The Momentum Transend E+ turns heads with its beach cruiser aesthetic and delivers a genuinely impressive ride experience, thanks to its Yamaha-built mid-drive motor and plush comfort setup.

Momentum Transend E+ Review: A Punchy, Stylish Urban eBike That Falls Short on Essentials

September 3, 2022 Richard Alvin

The Momentum Transend E+ turns heads with its beach cruiser aesthetic and delivers a genuinely impressive ride experience, thanks to its Yamaha-built mid-drive motor and plush comfort setup.

But while the fundamentals are strong, its commuter credentials are let down by a lack of built-in practical features—something that holds this otherwise capable eBike back from being a class leader.

Bold Styling Meets Solid Engineering

The Transend E+ isn’t shy about its looks. With a low-slung top tube, massive oversized down tube, and tan-wall CST tyres, it projects cruiser-bike cool with a commuter twist. Available in bold colours like Golden Yellow, Royal Blue, Arctic White and Red/Orange, it has a standout presence that’s rare in the urban eBike category.

It’s offered in both standard and step-through frame options, with three sizes to suit a range of riders. The integrated look is clean, modern and unashamedly fun.

Motor & Battery: Smooth Power, Real-World Range

At the core of the Transend E+ is a Yamaha-designed 250W mid-drive motor with 60Nm of torque—plenty for hill-starts and long inclines. The power delivery is impressively smooth across five assist levels, giving you granular control that allows you to treat the modes like a second gear set. The simple bar-mounted controller keeps the interface user-friendly, with connectivity to compatible head units like Garmin for added data on the go.

Momentum claims up to 105 miles (170km) from the 500Wh battery, though real-world testing yielded a respectable 61 miles (98km) over hilly rural terrain—impressive by commuter standards. It charges from empty to 80% in two hours, and to full in four. The removable battery is a bonus for at-home or under-desk charging, though the charger is bulky enough to make daily transport awkward.

Ride Quality: Composed, Comfortable, and Capable

This is where the Transend E+ shines. The riding position strikes a perfect balance between sporty and relaxed, with a comfortable Selle Royal saddle, ergonomic grips, and a smooth, stable geometry that soaks up miles with ease.

The 27.5” CST tyres provide great grip and compliance, performing well on both tarmac and dry woodland paths. The 7-speed internal hub gear is mostly reliable, although the revoshift grip shifter can feel stiff—particularly when wet—and sometimes needs a quick backpedal to engage gears smoothly.

Still, the motor and gearing combo make light work of urban riding and moderate hills, making the Transend a genuinely enjoyable companion for both weekday commutes and weekend outings.

Commuter Caveats: Great Frame, Missing Features

Here’s the catch: despite being pitched as a city/commuter eBike, the Transend ships without mudguards, lights or racks. While the frame is well-equipped with mounting points and the electrical system can support integrated lighting, these key commuter components will cost you extra—likely adding several hundred pounds to the final build if sourced post-purchase.

Given its maximum load rating of 156kg (344lb), it’s clear the bike is built for practical use—but without those accessories included, it feels like an unfinished commuter solution.

Final Verdict: A Fun and Capable Ride, But Lacking Out-of-the-Box Practicality

The Momentum Transend E+ is a strong performer where it counts: power delivery, comfort, range, and style. The Yamaha motor, well-balanced geometry, and capable tyres make it one of the most engaging rides in its class. If you’re looking for a smooth, good-looking eBike for mixed-use commuting and leisure riding, it’s a great option.

However, its lack of basic commuter fittings makes it harder to recommend as a ready-to-ride city bike. If Momentum revises the spec sheet to include mudguards, lights, and a rack as standard—or bundles them in more affordably—the Transend E+ could easily become one of the top choices in the segment.