Electric powered cycles are gaining a lot of ground quickly and it is not a surprise that all bike companies are looking to take a bite of this ever growing pie.
Prodeco Tech started in 2007 when the phenomena of e-bikes was kind of new and is aiming to become a giant in this market, with all its focus on the development of more cost and energy efficient products.
The Mariner 7 is Prodeco’s entry level bike, which will not only help increase your riding speed but also make sure you do not get a drop of sweat even during the hot weather. It is fast, strong and compact; and can be the perfect choice of bike for you if you are a newbie.
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Rating:
4.00/5.00
Price:
$$$$ on Amazon (September 2 2015)
Warranty
Prodeco has a thirty day replacement and two year after sales warranty service for the bike and the battery pack.
Pros and Cons:
Versatile Heavy
Long Lasting Quality Control Issues
Compact
First Impression:
The machine looks extremely clean with a very premium white paint, which is bound to attract attention from fellow friends and passer bys on the street.
Detailed Review:
Prodeco’s Mariner 7 is built in the United States. It can be ordered online through Amazon or any licensed vendor. If you have ordered it off Amazon, the product will arrive at your address in under a week. The product only ships in the USA at the moment.
Once the bike arrives, it needs to be assembled and adjusted properly. You may take it to a licensed bike mechanic for the work, if you are new to this. Otherwise, you can always read the manual or check videos online.
Note: If you order it from an actual bicycle shop, your product will come fully set up and serviced.
The Mariner 7’s frame is made from top quality aircraft grade aluminium, with a desirable pure white paint coated on it. You will not have any complaints about the built quality or the parts used.
Being an electric foldable, you really want to have an efficient system in your machine, which is fast but has low energy consumption. The Mariner 7 comes with a free spinning front-mount motor, which can give you packs of 500W max, reaching speeds of up to 18 miles per hour. This allows you enough power to keep you rolling without any trouble even when you are tripping along a steep hill or an incline in the city. The motor works very quietly and will barely trouble you with very low maintenance requirements. The engine however is not supported with a pedal assist, which is a bit of a bummer. It also does not have the cruise control ability, meaning you have to have your hand on the grip shifter continuously to keep the assist.
The motor is powered by a strong 38.4 volts 9A Lithium Ion battery which has a mileage of twenty five to thirty five miles per charge. The LiFePO4 battery is a good inclusion, however it is heavy and contributes to the overall weight of the bike.
Prodeco has installed a SRAM X7 8 speed system in this foldable. It is a good quality mechanism and allows swift and seamless shift in the gears, even when you are at a high speed. The gear ratios give you a lot of choice for various situations.
The brakes from Avid are a really good addition to the bike and one might expect a non-branded brake disc installed due to the low price of the product, but not so. However, you need to adjust the disc brakes before venturing on the bike the first time or get it done from a local mechanic.
The chain is from KMC and is light, strong and very durable which will provide super smooth and clean shifting.
Mariner 7 has Continental Contacts, which are 20 inch tires made for commuting on smooth paths and will work best on them.
The seating on this machine is very nice and comfortable. It has been designed keeping city riding in mind, with an upright posture allowing a better view of what lies ahead. You will also find suspension in the seat post (and the fork) which will bear all the jerks and shocks when you hit a road bump or drive over a pot hole. This makes the ride a very smooth one. Your body will never feel strained even after three or four hours of journey on the bike, which is a really big plus.
The portability factor of this electric bike is a big let-down. The bike is heavy, which you can expect since it is low priced, and nearly weighs 50 pounds which makes it very unlikely to carry for long distances without hurting your back and shoulder. The bike itself folds to a small dimension which allows it to be stored in a car trunk or on a boat. However, it is not something which you will want to lift while wearing a formal office attire.
The bike also features a bell which is a sweet little addition.
The only big disadvantage of getting this bike is the poor quality control system of Prodeco, something very uncharacteristic since you are purchasing a USA made product. You can order two bikes from two different places and there are very strong chances that they won’t be identical.
If you have any issues related to the bike system or parts, Prodeco has a very good customer service department and will willingly resolve your issues. The fact that the company churns out new bikes and parts daily from their Florida facility means that you will never have issues finding replacements for your Mariner.
Specifications:
- Weight: 46 lbs.
- Charging Time: 4 Hours
- Mid Derailleur of SRAM X5 with 8 Speed.
- FSG 36V 300 Watt Motor in the front.
- 4V 9Ah LiFePO4 24-Cell Battery.
- 20″ Foldable Aluminium Rim Frame.
- Maximum speed: 18 mph.
- Folded size: 15 x 31 x 26 inches.
- Avid BB5 Disc Brakes and also SRAM X7 8 Speed Shifter.
- Distance per Charge: 25-35 Miles.
- The battery life could last 2000 cycles.
- Made in the USA.
Conclusion
Though not the best product in its category, the Mariner 7 is worth a shot especially if you are limited by budget.
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