Australian bike brand Reid Cycles are no strangers to providing a range of bikes that represent great value for money. With its women’s specific Classic E-Bike, the value proposition is as strong as ever. We recently had our hands on a Classic and passed it around a few members here at BikeExchange. Read on for an overview and out first impressions of this value-packed assisted commuter.
At a Glance
Price: From AU$1,499
Category: City E-Bike
Drive Unit: Bafang 250W Rear Hub Motor
Battery Capacity: 11aH (396Wh) Panasonic Battery - Rack Mounted
Availability: Right now! Check with your nearest Reid Cycles store for local availability.
More than the Sum of it Parts
Sitting as the entry-level option in the value-packed Reid Cycles e-bike range, it’s easy to undersell a bike such as the Classic. However, take glace over its spec sheet and it’s clear that Reid has managed to extract a phenomenal amount of value out of the AU$1,499 price tag. Sure there are some concessions such as the v-brakes, and smaller than average battery capacity, but you’re getting a lot of bike for the money here.
Shifting duties are handled by a slick-shifting 8-speed Shimano Acera/Altus groupset, Tektro provides the alloy V-Brakes. Durable double-walled alloy wheels are fitted, as are bike path ready Kenda Kwest 35mm wide puncture-resistant tyres. We’d love to have seen mechanical disc brakes offered here in place of the v-brakes, however, as the added heft of the e-bike and make the steed a bit of a handful to bring to a stop in a hurry once it’s up top its 25kph cruising speed.
Moving to the added extra’s and this is arguably where the Classic amps up (pardon the pun) its value proposition. With a set of mudguards, a kickstand, reflectors and a usable rack included as standard, there’s little else for riders to add, save for perhaps a light set, and a bell.
The drive unit and battery system are nearly identical to the Reid Pulse we have reviewed in the past. the Classic is powered by a Bafang rear-hub drive unit. The unit produces 250 watts of assistance to the rider with a maximum assisted speed of 25km/h. Weighing in at a claimed 2.9 kg, a hub motor undercuts a mid-mount, or pedelec drive unit by around a kilogram, and offers a more affordable assistance option at the expense of ride feel.
The handlebar-mounted computer displays basic metrics to the rider in addition to serving as a remote for cycling through the assistance levels. The drive unit offers up five levels of scalable assistance, with higher levels producing increased levels of torque and pedal response, while lower levels seek to conserve battery.
Battery life is said to range between 40-70km per charge, which should be more than ample to power most rider’s commutes to work.
So with that being said, if you’re on a budget, and are looking for an assisted commuter capable of your urban riding duties, the Reid Classic is a worthy addition to your wishlist.
- In the market for an E-Bike and don’t know where to begin? Our comprehensive E-Bike Buyer’s Guide is loaded with all you need to know about buying an electrically assisted bike.
