If you read my reviews, you know that I'm always looking for the perfect balance between power, comfort, and practicality. The most memorable electric bike I've tested had wide tires and weighed almost as much as a small motorcycle. I've said many times that the Duotts E26 would be the perfect choice if only it weren't a "fat bike."

This time the situation is different. Duotts E29 - a completely new model, which seems to tick many of the criteria that are important to me: narrower tires, significantly less weight, torque sensor, hydraulic brakes and even a 14-speed system. Is this the bike I've been waiting for so long? What is it still missing from perfection and what can it impress everyone with? More about this in this review.

Unpacking and preparation

The bike is shipped in a nondescript cardboard box, the corners of which, to be honest, did not look ideal. However, this is not a tragedy, because everything inside is packed perfectly. Lots of foam, fastening straps and protective films. 

In the box we found not only the bike, but also all the necessary tools. Instructions, tools, pump, phone holder, charger, mudguards, reflectors and a speed lever - everything you need for riding. Some things are additional trifles, but the latter always cause positive emotions. Assembly is not special, you just need to install the handlebars, front wheel, pedals and seat. If you take your time, it will take no more than half an hour.

First impressions

The first glance at the assembled Duotts E29 gives a mixed feeling. The wiring at the front is immediately noticeable. They are not very neatly hidden, and the protective part in the frame constantly falls out. It seems as if this was the manufacturer's last concern before packing the bike. Adding the fact that I found an extra screw when extending the stand, the question arises - are these isolated flaws or a sign of possible more serious problems?

However, don't be disappointed - the components here are definitely not the cheapest. I was pleasantly surprised by the speed lever included in the kit, which, unlike the previously tested models, is no different from the regular knobs included in the kit.

The display in the center of the handlebar is bright and easy to see in the sun. On the left is a convenient control that allows you to switch PAS levels and change settings. However, the front chainring mechanism protrudes a little too much towards the handle, which can cause inconvenience when riding.

The front has adjustable ZOOM shock absorbers with up to 100 mm of travel, and the rear has a DNM air shock absorber, a manufacturer already seen on the Duotts E26.

Although the first impression is mixed, looking at the Duotts E29 as a whole, it seems to be a fairly high-quality bike. How does it ride?

Ride quality

Riding the Duotts E29 is a real pleasure. It rolls very smoothly even with the motor turned off, which is not always the case with electric bikes. The torque sensor works perfectly, the power is transmitted evenly, without jerks.

In fact, it's so much fun to ride that I only put the gear lever on to test how far I could go without pedaling. The sufficiently thick tires and good shock absorbers absorb road irregularities perfectly, making it comfortable to ride both in the city and on poorer quality roads.

The 14-speed system is an important advantage. It is not just a number, but a real opportunity to adapt to any situation. The gears engage precisely, without jamming, even when driving on uneven surfaces. This combination of gears, together with the electric motor, gives much more freedom of choice than the usual 7 or 8 gears more often found in other models.

Shimano MT200 hydraulic brakes work effectively and confidently. Unfortunately, the front brakes squeak a lot (the rear ones are the same, but they don't squeak). After the first 100 km, the situation did not change, and brake cleaner did not help either. The problem was only partially fixed by removing the pads and sandpaper, so now the squeak occurs only when braking with full force.

Electric motor

The Duotts E29 is equipped with a Bafang 48V 250W motor, which may seem weak at first glance. However, in reality, the power of this motor is quite sufficient. Its nominal power is 720W, so you can accelerate relatively quickly, and the 40 km/h limit is overcome without much effort.

The motor works together with a torque sensor, so the assistance feeling is natural - more motor power is transmitted when pedaling faster. The bike comes with 5 levels of assistance (PAS) that limit the motor power every 15%. For example: level 3 is 70%, level 4 is 85%. The lowest possible assistance is limited to 40%.

Sensitivity (how quickly it will trigger) can be adjusted in the additional settings. Only the latter are protected by a PIN (2962), which is simply not in the user manual. These settings also hide the disabling and changing of the bike unlock code. 

Driving uphill

Since I barely used the shifter while testing this bike, I can say from experience that climbing hills with the Duotts E29 is very easy. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I even turned down the motor assist for the challenge.

And now - the traditional test, where I drive to the hills of Želvos g. and Narbuto gt. in Vilnius. The latter was overcome at a speed of no slower than 24 km/h, while Želvos g. became an insurmountable task. 

Distance traveled and maximum speed

With the tires fully inflated and the battery fully charged, I set out on a range test. With the outside temperature reaching 19 degrees, and with clothing and equipment weighing 85 kg, I managed to cover 35.35 km. Considering that the battery is only 13.5 Ah, that's a pretty solid distance. 

What we didn't like?

While the Duotts E29 is a really fun bike, it still feels like a somewhat hastily released model with little things that could have been better thought out. 

The biggest downside is the battery level information. It is only displayed as an indicator with a few divisions, without any exact percentage or voltage, so when driving a longer route you have to guess how much is left before it is completely discharged.

Another drawback is that the screen does not dim when the flashlight is turned on, so it becomes too bright at night and can be distracting. Yes, you can change the brightness level in the settings, but it's a few clicks too much.

Additional settings, such as changing PAS levels or PIN code, are only accessible by entering a special code, which is not even provided in the instructions. Also, some functions would be more conveniently controlled using the Duotts app on your phone. Unfortunately, the latter does not support this model.

Finally, I missed cruise control - a feature that would be very useful on longer trips so that you don't have to constantly hold the accelerator or rely solely on the pedals.

Verdict

Although the Duotts E29 clearly looks like a hastily released model, it left a very good impression on me. It is a real pleasure to ride it. And it doesn't matter if it is a trip to work or just a ride in the woods, because all roads are overcome with a smile. The bike rolls easily, the PAS system works smoothly, and the 14 gears give real freedom to adapt to any road. In fact, I liked the Duotts E29 so much that without hesitation - I decided to buy it myself.