Luxury Ebike On A Budget | AIMA Santa Monica Review

[@MrBrian4109]

Just got one from an Authorized dealer and I love it ! I’m almost 60. With zero power it’s a hard ride but pleasant in level 1.

[@Ennovation]

Glad you're digging it! It really is a nice bike. Not so many reviews as other bikes out there, but everyone I've talked to that owns it seems to love it quite a lot! Glad you're enjoying it.

[@gregorypeterson7296]

Have now put over 200 miles on my Santa Monica - strong brakes, easy to get off and on, motor is so powerful I pedal up our steepest local hills in PAL 2 (max power is at PAL 5), getting over 60 miles on a charge (mostly PAL 1 power, constant pedaling, mostly flat roads) at 15 to 20 MPH cruising speeds - bike looks sharp and feels solid - only negative is 66 lb. weight - great bike, especially for seniors - I get more exercise now with this ebike than I got with my standard Trek mountain bike

[@Ennovation]

That's awesome! Sounds like you're really having a good time with it. and 60 miles on a charge is pretty phenomenal! The torque sensor they're using, and how it's programmed, seem to make it very efficient with battery usage.

[@vicweast]

Great review, thank you! ...We just bought a pair of these yesterday and are looking forward to delivery in the next several days!

[@Ennovation]

Why, thank you! I hope you guys have many fun rides in the future on these! What colors did you guys end up getting?

[@vicweast]

@@Ennovation One blue and one black!

[@Ennovation]

That's awesome! The Blue is a really cool color, in my opinion. Where did you get them from? Always fun hearing what other bike shops carry the AIMA brand.

[@vicweast]

@@Ennovation Germntown Maryland at "Good Vibes"... a nice smallish bike shop. Possibly the closest AIMA dealer to us in Frederick MD

[@uowebfoot]

Bought one of these 3 weeks ago. Love it! I unlocked it to unlimited. 28 on peddle or throttle. It's fun.

[@Ennovation]

Love this! Yeah unlocking it is a ton of fun! I had a blast with the review

[@StephenMonjure]

Picked up one today from Exhalted E-Bikes in High Point, NC. Todd is the best! The Santa Monica is an incredible E-Bike. You can unlock on the screen which will get you between 28-35 mph. Awesome review - thanks!

[@Ennovation]

Couldn't agree more!glad you’re digging it ;)

[@gregorypeterson7296]

Very thorough coverage - like your sidebar comments on performance, quite informative - steep hills are my biggest concern and 750/1200 watts looks like it does the job with pedal assist - I may have missed it but this bike looks to have a very low step over height, a major consideration for seniors and people with leg disabilities - can you comment on SM step over height vs. competitive step through bikes? Thanks!

[@Ennovation]

Yes! Not sure I mentioned it, but it's 15.7" for both the Small Size, and the Medium Size. The real only difference there is the small has a smaller minimum saddle height. The way AIMA does their sizes is the change the angle of their seat stay so the seat tube can be shorter. For comparison, the Discover2 from Velotric is about 15.4", the Stellar Falcon from Euphree is 19". The Malibu from E-LUX is 18" (14" on their Malibu Mini). So I would say that 15"-16" range is pretty comparable to the industry.

[@gregorypeterson7296]

@@Ennovation Thanks!

[@RicLevine]

Good review! My wife and I are awaiting delivery of our Big Surs. BTW...we lived just south of Austin until this past April and never saw where you are. Where are you?

[@Ennovation]

Thanks Ric! I also used to live up that way (South Austin actually). Now I'm down in Houston. The trail I usually ride is Houston.

[@RicLevine]

@@Ennovation - No wonder I knew nothing about it...we never got down that way. VERY pretty area...made green from all that wonderful humidity!! 😉 My daughter just moved from south Austin and, we were not big fans of having to drive the I35 to get up there. We've recently moved to about 25 miles south of Tucson and the bike infrastructure here is REALLY good. Hope to check out some trails soon.

[@Ennovation]

That sounds awesome! I hope you guys enjoy your Big Sur’s over there! Let me know how they do for ya!

[@riclevine5983]

@@Ennovation - Will do!

[@smithrivervintage]

Hey- your review was fantastic and reassured me I was choosing the right e-bikes to replace our Aventon Pace. Just bought a matching pair of the blue ones (yesterday)from Exalted E-Bikes in High Point, NC. If anyone needs a new ebike….Todd at Exalted Ebikes is THE MAN!! Have put 40 miles on them since yesterday and LOVE THEM EVEN MORE!!!!!

[@markcampbell2515]

killin' it as always 😎

[@Ennovation]

Appreciate it Mr. C ;)

[@robmaxwell3678]

Ive tried out the Big Sur Sport but not the Santa Monica. In comparison, is the throttle response about the same as the Big Sur Sport? Or is it more gradual?

[@Ennovation]

I would say it's a bit more gradual. The Big Sur Sport is one of my favorite bikes. The Santa Monica has a higher top speed (unless you take it to a dealer to unlock) and that's one of the pros here. But I'm pretty biased on the Sport, because as of today, that's one of the only Ebike I'd actually buy and keep.

[@anthonysimmons6884]

Power on Electric Bikes in Cypress TX has them and i got one!!! Excellent bike!

[@Ennovation]

Hey Tony! Glad you were able to find what you were looking for. It’s nice when a local bike shop has a huge selection of Ebikes. It gives you a chance to test ride and find what works for you. Stay safe out there in Cypress.

[@anthonysimmons6884]

@Ennovation yes! They had over 100 different kind of bikes and I rode nearly all of them. Staff was not making a fuse about bringing different bikes out to test ride in there parking lot. Initially, I only went in to by mirrors for my old e-bike. After seeing there collection; I couldn't help myself. The staff and owner was friendly and knowledgeable about the products, warranties, and provided services. Thanks yall if yall see this!!

[@Ennovation]

@@anthonysimmons6884 Well they sound like a dope Ebike shop! Sounds like more people should go visit them ;) Thanks for the info here :)

[@skroesen]

I am can’t seem to find the correct answer. Out of the box can it be Class 3 (28mph w PAS) or does it need unlocked with the dongle? I am getting conflicting answers.

[@Ennovation]

For the Santa Monica, you don't need a dongle. For the Big Sur and the Sport, you do (currently). It's a simple menu to get to where you can select though the different riding modes. Obviously I usually use mine in Unlimited mode, cause I like the speed. lol So in summary, Santa Monica, no dongle needed. For Big Sur and Big Sur Sport, you still need to go into a dealer and have them use their dongle to unlock the max speed.

[@plowmanjoe]

What's the ipx rating on this bike? I'm deciding between this and the velotric discover 2.

[@Ennovation]

IPX6 for the Santa Monica.

[@plowmanjoe]

@@Ennovation How do you think this bike compares to the velotric discover 2?

[@Ennovation]

Now me personally, I’d probably lean towards the Santa Monica, because of the better torque sensor and ride feel, top speeds capable, and I find the Santa Monica to be a bit more comfortable for me. The Route 66 motor is an awesome spec as well! Velotric looks nice, but you can’t see the display with sunglasses. When I asked the company about it their solution was to not wear sunglasses while riding. So that’s a big miss for me on the Velotric. Other than that, it’s pretty comfortable, and they have some cool color options.

[@christophersheehan9460]

How would you compare the Santa Monica to the Euphree Stellar Falcon?

[@Ennovation]

That’s a good one…Santa Monica wins on the power train side, Falcon wins on the comfort side. They both tie for batteries. The torque sensor on the Santa Monica is nominally better. The Euphree has the ability to customize the power mode for each level of pedal assist, so the Falcon wins in configurability. Looks wise, I personally think the Falcon is an amazing looking bike, so I’d give it the edge there. Top speed goes to the Santa Monica (unlocked it’ll do 37mph, which is wild). Now crowning a better bike would be hard, because they’re both different use cases, so that’ll have to be up to the purchaser’s needs on their bike. But honestly both of them are very solid products.

[@georgebc3]

​@@Ennovationis the main reason you're saying the Stellar Falcon is more comfortable because of the suspension seat post? Or is it more than just that feature that makes the Steller Falcon more comfortable?

[@StephenMonjure]

Great review, very influential and a huge help in deciding to get this fine bike. Ride in peace…

[@Ennovation]

@@georgebc3 That's a big factor, the forks on the Stellar are also nicer. I like the saddle on the SM a bit more, and the grips are a tossup. So higher end suspension, and more of it is why I'd lean towards the Stellar Falcon.

[@Ennovation]

@@StephenMonjure Thank you :)

[@Seagoatsunday]

but no sand beach cruisin...wish tires 3". otherwise perfect ebike!❤

[@Ennovation]

Yeah even at 3" might be cutting it a bit close. I usually see 4" bikes on the sand. But you could throw some handlebars like this on the Big Sur and you'd be in business. :P

[@henrybutchy3242]

1. Is the hub motor is geared hub motor or not? This is basic stuff. 2. Do not guess at torque rating. Give us the number. 3. Water rating is important info. Can I hose it off or not? 4. Remove the battery. Show us, don't tell us. s m h

[@Ennovation]

Good feedback! 1. Geared 2. Couldn't find it listed anywhere, so had to go off of experience to guesstimate. I'll try and get that nailed down before I do another review. 3. IP65 4. Good note!

[@PriusTurbo]

1. I haven't heard any reviewer mention geared or not geared on any review. Look it up. 2. It's on the website and the torque number doesn't reveal how the torque is delivered which the gentleman shows in the video. 3. The ipx rating is on the website. Nobody knows your ability to use a hose but you and your close friends. Do you have hands? We can't tell. 4. The battery is a battery. It's a standard battery that looks like a battery. It's the same as every other bike that looks like this. Say thank you next time before you tell someone that you expect them to cover irrelevant or easily findable information. So Many Hamsters

[@Ennovation]

@@PriusTurbo My hero ;) You make alot of good points here! Thanks for your input.

[@scewtersource]

🔲

[@StephenMonjure]

Picked up one today from Exhalted E-Bikes in High Point, NC. Todd is the best! The Santa Monica is an incredible E-Bike. You can unlock on the screen which will get you between 28-35 mph. Awesome review - thanks!

[@Ennovation]

Glad you're digging it! It's a really solid Ebike, with a surprising amount fo power. :) I'm sure it'll treat you well!