Review of Charge City

Charge City is an electric city bike with a 50-mile range and 20 mph top speed. It has all the features you’d expect in a high-quality city e-bike, but it is also unique.

Charge City includes folding handlebars and pedals for easy storage, and it is nearly 20 lbs lighter than comparable city e-bikes.

The full Charge Bikes lineup consists of four electric bikes from commuters and hybrids, to city bikes and off-road e-bikes.

All Charge e-bikes have a 50-mile range and 20 mph top speed, plus a range of important features.

For example, each Charge bike, including the Charge City e-bike, comes with fenders, kickstands, lights, and cargo racks. 

Compared to other city e-bikes, the Charge City is lighter and more portable than its competitors. Let’s take a closer look in this Charge City e-bike review. 

Main Specs

The Charge City specs cover an impressive array of features and accessories that you’d be hard-pressed to find on comparable e-bikes. When you factor in the folding handlebars and pedals, plus unique accessories like the automatic tire pressure sensors, the Charge City truly stands out. 

Related: Full Review of Charge Bikes

Next, we’re going to run through the list of Charge City specs, as well as the all-important Charge City accessories.

• Motor: 250W Bafang Hub Drive Motor, 45 Nm torque
• Battery: 36V, 11.6 Ah (418Wh) 
• Range: 50 miles on average
• Charge time: 3 hours to reach 80% capacity, 7 hours to fully recharge
• Top speed: 20 mph on pedal-assist or throttle
• Weight capacity: 300 lbs
• Bike weight: 45 lbs
• Fork: 1 1/8 Chromoly fork
• Drivetrain: 7-speed 14–34T
• Brakes: mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors
• Tires: Goodyear Transit Tour 700 x 40c with puncture resistance  
• Accessories: five levels of pedal assist, thumb throttle, integrated front and rear lights, folding handlebars and pedals, cadence and speed sensors, automatic tire pressure sensors, front and rear fenders, and an integrated rear rack

The Frame

It might not look so at first sight, but the City is incredibly lightweight.

Made from lightweight and durable 6061 Aluminum, the Charge City e-bike weighs just 45 lbs including the battery.

Most comparable electric city bikes weigh upwards of 60 lbs, making the Charge City one of the lightest city e-bikes. 

The Charge City frame comes with a removable battery, kickstand, as well as integrated lights, fenders, and a rear rack. One of the best features of the Charge City frame is its folding handlebars and pedals.

This makes the Charge City ideal for easy transport and storage, especially for riders who live in the city, use a train or bus, or store their city bike in their apartment. 

Components

Charge City e-bike components include the 7-speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors. The crankset has 38T which is standard for a city e-bike and a 14-34T cassette which offers a wide range for climbing and commuting. 

The Bafang motor is housed inside the Charge City’s rear wheel which is a 700c, 36-hole double wall rim.

Offering the most puncture protection, Charge City e-bike has Goodyear Transit Tour 700 x 40c puncture-resistant tires that even include reflective sidewalls to help you stay safe, day or night. 

Motor and Battery

Charge City comes with an impressive set of electronics that is consistent throughout the Charge bikes lineup.

The City has a 250W Bafang hub drive motor with 45 Nm torque, with five pedal assist levels, and a throttle. Power is delivered through the 36V, 11.6 Ah (418Wh) removable battery that can complete an 80% recharge in just a few hours. 

Learn more: Electric Bike Motors Explained

The motor assists up to 20 mph, while the throttle is thumb-operated. You can view all the electronic features of the Charge City through its easy-to-read display which is attached to the handlebars. 

Sizing

Charge City e-bike comes in two sizes for the standard frame: small and large. Here are the rider heights that Charge recommends for each frame size: 

• Small: 5’1” – 5’9”
• Large: 5’10” – 6’3”

Charge City is also available in a low-step frame design, which only comes in one size, suitable for people in the 5’1” – 6’ range.

Final Verdict

In this Charge City e-bikes review, we’ve looked at the details of one of the most unique electric city bikes.

With its folding frame and pedals, the Charge City e-bike folds in a way that few other bikes are capable of.

This makes the Charge City e-bike perfect for city riding, busy commutes, and easy bike storage. 

At just 45 lbs, the Charge City is one of the lightest city e-bikes, yet it doesn’t skimp on any of the features you’d hope for in a city bike.

With integrated fenders, lights, and a rear rack, you can commute and run errands in all sorts of weather on the City. The puncture-resistant, all-weather Goodyear tires should give you confidence in the rain or while riding through a construction zone. 

At an affordable price point, the Charge City e-bike is an appealing option that could easily replace your car. You’ll have plenty of room to carry groceries or cargo, and hills won’t be a problem thanks to the Bafang motor and five levels of pedal assistance.

Charge City

$1,799

9.3

Components

8.5/10

Motor

9.5/10

Range

9.5/10

Comfort

9.0/10

Accessories

10.0/10

Pros

• Lightweight
• Tons of accessories
• 50-mile range
• Folding handlebars and pedals

Cons

• Price
• Top speed

Get From Charge Bikes

About The Author

Zach Nehr

Zach Nehr is the head of ZNehr Coaching, a freelance writer, and an elite-level rider in road, gravel, cyclocross, and track racing. Zach earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science at Marian University- Indianapolis, and quickly thereafter earned his certification as a USA Cycling Level 3 Coach and TrainingPeaks Coach. He has a passion for writing and has a number of published articles on his website as well as Velonews, Cyclingnews, CyclingTips, TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, and Cyclist UK.

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