Dicks Electric Bike Review:Dicks Ebikes - Anyone Have One? If So, How Do You Like It?

When you begin your search for an electric bike, the number of online brands can be daunting. It is for this reason so many people trust a name they know: DICK'S Sporting Goods. The question you’re asking is a good one: are the e-bikes they sell any good, and what is the real-world experience like? You’re not only purchasing something, you’re in search of a dependable partner for your commute, weekend adventures or fitness goals. Cut through the noise with our review to get the valuable information you need to make an informed decision about DICK'S bikes from a rider’s perspective, to better help you decide if a DICK'S e-bike is what you need. We go deep on the models they have, what it’s like to ride it, and the important considerations to make before pulling the trigger.

DICK’S E-Bike Models

DICK’S Sporting Goods carries a limited number of electric bikes, with the majority coming from their house brand Nishiki and other well-known electric bike companies like GT and Schwinn, that make up the bulk of their e-bike department. The line is for the casual rider, whether you’re a commuter, or enjoy taking lighter trails. The following are the most prominent models and series you will often come across:

Nishiki Series:

• Nishiki Adult Escalante Electric Comfort Bike as low as $649.97 (regularly $999.99)
• Nishiki Men's Maricopa E-Road Bike
• Nishiki Women's Teton E-Mountain Bike
• Nishiki Men's Teton E-Mountain Bike

GT Series:

• GT Men’s ePantera Dash Electric Mountain Bike Key Features: What sets the ePantera Dash apart in its category is that GT used feedback it received from riders to execute this model.
• GT Adult Aggressor Go Electric Mountain Bike Review
• GT Adults La Bomba E Dirt Jump Bike

Schwinn Series:

• Schwinn Adult Marshall Electric Bike
• Schwinn Adult Coston CE 27.5'' Electric Hybrid Bike Step-Thru
• Schwinn Adult Mendocino 26'' Step-Thru Electric Cruiser Bike

Real-World Riding Experience

So to really get a sense of what these bikes can do, let’s get past the (admittedly very impressive) spec sheet and talk about how it is to ride them. We tested a couple of the most popular models that cater to different types of riding, with the Nishiki Escalante, for comfort and commuting, and the GT ePantera, for light trail and recreational use. The Nishiki’s Escalante’s upright, relaxed riding position is immediately apparent. Once you ease into the large, comfy seat, you know this bike is all about taking it easy and not trying to score a world speed record. The handlebars reach back so your arms naturally fall; they prevent stress on your shoulders and back. On the road, the 350W hub motor delivers a comfortable nudge but not an aggressive shove. It’s not an abrupt jump in speed; it’s more like a continuous tailwind that makes all the difference, particularly when taking off from a stop or climbing a steep sliver of an incline. The pedal assist is nothing short of easy to manage with the handlebar-mounted control and you can easily cycle through each level of assist according to your own preferred exertion levels. The ride is comfortable, and its 27.5-inch wheels and wide-ish tires handle small road imperfections well enough. You can certainly imagine this electric bike as the ideal grocery getter, or your leisurely option through the park, or just as a good, downright pleasant ride where, really, the destination doesn’t even matter.

It’s a whole different sensation on the ePantera Dash GT. This is a machine that yearns for just a little more adventure. Frame geometry that puts you in a more forward and aggressive riding stance to help you tackle the world of XC riding and racing. The front suspension fork is instantly noticeable as it compresses and rebounds as you ride on curbs and rough ground, instilling confidence in the ride. Down a dirt path or gravel trail, the Bafang 250W hub motor has the power to get you up or down the hill without all the sweat. You notice the power come on a bit more forcefully than on the Escalante, providing that welcome push to keep you chugging up a hill. Its knobbier tires provide great traction on loose surfaces, and the bike feels stable and planted. No, it’s not a high-end mountain bike for technical singletrack, but it’s damn capable for exploring fire roads, park paths, and getting away from pavement. It’s the sort of bike that expands your weekend possibilities for fun and gets you out further and exploring trails that you may have steered clear of on a non-electric bike. The result overall feels ruggedly solid, yet approachably fun.

The DICK'S Retail Experience: Pros and Cons

There are a few factors to consider before you commit to buying, and the total experience of ownership is as much of a consideration as the bike itself — that's where shopping with a retailer like DICK'S can offer some unique benefits. The first obvious advantage is having a physical location. Unlike online-only brands, you can typically visit a store and see the bike in real life, touch it and even sit on it to get a sense of the size and ergonomics. That experience can be invaluable. Another major plus is assembly. The idea of a bike showing up in a box, plus tools and technical know-how, is intimidating for many customers. DICK'S provides professional bike assembly that will have your new ride ready to go on day one. Just that fact alone is a great comfort. And warranty/support/returns? They are all much easier when there is a local store to visit. You can skip the process of shipping a big, heavy box back to a warehouse and confront customer service in person.

The component selection on these bicycles – like those from established players like Shimano and Bafang, are carefully curated for an optimal balance of performance and value, ideally paired for the intended rider – an entry-level rider, or a casual user or a family looking for dependable e-Bikes without the premium price point of the high-end specialty brands.

How Do They Compare to Other Brands?

But frankly, entry-level bikes like these can feel basic compared to the extremely high-end feeling offered by London’s fully integrated electronics brand Brompton with its stunning ELECTRIC folding bike with an electric motor, and more. It's worth knowing that bike brands that sell directly to consumers, like the diverse wheels of Rad Power Bikes or the whips of sun-drenched Super73, offer a HUGE step up in performance and technology, and those of us that are into the tech are going to love these powerful motor bikes. Case in point is the ENGWE P275 SE. This commuter e-bike is built for the daily grind. Its calling card is an improved torque sensor, resulting in a ride that is ultra-responsive and intuitive – more like an extension of your own pedal power rather than a bike that just does the work for you. It responds in the space of 50 milliseconds, delivering a beautifully smooth and linear acceleration, light years ahead of the simpler cadence sensors you get on many lower-budget e-bikes. Using ENGWE’s own E-SATS AI algorithm, this system does up to 50 dynamic calibrations per second, time after time, to make sure the pedal response is instant and accurate. Equipped with a large 36V 13Ah removable Lithium battery, the P275 SE provides an impressive maximum range of up to 100km with a single full charge, allowing you to take it further and go longer without ever worrying about running out of range. And the ride is made even better with a beautiful Dutch-style upright positioning for super comfort combined with powerful hydraulic disc brakes for safety no matter the weather and a pretty LCD display with App connectivity to keep your data connected while you cruise. From the shock-absorbing saddle to the Shimano 7-speed transmission, everything is specifically selected to ensure a premium and comfortable, yet highly efficient commuting vehicle.

The component selection on these bicycles – like those from established players like Shimano and Bafang, are carefully curated for an optimal balance of performance and value, ideally paired for the intended rider – an entry level rider, or a casual user or a family looking for a dependable e-Bikes without a premium price point of the high end specialty brands.

5 Questions That Users are Always Asking

Are the electric bicycles sold at DICK'S good for a beginner?

Absolutely. It's a strength, in fact. The models they stock, such as the Nishiki Escalante and Schwinn Marshall, are built to be user-friendly and non-intimidating. They have intuitive controls, relaxed riding positions and pedal-assist systems that deliver a smooth, natural feeling of power. Add in the offering of professional in-store assembly and the ability to have a chat with DSG employees face-to-face, and this is one of the easiest and most supportive ways for new riders to get into e-biking with DICK'S.

So how much maintenance do these e-bikes need?

You’ll need to do all the same maintenance steps you would with a regular bike, but you’ll also have a few other things to pay attention to with the electrical components. These also include the regular things you would want to do like check tire pressure, clean and lube the chain, and make sure the brakes are working properly. For the electric side, the primary job is to take care of the battery: don’t keep it in extreme temperatures, don’t let the battery sit all the way empty for long, and use the charger that comes with it. When it comes to any complicated motor or battery problems, it is best to refer to the support available through DICK’S, but for day-to-day maintenance, the tasks could not be simpler.

Can I test ride an e-bike before purchase at DICK'S?

That is on a per-store, per-policy basis, but it's a big possible advantage of buying from a brick-and-mortar store. It is highly recommended to call your local DICK'S store to discuss their test ride policy, or at a MINIMUM sit on a floor model. It’s also often critical to be able to sense how big and heavy the bike is, as well as the nature of its riding posture — something you can’t get from an online-only purchase.

What is the actual battery range I will see?

Note that the advertised range figures are based on ideal, often unrealistic, conditions: a lightweight rider on flat terrain using the lowest level of pedal assist. Of course, your real-world distance will depend on many factors. Hills, your weight, frequent stops and starts, and higher levels of assistance will all decrease range. For the majority of the bikes available at DICK'S, a realistic expectation for average, mixed use is 20-35 miles on a full charge. This is usually more than sufficient for the daily commute or recreational ride.

Does the battery in those e-bikes come out for charging?

The battery itself is removable on most models available, including both the Nishiki and Schwinn e-bikes. This is a very important convenience feature! It means that you can unlock the battery and bring it inside your house or office for charging, rather than having to wheel the whole bike up to an electrical outlet. This not only makes charging easier, it also provides a level of security: You can, after all, simply take the expensive battery with you when you park your bike.

In the end, the right electric bike for you is one that fits your individual riding criteria.