Momentum’s new Vida E+ EX commuter e-bike adds cruise control, throttle, and more

This is a product story about a commuter e-bike, not a home energy upgrade, so it does not connect to rebates or retrofits for your house. Still, here is what's new for anyone weighing an e-bike as part of daily transportation.

Momentum, a bike brand tied to Giant, released the Vida E+ EX, an update to last year's Vida E+. It runs a 500-watt rear hub motor with 60 Nm of torque and gives pedal assist up to 28 mph. New features include a cruise control mode for holding a steady speed on longer rides, and an optional "0-Start" throttle that lets you take off from a stop without pedaling, an add-on that costs an extra $65. The bike itself does not include a throttle by default.

The battery is a removable 700 watt-hour pack, good for roughly 40 to 55 miles of range on pedal assist, or 31 to 43 miles if you lean on the throttle. A included charger gets it to 80 percent in about 4 hours 40 minutes, or fully charged in a bit over 6 hours. For daily commuting, the bike comes with fenders, lights, a rack, an 80 mm suspension fork, and a dropper seatpost that lowers the saddle at stops and raises it again for pedaling, similar to designs used on mountain bikes. It can carry up to 300 pounds of rider and cargo combined. The bike is UL certified for safety and pairs with an app that can lock the motor when parked. It comes in four colors and is priced at $1,985.