2 minute review
If you're not in the UK you might not be familiar with Pure Electric, but the company makes some of the best electric scooters (including our current number one pick, the Pure Air Pro). The Pure Flux One is their first electric bike, and it's a simple and affordable way to get around town without breaking a sweat, although there are some rough edges that will hopefully be smoothed out with future models. At $XNUMX (around $XNUMX / AU$XNUMX), the Flux One is one of the most affordable electric commuter bikes around. You can find cheaper models on Amazon (many sources uncertain) but we don't advise you to skimp when it comes to a vehicle with a powerful engine that will be driving in traffic. Pure is a well-established brand with a good customer service experience, including returns, free security checks, and regular maintenance at service centers.
The Pure Flux One has a removable battery that is easily unlocked and removed for charging (Image credit: Future) Like most city electric bikes, the Flux One is a hybrid with a flat handlebar that offers good balance between comfort and handling in traffic. The riding position is fairly upright, prioritizing visibility over speed, and overall this is one of the most comfortable commuter e-bikes we've tested thus far. We're also fans of the carbon belt drive system, which is a lot less difficult than a typical chain to drive around town. It won't react very well to muddy dirt, but anytime it will stick to partially solid surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel) you'll find it to be virtually maintenance free. No lubrication, tension, or worry of the chain jumping when changing gears. The ride is smooth and comfortable on the flat without power assistance, and the motor has plenty of power to help you glide over hills that would normally leave you sweating. However, this power comes in gushes; when you switch to a higher power-assist setting, there's a noticeable lag, then rough, roaring acceleration before the bike settles into its new mode.
The Pure Flux One doesn't have built-in lighting, but reflective decals help with visibility during daytime riding (Image credit: Future) You'll get used to it after a while (and you'll have to, since the powertrain doesn't have gears), but it is worth preparing. You don't want to accidentally double press the button and change two power levels at once. However, the biggest drawback of the Flux One is its lack of range. Samsung's battery cell will let you travel up to 2 miles when fully charged, which is far less than most other electric bikes we've tested, and less than many electric scooters. The Pure Flux One might not be perfect, but it's a reliable everyday commute bike and very impressive for the price. Hopefully the next model offers a variety of frame sizes and smoother acceleration, but if you're in the tall range it's clearly worth heading to a showroom to try it out.
Pure Flux One [riceandreleasedate [riceandreleasedate [riceandreleasedate
- Price payable
- Available directly from Pure
The Pure Flux One was launched in the month of August of two thousand twenty-one and costs € nine hundred and ninety-nine (around € one and four hundred / AU € one and nine hundred). It is available directly at Pure Electric, online or in one of its showrooms.
Pure Flux One design
- Single frame size
- Carbon drive belt
- Properly located controls
At first glance, the Pure Flux One closely resembles the Cowboy 5 thanks to its flat bars, carbon belt drive system (courtesy of Gates), matte black paint, and minimal markings. However, while the Cowboy 7 is a high-end machine with extras, including integrated lights, fall detection and burglary detection, the Flux One is built for daily commutes around town without the frills. Pure has focused on the essentials, prioritizing comfort and ease of driving, and consequently. the Flux One is half the cost of the Cowboy. There are still some drawbacks. The Flux One frame is available in one size, developed for riders between 6'2" and 5'4". It's a range that fits most men, but excludes most women, whose average height is 5'3" in the US and XNUMX'XNUMX" in the UK.
The carbon drive belt is low-maintenance and won't make clothes greasy or stretch (Image credit: Future) At XNUMXkg including battery, the Pure Flux One is light enough for an e-bike (sitting between the XNUMXkg Cowboy and the XNUMXg Ribble Hybrid ALe), and the battery position bottle type means the center of gravity is more or less in the center of the frame, making it easier its collection and transport. The battery can be unlocked from the frame with a key. It slips on easily and can be loaded on or off the bike. Removable batteries like this one may not look as fancy as those built into the frame, but the ability to charge without plugging in the entire bike is a real bonus. You can also remove the battery after locking the bike outside, making it less susceptible to theft and vandalism. There's a small display and control unit within reach of your left thumb, displaying the current power mode as well as the distance traveled. A button on top of the unit turns the bike on and off, and arrow buttons on the front let you toggle between power settings (more on that shortly).
The Flue One's power controls are within easy reach while driving, and the display is easy to read in the shade or sun (Image credit: Future) There are no fenders as standard, but there are grommets to so that you can put yours. The bike also has no built-in lighting (just reflectors and reflective stickers), so you'll need to budget for a removable light kit as well.
- Well adapted to traffic
- Acceleration jump
- Twenty-five mile maximum range
While its hybrid design can handle some riding on soft surfaces like gravel, it's primarily a city electric bike and is the most comfortable replacement for your vehicle for commutes, short commutes, and otherwise. We found the ride to be smooth and comfortable (our review is right in the middle of the recommended height range), and the partly straight geometry gives you good visibility in foot traffic. The controls are rather simple, but neatly designed, with everything within easy reach with your left thumb. Many e-bikes we've tested have power buttons in odd places, like the top cylinder, which can be awkward when you're in a hurry to get moving. Here you can monitor the level of power and support without even looking down. You don't get a full on-board computer, and unlike e-bikes that use drivetrains like Mahle and Shimano, there's no companion app to let you customize bike settings and draw paths. However, the screen is clearly visible in most lighting conditions and shows key stats (speed, battery level and distance traveled) at a glance. That's vital information, and you'll want to keep a close eye on the power level, as the Flux One has a maximum range of just XNUMX miles, compared to XNUMX or even XNUMX for other entry-level e-bikes. It's also significantly less than many electric scooters, including the Pure Air Pro.
The battery charges quickly, but lacks the ability to power-assist long rides (Image credit: Future) We found there was a noticeable delay between pressing the top button and starting the bike's motor, and when When you do, the bike accelerates rapidly before it shifts into its new gear. It's a somewhat jarring experience; It helps you pull away quickly at junctions and stoplights, but when you just want a little more assistance up a hill, it can get confusing. The motor is also quite roaring when activated, though the roar goes away after initial acceleration. This is a feature that takes a bit to get used to (at first, we accidentally found ourselves switching 2 power settings at once, thinking our first keypress hadn't registered), but you got it, wait. You will need to do this as there are no gears and riding XNUMXkg uphill on your own is hard work. That's not what the Pure Flux One is built for, though. It's not perfect, but this e-bike is tough and thoughtfully built for commutes around town or your daily commute. It's tremendous value as a commuter bike, just make sure you know its restrictions.
Buy it if
You live in a city
The Pure Flux One is very convenient for stop-starting traffic thanks to its easily accessible throttle controls, upright riding position, and well-placed reflective decals (although you do have to manage your lights). The limited autonomy will not be a problem for short trips. You have a limited budget
Yes, you can buy a more affordable electric bike on Amazon, but we would not advise it. Pure Electric is an established brand you can trust; They have not compromised on safety and you can be sure that their after-sales service will take care of and of your new bike.
Even if you don't buy it
You are under 5'7"
The single frame size is a shame, but here's hoping the next Flux appeals to a wider range of riders. You like longer rides on weekends
The Pure Flux One simply doesn't have the battery capacity for a full day's driving, and if you've got more than a short trail on your psyche, you're going to have to carefully ration your power consumption.