The XDS E-Cruz electric bike comes with many features and could potentially be a great commuter version for women. Why?
EBA Note
This e-bike was reviewed for free. There is no affiliation with the store where the bike was sourced from. I welcome any amendments or corrections you would like to suggest to my review; please do so by posting a comment at the end of the article.
Table of Contents
Specs Summary
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY & RANGE
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CONTROLLER & RIDING MODES
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FRAME
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DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY
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| TYRES AND SUSPENSION Tyres
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FEATURES
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Riding the E-Cruz
Ergonomics and Design
– The first thing I noticed was how easy to access the bike was. The design and build were conceived for people between 150 and 185 cm tall.
– I felt the handlebar and grips were easy to reach without stretching my arms too much.
– I liked the 17” aluminium step-thru frame design offered in this city electric bike (also 15” available). It looks with personality, is built with no rough edges, and is aesthetically pleasing.
– The rear rack has been rated to carry no more than 20 kg. I’d be mindful of adding no more than 15 kg as the battery contribution is already a lot (3 kg).
– Compared to the men’s frame model, this version looks more appealing (and cooler) as it doesn’t have the battery sitting on the lower tube of the frame.
– One thing to consider is how difficult it could be to remove the battery. This is because it is embedded within the rear rack. It doesn’t mean that you cannot remove it.
– The battery is rated as water resistant, meaning it will have no issues exposed to some little rain but not under heavy rainy conditions.
Motor efficiency
– When testing the bike in pedal assist 1 (PAS 1), I felt that the 250w Bafang M400 motor was not yet giving the support I needed, rather than me having to pedal hard. This is opposite to what I experienced riding the XDS e-Spresso S2 model.
– When testing PAS 2, I instantly felt the difference between the assistance provided on PAS 1. The most exciting part was when testing PAS 5; I hardly had to push the pedals to instantly have the assistance of this mid-drive motor.
– In terms of the torque efficiency, I was pretty impressed with how much power the motor gave. As mentioned before, an 80Nm torque rating is on the high-end for a Class 1 commuter electric bike such as this XDS model.
Learn More: Electric Bike Motor Guide 2024
– Compared to the e-Spresso S2, the motor was more powerful and responsive when pedalling on PAS 5.
Battery Efficiency
– The lithium Panasonic battery was designed to provide 36V and 418Wh. This is enough to power the motor and the controller without compromising the travel range specs.
Read More: eBike Batteries – The 2024 Beginner’s Guide.
– Based on the manufacturer’s specifications, its range is between 35 km and 75 km. It would’ve been interesting to see the battery range if the rear light was connected.
– I didn’t test the battery charging capabilities, but I found on the manufacturer’s website it could take approximately five (5) hours from fully drained.
Comfort
– Regarding comfort while sitting, the saddle felt firm and supportive. I’m sure this could be important for a long commute.
– One particular thing I experienced was how the frame vibrated when taking speed bumps at high speed. This could’ve resulted from the battery’s added weight at the back, unbalancing the system. Not to mention, I think this could also be the result of having the tyres not pumped up enough (at least 40 psi) – I noticed they were low after returning it to the shop.
– I don’t think the lack of front suspension is a dealbreaker, as the tyres provided enough comfort and support (if adequately inflated).
Controlling the assistance
– The Bafang thumb control and LCD were easy to use and intuitive. It was easy to see the settings on the LCD, something that some other controllers don’t offer.
Bike responsiveness
– It felt the Kendra tyres were doing a good job when pedalling on wet grass and even better on asphalt.
– Returning to the frame vibration when taking speed bumps, I also think the rear tyre is not thick enough to provide that extra support when the rear rack is loaded. This means that responsiveness could be low when taking corners at high speed.
– The sensors are a great addition to the E-Cruz. In this case, the speed sensor tells the motor to start/stop the assistance, and the gear sensor disengages the motor during gear shifting. Both sensors felt responsive, especially the gear one.
– The drivetrain responsiveness was spot on at every shift completed. Also, the operation of the gear system at the handlebar was great and effortless.
Other features
– A nice touch I saw was the addition of the two (2) aluminium plates protecting the chainring and chain and preventing the chain from coming off and getting jammed between the crank and the motor casing. This is something that happens frequently.
– A feature I loved was the rear rack adjustment. In my XDS E-Crus e-bike review video, I mentioned that it could be raised or lowered depending on your pannier needs, but I think it has also been built to fit bigger-diameter tyres.
What Other Things Could’ve Been Considered?
– Although the tyres are from a known manufacturer, it would’ve been great to have a thicker rear version (say around 4-inch thickness minimum) and a wider rear rim. It could provide better support, considering more than 50% of the weight is at the back end.
– This commuter electric bike has been fitted with many good elements; however, it could’ve been helpful to have front and rear lights already installed and powered by the battery. This would increase the price tag.
– Knowing how exposed the battery is to rain and sunlight, a top cap or cover would’ve been a good addition.
– I like a big display if riding a bike for commuting purposes, and I also like to know how far I can go. As far as I can tell, this display does not show the battery range left based on the pedal assist setting.
Would I Buy This XDS e-Bike?
The brand is trying to build better quality electric bikes for any riding style – and they did well with this model. I was pretty content to see the components used (e.g., Bafang, Shimano, Tektro) to create this commuter electric bike model.
There was a clear difference in motor assistance between PAS 1 and 5. I was very impressed with the power of the 250w mid-drive motor when using PAS 5.
In terms of the design, the low-step frame looks very appealing and very accessible. More importantly, no cables were sitting in the way of my legs.
Although I could not see the battery range displayed on the LCD screen, I think the Bafang controller offers enough features; it is intuitive and easy to operate.
Looking at what the manufacturer and other bike shops are selling the XDS E-Cruz step-through commuter electric bike, I think the price is reasonable compared to other similar brands, such as the Batavus Razer Turbo e-bike.
