In a market stuffed with difficult tech, sky-high torque specs, and smartphone apps to manage an e-bike, New York-based Precedence Bicycles goes in the wrong way with the launch of its latest mannequin: the Precedence Glide, a light-weight, fuss-free e-bike that brings belt drive simplicity to the lots.
Unveiled yesterday, the Glide seems to be constructed for riders who desire a clear, low-maintenance electrical bike with out the intimidating menus or mechanical litter.
It sticks with the identical recreation plan that has come to outline Precedence Bicycles: rolling out high-end bicycles designed to be virtually completely upkeep free, but at costs nicely beneath the everyday bike store sticker shock.
On this case, with an MSRP of $1,799 plus a $400 off launch low cost till August 4 (low cost code RIDEAGLIDE), it additionally occurs to be one of the inexpensive electrical bikes available on the market that includes a Gates Carbon Drive belt system paired with an internally geared rear hub transmission. We’ve seen low-cost belt drive e-bikes earlier than, however they’re usually single-speed bikes.
With the Precedence Glide, you not solely get the much-lauded maintenance-free Gates carbon belt drive system, however you additionally get the equally maintenance-free Nexus 3 rear hub transmission, which replaces a derailleur for less complicated, cleaner, and hassle-free shifting – even at a cease.
The Glide slots in beneath Precedence’s present E-Traditional Plus, sustaining the corporate’s signature type: basic strains, upright posture, and nil grease. The body makes use of a dropped prime tube for a neater step-over design, which strikes a stability between conventional geometry and straightforward on-off entry. Add in dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors, 700c x 38mm puncture-resistant tires, double middle kickstand for steady upright parking, entrance and rear LED lights, full composite fenders, and a thumb throttle, and also you’ve obtained a commuter-friendly package deal designed to maintain issues easy, clear, and straightforward to journey on both pedal help or throttle operation.
With a max payload of 300 lb (136 kg) and out there in two totally different body sizes, the Glide is designed to raised match a spread of riders. And with two shade choices of blue and black, it’s additionally hoping to suit a spread of tastes.
The Glide is powered by a 350W entrance hub motor paired with a 374Wh detachable battery tucked into the downtube. Collectively, they assist the bike attain a prime assisted pace of 20 mph (32 km/h). Vary is listed as 20 miles (32 km) on throttle or as much as 60 miles (96 km) with pedal help.
It’s a modestly highly effective setup, however one which must be sufficient for neighborhood rides, errands, or a brief each day commute. The decreased motor and battery measurement additionally assist the bike tip the scales at simply 49 lb (22.2 kg), making it one of many few sub-50 lb direct-to-consumer e-bikes available on the market nowadays.
With the decrease energy motor, the considerably decrease capability battery ought to final a bit longer, offering modest help that doesn’t overwhelm. Riders get three pedal help ranges to select from, at the very least once they’re not making use of that thumb throttle, and the bike’s Shimano Nexus 3-speed inner hub helps preserve shifting easy. Among the finest options of an internally geared rear hub is that shifting could be performed whereas standing nonetheless, akin to when a rider has forgotten to downshift after a speedy part (which appears to occur at the very least as soon as per week to me).
The opposite main benefit of internally geared hubs is after all that there’s no derailleur to fiddle with, no chain to lube (due to the belt drive), and no overly difficult digital shifting. Simply hop on, faucet the throttle should you really feel like dishonest a hill, and cruise.
“Using must be easy, pleasing, and one thing folks stay up for on daily basis,” stated Precedence co-founder and CMO Connor Swegle. “Our purpose with the Glide is to take away the limitations that preserve folks from using extra—whether or not that’s difficult upkeep, intimidating tech, or cumbersome designs.”
Electrek’s Take
I’ve turn into a giant fan of Precedence Bicycles since I purchased my first one again in 2020. They’re well-known for constructing with larger high quality elements (they don’t rust as a result of they use non-corroding {hardware}, for instance), not to mention the truth that they at all times go for Gates belt drives and different high-end drive parts. And the explanation they’ll provide such good bikes at cheap costs is as a result of they provide a hybrid mannequin. Based and run by true cyclists, they’ve their conventional bike store in Manhattan but additionally function as a direct-to-consumer firm, permitting them to chop out the bike store mannequin and provide decrease prices to shoppers. On this case, they’ve demonstrated that benefit fairly nicely with the Precedence Glide.
In a world of carbon-framed fancy bikes that value an arm and a leg, or torque monsters that may lay down a rubber snake within the bike lane, it’s refreshing to see an organization lean into the easy pleasure of using. The Precedence Glide gained’t win drag races or cross mountain ranges, however that’s not the purpose. It’s a clear, sensible, approachable journey designed particularly for people who need an electrical bike that appears and seems like a daily bike, however that doesn’t require the upkeep of a daily bike. And with elements like a Gates belt drive, good hydraulic brakes, and a Shimano Nexus 3 at this worth, it’s laborious to not be impressed.
The cherry on prime would have been a torque sensor, which might have had me over the moon, however hey – I suppose they’ve to depart me one thing to whine about!
