Prodeco Tech is a young American company which started in 2007 and has evolved to become a giant in the electric bike industry, while remaining largely eco-friendly and customer oriented.
The Prodeco Storm V3 is an exciting star in the constellation of the company’s products.
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Rating:
4.30/5.00
Price:
$$$$ on Amazon (August 25 2015)
Warranty:
2 year warranty with purchase.
Pros and Cons:
Folds To Half Its Size No Display For Speed Or Battery Charge
Quick Charge Batteries At 55 lbs It Is Heavy
Efficient Motor For Effortless Ride Poor Battery Life On Heavy Usage
Peddling Assistance Available
First Impression:
The bike comes off as an aggressive and an attractive machine, with a nice shiny metallic paint. Even though it is on the pricier side of things, this folding bike review still made our top list!
Detailed Review:
The Storm V3 comes with dual options: A 500 W motor for the speed fans and a 300 W motor for the energy conserving bikers. Both the machines are top options and have not much else in difference.
The bike can be ordered on Amazon and is shipped to your house within a few days if you own Amazon Prime. You can in fact pick up your own delivery date and time frame so that you can receive your package yourself. It arrives wrapped and folded in a long narrow shaped box and has unattached handlebars, wheel and the seat alongside, which is probably done to prevent shipping damage. You can get the assembly started by viewing the instructions, which are clear and simple. Almost 95 percent of the bike is already fixed and you can wrap up with the setup within 45-50 minutes. If you are unsure about the assembling, you can get the bike done by a mechanic or reviewed after you have finished getting it ready.
Despite the aluminium frame, the V3 is still heavy compared to your normal mountain bike. As the warning on the instruction booklet states, the V3 is not to be used for extreme cycling. However, the bike possesses a high quality frame gives you a sense of confidence while on it and which is able to perform under the high torque provided by the motor, with the ability to cruise up to 20 miles per hour maximum (18 mph for a 300W motor). The throttle can easily be shifted with the bike’s ‘power on demand’ feature and if you are feeling like giving your legs some working, you can always pedal as if it is an orthodox bike. Actually for the more incline surfaces you would need to provide pedalling assistance since the motor cannot provide enough torque. Nevertheless, it is unlikely you would encounter a situation in an urban setting.
The bike provides a great mileage of twenty five to thirty miles for every charge and the high performing lithium battery keeps your journeys very energy efficient.
The features do not end here, with the V3 showing off its SRAMx7 Twist 8 speed shifter mechanism which makes the transition between gears very smooth. The Avid BB5 disc ensures that you have the needed breaking power while there is also a heat expulsion system using Avid rotors. The tires are large and of top quality which allows you to speed easily even if you are paddling manually, even if you are on a hilly terrain.
The seat is comfortable and keeps your upright, unlike a few similar e-bikes, which shows Prodeco’s dedication to the minor details. You also get a sweet adjustable kick stand, although it’s not very visible in the product pictures.
The folding and unfolding is quite easy, however if you are not used to lifting weights then it can be a problem for you as the V3 is not one of the lightest bikes. Still, the bike when folded keeps a very compact form and can be kept in your vehicle trunk if need be.
The only major let downs in the bike are the limited gear options, which make it difficult to perform under rough conditions (again the bike was not exactly made for it) and the battery meter, which is just not reliable as one would hope. The battery life is also not very impressive and if you are a heavy user it will bother you. The Prodeco team is aware of this problem and we should hope to see an improvement in any update which might release. If you have any issues you can contact the team and they will make sure your problem is attended to immediately. The customer service is one I will vouch for.
Specifications:
- Colour: Pewter Metallic
- Made in USA
- Avid BB5 Disc Brakes
- Avid 180mm HS1 Rotors
- 25-30 Mile Distance per Charge
- Brake Inhibitor Kraton
- SRAM X7 Twist 8 Speed Shifter
- Continental Double Fighter 26 x 2.1 Tires
- SRAM X5 8 Speed Mid Derailleur
- Packs a LiFePO4 24 Cell Battery with 38.4V 9Ah
- LiFePO4 43.8V 2 Amp Charger
- Charging Time 4 Hours
- Rear Direct Drive 36V 500W Motor
- 20 mph Speed
- ½ Twist Throttle
- 55 lbs.
Verdict:
Although the bike might come off as a tad bit expensive when you compare to the cheap Walmart Chinese e-bikes, but you would know as soon as it arrives on your porch that you have made the right decision. It is made well and does justice to its purpose very well. The parts are made in USA (except for the tires which are from India and the battery charger which is from China) and assembled in here as well, which can be a big plus for many of us who don’t want to risk their money on Chinese parts. It is an all-weather and fun machine, which also allows you to sweat when needed to burn off those extra calories. If you are situated in an urban setting and want to purchase an e-bike which is not top of the line but gets the job done in a fantastic fashion, you should look no further. Combined with Prodeco’s after sale service, this is a bike which receives a big thumbs up.
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