There was a time when electric bikes in California were prohibitively expensive. But these days, thanks to manufacturers like Espin, the prices have fallen off a cliff.
And the quality of the e-bikes has only continued to get better. From powerful motors and durable frames to all-terrain tires and superior battery ranges. There is much to admire when it comes to Espin electric bikes. This review takes a deep dive into Espin e-bikes.
About Espin
Espin is a newcomer in the electric bike market. As the underdog, it has much to prove to consumers before they can trust it.
The family-owned e-bike business was founded in 2016 in California by Josh and Yina Liu. Espin is named in honor of Yina’s close friend who lives in Norway.
Espin was inspired by the local legend of Espen Askelladen. Espin espouses ideas of creativity and non-conformity.
This rebellious/non-conformity serves as the founding principle of Espin. The idea is to disrupt the electric bike market with products that defy consumer expectations.
Espin, for the most part, lives up to this vision. Most of its products are a work of art with innovative design and impeccable quality.
Espin has a very ambitious goal: to replace cars with e-bikes. The founders envision a day when people commute with e-bikes.
But these ambitions are not without their challenges. E-bikes have limited power and battery – and the journey ahead is filled with potholes and gravel.
A defining feature of Espin e-bikes is their premium batteries. Espin claims they use the same kind of batteries used in Teslas.
Given that the average lifespan of Tesla batteries is 20 years, how does Espin compare? The e-bike community seems to rally behind Espin because of its high-quality products.
What’s surprising is that Espin manages to do all this without increasing the price tag. Most electric bikes are under the affordable $2,000 budget range.
Espin eBikes – A Look at Their Lineup
Did you know that there is a waiting list for buying Espin e-bikes? And the waiting list itself is very long because of enthusiastic buyers.
Espin releases its e-bikes in very short supply. At the time of writing, Espin only has five electric bike models. The table below summarizes these electric bikes in California.
| eBike Model Name | Type |
| Nesta | Foldable eBike |
| Nero | Daily commute, cruiser |
| Sport | Road (built for performance) |
| Flow | Cruiser (for speed |
| Aero | Commute (designed for the everyday rider) |
All these e-bikes have one thing in common: incredible motor power. This allows them to tackle the steep inclines of California.
These e-bikes have very high torque to make the climb easier. Surprisingly, the e-bikes manage to be affordable yet full of powerful components.
You can tell that Espin takes pride in the construction of their e-bikes. All bikes are outfitted with durable components with top-notch build quality.
The section below explores all five models in detail. This information can help you decide if these electric bikes in California are worth buying.
Espin Nesta
Specs at a Glance
- Motor: Espin 750W rear hub motor with 85Nm torque
- Range: 40 miles (depending on the rider’s weight and other factors)
- Battery: 48V, 10.5 Ah
- Weight: 65 lbs
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes on the front and rear
- Frame: Aerospace-grade aluminum
- Gearing: 8-Speed, 11-32T
- Rider weight (max): 275 lbs
- Dimensions when folded: 35” by 20” by 33”
The Espin Nesta is a flagship electric bike that can fold. Foldable electric bikes don’t exactly have a reputation for top-notch build and quality. But Nesta breaks that stereotype.
It features a gorgeous, streamlined design that is engineered to perfection. Nesta engineers and designers took their time with this electric bike.
At first glance, you wouldn’t know it’s a foldable e-bike – the Nesta is that durable. With the Nesta, Espin has set its sights on the utility sector of e-bikes.
It features top speeds of 28 mph and throttle assist of up to 20 mph. You can bring this electric bike to a grinding halt thanks to hydraulic disc brakes.
The unique design of the Nesta lends well to a unique aerodynamically enhanced frame. In other words, reaching top speeds with the Nesta would be easier.
As a utility bike, there is plenty of space in the rear. Espin has tried to do it all with the Nesta.
Nesta’s 750W rear-hub motor deserves special mention here. It features rapid acceleration, almost sweeping you off your feet.
Thankfully, the front suspension keeps the bike firmly footed on the ground. The suspension absorbs all the shocks and vibrations, making your ride comfortable.
The motor can deliver up to 85Nm of torque. This will help you scale the steep hills of California (or any other place).
The Nesta’s range and battery are just as impressive. At a speed of 20 mph, you can expect to cover 30 miles per charge. Now that is beyond amazing given the incredible speeds.
And if you want to extend your range, consider using minimum pedal assist. You should be able to cover a range of 70 miles on the minimum pedal assist.
Speaking of which, there are five levels of pedal assist. Levels 4 and 5 upgrade you to Class 3 speeds and make the ride fun.
But all these features are meaningless if the e-bike doesn’t feel comfortable. Thankfully, the Nesta features a very rider-friendly geometry and comfort levels.
The seating puts you in an upright riding position. This makes the bike comfortable at all speeds and terrains. Whether you are joyriding or commuting – the ride will feel comfortable.
The ergonomic handle also feels easy to hold onto for long periods. You can also adjust the handlebars to make the ride feel more comfortable.
The hydraulic disc brakes come with 160mm brake rotors in the front and rear. They are incredibly powerful with quick reaction times.
The brakes let you bring the e-bike to a grinding halt at a moment’s notice.
The 100mm suspension fork combined with fat tires makes everyday journeys smooth. The Nesta is hands down one of the best all-terrain, utilitarian electric bikes in California.
Espin Nero
Specs at a Glance
- Motor: Espin 750W rear hub motor with 85 Nm torque (same as the Nesta)
- Range: 50 miles (depending on the rider’s weight and other factors)
- Battery: 48V, 14.5 Ah, 696 Wh, lithium-ion by Samsung
- Weight: 110 lbs
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
- Frame: Aerospace-grade aluminum
- Gearing: S-Ride 8 Speed 11-32T
- Fork: 100mm Travel Hydraulic Lockout
Nero aspires to do things a little differently than the Nesta. This e-bike falls under the cruiser category and outperforms Nesta’s range.
It has a powerful battery with a storage capacity of 696 Wh. This allows the Nero to have a maximum range of 50 miles.
However, you could tweak your riding settings to get more out of the battery. By switching to minimum assistance levels, you could cover over 80 miles.
The Nero’s heavier battery pack does add considerable weight to its frame. It weighs just a tad over 110 lbs, making it substantially heavy.
It won’t be difficult to carry this e-bike back home if the battery loses its charge. We recommend planning ahead before taking this e-bike for a spin.
It comes with assist levels of 1 to 5. Just like Nesta, levels 4 and 5 take you to class 3 levels of speed.
The powerful 180mm Zoom hydraulic disc brakes deserve special mention here. They are more than capable of fully stopping the Nero from top speeds.
It has fat tires with impressive dimensions of 26” by 4”. The tires are specially engineered to work on all terrains, including snow and rain.
As a commuter and cruiser e-bike, the Nero has front and rear racks. These provide comfortable seating spaces for children and pets alike.
You can also load the e-bike with grocery items and cargo. The Nero is outfitted with powerful LED headlights for safety reasons.
The headlights can be used to alert passengers and vehicles of your presence. We also appreciate the fact that the battery pack can be removed.
You can remove the battery pack and charge it in your home. Unlike the foldable Nesta, bringing the Nero into your home would be hard.
This is why a removable battery pack is a nice touch.
Another fun feature is the attachment point for a water bottle. Those planning long journeys can bring along a water bottle to stay hydrated.
All in all, the Espin Nero electric bike is a must-have for riders. The only caveat is that it’s a bit heavy and doesn’t fold, unlike the Nesta.
Espin Sport
Specs at a Glance
- Motor: Espin 500W rear hub motor with 55 Nm torque
- Range: 50 miles (depending on the rider’s weight and other factors)
- Battery: 48V, 14.5 Ah, 672 Wh, lithium-ion by Samsung
- Weight: 54.9 lbs
- Brakes: Dual Piston Hydraulic Disc Brake
- Tires: 2”
- Gearing: S-Ride 8 speed, 13 to 32 Tooth Cassette
- Fork: SR Suntour suspension fork
You can tell that Espin took a backseat with the Sport with a weaker motor. But that doesn’t really detract from the performance.
It covers a range of 50 miles on a single charge. This doesn’t come as a surprise given the powerful battery back.
Given the price point, the Espin Sport is stocked with powerful components. The Zoom hydraulic brakes have incredible stopping power.
This is exactly what you need for stopping an e-bike at a top speed of 28mph. Note that it is a Class II electric bike. This means you cannot use the pedal with the motor engaged.
The 500-watt motor does decently well on hilly terrains. Its top speeds can get very close to Class III territory.
It comes with durable tires with a nice 2” width. Unlike the fat tires of the Nero, there is less friction when riding the Sport.
This e-bike weighs shy of 55 lbs. It is incredibly nimble and lightweight. Even if you run out of charge, which is rare, pedaling home won’t be difficult.
The frame comes fully outfitted with a rear and front rack. This should increase your cargo capacity.
Overall, the Sport is relatively affordable and delivers on all fronts. It is a must-have if you’re just getting started with e-bikes.
Espin Flow
Specs at a Glance
- Motor: 550W rear hub motor with 65 Nm torque
- Range: 30-50 miles (depending on the rider’s weight and other factors)
- Battery: 48V, 13.6 Ah, 653 Wh, lithium-ion by Samsung
- Weight: 55lbs
- Brakes: Dual Piston Hydraulic Disc Brake
- Tires: 2”
- Gearing: S-Ride 8 speed, 13 to 32 Tooth Cassette
- Fork: 100mm Travel Hydraulic Lockout
The Flow is aimed at the budget enthusiast. It serves as a great entry point into the world of electric bikes.
It has everything you would expect from a modern electric bike. From hydraulic disc brakes to suspensions and everything in between.
Like other Espin models on this list, the Flow features an impressive engineering design. The battery pack is cleverly built into its downtube.
The battery fills the durable, lightweight aluminum frame. Your journey will be comfortable and smooth thanks to the excellent suspension system.
The e-bike is powered by a 550W hub motor. This is a step down from Nesta’s 700W motor. But that doesn’t negatively affect performance in any practical way.
The Flow has a top speed of 25 mph – which is fast for an e-bike. The dual-hydraulic disc brakes have tremendous stopping power.
The range of 50 miles ensures you can comfortably commute using this e-bike. Buy the Espin Sport if you’re in the market for a more casual experience.
Espin Aero
Specs at a Glance
- Motor: 350 rear hub motor with 50-65 Nm torque
- Range: 20-30 miles (depending on the rider’s weight and other factors)
- Battery: 36V, 6.8 Ah, 244.8Wh, lithium-ion by Samsung
- Weight: 44lbs
- Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brake, Front, and Rear
- Tires: CST 700 x 38C
- Gearing: Single gear
The Espin Aero is designed for the budget market. A quick look at the specs reveals the same. The motor only goes up to 350 T with 50Nm torque.
The most underwhelming feature of Aero is the battery range. It can only cover 30 miles of range on a single charge.
The brakes are mechanical disc brakes with no suspension and single gearing. But then again, you won’t need hydraulic brakes if the e-bike barely goes to 20mph.
None of this translates into a bad riding experience. This should be a good investment if you manage your expectations accordingly.
The only disadvantage of the Aero is being forever compared to the Nesta. On the other hand, it is also the lightest electric bike on this list.
Wrapping Up
This was our review of Espin electric bikes. All entries on this list are a good choice for buyers. We recommend going for the Espin Nesta and Nero.
Budget-conscious buyers can opt for Espin Aero and Fold. Both electric bikes in California are a good choice for beginners.
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My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.