Two weeks in the past, I acquired the new-for-this-year Himiway C5 to evaluation. The C5 is a full-suspension motorcycle-inspired ebike with motorcycle-style dual-crown suspension forks, a 750-watt hub motor, a banana seat, and 20”x4” extensive fats tires. Himiway says that the C5 is a part of its new “household” sequence of ebikes, alongside the children’ C1 and the cargo bike C3.
When you’re quick on consideration span, right here’s my five-bullet-point evaluation of the 2024 Himiway C5:
- It appears fairly costly at $2,300 USD (about $3,000 CAD), contemplating that it’s utilizing an entry-level Shimano 7-speed groupset and an ordinary 750-watt hub motor, however that’s not the purpose of this bike. Its large 20 Ah battery ensures you could throttle round for a claimed 80 miles (although it’s in all probability nearer to 50-60 in the actual world), and because the C5 makes use of a torque sensor, motor enter is easy and responsive (nearly “pure” feeling) once you do pedal. It’s an odd however efficient mixture for riders who need one thing to joyride round whereas being heavy on the throttle.
- The driving place isn’t very best for aggressive pedaling, so that you’ll be counting on the 750-watt motor to do numerous the lifting. It makes 86 Nm of torque, which is fairly potent and, on flat floor, will get the C5 shifting to its prime pace of 28 mph / 45 kph comparatively shortly. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a hub motor, so it struggles on hills and has common acceleration total except you’re pedaling together with it. Talking of which…
- I’m 6’2” and discover the C5 awkward to pedal, however nice once I’m largely utilizing the throttle. Its experience top is good for anybody within the 5’ – 5’8” vary. Teenagers may experience this bike in the event that they’re skilled/assured, however at 88 lbs, it shouldn’t be handled like a toy. It may well go quick (as much as 28 mph / 45 kph).
- The mixture of full suspension and 4” fats tires leads to a cushty experience. The 4” tires are excellent for this use case, affording good traction in most circumstances. I had tons of enjoyable driving the C5 within the snow and sand.
- The C5 ought to have include fenders. The rear fender is insufficient to forestall you from getting soaked, and there’s no entrance fender (nor anyplace to simply mount one). Until the place you’re driving is bone dry, you’re going to get moist and soiled each time you experience the C5. Additionally, this bike has the worst kickstand out of all of the bikes I’ve had in my storage up to now; I swear, the C5 falls over if you happen to take a look at it incorrect.
As a Canadian, early March is an fascinating time to evaluation an ebike, and attributable to dwelling west of the Rockies, the C5 and I’ve gotten to expertise three seasons prior to now two weeks. I’ve ridden on and off-road, via sand and snow, and have put the C5 via its paces.
Total, the C5 is an effective however imperfect e-bike, and it may enhance in a number of areas. However maybe crucial level to make is that, whereas the C5 seems to be like an electrical bike, it’s, on the finish of the day, a fairly commonplace moped-style ebike with a torque-sensing PAS system and a elaborate physique equipment. Set your expectations accordingly.
This evaluation covers three areas: aesthetics and design, construct high quality and elements, and the way it’s to experience. I rode the snot out of this bike, abused the motor, and rode it on pavement, within the grime, via the snow, and up and down each hill I may discover.
wBW readers know that our opinions go deeper than floor degree, so if you happen to’d prefer to know what it’s prefer to experience and dwell with the C5, this evaluation is for you.
Phrases & Pictures: Cameron Martel
Himiway despatched us the C5 at no-charge. We don’t have a monetary relationship with Himiway. All opinions are topic to our evaluation insurance policies. Merchandise are scored based mostly on our hands-on experiences with it. Thus far, I’ve hands-on reviewed greater than 30 ebikes and have 5 in my storage at any given time.
2024 Himiway C5 Specs
- MSRP: $2,299 USD
- The place to Purchase: Himiway web site
- Guarantee: 15-day money-back assure, 2-year guarantee on the bike and battery
- High Pace: 28 mph / 45 kph
- eBike Class: Class 2 out of the field, class 3 unlockable
- Vary: Claimed 80 miles / 125 km (wBW estimated 50 miles / 80 km)
- Bike Weight: 88 lbs / 39 kg (together with battery)
- Weight capability: 330 lbs (150 kg)
- Motor: 750-watt rear hub
- Torque: Estimated 86 nm
- PAS: Torque, 5 -levels
- Brakes: Tektro hydraulic brakes with 180 mm rotors
- Gearing: Shimano 7-speed
- Battery: 48V 20 Ah (960 Wh)
- Wheels & Tires: 20” x 4” wheels and tires (no-name tires)
- Different: Headlight, powered taillight, insulated mug
Himiway C5 Unboxing & Meeting
The C5 comes largely assembled. It took Melissa and me about 20 minutes to unbox it, end assembling it, clear up the storage, and set the tire stress to twenty psi.
Meeting may be very simple:
- Placed on the handlebar
- Connect the entrance wheel
- Screw on the pedals
- Inflate tires to your required PSI (20 – 30 psi is ok for many settings)
- Verify all of the nuts and bolts to make sure they’re tight
The field contains alternate darkish fender graphics, the charger, a Himi-hat, and an insulated mug.
Why the mug, you ask?
To place in your frame-integrated fake carbon fiber cup holder, after all!
Unboxing Meeting Video
YouTube channel MILTONATOR has a very good unboxing and meeting video.
Himiway C5 Aesthetics & Design
The C5 is a beautiful ebike within the fashion of a small grime bike, and it’s in all probability one of many best-looking ones available on the market proper now.
Good job, Himiway: The C5 is being added to our checklist of the finest ebikes that appear like bikes.
Considerably distinctive to the bike is using motorcycle-esque inverted dual-crown forks (the HeyBike Brawn I reviewed final 12 months additionally had forks like these). Paired with aggressive plastic bodywork, a banana seat, and a pretend carbon fiber “tank”, and the C5 allllmost seems to be like a small electrical bike…
… a lot so, actually, that many useful individuals have stopped what they had been doing to let me know that what I’m driving seems to be like one (and “hey, can that even be on the trail?”).
Youngsters and teenagers particularly love this factor, and may you blame them? I’d have beloved driving round on it once I was 14. The C5 can also be sized proper for that age group…
… you’re welcome, children”
– Himiway 😉
The bodywork largely hides the rear air shock, and regardless of being patently ineffective for its meant use case, the rear fender does spherical off the look in an aesthetically pleasing approach.
Sadly, the rear bodywork plastic can get scratched, and because the C5’s kickstand has a shallow lean angle, the bike will fall over so much, testing that concept. It is a very fixable drawback if you wish to change the kickstand it ships with for one thing that gives an even bigger lean angle.
I like that Himiway included a metallic seize bar on the rear above the powered tail gentle, which is useful and pragmatic. The seize bar is a lifesaver because the dual-crown forks limit maneuverability, particularly in garages and tight areas.
A gripe I’ve is how the headlight is hooked up and stabilized to the body by way of a single hex bolt. Irrespective of how tight I tighten the bolt, I need to readjust the headlight place and angle after each few rides.
2024 Himiway C5 Construct High quality & Elements
Himiway hit the market in 2021 (we reviewed the Himiway Cruiser and Cruiser Step-Via that 12 months), and since its preliminary launch, it has repeatedly iterated and improved its bikes. It gives a variety of bikes, from entry-level cruisers to hardcore mountain bikes… just like the Himiway Cobra Professional I reviewed final 12 months.
Yearly, they enhance the elements used on their bikes, and in consequence, the brand-new C5 ships with Tektro hydraulic brakes, Kenda tires, and an enormous 20 Ah battery. Regardless of the entry-level 7-speed groupset, the standard of elements is far improved over earlier Himiway fashions (and most ODM bike-in-a-box manufacturers, together with the beforehand talked about HeyBikes).
Suspension, Forks, & Tires
The coil-suspension inverted dual-crown forks are preload and compression adjustable, with 140 mm of journey. I discovered it simple to dial in my most well-liked consolation degree, and the compression dial is simple to achieve and regulate on the fly.
The forks are heavy in comparison with “regular” forks and have a bump-stop to forestall you from hitting the body whereas turning. Talking of which, the diminished turning radius usually isn’t an issue, however I did discover it once I was winding my approach via some tight trails close to the river financial institution… and by no means thoughts maneuvering the bike within the storage.
The rear suspension is an air shock, which is adjustable when you have a suspension pump. I adjusted the on mine and finally settled at 60 psi as a very good mixture of bounce and firmness.
The suspension setup isn’t as comfy as you is perhaps anticipating a full suspension bike to be. Nonetheless, it’s leagues higher than a hardtail – particularly for this software and magnificence of ebike.
The tires have a customized Himiway emblem sample and look good. They aren’t particularly knobby, however regardless of that, they’ve loads of traction in most settings. I’ve ridden the C5 on pavement, within the grime, and thru gravel, sand, and snow.
Traction is fairly good on pavement and packed grime, however the lack of a extra aggressive off-road tread sample means the C5 has much less chew in unfastened grime, sand, and snow than off-road particular tires.
That stated, I discovered it simple to dial the tire stress down to raised go well with the terrain I used to be driving on. 4” fats tires are a little bit of a cheat code in that respect. I run the tires at 24 psi on pavement/packed trails, 18 psi on unfastened gravel/grime, and eight psi in sand and snow.
Show & Handlebars
The C5 has BMX-style bars that aren’t that extensive. The grips are comfy, and the bike is simple to govern. The left handlebars have the throttle and show enter pad, and the fitting bars have the shifter (and bell, on this case).
Himiway has upgraded the show on its newer fashions. Whereas this show is a black/white LCD, it’s a lot improved over prior generations and really seen in all circumstances (together with direct gentle).
Maintain the + and – buttons for a number of seconds on the enter pad to entry the settings menu, the place you may regulate the backlight brightness, show items (mph/kph), clear the journey show, and so forth. Hit the “M” (mode) button to alter settings whereas utilizing the + / – buttons to navigate the menu.
To regulate the superior settings, whereas already within the settings menu, hit the – and M buttons concurrently. Then, enter the passcode 0510. As soon as completed, you may regulate the wheel diameter and pace restrict (LS). I “unlocked” the restrict from 20 mph / 32 kph (class 2) to twenty-eight mph / 45 kph (class 3).
Groupset & Brakes
The Shimano Tourney 7-speed groupset is used on nearly each entry-level ebike. Usually, I’d lament this had been the C5 a mountain bike (or perhaps a commuter), however provided that the C5 is supposed to be throttled more often than not, the 7-speed groupset is ok.
In any case, the cash they saved on the groupset they put into brand-name hydraulic brakes, an enormous 20 Ah battery, and a torque-sensing pedal help system.
At 88 lbs, you want hydraulic brakes (in my view), and I’d want to have seen bigger rotors than the 180 mm ones the C5 comes with. The 180 mm rotors aren’t small, however because the bike is so heavy, the additional stopping energy and warmth administration of bigger rotors could be good (and wouldn’t meaningfully enhance the worth by a lot, both).
Preferences apart, the Tektro hydraulic brakes chew down exhausting and have constant suggestions. I didn’t really feel any brake fade/shaking as I rode, but it surely was additionally 27 F / -3 C for many of my rides.
What’s the 2024 Himiway C5 Wish to Experience?
Individuals who see this bike assume that it’s quick. As you understand, seems to be may be deceiving, as they’re on this case. The C5 isn’t gradual, however its efficiency does not match its aggressive look.
The C5 accelerates at a average and really controllable tempo. On flat floor, it’ll attain its 28 mph / 45 kph prime pace on throttle alone, and it might probably climb small to moderate-grade hills on throttle solely as nicely. Nonetheless, the rear hub motor doesn’t profit from the bike’s gearing, so it struggles when hills get steep.
From a lifeless cease, throttle enter is sort of instantaneous. Mash the throttle, and the bike begins accelerating instantly. Nonetheless, at pace, the throttle takes a second or two to reply after engagement. It’s not a buzz kill, but it surely’s noticeable.
If the C5 had a mid-drive motor, it will completely rip. One other motorcycle-inspired ebike I reviewed final 12 months, the Michael Blast Vacay mid-drive, comes with a 500-watt mid-drive, and it simply accelerates twice as quick because the C5 and is way more able to climbing hills.
Himiway is including mid-drives to a lot of its fashions, so hopefully, the C5 will obtain the identical remedy. It’s good as it’s, but it surely’ll be insanely enjoyable and borderline addictive in the event that they add a potent 250—or 500-watt mid-drive to it.
Dust & Single-Monitor Trails
4” fats tires assist the C5 go wherever you level it, and because it’s full suspension, you’ll be fairly comfy when you do it.
I’m impressed with the torque-sensing drivetrain, which may be very delicate and exact in delivering energy. It’s not tuned in addition to the Floor 604 Boar Hunter I reviewed final 12 months, which additionally makes use of a torque-sensing drivetrain with a hub motor, but it surely’s leagues higher than the cadence pedal help techniques you normally see on ebikes like this.
For single-track trails, which means that you need to use extra exact inputs whereas feeling in charge of the motor. That is particularly useful in tight settings the place precision is extra necessary than energy. Satirically, it’s in these similar settings the place the diminished turning radius can also be most evident.
Sand & Snow
Every time I’ve taken the C5 out within the snow, it has carried out reliably. It’s additionally within the snow that I rethink my want for a mid-drive motor that makes extra energy; the M620 Himiway used on the Cobra Professional, for instance, nearly makes an excessive amount of energy for snow driving.
However within the snow, the C5 makes the excellent quantity of energy.
The motor is predictable, controllable, and enjoyable to play with. With gentle suspension and eight psi within the tires, the C5 has lots of grip in gentle/average snow. I wouldn’t go plowing via 8” of it, however a number of inches of contemporary powder is a enjoyable playground for the C5.
4” fats tires are an enormous assist right here. Drop the stress down to eight psi and let ‘er rip.
Rocks & Gravel
Between fats tires, gentle suspension, and a torque-sensing powertrain, the Himiway C5 begs you to experience it on grime and gravel paths. It proved to be a succesful rock crawler as I trawled alongside the riverbank to discover a appropriate photograph shoot spot.
Conserving the tires at 8 psi, I used to be all the time in charge of the bike and felt assured driving it alongside the river (which is a good factor, as a result of that river is actual chilly this time of 12 months).
Pavement & Groomed Trails
The C5’s bought large, fats tires, a potent motor, and an enormous battery; it has no points on paved pathways and groomed trails. Certain, fats tires aren’t very best for pedaling on these surfaces (since they amplify rolling resistance), however that’s what the motor is for.
In Conclusion, the C5 is a Enjoyable Moped-Model eBike That’s Higher Throttle-On Than it’s With Pedal Energy
I had a blended response to the C5 once I first acquired it. Pretty much as good because it seems to be, it’s additionally fairly heavy (I don’t care that 88 lbs is “gentle” for an e-moped ebike, it’s heavy for an ebike). It additionally isn’t arrange nicely as a every day rider: pedaling is awkward attributable to its mounted proper top and driving place, it may use a correct set of fenders, and there’s no strategy to connect a rack or any storage.
However the extra I rode it, the longer the checklist of issues I preferred about it turned:
- The snow and sand enjoyable issue is excessive… actually excessive
- It’s one of many best-looking motorcycle-styled ebikes available on the market
- At $2,300, it’s priced on the excessive finish of competitively with different moped-style ebikes, however comes with a greater PAS system and an even bigger battery
- The powered rear taillight is a pleasant visibility contact
- The rear seize deal with is nice for maneuvering the bike in your storage
- The built-in cupholder is, actually, superior (and the included mug is first rate sufficient as nicely)
- Experience high quality is sweet throughout, because of its fats tires and full suspension
- The torque-sensing drivetrain is significantly better than its cadence-powered friends
- The brakes have a lot of chew and cease the C5 shortly
- The massive battery provides you 50 – 60 real-world miles (80 – 95 km) of vary with heavy use of the throttle
However it’s not excellent.
I’ve learn another opinions of the C5 and watched a number of evaluation movies, and I’m shocked that others aren’t as crucial of it as I’m.
Perhaps I’m out to lunch and out of contact as a result of I feel that there are areas the C5 can enhance:
- Repair the lean angle on the kickstand so the bike doesn’t fall over so simply
- Wrap the rear bodywork in a transparent plastic movie, which ought to cut back what number of scratches the bike will get from falling over a lot
- Embrace correct entrance and rear fenders (or a minimum of the mounts for them), as you’re going to get soiled and/or moist everytime you experience the C5
- Enhance throttle response for once you’re already shifting (throttle response is sort of on the spot from a stand-still, however takes a few seconds to reply when you’re in movement)
- Enhance the turning radius so the C5 handles tight trails, twists, and turns higher
Would I purchase the C5 as my solely ebike, or for a every day rider? No. Its driving ergonomics aren’t conducive to that use case.
However for a second ebike? A “enjoyable” ebike? A “let’s mash the throttle and scoot round” ebike? Oh hell sure, and in the event that they ever strap a mid-drive to it, I’d in all probability purchase two.
Have enjoyable, and hold it rubber aspect down 😉
2024 Himiway C5 eBike Evaluate
Evaluate Abstract
The Himiway C5 seems to be like a pocket-sized electrical grime bike, although it’s packing a comparatively commonplace entry-level groupset and drivetrain, and so efficiency doesn’t fairly match as much as its seems to be. Its large 20 Ah battery provides it almost 60 miles of usable vary, and its fats tires guarantee it might probably go anyplace. Driving dynamics are awkward if you happen to’re taller than 5’8”, although, and also you’re paying a premium for the full-suspension moped type issue. It’s nice to take a look at, enjoyable to scoot round on, however not nice to truly experience like a motorbike… however let’s be actual, if you happen to’re shopping for this, it’s not since you wish to spend a lot time pedaling!
Execs
48V 20 Ah battery supplies a claimed 80-mile vary (I estimate a real-world 50 – 60 miles of vary)
It’s a fairly sick trying ebike
Acceptable throttle-only efficiency and a very good torque-sensing PAS configuration
Max load of 330 lbs means almost everybody can experience it
Full suspension body handles paths and trails equally as nicely
Can verify that the C5 may be very competent on pavement, grime, gravel, sand, and snow
Cons
The seat top isn’t adjustable
Heavy at 88 lbs
Drivetrain efficiency doesn’t match the bike aesthetic
A restricted turning radius because of the dual-crown forks
Inventory kickstand has a really shallow lean and the C5 falls over so much
