Charge City

75/100
BikeRide Score
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Charge Time
5.5 Hours
Maximum Range
50 Miles
Top Speed
20 mph
Watts
250 W
Torque
45 Nm
Volts and Amp Hours
36V 11.6Ah
Class
Drive
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
45, 48.5 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Charge City. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

11 reasons to buy

  • Experts agree that the Charge City offers good value.
  • The City comes with a rack, fenders, a horn, and lights for urban riding.
  • This bike has handlebars that swivel 90 degrees and folding pedals, giving it a flat profile for storage.
  • Two reviewers say the City is the easiest bike they’ve set up.
  • The City is relatively light (45lb) for a fully-equipped urban e-bike.
  • Two experts say the 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain shifts efficiently and quietly.
  • This bike has valve caps that function as tire pressure indicators, turning red when the pressure falls below the optimal range.
  • Experts enjoy the comfortable ride quality, delivered by an upright ride position, “plush” saddle, and “comfy” grips.
  • The battery is removable for convenient charging off the bike.
  • According to reviewers, the City has a stable ride quality.
  • The relatively narrow 40mm tires allow this bike to roll fast on pavement. One expert highlights the “snappy feel”.

6 reasons not to buy

  • A buyer and multiple experts complain about the “cheap” mechanical disc brakes. One highlights the lack of a motor cutoff switch.
  • Several reviewers mention that the City lacks speed and power. An owner says assistance is imperceptible when battery level falls below 25%.
  • In testing, the City falls short of Charge’s stated range of 50 miles.
  • One expert says the City’s lack of gearing range leads to ghost pedaling on “the most mellow descents”.
  • Two testers say the rigid frame and low-volume 40mm tires aren’t forgiving on rough surfaces and recommend sticking to pavement.
  • Experts and owners have issues aligning the fenders so they don’t rub the tire. One reviewer says they are squeaky.

Bottom line

The Charge City is an affordable commuter e-bike. It's fully equipped with lights, a rack, and fenders. Additionally, it folds flat for storage and has unique tire pressure indicators. The City is relatively light, and experts say it's fast, composed, and comfy on smooth pavement. However, underwhelming power, poor-quality brakes, and an unforgiving ride quality on bumpy roads may deter buyers. All things considered, this is a practical option for those with short, mostly flat commutes and limited storage space at home. But there are better urban options at this price for those who want powerful assistance or more comfort.

Expert Reviews

77/100 based on 4 rated expert reviews
63

Charge City Review

The City makes the most sense for the rider who doesn’t need or want the longest range or most powerful motor but is still looking for a full-size e-bike that is a little lighter and more easily storable than most.

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80
Tom's Guide

Charge Bikes City Review: An Ideal Commuter E-Bike

A solid e-bike for commuters, the Charge City is not only perfect for urban riders; it may also be the easiest bike to set up straight out of the box.

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81
Adventure Gear Insider

Charge City Electric Bike – 2023 Designed for City Living and Riding

If you want an easy-to-store e-bike that provides enough power and range for street riding and small hills, then the Charge City electric bike is a good choice. It is not as comfortable to ride as other commuter bikes or as powerful.

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85
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This review has been given a score. Read more here

Tested: The Charge City

The Charge City offers up an appealing combination of price, features, and function… Though Charge cut some corners to deliver a lower-priced bike, it still has all the right ingredients for everyday practicality.

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We Tried It

Charge City Review: The Smartest Bike on the Block

You’d be hard-pressed to find an e-bike with better features for the urban rider. This is a lightweight, collapsible, fun e-bike with everything you need…

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TechCrunch

Charge’s City Is an E-Bike for Everyone

Overall, the City is a great utilitarian bike for daily riding for everyday folks. From purchasing the bike to storing it, they really have reduced the friction points of owning an e-bike.

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Smartly Designed Charge City E-Bike Is A Covid-19 Easy Rider

The simplified setup is a good step forward, but it’s not perfect yet, so be sure to check those fenders and brakes before mixing with traffic. 

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CleanTechnica

The Charge City E-Bike Was Designed For City Commuting

The downside is that the smaller motor can only deliver 250 watts of power, on average. That’s fine for cities, but don’t expect it to revolutionize a hilly commute or sustain high speeds over long distances. That’s simply not what it was designed for.

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Cool Hunting

Riding Across NYC on Charge’s City E-Bike

After a few rides around the neighborhood, it became clear that this machine… is complex but remarkably simple to use—even for rookies.

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User Ratings

60/100 based on 2 ratings
  • 5 star
    50%
  • 4 star
    0%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
    50%

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#297 Best Electric
Bottom 10%
#66 Best Hybrid
Bottom 20%
#3 Best Charge Bike
Bottom 30%
#646 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 20%

Bike Comparison

Charge City in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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