Denago City 2: Standing proud and delivering thrills
This tall, European-style e-bike caught me a bit off guard, but after riding it for many miles I am loving the speed, performance, and style.
Hyperdrive Hits
4/5 Medals of Yavin: It’s tall, gorgeous, and delivers on its range
Excellent fit and finish, comfortable handlebars and seat, perfect tire size, and solid power
No lights or fenders included, but can be purchased separately
Affordable price
Local dealers so you can try it yourself
When I ride bikes for commuting to work, I generally prefer lightweight bikes since I mix in a commuter train and a few flights of stairs. However, if you don’t have to ride a train and are looking for a commuter bike that has you sitting up tall and proud with a bike that looks as good as you then the Denago City 2 is a great candidate to consider.
I was honestly a bit put off by the very tall height after I unboxed the bike as it sits several inches taller than every other bike I have tested. It reminds me of many bikes I have seen in Amsterdam, like a Swapfiets, that has high handlebars that result in you sitting up in a comfortable upright position. I charged up the battery and after many miles I am now a huge fan of the City 2 and the ride it provides.
Despite the tall front height, the Denago City 2 weighs in at just 58 pounds and has a perfect handle located under the back of the saddle to make lifting it quite easy. Even with that weight, it has a sizable capacity of 300 pounds.
Rating:
As explained in my palmsolo’s Refresh Rating Scale post, I’m awarding the Denago City 2 e-bike four (4) Medals of Yavin. If it included a headlight, rear brake light, and fenders then I may have awarded it a 5/5, but calling it a City 2 without these key accessories is a bit annoying.
You can purchase these accessories from Denago, or your local bike shop, and if you choose to do so then you can use this coupon code for 5% off, DENAGOCITY2-MWM
The Good and the Bad
It’s pretty rare for me to not find something that can be improved with a product and for things like electric bikes the pros and cons can depend on your riding needs.
Pros
Gorgeous Wavy color with purple and green hues
Reasonable price for a powerful bike
Very comfortable seat and handlebar design with ergonomic grips
Up to 60 mile range that experiences show may be even higher
Local bike shop support and every part can be ordered individually for long term use
Hydraulic disc brakes and a large capacity removable battery
Step through and high step options
Class 3 with pedal assist up to 28 mph
UL2849 and UL2271 certified
Cons
No lights, fenders, or rear rack included
LED display partially hidden with polarized sunglasses
Forward pedal motion required for throttle engagement
Experiences
The Denago City 2 arrived in a well protected box with the front wheel, handlebars, and pedals requiring assembly. It only took me a few minutes to put the bike together and charge up the battery. There is a manual and excellent tool set provided with Denago branding on the tools.
After charging the bike up and ensuring proper tire inflation, I rolled the bike outside and prepared to ride. I pushed the plus (+) button on the left side controller to switch to level two, sat on the bike, and pushed my thumb down on the left throttle. The bike did not move forward and so I then started pedaling it. The throttle only kicks in after you start moving forward with the pedals.
I then did some searching and found out that this is intentional as a safety feature so that people do not accidentally throttle forward. Every other bike I have tested lets me use the throttle from a stand still and I have been used to this experience, especially when moving forward from a full stop in traffic.
Then again, I went bike riding with my mom this weekend and saw her accidentally hit the throttle on her bike and end up running quickly along side to catch the bike so the safety feature makes sense. The Denago City 2 is a bit big and can be a challenge to move forward if you are on a hill or other position.
The removable battery is well positioned on the top of the frame with a key used to unlock the battery. Check out my YouTube video for my experiences riding the bike for extended periods of time. The battery lasted for more miles than advertised and I weigh 232 pounds so you may also see longer battery than what is promoted by Denago.
A fairly simple controller is on the left side with the power button positioned on the bottom. Plus and minus buttons change your pedal assist level with press and hold actions available too.
The saddle is very comfortable with a couple of springs on the back. There is also a large plastic handle on the back to help you easily lift the bike and move it around. A red reflector is positioned on the seat post.
The Denago City 2 is capable of a 28 mph top speed with pedal assist. The throttle propels you forward at 20 mph with it fully engaged. The throttle level does not match the pedal assist level so even with level 1 assist you can get the full 20 mph throttle. This is great, but it is also a bit tough to move forward at less than 20 mph as the bike surges a bit. It would be great to see a cruise control level for throttle mode, but then again the bike is really more intended to be used in pedal assist mode.
The tires, frame size, and handlebar design make the Denago City 2 an extremely comfortable bike to ride for hours. I like the tire size that helps provide for a smooth ride, despite the lack of any suspension.
Specifications
Specifications alone don’t mean much, but they are useful for comparing similar devices and checking that you are getting value for your money.
Frame: Aluminum alloy in two colors (Black and Wavy) and two frame styles
Motor: 500W rear hub, 50 Nm torque
Battery: 48V, 13.6 Ah, LG cell
Bike weight: 58 pounds
Bike capacity: 300 pounds
Pedal assist: Five levels with throttle, speed sensor
Max speed and range: 20 mph throttle and 28 mph with pedal assist. Up to 60 miles with pedal assist, more than 20 with throttle only
Transmission: 8-speed
Brakes: Hydraulic disk brakes
Tires: 27.5 x 2.6-inch tires
Bottom Line
The Denago City 2 was my first experience with a Denago bike and despite my initial apprehension due to the tall front frame design I ended up absolutely loving the experience riding the bike. The bike is very responsive, propels you forward quickly, and is set up for cruising in style. The Wavy color is also stunning and it has gained many looks since I started riding it.
The $1,399 price is reasonable for the bike and I am pleased that I was able to test the step through model that made it easy to get on and off the bike, especially with the larger frame. I would like to see a few accessories included for a bike designed for city commuting, but you can purchase them if you need them too.
I look forward to many more miles riding the Denago City 2 and look forward to possible future testing of Denago bikes.