With an ultra-low step-through frame the Model 1 is very easy to mount and dismount, and quite comfortable to boot thanks to the upright seating position and tool-free adjustable stem. The electronics and drivetrain are fairly basic and it doesn't include any rack or fenders, but at $1,299 it's still a pretty darn good deal, and it does have hydraulic brakes!
General
Frame and Contact Points
Electronics
Bicycle Components
What Other Experts Are Saying
Before purchasing a personal electric vehicle costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, it's important to do your research to make sure you get the right one! Even though we'd love to personally review every single EV out there, there's just too many out there for us to possibly cover them all. That's why we've worked hard to curate reviews from other experts in the industry. We only show an excerpt of each review here; please use the "Read Full Review" button to get the full story on their website and support their excellent work!
"The Denago City Model 1 Step-Thru Ebike aims to offer urban commuters and casual riders a comfortable, convenient, and efficient means of transport. With its step-thru frame, advanced motor setup, and thoughtful cockpit design, this Ebike promises to take the pain out of city travel. With a price tag of just $1,300 does it deliver? Let's find out...."
"The Denago City Model 1, the company’s first e-bike, does so much right that we were reluctant to criticize it much at all. Below $2000, we would be pleased to see a bike offered in three different sizes, or sporting hydraulic disc brakes, or equipped with a motor that would laugh at hills, provided it could laugh. The Denago City Model 1 distinguishes itself by giving riders all three of those features—a killer ..."
"The Shengyi hub drive gets the City Model 1 up to those max speeds with enthusiasm. And exceptional elegance too—especially for an ebike at its price point. Its considerable muscle comes on smoothly and ramps up without any surges in power to upset the rider’s pedal cadence. It also runs quietly and doesn’t suffer from the unpleasant buzzing vibration we’ve been seeing from other hub-drive ebikes currently in..."
"I have to admit, starting out, my experience was a bit jerky with the pedal assist—here’s why: When starting out on an e-bike, there’s an adjustment period while you retrain your brain to expect the bike’s pedal assist function. I had a hard time finding a happy medium between the different levels of pedal assist while changing gears, climbing hills, and navigating around other people walking or biking along ..."
"We are happy to see Zoom hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors. The motor will immediately cut-off when applying the brakes.The tires are puncture-resistant 27.5″ x 2.6″ and have reflective sidewalls. These slightly wider tires provide extra confidence and cushion for around town. It is a unique choice that we don’t often see on these types of electric bikes. There is an integrated headlight on the handlebar..."
"To their credit, Denago took the unusual approach of doing real-world range testing with riders of different weights at different assist levels. With a 175-lb. rider pedaling in PAS 1, the City Model 1 covered 48 mi., while a 185-lb. rider pedaling in PAS 5 covered only 20 mi. This is a much more helpful approach to letting buyers know what they can expect and kudos to them for pursuing this. The Shimano Tourney dri..."
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