At present, in the world of electric bikes in America, frame size and fit can feel like a second level consideration vs. motor design, battery size and control interface. There are many small companies joining the movement and it is hard for them to offer variation because it’s expensive. These companies often choose the most popular frame size to build on and focus their energy elsewhere. Thankfully, larger companies like Easy Motion (which is a part of BH, a bicycle company from Spain that has been around since 1909) are filling the gap with bikes like the Neo Jet! This bike is smaller and offers a step-thru frame design that’s easy to mount and stabilize for shorter riders. Simply being able to put both feet on the ground when stopped can improve the sense of control and stability that one experiences when riding; this is especially true if you’re riding with a backpack or using a rack with bags or panniers attached.

Just because the frame size is a bit smaller on the Jet does not mean the motor or battery are weaker. In fact, it uses the same 350 watt geared hub motor as the rest of the Neo line of electric bikes. This motor delivers good torque and comes in a small form factor that provides room for a 10 speed cassette. The Neo Jet actually offers 30 speeds in total with three chain rings at the bottom bracket using Shimano Deore components. In my experience with this and other Easy Motion bikes, I’ve found the motor to be relatively quiet but still powerful and fast. It’s capable of reaching 20 miles per hour in throttle mode and 25+ in pedal assist which is very satisfying!

The battery pack on the Neo Jet uses Easy Motion’s new 36 volt 12 amp hour design with Lithium-ion cells. In short, it’s got a high energy density and can endure 1,000+ charge cycles before degradation begins. You can take care of it by keeping it away from extreme hot or cold temperatures, keeping it charged and topping it off regularly, at least once a month. The pack is removable for convenient charging when commuting, you actually have to take it off the bike anytime you want to charge it which is one of my gripes. Some other ebikes let you plug in without removing the battery pack and this is convenient if you store your ebike inside for safe keeping. The neat part about this pack is that it’s backwards compatible with all other Easy Motion Neo bikes so finding a replacement easy and even using a friend’s pack is possible (even with the original 36 volt 8 amp hour design).

One thing I would have liked to see on the Jet is a water bottle cage mounting point on the top tube. The other Neo bikes all forego braze ons because they would have to be built into the battery pack which could lead to vulnerability. For the Jet, they could have added them right on the metal tubing like other standard bicycles. This would have raised the step-through height but at least the rider could make that choice.

The LCD computer console on this bike is really great. First off, it matches the primary frame color (white) and is removable for protection when parked. It comes with a soft fabric case for temporary storage and runs off the main battery pack so you don’t need separate individually wrapped (wasteful) battery cells. The unit is backlit and water resistant with three rubberized buttons on the left side which are reachable with your thumb during riding. Press the middle button to turn the unit on and use the up and down buttons to navigate through different levels of pedal assist. To use the throttle you have to go down to zero and I wish they would let you use throttle mode in any pedal assist level but it’s a minor gripe and something very few ebikes allow at this point in time. The LCD is monochrome. It shows your speed, range and battery capacity with easy to understand visuals.

Electric bikes offer the benefits of increased range, reduced challenge when climbing or fighting wind and they can even the field when riding with more advanced cyclists. None of this is possible however if the bike doesn’t feel good or fit right. The Easy Motion Neo Jet along with the Pedego 24″ Cruiser, Volton Alation ST and a few others are catering to riders who might otherwise struggle to find the right fit, namely women. The Jet in particular delivers a more aggressive pedaling position that feels good to pedal and coasts efficiently vs. a cruiser design. This is an amazing bike with solid components, good weight distribution and comfort thanks to the suspension fork. The drive system, control interface and warranty are all top notch and it’s a bike I’m happy to see on the market.

Pros:

Solid two year warranty on the battery pack and up to five year warranty on the bike if you register online

LCD computer unit is backlit, easy to reach, simple to understand, well sealed against water and dust, does not require separate batteries, is removable and includes woven pouch

Four levels of torque sensing pedal assist (Eco at 70%, Standard at 140%, Sport at 200% and Boost at 300% rider input) are responsive, smooth, efficient and great for climbing

Twist throttle mode makes starting from rest easy, rides like a scooter

Hiqh quality Shimano Deore drivetrain offers 30 speeds for climbing or speeding down hills

Integrated battery design looks great and keeps weight low and centered on the frame

Wires and cables are built into the frame keeping them out of sight and out of harms way

Geared hub motor is quiet and small, it doesn’t stand out or attract attention when riding

Lockout feature on front fork improves riding efficiency on smooth surfaces

Cons:

No water bottle cage bosses or braze ons, may have to add an aftermarket solution or use a CamelBak

Battery must be unlocked and taken completely off the frame for charging

No indicator for when battery is locked or unlocked on the frame, could make it easier to forget and fall off

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