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MOTORINO XLR
BY PAUL NEWITT
For 15 years, Motorino, founded by Steve Miloshev, a former
mechanical environmental engineer, has been blazing a path for
electric bicycles and scooters in Canada. This summer and
marking a new era, the Vancouver, B.C.-based company took delivery
of its new state-of-the-art lightweight e-Roadster. The innovative ironand-aluminum
alloy frame is reported to be stronger than each of the
materials on its own, but the real advancement is its weight, as the bike
is just 28 lbs., including all of its electric components.
Pedal recently had the opportunity to take Motorino’s latest innovation,
now dubbed the XLr, on a city-wide commute throughout Vancouver to
get a feel for this lightweight, urban e-bike. The XLr is considered one, if
not “the” lightest commuter electric bike on the market.
A sleek-looking bike, the XLr features a classic flat-bar road-frame
design. There’s no bulky battery look to this beauty. The 36V 8Ah
replaceable battery, built with Panasonic Lithium-ion cells, is integrated
into the downtube and hardly noticeable within its TIG-welded
aluminum alloy frame – a frame material that Miloshev specifically
chose to ensure low weight, stability and long-term durability.
Equally low profile is the 250W 36V rear hub motor that features
brushless geared 50Nm torque at stall. The mini hub motor tucks
away nicely into the 700C 32H double-walled Alex alloy rim, which is
also featured up front, sans motor, with a quick-release skewer. Each
wheel comes with 700x28C ThickSlick WTB black tires with a white
sidewall logo. Also adding to its classic look is a CNX Speed chromeplated
chain, tan-coloured K.SAN Silverbow microfibre saddle and
grips, and SVMONO 31.8x600mm flat handlebar. The single-geared
XLr also makes use of 200mm Promax Forced Alloy cranks, Syun LP-
MO21 pedals and a U-Brake JK-AS2.6D both front and rear.
Control of the XLr comes from a three-button control pod mounted
on the handlebar and features a program mode for changing speed
and assistance, backlit LCD display with indicators for speed (“inst,
avg, max”), trip distance, odometer, battery voltage monitor and
power-assist level indicator. The XLr has five levels of programmable
speed control, with a maximum speed of 32km/h on Level 5 pedal
assist – to meet government regulations. On Level 2 assist (with a
standard 75kg load), Motorino indicates that you can max out your
range at 50km on a single charge. The XLr is charged via an easily
assessible panel on the left side of the downtube.
When out on the road, the XLr’s motor provided smooth speed
buildup when needed, with no surging. As soon as you hit the pedals,
its motor engagement was responsive, with more than 50NM of torque,
and when on the inclines, the responsiveness of the XLr’s torque
sensors and the power of the XLr’s rear hub motor is really appreciated.
With a huge variety of grades in and around Vancouver, the XLr
really met the challenge wherever it was taken and was a wonderful
assist on the steeper grades around the city. The control panel was
easy to manipulate and view, and speed-assist level changes couldn’t
have been easier. The XLr was easy to handle throughout the
commutes, and even when the motor was not assisting, the XLr was a
fun bike for exploring the vast bike routes of the city.
The Motorino XLr is well-priced for a bike of this calibre at $2,390
and currently comes in a 51cm (20" from center of pedal axle to the
top of seat-tube) or a 76cm (30") standover height and weighs in at
12.7kg (28 lbs.), including battery. Its colour options include black,
blue or olive-green.
For more information, go to www.motorino.ca.
38 PEDAL FALL/WINTER 2018 www.pedalmag.com