The City Model 1, and its Step-Thru twin, are Denago's first eBikes designed and built to power your commute to the next level! So far we’ve received great feedback on these eBikes from our customers, and we know that this theme is going to continue as word about the Denago City 1 Model 1 eBike spreads.
Being new to the market does come with the disadvantage of not being an established eBike company, but we’re confident that our City 1 can compete with the rest, the best, and the most popular eBikes on the market. With, say, the likes of Rad Power Ebikes.
Here we’re going to test this and compare our new-to-market Denago City Model 1 and its Step-Thru twin to the eBike that the Electric Bike Review awarded the Best Commuting Electric Bike of 2021, the RadCity 4 by Rad Power.
We’re going to put these two electric bikes head-to-head, starting off with the so-called “Brochure Statistics”, the facts you may find attached to the eBike’s handlebars in a bike shop. After that, we’re going to run through the electrical and mechanical components of these electric bikes to see how they stack up against each other, before honing in on the aesthetic and practical elements of each eBike.
Brochure Statistics
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Denago City Model 1 |
RadCity 4 |
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Sizes |
4 2x Standard Frame (S/M L/XL) 2x Step-Thru Frame (S/M L/XL) |
1 |
|
Step-Thru Frame |
Yes (2 Sizes) |
No |
|
Colors |
5 (four in each frame type) |
1 |
|
Weight |
53lb |
64lbs |
|
Class |
Class 3 (Adjustable to Class 1 or 2) |
Class 2 |
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Pedal Assist Levels |
5 |
5 |
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Top Speed Pedal Assist |
28 MPH |
20 MPH |
|
Throttle |
Yes |
Yes |
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Top Speed Throttle |
20 MPH |
20 MPH |
|
Motor |
500W |
750W (Nominal) |
|
Battery |
652.8Wh |
672Wh |
|
Miles per charge |
45+ miles (Real World Tested) |
45+ miles (Estimated) |
|
Price |
$1,499 |
$1,599 |
When comparing these two eBike side-by-side, although we find some similarities, we also find differences that make each ebike standout to different users. Those looking for power and capacity may note the RadCity 4’s extra motor power, along with its ever so slightly larger battery. Those who value speed will note the City Model 1’s significantly higher top speed, and those who are seeking an eBike that is flexible to their needs will note that the City 1 comes in 4 sizes, is available in a step-through frame in an electric bike as to what may jump out for you above. But these are just the brochure stats, and shouldn’t make your decision for you.
Electrical
City Model 1 offers a Step-Thru frame, and has 5 color options, along with the flexibility to change the eBike’s class rating, to allow it to be limited to suit area-specific regulations. Value conscious individuals will take note of the $100 lower price point for the City 1.
These differences certainly set these eBikes apart, and it depends on what you’re looking for. The electrical factors should not be the defining factors of an eBike purchase, but they are an important piece of the eBike puzzle.
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|
Denago City 1 |
RadCity 4 |
|
|
Pedal Assist Levels |
5 |
5 |
All equal here. 5 levels of pedal assist give the user flexibility as to how much assistance they want while riding. |
|
Motor |
500W Rear Hub |
750W Rear Hub |
At first glance the RadCity 4 wins the motor challenge, however they do note that its “actual power to ground wattage is under 750W” to ensure regulatory compliance. So you don’t really get all of that power. |
|
Battery |
652.8Wh |
672Wh |
A larger battery allows you to travel further on a single charge but that difference is rather negligible when it is only 3%, and that eBike is almost 20% heavier. |
|
Charger |
3A Fast Charger |
2A Charger |
Simply, a higher amperage charger replenishes your battery faster, meaning that you can get back out riding quicker! |
|
USB Port |
No |
5V 1A (On Display) |
A USB port allows you to charge your device directly from your eBike’s battery on the go. |
|
Display |
Color LCD |
Backlit LCD |
Both displays show the rider important metrics: speed, battery charge level, pedal assist level, odometer, trip odometer, and a few others. The City 1’s color display has a backlight for night riding, and features a walk mode function. |
|
Brake Light |
No |
Yes |
The RadCity 4 has a built-in rear light that lights up when the brakes are pressed. Great for when you’re commuting in busy parts of the city. |
|
Front light |
No |
Yes |
A built-in headlight is a great convenience for eBike riders when it gets dark. However, these do draw power from your eBike’s battery. |
Mechanical
Along with the e there is also the bike element of these eBikes, and these are just as important as the electrical components.
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|
Denago City 1 |
RadCity 4 |
|
|
Brakes |
180mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
180mm Mechanical Disc Brakes |
Both of these eBikes feature 180mm rotor disc brakes. The major difference is that the City 1 uses a superior hydraulic system which provides more stopping power and in a smoother fashion than mechanical brakes. Crucial on heavy eBikes that will regularly hit 20mph+. |
|
Front Suspension |
No |
Yes 100mm Travel With Lockout |
Front suspension makes riding over bumpy terrain smoother. 100mm is adequate for city riding whilst a lockout function allows you to stop the suspension absorbing your pedal power going uphill. |
|
Drivetrain |
7 speed Shimano Tourney |
7 speed Shimano Altus |
Both gear sets are made by the highly reputable manufacturer Shimano. The Tourney sits just below the Altus in the list of Shimano gears. |
|
Tires |
27.5” Kenda Kwick (Puncture Resistant) With Reflective Sidewalls |
26” Kenda K-Rad (Puncture Resistant) With Reflective Sidewalls |
Both of these tires are specifically designed for commuter eBikes. The larger size tire on the City 1 is better when the road gets a little rough and provides a more comfortable ride at high speeds, while the smaller tire on the RadCity 4 makes it slightly more nimble. |
Aesthetic and Practical Points
Finally, let’s take a step back and see what these eBikes have to offer regarding fit, appearance, comfort, and all round usability.
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|
Denago City 1 |
RadCity 4 |
Notes |
|
Sizes |
4 2x Standard Frame (S/M, L/XL) 2x Step-Thru Frame (S/M, L/XL) |
1 |
If you’re planning on riding your eBike regularly then you will want to be sure that it fits your unique body size. This is why the City one has two frame options, each with two sizes. |
|
Step-Thru Frame |
Yes (2 Sizes) |
No |
Simply, a step-thru frame makes eBikes accessible to those who find mounting a regular step-over frame challenging. |
|
Rider Height |
4’ 11” - 6’ 4” |
5’ 11” - 6’ 5” |
Different size eBikes offer comfortable eBike accessibility to a greater range of people. |
|
Standover Height |
28.5” - 31.5” (Standard) 21” (Step-Thru) |
31” |
A lower standover height means that you don’t need to lift your leg up as much to mount the eBike. |
|
Payload |
280lb |
275lb |
These eBikes can both carry pretty much the same amount of weight. |
|
Weight |
53lb |
64lbs |
The City 1 is almost 20% lighter than the RadCity 4. Meaning less power is needed to push it uphill, it is easier to maneuver, and lighter to carry. |
|
Colors |
5 (Four for Each Frame) |
1 |
Who doesn’t want to personalize their eBike to fit their own personal style? Different color choices allow you to express yourself! |
|
Assembly |
DIY or Shop |
DIY or Shop |
Both of these eBikes can be ordered to your house, where you do the last steps of the assembly, or ordered to one of hundreds of eBike stores nationwide where a professional will complete the last steps of assembly for you. |
|
Integrated Battery |
Yes (Semi-Integrated) |
No |
Not everyone wants their eBike to look like an eBike. This is why the City Model 1 has a sleek, semi-integrated battery, rather than having the battery piggybacking on the frame. |
|
Saddle |
Velo Plush Comfort Wide and Padded |
Velo Plush Comfort Wide and Padded |
Both of these eBikes come with the same wide and padded saddles with adjustable angle. |
|
Throttle Type |
Thumb Button |
Half Twist |
Which type of throttle you like is personal preference. We found thumb button throttles to be more controllable than twists and much less likely to be engaged by accident. |
|
Handlebars |
Swept, 660mm |
Swept, 700mm |
Swept back handlebars offer a more cruise-like ride and promote a more upright riding position. Wider handlebars provide the rider with a little more stability, while shorter handlebars make an eBike more nimble. |
|
Stem |
Adjustable Angle |
Adjustable Angle |
An adjustable angle stem allows the user to better adjust the position of their handlebars to suit their individual reach and height. |
|
Bell |
Included |
Included (Integrated into Brake) |
A bell is important so that you can tell others you’re there. A non-integrated bell allows you to adjust its location to one that suits you best. |
|
Kickstand |
Yes |
Yes |
When you spend over $1000 on something you don’t want to lay it down on the floor or lean it up against a wall. You want it to stand on its own so you can admire it. |
|
Rear Rack |
No |
Yes (60lb Capacity) |
While the City 1 is ready for a rear rack, sold separately, the RadCity 4 comes with one pre-fitted. |
|
Fenders |
No |
Yes |
The RadCity 4 comes with fenders to stop flecks of dirt and water getting flicked up onto your riding clothes. |
|
Front Rack |
Not Available |
Optional Extra |
A front rack can give you even greater carrying capacity. The RadCity 4 has the option to fit it. |
Bonus: Range Testing
The RadCity 4’s stated range is only an estimate. It may be in the ballpark for most eBikes, but it has not actually been tested. When we created the City 1 we took it for a mammoth amount of test runs before we were happy with the final product. After settling on the City 1 you see today we took it out on multiple occasions with different riders to see how far it could travel under real world conditions.
To Summarize
Both of these eBikes have been designed with the commuter in mind. They may seem quite similar at the start, but there are a number of factors that could cause one person to select one of these eBikes over the other. The City 1 may have a smaller motor than the RadCity 4 but it can travel faster, and has larger tires and a better brake system to make the ride that much more comfortable.
The RadCity 4 certainly has the City 1 beat on pre-fitted accessories, coming with a rack, fender, an integrated brake light, and a front light. It also features a front suspension fork that makes the ride smooth when the road gets rough. In turn, the City 1 boasts a whole extra eBike class (that includes an extra 8 mph of top speed on pedal assist) and is programmable so that it can meet any and all local eBike regulations.
Finally, if we turn to the aesthetic and practical side of these two eBikes, we find that the City 1 is also available as a Step-Thru and each frame is available in two sizes, offering riders of a wider variety of sizes and the opportunity to find an ebike that fits them properly. If that wasn’t enough on the personalize-ability level then the City 1 is also available in four different colors for each frame and the RadCity is only available in one. This one is based on personal opinion and can often be people’s decider if they’re having a tough time making a choice, which one of these eBikes would you rather be seen riding?
