Schwinn has a long and storied history of making the best bikes on the planet specifically for younger riders. That youth-first attitude is fully schwinn dealers embraced in our e-bike offerings as well. When it comes to buying things in the 21st century, we seem to have an embarrassment of riches.
We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Upgrading to a larger capacity battery will allow you cover greater distances and/or ride for a longer period before needing to recharge. In terms of pricing, this is not the cheapest e-bike you can buy. But it’s one of the least expensive ones you can buy from a bike company.
This creates the feeling of being pushed – it’s that extra boost of energy e-bikes are famous for. But of course half the fun of riding a bike is using your own power for propulsion (or at least sharing the load). So I usually found myself keeping it in the second or third pedal assist level out of five total levels. But while the Schwinn EC1 isn’t a fancy cruiser, it is a comfortable and pleasurable ride. The 250 W motor doesn’t sound powerful, but when I put it in the highest assist level I don’t have to do any work.
Some thought was put into the idea there and I appreciated it. A 7-speed transmission from Microshift also adds to the commuter street-cred, giving those in hilly areas the ability to run through the gears on hills. It looks just odd enough for drivers to take a second look in a “what the heck is that thing? A second look is invaluable as a rider, where we’d often even be grateful for a first look from drivers. Prices for e-bikes currently on the market can vary widely. Here at Schwinn, we worked hard to develop a high-quality ride that won’t break the bank.
The simple, somewhat disappointing truth is that the Coston DX doesn’t stack up against other e-bikes of a similar price. At over $2,000, it should have better acceleration and range, and as a Schwinn it should have better craftsmanship. It’s undeniably a great-looking bike, but the performance simply doesn’t deliver on that promise.
There is also a mid-drive motor option that powers the bicycle drivetrain instead of the tire hub. This style creates a natural sensation that one would typically feel when riding a bike. Finally, as you can see on our new electric bikes, there is also a rear hub motor that is located on the back tire.
The Coston and Marshall include an integrated light, which are powered by the main battery, just like the motor. The Coston models have fully integrated head, tail and battery lights; while the Marshall model’s schwinn dealers taillight is battery operated and must be turned on separately. At level 5, the throttle propels you up to 20 miles per hour and disengages if you go faster than that (for example, if you go downhill).
The bike arrived in a standard bike box, but that was housed within an even larger outer box to protect the contents. It took me about an hour to unpack the bike, remove all the protective packaging and then assemble it. The one potential problem is the weight of the bike, with the rear hub motor (from CZJB motor maker) and the in-frame battery already in place.
Keep in mind that e-bikes are built for all different types of riders, from casual cruisers to high-octane adventurers. Also know that there are bikes equipped with features that are specifically designed for kids, women, and older riders. Whatever you want to do on your e-bike, and whatever type of riding you intend to do, we’ve got you covered. For seniors, we recommend an e-bike with a step-thru frame and upright riding position. This frame style makes it easier to get on and off the bike, and an upright riding position is easier on the lower back. The frame is also designed to be lighter for easier handling, and includes wider tires for extra stability.