2019 Gotrax Shift S1 Review

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The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike is an incredibly affordable, yet completely capable folding electric bike that’s lightweight, simple to operate and easy to fold.

Gotrax has an array of electric scooters, electric skateboards and hoverboards to choose from, but the Shift S1 is their first foray into electric bikes, and we’re quite happy about it. Like their other products, the Shift S1 is affordably priced and aimed at the masses. This little folder is a great choice for first-time electric bike buyers, or those looking for an affordable companion to their other electric bike.

Power — 350 nominal watts, 500 peak watts

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike has a hub motor that offers 350 watts of nominal power and 500 watts of peak power. The smaller 16 inch tires help to make this little motor feel much more powerful than if it were on a traditional frame with larger tires.

Speed  — 20 mph

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike has a top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the throttle or the pedal assist, making this a class 2 electric bike. This means the Shift S1 can be ridden in most areas, but it’s always best to check with state and local laws before heading off for a ride.

Battery and Range — 36 volt 5.2 amp hour, 15 miles

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike runs on a 36 volt system and has a 5.2 amp hour battery for an estimated max range of 15 miles with pedal assist. The battery is located behind the seat tube, which would normally make the bike a bit back heavy, but because the motor is located in the front wheel, it actually helps to keep it quite balanced. The battery is held in place by a peg attached to the quick release for the seat tube and can be removed by taking the seat post out. This means the battery can be charged separately from the bike itself, and can stored in a cool, dry location to help extend the life of the cells. 

Pedal assist sensor — Cadence sensor

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike is equipped with a cadence sensor that measures the rotation of the cranks. Like most cadence sensors, there is some delay from the time the rider starts and stops pedaling to the time the motor activates and deactivates.

Display — LED

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike uses an LED display located on the left side of the handlebars. This display is pretty limited as far as feedback goes, but it does have a four-bar battery indicator and current speed. 

Frame and weight — Aluminum alloy, 37 pounds

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike comes in one frame size and two color schemes — black and white. It’s crafted from aluminum alloy with a curb weight of nearly 37 pounds. This is pretty light for an electric bike, even a folding one, and much of this weight savings comes from the fact that the S1 has a smaller than average battery, a small 350 watt motor and no suspension. It has a max load capacity of 265 pounds, which is great for heavier riders or those who want to carry a heavy backpack while riding. Unfortunately, the locking mechanisms for both the frame lock and handlebar lock are only single stage, so if something tugs them loose while riding, they are prone to fail and the bike could start to fold, making it completely unstable. While this is unlikely to happen, it is worth pointing out.

Suspension —  Solid forks

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike has solid front forks and no rear suspension. While this does mean the Shift S1 will be a stiffer ride than an electric bike with suspension, it does keep the price and weight down. 

Gearing — Single speed

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike is a single speed, which all but eliminates the risk of a chain derailment. However, the frame does come predrilled for a derailleur for those that want to convert this to a multi-speed electric bike. It would be nice to see a future version that comes like this from the factory for a slightly higher price. 

Brakes — V-brakes

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike has first and rear V-brakes, which offer far less stopping power compared to disc brakes. However, they do still offer a fair amount of stopping power, and the brake levers are equipped with motor inhibitors which instantly cut power to the motor whenever the brake levers are depressed. This is a great safety feature to see, especially on an electric bike at this price point. 

Warranty — 30 day return, 90 day warranty

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike comes with a 30 day return policy and 90 day warranty.

Price — Starting at $799.99

Starting at $799.99, the Gotrax Shift S1 is incredibly affordable and really helps to make owning an electric bike a real possibility for a lot more people. Even though the Shift S1 has a smaller than average battery, V-brakes instead of disc brakes and single stage locking mechanisms, it’s still an amazing value deal and a great way for people to either get into electric bikes, or maybe a second electric bike for those that already have one. 

Who’s it for — Commuters with limited space on budget

The Gotrax Shift S1 electric bike feels like a good choice for those who need a compact electric bike for commuting or traveling, but aren’t looking to spend an arm and a leg for it. This a great budget electric bike that is still more than capable of serving pretty much any need. It’s also a great choice for those who are limited on space and need something that’s easy to store and doesn’t take up a lot of room. Honestly, at $799.99, the Shift S1 is a hard deal to beat.