Swagtron Swagcycle Mini Review: Cheapest E-Bike Around

POSITIVES

✓ Ease of use

Simple and efficient

✓ LED Headlights

Portable and ready to use for night rides

✓ Convenient charging

Via micro USB port

NEGATIVES

✘Not the sturdiest

Making sharp turns may be more challenging depending on weight distribution

✘ Pedal-free

Riders can only move the bike by a button. Some may or may not like this feature

✘ Uphill battle

Strains when moving uphill

Retail Price: $399.99

buy on swagtron.com

Functional yet simple

E-bikes have become a competitive and tricky market to gauge. Some cost as much as a high-end computer while off-brand bikes are akin to throwing your money into a lottery. Some are great for a cheap price, others are unusable. But what if someone removed the pedals and shrunk the concept of an e-bike down to a bare-boned minimum? Enter the Swagcycle.

From Swagtron, a company that made a name off the hoverboard craze, the Swagcycle is more of a mini scooter than it is an e-bike. Even though it lacks a functional pedal, the highlight of this vehicle is the use of the throttle to travel up to 10 MPH for a range of up to 10 miles. With a sturdy aluminum build, this is a deceptively solid product and has a decent amount of heft to it.

At 30 pounds, it folds up and fits into the smallest of trunks with ease. Admittedly, steering is a little loose for my liking and because you are so low to the ground, riding over bumps can be rocky. If you are riding this on the sidewalk to the market or to classes on campus, the Swagcycle gets you from one destination to another without breaking a sweat. Features like the LED headlights and brake lights make it more than just a toy. If your office or commute is within 10 miles on a drivable path, the Swagcycle can realistically save you money as a commuter vehicle without paying the premium cost of a more expensive e-bike. From our testing, we rode the bike for 2 miles to a donut shop for coffee on relatively hilly roads. We then rode another 2 miles after to a park and finally a return trip to where we started the journey. For around eight miles of travel, we ended back safely with two bars of battery life remaining. That is solid battery life and pretty close to what Swagtron advertised.

Yes it’s as fun as it looks ridiculous

The Swagcycle uses a 36-volt battery and a 250-watt motor that charges into standard wall plugs. You can also charge your phone on the go using the battery, but be mindful of how much battery it might waste when you do that. While you may look ridiculous riding on it, I can see a wide market for those who are looking for an inexpensive way to travel. Pop a basket on it or a space for groceries and you have a convenient ride to grab necessities.

While not perfect, the Swagcycle is a fun ride that gives you the convenience of owning an e-bike without paying the full price for one. Good for people of all ages, the Swagcycle is a great alternative for the everyday commuter looking for an easygoing and affordable ride. 

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