Update: In the video I said that the Bafang Ultra M620 motor does not have shift detection. As several commenters have noted, I got that wrong - the M620 does in fact have shift detection which will help reduce wear and tear on the drivetrain when shifting gears under load. One more thing: While the M620 is capable of 160 newton-meters of torque, on the LX (and all of SONDORS Elite mid-drive ebikes) it is limited to 95 newton-meters. Presumably this helps to reduce wear on the drivetrain and extend range, and it is more than enough torque for even the steepest of hill climbing.
Wow! So more torque is just snake oil that will shred drivetrains. That kinda changes the e-bike game. Shifts the focus to usability and features upgrades. Silence and smooth engage and disengage is worth many Nm.
Up your battery to 52 volts and you will notice I difference in power and plus thats what your gearsare for the more 1 to 1 gear ratio the most torque you will have at the expense of top speed and vise versa with the opposite gearing
THANK YOU! Finally a perfect review! I have been asking this a couple of times - maximum speed unlocked and more important - what kind of high cruise speed you can maintain and if you are not pedalling like crazy. I am sure others would also wants to know in reviews and you my friend did it! Great review! Only thing...the one hand cycling while holding camera... Please use a helmet camera. But great review and this bike is awesome. Hopefully we can order it in EU with all power unlockable in screen.
That’s a good looking bike! I like how the back light are integrated in the lower part of the frame. Very futuristic or artistic look. I like the increased battery and motor power. I think it’s a big change from their first bike. I got to find a bike shop near my house on Fort Lauderdale Florida to help maintain it.
I like the rear lights too, neat custom design that sets it apart. The Electric Bike Company did something similar on their cruiser models but it's more external than this.
I am love with this bike mine is a black one after I paid somebody to put it together for me I did paid $80 and after 3 days of riding I paid for a flat tire $150 in Margate Florida local shop, so I am going to buy the the Tanus Armor insert pretty heavy bike, not so good experience with the flat tire I have to put it in the back of my Ford Escape.
@@brianreisbeck6592 Tannus website I believe is a waiting list just subscribe. I did put in my tires the mt tuffy liner and the tannus armor little heavy and more resisted, but I feel comfortable and confident riding
Great review! Calling it an SUV gives a good sense of how it feels to ride this size ebike. I love my Sondors Smart Step. Its my "Lincoln Aviator" to this "Navigator". People see it and love it; my friends who ride it, want one.
I wish there was an easy "unlock" of Sondors controller. If they used the Bafang M620 to its full potential it would lower its range but would be a power monster for sure. Look at the Luna X1 for example
Blows my mind how many ebike companies are out there these days...Equally blows my mind that all of them seem to be killing it and always sold out... Would think the industry would be hyper saturated..but yet still new companies popping up..
There are a ton of them but ebikes are still a tiny segment compared to regular bicycles. I travel a lot and 90% of the people I meet have have never tried an ebike and know little or none about them. That's steadily changing though, it's great to see :D
That LX seems like a perfect candidate for an IGH with a Gates belt drive, and a new controller to unlock the real power of that Bafang. But definitely a cool bike for the price! Good review... very thorough! And if anyone is in SoCal, there is a bike sales/rental shop in Ventura (Ventura Beach Ebike) and all they sell/rent is Sondors. The owner told me the other day he has one LX in stock as a demo bike if you want to check it out.
With the wheel width and spoke size you would have to try to find an igh made for fat bikes. Ive heard of someone who had those.... i think... but i think it was specifically made for gas bikes for use with schwinn chopper bikes. And i think it was limited to the three speed and i think it was a sturmy archer hub. But who knows what is out there now. Its certainly set up for it because the chainstay is so high slung.
3 роки тому+17
You should have a chest mount to the camera. The content is amazing but it's kind of annoying all that camera moving...
I ordered this bike in September. Waited 6 months. Had to cancel it one week away from my ship date when it became apparent the bike was larger than Sondors stated. Wish this thing was just a few inches shorter, I'd be enjoying it right now. Great reviews as always 👍👍
Sad news, but I'm glad you were able to cancel it before the ship date at least! I Think SONDORS does the "restocking fee" on returns like most manufacturers do. Also your profile pic looks familiar, think I recognize you from our forums :D
@@TysonRoehrkasse yes I definitely got lucky with the timing. I mean if I waited a day or so to cancel it could have been too late. And yes I am a regular on EBR. We have spoken a few times before. Look forward to the next review.
@@chrisvoorhies7040 check out electricbikereview.com. They have awesome write ups with all specs and dimensions for hundreds of bikes. You'll find what you're looking for there
Tyson, you’ve done it again! Another awesome review in less than a week! How are you able to crank out so much quality so quickly? Thank you so much, Tyson!
He's doing awesome, right! Also happens to be traveling and doing some programming updates for the site. I keep telling him to stay balanced and go at a pace that works, he's just killing it lately! Feeling thankful :)
Nicely done, awaiting your review of the Sondors Cruiser, have one on order due in June. Already have the XS and love it, nice job on that review too. Thanks.
Thx for review! Sondors repeatedly promised me custom FENDERS for the LX wd be available by October 2020. They’ve also continued to claim a 65 lb LX WEIGHT-while it’s closer to 90 lbs. Sondors’ delivery DATEs-at least for This model, have been late by 2+ months.
Thanks so much for the thorough review...I can't wait for mine in June!!! Supposedly the motor cuts off in between shifts. It should have a speed sensor too (as can be seen on the rear wheel).
I heard about the shift detection for some other folks too, didn't know the Ultra motor had it but that's good to know! A great feature for such a powerful motor, should help prolong the life of the drivetrain.
Wow what a beast! I have the Mxs and I love it- I would have bought this but 2 things - when that mid drive has problems? Who will repair it? Can you repair it? How much for a new one ? Who would instal it? Ok -I would likely never leave this locked up but.. what happens if you pull the battery and then it rains? Don’t get me wrong I want it anyway- but when my hub motor blows up it’s $250 and any bike shop could relace the wheel-
Great questions! The Ultra motor has a reputation for being durable and long-lasting, but of course any motor could have problems. Bafang mid-drives are much easier to repair or replace than some of the other brands out there, but it does still require some expertise. Still, it's likely the motor itself will long outlast the other components on the LX. Especially since the controller they are using is very underpowered compared to what the Ultra is capable of handling. Rain on the frame battery connections isn't ideal... but as long as you allow it to dry out completely and don't let it happen often it shouldn't cause problems. I definitely wouldn't want to leave it locked up either though, even without the battery I imagine it would be an attractive bike for thieves :(
They are extremely simple and I recommend when getting one opening it up and putting some good quality grease and it will have nylon gears or metal gears and keep in mide that it will get hot probably around 100 to 130 degrees depending on amps
when you have a chance to review a sondors cruiser would be very interested in a compare contrast to the LX and any thoughts / opinions on the relative strengths of the two bikes.
I too would like to see a review of the new Sonders Cruiser. You did a wonderful job with your review the the Sonders LX. Since they are so similar, maybe a "comparison and contrast" between the LX vs Cruiser.
As a photographer I'll add that the flicker on the display is only due to the way the camera reads it. It is continuous at all brightness settings to the eye.
This bike looks amazing and I have been looking for a new bike for months, checking as many reviews as I can each night. Unfortunately I am still broke! Another great bike that I cannot afford right now.
Would you recommend this bike over the Aventure Aventon ? The LX has a bigger battery and tires. The LX also has the M620 and is programmable up to 35 mph.
It depends on what you're doing. For more off-roading and adventure riding I'd take the LX, but for city riding and commuting utility I'd go with the Aventure since it has lights, rack, fenders, etc. Keep in mind I haven't actually ridden the Aventure yet... so just speculating here :)
Nice thorough review.All gained some knowledge about mid drives.For my use,mainly neighbor and city riding on paved roads a mid drive looks like to much messing around with shifting gears. Hub drive and cadence much easier to live with for me anyways.
I have heard this as well, it seems they plan to have some but they aren't available yet. There's no telling when they might be in stock, and SONDORS has a reputation for most of their accessories and parts being out of stock... so hopefully they are able to adjust and increase inventory levels! I imagine accessories for the LX will be very popular.
Great review👍 I bought the original Sonders fold about four years ago still going strong, I might buy one of these though I love the look I like the new madmods also but not really for me
I'm so stoked to try out the Madmods, I love the minibike style even though I am too tall and look ridiculous on them. I rode the Super73 RX a couple weeks ago and it was a blast.
you mentioned that the torque sensor detects increases in torque and responds very quickly with an increase in power supplied. Does it also detect decreases in torque and respond quickly with a decrease in power supplied?
I think it's been about a year and a half and still no LX delivery. I couldn't wait any longer and bought a Juiced Ripcurrent. I have not cancelled the order. I assume the LX would be superior but not really budgeted to buy another ebike. Not sure what to do.
I ordered the Cruiser version scheduled for August but it's anything but a cruiser of what we think of as cruiser. The Cruiser uses 27.5 wheels x 3" tires. I think the LX should have been called the Cruiser with the fat tires and the Cruiser should have been called Little Brother with 3" tires and 10 or more pounds lighter which will make it a bit more agile for off road riding, IMO. A suggestion, you really need to use an action camera that can be fit on your helmet or chest strap to test a bike of any sort but especially an electric bike. Using one hand won't allow you to properly test a bikes agility or ability as it impedes your physical agility and balance using one hand holding a camera.
Thank you for the suggestion! I do have a chest mount, but I sometimes don't use it because it limits my ability to show different angles, and when the seating angle is more forward I find the camera points down at the ground too much. I think I'm going to get a different chest mount that will let me swivel the camera angle up higher and that will help out! Riding with one hand does limit what I can do, but I do spend time riding with two hands off-camera before I start filming. I've also spent a lot of time riding with one or no hands over the years, and I like knowing how the bike handles in those scenarios.
@@TysonRoehrkasse Don't get me wrong, your reviews are spot on, fair and I did notice you had no problem doing a tight circle one handed on a heavy e-bike. I think you may want to state that you spend time on the bike off camera testing and experiencing the bike beforehand. Thanks! I was also happy to hear the geo lends itself to a bit of lean forward. I'm not really into aero position nor upright straight back position.
@@MrBobswire Thanks! It does feel like a good seating position, if I owned one I'd want to swap out the handlebars for something a bit wider and then it would be awesome!
Is EBR going to be able to get your hand on the new Sondors Full Suspension Rockstar? We are all waiting for EBR's opinion and review of this Sondors E-bike. I bought a Sondors MXS because of your EBR review..
How would you compare the sondors lx to the adventon adventurer? Is the $600 extra price tag worth it? One question, I'm 6' the frame seems small. I noticed you have the seat all the way up. Is the bike too small for tall people? What about you know off-road steep trails grassy hills? Do you think it would have enough suspension for some site hi'll climbin and off-roads
I've owned both bikes. I say the adventure is 90% as good as the lx with less maintenance issues due to it being a hub drive motor. had to return my lx when the motor failed after only about 50 miles. wire may have been pinched. the lx are known to have alot of issues.
I own this bike it does have shift sensors which nicely give momentary cuts to the motor output even if I am throttle open pedaling moderately It clearly smooths the shift similar to a slipper clutch or quick shifter on my motorcycle 👍 cheers
That explains the clunky shifting he commented on.... I think a thumb shifter would help the shifting as well they only cost about $20.00 and are easy to install. 😃
👍👍 great review. Interesting bike from Sondors. I think Rad Power Bikes needs to develop a mid drive at a competitive price. Sondors , Biktrix and Ariel Rider all have competitive DTC products but in my opinion Rad is the leader in customer support.
They lead in support but are being left behind because better quality products are being offered. More range is important, who wants to go out for a ride and have to worry if there's enough battery to get you back to where you started from. More power for climbing steep grades and being able to go a little bit faster if you want to And most importantly something that looks alot better than an outdated Plain Jane design.
I appreciate the positive feedback, I don't really want to have negative things to say about Rad, I know that they are going to continue to have a large share of the market. I'm just asking the question as to why they don't go forward with something that can compete with with the stuff that is out there now.
Hi David! Yes, I really want to cover their ebikes... I just haven't seen them in Canada lately and haven't been down to the US due to COVID restrictions. Hopefully soon...
I don't think so... That's one thing about the frame here, it's pretty unique and the hub spacing is quite wide. You could probably downsize the tires a bit or switch to slicks for better efficiency on pavement, but you might be better off looking at the SONDORS Cruiser, it has a more comfortable geometry and smaller tires :)
@@godlovesyou7981 The shop I'm working with has some on order, not sure when it might arrive but I think they were hoping to get it within a month. Fingers crossed!
It's a beautiful mid drive Open step bike for such a low price with a beefy battery. Quite a nice look to it. I'd love to have one and custom install a Veltop upright attachment on it as where I ride it rains a lot and I actually enjoy riding in rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. For me I would add extra batteries as I enjoy longer rides. A 1 kw battery is not enough for me I would need probably 2 kw of batteries.
I haven't seen those Veltops before, great product! SONDORS charges surprisingly low prices for replacement batteries, only $460 for an LX battery... but they're sold out and who knows when they might be back in stock :/
@@TysonRoehrkasse I have had a Veltop Classic custom mounted on a RadRover it was kind hard getting on the bike. I had to improvised to custom mount it not a perfect solution. The fiberglass rods holding the upper canvas cover broke a lot so I bought some stainless steel whip antennas and cut them to the right lengths and used them instead and they not only were better but made a improvised flopilator for the ebike and stabilized the windshield so it wouldn't flop forwards and back. It was a solution that worked. Riding thousands of miles on it was like riding in the rain in a convertible car with the top covering you. I did have to get and wear some leg gaiters in addition so my legs wouldn't get wet from road spray but other than that it worked even in heavy downpour rain.
@@m9078jk3 Great job improving on the design! It doesn't rain very much here in northern CO, and when it does it's usually a matter of waiting it out for a few hours... but I've always wondered what I would do if I lived in a more rainy area. I visited Seattle a few years ago and it rained every day I was there!
I can, and I do have a chest mount that I use sometimes... but the handheld gives me so much more flexibility for showing different angles and talking to the camera. I've been riding a long time and feel quite comfortable with it, but I do need to improve some of my camera work to make it a bit more smooth and enjoyable to watch!
Yes, it's been a long wait for everyone so far. something like 8 or 9 months is probably the average for the original orders. Mine is supposed to be shipping in 3 weeks.
The startup response on the tq sensor is probably intentionally delayed so it doesn't send people off the back haha. Nice part about these bafang is you can tweak everything if you get the usb hookup. That's still true right? They don't lock them out or something?
As far as I know, yes! SONDORS is one of the most popular brands for modding, so I don't think they would alienate their fanbase by locking things down with proprietary configuration.
Thats a very interesting sondors product. Even with its inadequacies its a good deal for 2k. Definitely needs fenders. Needs a rack and it looks like they almost designed it intentionally to prevent someone from using a chain to lock it up.
Not a chain worth using, at least not easily. The whole frame is open meaning that an chain can slip right off the frame if someone has the tools to remove the stem and can do it rather quickly. The only relatively straightforward way of using a chain on this is to use two locks. One to anchor the bike, and one to cinch the chain tight around the bike between the motor bulge and the rear wheel. Or similarly using a chain and a large ulock if you can find one thats worth using and is large enough to fit over that gap in the frame, you loop the chain around the anchor point and then lock the ends in the ulock. Again without a large ulock, if you have a long enough chain, you can loop it throuh the anchor and wrap the ends around the gap in the frame and lock the ends together such that they can be slacked out to slide over the motor bulge. It can be done but it would be a real PITA if you have to lock it up on the regular. A cable might be easier but less secure. The cruiser model like this has a slightly different fram with a more standard rear triangle that would seem to allow a secure lock up. But it also looks as if they put a gate in the right hand side of the rear triangle to allow the possible install of a belt drive. The LX shown here has a really high slung chainstay that allows for a belt to be installed without a gate for it.
Thanks Dustin! Rockstar review is on the way... whenever I can get my hands on one. The shop I'm working with has a few on order but has yet to receive them.
hey , i love your bike reviews and all your other vlog videos, anyways i have a question , what happens if my fat tire e bikes motor stops working , is it ok to use kits ? whats your thoughts ? also what if i decide to use it as a normal bike and put normal wheels on it and take the eletronics off ? etc
In theory, 35mph if you set it to that in the display. It's going to be hard to hit that speed unless you're on flat pavement with a full battery, though. 30mph is probably a more realistic top speed for the throttle but of course that will still depend on riding conditions :)
Nice looking bike. Kinda wish Sondors would use the Cruiser frame for this instead. I hope they'll be offering a rear rack and fenders for it soon. I'm looking for a city bike for doing errands etc. And I'm more than willing to give up a little response time for the 750W over the 250W from Bosch and Yamaha.
You can set it to 35mph in the display settings and it's doable, but you'll need to pedal to maintain it. On flat ground you could do that on the throttle when the battery is full.
I'm sure you can from some company. I'm also sure you're going to pay through the nose cuz this bike just says, steal me please. I just saw this video today and checked into the bike and it's now $2,800+ and shipping in February. I don't think so
Not a chance, these bikes are known to be BIG bikes for big people. The feedback from owners is that Sondors may have miscalculated slightly on the engineering making too big of a bike for normal sized people. While its a step through, the seat height tends to be high if you want any decent leg extension. Pull up to a stop sign and the question is will you be able to touch the ground ? Should be perfect for you and guys like us ( I'm 6'2") should probably count ourselves lucky to have this. Mine arrives in August. Note, the Rockstar is even higher !
30" stepover, don't think so may 15". Also suggest if you are going to continue to do reviews to get a camera setup so you can ride with both hands. Also to note on the current price as of 3-17-2022 its on their site for $2999.00 a 999.00 increase in price for this review. It still represents a good value considering that e-bikes have gone up in price over the last year as equipped it is a good value.
Nice bike ! Nice price ! No u lock for this beast!! Same with LECTRIC XP same cells LG Which I love!! And somehow a car shock absorber for seat post!! 🚴♂️🚴♂️🤙🤙🤙😎
Update: In the video I said that the Bafang Ultra M620 motor does not have shift detection. As several commenters have noted, I got that wrong - the M620 does in fact have shift detection which will help reduce wear and tear on the drivetrain when shifting gears under load.
One more thing: While the M620 is capable of 160 newton-meters of torque, on the LX (and all of SONDORS Elite mid-drive ebikes) it is limited to 95 newton-meters. Presumably this helps to reduce wear on the drivetrain and extend range, and it is more than enough torque for even the steepest of hill climbing.
ok awesome! i was just about to post this
Wow! So more torque is just snake oil that will shred drivetrains. That kinda changes the e-bike game.
Shifts the focus to usability and features upgrades. Silence and smooth engage and disengage is worth many Nm.
Long term owners say the Bafeng motors aren't built that well.
Up your battery to 52 volts and you will notice I difference in power and plus thats what your gearsare for the more 1 to 1 gear ratio the most torque you will have at the expense of top speed and vise versa with the opposite gearing
My favorite e bike after searching for hundreds of e bikes.
great video you said everything about the bike is A unique looking bike the SUV of ebikes right now on the market, worth of waiting 8 months
Nice to see mid drive bikes at a price I can afford.
I Got my Bosch December with only 30 miles on it for £900 the current Retail is £1900 👿
@@SuperiorNo1 nice , i`ve never tried a mid drive, still on the rear hub motors
THANK YOU!
Finally a perfect review!
I have been asking this a couple of times
- maximum speed unlocked
and more important
- what kind of high cruise speed you can maintain and if you are not pedalling like crazy.
I am sure others would also wants to know in reviews and you my friend did it!
Great review!
Only thing...the one hand cycling while holding camera...
Please use a helmet camera.
But great review and this bike is awesome.
Hopefully we can order it in EU with all power unlockable in screen.
That’s a good looking bike! I like how the back light are integrated in the lower part of the frame. Very futuristic or artistic look. I like the increased battery and motor power. I think it’s a big change from their first bike. I got to find a bike shop near my house on Fort Lauderdale Florida to help maintain it.
I like the rear lights too, neat custom design that sets it apart. The Electric Bike Company did something similar on their cruiser models but it's more external than this.
I am love with this bike mine is a black one after I paid somebody to put it together for me I did paid $80 and after 3 days of riding I paid for a flat tire $150 in Margate Florida local shop, so I am going to buy the the Tanus Armor insert pretty heavy bike, not so good experience with the flat tire I have to put it in the back of my Ford Escape.
@@duanim1 So you found a Tannus Armor model that works with these big 26x4.9 tires? I couldn't find one on amazon. Do you have a link?
@@brianreisbeck6592 Tannus website I believe is a waiting list just subscribe. I did put in my tires the mt tuffy liner and the tannus armor little heavy and more resisted, but I feel comfortable and confident riding
Great review! Calling it an SUV gives a good sense of how it feels to ride this size ebike. I love my Sondors Smart Step. Its my "Lincoln Aviator" to this "Navigator". People see it and love it; my friends who ride it, want one.
That's a great comparison! Smart Step is a great ebike, I haven't seen many full size folders like it.
Best reviewer this channels had. Condors is a great deal
I hope there is a way to "unlock" this Sondors version of this Bafang mid-drive. Really excellent and detailed review here. Cheers.
I wish there was an easy "unlock" of Sondors controller. If they used the Bafang M620 to its full potential it would lower its range but would be a power monster for sure. Look at the Luna X1 for example
Blows my mind how many ebike companies are out there these days...Equally blows my mind that all of them seem to be killing it and always sold out... Would think the industry would be hyper saturated..but yet still new companies popping up..
There are a ton of them but ebikes are still a tiny segment compared to regular bicycles. I travel a lot and 90% of the people I meet have have never tried an ebike and know little or none about them. That's steadily changing though, it's great to see :D
There is still lots of room for improvement in the e-bike market but there are some huge strides being made.
Great review of a great bike! If I were a bigger person, this bike, with fenders, would be highly desirable at this price point.
That LX seems like a perfect candidate for an IGH with a Gates belt drive, and a new controller to unlock the real power of that Bafang. But definitely a cool bike for the price! Good review... very thorough! And if anyone is in SoCal, there is a bike sales/rental shop in Ventura (Ventura Beach Ebike) and all they sell/rent is Sondors. The owner told me the other day he has one LX in stock as a demo bike if you want to check it out.
With the wheel width and spoke size you would have to try to find an igh made for fat bikes. Ive heard of someone who had those.... i think... but i think it was specifically made for gas bikes for use with schwinn chopper bikes. And i think it was limited to the three speed and i think it was a sturmy archer hub.
But who knows what is out there now. Its certainly set up for it because the chainstay is so high slung.
You should have a chest mount to the camera. The content is amazing but it's kind of annoying all that camera moving...
Great feedback, I'll mention this to Tyson. I got one for myself and we use image stabilization so hopefully future will be better :)
I ordered this bike in September. Waited 6 months. Had to cancel it one week away from my ship date when it became apparent the bike was larger than Sondors stated. Wish this thing was just a few inches shorter, I'd be enjoying it right now. Great reviews as always 👍👍
Sad news, but I'm glad you were able to cancel it before the ship date at least! I Think SONDORS does the "restocking fee" on returns like most manufacturers do. Also your profile pic looks familiar, think I recognize you from our forums :D
@@TysonRoehrkasse yes I definitely got lucky with the timing. I mean if I waited a day or so to cancel it could have been too late. And yes I am a regular on EBR. We have spoken a few times before. Look forward to the next review.
What's the overall length of the bike?
@@chrisvoorhies7040 check out electricbikereview.com. They have awesome write ups with all specs and dimensions for hundreds of bikes. You'll find what you're looking for there
Tyson, you’ve done it again! Another awesome review in less than a week! How are you able to crank out so much quality so quickly? Thank you so much, Tyson!
He's doing awesome, right! Also happens to be traveling and doing some programming updates for the site. I keep telling him to stay balanced and go at a pace that works, he's just killing it lately! Feeling thankful :)
money, if I had big bucks I'd crank em put too
Nicely done, awaiting your review of the Sondors Cruiser, have one on order due in June. Already have the XS and love it, nice job on that review too. Thanks.
Thanks Eric! Cruiser review coming soon, I should be filming it sometime next week :)
I was there 2 weeks ago to check out the Sondors - E BIKES USA had a great staff - super knowledgeable- can’t wait to pick mine up 🍻
That's great to hear! Thanks for the feedback ED!
Justification by faith
Another excellent review.
Thanks so much Ricky! Hope you had a great weekend :)
Thx for review! Sondors repeatedly promised me custom FENDERS for the LX wd be available by October 2020. They’ve also continued to claim a 65 lb LX WEIGHT-while it’s closer to 90 lbs. Sondors’ delivery DATEs-at least for This model, have been late by 2+ months.
So they were, but now they are here.
I miss riding an electric bike, its amazing how far they've come. happy riding!!
Thanks so much for the thorough review...I can't wait for mine in June!!!
Supposedly the motor cuts off in between shifts. It should have a speed sensor too (as can be seen on the rear wheel).
I heard about the shift detection for some other folks too, didn't know the Ultra motor had it but that's good to know! A great feature for such a powerful motor, should help prolong the life of the drivetrain.
The frame construction kinda reminds me of the hollyburn p5 scooter, has this rigid tough look
Great review, thank you. I bought one for myself. I can't wait for it but I will have to as mine is expected to arrive in of June 2021
Did you get the bike? How long have you been waiting?
@@keeferdog5617 I ordered an LX. I think its been a damn year and a half as I write this comment.
See my other post.
@@kenneth7197 I ordered in June for October delivery. Just got an email that said, it’s going to be here in late November. We’ll see…
Wow what a beast! I have the Mxs and I love it- I would have bought this but 2 things - when that mid drive has problems? Who will repair it? Can you repair it? How much for a new one ? Who would instal it?
Ok -I would likely never leave this locked up but.. what happens if you pull the battery and then it rains?
Don’t get me wrong I want it anyway- but when my hub motor blows up it’s $250 and any bike shop could relace the wheel-
Great questions! The Ultra motor has a reputation for being durable and long-lasting, but of course any motor could have problems. Bafang mid-drives are much easier to repair or replace than some of the other brands out there, but it does still require some expertise. Still, it's likely the motor itself will long outlast the other components on the LX. Especially since the controller they are using is very underpowered compared to what the Ultra is capable of handling.
Rain on the frame battery connections isn't ideal... but as long as you allow it to dry out completely and don't let it happen often it shouldn't cause problems. I definitely wouldn't want to leave it locked up either though, even without the battery I imagine it would be an attractive bike for thieves :(
They are extremely simple and I recommend when getting one opening it up and putting some good quality grease and it will have nylon gears or metal gears and keep in mide that it will get hot probably around 100 to 130 degrees depending on amps
How do you lock it up? There are no openings in the frame.
I just got one today. This bike is pretty fast. I was cruising around town with ease. Pretty nice bike. Now I want to get the Rockstar bike.
Hey Joe- How are you liking the LX?
@@keeferdog5617 ~~Hard to believe one just gets a bike & now wanting something else.
when you have a chance to review a sondors cruiser would be very interested in a compare contrast to the LX and any thoughts / opinions on the relative strengths of the two bikes.
I too would like to see a review of the new Sonders Cruiser.
You did a wonderful job with your review the the Sonders LX.
Since they are so similar, maybe a "comparison and contrast" between the LX vs Cruiser.
I like the cruisers handlebars better but the no front suspension seems like a deal breaker to me.
As a photographer I'll add that the flicker on the display is only due to the way the camera reads it. It is continuous at all brightness settings to the eye.
This bike looks amazing and I have been looking for a new bike for months, checking as many reviews as I can each night. Unfortunately I am still broke! Another great bike that I cannot afford right now.
Would you recommend this bike over the Aventure Aventon ? The LX has a bigger battery and tires. The LX also has the M620 and is programmable up to 35 mph.
It depends on what you're doing. For more off-roading and adventure riding I'd take the LX, but for city riding and commuting utility I'd go with the Aventure since it has lights, rack, fenders, etc. Keep in mind I haven't actually ridden the Aventure yet... so just speculating here :)
Great review. Waiting on delivery of a Rockstar and a Cruiser for the wife and I. Hopefully soon. The wait is killing us.
When did you make that order?
Nice thorough review.All gained some knowledge about mid drives.For my use,mainly neighbor and city riding on paved roads a mid drive looks like to much messing around with shifting gears. Hub drive and cadence much easier to live with for me anyways.
Excellent review!
Thanks for the positive feedback! That means a lot to us :D
They do offer or will offer a rack and Fender kit like they do with their other bikes I spoke with them on the phone.
I have heard this as well, it seems they plan to have some but they aren't available yet. There's no telling when they might be in stock, and SONDORS has a reputation for most of their accessories and parts being out of stock... so hopefully they are able to adjust and increase inventory levels! I imagine accessories for the LX will be very popular.
@@TysonRoehrkasse ~~Seems there are racks & accessories more ready on other e bikes.
Great review👍 I bought the original Sonders fold about four years ago still going strong, I might buy one of these though I love the look I like the new madmods also but not really for me
I'm so stoked to try out the Madmods, I love the minibike style even though I am too tall and look ridiculous on them. I rode the Super73 RX a couple weeks ago and it was a blast.
@@TysonRoehrkasse I might have a look at one
you mentioned that the torque sensor detects increases in torque and responds very quickly with an increase in power supplied. Does it also detect decreases in torque and respond quickly with a decrease in power supplied?
I think it's been about a year and a half and still no LX delivery.
I couldn't wait any longer and bought a Juiced Ripcurrent. I have not cancelled the order. I assume the LX would be superior but not really budgeted to buy another ebike. Not sure what to do.
I ordered the Cruiser version scheduled for August but it's anything but a cruiser of what we think of as cruiser. The Cruiser uses 27.5 wheels x 3" tires. I think the LX should have been called the Cruiser with the fat tires and the Cruiser should have been called Little Brother with 3" tires and 10 or more pounds lighter which will make it a bit more agile for off road riding, IMO. A suggestion, you really need to use an action camera that can be fit on your helmet or chest strap to test a bike of any sort but especially an electric bike. Using one hand won't allow you to properly test a bikes agility or ability as it impedes your physical agility and balance using one hand holding a camera.
Thank you for the suggestion! I do have a chest mount, but I sometimes don't use it because it limits my ability to show different angles, and when the seating angle is more forward I find the camera points down at the ground too much. I think I'm going to get a different chest mount that will let me swivel the camera angle up higher and that will help out!
Riding with one hand does limit what I can do, but I do spend time riding with two hands off-camera before I start filming. I've also spent a lot of time riding with one or no hands over the years, and I like knowing how the bike handles in those scenarios.
@@TysonRoehrkasse Don't get me wrong, your reviews are spot on, fair and I did notice you had no problem doing a tight circle one handed on a heavy e-bike. I think you may want to state that you spend time on the bike off camera testing and experiencing the bike beforehand. Thanks! I was also happy to hear the geo lends itself to a bit of lean forward. I'm not really into aero position nor upright straight back position.
@@MrBobswire Thanks! It does feel like a good seating position, if I owned one I'd want to swap out the handlebars for something a bit wider and then it would be awesome!
Do you think that you will be able to do a review on the Cruiser? I think that it would be great if you could.
Yes, just waiting for them to come in :) I'm traveling right now so I'm hoping it will be available to review when I get back to CO in early April.
You need a helmet mount for your GoPro when doing top speed test
Everyday i get a new favorate ebike, this my current, the price is really gr8 in comparison to many others of this style
I hear that! Every other bike I review I want to take home with me XD
nice review, Wut's in the battery again? at 6:10 ( 31650 ), at 7:10 ( marked with 18650 ).... Cheers
Whoops, 18650 is the correct one. Not sure where I got 31650 from...
Is EBR going to be able to get your hand on the new Sondors Full Suspension Rockstar? We are all waiting for EBR's opinion and review of this Sondors E-bike. I bought a Sondors MXS because of your EBR review..
Could you go tubeless with these tires?
I'm also in Colorado! Maybe a dumb question, but could this work as a mountain bike at all?
How would you compare the sondors lx to the adventon adventurer? Is the $600 extra price tag worth it? One question, I'm 6' the frame seems small. I noticed you have the seat all the way up. Is the bike too small for tall people? What about you know off-road steep trails grassy hills? Do you think it would have enough suspension for some site hi'll climbin and off-roads
I've owned both bikes. I say the adventure is 90% as good as the lx with less maintenance issues due to it being a hub drive motor. had to return my lx when the motor failed after only about 50 miles. wire may have been pinched. the lx are known to have alot of issues.
I own this bike it does have shift sensors which nicely give momentary cuts to the motor output even if I am throttle open pedaling moderately It clearly smooths the shift similar to a slipper clutch or quick shifter on my motorcycle 👍 cheers
That explains the clunky shifting he commented on.... I think a thumb shifter would help the shifting as well they only cost about $20.00 and are easy to install. 😃
👍👍 great review. Interesting bike from Sondors. I think Rad Power Bikes needs to develop a mid drive at a competitive price. Sondors , Biktrix and Ariel Rider all have competitive DTC products but in my opinion Rad is the leader in customer support.
They lead in support but are being left behind because better quality products are being offered. More range is important, who wants to go out for a ride and have to worry if there's enough battery to get you back to where you started from. More power for climbing steep grades and being able to go a little bit faster if you want to And most importantly something that looks alot better than an outdated Plain Jane design.
@@swiveler1973 I totally agree. I enjoy my Rad but my mid drive is my primary bike for long distance. Every thing you said is spot on.
I appreciate the positive feedback, I don't really want to have negative things to say about Rad, I know that they are going to continue to have a large share of the market. I'm just asking the question as to why they don't go forward with something that can compete with with the stuff that is out there now.
At what weight does a bicycle become a moped?
Speed over 30 mph, weight means nothing when it comes to categories
Great review guys! Just curious, would you ever consider reviewing the Brompton Electric?
Hi David! Yes, I really want to cover their ebikes... I just haven't seen them in Canada lately and haven't been down to the US due to COVID restrictions. Hopefully soon...
AFTER 6 LONG MONTHS.......MY LX DELIVERED TODAY!
Wow, that's exciting after such a long wait! I hope it works well and you have a blast riding!
Looks like $3000 on their website now. Hope I can find one to try. Thanks for the review.
Are mid-drives or hubs better for someone like me who mostly rides throttle only?
Mid drive in ever condition in my opinion
Are you going to add a 2nd battery to this model for a longer distance?
Was hoping for a throttle-only top speed run. If the controller is set to 35, will it do 30+ throttle only?
Unfortunately in Europe this category of e-bikes doesn't exist.You have to choose an e-bike with 250watt motor or an e-scooter.
The uk sucks when it comes to ebike regulations
hi....i have narrowed down to Sondors vs. Since...which would you get??? wendy
How can you lock 🔒 this bike up ?
Thanks for a great review. Does this bike have a walk mode?
Yes
Would it be possible to drill & install bolts into the front of the frame below the handlebars in order to mount a rack up front? Thanks
Is it possible to swap out for smaller tires? Like 27.5 x 3?
I don't think so... That's one thing about the frame here, it's pretty unique and the hub spacing is quite wide. You could probably downsize the tires a bit or switch to slicks for better efficiency on pavement, but you might be better off looking at the SONDORS Cruiser, it has a more comfortable geometry and smaller tires :)
Nice clean design, hope its as good as it looks
Have you tested a Noreen’s prime?
Have you tested a nireeka Prime by chance?
My Bafang Ultra on my Biktrix has shift detection
how come? can you explain or show me a video link
@@duanim1 Just google Bafang Ultra shift sensor, lots of bike use it with the sensor
@@duanim1 It briefly kills the power when you shift so it doent stress the chain/gears
Where's the snow?
Low Elevation i Guess 👿
Very cool bike!! 😎👍🏼👍🏼
Woah! LX Review!!!
It finally happened! Rockstar and Cruiser coming soon :D
@@TysonRoehrkasse Cool beans, I am interested also in the Madmods whenever they finally arrive as well. 😃
@@godlovesyou7981 The shop I'm working with has some on order, not sure when it might arrive but I think they were hoping to get it within a month. Fingers crossed!
@@TysonRoehrkasse Yeah, I always saw May shipping on those which usually means they will come in June.
yeah but how fast can it go without pedal assist?
It's a beautiful mid drive Open step bike for such a low price with a beefy battery. Quite a nice look to it. I'd love to have one and custom install a Veltop upright attachment on it as where I ride it rains a lot and I actually enjoy riding in rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. For me I would add extra batteries as I enjoy longer rides. A 1 kw battery is not enough for me I would need probably 2 kw of batteries.
I haven't seen those Veltops before, great product! SONDORS charges surprisingly low prices for replacement batteries, only $460 for an LX battery... but they're sold out and who knows when they might be back in stock :/
@@TysonRoehrkasse I have had a Veltop Classic custom mounted on a RadRover it was kind hard getting on the bike.
I had to improvised to custom mount it not a perfect solution.
The fiberglass rods holding the upper canvas cover broke a lot so I bought some stainless steel whip antennas and cut them to the right lengths and used them instead and they not only were better but made a improvised flopilator for the ebike and stabilized the windshield so it wouldn't flop forwards and back. It was a solution that worked.
Riding thousands of miles on it was like riding in the rain in a convertible car with the top covering you. I did have to get and wear some leg gaiters in addition so my legs wouldn't get wet from road spray but other than that it worked even in heavy downpour rain.
@@m9078jk3 Great job improving on the design! It doesn't rain very much here in northern CO, and when it does it's usually a matter of waiting it out for a few hours... but I've always wondered what I would do if I lived in a more rainy area. I visited Seattle a few years ago and it rained every day I was there!
@@TysonRoehrkasse Yeah I am not far from there .
I live in Tacoma just 40 miles south of Seattle
Does Tannus have a puncture protection model compatible with this kinda odd tire size?
26"x4.9" FAT TIRE
yep- I just bought the Tannus kit for my LX
why is it so hard to put mudguards and rack on a bike?
I still don't understand why you do these reviews one-handed. Can't you use a hands-free camera mount either on the helmet or a chest harness?
I can, and I do have a chest mount that I use sometimes... but the handheld gives me so much more flexibility for showing different angles and talking to the camera. I've been riding a long time and feel quite comfortable with it, but I do need to improve some of my camera work to make it a bit more smooth and enjoyable to watch!
Most of us are here for the product review, and some are here for the cinematography :D
Waiting on my Rockstar, few more weeks to go. Chomping at the bit, Sondor’s #6😎
It's been pins and needles for quite awhile for me also now, the anticipation is killing me.
@@swiveler1973 Just got my shipping notification!😃😎
That's great, it's been a long time coming, congratulations.
Yes, it's been a long wait for everyone so far. something like 8 or 9 months is probably the average for the original orders. Mine is supposed to be shipping in 3 weeks.
What's your recommendation Tannus or Slime or (insert another flat prevention method)
Slime works REALLY great, others well.....
Its a video where they test them, fix.a.flat was the worse, period.
The startup response on the tq sensor is probably intentionally delayed so it doesn't send people off the back haha. Nice part about these bafang is you can tweak everything if you get the usb hookup. That's still true right? They don't lock them out or something?
As far as I know, yes! SONDORS is one of the most popular brands for modding, so I don't think they would alienate their fanbase by locking things down with proprietary configuration.
Thats a very interesting sondors product. Even with its inadequacies its a good deal for 2k. Definitely needs fenders. Needs a rack and it looks like they almost designed it intentionally to prevent someone from using a chain to lock it up.
I think a chain will work on this ebike.
Not a chain worth using, at least not easily. The whole frame is open meaning that an chain can slip right off the frame if someone has the tools to remove the stem and can do it rather quickly. The only relatively straightforward way of using a chain on this is to use two locks. One to anchor the bike, and one to cinch the chain tight around the bike between the motor bulge and the rear wheel. Or similarly using a chain and a large ulock if you can find one thats worth using and is large enough to fit over that gap in the frame, you loop the chain around the anchor point and then lock the ends in the ulock. Again without a large ulock, if you have a long enough chain, you can loop it throuh the anchor and wrap the ends around the gap in the frame and lock the ends together such that they can be slacked out to slide over the motor bulge.
It can be done but it would be a real PITA if you have to lock it up on the regular.
A cable might be easier but less secure. The cruiser model like this has a slightly different fram with a more standard rear triangle that would seem to allow a secure lock up. But it also looks as if they put a gate in the right hand side of the rear triangle to allow the possible install of a belt drive. The LX shown here has a really high slung chainstay that allows for a belt to be installed without a gate for it.
Currently sells for 2999, nice review!
Looks like Bee Cool Bikes Pathfinder which cost only $1800.
size of frame....is it okay for tall riders berween 6.0-6.6"? and Sondors Cruiser?
Yes, I'm 6ft 3in and felt great on it. I haven't ridden the Cruiser so I can't say about that one.
Hi, I hope you will have a review of emmo ebikes specifically the wild or monta
Yea nice review for something we can’t have till end of summer ty
@@Gaire-xv6qh yea I went ahead with a biktrix ultra duo should be here by the end of the month
Could you review a Sondors Rockstar? Great review here BTW, I love the thorough content, reviews done right.
Thanks Dustin! Rockstar review is on the way... whenever I can get my hands on one. The shop I'm working with has a few on order but has yet to receive them.
The ship finally made it to port, they should be there this week or next.
@@Clockburner that is what I've been waiting to hear.
Beast
hey , i love your bike reviews and all your other vlog videos, anyways i have a question , what happens if my fat tire e bikes motor stops working , is it ok to use kits ? whats your thoughts ? also what if i decide to use it as a normal bike and put normal wheels on it and take the eletronics off ? etc
I don't think that you would want to pedal a 90 pound bike very far especially when going up hills.
Why can’t super 73 R’s be at least close to this price point?
What's top speed with throttle ?
In theory, 35mph if you set it to that in the display. It's going to be hard to hit that speed unless you're on flat pavement with a full battery, though. 30mph is probably a more realistic top speed for the throttle but of course that will still depend on riding conditions :)
@@TysonRoehrkasse nice just checking if the throttle was limited thru software like and the 35 only effected when pedalling like the juice bike
How do you feel the LX compares to sondors xs?
It's a solid upgrade. Much more powerful and higher quality components.
Nice looking bike. Kinda wish Sondors would use the Cruiser frame for this instead. I hope they'll be offering a rear rack and fenders for it soon. I'm looking for a city bike for doing errands etc.
And I'm more than willing to give up a little response time for the 750W over the 250W from Bosch and Yamaha.
Then why not just order a Cruiser?
@@swiveler1973 Because I like the front suspension, handlebars, wheels, tires, and seat of the LX better.
Fair enough, the Cruiser frame looks alot nicer.
Awesome we’re getting two yeah
What’s the max speed?
You can set it to 35mph in the display settings and it's doable, but you'll need to pedal to maintain it. On flat ground you could do that on the throttle when the battery is full.
Can you ride it without the motor on?
No
Does insurance cover theft because just locking it up seems a little scary
I'm sure you can from some company. I'm also sure you're going to pay through the nose cuz this bike just says, steal me please. I just saw this video today and checked into the bike and it's now $2,800+ and shipping in February. I don't think so
Great looking bike and I'm about to order. My main concern is that I'm 6'5"-230. Am I going to look like a circus bear riding this thing?
Not a chance, these bikes are known to be BIG bikes for big people. The feedback from owners is that Sondors may have miscalculated slightly on the engineering making too big of a bike for normal sized people. While its a step through, the seat height tends to be high if you want any decent leg extension. Pull up to a stop sign and the question is will you be able to touch the ground ? Should be perfect for you and guys like us ( I'm 6'2") should probably count ourselves lucky to have this. Mine arrives in August. Note, the Rockstar is even higher !
30" stepover, don't think so may 15". Also suggest if you are going to continue to do reviews to get a camera setup so you can ride with both hands.
Also to note on the current price as of 3-17-2022 its on their site for $2999.00 a 999.00 increase in price for this review. It still represents a good value considering that e-bikes have gone up in price over the last year as equipped it is a good value.
Nice bike ! Nice price !
No u lock for this beast!!
Same with LECTRIC XP same cells LG
Which I love!!
And somehow a car shock absorber for seat post!!
🚴♂️🚴♂️🤙🤙🤙😎
Yeah, locking up the LX will be difficult! I didn't think to mention that in the review, but looking at it now I have no idea how I would lock it up.
@@TysonRoehrkasse I use a heavy motorcycle chain and small u lock
I got them cheap at HARBOR FREIGHT
I see a lot of components shared with my beloved Sondors XS. This thing is a bad beast!
Yes, the two feel very similar! The LX is essentially the bigger, badder, next generation of the XS.
Amazing!!! I bought a "RINKMO 350W Electric Mountain Bike", super fast and very cheap...
How does the 48v compare to a 52v?
Feels about the same to me, I've spent a lot of time on various 52v models from Juiced Bikes. With 52v you get a bit more capacity.
if ill be honest think the cover needs to stay on the bike when you take out the battery. rain and snow will gunk up the insides so fast.
At 33 mph in 7th gear, what power assist level are you at?
I was at the highest, level 5. You could do it at lower levels but it would take some serious effort!