Evelo Quest Max Review - 2.9k

The Evelo Quest Max is a feature rich, powerful, folding electric bike with extendable stem and long seat post option for taller riders, it's easy to mount and handle, weight is positioned low and center. The Bafang Max mid-motor is powerful but efficient, you can adjust pedal speed gearing at standstill or while riding and there is no mashing because of the NuVinci CVT hub. Weighing nearly 51 lbs, this is heavier than the single-speed Evelo Quest One, and it costs $900 more, but is much more versatile and powerful, available in two colors (light blue and metallic grey). Sturdy double-leg kickstand makes loading the rack or folding the bike easy, padded grips and and saddle pair with the premium Schwalbe Balloon tires for comfort, integrated lights and fenders increase safety, two USB charging ports, excellent customer support and warranty.
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[@813614921]

*Love the **Latest.Bike** it's getting warmer here in Minnesota. So I can't go to fast with it yet but once it does I will use it more often and save on gas to work.*

[@kbroman]

Very helpful review, thanks! I was convinced to buy a Quest Max, which I just received today and am totally loving. A surprise: the rear light is now integrated, and even acts as a brake light (turning on when you pull the brakes). You mentioned difficulty stowing the kickstand. For me, it seems like if you pull the bike forward while it's on the kickstand, the kickstand folds up and back easily. Again, thanks for your thorough and informative review!

[@buck8ol]

Karl Broman got mine a month ago because of this review. I've almost hit 30 mph and it still feels surprisingly stable.

[@davidj.jorgensen4828]

W T'Challa , hello, I noticed U got this bike almost a year ago. Can U give me an Iong term update as to how this model is holding up. Nuvinci, motor ,battery,etc. ..... please ?

[@treydrier3169]

If you are considering a folding bike I would also recommend looking at the Enzo and saving a few bucks. Enzo is equally capable and very highly rated by Court. They are about $1,000 less expensive and comes in either chain or belt drive (belt drive is $150 more but still $850 less than the Evelo). I've owned 2 of them for about 2 years. Very durable and reliable and weighs just under 50 lbs. Perhaps not as slick looking as the Evelo but still very nice looking. I get compliments on it all the time. Evelo and Enzo....two great choices in quality folding bikes.

[@sealevel274]

It wasn't cutting off when you went over 20 because you had the speed setting set for 40 mph. It would normally be set for 20. We got two of these bikes in November (one of each color), and we take them with us when we're camping. When folded, they both fit into the back of our crew cab truck with the seats folded up. We really like them and have even done some hard packed trail riding at some of the State Parks where we've camped. We also use them around home when we aren't camping, and they are great for riding down to the beach for lunch and stuff like that. I believe the Bafang Max drive is rated for >80nm of torque, not 95nm. Still, in pedal assist 3, 4 or 5, it really helps to flatten out the hills, or to help in a strong headwind. They really are quiet and are a blast to ride.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for the details Ken! I was surprised about the Nm rating of the motor as well, got that spec from the Bafang official website, but perhaps I was looking at the wrong motor? This is where I got it: www.bafang-e.com/en/components/component/motor/mm-g120220.html and good catch on the 40 mph, I guess if you had a the correct gearing to actually pedal at a reasonable RPM around 40 mph the motor would still activate. Nice to hear about your real world experience and how these fit into your truck. Safe travels friend :)

[@sealevel274]

I don't think that's the same motor. I believe it is the same one you reviewed here: electricbikereview.com/evelo/galaxy-st/ Thanks for your reviews!

[@evelobikes]

Ken, that's correct. The Bafang Max motor we use is labeled as MM G330.350 on their site: www.bafang-e.com/en/components/component/motor/mm-g330250.html. You are correct about the torque rating as well. This motor is rated at 80Nm. It's identical to our 500W mid-drive motors on the older Aries, Aurora, Orion and Luna models. This is actually a perfect example of why the wattage is not always a good way to compare motors in particular and ebikes in general.

[@davidkeenan7275]

This looks like one of the nicest fold up E-bikes I've seen yet. Great review! Live the components the this model has.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hey, thanks for the compliment! It really is a special folding ebike, Evelo has been doing a wonderful job expanding their lineup and offering unique custom builds. This is definitely one of my favorite folding ebikes right now too :)

[@pj520]

I love the NuVinci trans and belt drive! Nice review!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thank you! The setup is very unique and beautiful... quiet, clean, easy to use. I like the combination a lot :)

[@philodygmn]

This spec is pretty much _exactly_ what I've been looking for: quiet Bafang motor, Gates belt w/ maintenance-friendly frame, NuVinci paired with a giant front ring, well-placed trigger throttle, good brakes (w/o hydraulic maintenance hassles), real USB (2 ports, no less!), folds and is well under 50 lbs for carrying up stairs once the battery is off, standard duty rack, double kick-stand, broad high-viz puncture-resistant tires with thicker spokes and mud-guard fenders, integrated front light at least (rear, too, would have been great), small footprint a worthwhile tradeoff for less comfort and stability. I just wish the display was removable so slotting it into place automatically turned the bike on, and that it 4-wheel rolled trolley-style while folded. If they offered their Compass trike with NuVinci, I might consider that, as well. Way cheaper than R&M's ludicrously expensive Tinker. Tern's Vektron does roll while folded-which would really have been the Quest Max's cherry on top-but the Vektron's obnoxious Bosch motor is a non-starter for me, and the GSD won't fold plus its hauling makes the wrong structural tradeoffs for me since I'm not its target market (sadly, the Tern/Xtracycle Cargo Node appears defunct). The asking price of the Quest Max is fair, I'd say. Poor Court, your arm is visibly shaking from cold as you gesture, your nose is red, you're panting for breath, your brow furrows fighting for concentration as you speak, and your voice is compressed nasally to avoid full exposure to the cold air in your sinuses! Maybe gear up a little more next time it's that cold ;-) Thanks for another fantastic, thoroughly informative review!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Great insights and thoughts about using a removable display as a key, and the whole rolling trolley design! You really are an insightful and detailed individual, would you ever want to help do reviews for EBR? And, thank you so much for your concerns about my body and feelings... it was cold, but I feel blessed to get to share these positive products and to be able to do this as a job, I keep my spirits up, but it's nice to receive care :)

[@philodygmn]

ElectricBikeReview.com I'd love to explore the possibility of reviewing bikes for EBR! Please look for my message to you on ElectricBikeReview.com's forums (same handle) soon! :-)

[@fojrsepta4959]

@@ElectricBikeReview i saw a belt fixie in a pawn shop ONCE- and RECENTLY walking after hours on a slick long engineless ONLY craft path was passed by a bike that made a creaking sound, the chain noise unpresent I wondered if this was belt reality the dry frAImEE noise a new signature.... Nice thing about old news is used bikes might be findable I use the offerup even Letgo crap apps but recommend cplus as you can select much of nation to search CL when goal has a distinct keyword like EUC or much better like Optibike or this BRAND I ASSUME won't be all false positive results. It even follows browser version and cars.com in only checking bikes checked by seller as electric! On cars ap, which shares your spirit, one can hack value SEARCH as follows: Mark deal grade BEFORE ELECTING PRIVATE SELLER ONLY!!! A 1981 FACTORY ELECTRIC FOR EXAMPLE HAS BEEN OFFERED NEARLY FREE!!! HOWEVER NO DEAL INDEX 😆. IF YOU search for nondealer from getgo it will not filter for bargains! The setting persists however AFTER DEALER INVENTORY IS ELIMINATED. MANY markets have awesome dealer held monsters. The Transit EV for example was accidentally bought in bulk at AUCTION by cal DEALER. The had to give them AWAY. Unlike cheap gas model that gets marked up thousands lol. Integrating a belt hub variable transmission with motor I feel is BETTER than mid drive. Alternatively the 14 even just inch diameter, over half a foot radius, wheel needs power on rim. Your nearly up to tripple digit newton 💪 here. Thing is one tiny ESK8 MOTOR IS NOW five horsepowerish wattage... So 2. Of 4 wheels so skated on is 7kw rated. Mid drive can use antituning to increase potential a side ignored. Once bike will use electric braking to remain lawful regardless of decent or wind or some snuff kidnapper pushing your but faster and faster it will lock tires before hitting lethalest speeds, once that is installed, then our knees are safe. Then we pedal during wide open sections that use most of energy and can step off pedals ENTIRELY using throttle or brake not just by mistake. We pedal at ideal speed even into braking generator only in power by wire designs. And can use arms also. On ebay a used 90 volt dc generator is noted as testing to 3 volts when fingered. The feel of chain drive is forgettable. It is snowy envy not real critique to miss it. Producing power from our body is not yet done well. Squirell cages make cranks look ratty. We must step literally designs up. Some 'BIKEY' '🔧' NOW has an unpriced LTO 3rd option. Thats all i REMEMBER!

[@HikingInSierras]

As an owner & rider of this make/model, I can say that this a great urban commuter. The CVT transmission is heavy, but the mid drive motor helps to offset the weight. The belt drive + NuVinci makes for a maintenance-free ride. I'll have a better idea of the reliability in the next 500 miles.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Fantastic! It's always wonderful to hear feedback from a true owner of a product, and it sounds like it has been doing well for you. Hope it brings many more smiles :)

[@superandy89]

How has the reliability been since your post last year?

[@greysuit17]

Great bike! Love your channel thanks for the reviews!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hey, thank you so much! It's an honor to get to share this positive stuff and I do my very best to be thorough but also loving in the delivery and interactions here.

[@151mcx]

nice bike... I was considering the rav mini. But this is much better quality with a gates belt drive and the hub shifter, no rusty chains, or derailers to adjust. Low maintenance is a big plus for me. Also double the warranty... Just seems like it's worth the extra $ for me. I would like to see a bigger battery option. 14~17 amp hour would be great. Samsung just came out with the 10X that has a 4100 mAh battery that's twice of what is in my phone and somehow the phone is even thinner. Battery tech has come a long ways. We're going to see 20~40 Ah batteries this year. Hopefully they will make into bikes giving us damn near double the range.

[@javierpeletiermaura5417]

Hi Court. Nice review, Thanks. Apparently NuVinci seems to be a little beat hard to move. What's your opinion, please? Thanks in advance and regards

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hi Javier! Yes, it seems like maybe the combination of belt and NuVinci made this bike feel less light and crisp to pedal, some of my energy was lost through the drive system when I had pedaled while it was turned off. There is also the added weight, but that seems like a smaller issue than the CVT conversion. It's not a deal killer, you do get benefits from the NuVinci, but it just doesn't seem as efficient as a cassette or some internally geared hubs.

[@javierpeletiermaura5417]

ElectricBikeReview.com Interesting points to know. Thank you Court.

[@jimhofoss9982]

I haven’t seen you review any autoshift nuvinci interfaces yet. I put a nuvinci auto shift on a full suspension bike with a bafang midrive. Climbs like no other, and shift seamlessly when you hit the throttle. gets you up to insane speeds quickly without worrying about shifting. Have a front hub that powers the autoshift interface.

[@davidj.jorgensen4828]

Jim Hofoss , I would love to hear more about your bike setup.🚲🏁

[@internetotaku6139]

Couldn't you have just used the saddle to pull the bike on its wheels? Maybe I am missing something but that seems like it makes it very easy handle to move the bike.

[@user-wc1em7pc2p]

Did you feel the difference in that from other bikes because of the 95nm of torque it's claiming? That seems like it would be able to take a hill very easily given the potential power it has.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Hi Fred! To me, the motor torque of the Bafang Max Drive is great, on par with other leaders, it isn't as zippy as Bosch CX, isn't as fluid and responsive as Brose S, but is the quietest and more affordable than those two. I really like it for city applications for this but it does surprisingly well on mountain bikes too, check this out: electricbikereview.com/volton/alation-mid-drive-48v/

[@mDOTuno]

It seems as if you mention other mid drive systems when reviewing anything other than Bosch... why is that?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Bosch was the first mid-motor I tested in the USA (around the time of Bafang BBS01) and seems so widespread that I feel most people who have been to shops might know it. So, I often relate other motors back to it. I have been working on a motor comparison video actually, and prefer the new Brose S to the Bosch CX... but Bosch is there because of their influence and availability. I don't mean to be one sided. I do appreciate the Bosch dealer support, reliability, warranty (especially compared to Bafang), and their shift sensing. So with the Quest Max, lack of shift sensing wasn't as much of an issue because of the CVT. I just share what goes through my mind ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@dc2288]

I want a folding fat tire bike with suspension and as many racks as possible for shopping for groceries. I need light weight because it will be stored on a boat. I anchor most of the time so I'll have to put it in my dingy and motor to shore or marina then transfer the bike to shore. Can you recommend a bike that would best meet my requirements?

[@KaneLono]

Folding fat tire bikes are heavy. Especially with full suspension. You're going to be looking at at least 60 lb

[@chumbrien6257]

I loved the video. If you mentioned it I missed it. How much is this bike

[@KevinWu2]

Does this bike allow for rolling while folded?

[@BenjaminRuggeberg]

I have the same question. The video was awesome and very thorough but that one detail was missing!

[@castulojoeypat5911]

Wow what an ebike, I'm waiting for somebody to sponsor me for bike to work...

[@hectorvazquez7929]

Brompton will be releasing the electric model in the US soon

[@apollocorbin6279]

I know it is kinda off topic but do anyone know of a good site to stream new series online ?

[@metamorphicorder]

So this is a ebike with balls? They should put that in the marketing.

[@yuhaden8132]

Great review.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I was given the opportunity to share this with you and that you enjoyed it :)

[@metamorphicorder]

This is what the schwinn should have been for the price they were asking.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Yeah, both bikes are built around the same drive systems, but Evelo has put more thought and care into the rest of the bike it seems. They really are a leader in terms of customer support (always have been) but are now becoming a product leader as well in my opinion :)

[@metamorphicorder]

ElectricBikeReview.com yeah, i mean a seamless integration of belt drive? Center lift kickstand that doesnt obstruct the pedals? Pretty slick.

[@deanh7190]

It's ok to manspread to avoid knocking your knees on the swing joint.

[@265boots]

Great explanation

[@KaneLono]

3k for that? no way Jose!

[@rubenarancibia7145]

A joke

[@Vaioman67]

Court - please get a camera holder so you can keep two hands on the bars...

[@alexanderhamilton8585]

YES! That SO BUGS me. It's called a GO-PRO with a HELMET MOUNT. I NEVER wanna see his FACE. Never.

[@FasterThanSoup]

It's been years, I don't think he ever will. It's so odd because he's always wearing a helmet.

[@FasterThanSoup]

He's been doing this for years. I doubt that he'll ever switch to a hands free alternative. It's really odd because; he wears that helmet so often I think that he must sleep with it on, he at least twice doubts his balance in this video then, ends with "ride safe". It's always annoyed me, but this video was easily the worst and perhaps most hypocritical.

[@racerx7413]

Yea this little dude is a trip he likes everything lol

[@kona_moon6055]

What? No bell?? That's a deal breaker for me.

[@natsnsev]

Get in and get a sweater!

[@keyboyrecords]

Thumbs down for plastic folding 🔒

[@nettoyageadriance]

Beautiful belt drive.... Jealous!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

It's a really nice setup, neat to see a folding bike with nicer parts that rides more like a full sized ebike :D

[@davidbarley6653]

if it is mine company you should keep it .

[@MrJAZMARTHOMAS]

You cold man lol

[@racerx7413]

Maybe something for a grandma or grandpa imo🤔

[@fasil.364]

Fat peoples stay away from this small bike

[@Niidea1986]

45 pounds is too heavy for a folding bike...

[@KaneLono]

lol! My folding bike is like 65

[@Wog68]

Real light integrity is ignored, no bell

[@henrychua7451]

Great TECHNICAL review... But have you really RIDDEN this bike to feel how it rides? Like, for the whole video, your mouth has talk assist. I wanna know how it rides, not how fast you can talk about the bike.

[@GuuiYae]

With both of my kidneys sold, still can't buy this bike

[@heathweather5995]

belt is not more reliable than chain. a timing belt in a car has 1/3 the lifetime of a timing chain.

[@FasterThanSoup]

It's been years now that he's been doing this. I don't think he ever will switch over to a hands free option. It's really odd because he wears a helmet so often I fell that he may sleep with it on. It's even stranger and perhaps hypocritical when in this very video he at least twice doubts his balance because of this and then proceeds to end with "ride safe".