mode oftransportation.
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