The mDrive: A step-through e-bike fully equipped for city riding

E-bikes are often a seriously costly investment, so we always appreciate finding an affordable alternative, especially one aimed directly at urban cycling such as the mDrive from Delta Cycles.

Delta has been around for decades in all facets of bicycle design from accessories and storage to e-bikes and the mDrive is the brand’s showstopper.

The mDrive is an upright, step-through bicycle in the Dutch style with wide, curved handlebars that comes with an external, removable battery under the rear rack powering a mid-drive motor.

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The mDrive is a sensational-looking pedal-assist e-bike. We love the Dutch style, which isn’t too common in e-bikes just yet.

The mDrive features a quality Shimano gearing system to go along with front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, the operation of which is exactly as expected — not too grabby, just smooth shifting and smooth braking.

We also enjoy the finer touches that indicate Delta is paying attention to the marketplace and its consumers.

Each bike ships — either directly to the home or to a local bike shop — for assembly complete with the features that make it quite suitable for city living. For instance, there are full fenders on the front and rear of the bike as well as quality wide hybrid tires.

The rear rack is sturdy and would be a good anchor for pannier bags or a crate for hitting the farmer’s market on the weekends. There is also front suspension and even a phone holder and a beverage holder included for those leisurely rides along the waterfront.

When the bicycle arrive, we found it easy to assemble, but there is a video tutorial should assistance be required.

There is such a wide range of e-bikes available on the market ranging in price up to $10,000. So for Delta to price the mDrive below $2,000 is very impressive.

Wish List

The Danish-engineered 250w 90nM mid drive motor is powered by a 396 wh lithium battery. The mDrive has five levels of pedal assist and a top speed of 16 mph with a 55-mile range.

The handlebar display is simple and clear with a series of five LED indicator lights for both assist level and battery life.

It should be said that the bike would likely be fine with three levels of assist as there wasn’t much separating the first few levels. The top speed is adequate and feels less unsafe and jarring than with other e-bikes. It’s all very relaxed and comfortable.

Ideal User

Although the mDrive isn’t a speedster, it did provide all the assist necessary for most everything we encountered while testing the bike out on the streets. A steep incline will still require some good pedalling, but all seems to be manageable in the higher levels of assist.

The bicycle is suitable for urban environments on the road, bike lanes, and some trails such as crushed gravel.

We like that it is a good cruiser suitable for those looking for a relaxed and comfortable ride around the neighbourhood and to destinations around the city.

The 55-pound overall weight of the mDrive puts it in the lighter category, and it was easy to manage a few stairs with the battery in place.

Of course, having the option to remove the battery and charge it indoors while the bicycle is, for instance, parked outside or at the office bike corral at work, is a real bonus. As is having the charging port accessible with the battery in place. It’s that flexibility that impresses.

Summary

Delta has created a rather easy-to-use and comfortable step-through e-bike that is a fine option for those looking for an affordable pedal-assist option for city life.

We love the thoughtful accessories and built-in features such as the lighting system and fenders. But, were also pleased with the quality components, especially the Shimano gearing.

The mid-drive motor combined with the lithium battery provides a solid one-two punch to provide the necessary electric assist to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride about town.

Lastly, it is great that the mDrive is one size fits all, for riders who are 4’10” all the way up to 6’4”. One of our reviewers is 6’2” and had no issues with the bike. And, should there be any issues, it’s nice to know Delta has included an industry-leading three-year warranty.

For more information, head to the Delta Cycles website.

For more information on buying an e-bike click here.