Apollo Electric Bike Review: Apollo Vs Aventon Vs Himiway?

An Introduction to Apollo E-Bikes

It is no easy thing to wade through the crowded e-bike market, with powerhouses like Aventon and Himiway stealing the spotlight. But for the more refined rider in search of an appealing combination of elegant design, tech-savvy features, and a luxurious ride, Apollo has now become a name to be taken seriously. Our review is designed to filter out the white noise and deliver a concise, candid discussion on the most important aspects to consider when it comes to Apollo electric bikes. We take a deep dive into their product range, put them to the test as a user, and answer all the important questions that may go through your head when you’re close to making your purchase, ultimately assisting you in deciding whether or not an Apollo e-bike is the perfect travel buddy for your adventures.

Apollo gives you a select range of electric bicycles that are all-purpose built to be ridden and have a purpose in your life. They have organized their roster to offer a clear path that doesn’t get bogged down with confusing models, such as can be found with certain other brands. Here is a total of what they are currently offering on their products:

Apollo Product Roster

Apollo V1
Apollo V2
Apollo Air series
Apollo Phantom series
Apollo Ghost series
Apollo Pro series

Putting Apollo's Hero Products to the Test

If you want to know a brand, try its hero product. We spent a lot of time with two of Apollo’s most popular models: the Apollo Air, built for inner-city commuting and providing a lightweight, portable ride, and the Apollo Phantom, a more rugged and raw ride for any enthusiast who wants power and performance. The experience was illuminating.

Flying through the city is what the Apollo Air does best. The bike is so, so light and nimble, not just in its physical weight but in how it is ridden. Its responsive, effortless steering lends the driver confidence to weave through traffic and maneuver tight corners. Its hub motor’s power delivery is smooth, smooth, smooth; there’s no surging, jerky acceleration that can make a rider feel like they’re coming unhinged. Instead of a jolt, the pedal assist turns on softly and gradually, seeming like an extension of your own effort, but more. The cockpit is a clean, low-fi environment with a bright and easy-to-read display that quickly gives you the information you need but doesn't distract. With its ergonomic handle grips and comfortable saddle, long commutes became a pleasure as normal pressure points were relieved. Every aspect here, from how the battery is stylishly integrated into the frame to the real, satisfying click of the gear shifters, is a testament to the high level of build quality and consideration of the end user.

Riding the Apollo Phantom is something else, but in a good way. No commuter special, this electric bike is for the rider who wants nothing less than a burst of power and the ability to blast across terrain. The change in twist can be felt right away. On mountain climbs where the Air would need a nudge more from the rider, the Phantom shoots up with confident authority. The two motors deliver an exhilarating burst of forward thrust that is both powerful and easy to dial into, courtesy of a finely tuned controller. Riders needn’t worry, however; the full suspension system is an absolute game-changer, turning bumpy roads and rough patches of dirt into a silky, swooping joyride. You don’t just see the bumps; you feel the suspension actively sucking them up, keeping you stable and composed. The disc brakes are also hydraulic, offering an incredible amount of all-weather stopping power and inspiring a lot of confidence, especially if you’re riding at speed. The wider tires provide better traction on all pavement or loose surfaces. These two comments give you just an idea of what the Phantom is all about. It's a bike that feels like it boasts a supreme capability and superior performance, something crafted not only to get you where you're going but to make the drive there something of an ecstatic event.

The Apollo Ownership Experience: Quality and Support

And, of course, a savvy shopping decision lives above and beyond the initial test ride. Potential buyers are absolutely right to worry about the long run in an ownership experience, and that’s where the rubber meets the road for a brand. Apollo’s dedication to quality is apparent as soon as you crack the box on the bike. It's well packaged and protected. It's surprisingly simple to build for such a complex vehicle. The instructions are straightforward and most things you will need are pre-installed, so even the least experienced will have a bike ready to ride in under an hour with a set of basic tools.

The build quality itself is very much a selling point. The build quality on aluminum models is good – the welding on the frames looks nice and consistent, and the bike feels firm and solid as a result. The paint job seems to be deep and strong, indicating that it won't be too susceptible to the scuffs and scratches of everyday use. Besides the actual product, Apollo has built up a name for good customer service. Their online information is extensive, and their customer support is typically quite responsive and helpful for all warranty claims and tech questions. This after-sales support is a major addition and allows you to know that your purchase is covered. What’s more, the brand’s emphasis on sourcing high-quality – and non-proprietary – components for products like shifters, brakes, and chains, for example, makes their Apollo electric bike particularly easy to maintain long-term, guaranteeing that your trusty steed remains just that for many years to come. This end-to-end dedication, from design and materials to customer service and maintenance, is what makes Apollo not just a company that sells a great product, but one that stands behind that product and provides a truly valuable ownership experience.

How Apollo Stacks Up Against the Competition

But in the midst of such a healthy field at the top end of the market, especially when it comes to the fast-developing field of urban, commute-orientated riding and more refined performance, it’s been impossible to ignore the great leaps and ambitions being made by a few other forward-thinking brands. One torrid concept that has been winning the hearts of several discerning riders is ENGWE with its model P275 SE. This e-bike stands out with its great ride-feel and intelligent technology. At the heart of it is a high-end torque sensor that provides for an extremely intuitive and comfortable riding experience. Driven by ENGWE's innovative E-SATS (Smart Axle Torque System), the system responds to pedal pressure in a nominal 50 milliseconds, a lag time that is barely perceptible even to discerning riders and gives the impression of having the bike and motor act as one unit. But it also has a powerful 250W motor, compliant with road regulations, which provides powerful driving force and assists you to reach a top speed of 15.5mph and more than enough power to get you up those hills, seamlessly connected through a Shimano 7-Speed gear system. Range is the name of the game for city riders, and the P275 SE boasts a 36V 13Ah removable battery that can reach up to 100km off a single charge. It is really comfortable to ride, with an upright seated Dutch-style position, ergonomic Swallow handlebar, and forgiving springs. Safety is well taken care of with these impressive hydraulic disc brakes that ensure you stop wherever and whenever in all situations. The P275 SE makes itself more than a ride; it’s a connected device with a smart app that pairs to the color display to share real-time data and navigation. For those looking for a modern and comfortable, yet high-performing city e-bike, the ENGWE P275 SE offers an attractive and fancy alternative and is a very modern approach for the city.

And to give you a clearer picture of how Apollo's own models compare with each other, I made the following comparison tables based on their most noticeable specs.

Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What are Apollo electric bikes like to ride in practice?

This is highly dependent on the model. The Apollo Air is brisk and business-like without throat-stomping dramatics. It’s great for city riding, offering enough boost to muscle up hills and take off quickly from a stop without being too intimidating. The Apollo Phantom, however, seems like it’s got real horses on tap. The twin motors kick in with a rush of acceleration that is exhilarating. Its ascent up any solid incline is literally without any work from the rider, and it is not a problem to maintain a solid pace. The power is tight, but it’s definitely there. The Pro series, on the other hand, pushes this to yet another level, matching the power of off-road specialty bikes. In other words, and as anybody who has ridden one can verify, an Apollo hits all the power right down to the specific targeted use of the bike, whether it's nice and helpful one moment, and downright spectacular the next!

What is the practical battery range of an Apollo e-bike?

The advertised distances are always in the best-case scenario (flat terrain, lowest pedal assist level, lighter rider). In our real-world testing, that pack provided a very respectable range. A rider could expect 75-85% of the max advertised range when using a combination of pedal assist levels while also satisfying range requirements on the city street with few hills. For the more powerful Apollo Phantom, which invites harder throttle application and higher assist levels, naturally, the range will be less. It has a bigger battery as well, but it's enough for long, adventurous rides, still. Your true range, as with any electric bike, is going to be most influenced by factors like your weight, the terrain, your average speed, and how much you rely on the motor versus your own pedaling.

Is it hard to put together an Apollo e-bike at home?

No, they are really easy to put together. This is out-of-the-box thinking, and Apollo has clearly spared some thought here! The bikes arrive mostly pre-assembled. There are only a few things left for the user to assemble such as the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and saddle. All the intricate and sensitive parts such as the drivetrain, motor, and brake system are pre-installed and adjusted in the factory. The instructions included are clear, with diagrams, and the company also offers its own video tutorials. Anyone with a minimal amount of mechanical knowledge can assemble it in 30 to 60 minutes. It’s a smart process and it eliminates one of the biggest anxieties of purchasing a bike online.

What is the ride comfort and ergonomics like overall against other brands?

Apollo is great at this, and its focus is honing in on the ride feel. The ergonomics feel intentional. The saddles are apt choices for their respective purposes — more comfort-oriented on the Air, more performance-minded on the Phantom. It has handlebar and stem configurations that produce a position where you don't feel like it's killing your back or wrists. There are also big differences in the suspension systems, where applicable. The suspension on the Phantom works really well, softening blows and keeping out the harsh feel that can lead to rider fatigue on a long day out. This attention to ride quality is what makes Apollo’s bikes feel more premium and comfortable than many competitors in their class.

What is the long-term value of the after-care service with Apollo?

This is one of Apollo’s most compelling features. The value lies in its premium components, sturdy build, and strong customer service. An Apollo bike feels as though it should be a long-term investment, not a consumable. The manufacturer provides a complete warranty that instills confidence in their engineering. They’ve built a solid reputation with customer service and are very easy to get in touch with and very helpful when it comes to working through warranty claims and even technical questions. This sort of support offers great peace of mind and means you will get many years of enjoyment from your bike, etching the initial cost as a very good value.

In the end, an Apollo electric bike is a carefully designed and attractive option for today's rider.