Testing the Movea E-Motion Modo 24"

As Bike Product Manager in our purchasing team, David oversees all the technical aspects of our in-house VOTEC brand bikes. He has vast experience riding all types of bikes over the last twenty years, including many other e-bikes and commuter bikes. David wasn't very familiar with Danish brand Movea before testing the Modo; a compact e-bike with slightly smaller wheels. He'd ridden several e-bikes with Shimano and Bosch motors before and commuted on a folding bike with 20" tyres. A compact bike with electric support would be a new experience, however. The Modo has 24" wheels, so considerably bigger than those on a Brompton, or other folding bikes. Let's see what David had to say about the Modo after a month of thorough testing!

Expectations & First Impressions

When I learned I'd be testing the Modo, I pictured an agile bike for fast city commuting; one that'd get me quickly and comfortably to the office and take the sting out of the local hills. With its front cargo rack, I hoped to carry my bag and any shopping – without having to wear a backpack and suffer the dreaded sweaty back syndrome! When the bike arrived, I was immediately struck by its high-end look. It exuded quality. I was particularly impressed by how the motor neatly integrated into the hub, with no visible cables. All the parts Movea chose for the bike work well together, and nothing looks remotely out of place. I particularly liked the quality Brooks saddle and grips. Overall, I found the Modo's design very appealing. The bike certainly looked the part, and I was eager to start using it – but the real question was, would it live up to my expectations?

Testing 1, 2, 3

I tested the Modo over four weeks and in three specific situations. I primarily wanted to use it to get to and from the office. So, I commuted with it every day – five kilometres in each direction, with a 100-metre hill to conquer on the way back from the office. I was able to fix my office bag containing my lunch and laptop to the front rack. I also often stopped at the supermarket on the way back home and used the rack to carry my groceries.   The Modo is a commuter's dream. I could wear normal work attire without having to bring a change of clothes or arriving at work dripping with sweat. Bonus: after a long day at the office, I was able to get up the hill on the way home with very little effort.   The second 'test' was using the Modo to help with some after-work socialising: namely, I decided to see how good the front rack was for carrying beer. Rest assured: the front rack was perfect for this job, and I happily extended my commute a few occasions to meet up with friends – always adhering to corona-related restrictions, of course!

Aside from its carrying capabilities, I was also impressed by the bike's powerful 250-watt Zehus motor. It accelerated quickly and never struggled. The Zehus lithium rechargeable battery can provide an impressive 50 km of assisted pedal power, at a top (assisted) speed of 25 km/h. Given that this bike is aimed squarely at commuters, you're unlikely to be riding very long distances on it, so this should be more than enough for several days. Together with how compact and manoeuvrable the bike is, getting about town is extremely convenient, and as a cheeky bonus, the drivetrain is also virtually noise-free. Thanks to the no-stretch carbon belt drive, maintenance is low, and the bike is easy to clean. This means you don't have to be a mechanic to own one, and the bike is suitable for all types of riders: just hop on and go. No noise, no grease, no rust, and no fuss. Excellent. I was very impressed with the bike's remote control, which enables you to adjust the motor before setting off and while riding. You can also do this via the smartphone app. There's also the option of 'regenerative braking', where backpedalling simultaneously charges the engine. In this case, you don't need the remote or smartphone at all – very cool! Plus, the brakes are more than powerful enough and the integrated lighting means you don't have to worry about bringing clip-on ones or cutting your evening short to race home before nightfall.

Conclusion

The Modo is an impressive e-bike that's smartly designed and elegant. But it certainly isn't cheap at nearly £3,000. Disappointingly, the rack I found so useful isn't actually included with the bicycle. Instead, it's available as an optional extra. Unfortunately, for a bike that's meant for urban commuters, to take this bike on public transport you'll have to buy an additional bike pass. However, Movea does have a 20"-wheeled model in its range that will dodge this problem. The motor's range of 50 km assisted riding means this isn't a bike for long rides, and – despite its diminutive size – at 14 kg it isn't particularly light either. However, if you compare it to 'normal' e-bikes, it is much lighter and more agile.