AIMA Mobility’s e-bikes are quickly gaining traction in North America and I was excited to test their new step-through Key West urban e-bike which is as comfortable and as easy to navigate, as it is to ride.
When I picked the bike up at Sweet Pete’s in Toronto, I was looking forward to riding this cheerful, coral-pink, cruiser-style e-bike which is well-suited to a smaller commuter like myself.
At 55 lbs the Key West is AIMA’s lightest e-bike, making it very manageable and easy to ride, and it can handle a maximum payload of 320 lbs. The stylish step-thru, hydroformed, aluminum alloy frame features internal cable routing and integrated bearings for an attractive look.
Powered by a Bafang rear hub 48V 500W motor, with a maximum torque of 60Nm, you can tackle hills effortlessly, and cruise confidently over a range of road surfaces, even while carrying a load of groceries and a laptop.
A torque sensor helps to keep things smooth, and for added power, there’s an on-demand throttle on the left side of the handlebar which is easily engaged by pressing down the button with your thumb. It provides an extra boost for getting up steep inclines, or battling against a strong wind, but it’s not so powerful that it can destabilize you. When engaging an e-bike throttle it’s always recommended to be cautious until you’re used to it.
The Key West offers five pedal e-assist modes as well as walk assist, which are easy to toggle between via a control button also on the left side of the handlebar.
The Bafang display is Bluetooth-connected and allows you to easily toggle between a range of useful riding stats such as your speed, kilometers travelled, and the percentage of power remaining in the battery.
You can also download the Bafang Go App to use the built-in navigation system for turn-by-turn directions, and even receive text messages – not recommended while riding.
The removable 614Wh battery is secured by a lock making it both practical for recharging and also for taking the battery with you to make the bike less attractive to thieves. The entire e-system is UL2849 certified, the highest industry standard.
According to the AIMA user manual, a full battery charge has a range of up to 90 km using assist level one, or up to 50 km when using level five. I rode 24 km on a windy day, carrying 175 lbs over a mix of hills and paved roads while using e-assist modes from levels three to five, as well as engaging the throttle a few times. My speed ranged from 14 km to 32 km per hour, and I only used 30% of the battery which I found more than reasonable.
The AIMA Key West is outfitted with a Shimano 8-speed Acera/Altus drivetrain that shifted easily and smoothly. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes feature a power cut-off sensor and stainless steel, anti-vibration, 203mm 6-bolt rotors that deliver all of the stopping power you need. As e-bikes tend to be heavier, keep your overall weight in mind when riding at higher speeds.
The one-piece, lightweight, 1-1/8” threadless fork gives you confidence and comfort while navigating uneven terrain including pot holes, and the 27.5” x 2.1” tires feature an e-bike rated casing along with reflective side strips.
The Key West’s adjustable stem includes an integrated front light with 600 lumens, and an integrated rear lighting system that includes brake lights and yellow turn signals – both nice details – which are controlled via the display.
It also comes with an integrated horn, another nice detail to help keep you safe, along with a solid and practical kickstand.
The feature-rich AIMA Key West is a lively and colourful urban electric bicycle that does it all in style, providing good value for an e-bike in this class.
Available at authorized dealers, the MSRP is $2,590 and for more information please visit here.
