Himiway has made a reputation for itself lately with a variety of long-range, fat-tire electrical mountain bikes (e-MTBs) that positively steamroll down the highway. However it’s coming into a brand new subject in 2023, as Himiway has launched its first-ever “slender” tire bike. Meet the 61 lb Rambler — a stable electrical commuter bike choice that’s priced proper.

Should you’re accustomed to the Himiway Zebra or its higher-spec cousin, the Cobra Professional, you’ll discover that the Rambler has that very same “beefy” really feel to it. The body, the welds, the pedals — it’s all stout and appears equally constructed to final, however because it’s aimed squarely on the commuter market, the query right here isn’t whether or not or not the Himiway shall be as much as the on a regular basis challenges your A-to-B will throw at it, however whether or not or not the Rambler hits that elusive candy spot between tank and highway bike that makes for an ideal journey.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Himiway Rambler. Photograph by the Jo Borrás | CleanTechnica.

Whereas my first impression of the Zebra I examined final yr was one thing alongside the strains of, “It’s so huge!?,” the Rambler appears to be — dare I say — “correctly” sized? It’s large enough to be snug, with an upright seating place that shall be immediately acquainted to European electrical commuter bike followers.

My tester got here with a 500W hub motor paired with a 720Wh battery that’s supposedly good for a whopping 55 miles of vary, qualifying this electrical commuter bike as a real “long-range” e-bike choice (a Bafang mid-drive motor is out there on the higher-end premium mannequin with the identical battery). In contrast to the Zebra with its Shimano SIS shifting and right-hand throttle, the Rambler makes use of extra typical set off shifters on the proper handlebar and a thumb throttle on the left aspect.

At this level, I ought to let you know that the left thumb throttle is a no go for me. Previous accidents and restricted motion on that aspect implies that, so far as I’m involved, the Himiway Rambler is a purely pedal-assisted proposition — and that’s OK, as a result of as pedelecs go, it’s really a fairly good one!

ON THE MOVE

Mid and rear motors obtainable. Photograph by the Jo Borrás | CleanTechnica.

The dangerous factor about hub motors is that they add mass to the again of the bike, altering the “really feel” of the journey. The great factor is that they often permit a number of chain rings up entrance, which implies extra gearing choices, torque multiplication, and vary. Mixed with the 62 Nm of torque that the motor pushes out, the Himiway Rambler is greater than as much as the duty of maintaining with Oak Park’s 25 MPH suburban visitors.

This electrical commuter bike has a shorter wheelbase and considerably lighter weight than the Zebra, too, which implies that the Rambler feels far more nimble and sporty on the highway. The narrower wheels, which additionally present much less rolling resistance than the Zebra’s fats tires, solely add to that feeling — and I’d even say that the Rambler feels faster, regardless of the 50% energy benefit of the opposite bike.

Total, it’s only a much less intimidating machine than the Zebra or Cobra — and far more accessible to riders who aren’t avid cyclists. Matching the Rambler as much as one other favourite, the NIU BQi-C3 commuter, it compares precisely the way in which you’d anticipate a Himiway to check to a NIU. It feels burlier, and the compliant suspension gives the look that you may jam it into curbs and potholes with reckless abandon, whereas the NIU feels extra — let’s go along with “severe.” The Himiway’s seashore cruiser-style handlebars are extra relaxed, placing much less pressure on the wrists for added consolation, and the brand new Himiway-standard lighting is considerably brighter.

In a head-to-head comparability, my primary Himiway Rambler tester is quite a bit nearer to the NIU than NIU would most likely need it to be and carries a price ticket $700 decrease. The $2199 mid-drive Premium Rambler that’s priced to compete head on with the NIU? I can solely guess, however I think about the ultimate selection could be all the way down to issues of style, not high quality.

THAT’S CLEVER

We talked about how the Rambler felt on the transfer — however there are just a few methods an e-bike strikes, proper? A kind of methods is when it’s being carried — carried up stairs, for instance. And whereas the Zebra was decidedly not a motorcycle I’d need to must hoist up and down even just a few steps, the new-for-2023 Himiway Rambler has this nice little seize bar within the body that makes it even simpler to hold than awkwardly balanced bikes that weigh considerably much less.

You may examine that out for your self right here:

Seize deal with. Photograph by the Jo Borrás | CleanTechnica.

One other intelligent function is the high-contrast LCD show. It’s simply seen and useful, and I by no means discovered myself lacking a full coloration TFT show. It simply works.

Himiway Rambler high-contrast LCD show. Photograph by the Jo Borrás | CleanTechnica.

MAIN FEATURES & BENEFITS

This text is sponsored by Himiway.