We covered Harley-Davidson’s e-bike offshoot, Serial 1, ahead of its launch. And we also got to briefly ride two of its bikes in the snow last year. But this time we had the chance to test one for 10 days. This is what we discovered...
Serial 1 makes four models of e-bike (excluding one-offs like this chopper) so far.
There are three models in its commuter-focused Rush/Cty range, and the more aggressive (and cheaper) Mosh/Cty.
None of them are what you’d call cheap. So let’s get that out of the way right up front.
And the combination of an Enviolo intelligent auto-shifting CVT hub and Gates carbon belt drive (instead of a chain) make for a throttle-free but surprisingly responsive riding experience.
Pedal hard and the bike responds accordingly. Slow your cadence and it automatically changes gears to meet you where you’re comfortable.
We absolutely loved the quality of the finish, the active brake / tail-light and integrated headlight, the concealed cabling, and other thoughtful touches like the glove box above the battery, the geometry, and the handling advantages that come from having both a mid-drive motor and the battery positioned next to it.
We were also impressed (and surprised) at how well the combination of aluminum frame and fat(ish) tires made up for the lack of actual, active suspension.
And the fenders and racks made us feel like we could genuinely use the Serial 1 as a daily commute vehicle in all but the most inclement of weather.
Really, the only things we could complain about were the weight (a non-issue if you don’t have to move the bike up or down stairs like we did) and the price.
Don’t get us wrong, the quality of the components and thoughtfulness of the design more than justify the price tag... it’s just not one we think most people considering e-bikes will be willing (or able) to pay.