Magnum Summit 27.5″

1 review for Magnum Summit 27.5″

1. 

   CC E-Cycles – July 7, 2023

   Video Review

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   Written Review

   This in-depth review was not sponsored by Magnum or any other company, but I would like to thank eBikes USA for allowing me to use a test bike from their shop. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Magnum products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the Magnum electric bike forums.

   Observations:

   • Magnum has been producing electric bikes since 2010 and has a reputation for quality products and good customer support, they have a large network of dealers in the US in addition to selling direct to consumer on their website.
   • The Summit replaces the Mi6 which EBR covered in 2019. Both bikes have a similar design but the Summit has numerous upgrades including hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical, more streamlined battery pack integration, a better display, and improvements to the drivetrain and suspension fork.

   Pros:

   • Available in four eye-catching accent colors from a large network of dealers which is great for test riding and maintenance support, you can also order online directly from Magnum. Covered by a one-year comprehensive warranty which has become fairly standard for modern ebikes.
   • The 500 watt DAS-KIT rear hub motor is durable and powerful with an impressive 90 newton-meters of torque, quite high for a hub motor.
   • Capable of 20mph speeds on the throttle, I like this throttle configuration with full power available at any pedal assist level (even 0). Pedal assist will get you up to 25mph in assist level 6, this hybrid configuration is becoming increasingly popular among riders who enjoy the speed of a Class 3 ebike along with the convenience of a throttle-equipped Class 2. If you’re new to ebike classes you can learn more here.
   • The 614 watt-hour battery pack is made with high-quality Samsung cells, fully integrated into the downtube which looks sleek and stealthy. This also provides good weight distribution for better stability, with the charge port positioned high and away from the cranks to prevent tangles or damage when charging. Magnum uses the LI-NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) chemistry which is reputed to have better energy density compared to other lithium-ion variants.
   • I really like the velo saddle, it’s comfortable and shouldn’t cause any chafing even on long rides, with a center vent for better airflow.
   • The high quality nickel-plated cassette has a wide range of 8 to 32 teeth, with a Shimano Acera derailleur – a nice step up in quality compared to more affordable Shimano options like Tourney and Altus. There’s also a triple chainring up front with sizes of 28, 38, and 48 teeth, which means a total of 24 speeds for tackling a wide variety of terrain!
   • The hydraulic brakes are a great upgrade from the mechanical brakes on the Mi6. Hydraulic brakes are easier to actuate and require less maintenance and tuning than mechanical, and these HD-E350’s are ebike-specific which means they include motor inhibitors to instantly cut power to the motor when you squeeze the levers. 180mm rotors and dual-piston calipers provide good heat disappation and plenty of stopping power.
   • CST Rock Hawk tires provide great traction and volume of air for comfort, you can choose between 29″ and 27.5″ diameters. 29″ has better rolling efficiency and stability at high speed, the smaller 27.5″ will feel more nimble and possibly more safe due to being closer to the ground.
   • I love the wide handlebars of the Summit, I have a large wingspan and most ebikes feel too narrow for me, but I felt right at home on the Summit.
   • I think the Summit is a good hybrid bike for people who do some city riding and commuting, with occasional trail and offroad riding. It includes a throttle and kickstand which most mountain bikes won’t have, and the Summit also has mount points for fenders and a rear rack, and the display supports integrated lighting which could be added by a Magnum dealer.
   • The suspension fork from SR Suntour has a decent 80mm of travel, with adjustment knobs for preload and hydraulic lockout so you can dial it in for your weight and riding terrain.
   • Partially integrated cabling and tasteful accents give a sleek and streamlined appearance, even “stealthy” with the fully integrated battery pack – meaning that it looks like a normal non-powered bike until close inspection. This helps to reduce theft risk as electric bikes are typically seen as higher value and targeted by bicycle thieves.
   • The 18 amp pure sine wave controller provides smooth power delivery, with exposed vents to increase heat disappation
   • The widely adjustable stem is great for dialing in comfort, especially if you want a more upright riding position, or share this bike among differently-sized family members. The ergonomic grips are comfortable and I appreciate that they’re locking and won’t slide around when riding on rough terrain.
   • The C7 display is a nice upgrade from the L7 of the Mi6, the button pad is now separate from the display and placed much closer to the left grip, making it easier to interact with without having to remove your hand from the grip. The display itself is also larger and the grayscale readouts are incredibly easy to see in any lighting condition!

   Cons:

   • Having a powerful motor and throttle is fun but it also limits where you can ride, many mountain bike trails are Class 1 only or may not allow electric bikes at all. Make sure you check out your local trail regulations before purchasing! The motor is also positioned in the rear hub and doesn’t leverage the drivetrain, which means the Summit won’t have as much climbing power as a mid-drive motor ebike. Downshifting to low gears provides mid-drive motors with a significant mechanical advantage for climbing steep inclines. With that said, the Summit’s motor does have an impressive 90 newton-meters of torque and will climb better than most hub motors!
   • The triple front chainring adds a lot of complexity and weight, as well as cluttering up the handlebars with another shifter. Some riders may appreciate the extra gears, but most electric bikes have only a single chainring, since the motor assist eliminates the need to maximize rider efficiency.
   • The kickstand is placed at the bottom bracket which causes pedal lock when cycling the cranks backwards, this makes chain cleaning and maintenance more difficult, especially if you don’t own a bicycle stand. Kickstands are also often not included on mountain bikes as they add weight and can snag on terrain, but I understand the inclusion on the Summit since it’s a hybrid ebike that will see some city and commuting use.
   • The summit weighs in at 60.1 pounds for the 29″ version, this is fairly average for an ebike but still quite heavy for a mountain bike. It won’t feel nearly as nimble on trails as a non-powered bike, and the weight can also be a challenge for carrying up and down stairs or transporting on bike racks.
   • The pedal assist levels “wrap around” on the high end, meaning if you get to the max level (6) and press the plus button, it will wrap around to level 0 and continue up from there. This could be nice to immediately turn off pedal assist, but in practice I found it annoying, when trying to turn it up to max level I would accidentally hit the button too many times and wrap around to 0, and have to hit it a bunch more to try again.
   • There is only one size available which may not fit all riders, I would rate the Summit as fitting well for average to large size riders. I stand 6ft 3in tall and it felt great for me with the saddle at max height! You do get to choose between 29″ and 27.5″ diameter wheels which helps somewhat for dialing in the fit.
   • CST Rock Hawk tires come in different variants, the ones on the Summit don’t have any puncture protection. This saves cost but most riders will need puncture protection, I recommend adding protective liners especially if you plan on offroad adventure riding!
   • The derailleur is Acera but the trigger shifters are only Altus, which means the high shifter is only one-way. I wish they had used Acera or Deore shifters here, the two-way high shifter on those models means you can operate both shifters while keeping your index finger on the brakes, a great feature for downhill riding!
   • I love the mount points for fenders and a rack, it would be easy to turn this into a reliable commuting ebike… but it’s going to cost extra since none of those features are included. It doesn’t appear that Magnum sells any Summit-specific accessories either, but the standard accessories available at any bicycle shop should fit well.
   • If you don’t live near a Magnum dealer and opt to order online, this will mean assembly after delivery, and you’ll be on your own for maintenance and repairs. I recommend checking with local bike shops to see if they are willing to work on your Summit if you bring it in. Most shops should be since these bikes use standard components, but some shops are oddly unwilling to work on anything not bought in their shop.
   • The display is non-removable which leaves it vulnerable to damage from weather and terrain, especially if you’re prone to frequent crashing when riding mountain bike trails. These displays do have a reputation for being quite durable, and they swivel so you can position it back and more out of the way on your more extreme rides!
   • No bottle cage bosses which makes mounting accessories on the top tube more difficult, it can still be done but those accessories will tend to slide around especially on rough terrain.
   • Pedal assist is activated by a cadence sensor which isn’t very responsive compared to the torque sensors found on most electric mountain bikes. Cadence sensors require you to cycle the cranks once or twice to activate, this can be difficult if you’re starting out on a steep incline. Power delivery is the same regardless of how much pressure you put on the pedals, which means you may have to fiddle with pedal assist levels more to find a comfortable level of assist on changing terrain. On the flip side, the cadence sensor may be more enjoyable for city riding, and it’s easier to maintain high speeds with low exertion, great for riders with long commutes who don’t want to show up to work soaked in sweat.