Hitting the Streets in Style on the ENVO Flex Overland e-Bike
The cool-styled ENVO Flex Overland e-bike made it possible for me to reach a compromise with my 16-year-old son that made us both happy. He gets independence, and I get peace of mind. He got his learner’s permit to drive, but he just doesn’t have enough experience behind the wheel yet. Until he’s logged his mandatory hours of supervised drive time, the ENVO e-bike gives him the freedom he craves to get around our rural village. He can visit friends, commute to his catering and bus-boy gigs at the local inn, cruise to the axe-throwing range, the gym, rec center—you get the point.
My son loves the ENVO Flex Overland’s distinctive rugged design, which stands out from most e-bikes that look like oversized comfort bikes his grandmother would ride. The gun-metal black chopper-like handlebars, 20”x3.5” fat tires, rear cargo rack that can double as a passenger seat, cage-like front utility basket, and other add-on features give this bike a cool factor and make it perfect for off-roading and riding in all weather conditions. In fact, the e-bike’s platform can convert to a SnowBike with an attachable blade and features a battery rated for freezing temperatures—enough to tough out the chill of winters in Canada, where these bikes are built. Similarly, the platform can adapt to become a trike and is compatible with a number of accessories, like a surfboard holder or dog carrier, making it a great future-proof investment if the user’s needs change. At a price point of $3,429, this is an important consideration.
One of the most remarkable things about this bike is that its frame is foldable—a rarity in this type of e-bike—making it transportable and easily fitting into our small SUV. Despite its frame’s lightweight aluminum composition, with tires and accessories it weighs 70 pounds, which is lightweight for an e-bike but not as light as a regular two-wheeler. So, it does take two people to lift it in and out of the vehicle. It can carry a maximum weight of 400 pounds, including passengers and cargo.
Another great advantage of the ENVO Flex e-bike over others is its capability to be pedal-powered or operated by a thumb-push throttle. There’s also expandability to add a second battery, doubling the riding distance of a single battery, which can reach 125 miles per charge on pedal assist level 1 (out of 5). As someone who is paranoid after hearing all the stories of spontaneously combusting batteries, I feel more at ease knowing that the ENVO battery is an A-grade branded Li-Ion battery with a Battery Management System (BMS) that prevents overcharging, overloading, and other hazards, thereby increasing both the cyclic and calendar life of the battery.
Other advanced tech on the bike includes an advanced pedal-assist sensor with optimized torque emulation software. The advanced torque emulating Pedal Assist Sensor (PAS) signals the controller to run the motor between 5 levels of pedal assist, providing a boost to the rider’s pedaling depending on the level of assistance selected while riding.
The proprietary rear hub of the ENVO e-bike delivers up to 500W power, allowing riders to climb the sharpest of hills and carry cargo with zero effort. The current release of the Flex Overland is designed for 1000W, though it is set to 500W rated and 20 miles per hour speed to keep it street-legal. Within a few days of getting the bike, my son and his friends—like typical curious and mischievous teenagers—figured out how to hack the speed, though they promised they would never exceed the legal limit, which I fully believe.
While we do live in a relatively safe area, it’s still a good idea to keep the bike and its battery secure, which can be done with the battery’s built-in security lock. On the note of safety, the brakes on this bike are outstanding. The top-of-the-line hydraulic disk brakes equipped with electric cut-off sensors provide more safety to the bike and the rider. Lastly, the headlamp on this bike is brilliant, really. The LED headlight is powered by the main battery and controlled by a keypad on the handlebar. As many of our rural streets do not have street lights, a bright headlight has been a crucial safety feature for riding after dark.
Compared with other e-bikes, the ENVO definitely rates high in cool factor. Its styling and adjustable features ensure that my son will not outgrow it anytime soon, and it’s suitable for the whole family to ride. The adjustable handlebars, unisex step-through frame, and other flexible features enable the bike to fit riders of various sizes and builds, from 4’11” all the way to 6’5”. The bike itself is suitable for various environments, with a vibration-minimizing frame and lockable front suspension fork with 80mm of travel for a comfortable ride on both paved and unpaved trails.
While I can’t say enough good things about this e-bike, I can say one additional great thing about the company that makes it. ENVO Mobility is committed to sustainable engineering. The company’s values are reflected in its mission: “To create joyful experiences through developing quality, innovative, and reasonably priced, environmentally responsible e-mobility solutions.” What’s not to love about this e-bike!