The XDS e-Spresso S2 is a step-thru commuter electric bike built with high-end components. It could be an excellent buy for women.
EBA Note
This electric bike has been tested for free, and there is no affiliation with the store where the bike was taken from. If there are any amendments or corrections you would like to suggest from my review, please do so by posting a comment at the end of the article.
First of all, who are XDS Bikes? The company was established in China and has been manufacturing bikes for over 10 years. With the increased popularity of electric bikes, they now provide models for different purposes, such as commuting to work, mountain biking, and road riding.
Table of Contents
Components 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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DRIVE-TRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY
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| TIRES AND SUSPENSION
Tires
Front Suspension
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FEATURES
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Riding the S2 XDS e-bike model
– The first thing I noticed when I jumped on the bike was how comfortable the saddle felt, especially when taking a few speed bumps on the road. This also brings up the fact that the front suspension operates very smoothly.
– I liked the smooth assistance activation of the motor when riding on PAS 1. It felt like it was gently assisting while the bike was gaining speed. The difference came when I increased to PAS 5, which is the maximum the bike provides. I felt I didn’t need to pedal too hard.
– As for my body position reaching the handlebar, it was easy and I was in total comfort.
– The maximum speed I achieved using the eight (8) speed Shimano drivetrain was 25 km/h before the motor was cut off. This doesn’t mean you cannot achieve a higher speed; you can keep pedaling without the motor’s assistance and not break the law.
Read More: Electric Bike Laws Overview
What XDS Offers With the e-Spresso S2: Pros
Frame and design
– The e-Spresso S2 has come with a Step-Thru friendly aluminum frame including two (2) different sizes: 17 inches, ideal for people between 170cm and 180 cm in height, and a 15 inches frame that would suit better for shorter people.
– I loved that it doesn’t look like an electric bike, not bulky. The frame has been designed so that the electric and mechanical components are embedded within the frame. The battery placing is an excellent example, seemingly sitting in the downtube.
– The rear rack is big enough for medium to big-sized panniers, and it could carry around 20 kg — also, the additional feature of having our retractable clamp to wrap small bags.
Motor
– The motor (250w and 80Nm torque rating) has been manufactured by Bafang, a well-known company that has been in the industry for more than 10 years, offering high-quality parts and motors for electric bikes.
– More about the torque, the range for commuter E-bike is between 40 to 60Nm; in this case, the S2 sits on the high-end for electric bike motors.
Learn More: Electric Bike Motor Guide – What to Know About It
Sensors
– The e-Spresso S2 comes with two (2) sensors: a gear or shift sensor and a speed sensor. The shift sensor will allow the motor to be disengaged for a millisecond to protect the drive train when changing gears; the speed sensor will tell the motor to start or stop the assistance based on the rear wheel speed rotation.
Battery
– This electric bike has been fitted with a lithium Panasonic battery. The battery is rated at 36v and 396Wh. Compared to other electric bikes in the same range for watts/hr, this model also has aimed for the high-end.
Learn more: eBike Batteries – The 2024 Beginner’s Guide
– I also liked the battery can be removed from the frame just by using a specific key so it can be carried on at any time if required.
– Regarding the battery range, the lowest would be around 40km if you use pedal assist 5 all the time, and the highest would be 75 km with pedal assist 1. This range will vary depending on your riding conditions, such as climbing up hills constantly and how much weight you are hauling. This also is assuming the battery is fully charged.
– Adding to the battery range, it would land on the median for e-bikes. Other models, like the Pegasus Premio Evo 10, have a higher range.
Suspension
– The front suspension SunTour NEX seems to be a basic system with 63 mm travel. Regardless, the suspension is much better than what is seen in cheaper models and offers enough comfort to absorb small bumps and occasional off-road terrains.
– I like that the suspension offers a locking system, so you can ride the bike without wasting pedal energy going uphill, which translates to motor and battery efficiency. In addition, it has a rebound mechanism that can be adjusted based on your weight.
Controller
– The bike is controlled by a Bafang controller and operated with a thumb control. As this is a 2023 model, the controller is one of the latest the manufacturer has provided.
– With the LCD display, you can read your maximum speed, distance traveled, battery level, and PAS you are riding.
– I found it quite helpful to know my calculated range based on the battery charge and PAS used. As mentioned, the range would be between 35 and 75 km.
What Could be Improved – Cons
– One thing that I noticed from the motor was giving an extra push when stopping pedaling. I’m not entirely sure why this was the case, but I guess the motor takes a millisecond to disengage and then goes into freewheel. I don’t think this is concerning as long as you know it will happen.
– Considering this XDS e-bike has been fitted with high-end components, it would’ve been great to have front and rear lights connected to the battery.
– Even though the tyres (26″ x 2′) are from a well-known manufacturer, Kendra, they could have been slightly thicker for added comfort and grip.
Safety features
– The manufacturer has installed Tektro hydraulic brakes with 160 mm rotors, which is typical for commuter electric bikes.
– Instead of adding a front and rear light connected to the battery, the brand installed reflectors, which, in my opinion, is not enough; however, you will not be completely unnoticed.
– Lastly, I think that having the motor cut off at 25 km/h provides a level of safety for inexperienced riders and pedestrians.
Would I Buy This XDS e-Bike?
This electric bike offers excellent features considering the tag price I found in some bike stores in Melbourne. I loved seeing the components used here were from well-known manufacturers such as Bafang, Shimano, and Tektro.
I was impressed with the smoothness of the ride and the assistance provided by the mortar. Also, I liked how comfortable it was to jump in and out of the e-bike with its step-thru frame. This could be ideal for women.
Another point that I found interesting was the LCD display fitted, which was very intuitive and easy to read even during a very bright day. Adding more about the controller, I liked the possibility of knowing my estimated range based on battery usage.
Last but not least, the price. As I mentioned in my review, I think the price of this low-step electric bike is affordable when considering the fitted components.
Compared to other commuter electric bikes that offer similar quality in components, the XDS e-Spresso S2 e-bike would be a good value for money investment.
