An almost perfect step-thru e-bike

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This is the AIMA Santa Monica, and what’s so impressive about this particular e-bike is the quality of the build. Usually, I would spend another 200 to 300 dollars after purchasing an e-bike upgrading substandard parts. Not so with the Santa Monica (or with any of AIMA’s bikes for that matter). Let me explain:

Here’s what you get with this factory build that I think are great features:

27.5″ street tires, not knobbies
Torque sensing pedal assist, not cadence
203mm brake rotors AND good quality hydraulic brakes (rotor size matters!)
Large (52 tooth) crank set, let’s you keep pedaling at speed
Good quality rear derailleur and gear ratios (11-34 tooth)
Bafang motor and long range, high quality battery (uses LG cells)
Turn signals, horn, and headlight
Adjustable handlebar stem (important but hard to find on bikes in this price range)
Fenders included – I do like fenders!
Different frame sizes available for the vertically gifted or challenged (that sounds offensive)
Configurable power settings if Class 2 restrictions aren’t fast enough for you

And I could go on. But taking into consideration all the great features of the Santa Monica, I still feel the need to change out 3 things, and ONLY 3 things. First, every e-bike needs a mirror: the Hafny Bar End Mirror is my current favorite for $15. Second, most e-bikes in this price range ship with pedals that I consider to be junk. Here’s the a pedal set I have been buying recently and am very happy with: 3 Bearing 9/16” Aluminum Alloy Bicycle Pedals for $24 and change. Plus they come in various colors to match the color of your e-bike. And my third and final upgrade is handlebar grips. You’re going to need to change out the grips anyway to fit the bar-end mirror, and I swear by Lock-on Knife Shape Mountain Bike Grips, which also come in various colors by the way. These babies will set you back $8 a pair.

When all is said and done, I have spent another $50 transforming my Santa Monica from a great e-bike into a ‘perfect’ e-bike. Having built e-bikes and bought e-bikes, I know that I can buy a good e-bike and for a few hundred dollars turn it into a great e-bike. But when I see an e-bike on the market where the manufacturer has already built a high level of quality and functionality into the bike I’m buying, then that’s bike I would buy, and then I only have to make a few mods. AIMA’s Santa Monica is that e-bike, and I’m very impressed. Job well done AIMA!

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