Momentum Electric Bike Review: What Do You Guys Think About Momentum Ebikes?

The Momentum E-Bike Experience

If you are searching for a “Momentum ebike Review” you’re looking for something more than just an ebike… you’re on the quest for the perfect marriage of form and function. Momentum, the lifestyle-focused sister brand of cycling behemoth Giant, has found its own specialty in the sea of e-bike options. Their bikes are not created as complicated tools but simple fellow companions that should promote everyday adventures, urban accessibility and carefree explorations. This review is constructed to go further than basic specs and into the user experience, what the brand stands for, and important things to consider. We’re going to dig into what makes Momentum tick and take a look at some of their most popular models from the perspective of the rider and give you the insight to decide if a Momentum electric bike is the perfect travel companion for you.

Momentum's product line is refreshingly disciplined, focusing on quality and specific use-cases instead of casting too wide of a net. Their electric bike line is clear and easily distinguished, so that riders can quickly determine which model is best suited to their lifestyle. Here is the complete range:

Voya E+ Series (Voya E+ 1 Or Voya E+ 3)

PakYak E+

Cito E+

A Rider's-Eye View of the Lineup

It’s time to jump into the core of the Momentum experience with a look at their best selling models. This isn’t about reading off a spec sheet; it’s the feeling that wells up when you throw a leg over the frame, the confidence instilled in you as you wade through masses of traffic, and the bits and pieces that you can only really appreciate when the ride is just right. The Voya E+, the PakYak E+, and the Cito E+ all have unique characters.
The Voya E+ is the compact, brisk athlete in the family. Riding it doesn’t have that typical e-bike sensation of pedaling, but not really pedaling. Instead, pedaling has the same effect as it does on a featherlight conventional bike, only with a secret, all-powerful tailwind at your back. The rear hub motor is so stealthily integrated that most people won’t even know it’s an e-bike. The power delivery is gentle and seamless, ideal for riders looking for assistance that doesn’t kick in with the subtlety of a mule. The fact that it is very light for a scooter is huge, reducing the effort required to carry it up a flight of stairs to an apartment or to lift it onto a bike rack. The ride is 'go-kart'-like, nimble and responsive, the kind that makes you want to engage with city traffic and cut through it with ease and speed. It feels tied to the road, which is great for the fitness-minded commuter who loves the purity of cycling, but doesn’t want to show up at work drenched in perspiration.

In spectacular contrast the PakYak E+ is the rugged workhorse. From the moment you begin to pedal, you sense its superior ability. This feeling is one of stability and power. It's centered around Giant's powerful SyncDrive Pro mid-drive motor that delivers torque-sensing power that feels entirely natural and powerful, particularly when pulling away from a standstill with lots of weight on the bike. We loaded the front and back racks with groceries, and the bike took on this with unfazed ease. The bike has a very low center of gravity with that sleek battery placement (placed down-low) and strong feeling frame which gives you a great deal of confidence. It feels anchored and controlled, and you don’t sense yourself teetering over your cargo. The ride itself is soft and easy, with plenty of padding to soak up road imperfections for your precious cargo (produce or the optional seat) to ride in comfort. It really is a car-replacement vehicle, turning boring errands into fun outings.
The Cito E+ is a beautiful blend of both. It’s the ultimate friendly neighborhood e-bike. It feels really welcoming thanks to the step-through frame, which makes it easy jumping on and off at junctions. The riding position is relaxed and upright, and everything's within sight, relieving your back and shoulders of any stress. It’s easy, comfortable and eminently sensible. Power is fed in gently, ideal for trundling to the café or the local market. It’s the type of bicycle that makes you want to ride more simply because riding it is such a pleasure and is so easy.

The Philosophy and A Compelling Alternative

Above and beyond individual models, it helps to know the whole Momentum brand philosophy in order to decide if it’s one that works for your lifestyle. Momentum is not participating in the race for most powerful motor or largest battery. They’re not, because they are looking at the whole package: design, usability, reliability. One of those benefits, that is always great, yet few think about is that Momentum is under the Giant Bicycles umbrella. This is a huge plus to you, the consumer. That means all Momentum e-bikes are backed by Giant’s world-leading engineering, manufacturing and innovation including our proven motor technology featuring the SyncDrive system, which provides seamless and reliable power that’s perfect for whatever the city might throw at you. All that legacy brings with it a level of engineering refinement and quality control few newer direct-to-consumer brands are able to equal. And as an NACC Member, you're supported by a network of over 300 local bike shops with professional assembly, test rides, removal of packaging, and after purchase support. There’s something to be said for being able to see, touch and ride a bike before making a purchase, as well as having a local trusted mechanic — who’s close to your dealer installing the retrofit system — to help you out once you own the bike. Momentum bikes are aimed at the rider who wants something of equal value and good looking with the great features that are both practical and make cycling more fun. They are for the city dweller who wants a bike that fits their lifestyle, the young family looking for a fun and green way to experience the city, and the commuter who is looking for a reliable, low maintenance way to travel daily. If a smooth and happy ride that’s supported with the assurance of a truly respected global brand is important, Momentum makes a pretty good case for itself.

The Momentum ecosystem with Giant engineering is a great trustworthy ride combined with some fun, but some folks are after a different mix of tech and value – especially in the hotly contested urban commute arena. For these savvy riders, a brand such as ENGWE is truly making huge splashes, and the P275 SE model is the kind that gives cause for that. The ENGWE P275 SE model has been designed with an emphasis on a super intuitive and very zippy riding experience thanks to its highly developed torque sensor. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes – this is not a small little plus, it's a ride-quality game-changer, responding to your pedal force in 50ms to provide instant, smooth, natural-feeling power assistance. It cuts out that initial "fill in the blank" you feel in simpler systems and makes all of your accelerations feel like a natural progression of your own effort. This clever system, E-SATS as ENGWE calls it, guarantees the ride is smooth and predictable. This bike is all about comfort with its Dutch-style frame and sit-up-and-beg riding position, this is an incredibly comfortable bike to ride with an ergonomic swallow handlebar, its smooth ride is enhanced by large 700c wheels and a comfortable spring-suspension seat. For the ultimate in urban versatility it features powerful hydraulic disc brakes for sure-footed stopping in all weather conditions, up to 100km of range on a single charge from the 36V 13Ah removable battery, and full integration with a clever App for navigation and at-a-glance ride information. There is a 250W motor that is efficient and 100% road legal in the EU. If you're the kind of city rider who wants top-of-the-line sensor technology, a cushy ride and feature-packed offering, the ENGWE P275 SE is just such a well-thought-out, and very attractive, alternative.

Model Comparison at a Glance

Momentum E-Bike Model Comparison

Your Questions Answered

5 Everyday Questions About Momentum E-Bikes Answered

Who actually makes Momentum e-bikes? Is it a reliable brand?

This is a very good question and one of Momentum’s best features. Momentum is developed by Giant Manufacturing Co., one of the most respected bicycle makers around. So you can ride with the confidence that comes from having the largest manufacturer of bicycles backing your ride, and it takes the risk out of a purchase because it's backed by the best. You’re essentially getting the wearability and innovation of a big name brand in a more fashionable lifestyle design. This puts my mind at ease as to the quality of the frame, components, and electronics being used.

Are Momentum e-bikes heavy? I live in an apartment.

That's completely model dependent; they serve very different kinds of purposes. The Voya E+ series is so light for an electric bike. With a smaller battery and hub motor, it rides more like a typical bike, and it is relatively easy to hoist up a flight of stairs. But the PakYak E+, a heavyweight cargo bike, is designed to be mannerly and strong, which also means way heavier and not great for walk-up apartments. The Cito E+ comes in somewhere in the middle, easy to handle yet heavier than the Voya. If the weight is the most important then it has simply got to be the Voya E+.

What is the range of the battery in real-world riding?

The claimed range will always be in ideal conditions (on flat terrain, the rider is 40 lbs, level 1 assist). In the real world, your range on any Momentum e-bike will depend on factors such as steep hills, strong headwinds, many stop-and-gos, higher levels of motor assistance, or heavy loads will mean lower range. Even for the PakYak E+ with its massive 500Wh battery, you can still anticipate a very usable range even fully loaded. The 250Wh battery of only the Voya E+ makes it best in my mind as a bike for commutes up to about 15-20 miles one way, though you can certainly go farther with a more moderate use of the assist. The critical part is that Momentum uses high-end battery cells from Panasonic or LG (via their EnergyPak branding), meaning you’re getting something that’s going to perform over the long term and be reliable.

Can I test ride a Momentum e-bike before I purchase?

Yes, absolutely. This is a second large plus to Momentum’s ties to Giant. Momentum bikes are available from a network of authorized local retailers. Visiting a dealer allows you to see the bikes in person, which enables you to get a sense of size and the build quality and, more importantly, to take them for a test ride. Because that means that you can get a direct feel of which motor feels good to you and which riding position you prefer to be in to work what model actually suits you best. This isn't a luxury you always get with 'online only' brands.

What if something goes wrong – How is the warranty and service?

Warranty and repairs are directly handled through the local Authorized Servicer in your area. A surly fellow named Josh chugged by with his bass speakers blaring from one of his ears; the shop where I bought it would serve as my first point of contact for any maintenance or issues. Out of the gate, Momentum provides a solid warranty, which includes a lifetime warranty on the frame (for the original owner) and a two-year warranty on electronic components (motor, battery, and so on). If you have an issue, you just bring it to a certified dealer to get a diagnosis and repair, which is far easier and more reliable than trying to figure out your problems and ship parts to and fro with an online-only company.

In the end, purchasing a Momentum bike means investing in fun, stylish and active transportation every day.