Leisger MD5 Review

Summary

Click Here to buy the Leisger MD5

This is a new era when even dirt bikes are going electric. The Leisger MD5 is made to take on the city roads and tackle the off-road trails with full force. If you are looking for an on and off road electrifying experience the Leisger MD5 is for you.

Introduction	Info
Make	Leisger
Model	MD5
Price	$2,499
Suggested Use	Urban, Trail, Mountain
Warranty	1 Year Comprehensive
Model Year	2015

Details
Total Weight	52 lbs ( 23.58 kg )
Frame Type	High-Step
Measurements	Reach: 22
Motor Brand	8Fun
Voltage	36 volts
Battery Life	20-55 miles

Written Review

 

The Leisger MD5 is a mountain style electric bike with “downtube” mounted battery that’s a “5th generation” build. The $2,499.00 e-bike is trail capable, even light mountain, but also useful as a commuter or city bike. As a hardtail, this is the type of platform that would work well with a rear carry rack and even fenders and it has all of the necessary braze-ons built right in. You get a 24 speed drivetrain with Shimano Acera components and locking grips, upgraded pedals, and 650b tire size (27.5″); which is very popular due to being an “in between” size that handles well and rolls over obstacles easily.

 

The Leisger MD5 is powered by a standard 350 watt internally geared hub motor from 8Fun. This motor produces a bit of zipping noise under heavy power but it is not particularly loud. It is relatively small and fairly light and features a quick disconnect power cable running along the chain stay that’s easy to unplug during maintenance. This motor is not powerful enough to push you up a hill, however, with a little pedaling, the pedal assist mode can be noticeably helpful. Additionally, the motor is black and matches the spokes and wheelset very nicely.

 

The battery pack that is equipped with the Leisger MD5 is slightly above average at 36 volts and 13 amp hours. It has enough battery life to go 20+ miles even on the higher levels of assist. It is also mounted in a sturdy and aesthetically attractive way. The battery pack is removable and can easily be charged on or off the bike. The charging port is easily accessible on the right side of the battery pack and there is a USB charging port as well.

 

Operating the Leisger MD5 takes an extra step and has some broader menus that may be more useful to some than others. To turn on the bike, you first press the on/off button on the battery pack, then you press the on/off button on the button pad near the left grip. This two-step process can be a hassle because it takes more time and it makes it easier to forget to turn the battery off. Once the power is on, the LCD display screen will activate and show the speed, pedal assist level (six levels), battery level, and a few other details. The up and down arrows are used to change assists levels as well as change how much power the throttle has access to. Additionally, the “set” button allows you to switch from trip distance, odometer, and time monitors. The final area you can interact with is the power level. To access this, you must hold down the “set” button for several seconds and then navigate the settings menu. This setting allows the rider to choose a power setting, which changes how fast the motor accelerates and can help extend the battery life.

 

The Leisger MD5 is an excellent electric bike for city roads as well as off-road trails and even light mountain riding. It is well built with a sporty style, and offers power, range and multiple features. The frame is only available in white and in one size, which may not be ideal for taller riders because of the shorter reach. It is an effortlessly portable e-bike due to the removable battery and front quick release wheels, as well as the classic diamond frame which allows the bike to easily hang off racks. Overall, the Leisger MD5 is a solid choice for those who fit the frame and are looking for a versatile electric bike.

 

Video Source: [ElectricBikeReview.com]. (2015, Aug 7). Leisger MD5 Video Review. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/wlo4KJPjQGU

Bicycle rediscovered

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking,” said Arthur Conan Doyle, an avid two-wheel rider, just like myself.

As the warm Floridian sun was rising over my vintage sunglasses I decided to put the pedal to the metal and reach the ocean before tourists flocked to the sandy beach. Twenty blocks flew by in five minutes and here I am – toes in the sand, eyes on the horizon. No, I don`t drive a car. In fact, cars have always given me anxiety. On vacations I ride bicycles. Yes, twenty blocks in five minutes. As a bonus, there’s no extensive pedaling involved. My pink electric beach cruiser from EBIKES FLORIDA did all the work, and it did it fast.

In about three minutes after I saddled the electric bike for the first time, I was fearlessly going with wind in my hair, a full 20 mph, ignoring the traffic and fellow bikers. Florida, for an ordinary New Yorker, stands out by its road quality and accessibility to bike lanes. But this time, even on busy crossroads where cars usually impatiently wait for cyclists to make a move, it was much easier to maneuver.

I rolled around the coast while sun was up. One full battery is enough for more than one hour of non-stop riding, or 20 miles under the wheels. Once the power indicator switched from green to red, I would easily park next to a local café for a quick lunch and a power meal for my two-wheeled friend. Its removable battery can be plugged in practically anywhere for a quick refill, and at the end of the day it takes only 5 hours to fully charge.

The latest climate change prognosis clearly doesn`t call for more carbon monoxide producing vehicles, which could suggest that electric cars are the way to go. But even an electric car without access to an outlet just becomes a big metal box in the middle of a road. An electric bicycle, on the contrary, will always have its pedals. Unfortunately, logic is not something that makes me do things, otherwise, I would have purchased this electric prodigy a while ago.

This handsome cycle was an attention drawer all the way through my short vacation in Boca Raton. And meeting new people was never an issue. Lazy-walking Floridians chatting about the changing color of the ocean gladly switched the topic and asked me how come I don`t use my legs and where can they get one of those bicycles. So, after three days of adventures and many miles under the wheels we became one, and I sadly look at my old bike that doesn`t have a battery and speed switcher and it`s not even pink. The concept of bicycle was totally rediscovered for me that weekend. Just make sure to wear enough sunscreen, because there is now way you will be willing to voluntarily get off this bike.