Hi Q. I bought an eStarli in 2019 (via the Cycle to work gov.uk scheme) and I've done > 4000 miles on it, from Cherry Hinton to the science park most days. The great thing about an eBike is that you're far more likely to use it in winter, when the wind is against you, and if it's slightly rainy, than use a car.
The eStarli is almost identical to your bike – the folding mechanism is pretty much the same, built in front-light the same, and small light under the seat, with the seat post housing the battery, although it doesn't have the lock. I bought one with Schwalbe Marathon tyres and a rear rack already fitted. I use it every time I drop my car in for servicing, I just drop it into the boot.
However, I'm cycling less on it now, as I'm only commuting from one side of Cherry Hinton to the other in the morning – it's just quicker, so I can leave my desk at 15.08, and be at the school gate at 15.15 to collect children. I've also "hacked" mine, so it continues to apply power over 15mph. But you're right, it really hard to go much faster than 18mph, as your legs have to pedal so fast. The top speed I've gone is about 22mph down Mill Road Bridge, and I couldn't keep it up for long. I have half-wondered about getting a new front gearset to improve the top-speed, but actually, I'm usually not in that much of a hurry.
Also been mulling over the various options. The Eovolt 2024 Pro models look like they will be amazing.
In the meantime I'm tempting the eStarli 20.8 which whilst similar to the Eovolt Afternoon 2023, does appear to have more torque at 50nm 8 gear Shimano Altus, internally routed cables and it's slightly cheaper (around £1900 for the pro version). Anyway enjoy your bikes they will be great fun and thanks for the useful video.
Thank you for your video Quentin, its very much appreciated. We are sure you will enjoy many miles together on your afternoon bikes.
Also worth mentioning we go that extra mile, hand polishing the welds for a premium look of the frame, internally routed cables and we have developed our own premium motor over many years which is why it is branded Eovolt rather than use a generic chinese motor like many cheaper brands.
I have a 12.8 volt 50amh LifePo4 and its going to be connected to a 1500 inverter. The ebike charger is 54.7 volt ,will the ebike charger damage the LifePo4 battery?
Hi I’m looking at getting the afternoon . I’m in Yorkshire at the edge of the Peak District so have you been up any decent hills and how did it handle them. Thanks
Thank you for the review! We ordered our Afternoon Pro's early 2024, and are very much looking forward to receiving them in June. We were equally impressed by the build quality. 2024's will have a belt instead of a chain. Enjoy the ride!
This is very similar to the ADO Air 20 (which has a single speed carbon belt drive). Just as with the MiRider and Onebot and many others e-bike clones are everywhere. Looking closely at the specs and quality of the components before purchase is necessary but not easy in the myriad of information and wide number of unfamiliar brands churning out near identical products.
Hi, saw your review and bought 2 after trying out others as you did. Noticed on ours that the label on the frame states “2022” …just wondering if yours says the same ?
Hallo ich habe mir das Bike geleistet und bin sehr zufrieden,ich wohne im Lahn Dill-Kreis und dort es es sehr hügelig und ich komme ohne Probleme die Hügel hoch .. Was für mich wichtig war, ist das ich das Fahrrad auch ohne Anhängerkupplung mit an die Ostsee nehmen kann und dort alles mit diesem zu erkunden,da freue ich mich sehr darauf . Einfach in den Kofferraum und los geht's. Meine Schwester und meine Freundin leben an der Weser und dort gibt es den wunderbaren Weser Fahrradweg,das ist dort auch sehr idyllisch….
Gr8 video review! I chose this bike over all the others including the £5k Gocycle – simply because this bike works. The battery pak is the most important thing in an e bike that needs to work and because the of this bike's design, with a 'plug in' when you go over a bump the connection remains stable, unlike other brands where batteries lose their connection at the contact points. Because I do a lot of hill riding in rural Perthshire, the only aspect I would modify would be to put more powerful brakes on the front as on steep hills I need to hit the brakes multiple times to stop in time at junctions. Another minor issue with the Eovolt is the paintwork. I already have chips of paint missing and can't understand why, as I've not dropped the bike or been careless, the paint seems to suffer every time I fold the bike up and put in the car – the bike is actually protected by the official bike bag so not sure how this is happening. I bought some touch up paint online and while 'Dessert Dust' is nowhere near the bike's 'Dessert Sand' color – as long as the frame is protected from moisture that's all that matters. Also I still haven't put the bike through it's first service yet – the thumb gear leaver has too much play so that's a minor adjustment I need to get sorted. Saying all that, out of all the e bikes and petrol motorcycles I've owned, the Eovolt is ultimately the best bike I've ever had as it will open up a whole new world of adventure for me. I can fit it and another fold up bike in my wee Mini and go camping and cycling so am looking forward to shooting some travelog Eovolt videos this year (British weather permitting of course 🙂
I've had mine now for over two years, I have the model with the shock absorber, have cycled over 1800km mainly to work, and am overall quite satisfied with the bike, have raised the speed limit from 25km to 50km. The range of my bike is between 50-60 km, for one charge.
Thank you for the thorough review! I noticed you had to fiddle with the battery connector under the bike – has that gotten easier or more difficult with time?
It is a good ebike, comfortable. Ok, the seat could have been more comfy, the handle bars are pretty straight that gives the option of lower nornal height or raised.
It would be interesting what the older front suspension feels like. Easy to get on and off without having to thrown the leg over the seat.
Price wise, a breakdown of the £2200 cost. Samsung battery but is a new battery going to be available in a few years time ir is it part of a throwaway culture. A normal bike is expected to last 5 years, if the motor and/or battery cease and the rest of the bike is good, what then..
Good build, easier to lift unfolded but is it a bit lught weight for an 8 mile ride each way. Should be ok once in a while vut two ir three times a week over 5 years?? Railway crossings and the fixed fork
Hello Quentin, thank you for your clear review, is the chrome basket an accessory from Eovolt, or what brand is it? How do you attach it to the rack? Kind regards, Gerrie
22 Comments
Hi Q. I bought an eStarli in 2019 (via the Cycle to work gov.uk scheme) and I've done > 4000 miles on it, from Cherry Hinton to the science park most days. The great thing about an eBike is that you're far more likely to use it in winter, when the wind is against you, and if it's slightly rainy, than use a car.
The eStarli is almost identical to your bike – the folding mechanism is pretty much the same, built in front-light the same, and small light under the seat, with the seat post housing the battery, although it doesn't have the lock. I bought one with Schwalbe Marathon tyres and a rear rack already fitted. I use it every time I drop my car in for servicing, I just drop it into the boot.
However, I'm cycling less on it now, as I'm only commuting from one side of Cherry Hinton to the other in the morning – it's just quicker, so I can leave my desk at 15.08, and be at the school gate at 15.15 to collect children. I've also "hacked" mine, so it continues to apply power over 15mph. But you're right, it really hard to go much faster than 18mph, as your legs have to pedal so fast. The top speed I've gone is about 22mph down Mill Road Bridge, and I couldn't keep it up for long. I have half-wondered about getting a new front gearset to improve the top-speed, but actually, I'm usually not in that much of a hurry.
Also been mulling over the various options. The Eovolt 2024 Pro models look like they will be amazing.
In the meantime I'm tempting the eStarli 20.8 which whilst similar to the Eovolt Afternoon 2023, does appear to have more torque at 50nm 8 gear Shimano Altus, internally routed cables and it's slightly cheaper (around £1900 for the pro version). Anyway enjoy your bikes they will be great fun and thanks for the useful video.
Thank you for your video Quentin, its very much appreciated.
We are sure you will enjoy many miles together on your afternoon bikes.
Also worth mentioning we go that extra mile, hand polishing the welds for a premium look of the frame, internally routed cables and we have developed our own premium motor over many years which is why it is branded Eovolt rather than use a generic chinese motor like many cheaper brands.
Thanks again..😃
I have a 12.8 volt 50amh LifePo4 and its going to be connected to a 1500 inverter.
The ebike charger is 54.7 volt ,will the ebike charger damage the LifePo4 battery?
Hallo from Germany .
TY and Like
Hi I’m looking at getting the afternoon . I’m in Yorkshire at the edge of the Peak District so have you been up any decent hills and how did it handle them. Thanks
Thank you for the review! We ordered our Afternoon Pro's early 2024, and are very much looking forward to receiving them in June. We were equally impressed by the build quality. 2024's will have a belt instead of a chain. Enjoy the ride!
Very estarli esk
Im going for the newer estrali one they look great. Eovolt are expensive
This is very similar to the ADO Air 20 (which has a single speed carbon belt drive). Just as with the MiRider and Onebot and many others e-bike clones are everywhere. Looking closely at the specs and quality of the components before purchase is necessary but not easy in the myriad of information and wide number of unfamiliar brands churning out near identical products.
I was actually wondering if it would be possible to put two of them in a Tesla M3, I'm happy to hear that it's doable! Thanks a lot for this review.
Hi, saw your review and bought 2 after trying out others as you did. Noticed on ours that the label on the frame states “2022” …just wondering if yours says the same ?
Mr Posh normally gets his footman to fold & lift into his Tesla or camper.
Very good review thanks, I bought one today!
Hallo ich habe mir das Bike geleistet und bin sehr zufrieden,ich wohne im Lahn Dill-Kreis und dort es es sehr hügelig und ich komme ohne Probleme die Hügel hoch ..
Was für mich wichtig war, ist das ich das Fahrrad auch ohne Anhängerkupplung mit an die Ostsee nehmen kann und dort alles mit diesem zu erkunden,da freue ich mich sehr darauf .
Einfach in den Kofferraum und los geht's.
Meine Schwester und meine Freundin leben an der Weser und dort gibt es den wunderbaren Weser Fahrradweg,das ist dort auch sehr idyllisch….
Gr8 video review! I chose this bike over all the others including the £5k Gocycle – simply because this bike works. The battery pak is the most important thing in an e bike that needs to work and because the of this bike's design, with a 'plug in' when you go over a bump the connection remains stable, unlike other brands where batteries lose their connection at the contact points. Because I do a lot of hill riding in rural Perthshire, the only aspect I would modify would be to put more powerful brakes on the front as on steep hills I need to hit the brakes multiple times to stop in time at junctions. Another minor issue with the Eovolt is the paintwork. I already have chips of paint missing and can't understand why, as I've not dropped the bike or been careless, the paint seems to suffer every time I fold the bike up and put in the car – the bike is actually protected by the official bike bag so not sure how this is happening. I bought some touch up paint online and while 'Dessert Dust' is nowhere near the bike's 'Dessert Sand' color – as long as the frame is protected from moisture that's all that matters. Also I still haven't put the bike through it's first service yet – the thumb gear leaver has too much play so that's a minor adjustment I need to get sorted. Saying all that, out of all the e bikes and petrol motorcycles I've owned, the Eovolt is ultimately the best bike I've ever had as it will open up a whole new world of adventure for me. I can fit it and another fold up bike in my wee Mini and go camping and cycling so am looking forward to shooting some travelog Eovolt videos this year (British weather permitting of course 🙂
I've had mine now for over two years, I have the model with the shock absorber, have cycled over 1800km mainly to work, and am overall quite satisfied with the bike, have raised the speed limit from 25km to 50km. The range of my bike is between 50-60 km, for one charge.
Thank you for the thorough review! I noticed you had to fiddle with the battery connector under the bike – has that gotten easier or more difficult with time?
Ah ha! Just what I need, I have an elderly Border terrier, can you tell me more about the back rack, basket and plastic tub you put your spaniel in?
It is a good ebike, comfortable. Ok, the seat could have been more comfy, the handle bars are pretty straight that gives the option of lower nornal height or raised.
It would be interesting what the older front suspension feels like. Easy to get on and off without having to thrown the leg over the seat.
Price wise, a breakdown of the £2200 cost. Samsung battery but is a new battery going to be available in a few years time ir is it part of a throwaway culture. A normal bike is expected to last 5 years, if the motor and/or battery cease and the rest of the bike is good, what then..
Good build, easier to lift unfolded but is it a bit lught weight for an 8 mile ride each way. Should be ok once in a while vut two ir three times a week over 5 years?? Railway crossings and the fixed fork
Hello Quentin, thank you for your clear review, is the chrome basket an accessory from Eovolt, or what brand is it? How do you attach it to the rack? Kind regards, Gerrie
love the video and the posh accent. feels like one of my friends dads doing the review