Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike review

Is the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike worth it? 

Riding a bike is faster than walking and more eco-friendly than driving, but it can be tiring over long distances or in hilly areas. The Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike combines pedal power with a battery boost, so you can go faster and further with less effort. 

Not only is it electric, saving riders effort, it's also foldable, so it's great for commutes or indoor storage. Swagtron claims the Swagcycle EB5 provides a comfortable ride and can take you up to 15.5 miles on a full charge. It also claims to be eco-friendly. 

By using it for their daily cycles, the BestReviews Testing Lab was able to get the lowdown on the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike, testing these claims. 

Testing the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike

The BestReviews Testing Lab evaluates products in the real world over extended periods. This way, they can find any issues that they might miss in a shorter or more controlled test. The Testing Lab used the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike on a range of bike rides over a number of weeks. They tested out all kinds of factors, including the battery life, ease of folding and overall performance.

What is the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike?

The Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus is an electric bike. It has a battery-powered motor to propel it along, but it also features pedals, so you can power your bike the old-fashioned way. Most people use a combination of pedal power and electric assistance for long journeys and tougher areas, such as inclines.

It's also lightweight and foldable, so it's handy for combined commutes. You can carry it on a bus, subway or tram for part of your journey, then hop on your bike to take you the rest of the way. Once you get to your office or other destination, you can fold it and bring it with you so it doesn't get stolen. 

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best folding electric bikes.

Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike price and where to buy

The Swagtron Swagcycle is available at Amazon. The full retail price is $549.99, but you can often find it for around $500. 

How to use the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike

Unlike many electric bikes, the Swagcycle comes preassembled. This means there's very little to do once it arrives. You just need to unfold it and adjust the seat and handlebars to fit your height and riding style. You'll also need to charge the battery before your first outing. 

When you're ready to ride, there's a power button that you hit to turn on the battery. Then you use the throttle on the handle to accelerate and adjust your speed. 

Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike benefits

Eco-friendly

Riding an electric bike like the Swagcycle is a more eco-friendly choice than driving a car or another motor vehicle. However, it's less eco-friendly than walking or riding a push bike, since there's energy involved in recharging the battery. This is minimal, though, and if the choice is between riding an electric bike or driving, the electric bike is better for the environment by far. If you're looking for other eco-friendly modes of transport, electric scooters are comparable. 

Smooth ride

The Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus gives users an extremely smooth ride. It isn't jerky when you hit the throttle, which can be an issue with other electric bikes. This makes you feel more stable and makes the riding experience more pleasant overall. 

Quick acceleration

It only takes around 8 to 10 seconds to reach full speed on this bike, which feels quick and lets you get on your way without delay. This is around average for an electric bike, so it's not particularly faster to accelerate than other bikes on the market, but it's still fast enough to keep riders happy. 

Range

Swagtron claims this bike has a range of up to 15.5 miles and this seems accurate to within a few miles. The range is roughly average for bikes at this price point. However, if you spend a couple hundred dollars more, you can find ones with significantly larger ranges. Some can go for around 40 miles before they need recharging. 

Removable battery

The battery is removable and you can buy a spare. This lets you increase your possible range by carrying an extra charged battery with you on long rides and swapping them out. It also means you can have a spare charging while you're out riding, so you don't forget to recharge before the next time you go out. While some similar bikes have removable batteries, others have integrated ones, so you can't swap them out. 

Reasonably light

The EB5 Plus weighs around 40 pounds, which is relatively lightweight for an ebike. It's not uncommon for foldable electric bikes to weigh 50 to 60 pounds, so it's light by comparison. However, it might not feel that way when you've been carrying it for 10 minutes. 

Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike drawbacks

Hard to fold

The folding process is a little clunky. You have four fasteners that need latching and unlatching and you also need to lower the seat and handlebars and remove the battery to fold it in half. While you're unlikely to find easier folding bikes at this price point, it still feels like a bit of a chore. 

Tricky to carry

You have to hold the folded bike in a particular way so that it doesn't swing open while you're carrying it. This can get frustrating, especially when carrying it over a moderate distance or on a crowded commuter train. 

Uncomfortable seat

The seat could certainly be more comfortable. In fact, if you intend on taking long bike rides, you'll probably want to replace it. Many other bikes have more comfortable seats, but it's not a big enough issue to be a dealbreaker. 

Should you get the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike?

If you're looking for an affordable electric bike for short commutes or running errands around town, the Swagtron Swagcycle EB5 Plus Foldable eBike is a solid choice. It runs smoothly and feels stable and secure, giving you a comfortable ride, just like Swagtron claims. It's also an eco-friendly alternative to taking a car. 

However, if you want an impressive mileage range or easier folding, you might need to shell out for a higher-end model.