Even at level 3 assistance, my pedals are free spinning in 7th gear. The only time you'll ever need to balance power output would be if you were planning on doing an entire 20 miles without charging. For commuters and people who run errands, that's not always going to be the case. I mostly used the motor in pedal-assist mode, though I will cover the throttle in the next section. The motor on this bike is very aggressive in that is starts up quickly with even the slightest movement of the pedal, and it goes hard. The grips are comfortable, the brake levers work fine with the Tektro rim brakes and the display console and thumb throttle are easy to reach and use. There’s not a lot of choice here, you just turn the console on with a 0/1 toggle switch and either begin pedaling or push down on the giant paddle trigger. This makes the bike easy to use for just about anyone and reduces distractions when riding. If you want to know how fast you’re going you will need to add an aftermarket LCD display as seen on the bike in this review and that could cost ~$25. Some of the added weight is attributed to the battery, which checks in at about six pounds. There are five speeds you can adjust via the bike's thumb pad controller located on the left handle. The LED display shows you how much assistance you're getting, as well as how much battery life is left. When you want to stop, just squeeze the brake levers and the motor cuts off. The Schwinn Monroe 250 gets its 250 moniker from how many watts the hub drive puts out. Plus, the comfortable upright riding position makes riding a delight. 6-speed twist shifter offers smooth, reliable gear changes. Easily adapt to your terrain – hills, flat areas, and everything in between – with just a twist. Offer valid through July 28, 2024 with promo code SUMMER15 or while supplies last. Charges for non-qualifying items, shipping and sales tax are excluded from discount. Unbeknownst to me, the company has a line of electric bikes designed for entry-level cyclists. If you are in the market for an electric bicycle, I personally recommend the Lectric XP Lite. It’s necessary to clarify what it is you want the bike to do. Fat tire bikes are all the rage, but the noise those big wide tires make is a deal breaker for me. There are very sophisticated e-bikes that have the motor integrated into the crankset. That is ideal for keeping the weight of the motor low and centered within the frame, but those machines can cost big bucks.