IN A NUTSHELLThe Sailnovo ‎Y1-14 electric bike is fun to ride! With fairly fast acceleration and power, comfortable seat, and a sporty, racer-like look, maneuvering it with the wind brushing against my helmet-protected face felt good and freeing! I'm used to biking at around 10-12 mph on a Santa Cruz mountain bike, and effortlessly zipping along faster than that with motor assistance is a far different feel. The highest speed I was able to clock on a flat surface was about 18 mph as per the bike's LCD monitor.The disc brakes initially squealed until they were broken in, and the acceleration twist control on the right-side handle bar is second-nature that provides a good boost. The bike automatically kicks in some assistive power as you pedal and there are 3 biking options (pedal assist, fully electric, or manual pedal). It is partially foldable and fits in the trunk of a sedan or hatch back, making it portable, though it is far heavier (at 48 lbs) than a non-motorized bike.It packs a nice punch of power with its 450W (nominal) motor going up hills, and is priced more competitively against well-established brands, such as Segway and Razor, for models with similar specifications. The IP54 water rating allows the bike to be used in an environment where water spray can come from any direction. In other words, it is okay to ride in the rain, though caution should be exercised.I was able to ride the bike over a two-day period for roughly 18 miles with the battery run down to 50% remaining. Note that I only turned on power assist when going uphill and pedalled manually the rest of the time. Regarding regulations governing motorized bicycles, they are much more permissive in California than for electric scooters.The biggest gripes I have are that 1) the seat post is a bit limiting and may not be tall enough for someone over 6' in height, and 2) there is no gear shifting available (it's limited to a single gear).PROS- Strong, smooth acceleration-- Nominal (average) power: 450W. Rated (maximum) power: Unknown--- Faster increase in speed than a popular Jetson eBike sold by Costco-- Surprisingly quiet motor- Good range and battery life-- Manufacturer claims up to 38 miles (or 28 miles when entirely propelled by motor)-- In my testing, I reached 18 mi with 50% remaining over a period of two days with motor assist only on uphill portions-- Lithium Polymer battery is rated for 360 Wh (10,000 mAh / 1000 x 36V)--- Because the motor does not run at a constant 450W, the battery can last for at least 45 minutes under average, motorized load--- These types of batteries have an average lifespan of 500 cycles and can go as high as 600+-- Sailnovo claims quick charging within 6 hours, but it took me about 4.5 hours--- AC power supply: Red = Charging. Green = Battery full. Charging port is under the rear brake light- Dampening rear shocks for a much smoother, comfortable ride- Seat is cushioned, wide, and comfortable- Folds fairly small like other bikes of this type, except the motor adds a significant heft to its overall weight-- Can be carried single-handed for a short distance-- Seat height is adjustable via a quick release lever-- Dimensions when neck is folded: 30.8" L x 26" H. Unfolded stands at 42.5" L x 46.5" H x 21.25" W- Max speed of 18.6 mph (California speed limit is 20 mph)- Dual disc brakes for faster, more reliable and controlled braking- Readable display in bright sunlight- Material feels strong and well-made- 14" shock-absorbing, rubber-elastic, pneumatic air tires (14 x 2.125 tube)-- Uses Schrader valve with recommended pressure of 35-45 psi-- Larger tires generally offer better comfort and stability- Accommodates a rider up to a whopping 265 lbs- Fixed Head and Tail lights-- Lights turned on with the On/Off switch on the left handle bar- Horn is activated by the red button on the left handle (it is not very loud)- Motor is enabled by turning on with one of 2 included keys- Built-in kickstand- Water resistant to IPX54-- IPX54 allows water splashes from any angle and so can be used in rain-- Do NOT drive bike through water high enough to reach the motor!- Arrived fully assembledCONS- No gear shifting-- You are locked at just a single gear, but you will be able to go faster with the assistance of the motor- Neck is not height adjustable- Seat post is a bit short and may not be suitable for someone taller than 6' (and too high for someone short)- Horn is not very loud- Speed capped at 18.6 mph, although California regulation limits electric bikes to 20 mph-- Sometimes, I wish I could ride faster, but have to remind myself that the limit is for my safety- Both the head and tail reflectors did not screw onto their posts securely-- Manufacturer should add rubber gasket to keep them in place- At 48 lbs, it is heavier than non-motorized bikes- I feel like a clown riding the bike as it very much does not feel as manly as a mountain bike-- I call foldable bicycles like these "circus bikes"-- My wife and mom have absolutely no problem riding itTIPSMAINTENANCE- Before first use, charge the battery fully-- Covered charging port is on the rear tail light-- AC charging brick LED: Red = Charging. Green = Full-- Lithium Ion batteries are known to be volatile and could catch on fire--- Do not charge overnight or unsupervised for prolonged periods of time. Stop charging once full--- Do not leave the bike in full sun or below freezing-- Keep battery charged at 50% or more to prolong battery's 500+ cycle lifespan. Try to never let it drain completely- Before riding, check the tire pressure and tighten any loose screws-- Be sure to lock (audible click) the neck into place when unfolding-- Ensure seat post is locked and tightOPERATION- Do not brake hard. Doing so could make you painfully tumble, skid, and/or wear out the tires-- Be aware of unexpected obstacles. I tumbled once while mountain biking and was hurt quite badly. It was not fun- To enable the motor, turn the key to turn on the power-- Pedal the bike, and you will feel the motor assisting (Pedal assist)-- Turn the accelerator by the right-side handle, and the motor will fully take over (Power on demand)-- To power off the motor so you would only be able to pedal manually, turn the key to power off (Pedal only)- Acceleration is based on the amount of turn you (should gradually) apply on the accelerator- As battery neared empty, I noticed that maximum speed gradually lowered- Sailnovo states that the bike is designed for only 1 rider. California law does not prohibit the number of riders, though it does state that you should only ride with the number of people as intended by the manufacturerDISPLAY OPTIONSWhen the bike is powered on, the LCD displays the battery level, gear ("Mode"), current speed, and trip meter. Each bar is 20% charge remaining.Mode 1 goes up to 6.4 mph, Mode 2 to 12.6mph, and Mode 3 to 18.6mph.LOCKING AGAINST THEFTYou can lock the bike to a permanent structure through the triangle portion underneath the seat where the rear shock is at. For good measure, you should also lock both 14" wheels.AIRCRAFT TRANSPORTMost, if not all, airlines prohibit electronic scooters and bikes that do not meet specific criteria. United Airlines, for example, allows collapsible ones whose battery is both removable and below 300 Wh. This bike is 360 Wh. Lithium-ion batteries are known to be volatile, and the higher their capacity, the more risky they are. Check with the airlines for more details.MOTOR BIKE LAWSWhen I was made aware by a friend that there are laws governing the use of motorized scooters, I was sad to see how restrictive they were. I considered myself to be a cautious, responsible, and respectful rider when taking my son out on a slow, controlled ride on the sidewalk with both of us having helmets on, slowing down considerably (to 1-3 mph) and moving to the side when approaching a pedestrian. Like a bike rider, I yielded to people as a matter of respect and courtesy, and constantly checked on and reminded my son to stand solid and to hang on tight. Any potential obstacles were avoided, turns were made with caution, and as with bike riding, I wanted to stay on the sidewalk whenever possible to keep the little one safe and away from speeding cars. The point is, courtesy, caution, and riding alert go a long way in being safe, in my opinion.With that said, I read that there were a number of accidents involving scooters hitting pedestrians or riders hurting themselves. I get it. Laws are there to protect people from each other and themselves, especially from irresponsible individuals.Surprisingly, the laws governing electric BIKES are much more lax. They are very similar to non-motorized bikes, in fact! There are different classes of eBikes. This Sailnovo one falls under the lower-speed, Type I eBikes with a maximum speed of up to 20 mph, and as such, can be used on bike paths. Be sure to check with your local regulations. Some States categorize eBikes as mopeds or motor vehicles.CALIFORNIA LAWDisclaimer: I AM NOT A LAWYER. Please consult your local city, police department, and/or legal professional for advice.The following is my interpretation of how I understand the law. It has been shortened to only point out parts that I found interesting or noteworthy.- Does NOT require riding with a Driver's License or Instruction Permit (eScooters require them!)- No license plate required- Passengers are allowed as long as the bike was designed for it- Can ride on existing bike infrastructure- Speed limited to 20 mph- Follow most of the same laws as non-motorized bicycles- Helmet required for riders 17 years and younger- No minimum age limitCONCLUSIONRiding the eBike and exploring has been fun, but not as fun as on an eScooter! However, both technologies allow me to zip around the neighborhood in speeds of 15+ mph, bringing some thrills and excitement to an otherwise boring day. Though I feel like a clown riding on this "circus bike" (I am not a fan of foldable bikes and their "unmanly" looks when compared to my dear Santa Cruz mountain bike), my wife has absolutely no problem riding it. She does, in fact, praise the motor assistance when on particularly challenging slopes -- tracks where she would find me huffing and puffing at very low, slow gears. She would be the rabbit and me the turtle.I was happy (though perplexed) to learn that eBike laws are far less restrictive than eScooters.The Sailnovo ‎Y1-14, with its dual disc brakes, fairly powerful 450W motor, and acceptable 360Wh battery, provides for a good travel range, making it entirely suitable for riding to and from work. I wished that the wheels were larger, that additional gears would be available to shift with, and the LCD displayed the speed, but at this price point, it is a great performer with a racer-like look and comes with an easy recommendation.