Alter Ego e-Bikes Review: Are These Bikes Any Good?

Last Updated on October 29, 2023 by Igor Karni

Alter Ego Electric Bikes was established in 2014, making it a relatively young brand. Nonetheless, it’s actually one of the oldest e-bike brands in Canada. The company was founded by Kyle & Dorothy Brucki. Its headquarters are in Abbotsford, Canada. 

The company adopts a direct-from-factory selling approach, hence, their relatively budget-friendly and even arguably cost-effective models. And this is already with the specs of their models considered. 

Besides the information said above and the fact that they regularly invite people to visit their showroom at Simpson Road, Abbotsford via online appointment, not much other data is available about the brand.

There’s not much media coverage about it yet, and it appears to have a Canada-wide reach. Incidentally, it should not be confused with Alter Ego Sports, which is an entirely different company. 

Top Qualities of Alter Ego Electric Bikes

Alter Ego Electric Bikes originally made its breakthrough in the e-bike industry with its folding e-bikes. Incidentally, the brand also designs and constructs various performance kick scooters. The Sidekick folding e-bike serves as its flagship product, which now has numerous variations. 

However, to meet the varying demands of the Canadian e-bike market, it has since started to offer other e-bike types, not least of which are cruisers and commuters as well as other models that, simply put, defy categorization.

Read also: How to select the best cruiser e-bike? And, How much does a good cruiser e-bike cost?

Here are the highlights of each one. At most, its Alter Ego Electric Bikes quality can be considered economical yet delivers value for money through high-quality components and originality of design. 

Alter Ego e-Bikes Review: Model Lines

Sidekick folding e-bike

Alter Ego Electric Bikes leading folding e-bike shows exactly 5 variations of the Sidekick, with 2 versions of its PRO incarnation and 3 versions of the original model. Out of all the selections, the Fat variety (particularly the recently upgraded V2) offers the most kick in terms of versatility.

It guarantees a smooth ride on most paved surfaces while guaranteeing the same when doing any kind of light offroading. We think the addition of hydraulic brakes and air suspension only improved it further, and the generally positive reviews show this. 

Alter Ego Electric Bikes patented battery technology is one of the Sidekick’s standout features. It blends the lithium battery into the seat-post, allowing it to assume a conventional bike’s appearance and claims to protect the battery from overcharging and overheating.

The 31 miles (50km) range it provides is above-average in most models in its price range. Also, the 75nM torque you can get from its 500W battery, plus the 20 miles per hour (32km/h) top speed found in most Alter Ego e-bikes, is definitely no joke as far pedal-assist bikes go.

Read also: How to select the best folding e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a good foldable e-bike cost?

And the 53 pounds (24kg) lightweight only seals the deal, besides the obvious folding perk. Finally, its Fat 500 PRO version is the height of adaptability as it’s been designed to tackle all kinds of surfaces. 

The Trail variety simply adds a front suspension to the Sidekick, which ups its control when riding in rougher trails. You might think that its 350 and 500 V2 versions only imply differences in motor assist capability. 

However, it actually goes past that. For one, the Trail 350 has a much larger range since it supports an optional second Samsung 36V battery. With it, the 350’s range climbs up to a noteworthy 70 miles (110km). The 500 v2, on the other hand, basically serves as a non-fat option since it shares the same specs as the Fat V2. 

Lastly, much like all Alter Ego Electric Bikes models, the Sidekick comes with a two-year limited warranty. That’s clearly impressive and an obvious sign of quality with these models’ average price in mind. 

Niagara City e-bike

The Niagara City Bike looks like your average commuter/cruiser bike and cleverly blends its battery in its frame. It actually uses the same battery found in the Sidekick series, so we can consider it as simply a non-folding variety of it with lower specs. 

What’s worth noting is that this model actually supports dual batteries. So since the Sidekick’s battery can give you 31 miles (50km) of range, the Niagara City Bike doubles that to 100, which is certainly a welcome bonus most e-bike riders would love to have. It runs on a 350W motor, uses puncture-resistant and all-terrain tires, and only weighs 44 pounds (20kg). 

Read also: How to select the best commuter e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article. And, how much does a commuter e-bike cost?

This bike is obviously marketed towards riders who don’t need a folding e-bike but still want to enjoy the e-bike experience provided by the Sidekick. 

Tofino Beach Cruiser e-bike

Everything about this e-bike’s designs screams comfort, and it pretty much pays homage to the classic cruiser look with a more original curved frame. It runs on a 500W hub motor with an above-average 65nM torque and guarantees at least 37 miles (60km) of range.

With the specs considered, we can say that riders who want a reliable and powerful beach cruiser could not find a better option than this. 

Alter Ego Electric Bikes throws in a smart LCD display with an accompanying speedometer, trip meter, and odometer. That combination plus the LED headlights makes this comfort-oriented model the complete package.

That said, the brakes are only mechanical discs, and the tires are just average. But for the comfortable cruises this guarantees and the specs, it’s still worth it. 

Rebel Retro e-bike

Two variants of the Rebel Retro currently exist, the 500 and the 750 PRO. Both are all about range, though, as they can impart up to a whopping 112 miles (180km) of it with the added optional Samsung 48V battery.

The potent 750W Bafang motor makes the Rebel Retro a powerhouse unit in the Alter Ego Electric Bikes catalog. 

It may not be as popular as the Sidekick and other models here, but for its performance-oriented specs, this model is still recommendable, especially for those who don’t want to have to be recharging their units consistently when doing marathons or even cross-country riding. 

Read also: How to select the best gravel e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a gravel e-bike cost?

Another highlight is the extra attention given to rust and corrosion protection. Overall, this model obviously focuses on pushing the lengths that e-bikes can go to achieve ranges that can beat conventional motorcycles and even cars. We respect it for that. 

Renegade Cafe Racer e-bike

The Renegade Cafe Racer adopts the classic motorcycle look but functions entirely as an e-bike. It blends unconventional design with comfort-centric features punctuated by its comfort saddle and swept-back handlebars. 

The battery is located right in the model’s “gas tank”, which gives you either 30 or 50 miles (50 or 80km) depending on what Samsung 48V unit you choose. The motor packs quite a punch with a peak output of 1,300W and achieves the brand’s speed limit of 20 miles per hour (32km/h) quite easily. 

It showcases pretty much the same tech as the Tofino but uses a Big Stone C800 3.2″ LCD display instead. However, the LED lights actually aren’t included but can be purchased as an optional addition, which is a bummer.

That said, it certainly doesn’t skimp on the quality of its components, as evidenced by its puncture-resistant and double-wall rimmed tires as well as hydraulic brakes. 

Is Alter Ego Electric Bikes a popular brand?

On the Canadian level, we can safely say yes. Considering the number of years it has been operating in Canada and the reception of its folding e-bikes, Alter Ego Electric Bikes already has a firm place in the Canadian e-bike market.

However, since there’s an apparent shortage of media coverage about the brand and the fact that it’s entirely web-based, we’re just going to assume it prefers to keep a low-key presence. 

Without a doubt, part of the company’s appeal stems from its comparatively cheaper but no less respectable models. Their unconventional designs might not appeal to riders in other countries, but considering their specs, comparatively lightweight models, and price range, Alter Ego Electric Bikes is hard to beat if you consider the entire package.

It continues to show signs of growth, and we won’t be surprised if it decides to branch out internationally in the near future. 

What countries does Alter Ego Bikes ship to?

Alter Ego Electric Bikes offers free shipping across Canada. There’s no mention at all on their website that they ship outside of Canada, so it’s safe to assume that they only operate within the said country. 

Read also: Check out the most popular e-bike brands.

Take a look at Alter Ego Electric Bikes Renegade Racer model in this quick video: