The EG Bicycles Enterprise Commuter Electric Bicycle Review
Posted by Gary Ares
The Enterprise is a stylish commuter grade electric bicycle imported & distributed by EG Bicycle that is a good starter ride and a great candidate for long term upgrades. The good news is this ebike will meet just about all the transportation needs of the average user. Additionally, it has a pleasing apprearace with well hidden wires and cables, a bit of suspension, and though it's not obvious, a frame that's built to be extra sturdy. One other very important point is the EG brand represents a family owned business, building bicycles for over 30 years (they must be doing something right).
Like all electric bicycles the Enterprise can be divided into 3 parts which makes it easier to gain a basic understanding of the contribution each unit has on the whole; the frame, electric drive system, and the components. We'll take a brief look at each of these characteristics so you will have a better idea of how this machine will work for you.
The Enterprise's frame captured my 
attention and affection immediately. It has a great blend of nice curves using Aluminum alloy for an extra sturdy frame judging by the size of the tubing used in the front triangle, from the saddle - forward to the handlebars. The rear part of the frame, called the rear triangle, is also "well-endowed" given the immense size of the formed tubes used which give it a stance that suggests it can handle sizeable loads. Of importance to those who will be riding in the rain and wanting to affix a rack and fenders, you'll be happy to see the appropriate bolt-on points (check warranty statement). One final point on the frame design is the extra wide width of the rear axle (150mm), which after some research found it's also used on super-heavy-duty frame designs for downhill racing! This frame is not for racing, but it certainly will handle just about anything the average person can handle.
The Enterprise's drive system combines a 200Watt rear wheel hub motor, powered 
by a relatively light weight (<8lbs) battery. The amount of power expended by the battery to rotate the motor (rear wheel) is rider controlled by;
1) throttle only; twisting the throttle on the right side of the handlebar will apply more power to the motor - just like a motorcycle or scooter.
2) Power Assist System (PAS); this method of applying power is done my simply pedaling. A sensor then "sees" the pedals turning and signals power to be applied to the electric motor. It might take a little getting used to, especially in traffic, as the motor will propel the bike as it's told, even when you pedal a small amount. Here's a little tip I found useful -- each of the hand brake levers has a small breaker switch that cuts the power to the motor as long as the handle is closed in a braking action.
I found it best to grab a little of either the front or back brake lever (not a lot) to temporarily disable the PAS. Otherwise, you would need to place the Power Control Switch (below) into the middle/off position, though it will disable the throttle as well.
3) Power Control switch; There is a switch on the left side of the 
handlebars with 3 selections which will control the total amount of battery power available, by the throttle and PAS, to the motor for propulsion; the middle position is off, and you can ride without pedal or throttle assist. Switch to "E" for Economy and receive moderate power and further the overall distance to be traveled, or toggle to "S" for Standard and receive the full amount of power available to the motor.
As you would expect, a well designed electric bicycle's motor drive system will be fitted with a compact, lightweight, lockable, and easily removable bat
tery. As important, and maybe more, is having more than efficient energy storage to help propel the bike for each and every journey. T
he 10ah (amp hour) rating basically says this 24V Lithium Ion battery should power the bike without your help, on flat ground, for about 12 - 18 miles using the "S" mode on your power switch; the EG specs state a top speed of 20mph. If you want to go a longer distance, and are willing to provide a moderate level of human pedal power, you can switch to "E" Economy setting where EG Bikes states the Enterprise can achieve up to 40 miles on a fully charged battery, under prime riding conditions.
Next, we come to the individual components that make up much
of the bike's feel, agility, safety, reliability, and let's not forget comfort. Let's start with the important things first, like the saddle, and handlebars - the human interface. The saddle has ample padding above with two additional areas of bump softening directly beneath, like a rubber pillow, and then there's a built in shock absorber.
Moving to the front end of the bike you will find straight alloy handle bars with rubber grips to absorb some of the road buzz. The bars connect to the 
front suspension fork which has springs in the legs to absorb the moderate, but not too severe, bumps in the road (this assembly is not designed for rough use). Generally, you can expect a small amount of road dampening with the 26 x 1.95 tires, but start with the maximum pressure, and work your way down (not the other way around - it could prove dangerous).
Several other important aspects about the Enterprise are;
- Front disc brake provides better stoping power, especially in the rain. A quick release on the hub also makes it easier to take off the front wheel for storage.
- Back wheel & hub motor are fixed to the frame with a threaded axle and nut for safety and security.
- Rear alloy "V" (Linear-Pull) brakes are more than adequate to meet all safety requirements by the government.
- Double wall Alloy rims, laced with 36 stainless steel, heavy duty, spokes provide safety and durability.
- A handlebar mounted bell and headlamp, along with a rear facing flashing light are not required in the US, but are a nice touch & good idea as added safety measures.
- A 3 piece alloy crank is fitted with 3 (replacable) sprockets, and tied to the rear freewheel of 7 speeds with a KMC chain to deliver up to 21 speeds. This wide range of gears, along with an extra 200 watts of power from the hub motor, along with the rider's legs, should make it up most hills I've ever ridden a bicycle (without a motor).
- Quality drive components are manufactured by the trusted name of Shimano; ft & rear derailleur, hand shifters, and cables; nice touch with plastic shield over otherwise exposed areas of cable for protection from the elements.
- The list price for the Enterprise as described is $1,099 (US)
Some closing comments include;
- Due to the battery being mounted below the saddle there is a minimum
height the saddle can be placed, but I doubt it would affect any rider
who could stand over the frame with 2-4 inches of clearance.
- The saddle height will change the distance to reach the handlebars, and consequently affects the rider's forward angle when riding. I recommend asking your retailer to help fit you to the bike, or check online because there is a wealth of good information on "bike fitting.
- Most people are not used to leaning forward, or bending to reach the handlebars which places more stress on the arms. The Enterprise will fit the average man fairly well without modifications, but shorter people may need to shorten the stem if they are leaning too far forward for comfort (replace with a shorter version).
- If you are planning a trip of over 30 minutes, especially in the heat, you'll want to add a water bottle cage to the handlebars.
- The Enterprise weighs about 54 pounds which compares reasonably well with other electric bicycles on the market. The best place to drop weight is in the wheels and tires; good place for upgrades over time.
- Like most other manufacturers EG Bikes will not allow ANY modifications, "in any way, shape or form" to the any of their products or risk voiding the warranty. As always, it's a good idea to read the manual and warranty in order to best understand what it is you are buying, and whether you can abide by their rules in areas such as wheel bearing maintenance, battery charging, and general riding (weather) conditions. EG's warranty conditions are straight forward & reasonable, but may not be well understood by the casual rider. Just ask your retailer or email EG directly if you have a question.
Thank you for visiting VeloChef, and reading this review on the EG Enterprise Electric Bicycle. I welcome comments, questions, and ideas to enhance future posts.