Eskute Netuno overview

A 12 months in the past Eskute supplied simply two electrical bikes however now has an rising vary of fashions. The newest is the Netuno E-Mountain Bike, and it’s an inexpensive possibility in comparison with among the massive manufacturers which cost significantly extra. 

For $1,459/£1,299, you get entrance suspension, disc brakes, a variety of 65 miles and a neat built-in backlit LED show. Is it a discount or a false economic system? Learn on to seek out out.

Design & Options 

• Hardtail design with disc brakes 
• 19.2in/49cm body 
• 25kg weight 

On the entire, the Netuno seems similar to the Voyager we reviewed final 12 months. It’s a hardtail design with an equivalent black and blue color scheme (that is the one alternative) and a surprisingly slim high tube. 

There are some variations although, beginning with a much bigger 19.2in (49cm) body vs 16.5in (42cm), although Eskute nonetheless says it’s appropriate for riders of the identical measurement vary: 5ft3in to 6ft7in (160-200cm) and may carry 125kg – that’s the rider plus any baggage. 

The aluminium body feels sturdy and well-made and the bike is, when you’ve bought your head around the sometimes complicated directions, simple sufficient to place along with the instruments equipped within the field.

As is the case with many entry-level e-bikes, the Netuno is heavy at 25kg, together with the battery. It doesn’t really feel too unhealthy while you’re using it however makes it a awkward to maneuver while you’re not. It’s a specific problem if you must carry it onto a wall-mounted bracket for storage or up onto a automotive roof rack – taking the battery out first will assist, in fact.

Eskute ships the Netuno full with a entrance mild which is powered from the bike itself, in addition to a separate rear mild to connect beneath the seat. Parts such because the seat submit and entrance wheel are fast launch, however the rear has nuts. 

One thing you don’t get, regardless of its off-road abilities, are mud guards so that you’ll have to purchase and match your personal for those who want some. It’s value including that the Netuno is IPX5 rated so you possibly can trip within the rain. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

The battery is housed within the outsized down tube and might be eliminated for charging. You’ll want to make use of the important thing for this, because it’s locked to dissuade theft whereas the bike is left someplace. It’s additionally good for those who don’t have energy in your shed or wherever you retailer the bike: you possibly can cost the battery in your house.

In contrast to the Voyager’s battery, this one doesn’t have any LEDs to point remaining energy, simply an upside-down energy button. As an alternative, there’s a backlit show is constructed into the handlebar stem which supplies this info (extra on that under). 

Motor & Controller 

• Bafang 250W motor 
• Backlit LED show 
• Charging port 

Like different Eskute fashions, the Netuno is powered by a 250W Bafang motor and this, together with the battery and controller, comes with a two-year guarantee. Different components fluctuate so test this desk for extra info. 

A Bafang motor is healthier than you would possibly look forward to finding round this worth and ought to be dependable no matter that guarantee. After two years, it must also be repairable if one thing goes improper. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

We’re followers of the backlit LED controller which is neatly constructed into the stem. 

The massive show is simple to learn (except you’re in actually shiny direct daylight) and provides you info on issues like help stage, pace, entrance mild standing and battery stage (in 5 segments). Two buttons on the backside are for powering the bike on and off and altering the mode (aka help stage). 

Whereas the design seems nice and is seamlessly built-in into the bike, it means you possibly can’t regulate the help mode with out taking one hand off the handlebars. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

On the plus aspect, there’s USB-C charging port tucked away so you possibly can high up a tool equivalent to a telephone from the bike’s battery. 

You’ll additionally want your telephone if you wish to join the Eskute app to the bike over Bluetooth. That is new, and allows you to regulate the display brightness, set a password so the motor can’t be used except you ‘unlock’ it through the app, and an auto unlock characteristic that works by the proximity of your telephone.

Connecting labored on on the second try for me, however I discovered the app helpful for altering the pace unit from km/h to mph. It’s arduous to see why you’d use the app to activate the entrance mild, although.

You can even file your rides, and see what any error codes imply.

Chris Martin / Foundry

It’ll additionally offer you issues like distance coated, battery stage to the closest p.c, journey data and medals for achievements. 

Journey High quality 

• 5 help ranges 
• A studying curve to energy supply 
• 7-speed Shimano gears 

Like loads of e-bikes, the Netuno has 5 ranges of help to select from not together with zero (i.e. no help). And the 250W motor has loads of torque (45Nm) to rise up steep hills, and get going rapidly on the flat. 

Energy supply is easy more often than not however there’s a studying curve to using the Netuno as the mix of terrain, gear choice and help mode might be tough to get proper.  

Chris Martin / Foundry

When you’ve got the bike set to stage 5 – most – you would possibly even discover the acceleration an excessive amount of. It is because it makes use of a cadence sensor to detect while you’re pedalling, versus a torque sensor that not solely is aware of whether or not you’re pedalling but in addition how arduous you’re pushing on the pedals, and matches energy output to your effort. With a cadence sensor, or no less than in Eskute’s case, it simply applies most energy (for the mode chosen) as quickly as you begin to flip the pedals.

It could take you to a most of 15.5mph and I discovered it may go from a snail’s tempo to round 9 or 10mph inside a number of seconds on flat floor. 

Planning forward is the important thing, particularly for those who’re about to go up a steep hill however you’ll find out how the bike works extra over time. When off-roading it may be irritating, harmful even, that the mode choice button isn’t reachable with out taking your hand off the bars. 

The Netuno is a cushty trip general, in a position to absorb small rocks, tree roots and extra city obstacles equivalent to a raised manhole cowl. It’s value noting that the suspension forks, gears and brakes aren’t top-quality elements. No less than they’re branded: the shifter, derailleur and cassette are fundamental Shimano components and there’s a Zoom suspension fork in contrast to the Voyager’s unbranded one.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Often the Netuno wouldn’t go into the proper gear (primarily between three and 4) because the manufacturing facility adjustment was barely our and the mechanical disc brakes could possibly be extra responsive, too, though that ought to enhance as they mattress in. What’s odd is that they’re again to to entrance in comparison with a conventional setup: the right-hand lever is for the again wheel, not the entrance as you’d usually anticipate.

When using on the street, the entrance suspension might be locked out. 

Vary 

• As much as 65 miles 
• Giant 522Wh battery 

Whereas the Eskute Voyage had a variety of as much as 44 miles (70km), the Netuno is ready to go additional. Eskute says it may possibly handle as much as 65 miles (100km) in electrical help mode. Meaning you must pedal and never use a throttle. Our check bike didn’t have a throttle anyway, and so they’re not authorized within the UK (past strolling pace). 

The additional vary is principally all the way down to the larger-capacity 522Wh battery vs 480Wh.

Nonetheless, do not forget that 65 miles is absolutely the most and the gap you truly obtain shall be primarily based on many issues like your weight, the terrain, climate circumstances and rather more. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Additionally know that producer vary figures are often primarily based on easy, flat roads in supreme circumstances. And using off-road on steep, tough terrain will scale back that vary quite a bit.  

If you’d like, you should buy a spare battery from Eskute at £350, although this doesn’t look like out there within the US. 

Your different possibility is to purchase the Eskute Netuno Professional which has the next vary of as much as 80 miles (130km) and a extra highly effective motor with 80Nm of torque. It prices extra at £1,999, although, and isn’t out there within the US.

Worth & Availability 

You should purchase a Netuno for $1,459/£1,299 direct from Eskute.

It’s value noting that though Eskute is a Chinese language firm, its bikes aren’t shipped from China so that you don’t want to attend a very long time or fear about import charges. The agency has warehouses in UK, US and Poland and supply is free. 

A technique to save cash within the UK is to purchase two bikes (any two fashions) on the similar time. Utilizing the code ‘2BIKES’ will prevent £150.

One of many Netuno’s rivals within the UK is the Carrera Vengeance E which is 1.5kg lighter and £200 cheaper however has barely much less vary at 40 miles.

To see different choices, test our roundup of the finest electrical bikes. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Verdict 

These in search of an electrical mountain bike on a finances ought to undoubtedly take into account the Eskute Netuno.

It’s trendy and well-made with some neat options together with a good vary from the 522Wh battery together with a built-in LED show. The one draw back to its positioning is that it requires you to take away one hand from the handlebars to vary the help mode.

Those that like sensible options will doubtless benefit from the Eskute app in addition to the actual fact this bike has a helpful USB-C port for charging gadgets.

Efficiency is first rate and there’s loads of energy on demand while you want it: it’s only a disgrace that it isn’t very refined, and also you’ll want some time to get used to it if that is your first electrical bike. Simply observe that sure components are in the direction of the finances finish so the bike isn’t suited to excessive off-roading.

For these within the UK, the Carrera Vengeance E is one other good-value possibility, notably due to the comfort of having the ability to take it to your native Halfords for any repairs.

Specs

• Motor: 250W Bafang G020
• Max Pace: Assisted Motor Pace, 15.5mph or 25kmph
• Location of Motor: Rear hub
• Bafang LED Show: Pace, Distance, Battery Energy, Help Degree, Gentle, Bluetooth and Error
• App help: iOS or Android
• Body: Aluminium
• Weight: approx 25kg with battery
• Max Individual Weight: 125kg
• Body Measurement: 19.2in
• Wheel Measurement: 27.5in
• Wheels: Unbranded
• Tyres: Kenda K1027
• Seat: S1 354
• Seat Submit: Aluminum 6061 with Clip
• Gears: Shimano 7 Pace Tourney
• Brakes: Zoom DB-330/331
• Lights: Wires entrance mild, impartial rear mild
• Entrance Fork: Zoom 525 AMS-27.5 with lockout
• Battery Kind: 36V, 14.5Ah Lithium battery (522Wh)
• Distance: As much as 65m/100km
• Guarantee: As much as 2 years relying upon part