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denago commute step thru electric bike ebike

Denago sent us a review copy of the step-through model of its $1,799 Commute bike, and we’ll take you through what we thought of this big, well-equipped, and comfort-focused bike.

The Denago Commute is a bike that puts a premium on rider comfort and has quite a few built-in features that won’t leave you wanting for much. At $1,799, it’s not quite a budget bike, but it’s still reasonably priced compared to the field given all of its extras, though there are still a few different decisions we wish they would have made.

Denago Commute Step-Thru tech specs

  • Motor: 500 W rear geared hub motor with 50 Nm torque
  • Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) throttle, 28 mph (45 km/h) pedal assist (Class III)
  • Range: 45 mi (72 km) est.
  • Battery: 48V/13.6Ah (652.8 Wh), frame-integrated, removable, included 3 amp charger
  • Drivetrain: Microshift 8-speed, chain
  • Max load: 280 lb. (127 kg) max rider weight, 55 lb. (25 kg) load limit on rear rack.
  • Frame & Fork: 6061 aluminum
  • Weight: 66 lb. (30 kg)
  • Suspension: Fork & seatpost suspension
  • Brakes: Zoom Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotors
  • Extras: Monochrome LCD display with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer/tripmeter and PIN code lock; left-side thumb throttle; cadence sensor; metal front and rear fenders; rear rack; kickstand; integrated headlight; rear reflector with battery operated tail light (2x AAA)

I mentioned above that the bike is big, and I don’t say that lightly. Denago’s size chart suggests S/M size for riders 5’0″-5’9″ and L/XL for 5’9″-6’4″. But I’m 6′ and still wished the saddle could go lower than its lowest position (38″ from the ground) on the L/XL bike. I wasn’t able to test whether the S/M size would feel better for me on the whole, but definitely consider test-riding if you’re on the borderline of Denago’s sizing chart. And if you’re too big for most bikes, this might be just what you’re looking for.

This size does make for a smooth and comfortable ride, along with the bike’s large 27″ x 2.6″ tires, suspension in both the seatpost and fork and its wide padded saddle. The bike does have a “walking mode” activated by holding a handlebar button, which helps if trying to push the huge bike up an incline, etc.

Denago says that despite the bike’s name and target market (commuters), it has actually been surprisingly popular among older customers due to its comfort, large size, and upright seating position from the swept-back handlebar and adjustable stem. I can certainly see how this could be the case. It’s quite a cushy ride. And the step-through design makes the bike easier to mount, even if it is quite big.

The bike comes well-equipped with lots of nice features, like metal front and rear fenders, monochrome digital display, adjustable stem, hydraulic disc brakes, rear rack, headlight, and a sturdy kickstand (rear-mounted, so don’t forget to kick it up like I always do).

Two extras we’d like to see are some sort of water bottle/drink holder (you’ll have to find your own way around this, there are no built-in mounts on the frame) and a taillight integrated into the bike’s battery. It does come with a taillight, but it requires 2x AAA batteries to operate, and needs to be turned on manually separate from the bike/headlight.

The bike’s cadence sensor and pedal assist can lead to some quirky movement. Neither throttle nor pedal assist can be used from a complete dead stop, both require you to get moving first. So if you happen to be on a hill or any sort of strange terrain, it takes effort to get this big 66 lb. bike moving before the electro-motion kicks in (though the aforementioned “walking mode” can be used in these circumstances).

And cadence sensors are tough for group rides too, because it’s hard to exactly pace whoever you’re riding with (unless everyone is on the same bike model). Throttle could be used in these cases, but the thumb throttle doesn’t really allow for precise speed control either.

But then, this is a matter of taste. Some prefer cadence sensors because they can “ghost pedal,” without having to put even a small amount of force into pedaling, which can help for those with injuries or bad joints (see: the aforementioned elderly). But the throttle already allows for that, so I find cadence sensors somewhat redundant. I’d prefer throttle for no pedaling, torque sensor for pedaling, and different pedal-assist levels for different speeds.

If I’m already spending $1,799 on a bike, I feel like I’d rather have a torque sensor for ~$100 more, since in my opinion a torque sensor just gives a much better experience. Denago’s fat tire bike has a torque sensor on a $1,799 bike (with bigger battery, motor and tires, but not as many extras), so it can certainly be done.

The same goes for a belt drive, which would cost more to add than a torque sensor, but which I also prefer. Especially for a commuting bike, where commuters might put additional emphasis toward avoiding the risk of chain grease on their business clothes.

Part of this is because I particularly disliked the MicroShift 8-speed shifter. It felt like I could never get into and stay in the gear I wanted to be in, and the configuration of the shift levers is simply not intuitive. Perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by belt drives.

For a bike that is otherwise so well equipped, these are two pretty big headline features that I think would be nice to have. $1,799 isn’t in the “expensive bikes” category yet, but it’s definitely not the cheapest bike out there, so as long as I’m spending a bit more on a bike with lots of extras, I’d like these to be a couple of those extras, even if it knocked the price up another couple hundred dollars.

To keep an eye on things, the bike has a somewhat plain monochrome display with all the basic information you’d expect – speed, battery, odometer, and so on – and also includes a PIN code lock. The display is serviceable, but if you wear polarized sunglasses like I do, it becomes much less readable:

What the screen looks like through polarized lenses

You can’t turn on the screen while the bike is plugged in, so if you want to check charging mid-charge, you’ll have to rely on the red/green/blue LEDs on the battery itself, or LEDs on the rather large external 3 amp charge brick (which gets you a full charge in ~4.5 hours).

The battery on the Denago Commute impressed me with its range and durability. While e-bike range is a difficult topic because riding situations vary so widely – terrain, speed, rider weight, and how much pedaling they like to do (I’m a 155 lb. lightweight and a compulsive pedaler, which both extend my range) – it felt like this bike has more than enough range for its commuting audience. Denago says this bike has 45+ miles of range, though with my average riding patterns I would get around 60. But again, I can’t stop myself from pedaling, so if you just like to sit back and use the throttle, you will get a lot less distance than me.

The battery is removable, so can be charged at home or while attached to the bike. The battery weighs just under 8 lb. (3.6kg) and is pretty easy to carry in one hand.

But I mentioned durability – right after I got this review bike, I sustained an injury that made me unable to ride for several months. So I also happen to know that this bike will maintain a charge for several months with little to no vampire drain. Not bad! Not a common point that we get to review, but here we are.

At $1,799, the Denago Commute is a reasonably well-priced bike compared to the competition. There are a few other features we’d like to see on it, but those would add to the price and perhaps take it out of the sub-$2,000 tier, or would have to replace some of the other long list of features already included on the bike. As is, the bike does include a laundry list of most of the features you’d want on a bike this price, which makes it a good buy for someone looking for a big, exceptionally comfortable bike with a big battery.

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Podcast: Electricity is the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more

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35 mins ago

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November 21, 2025

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Podcast: Electricity is the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more

electrek podcast

In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss electricity becoming the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, the new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more.

The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

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We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:


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Wallbox pushes new wave of EV chargers across the Mountain West

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1 hour ago

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November 21, 2025

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Wallbox pushes new wave of EV chargers across the Mountain West

Wallbox Mountain West

Image: Wallbox

Wallbox is ramping up its partnership with distributor Codale Electric Supply to roll out more EV chargers across the Mountain West, a region that’s seeing a rapid escalation of electrification programs and regional highway corridor build-outs.

Codale has become one of Wallbox’s most active distributors over the past two years, helping contractors, developers, and fleet operators procure Wallbox gear while also providing technical support and logistics. Now the two companies are scaling both AC and DC fast charging across Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada.

Under the new agreement, Codale will prioritize Wallbox Supernova DC fast chargers and Pulsar Family AC chargers. Codale is already coordinating upgrades of older charging systems and installing new ones across public, commercial, and multifamily sites. Early projects include collaborations with several charge point operators and large commercial portfolios, some of which are rolling out Supernova units in Q4.

The Mountain West has become a hotspot for charging expansion, and Wallbox and Codale say their partnership is designed to keep pace by streamlining installation and improving network reliability.

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Ignasi Alastuey, Wallbox’s chief business officer, said, “This partnership combines Wallbox’s innovation with Codale’s on-the-ground capabilities to rapidly scale charging networks across the Mountain West and set a new benchmark for EV infrastructure growth.”

Read more: Wallbox expands its bidirectional EV charger program in the US

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Your personalized heat pump quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – *ad


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Black Friday savings keep growing with up to 80% off EcoFlow power stations, Samsung smart appliances, Autel EV charger/solar cams, more

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2 hours ago

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November 21, 2025

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Black Friday savings keep growing with up to 80% off EcoFlow power stations, Samsung smart appliances, Autel EV charger/solar cams, more


Following suit from yesterday’s edition, today’s Green Deals are packed with better-than-ever full holiday savings, led by EcoFlow’s next phase of its Black Friday Sale event with up to 80% discounts on backup power solutions, complete with bonus savings, free gifts, and new low prices – all starting from $149 + the phase’s first 48-hour flash sale. There’s also Samsung’s Black Friday appliance sale that can save you hundreds to thousands on smart energy-conscious washer/dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and more – starting from $269, as well as a new low price on Autel’s 50A MaxiCharger AC Lite EV Charging Station at $398 (plus the latest solar-powered security cameras). There’s also Black Friday roundups of DJI equipment, EGO Power+ tools, smart ambient lighting devices, a collection of one-day-only Best Buy deals, like Greenworks’ STEALTH electric mini-bike, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s increased Anker SOLIX Black Friday savings, Segway’s new Navimow robotic lawn mower lows + increased Ninebot EV savings, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

EcoFlow launches next Black Friday Sale phase with up to 80% off expanded lineup – starts from $149

EcoFlow has officially switched to its next Black Friday Sale phase of deals with up to 80% discounts, plenty of FREE gifts, bonus savings, and more. Among the new lineup, we spotted EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Portable Power Station bundled with 2x 220W solar panels and a FREE protective bag at $1,699 shipped, which is not only being exclusively offered direct from the brand, but is also dropping things lower than ever. One thing to note here is that, sadly, the extra savings code isn’t valid on this bundle. It would normally run you $5,199 for everything (including the $99 bag), with the bagless bundle at Amazon keeping lower at a starting rate of $3,999 and only dropping to $1,999 right now. This deal comes in $100 under its previous offer during the brand’s Halloween Sale, giving you a total $2,300 off the going rate ($3,500 off the MSRP) for the best new price that we have tracked anywhere. Be sure to head below to check out the newest phase of full Black Friday deals.

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro power station is among the most beloved and highly rated backup power solutions from under the brand’s flag, and this solar bundle is quite the setup to grab now that it’s fallen so low in price. Covering away-from-home trips, as well as at-home emergencies, this station starts at a 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity that you can expand up to its 25kWh max with further investments. Your devices and appliances can receive up to 3,600W of regular power through the 14 output ports, with it even surging as high as 7,200W for those larger appliances that need more. You’ll be 440W closer to reaching its 1,600W max solar input, thanks to the bundled panels, with additional options for recharging from an AC outlet, as well as your car’s auxiliary port (or by using a compatible alternator charger).

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***Note: EcoFlow is continuing the usage of the promo code 25EFBFAFF at checkout for an extra 5% savings off your cart’s total, with none of the prices below having it factored in. Keep in mind that a number of offers are ineligible to receive the extra savings, but be sure to try it at checkout to ensure you’re getting the best possible savings during EcoFlow’s Black Friday Sale!

EcoFlow’s other direct Black Friday website-only deals/bundles:

EcoFlow’s best Black Friday Amazon deals:

EcoFlow’s best Black Friday Sale picks:

EcoFlow’s 1-2kWh Black Friday Sale deals:

EcoFlow’s 3-6kWh Black Friday Sale deals:

EcoFlow’s outdoor adventure power deals:

EcoFlow solar panel deals:

EcoFlow’s other add-on accessory deals:

Samsung smart appliance washer and dryer installed in wall with clothes hanging around it

Save thousands for Black Friday on Samsung smart washer/dryers, refrigerators, ovens, and more starting from $269

As part of Samsung’s ongoing Black Friday Sale event, we’re seeing deals that can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars on the smartest home appliance upgrades, including the Bespoke AI All-in-One Ventless Washer/Dryer Combo at $1,999 shipped, which is actually going for $110 less at Best Buy. There’s also the newer Vented Bespoke AI All-in-One Combo at $1,999 shipped, which you won’t find at Best Buy. The ventless model normally fetches $3,299 without discounts ($3,099 for the vented counterpart) direct from the brand, and starts lower at $2,970 at Best Buy, with 2025 having seen it more often down at $2,199 during sales. While we have seen it go lower in the past, especially 2024, you’re otherwise looking at the best prices we have tracked this year, letting you upgrade to a smarter way to do laundry with up to $1,300 savings, or save more by going with Samsung’s open-box option for $1,599 on the washer/dryer’s sale page down on the right-side options.

Alongside the washer/dryer combos above, we’ve curated a full list of Samsung’s best Black Friday appliance deals on other washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and more that you can browse by checking out our original coverage of this sale here.

man uses Autel EV charger with electric vehicle

Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite level 2 EV charger grants up to 50A speeds at new $398 Black Friday low (Save $171)

As part of Amazon’s ongoing Black Friday Sale event, Autel’s official storefront is offering its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 50A Level 2 EV Charging Station for $398.20 shipped, matching the price we’re seeing direct from the brand’s website. Normally going for $569 outside of discounts, we’ve seen this model go as low as $450 in 2025, with today’s deal giving you a total $171 markdown off the full rate that beats out last year’s Black Friday pricing by $1 for a new all-time low.

You can learn more about this higher-powered EV charging solution by checking out our original coverage of this deal here. You can also find the brand’s latest solar-powered 2-cam and 4-cam Outdoor Wireless Security Camera kits that sport some unique features and currently start from $249.

DJI Power 2000 power station in living room in front of couch with sleeping man
holiday banner for EGO Power+ tools
Govee Matter Outdoor Lamp Post illuminating yard

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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