Momabikes Ebike 28 Pro test: an affordable VAE with a high-performance engine

Momabikes is a brand that manufactures muscle and electric bikes in Spain. Moma models are particularly well represented among web merchants, which is rather rare in a market that still operates mainly through physical stores.

The Momabikes Ebike 28 Pro benefits from very correct finishes.

© The Digital

The Ebike 28 Pro is to date Momabikes’ most high-end model in the urban segment. Sold around 1400 €, it has the good taste to offer a more advanced integration of its electrification than what we usually come across at this price. Where many settle for batteries in the rack, the 28 Pro opts for downtube integration. It has a capacity of 624 Wh. The motor is placed in the hub of the rear wheel and still displays 55 Nm of torque, an unusual value at this price. The 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain is more in line with Momabikes’ lineup of the bike, on the other hand.

An open frame for easy ascents and descents.

An open frame for easy ascents and descents.

© The Digital

For the rest, the equipment is there: hydraulic disc brakes, suspension fork, luggage rack, mudguards, crutch or even a large control screen. On paper, the Ebike 28 Pro combines a lot of qualities for a contained price. How does this translate in the face of the harsh law of the street? Answer right away.

Editor's Rating: 3 out of 5

Comfort and ergonomics

Let’s start by specifying that the Momabikes Ebike 28 Pro comes partially assembled. You have to assemble the handlebars, the front wheel and the fenders. Steps far from being inaccessible even to neophytes and which are also well explained in videos that guide us in their realization. On the other hand, a visit to a specialist can be useful to adjust the derailleur if you are not comfortable with this very important step for your comfort.

A battery integrated into the frame, rather rare at this price.

A battery integrated into the frame, rather rare at this price.

© The Digital

Like many urban e-bike models, the Momabikes Ebike 28 Pro adopts the features of an open frame bike. Its aluminum frame is in fact devoid of a top tube, which facilitates the ascents and descents of the bike. A real asset for use in a commuting environment where you are not necessarily dressed in such a way as to lift your leg easily. Black point on the other hand, this bike only exists in one frame size which will suit users from 1.70 to 1.95 m. The little ones will therefore go their way.

Rather wide flat pedals.

Rather wide flat pedals.

© The Digital

Few e-bikes this cheap offer such battery integration. Most competitors opt for a battery in the luggage rack or simply placed on the frame. Here, the 624 Wh battery is integrated into the frame, and in a beautiful way. It is housed in the down tube and can be extracted by unlocking a lock with a key. We did not encounter any problem with the extraction or the insertion. Overall, without being fantastic, the frame finishes are still of a good standard.

A slightly curved handlebar.

The handlebar is slightly curved.

© The Digital

The Ebike 28 Pro opts for a slightly curved handlebar, attached to a stem whose inclination can be adjusted. Enough to grant a good compromise in a dynamic and relaxed position. The ergonomic grips are quite comfortable, but the cockpit is somewhat marred by entry-level and impractical Shimano Tourney shifters.

The derailleur control is not great.

The derailleur control is not great.

© The Digital

Comfort is partial with this Momabikes bike clearly cut out for the city on this point. Certainly, its Suntour suspension fork offers a minimum of cushioning. On the other hand, the 28-inch-diameter and 1.5-inch-wide Kenda tires filter out the roughness of the road very little. These entry-level tires also do not give much confidence in their resistance to punctures. Finally, the saddle offers a profile that lends itself to rolling more than to a comfortable seat. A profile that is not that of a bike like the Ebike 28 Pro.

The saddle is quite firm.

The saddle is quite firm.

© The Digital

The essential urban equipment is there. The Momabikes electric bike can count on a luggage rack, a kickstand fixed to the rear chainstay, a bell and a pair of plastic mudguards. These have a barely passable level of finish and protect the pants, but not the shoes. Good point, the flat pedals have a fairly wide and grippy surface.

The front light and the suspension fork.

The front light and the suspension fork.

© The Digital

Lighting

Editor's Rating: 2 out of 5

The lighting of the Momabikes Ebike 28 Pro is suitable for night outings if it is in addition to urban lighting. The low power of the front light is insufficient to illuminate the roadway alone. This front headlight, like the one at the rear, nevertheless makes it possible to be seen by other users.

Editor's Rating: 3 out of 5

Conduct

The motor placed in the hub of the rear wheel develops 55 Nm for a power of 250 W. This torque is rather high for an electric bike sold for less than 1500 €. Enough to promise great performance at start-up and uphill. The electric assistance can be adjusted to five positions, for more or less power.

The motor placed in the hub of the rear wheel.

The motor placed in the hub of the rear wheel.

© The Digital

It was to be expected, in the absence of a torque sensor, the assistance makes you lose natural pedaling. The assistance starts as soon as a rotation of the crankset is detected. Better then not to use the most powerful mode, especially in town, at the risk of lacking control at times. Power and torque are however welcome when it comes to tackling hills. The engine assists us wonderfully and allows us to maintain a good pace, without shedding a drop of sweat.

The control screen is particularly large.

The control screen is particularly large.

© The Digital

Support management is very simple. A small control box falls perfectly under the thumb of the left hand and allows you to navigate between power levels. The screen offers a large display surface for easily readable data, without too many reflections.

A limited Shimano Tourney transmission with its 7 speeds.

A limited Shimano Tourney transmission with its 7 speeds.

© The Digital

This liveliness stops at the same time as the assistance, at 25 km/h. Once this speed is exceeded, it becomes complicated even on the flat to take the bike faster. A difficulty which is partly due to an entry-level Shimano Tourney transmission which has only 7 speeds and grants limited development. The passage between gears clearly lacks fluidity, which breaks the dynamism a little while driving.

The fenders do their job well.

The fenders do their job well.

© The Digital

A problem that we could find even more marked on the climbs, but the torque quickly deters venturing on the top of the gear cassette. A bad habit that forces the engine to work harder and leads to premature wear of transmission components. But between speeds that seem to threaten to blow the chain in full force and overconsumption, the choice is quickly made.

Unreassuring brandless brakes.

Unreassuring brandless brakes.

© The Digital

The Ebike 28 Pro has the merit of offering a pair of hydraulic disc brakes. However, no indication is given as to their origin, which complicates their maintenance or replacement. But the latter can quickly be put on the agenda, because the effectiveness of these brakes is relative. It takes more than 4 m to stop when you are launched at 25 km/h.

Editor's Rating: 4 out of 5

Autonomy

Finding a 624 Wh battery on an electric bike sold for less than €1500 is very rare. Indeed, the price of such an accumulator is generally between 600 and 900 €. We won’t complain about finding such a large capacity at such a good price, because it allows the Momabikes Ebike Pro 28 to provide very good endurance. The brand promises 120 km of autonomy in eco mode and in favorable conditions. For our eBike test, we always choose the highest assistance mode and ride on a hilly course. We were thus able to cover 69 km on a single charge, with a 65 kg pilot and on a route that included 700 m of elevation gain. As this bike is intended for purely urban use, it will probably face flatter routes and the use of a lower assistance mode will certainly save a few kilometers.

The battery can be removed from the frame.

The battery can be removed from the frame.

© The Digital

With its charger capable of delivering only 2 A, the Ebike 28 Pro, on the other hand, requires patience to refill its battery. It took us about 6 hours to fully charge.

A spare battery is offered by Momabikes on its website. The 624 Wh model is sold for €399. However, said battery is out of stock at the time of writing these lines.

Points forts

  • Successful integration.

  • Big screen.

  • Powerful engine.

  • Autonomy.

  • Well equipped for the city.

Weak points

  • Uneven finishes.

  • Entry-level transmission.

  • Average brakes.

  • One frame size.

Conclusion

Global mark

Editor's Rating: 3 out of 5

How does grading work?

All in all, the Momabikes Ebike 28 Pro fulfills its task as an urban e-bike well. Its equipment is quite numerous and the performance of its electric assistance is there. On the other hand, we feel that the brand has gone to the economy on certain components (derailleur, brakes, mudguards, etc.), which can quickly generate additional costs. If you plan to ride this VAE every day, we strongly advise you to replace the brakes with a more common model, even entry-level, from a recognized brand such as Shimano. For occasional trips, this Ebike 28 Pro will do just fine, without breaking the bank.

Sub Notes

  • Comfort and ergonomics

    Editor's Rating: 3 out of 5

  • Conduct

    Editor's Rating: 3 out of 5

  • Autonomy

    Editor's Rating: 4 out of 5

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