GOTRAX Emerge

Intro

Picture it: I’m nine years old, coming down to the Christmas tree, and what’s that wrapped up? A bike!

What’s up, everyone? It’s Scott with BikeRide.com, and why am I babbling about a Christmas from who knows how long ago? Because the ‘big box’ feel of this bike brought me right back. Today we’re looking at the GOTRAX Emerge, an entry-level offering from GOTRAX. That’s right, the brand better-known for its large catalog of electric scooters.

Right out of the box, this bike felt like it was just grabbed off the rack at Walmart. Most people can probably relate to this, as almost everyone has ridden a ‘big box store’ bike sometime in their lives. Built to fit an adult frame, and repping a 350W motor, it definitely promises a little more zip than the unpowered bikes of my youth.

This is a budget-friendly, entry-level e-bike that is both friendly on the wallet and widely available at retailers. Surprisingly, it’s not a wobbly mess and the components seem to work as intended. Is the GOTRAX Emerge an affordable and reliable option for entry-level e-bikers? Could it make it as an economical commuter bike in the city? The price is right, but if the bike can’t make the distance it’s not worth the ride. Let’s put the GOTRAX Emerge through its paces and see if it can pair performance with price.

Pros

The Price Is Right
Compared to the cost of most e-bikes, the Emerge is a very economical option. That being said, the price comparison is steep in contrast to a traditional bike. But after all, when it comes to e-bikes, you pay for the power! The GOTRAX is, thus far, the most economically-priced full-size bike we have reviewed. Yet, it still brings reasonable style, a concealed/key-locked battery, decent range, a suspension fork and classic easy-to-pedal geometry.

Entry-level recreational riders will find it checks the boxes. It features a similar build to an entry-level bike you would purchase from a ‘big box’ store. Perhaps, even a seasoned bike commuter may find the Emerge has a place as an inexpensive city commuter bike. For individuals who reside in areas where theft and vandalism are prevalent, having a low-cost bike that appears nondescript can definitely pay off.

Good Motor Performance

The 350W motor provides reasonable power, so long as hills are not involved. When dealing with any grade hill, this low-power motor underperforms. That being said, the GOTRAX is easy to pedal and lighter than other e-bikes. These benefits seem to assist the battery and provide good pep to each pedal stroke, assisting in mild-incline climbs and allowing you to zip around on level ground while only supplying power via the throttle. No, it’s not a high-performance bike, but the recreational user will find it has enough power to get the job done. It is far from a torque monster. You could say it’s pretty docile, and will bring you easing (not speeding), to that top speed of 20 mph.

0-20 mph Speeds:

• Throttle only: 00:19 Seconds
• Level Three: 00:14 Seconds

Cons

Overall: Underwhelming

Again and again, when reviewing the Emerge, I found myself thinking that it was very much an entry-level bike, which is not overly surprising as it doesn’t offer any new features or excessive performance. It simply offers the components you need – and they work. That being said, they are just about as inexpensive as you can get, hence the price point. Overall, the bike performs as almost all budget, generic, mountain-style bikes do. So as an overarching con here, you are getting what you pay for. Don’t expect high quality levels or performance.

Basic Display
The display is extremely basic. It is not digital and only uses a plastic interface and LED lights to show info. It shows ‘power-on’, three PAS levels, four battery levels, and a light indicator.

Suspension Is Low Quality
The coil-spring suspension fork is rough and unresponsive. While being better than a solid fork, it’s inexpensive and offers the most basic suspension.

Low-Cost Components and Accessories
The components and accessories vary in quality. The attached light is quite dim, making it only suitable for driver awareness. The grips are uncomfortable and the shifter feels quite cheap. If you were to go to a ‘big box’ store and grab one of the nicer models off the shelf, it would probably have a similar feel. For an entry-level rider, this may not be an issue. But for those who have experienced higher-quality components, you may be left wanting. Whether or not that is possible at this price point is simply up to opinion.

What Is the GOTRAX Emerge?

The Emerge is an entry-level recreational or light commuter bike. It features some ‘mountain bike inspired’ styling, with its front suspension fork and knobby 26” tires. Overall, it features recognizable geometry and offers a relatively comfortable ride. But as mentioned, it feels very much like a ‘big box’ store bike – not overly impressive but decent quality for the price. This bike is firmly recreational and does not offer much for dedicated commuters or advanced riders. Additionally, it’s not a platform to later build-up or upgrade.

What Does It Do Best?

The GOTRAX is a fun recreational ride. It would make laps around the park a breeze and could assist someone in keeping up with quick kids. Recreational users looking to ride it for leisure, will find good value here. It could also be good assistance for less-able riders or those rehabbing from an injury. Its standard tire size and geometry also allow it to fit many bike racks, so those who use a rack to commute could find it a good fit. Campers or RVers would find it a good companion for this reason as well. Overall, the bike would make a good recreational ride, light commuter or fun toy!

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

If you are a seasoned biker you probably won’t be interested, unless you are looking for a good budget option to throw on the bike rack for a trip, or take for a ride with friends and kids. The quality level of components on the bike is not high. But again, neither is the price. In general, those looking for power and performance would probably want to look at other options. The 26” front wheel, combined with the long stem, makes turning wobbly and leaves you feeling like you’re being pulled forwards over the front wheel. This makes the bike unsuitable for more aggressive terrain.

Conclusion

I’m not going to lie. I wish this had been under the tree for me at nine years old, rather than a pedal pusher. But as an adult, it’s much less inspiring when compared to e‑bikes at a higher price point. That being said, there’s still something to like about the GOTRAX Emerge, even if it is just the price.

But it’s a price that entails a level of compromise. If you are a seasoned biker you would likely find yourself looking past the Emerge. For those on a budget, it’s worth a look. Right now, it’s pretty tough to find a better price on a full-size e-bike. Whether the compromises are worth the price is entirely dependent on your needs. We’ve got the full details and specs below to help you figure out if this is the right bike for you.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2
Warranty: 6 Months
Model Year: 2022
Battery Weight: Unstated
Total Weight: 53.0 lbs
Motor Brand: Unbranded
Motor Type: Rear Hub
Motor Nominal Output: 350W
Battery: 36V 7.5Ah Lithium-ion Battery
Range – Pedal Assist (claimed): 26 Miles
Range – Throttle-Only (claimed): 15.2 Miles
Speed: 20 mph
Throttle: Thumb-Switch Style
Pedal Assist: 3 Levels
Controller: 36V
Charger: 42V 2.0A
Charge Time: 5 Hours
Display: Click-Buttons with LED lights. No Digital Display
Frame: Aluminum
Fork: Unbranded Coil Suspension
Brake Levers: Wuxing Mechanical Lever with Motor Cut-Off
Brake Calipers: Filel F4
Brake Rotors: 160 mm
Chain: TEC-PWR 7-Speed
Crankset: 170 mm
Derailleur: 7-Speed Shimano Rear Derailleur: RD-TZ31-A
Shifter: Shimano Sl-TTX30-7R
Freewheel: Shimano Tourney 7-Speed Freewheel
Rims: 26”
Tires: CST Jet – 26”×2.1”
Fenders: Not Included
Lights: Single-LED Headlight
Grips: Unbranded Rubber Grip
Handlebar: Riser
Stem: 85 mm
Kickstand: Yes. Single-Sided
Pedals: Flat (Unbranded)
Max Rider capacity: 265 lb
Waterproof Rating: IPX4 – Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction.
The user manual states you should not ride in the rain or in bad weather conditions.

Testing Data:

Pedal Assist Speed:
Low: 9 mph
Med: 14 mph
High: 20 mph

0-20MPH:
Throttle only: 19 Seconds
Pedal assist: 14 Seconds

Braking distance:

Climb Distance: 0.18 Mile
Hill-Climb Time: 1 Minute 14 Seconds
Average Speed Hill-Climb: 6 Miles Per Hour
Hill-Climb Elevation Gain: 95 Feet

Battery Range: 18 Miles – Tested (High Assist & Throttle)

Frame and Geometry

The bike has a fairly classic geometry that many users will feel familiar with. The front suspension fork provides minor cushioning. Overall, the bike is nothing spectacular. It just feels like a bike. It is comfortable to pedal and has an adjustable seat. The longer front stem does cause the steering to feel a bit wobbly and pulls you forward over the bars. It’s a park cruiser and recreational ride, best suited to gentle terrain. The frame is robust enough to stand some abuse. It performs fine on a variety of surfaces. It’s really meant for fun rides on paved footpaths and gentle trails.

Motor

The 350W motor performs as you would expect. The motor provides a nice extra surge of acceleration. On level ground, you really notice the enhanced speed. It powers you to 20 mph in 19 seconds with throttle alone, or in 14 seconds with some pedal assistance (on maximum assist).

The motor is not a great climber, and steep hills are well past its abilities. It climbs at a slow pace and requires good effort from the rider.

On maximum pedal assist in the lowest gear, the motor performed a 0.18-mile hill climb with 95 feet of elevation gain in 1 minute 14 seconds, with an average speed of 6 miles per hour.

We did not bother testing the bike on a long hill climb as it is not powerful enough.

Cockpit and Control Panel

The cockpit is standard and the control panel is sparse. The bars are occupied by the control panel, bell, mechanical brake levers and shifter.

The control panel is very simple. It’s made of plastic with permanent titles, mechanical buttons, and LEDs to illuminate the provided information. It offers a four-LED battery level monitor, light indicator and three pedal assist levels.

When turning, the long 85 mm stem combines with the 26” wheels to leave you feeling a little unstable. I found the bike pulled my weight forward and over the handlebars, causing the effect to be multiplied. Overall, the bike felt very similar to the ‘big box’ bikes I remember riding in my youth.

Battery

The battery is a 36V 7.5Ah Lithium-ion Battery. It’s integrated into the frame with a secure locking mechanism. The battery does not have a massive capacity, and at 36V it is a lower voltage than the typical 48V batteries we see. The range is reasonable for the battery. Given the bike’s firm positioning as an entry-level e-bike, it is sufficient for the types of riding it will see.

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The battery comes with a standard 2-amp charger.

The key slides into the frame at an upper location that is easy to find and access. The battery locks with a secure click and pops out when unlocked.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain features Shimano’s most basic components. It is simple and effective with limited features. The 7-speed drivetrain is sufficient for the bike and easy to use and maintain. It is a firm entry-level item, and the components are typical for what you find on a ‘big box’ store bike.

Brakes

The brakes are mechanical disc brakes with 160 mm rotors. The performance is fine on flat ground but on steep hills brake-fade is noticeable sooner than expected. The braking performance continues to degrade, the longer and steeper the hill is. Overall, the brakes will be fine for recreational users but leave much to be desired, compared to more performance-minded options.

Wheels & Tires

The bike rides on 26” rims with 26”×2.1” tires. The tires are a knobby ‘MTB style’, similar to a road tire with extra tread. They provide reasonable traction in dry conditions. However, on wet pavement, sliding when braking is easy to do. The bike is not recommended to be ridden in wet weather, due to the lack of waterproofing and tire quality. On trails, the tires slip in the dirt when going uphill or accelerating. I don’t see them offering much permanence in wet trail conditions and gravel roads – so much so, that I did not attempt it myself.

Safety

The bike has a single-LED headlight, rear-facing reflector, wheel reflectors, and pedal reflectors. The light is not very bright but sufficient for visibility. It would need to be supplemented to make night riding comfortable.

The brakes feature a motor cut-off to ensure you stop effectively.

Kickstand

The bike features a simple single-sided kickstand. It can come loose and may require some adjustment.

Contact Points

The bike offers a very basic set of contact points.

The unbranded ergonomic rubber grips are strangely shaped. They are wide in the middle and taper toward the ends. I found them uncomfortable.

The pedals feature very short pegs. I found them very slippery, especially with wet shoes.

The unbranded seat is basic and not overly comfortable.