Shop Visit: Pedego Electric Bikes now open in downtown Portland

2224

Pedego’s storefront on SW 2nd
(with new awning that just went up today!).
(Photo: Tommy Connell/Pedego)

Pedego is one of the largest and well-known names in the electric bike world and now they’ve got a retail outpost in downtown Portland. We mentioned the shop a few weeks ago and now that they’re open for business I swung in the other day for a peek.

The shop itself is located on a busy intersection on Southwest 2nd Avenue south of Stark — just across the street from legendary brunch spot Mother’s Bistro & Bar. (Store employee David Peters said he’s already had nearly a dozen people from Mother’s wander into the shop.)

Inside the shop Pedego has its full line of e-bikes on display, as well as several non-electric models from Creme Cycles.

The two Pedego models that caught my eye were the “Stretch” cargo bike and the “Latch” folding bike

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(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Pedego Electric Bikes-2.jpg

For kids and/or cargo, the Stretch is a serious rig.

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latchfolder

Pedego’s new Latch folding e-bike.
(Photo: Pedego)

The Stretch is a monster. Peters said it could haul 400 pounds, it has racks all over the place, and it’s full of features like front and rear lights a USB port, and more. With a retail price of $3,500 it’s significantly less expensive than other electric cargo bikes in this increasingly crowded niche.

The Latch is Pedego’s newest model. I didn’t try to fold it but they say it takes less than 60 seconds. With concerns about theft and ease of carrying onto transit, folding bikes are getting more popular in Portland. Adding a 36-volt battery for a bit of extra power up the hills, a clean belt-drive and internally geared rear hub should help this $2,500 bike find lots of fans.

In addition to offering sales and test rides, Pedego Portland also offers service, basic commuting gear and accessories and rentals too. They also hope to start doing electric bike tours. Given them a call (503) 241-2912, visit PedegoPortland.com or swing by and check them out at 412 SW 2nd to learn more.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Jim Lee
Jim Lee
8 years ago

Where do they place the motors?

Joseph E
8 years ago

Re: ” With a retail price of $3,500 it’s significantly less expensive than other electric cargo bikes”

The Bike Friday Haul-a-Day is assembled in Eugene with a frame made at their factory right here in Oregon. You can order a basic model plus cargo rails for about $1350, shipped. A Bionix e-assist kit would have added $2300 to the cost for a total price of about $3650, very close to the price of the Pedego bike.

Chris I
Chris I
8 years ago
Reply to  Joseph E

I was thinking this exactly. Also, the Stretch weighs in at 85lbs, according to their website. I guess I struggle to see the advantages of the stretch over the Yuba ElMundo, which can be had for $3,600 and weighs in at 70lbs.

Bill
Bill
8 years ago
Reply to  Joseph E

The Haul-a-Day doesn’t fold…

Bill
Bill
8 years ago
Reply to  Bill

Never mind! Was thinking about the folder…

bendite
bendite
8 years ago

*low powered mopeds.

B. Carfree
B. Carfree
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

I won’t dis the e-bike entry into the bike market. I’m seeing a growing number of people who likely wouldn’t be riding at all if not for these things out on the road. I get a real charge out of seeing some of them on a hill near the city limits enjoying the awesome views and the general joys of riding. More power to them.

joe adamski
joe adamski
8 years ago
Reply to  B. Carfree

More power to them. Pun intended?

Chris I
Chris I
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

Do mopeds require pedaling to function?

bendite
bendite
8 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

No. Do bikes have motors? No.

Mark M
Mark M
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

Do E-assist bikes have motors? No. They do not go unless you pedal, they only help increase physical input.

bendite
bendite
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark M

*E assist mopeds. Fixed.

Alex Reed
Alex Reed
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

I think you’re underestimating how much people pedal on most American e-bikes. Riding my e-cargo-bike with my kids is awesome and feels quite similar to riding an unassisted bike. If I don’t pedal, the bike doesn’t go, and the faster I pedal, the faster it goes. I’ve ridden a moped (a little bit) and an unassisted bike, and the experience of riding my ebike is WAY closer to that of an unassisted bike than to that of a moped.

Do I enjoy the simplicity and less-clunky feel of riding my “normal” bike on days when I don’t need to haul kids at some point in the day? For sure. Are those days common nowadays? Nope, pretty rare. Is riding my e-cargo bike better than driving? By a TON.

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
8 years ago
Reply to  Alex Reed

at least 1.25 tons better than most cars.

Mark M
Mark M
8 years ago
Reply to  Alex Reed

This 1000X

Anne Hawley
8 years ago
Reply to  Alex Reed

Thanks for this perspective. I’ve only test-ridden one e-assist bike, and then only inside a parking garage, but it was wonderful! Nothing like a moped or a motorcycle, as far as I could tell.

I’m interested in owning an e-assist bike because, after four years of carfree living, I find I’d like to expand my range a little, and trying to do so by building up my fitness at this age isn’t worth the exhaustion.

I have a number of destinations just outside my comfortable riding capacity (hills and/or distance) that would be perfectly doable with a boost. An e-assist bike will keep me pedaling and independent longer.

wsbob
wsbob
8 years ago
Reply to  Anne Hawley

In a comment to another story last week, I added a note that I’d just taken my first ride on an e-bike, and an e-scooter. Demonstration at Pio Sq, pitching the ‘genZe’ brand. They’ve got a shop somewhere on the SE side.

Both vehicles were exciting and easy to ride. bike: just crank the pedals and it goes…assist level is easily variable. Scooter; turn the right grip, and it goes. 30 mile range, perfect for lots of trips around the neighborhood, or a little further. Comfortable to sit on too, nice seats.

I’ve ridden motorcycles, one as small as 70cc, a little trail bike, but never a scooter or a moped. Basically, I don’t like the exhaust smell, heat, or the noise they make. Electric power eliminates those problems.

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

Check your power-to-weight ratios. lopeds? Also, try using your “bike” to replace 3-mile car trips in southwest up and down 500ft of elevation every day. Maybe you do just pedal it no sweat every day, but most people will continue to drive their car until they get an e-bike. If you’re not biking every day all year, you should get one.

I frequently pedal my 270lb self+bike up the 500ft climb with the motor off now. Before riding an e-bike every day, I would have failed to even fred 210lb up Corbett on CF. Motors beat excuses.

bendite
bendite
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Leifsdad

Stealing “lopeds”

9watts
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Leifsdad

“most people will continue to drive their car until they get an e-bike”

I don’t know. This is kind of a slippery slope to get on. Who makes these rules?

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
8 years ago
Reply to  9watts

Not rules, just choices. Somebody with money and a car can choose to easily drive 1 mile to the store, park, and then easily haul 6 bags of groceries up a couple hundred feet of elevation to their home. Because we’ve subsidized cars so much, this is really cheap and easy.

Hills aren’t insurmountable, but they are a lot of work. No matter how you come at it under manual power, you’re working against gravity. The hills also make it less pleasant or safe due to connectivity, blind crests/curves, and auto traffic.

Paying a fair tax on gasoline, parking, etc might change that choice. But, we’re far from $16/gal, $100/mo parking, or a $10 congestion charge.

Electric bikes undercut the costs of driving and greatly reduce the physical effort, preventing the “sweaty and long first and last try” from discouraging those who attempt to replace car trips with a bike.

9watts
9watts
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Leifsdad

I hear you. I was just concerned about reifying those kinds of preferences. Our problem seems to be that we have become so unused to physical exertion that we’re afraid of it; will do anything to keep it at arm’s length.

Adam
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

I don’t get all the e-bike hate. Is it a purity thing or something? If it’s not your thing, then so what? Some people like them, and they’re not hurting anyone. I probably won’t ride one myself, but if it gets more people out of their cars, then I’m all for them!

mran1984
8 years ago
Reply to  Adam

I don’t “hate” them, but they are mopeds. There is a motor. I like parking in front of my house, so you can all stop your “hatred” of that then. They are mopeds. In regards to Pedago, their reputation at the last shop who sold them was not too hot. Good luck with the motorized bike. They can easily be adjusted to exceed 25mph plus and that does belong on the Esplanade, or any other non-motorized path.

CaptainKarma
CaptainKarma
8 years ago
Reply to  mran1984

That’s my issue. There are some folks just sailing through the bike lanes at *well* over 20 mph, and don’t make noise coming past you whether nasty gas motor , horn, or word-of-mouth. If they kept to a reasonable speed or stayed out of the bike lane and off crowded sidewalks, they could be a useful and welcome addition to transportation food chain.

Mark M
Mark M
8 years ago
Reply to  CaptainKarma

Sorry but that is incorrect, there are no E-assist bikes that are “under power” over 20mph, any bikes sold as E-bikes, or aftermarket E-assist systems sold by the retailer and manufacturer are legally bound to be limited to 20mph. They are not “easily” hackable or “tricked” into adding power above 20mph. that is a complete farce they don’t exist.

There are a very small amount of companies making E-bikes that exceed 20 mph and none of them are sold in Portland.

If you see an e-bike moving faster than 20mph then the rider is creating 100% of that speed under their own power or its a completely illegal system most likely built in their garage.
I know of one person in Portland that rides an E-bike capable of exceeding 20mph and he rides with a full face helmet in the traffic lanes only.

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark M

If you’re seeing powered bikes go by you at over 20mph (and it’s not a downhill), then they are NOT legal e-bikes.

I’ve seen a fair number of hackbikes lately – some electric, some gas-powered – that were obviously put together by handypeople, and often going way faster than legally sanctioned e-bikes.

The distinction is important.

Also, yes it does seem to be a purity thing, from what I can see. I’ve always been of the opinion that purism does a lot of harm in this world.

Bay Area Rider
Bay Area Rider
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark M

Strange at my bike club meeting I remember the local Pedego dealer saying that he could easily reprogram the bikes to give assist to speeds over 20 MPH. In fact he said his personal bike he had reprogramed up to 25 MPH. The new Calif e-bike law recognizes 3 classes of ebikes. Class 1 is a pedal assist bike, class 2 is pedal and throttle. both Class 1 and 2 are limited to assist up to 20 mph. Class 3 ebikes are pedal assist up to 28 MPH so it could be possible for people who have a class 3 Ca ebike to be visiting in Oregon

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
8 years ago
Reply to  Bay Area Rider

We would do better to set speed limits on bike lanes, sidewalks, off-street, or shared paths. Getting clobbered by a fred on the esplanade might hurt a bit less than a 25mph bakfeits, unless you get skewered by the aerobars.

Mark M
Mark M
8 years ago
Reply to  mran1984

They are not “mopeds” a Moped is a motorcycle that can be pedaled when Not being propelled by the engine. They are self propelled by an internal combustion engine.
Definition of “Motor”: a machine, especially one powered by electricity or internal combustion, that supplies motive power for a vehicle or for some other device with moving parts.

The motor of an E-assist bike only adds or assists the motive power created from the person pedaling. E-assist bikes are not self propelled, some offer a “boost” button or throttle but the bike must already be in motion and adding power with the “boost” option will eat the charge in about 10 minutes or less. (extremely inefficient) and depending on the steepness cannot propel a bike up hill much steeper than 6%

E-assist bikes are closer to The Bionic Man (the six million dollar man to be exact) than a Moped.

bendite
bendite
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark M

So maybe StEve Austin is a better name for them?

Mark M
Mark M
8 years ago
Reply to  bendite

I ride my E-assist Cargo bike every day, on average I ride 30 miles a day and 2 miles of that is up a 16% grade (I ride to the top of Mt scott every day!)
My bike weighs (with out BionX) 45 lbs, with BionX it weighs 65 lbs
I deliver bicycle parts all over town to many bike shops (free of charge) multiple days a week.

I also pick up my two children from school and carry them half way up Mt Scott on it. With out the E-assist I would not be able to pick up my kids from school on the bike and even with it I can only climb at about 6 mph at full power and that is using my granny gears.

During many of my deliveries I can get across town and back to the office faster and less fatigued while still getting a good workout without sweating like a pig.

I also use a Metrofiets cargo bike for short deliveries and larger multi bike/load deliveries. the Metrofeits does not have E-assist, I can carry heavier more cumbersome loads at more average (and stable) speeds on the E-assist than I could ever do on the Metrofiets.

My point is that the majority of my riding would not be possible with out the E-assist mostly because I would need to be in Pro Tour shape and I would still suffer from fatigue.

E-assist bikes are not mo-peds they are systems that assist human input much in the same way the gears on modern road bikes have improved the bikes ability to climb more efficiently. Gears add a mechanical advantage so by your logic everyone should be riding single speeds in the tour De France.

bendite
bendite
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark M

My logic is that a bike is human powered exclusively. E “bikes” are not. Therefore, they are not bikes.

Curtis Roth
Curtis Roth
8 years ago

This morning on my usual commute on Interstate Avenue another cyclist commented: “Nice motor. Why are you not using your own power?” My response: “Doctor’s orders. I have arthritis but I didn’t want to stop riding.”

Anne Hawley
8 years ago
Reply to  Curtis Roth

My Dutchworkcycles Oma is mistaken with surprising regularity for an e-bike, either because chain guard looks like it might be hiding a motor, or because the massive rear enclosed-gear hub gives that impression. (Or maybe because I look like the kind of person who needs e-assist, which is getting closer to the truth every year.)

The two kinds of comments I get: Curious and interested from another woman over a certain age who thinks a big upright bike with e-assist might be her ticket to bike riding; and the more skeptical “Is there a motor in that thing?”.

To the latter I usually slap my upper thigh and say, “Just this one.”

Mike Quiglery
Mike Quiglery
8 years ago

While we’re talking about E bikes. What happened to Kalkhoff? They were hot a couple years ago, now they appear to be available only in Germany.

Alex Reed
Alex Reed
8 years ago
Reply to  Mike Quiglery

The e-bike store still sells them.

Anne Hawley
8 years ago
Reply to  Mike Quiglery

The Kalkhoff Impulse line has my dream ebike. At least, it looks like it. Wish I could test-ride one here in town.

anna
anna
8 years ago
Reply to  Anne Hawley

clever can e-assist a dutch bike, with eRad motor kit!

Anne Hawley
8 years ago
Reply to  anna

I love those folks!

Yes, they mentioned that it was possible. I’ve hesitated because I adore my Dutchie just as she is, and I think I’d be inclined to keep her and add a second bike to my life. Still considering options and saving up.

Adam
8 years ago

But do they sell air-powered bikes?

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

I just like that they have someone who works there named XXX. That’s just bad ass!

maxadders
maxadders
8 years ago

I look forward to seeing more of these on downtown sidewalks

Anne Hawley
8 years ago
Reply to  maxadders

Because people who prefer (or need) e-assist are also scaredy-cats who won’t ride on the street? Or because they’re natural lawbreakers?

joe adamski
joe adamski
8 years ago

I will gladly endure the e-assist bikes, even the ones who pass me as I slowly slowly slowly puff up a hill.. as one more division of that critical mass of cyclists that will someday force that changes in infrastructure. 6% mode share is not gonna do it.. 25% might.

Paul H
Paul H
8 years ago

Isn’t that where Bike Central used to be located? I miss Dean, aka, the Cranky Bike Guy.

Nobody
Nobody
8 years ago

I worked at a bike shop that distributed Petego for for a year or two. Not Jumping on the E-bike hating bandwagon, they are great because they help people with limited mobility who wouldn’t necessarily be able to ride otherwise. This is more of a buyer beware comment. Out of the box the build kit had us scratching our heads as to how they could justify their pricepoint. We were seeing components that came stock on some department store bikes. Even professionally build, the bikes felt really disappointing. We were basically told to get it AGAP. Wheels use 12 gauge spokes for the super heavy drive hub, which most shops would have to special order in the event of a spoke replacement, something that should normally take no more than an hour. I think the biggest problem were the batteries. They used the wrong gauge wiring, which subsequently over burdened the battery and caused it to fry the cell, making it an 85 LB cruiser. Something a warranty should fix, right? The cherry on top was the total lack of customer service. A complete refusal to own up and stand by their product. After holding onto the warranty batteries for a few months they mailed them back and basically told us we were on our own. More than half of the Petegos we sold came back with the same faulty wiring/battery issues. Customers were given full refunds, we ate the cost and for a while had a room in the building that was affectionately referred to as the “Petego graveyard”.
Maybe things have changed, but with the bikes I see in these pictures it looks like they’re still using the same parts on their cruisers. Want an E-bike? Get it from a company with a back bone like Specialized who actually pick up their phone.

Pedego
7 years ago
Reply to  Nobody

My name is Don DiCostanzo and I am the Co-0Founder and CEO of Pedego. I’m calling you out “Nobody” ALL your comments are deceptive and outright lies. The most obvious lie is stating that our cruisers weigh 85 lbs. The real fact is that they weigh 60 lbs.

You are being deceptive to suggest we don’t pick up the phone. Pure nonsense! Try us at 800-646-8604 during normal business hours. We have NO PHONE TREE and NO VOICE MAIL. Someone always picks up the phone! We are rated by our customers and our dealers as having THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE.

The components on Pedegos are top notch brands beginning with the easiest to compare – our brakes are all AVID BB7 front a rear disks. Try to find those on “department store bikes” as you suggest.

Either you have confused Pedego with some other brand since you spelled it incorrectly not once but twice or you work for Specialized? I noticed you spelled their name correctly. BTW, we don’t ever have batteries shipped back to us so that’s proof of more lying. If anyone for any reason is dissatisfied with their Pedego, please contact me directly on my cell phone at 714-206-8485 or shoot me an email to don.com.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but “Nobody”‘s comments are false and deceptive.