Bird Electric Bike Review: The Pros And Cons

A New Contender in Urban Mobility

When the very brand that transformed urban mobility with its kick scooters enters the electric bike game, you better take notice. Bird, a brand emblazoned across cityscapes around the world, has brought its ethos of convenient, tech-enabled transportation-from-the-future to the booming world of e-bikes. The bet for potential buyers isn’t just whether Bird can offer a good electric bike, but whether your ideal shopping list of design, functionality and who the user is for the product matches Bird’s design philosophy. This is not a review of any old e-bike; it’s a review of a mobility assumption. We take a serious dive into the Bird e-bikes world, the offerings, the ride and value propositions in the long run, so you can be clear: is this stylish commuter your most urban of paramours or not?

Bird has simplified its range of electric bikes to a central design-forward concept, sold mostly through variants in frame styles and legacy models. Their product system is what any buyer should know before purchase. This is a concise summary describing their primary e-bike offerings:

BirdBike Series

• BirdBike A-Frame
• BirdBike V-Frame

Unboxing and Aesthetics: A Tech-Inspired First Impression

The real heart of an electric bike review: The riding experience. For this review we are going to concentrate on their flagship range of BirdBikes: The A-Frame and V-Frame models. These are the brand's leaders and the bikes that they want you to be looking at! We’ll start with the experience of taking the bike out of the box, which already calls back to Bird’s tech-company origins. The packaging looks neat and organized and gives a premium feel, as if you are unboxing a premium, high-end phone. Assembly is quite simple for someone with rudimentary mechanical skill, although if you’re completely new to mechanical assembly, then you might want to schedule at least a good hour or two. Put together, the bike’s aesthetic is its strongest feature. The frame is minimalist and very sleek, with clean welds and almost full internal integration of wiring and electronics. The battery is integrated into an extended downtube offering the right structure for mounting the LCD display inside the handlebar stem. It’s a head-turner of a bike that looks more expensive than it is.

The Riding Experience: Smooth, Silent, and Stylish

Jumping on the A-Frame, the riding position is sporty yet relaxed, a good compromise for cruising around the city. The true magic happens once you actually start pedaling. The 500W Bafang rear hub motor delivers power with a nice smoothness yet with a bit of get up and go. You get no shock and awe, but you notice it, which is to say that a standstill acceleration at a traffic light is quick and easy. The Gates Carbon Belt Drive is the marquee feature of the ride. This is going to be transformative for city commuters. First of all, there’s the silence: no chain noise, just the soft whir of the motor and the telltale sound of the tires on the pavement. The ride itself is phenomenally smooth and direct. And with no greasy chain, you can ride in your work clothes without worrying about smudges and stains! The catch, of course, is that it’s single-speed. It’s great on flat city streets and slight hills. The motor does all the work for you. But on sustained, steep hills, you’ll notice the constraints of having just one gear, and your legs will have to work hard. The V-Frame is the same great drivetrain and motor spec as the ‘Step Through’ version. This serves as a great option for riders with above-mentioned mobility issues (or anyone who often wears dresses or skirts), and those who simply prefer swinging a leg through the frame instead of over the saddle. Braking is provided by Tektro mechanical disc brakes for confident stopping in all conditions on both bikes. "Way more modern city look than country cocktail-cabinet handle." The overall effect is one of slick, easy movement—a fitting instrument for navigating the modern city in style.

The Bird Philosophy: Who is This E-Bike For?

An enlightened buyer looks beyond the ride experience. And that's where the BirdBike's design philosophy finally makes real sense. Who is this bike for? It is stylish and absolutely meant for the urban commuter and is style-ridden all the way. It's not about plenty of gears or off-road ability; it's about low-maintenance slick shifting and elegant design. Proof of this is the Gates Carbon Belt Drive, which serves as a testament to that approach. Designed for tens of thousands of miles without any maintenance, zero lubrication and very little adjustment, it also eliminates one of the traditional bike’s bugaboos. That’s a huge plus for someone who just wants to hop right onto their electric bike and go, without having to fiddle with chain cleaning and lubing. And then there are the smart features the bike brings. The accompanying app integration enables things like a digital lock, ride history, and GPS tracking, and leans into Bird’s tech roots. This is an added level of security and seems to keep their users well engaged, something you don't see with many of the competitors. But the direct-to-consumer model also makes service and repairs something to think about. Bird does provide customer service, but you can’t just hit a corner Bird dealership to get some tuning up. Prospective buyers should be comfortable with doing some of the maintenance or have a local e-bike-friendly shop picked out that’s willing to work on direct-to-consumer brands. In the end, a BirdBike purchase is an investment in a certain lifestyle, where aesthetics are as important as function and technology marries with stone-simple maintenance for zipping around the city.

An Alternative for the Performance-Minded: ENGWE P275 SE

And although Bird’s low-tech, single-speed model works wonders for the audience it’s designed for, a lot of riders out there want more flexibility for inclines, longer distances, or maybe just a differently tuned ride. For this subset of buyers, looking at alternatives that emphasize performance and flexibility makes sense. This is where a name like ENGWE really comes into its own, especially for a bike like the P275 SE City E-Bike. If the BirdBike is a flag waver for simplicity, then the ENGWE P275 SE waves it for smart performance. The best thing going for it is its updated torque sensor. This system calculates your pedalling power to a pedalling force, and adds optimal motor support to the motor for a natural ride feel, giving you the balance and support you need to enjoy the ride. This is a level above the cadence sensors frequently seen at this price point, which can feel more abrupt at times. The P275 SE also solves the hill-climbing challenge of single-speed bikes by utilizing a proven SHIMANO 7-speed drivetrain that provides the range of gears to handle the climbing and to control your speed when descending. A powerful 250W brushless motor provides all the power you need, and front and rear hydraulic disc brakes guarantee that you have control no matter what weather you’re riding in. Moreover, worries about the battery life can be forgotten, with the high-capacity 36V 13Ah removable Li-ion battery offering a range of up to 100km! The Dutch style upright riding position and shock absorbing material of the saddle make it comfortable to ride while commuting great distances. For the rider who fancies the concept of a city e-bike but needs more gears, a less cadence-centric power delivery system, and the best range in class, the ENGWE P275 SE stands as a singularly compelling and spec-loaded competitor.

Bird Electric Bike Model Comparison

5 Questions About the Bird E-Bike, Answered

How easy or difficult is the BirdBike to assemble from the box?

They are overall easy to assemble for most, but not all. The bike arrives mostly pre-assembled. Usually you must install the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and seat. The package includes all the necessary tools and a nice manual. It should take about 45 minutes to an hour for someone who is decently handy. But if you’ve never put together a bike before, it could save you some trouble to see if there’s a tutorial video online or a friend who’s handy with tools to make sure everything is properly tightened so your wheels aren’t flying off.

How far can I travel on a full charge?

Bird claims a maximum range of approximately 50 miles. It should be noted that this estimate assumes ideal conditions: a lightweight rider, on flat terrain, with no wind, and the lowest level of pedal assist. In reality, your range will differ. Heavier riders who use the maximum assist consistently or ride in a hilly region may get closer to 25-35 miles of range. For city use, this is more than enough for a few days of riding before you have to plug it in.

Is it OK to ride the Bird electric bike in the rain?

Is the BirdBike waterproof? It usually is rated IP65, which means it is dust tight and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any direction. This means it is totally safe for you to ride in a light to moderate rain. But it doesn't claim to be waterproof. You’ll want to ensure that you don’t submerge the bike in deep puddles and never use a high pressure washer to clean it – this will force water past the seals and damage the electronic systems like the motor and battery. After a rainy ride it’s a good habit to wipe down the bike with a dry rag.

What about service and replacement parts?

This is an important consideration for any direct-to-consumer brand. And, Bird’s customer support is the first place you will go when problems arise. For proprietary replacement parts, such as the display or battery, you will need to go through Bird directly. For more common bike components that you can easily replace, like brake pads, tires, or tubes, you can buy these at any local bike shop. The main challenge is labor. Many local bike shops are more than willing to work on direct-to-consumer e-bikes, but it can be good to call and double check. It is a very smart thing for any e-bike owner to do: develop a relationship with a local e-bike mechanic (if you can find one).

Is the BirdBike strong enough to go up steep hills?

With a powerful 500W motor, it will feel like riding on flat ground on moderate hills. It also has a good kick to keep you moving up hills. But the single-speed drivetrain of the bicycle is its biggest handicap on very steep or long hills. Without lower gears, you’ll have to rely more on the motor and your own leg strength, as you can't shift to an easier gear. It’s great for cities with rolling hills. If you live in a city where the hills are brutal, you might find yourself missing a multi-gear system.

Bird electric bike is a monument to design and the ultimate accessory for any urbanite on the move with the least possible effort.