Electric Bike Company is a Newport Beach-based company that builds customizable e-bikes. Their e-bikes feature a relaxed beach cruiser geometry that oozes style. The best thing about the company’s entire product lineup - you can customize every component!
From custom colors to additional battery capacity - customizing an EBC e-bike is just as fun as riding it. What’s more, each bike is built by hand by a single technician, which is something not many other e-bike manufacturers do.
Let’s get to know the company a bit more.
What Is Electric Biking Company All About?
After a successful career in restaurant businesses, Sean Lupton Smith decided to tackle a new challenge. Sean realized electric bikes are the future of transport. Why? Because e-bikes allow even non-cyclists to experience freedom only an e-bike can deliver.
Moreover, they’re powered by a motor so you won’t arrive at your destination all sweaty and tired.
The best thing about these e-bikes is that you can customize them to your heart's content. Each model comes with more than a dozen of customization options. The customization options are just insane. Not only can you pick the color of each component on the e-bike, but you can also customize the battery size, drive train, suspension, and much more.
For instance, you can change just about everything on their Model C. Not only can you choose between the frame color, but you can also customize the color of the fenders, grips, seats, and chain guard.
Just keep in mind that each customization option will up the price of the final product. A fully customized bike can cost up to $1500 more than the base unit.
There are also some advanced customization options. Both Model C and Model S come with a single-speed drive train. However, you can opt for a seven-speed drive train to give you more flexibility while riding.
Almost every component on an EBC e-bike can be customized. You can upgrade your bikes with front and seat suspension. I had as much fun customizing my EBC bike as I am riding it.
EBC’s bikes are incredibly sturdy. This is because of their unique approach to building e-bikes. Each bike is built by a single technician - from the first coat of paint to the final test ride.
You might think they're pretty expensive because e-bikes are built by hand. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. EBC bikes start at $1699, which is incredibly affordable when you factor in the company using premium materials and components.
Electric Biking Company e-bikes usually come with a 750-watt motor, a thumb throttle and can reach a top speed of around 28 MPH. Each bike is customizable, so it can adhere to the local e-bike laws.
Each EBC bike comes fully assembled, so all you have to do is take it out of the box, adjust the handlebars, and you’re ready to ride.
Unfortunately, EBC doesn’t have any brick-and-mortar stores. However, each bike comes with a 10-year frame and 5-year battery warranty.
If you’re looking for an e-bike that’s comfortable to ride, oozes style, and is sturdy to boot - I recommend you check out EBC. Their bikes are large, sturdy, and feature an upright geometry.
Wide, swept-back handlebars, a thickly padded seat, and a wide range of accessories will keep you comfortable, while loads of customization options make these e-bikes as fun to design as they are to ride.
Let’s move on to reviewing two of EBC’s most popular e-bike models just to give you a taste of what this company is capable of. The more time I spend with EBC bikes, the more I fall in love with them.
Electric Bike Company Product Range Review
EBC Model C and Model S are stylish beach surfers offering a perfect mix of comfort, durability, and range. Both e-bikes feature a sturdy frame, a 500 W motor, and a slew of features that will make your ride comfortable.
Let’s take a deeper look at these two e-bikes:
1. Model C
Thanks to its beach cruiser geometry, the Model C features an easy-going look that focuses on having fun while riding.
There’s something about the classic look of this e-bike that resonates with many people. During my time with this bike, I got a lot of comments on how good the Model C looks.
The swept-back handlebars, curvy frame, balloon-style tires, and a comfortable padded seat all add to the classic look and relaxed feel of a cruiser bike. But this bike comes with one major advantage - it’s powered by an electric motor.
Frame
Model C features a curvy beach cruiser frame built out of premium 6061 aluminum. The tubing is perfectly curved, so there’s more material where it is needed. The welds aren’t very clean, but when you factor in that the entire bike is built by hand, a bit of imperfection gives the bike extra character.
Of course, the beach cruiser design would be complete without swept-back handlebars. While I’m more of a fan of front swept handlebars because they help distribute the weight more evenly over the bike, I can see myself enjoying weekend rides around town with the Model C.
The handlebars feature leather grips that are a pleasure to hold. Like everything else on this e-bike, you can customize the grip and seat color.
One thing I don’t like about the design of this e-bike is the battery placement. The battery is integrated into the rear rack. While this makes it easily accessible, it also exposes the battery to getting damaged by the cargo. I wish there was an option to customize the battery placement.
The stock front fork won’t give you much riding comfort since it’s rigid. Thankfully, you can switch it out for a fork with Satori suspension. You can also customize the seat post, so it comes with suspension for the ultimate riding experience.
Motor And Battery
The Model C comes with a pretty capable motor. It’s rated at 750 watts of nominal power and can produce up to 1200 watts for those steep hill climbs. The motor is pretty torquey too. It has to be since the bike can get heavy with all the add-ons. The bike can get so heavy that you must use the thumb throttle to get the bike moving.
The controls are pretty simple. The Model C has a well-light LCD display that provides you with all the information you need, such as battery charge and odometer, and it even comes with a USB port to charge your phone.
When it comes to customization options, EBC will configure the motor, so it adheres to your local laws.
As for the battery, you have lots of options. You can pick between four battery types - 12 Ah, 18 Ah, 30 Ah, and 36 Ah. Each battery provides you with a different amount of range.
The 12 Ah battery provides you with around 60 miles of range, while the 36 Ah provides you with a whopping 190 miles. Remember that the more range you want, the more you will have to pay. For example, if you want an 18 Ah, you will have to pay an additional $449.
Both the battery and the motor come with a hefty warranty. The motor comes with a 10-year warranty, while the battery comes with a 5-year warranty. You can even buy an additional two years of warranty.
Brakes And Wheels
The Model C comes with Dorado hydraulic 4-piston disc brakes with 180mm rotors. The breaks are one of the few components you can’t customize on the bike. Thankfully, they’re more than decent. Even a light squeeze on the leaver will bring you to a full stop in no time. The break has a motor disconnect, so the second you tap the leaver, the motor will shut off.
The wheels and tires are fully customizable. You can choose between 26 or 25-inch wheels depending on how tall you want the bike to be. Moreover, you can pick between Schwalbe Fat Frank, Schwalbe Brown White, and Continental E50 tires that are puncture resistant and provide enough grip for any terrain.
PROS
Cons
The Model S is an almost perfectly made Class 3 electric beach cruiser with the same motor as the model C.
Like all EBC e-bikes, the Model S has loads of customization options.
Unfortunately, it has some of the same problems as the Model S.
Still, a bit of extra weight and a noisy motor are a reasonable trade-off when you factor in how comfortable it is to ride.
Frame
The Model S features a step-through beach cruiser frame. The frame is built out of 6061 aluminum which is incredibly durable and lightweight.
The frame is available in seven different colors, but you can additionally customize it. Just like with all the EBC e-bikes, you can customize the colors of the chain guard, fenders, frame, and the color of the saddle and handlebar grips.
The welds on this e-bike are just perfect. You can see just how much love technicians at the EBC pour into each of their e-bikes. I can only imagine how many hours of work go into building one of these e-bikes.
Like the Model C, the Model S features swept-back handlebars for ultimate comfort. You can also upgrade the seat post with suspension, so you don’t feel any bumps and shocks while cruising.
Unfortunately, the Model S suffers from the same problems as the Model C. If you upgrade it with a front basket, suspension, and7-gear drive train, the bike will get pretty heavy. The bike can get heavy pretty fast, making climbing or pushing it uphill difficult.
Motor And Battery
EBC Model S features an MXUS XF15R geared rear hub motor rated at 750 watts of nominal power. Of course, if you need more power, the motor can push out up to 1200 watts of power. This is particularly useful when climbing steep hills or riding over rough terrain.
Since this is a class 3 e-bike, you get a thumb throttle in addition to the pedal assist system. The pedal assists will get you to the speed of up to 20 MPH but will drain your battery pretty quickly. If you want to preserve the battery and go faster, you should use the pedal assist.
With the highest level of pedal assist, you’ll be able to reach a max speed of 28 MPH. I recommend you go for a 7-speed drive train if you want to ride this e-bike comfortably at max speed.
One thing where EBC e-bikes differ from other e-bikes is how you turn them on. Unlike other e-bikes that have a switch on the handlebar that turns on the motor, Model S and other EBC e-bikes have an additional switch on the battery. EBC says they do this to prevent accidental start-ups. However, this also means you will have to go through a little bit of extra effort before you can start riding the bike.
Stock Model S comes with a 12 Ah battery that provides you with around 60 miles of range. During my tests, I managed to squeeze out 50 miles, but that’s because there are lots of hills where I live.
Of course, you can opt for a larger battery. You can choose between three different battery packs that provide you with more range. Keep in mind that that can cost you up to $1250.
Brakes And Wheels
Depending on your needs, you can choose between 26 or 24-inch wheels. But that’s not the only thing you can customize. You can also choose a custom color for the rims. You can choose between silver, red and black.
You can also choose between three different tires: Schwalbe Fat Frank, Schwalbe Brown White, and Continental E50. All three tires are puncture resistant and offer more than enough grip for just about any type of terrain.
The Model S comes with Dorado hydraulic 4-piston disc brakes with 180mm rotors. These brakes are extremely responsive and feature an engine shut-off system that will turn off the motor when you press the brake lever.
The hydraulic brakes on this e-bike use pads which will wear out over time. Thankfully, they’re pretty easy to replace and don’t require any special knowledge and tools.
PROS
Cons
Conclusion
From what I’ve shown you, I’m pretty sure you get what the EBC is all about. This company wants to provide its customers with high-quality e-bikes that are incredibly durable and comfortable to ride. Moreover, no other e-bike manufacturer offers this many customization options. Sure, that does drive up the price significantly, but it also lets you get a tailor-made e-bike you will ride for days.
I only hope the company’s current business model can scale up. Building everything by hand can take quite a while, and delays are bound to happen if orders start piling up.