Takeaway: The Batch E-Commuter offers a quality build and riding experience at a pleasantly affordable price.
- The Bosch 400Wh battery lasts up to 80 miles in turbo mode.
- Fenders, a rear rack, and a kickstand are included.
- Grippy, wide tires keep you stable and planted at any speed.
Price: $2,200
Weight: 46.4 lb. (S)
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Go to the main page of Batch Bicycles, and you’ll see eight nifty little icons that make choosing your bike a no-brainer. That’s because under each category—cruiser, mountain, comfort, commuter, ebike, fitness, and lifestyle—you’ll find just one single model (the kids category has four, including a balance bike). Whether it’s a singlespeed beach cruiser with a coaster brake that you’re after or the Batch E-Commuter shown here, one theme runs consistent—they’re all very affordable.
Pros
- Quiet motor
- Disc brakes
Cons
- No lights
For $2,200, the E-Commuter has a whole lot of great parts, including a complete e-system from industry leader Bosch. The nearly silent 250-watt Active Line Gen 3 motor engages smoothly, resulting in a natural and predictable ride experience. The 400Wh battery lasts up to 80 miles in its lowest assist mode (eco) and about 30 in its highest (turbo), so if your goal is to get to work quickly and without breaking a sweat, go ahead and max it out. Just make sure your roundtrip commute doesn’t exceed 30 miles. The compact Purion display is simple and user-friendly, and provides all the essential info you need: charging status, battery level, speed, mode, trip distance, and total distance.
Frame Aluminum
Motor Bosch Active Line Gen 3, 250W
Battery Bosch 400Wh with ABUS lock
Max assist speed 20 mph (Class 1)
Brakes Tektro hydraulic disc with 180mm rotors
Drivetrain Shimano Altus 8-speed
Cassette 11-32t
Cranks FSA Alloy, 38t, 170mm (S), 172.5mm (M), 175mm (L)
Headset FSA threadless
Tires Kenda Kwick Twenty.5 Sport E50 with K-Shield Protection (1.75 inches wide)
Wheel size 27.5 in.
Sizes Small (15-inch), medium (17.5-inch), and large (20-inch)
Combined with the 20mph pedal assist, the entry-level Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain provided all the speed and gearing I needed to cruise uphill at a comfortable cadence, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes supplied precise stopping power. The 1.75-inch Kenda Kwick tires on 27.5-inch alloy rims provided a stable, planted feeling to my rides, and they have K-Shield protection, which is said to decrease your chances for flats and increase the longevity of the tire.
Other notable features on the E-Commuter include fenders, a kickstand, mounts on the fork for a front rack, and a sturdy rear rack with a spring-loaded clamp ideal for stashing a jacket (not so ideal for transporting a sandwich). The model we tested has a step-over frame, but Batch says there’s a step-through version coming soon.
Silent Motor
The Bosch Active Line drive system quietly assists you up to 20 mph.
Stable Tires
The 1.75-inch Kenda tires help keep the bike planted in corners.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
The 180mm rotors stop the nearly 50-pound bike with ease.
Simple Readout
A straightforward display shows your speed, range, assist mode, and more.
Sturdy Frame
The 6061 alloy aluminum tubing makes the bike durable and more affordable.
How (And Why) Batch Bicycles Are So Affordable
Chris Keller, General Manager at Batch Bicycles, provides some insight on how the company manages to provide such great builds at such reasonable prices. The company’s simplified system streamlines its production process, which allows it to keep prices in the almost-too-good-to-be-true range. It feels authentic—Batch isn’t trying to sell you on accessories or upgrades, and it trims the fat (i.e. expenses) wherever it can. The Dayton, Ohio-based company has been slowly growing since it launched just over a year ago at Interbike in 2018. It doesn’t churn out new models each year, so if a bike is selling well, Batch will keep making it without changes as long as people are still interested, which helps save money. Currently, while the company continues to make a name for itself and forges connections with distributors, it keeps its margins pretty low: It gives a standard amount of profit to dealers but keeps a less-than-standard slice for itself, which allows it to keep its price tags lower. Once you buy the bike online, Batch can ship it to a shop near you (even shops that aren’t distributors) to build it up. All of this makes the Batch E-Commuter reliable, accessible, quality, and affordable—four key highlights that are sure to get more people on bikes.
Riley is a writer and outdoor adventure guide currently based in Tucson, Arizona where she leads mountain bike rides, rock climbing, and hiking trips. In her spare time, she writes stories and reviews outdoor and fitness gear. Find her writing in publications including Outside, Lonely Planet, SHAPE, Bicycling, Runner’s World, and others. When she’s not playing in the mountains, she’s probably laying down somewhere or eating (or both).
