Denago Commute Model 1

Commuter-style models dominate a considerable percentage of the e-bike market. The ever-increasing selection of models makes it hard to choose the right one.

Denago is a relatively new brand, and we’re testing its Commute Model 1 Step-thru Class 3 e-bike to see what it’s capable of.

What Is the Denago Commute Model 1?

We’re testing the Commute Model 1 step-through version; a high-step version called Commute Model 1 Top-tube is also available at the same price.

The Commute is a Class 3 urban e-bike capable of reaching 28mph with its 500W hub motor. The step-through frame means it’s easy to mount and the battery is straightforward to install and remove.

As the name suggests, this is a commuter e-bike. It features a rear rack, fenders, and lights to facilitate urban riding.

At 64lb, the Commute Model 1 is heavy, although about average for this price point and style. It feels lighter and easier to maneuver without assistance than some of the monster all-terrain bikes we’ve tested. Nonetheless, it’s best to avoid lifting or carrying it.

On paper, the Commute Model 1 is a solid package suitable for its intended ride style. Components like the 8-speed drivetrain and 11-32t cassette, 100mm coil suspension fork, and a suspension seatpost stand out.

Pros

High Top Speed

The Denago Commute Model 1 is a Class 3 e-bike with a top speed of 28mph. This top speed allows you to cover ground quickly and keep up with urban traffic on your commute to stay safe.

Fully Equipped

The suspension seatpost, 100mm travel fork, and wide 2.6″ tires give this bike its comfortable ride quality.

It’s not intended for off-road terrain, but on bumpy roads, the seatpost, fork, and plush seat make the ride more enjoyable.

The Commute Model 1 has an 8-speed microSHIFT derailleur and an 11-32t rear cassette. This setup provides enough range for starting from a dead stop or cruising at high speeds.

Well Priced

The Commute Model 1 is well-priced for this style, competing with other affordable direct-to-consumer brands.

Despite the low price tag, it has solid features like a suspension seatpost, puncture-resistant tires, and a full setup of commuter accessories. It’s great to see all these features included in an affordable package.

Cons

Throttle ‘Safety’ Feature

The bike has a safety feature that prevents you from activating the throttle by mistake. However, it’s not intuitive.

When riding, I often forget to shift down before coming to a stop. If you’re not in the correct gear when you stop, it requires significant effort to get moving again.

This is where the throttle shines. A quick push or twist of the throttle helps you get back up to speed so you can start pedaling again.

Denago programs the throttle to deactivate when the brakes are applied, meaning you cannot use it to take off from a dead stop. You must complete one half-to-one rotation of the pedals (move forward approximately three feet) to reactivate the throttle.

While the goal of preventing unwanted accelerations is positive, I would prefer an on/off switch over this built-in feature. In my opinion, the drawbacks outweigh the limited additional safety it provides.

Battery Capacity and Range

The Denago Commute has a 48V, 13.6Ah battery, slightly smaller than average for Class 3 e-bikes. The high top speed of 28mph means this bike is power-hungry at max assist, resulting in a limited max range.

During the range test, the bike appeared to hold charge well, showing a steady decrease in the charge level. From full to 50%, the battery level dropped consistently. Upon reaching 50%, there was a big, sudden drop from 50 to 10% after a short hill climb. Because of this, I was left stranded without power before making it back.

This inconsistent battery level indicator makes it challenging to predict your range. I expect to be able to travel until 60% in one direction and return to the start point again with the remaining power.

Riding Position

The final downside of the Commute Model 1 is its geometry. The bike used in this test is L/XL. which is sized for riders 5’8” to 6’5” and has a reach of 15.3”.

This creates a straight-backed riding position. However, I felt cramped, as my elbows were tucked close to my body, and I was drawn over the front wheel while turning.

I found the riding position slightly unpleasant despite having enough room for my legs to pedal, and the overall comfort of the frame while riding was highly variable.

The SM/M frame has a minimum saddle height of 35″, so it may not be suitable for riders with short legs.

What Does It Do Best?

The Commute Model 1 offers high-speed transportation for urban environments. Its smooth, wide tires and suspension help it glide over pavement and hard-pack surfaces, delivering comfort and stability.

Features like the rear rack, fenders, lights, and high top speed make it a solid urban companion. Commuters are obviously the target market, but the bike is also perfect for recreational riding.

The straight-backed riding style with a short reach is a distinct feature of this bike and may be comfortable for the right rider.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

The downside of the straight-backed riding position and short reach is it can be uncomfortable for some riders. I prefer a more athletic riding position with a longer reach measurement.

The step-through frame, while convenient, also brings additional flex, which may be unnerving for heavier riders. The Commute Model 1 is also available in a step-over version, which would remedy this.

Finally, with some inconsistencies in the battery level indicator and a slightly undersized battery, the bike could cause range anxiety for riders with longer commutes.

The 500W motor with 50Nm of torque also lacks power for steep grades. So, if your commute features steep or hilly terrain, you may want to look for a more powerful e-bike with greater torque and a bigger battery.

Conclusion

The Denago Commute Model 1 offers solid value with its complete commuter package. This Class 3 bike brings high-speed riding and features like suspension, puncture-resistant tires, and an 8-speed drivetrain.

I was disappointed by the unpredictability of the battery level indicator, but the range of 21 miles on max assist is reasonable, and with a high average speed, the bike covers ground quickly.

So, if you are looking for a dedicated commuter, this might be your bike.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 3
Warranty: 2-year frame & fork – 1-year components
Model Year: 2023
Total Weight: 64lb
Motor Brand: Shengyi DGW22S
Motor Type: Rear-Hub
Motor Nominal Output: 500W
Max Torque: 50Nm
Battery: 48V, 13.6Ah (652.8Wh)
Range Claimed: 45+
Range Tested (PAS Max): 21mi – 856 ft. elevation – Avg. speed 19.6mph
Max Speed: 28mph
Throttle: Yes, thumb style
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Controller: Not listed
Charger: 3A output
Charge Time: 5 hours
Display: B/W LCD 3.5”
Frame: 6061 aluminum
Fork: 100mm coil suspension (no adjustment)
Brake Levers: Zoom hydraulic
Brake Calipers: Zoom 2-piston hydraulic
Brake Rotors: 180mm Zoom
Chain: KMC Z-Series 8-speed
Crankset: 170mm, 42t – Built-in pant guard
Derailleur: Microshift 8-speed
Shifter: Microshift 8-speed Rapidfire Plus
Cassette: 8-speed 11-32t
Rims: 27.5″ aluminum
Spokes: 13G front, 12G rear
Tires: Denago-branded 27.5″ x 2.6” puncture-resistant, reflective sidewall
Fenders: Included front + rear aluminum
Lights: Integrated headlight
Grips: Rubber lock-on
Handlebar: Cruiser Style, semi-riser
Kickstand: Yes, single-sided
Pedals: Tracy Zhu platform pedals
Max. Total Capacity: 280lb max rider weight – 50lb max rear rack weight

Frame and Geometry

The Denago frame has a shorter-than-average reach measurement, which, when combined with the cruiser-style bars, offers a straight-backed riding experience.

Personally, I found this cramped and slightly unpleasant to ride for long periods, but I know others appreciate this geometry.

Looking at some of the bike’s geometry specs, we have the following:

Effective Top Tube Length: 25.7” (653mm)
Wheelbase: 45.7”(1162mm)
Minimum Saddle Height: 38”
Stack: 26.9” (684mm)
Reach: 15.3” (390mm)

The pedal positioning was fine for me at 6′ tall, but the reach was cramped. I’ve noticed a similar feeling on other bikes of the same style, so how it feels to you will probably come down to personal preference.

The step-through frame has some flex despite the large reinforced gusset above the bottom bracket. While the bike feels well built, this wobble may be unnerving for larger riders or when cornering at speed. The step-over version should eliminate this.

Motor

The Commute Model 1’s motor is from Shengyi, a Chinese e-bike motor manufacturer. This model is a DGW22S, a 48V, 500W motor capable of 50Nm max torque.

The motor powers the bike up to its top speed of 28mph in about 23 seconds. With just 500W, this bike is not a speed demon, but it’s peppy and responsive at lower speeds when using the pedal assist. It has enough torque and power for mild to moderate hills and will suit most commuters just fine.

I noticed a quick drop in power when attempting a hill at lower battery voltages, so steep slopes should be avoided with low battery. When facing slopes at higher battery voltages, the bike responded well, easily conquering our small and medium hill climbs.

Acceleration:

• Assist Level: Max
• 0-20mph: 10 Seconds
• Throttle-Only: 15 Seconds
• 0-28mph: 23 Seconds

Short Hill Climb:

• Time: 02:32
• Distance: 0.97 mi
• Elevation Gain: 75  ft
• Max grade: 6%
• Avg Speed:  23.1mph

Medium Hill Climb:

• Time: 02:23
• Distance: 0.64mi
• Elevation Gain:  236 ft.
• Max Grade: 16%
• Avg Speed:  16.2mph

Cockpit and Control

The cruiser-style bars have a slight rise and come with comfortable grips and a well-organized cockpit.

The microSHIFT trigger shifter is pleasant and offers a visual cue for gearing. On the left side, the thumb-style throttle and three-button control pad are simple to operate and control the large 3.5″ display.

The display is mounted centrally and offers easily readable information. You can select the assist level and page through different metrics, including trip, odometer, and remaining range, which is a nice feature.

The battery level is displayed as a 10-bar gauge. It’s better than a five-bar guage but not as informative as a percentage indicator.

Battery

The 48V, 13.6Ah (652.8Wh) battery on the Denago is UL-certified and contains LG cells, which is great to see. However, it has a lower capacity than average for this style.

Because of the smaller battery, the Commute Model 1 performed worse in the range test than similar bikes. With a high top speed, it’s easy to go through power quickly if you are zipping around using max pedal assist. Still, the bike will handle most commutes.

Range Test:

Range Test:

• Distance: 21mi
• Elevation: 856 ft.
• Avg. Speed: 19.6mph

Charger, Battery, Key Access

The battery is easily unlocked with a key inserted into the upper part of the downtube. It’s also simple to remove and install because of the step-through frame. The key isn’t required to click the battery into place; just a firm push.

The Commute Model 1 also allows for on-bike charging with its integrated charge port on the lower downtube. The charger has a 3A output, a nice upgrade over the standard 2A, and it also reduces the total charge time to roughly five hours.

Drivetrain

A microSHIFT drivetrain assists the electric motor with an 11-32t 8-speed rear cassette. It’s great to have this additional gearing to avoid ghost pedaling at high speeds.

The microSHIFT derailleur and shifter perform well, with relatively crisp shifting that is on par with the typical Shimano Tourney or Acera. The crankset also has a double-sided guard to keep your pants from getting dirty.

Brakes

The Commute Model 1 has Zoom hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors. The levers have a pleasant feel and consistent performance.

In our braking test, the smooth tires allowed the bike to slide a significant distance, which brought the total distance to 44 feet in the 28mph test.

The brakes are dual-piston hydraulic and offer quick response and firm pressure. So it seems this poor braking test result is mostly due to the tires, rather than the brakes.

Braking Distance Results

20 mph Brake Test

28mph Brake Test

Wheels, Tires, Fenders

The tires are Denago-branded 27.5″ x 2.6″ with puncture protection and a smooth tread profile. The checkered tread pattern improves traction but is best suited to dry pavement because they do not offer much traction in wet conditions.

The 2.6″ width balances comfort and performance. It offers good traction and shock absorption in loose conditions like packed gravel while also performing well on the pavement with minimal roll resistance.

The Commute Model 1 has fenders, a great addition to keep you clear of road spray. The fenders are made from aluminum and seem like they will stand up to some abuse.

Kickstand

Like most e-bikes, the Commute Model 1 has a single-sided kickstand. It offered no issues when deployed or while riding.

Contact Points

Looking at the contact points on the Denago Commute Model 1, we see a few solid inclusions.

Grips

I’m a big fan of the lock-on grips on the Commute, made from soft rubber. With a round ergonomic shape, they are comfortable and offer a nice place to rest your weight on the bars with the flared ends.

Seat

The seat is another win for Denago. I found it comfortable for cruising and pedaling. The added comfort from the suspension seatpost and polymer springs in the saddle make the ride comfortable and smooth.

The seat also has a handle on the back for maneuvering the bike and picking it up, a nice touch.

Pedals

The pedals are platforms from Tracy Zhu, which seem similar to most platform pedals on these types of bikes and offer reasonable traction with the small pegs. These pedals are basic but will get you out riding.