Redmond, Washington-based electric bicycle firm Propella has simply launched the model’s most up-market e-bike but, the Propella 9S Pro. It builds upon the corporate’s light-weight, messenger-style e-bike design legacy, but provides within the highest-quality parts we’ve seen but on the model’s e-bikes.
We’ve lengthy been Propella followers right here at Electrek, having examined each the full-size 700c fashions and the smaller 20″ mini e-bikes from the model.
Starting at sub-$999 pricing and providing light-weight, easy-riding electric bikes for town, Propella has grow to be recognized for its excessive worth within the city class of e-bikes.
Such light-weight e-bike choices have grow to be even more necessary within the face of traits over the previous couple of years which have seen many e-bikes balloon in measurement and weight.
Now the model is stepping out of its finances territory and heading for greater efficiency with the brand new Propella 9S Pro.
Don’t count on to be laying down rubber snakes within the bike lane although. The 9S Pro is the very best efficiency e-bike but from Propella, however there’s a restrict to only how a lot power you possibly can pack into a light-weight e-bike.
These are nonetheless meant to be modestly highly effective commuter e-bikes which can be designed for cyclists that prefer to pedal however that need some further “oomph” added to their trip.
Compared to the corporate’s present 7S e-bike, the 9S Pro good points 4 lbs. (1.8 kg), rising to a nonetheless svelte 41 lb. (18.6 kg).
That elevated weight largely comes from a much bigger capability battery and a more highly effective motor.
![Propella 9S Pro launched as lightweight urban electric bike with better parts, more power & speed propella 9s pro](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/9S-PRO_lifestyle-5.png?w=1000)
The battery will increase from 250 Wh to 350 Wh, because of the inclusion of bigger 21700 format Samsung battery cells. The next power charger included with the bike will see cost time drop to only 2.5 hours.
21700-format cells have been gaining in reputation for e-bike use over the past a number of years. Compared to the more frequent 18650-format, these bigger cells cram in more capability, which may help e-bike battery designers supply longer run instances.
The battery ought to present between 25-45 miles of vary (40-70 km), relying on how highly effective of a pedal help stage is chosen. There isn’t any throttle on these e-bikes; they’re Class 1 pedal help e-bikes.
That Class 1 designation additionally means they max out at 20 mph (32 km/h), which is an enchancment from the earlier 18.5 mph (30 km/h) high velocity.
That quicker velocity is made potential as a consequence of each the bigger capability battery that is ready to present more power, in addition to the brand new greater power Vinka motor (now 500W peak-rated, rising from 400W peak-rated) discovered within the rear hub.
![Propella 9S Pro launched as lightweight urban electric bike with better parts, more power & speed propella 9s pro](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/9S-PRO-Hero_angle.jpeg?quality=82&strip=all)
![Propella 9S Pro launched as lightweight urban electric bike with better parts, more power & speed propella 9s pro](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/9S-PRO-Hero_official.jpeg?quality=82&strip=all)
It’s not simply the electronics and powertrain that received an improve on the Propella 9S Pro. There are additionally quite a few fascinating new parts discovered on the bike as nicely.
The mechanical disc brakes have been upgraded to hydraulic disc brakes, which give stronger stopping power and decreased upkeep. Unlike mechanical disc brakes which can be susceptible to cable stretch and must be sometimes tuned to take care of the right braking drive and pull stroke, hydraulic disc brakes mainly keep completely tuned till the brake pads are lastly worn out and must be changed.
The entrance fast launch skewer has been changed by a stronger and higher-quality 12mm thru-axle, one thing not often seen on e-bikes on this lower cost stage.
The tire measurement has additionally been up to date with a barely smaller diameter but wider tire. Propella went with CST BROOKLYN PRO 27.5” x 2” tires, which give an city tread that may nonetheless deal with gentle trails. The bigger air quantity will definitely present a nicer trip for more comfy cruising, matched by one other consolation characteristic within the handlebars which have a slight rise to them. That ought to give only a little bit of a more upright trip place to the bike.
The handlebars additionally come with a brand new coloration LCD show as an alternative of the earlier monochrome show. Riders can use the display-mounted buttons to navigate by means of 5 totally different ranges of pedal help.
The pedal drivetrain has been upgraded with a 9-speed Shimano Altus transmission, giving riders a bit more vary of gears to select from.
![Propella 9S Pro launched as lightweight urban electric bike with better parts, more power & speed](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/9S-PRO_lifestyle-4.png)
![Propella 9S Pro launched as lightweight urban electric bike with better parts, more power & speed](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/9S-PRO_lifestyle-3.png)
Compared to the present Propella 7S’s value of $1,299, the brand new Propella 9S Pro good points simply $200 to achieve $1,499 for the primary pre-order clients. Those bikes are estimated to ship in early July, and pre-orders have free cancellation if you find yourself not wanting to attend that lengthy.
Word to the smart although: The bike’s value will improve to its full $1,699 MSRP after the preliminary pre-order group. So in case you like the larger motor and battery, greater velocity, and nicer parts, you could wish to leap on this new mannequin rapidly earlier than the worth goes up.
Though even at $1,699, a light-weight commuter e-bike with this stage of parts is difficult to return by at this value today.
What do you consider Propella’s upgrades within the 9S Pro? Let’s hear your ideas within the feedback part beneath.
![Propella 9S Pro launched as lightweight urban electric bike with better parts, more power & speed](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/IMG_8831.jpeg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
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