The new DYU R1 20 Inch eBike is the perfect companion for a quick trip to the bodega or a ride around the neighborhood. Sporting an aluminum body and 20-inch tires, DYU’s newest eBike is super lightweight and easy to store. DYU’s new torque sensor is the main feature of this bike, which boosts your pedal strength while riding, facilitating your riding experience: the harder you pedal, the faster it goes. The R1 eBike is perfect for anyone looking for a highly comfortable and effortless ride, as well as anyone just starting to break into the world of electric bikes.
DESIGN
The R1 design is all about flexibility. DYU’s new advanced Lithium-Ion battery sits silently within an adjustable seat, successfully veiling the bike to the external eye. The R1 also features a foldable handle head, making it painless to store in your car, building, or on the subway. The R1 head has two brakes and an LED screen, for which all the wires are neatly fastened together by a sleek black tube, ridding you of messy, unappealing wires in the front of your bike. The back of the bike has a designated space for any bags, groceries, and more commonly, a nice speaker for you to ride in sound and in style. All charging ports and wires are not only very manageable to use and easy to remove, but they are also elegantly placed, making the R1’s curb appeal sleek and simple. The R1 comes in 3 different streamline colors: Black, Green, and Blue. Affiliates of 360 Magazine had the opportunity to test the R1 Black, which was a silky matte, but our team imagines the green and blue colors are just as sleek. The R1 design is all about simplicity and ease.
TECHNOLOGY
The technology in the DYU R1 20 Inch eBike is evolved from previous models. Instead of a throttle, the R1 is solely based on a cutting-edge torque sensor to control your power while pedaling. With a maximum speed of 25 mph, the interior of the bike is a 250W Geared Hub Motor, from which there are 3 different gear speeds. The battery inside the seat is a 36V, 5Ah Lithium-Ion battery which takes about 3-4 hours to charge and has a maximum distance of 25+ miles every charge, making it simple to charge overnight or during the workday. The front and rear wheels also have dual disc brakes that add additional safety when braking. For an even more enjoyable drive, the front wheel has double-spring shock absorbers to allow you to go over bumpy roads without hesitation. The left handlebar is fitted with an LCD Display that shows you your battery usage, speed, and gear mode. The power button is placed on top of the LCD Display. For your midnight snack run, the R1 additionally has a light on the front for visibility. The tech in the R1 makes it useful for both leisure rides as well as those under a time constraint.
PERFORMANCE
For a full-fledged performance test on the capabilities of the newest DYU R1 20 Inch model, affiliates of 360 Magazine took the R1 out in Little Italy in the Bronx. Dating back to the 1850s, Italian immigrants began to move towards Belmont as the Bronx Zoo and the Jerome Park Reservoir were constructed. What resulted was an authentic hub of Italian cuisine and community, a cultural cornerstone of New York City to this day. The terrain around Arthur Avenue has both smooth flat grounds, as well as hills and bumpy roads. 360 Magazine took the R1 on an outing, passed by Full Moon Pizza, enjoyed lunch at Avenue Gyro, during which the R1 remained dependable. Although this eBike could be considered a subtle eBike, we made sharp turns, dodged double parked cars, and went over all the terrain in the area to test out the R1 features and aptness for all scenarios. This eBike is great for brief rides. Riding the R1, there is no problem in controlling the frame and the brakes were extremely receptive, so riding in the street with cars is no problem. However, it became clear to 360 Magazine that this bike is for leisure rides only, or maybe for your Abuela to go to the store and back. At first gear, if pedaling at a casual pace on flat ground, the R1 goes about 11 mph. At second gear, 14 mph. Finally, at third gear (considered to be the fastest) it only reaches about 16-17 mph. If you’d like to go faster and break the 20mph mark, consider going downhill or pedaling extra hard. Moreover, attempting to go faster by pedaling standing up feels like you will fall forward due to the size of the tires and the height of the handlebars. Yet, the DYU R1 20 Inch model is the perfect neighborhood-friendly eBike. DYU checked off every box for the comfortability of the R1. Enjoy a super straightforward to handle and lightweight eBike that does not go too fast but beats walking in both style and convenience.
ERGONOMICS X ADDITIONAL FEATURES
The R1 is a part of a bigger movement, along with all DYUs electric bikes. The DYU company is made up of staff from former high-tech enterprises like Huawei, Baidu, Mindray and more, so it is expected that their electric bikes will both be high quality and great for the environment! The eBikes have a high efficiency, featuring zero-emissions. By lowering their owner’s carbon footprint, having long-lasting batteries, and featuring fast charging times, their eBikes make a positive impact to our roadways and feature a green way to have fun!
In New York City, the other most common electric bike that is purely pedal assist are the electric Citi Bikes that have stations all over the city. Being a much bigger bike with big wheels and only one gear speed, those bikes are more suited for long distance and speedy travel. The R1 is perfect to take on the subway downtown for a ride through the West Village or a stroll in Washington Square Park; a mode of short-distance transport.
SAFETY
While riding the R1, it is certain you will get some swiveling heads in the neighborhood as you cruise through to your deli, but don’t be blinded by admirers. Priced at $999 and currently on sale for $849, you will want to make sure that your eBike is safe from theft. Although it does not come with any Smart App features, nor an anti-theft system, it does include a lock for the back wheel and the seat (which is important because the battery is within the seat) as prevention features. Therefore, without additional safety features, as an owner you want to make sure that you are consciously keeping the bike out of sketchy areas and out of clear sight. Don’t always leave your bike in the same place, use a good lock like a Kryptonite Folding Lock, and even use multiple locks on different parts of the bike. Anchor your bike down to objects that are more durable than the bike frame itself. Your first choice, however, should always try to bring the R1 inside.
Overall, the DYU R1 20 Inch Electric Bike is most suited for those looking for a very casual bike; not anything to go long distance and back quickly, but something for a brisk excursion through your neighborhood – perhaps a means of getting groceries and coming back home. This eBike is also appropriate for anyone of an older age wanting something that helps them move around with ease but is not too powerful that they lose control and injure themselves. Pick up a new DYU R1 20 Inch model here.
By: Kian Mahd Soltani, Ellen Grant x Vaughn Lowery
