In practice, I felt the motor back off around 19.5 mph and that’s alright. Starting from complete standstill without power felt difficult because the bike is geared high in order to hit the 20 mph top assisted speed. With a decent tuneup from a professional for my own Thin (who trued the wheels and and adjusted the disc brakes) the bike coasted effortlessly and having just one gear felt okay. And in my experience, as long as you’re already moving at 5+ mph it’s not too difficult. Whether you run out of battery or just want some extra exercise, you can always shut the bike completely off and pedal under human power. The display is actually a big highlight for me as it delivers many readouts, comes with an easy to read manual and offers backlighting that you can shut off! Yes, it’s great to see the screen sometimes at night but some electric bikes don’t let you turn the light off and there are times when it can be very distracting. With the LCD installed you could use zero level as a way to read the cycle computer and track mileage, speed and battery capacity. Technically there’s no throttle only mode with or without the display panel but that lowest assist level isn’t that distracting or destabilizing so it’s not worth griping about. In its base form, the cadence sensor seems to default at assist level 1 which is very low… just enough to take off the edge of added weight of the bike and reach up to ~7 miles per hour if you pedal gently and rely mostly on the motor. I love that in any of the five assist levels 1-5 the throttle overrides with full power (this is only applicable if you buy the $90 LCD panel upgrade). In terms of performance, the Thin delivers smooth comfortable power output but can still feel zippy and exciting in the highest level of assist (or when using the throttle). ![]() I was able to unscrew the battery box and push down on the locking pin to remove the battery without using the key. The two trade offs I see with all of the frame-box designs so far from Sondors is that the top tube of the bike can no longer be used to hang on racks or lift (for those who live upstairs) and the battery locking mechanisms aren’t especially strong. I appreciated the comfort saddle, locking ergonomic grips and low-rise handlebar but would probably purchase a shorter riser stem and 27.2 mm seat post suspension and locking seat collar if I was using it to commute daily. Speaking of shock… this all-Aluminum bike does not come with suspension and uses hybrid 1.5″ wide tires so depending on road conditions it could get a little abrasive. There are three rubber bumper pads placed specifically to reduce rattling noise and probably absorb shock as you ride along. Inside, there’s a bit of extra space for hiding some money, keys or bandages and with the Thin model, the actual battery design is much sleeker and easier to fit. ![]() ![]() It’s a practical approach that’s executed well and I love how easy to use the winged finger screw and swing-open door are. ![]() Sondors ebikes differentiate themselves by housing the control unit, battery pack and many of the cables inside a plastic frame box. I purchased both of these prior models and was satisfied with the quality and shipping time, the team pretty much hit their targets for delivery and even though support has been very minimal or non-existent according to some buyers, the value is still there given the low price point and unique style. It borrows from some of the earlier Sondors fat tire bikes sold through Indiegogo and Kickstarter in 2015. The Sondors Thin is a single speed urban style electric bike with an average sized motor and slightly below average sized battery priced very reasonably at $499… plus mandatory $194 shipping.
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