When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Even some of thebest cheap electric bikesare over $1,000.
An e-bike, but itsmy bike?
CLIP is a front-wheel e-bike attachment that uses friction drive to power up your regular manual bike.
Its battery-powered, with torque boost and regenerative braking buttons, and its removable.
These specs sounded like music to my ears.
However, thats where my joy promptly fizzled out.
The e-bike conversion kit is$499 direct from CLIP, which isnt a small amount of money.
Yes, its cheaper than an e-bike, but at what overall cost?
Im Melting!
If you need something that can withstand rain, Id recommend theSwytch Go, which is IPX6 rated.
Just a hop, a skip, and a jump
How long is your commute?
According toMoovit, the average NYC commute distance is 5.9 miles.
In Bath, U.K., mine is 2 miles, which I usually walk or cycle.
However, if you live in NYC, you would only be able to getone wayout of the CLIP.
If your commute is 6 milesplushills?
Suspension forks?
I love my second-hand Voodoo Bantu bike, with its bouncy suspension forks.
But the CLIP doesnt love it back.
Due to its clip-on design, the conversion kit cannot be used with suspension forks.
Its designed to be a commuters best friend, and therefore, only compatible with city and road bikes.
I tested the CLIP using a rented Marin drop-frame urban bike instead of my personal bike.
