Priority Glide launched as one of the lowest-cost Gates belt drive e-bikes
In a market full of complicated tech, sky-high torque specs, and smartphone apps to control an e-bike, New York-based Priority Bicycles is going in the opposite direction with the launch of its newest model: the Priority Glide, a lightweight, fuss-free e-bike that brings belt drive simplicity to the masses.
Unveiled yesterday, the Glide appears to be built for riders who want a clean, low-maintenance electric bike without the intimidating menus or mechanical clutter.
It sticks with the same game plan that has come to define Priority Bicycles: rolling out high-end bicycles designed to be almost entirely maintenance free, yet at prices well below the typical bike shop sticker shock.
In this case, with an MSRP of $1,799 plus a $400 off launch discount until August 4 (discount code RIDEAGLIDE), it also happens to be one of the most affordable electric bikes on the market featuring a Gates Carbon Drive belt system paired with an internally geared rear hub transmission. We’ve seen low-cost belt drive e-bikes before, but they are generally single-speed bikes.
With the Priority Glide, you not only get the much-lauded maintenance-free Gates carbon belt drive system, but you also get the equally maintenance-free Nexus 3 rear hub transmission, which replaces a derailleur for simpler, cleaner, and hassle-free shifting – even at a stop.
The Glide slots in below Priority’s existing E-Classic Plus, maintaining the company’s signature style: classic lines, upright posture, and zero grease. The frame uses a dropped top tube for an easier step-over design, which strikes a balance between traditional geometry and easy on-off access. Add in dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors, 700c x 38mm puncture-resistant tires, double center kickstand for stable upright parking, front and rear LED lights, full composite fenders, and a thumb throttle, and you’ve got a commuter-friendly package designed to keep things simple, clean, and easy to ride on either pedal assist or throttle operation.
With a max payload of 300 lb (136 kg) and available in two different frame sizes, the Glide is designed to better fit a range of riders. And with two color offerings of blue and black, it’s also hoping to fit a range of tastes.
The Glide is powered by a 350W front hub motor paired with a 374Wh removable battery tucked into the downtube. Together, they help the bike reach a top assisted speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). Range is listed as 20 miles (32 km) on throttle or up to 60 miles (96 km) with pedal assist.
It’s a modestly powerful setup, but one that should be enough for neighborhood rides, errands, or a short daily commute. The reduced motor and battery size also help the bike tip the scales at just 49 lb (22.2 kg), making it one of the few sub-50 lb direct-to-consumer e-bikes on the market these days.
With the lower power motor, the somewhat lower capacity battery should last a bit longer, providing modest assist that doesn’t overwhelm. Riders get three pedal assist levels to choose from, at least when they’re not making use of that thumb throttle, and the bike’s Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal hub helps keep shifting smooth. One of the best features of an internally geared rear hub is that shifting can be done while standing still, such as when a rider has forgotten to downshift after a speedy section (which seems to happen at least once a week to me).
The other major advantage of internally geared hubs is of course that there’s no derailleur to fiddle with, no chain to lube (thanks to the belt drive), and no overly complicated electronic shifting. Just hop on, tap the throttle if you feel like cheating a hill, and cruise.
“Riding should be simple, enjoyable, and something people look forward to every day,” said Priority co-founder and CMO Connor Swegle. “Our goal with the Glide is to remove the barriers that keep people from riding more—whether that’s complicated maintenance, intimidating tech, or bulky designs.”
Electrek’s Take
I’ve become a big fan of Priority Bicycles since I bought my first one back in 2020. They’re well known for building with higher quality parts (they don’t rust because they use non-corroding hardware, for example), let alone the fact that they always opt for Gates belt drives and other high-end drive components. And the reason they can offer such good bikes at reasonable prices is because they offer a hybrid model. Founded and run by true cyclists, they have their traditional bike shop in Manhattan yet also operate as a direct-to-consumer company, allowing them to cut out the bike shop model and offer lower costs to consumers. In this case, they’ve demonstrated that advantage quite well with the Priority Glide.
In a world of carbon-framed fancy bikes that cost an arm and a leg, or torque monsters that can lay down a rubber snake in the bike lane, it’s refreshing to see a company lean into the simple joy of riding. The Priority Glide won’t win drag races or cross mountain ranges, but that’s not the point. It’s a clean, practical, approachable ride designed especially for folks who want an electric bike that looks and feels like a regular bike, but that doesn’t require the maintenance of a regular bike. And with parts like a Gates belt drive, nice hydraulic brakes, and a Shimano Nexus 3 at this price, it’s hard not to be impressed.
The cherry on top would have been a torque sensor, which would have had me over the moon, but hey – I guess they have to leave me something to whine about!
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Climate XChange’s Annual EV Raffle is back for the 10th year running – and for the first time ever, Climate XChange has two raffle options on the table! The nonprofit has helped lucky winners custom-order their ideal EVs for the past decade. Now you have the chance to kick off your holiday season with a brand new EV for as little as $100.
About half of the raffle tickets have been sold so far for each of the raffles – you can see the live ticket count on Climate XChange’s homepage – so your odds of winning are better than ever.
But don’t wait – raffle ticket sales end on December 8!
Climate XChange is working hard to help states transition to a zero-emissions economy. Every ticket you buy supports this mission while giving you a chance to drive home your dream EV.
Here’s how Climate XChange’s 10th Annual Raffle works:
The Luxury Raffle
- Grand Prize: The winner can choose any EV on the market, fully customized up to $120,000. This year, you can split the prize between two EVs if the total is $120,000 or less.
- Taxes covered: This raffle comes with no strings – Climate XChange also pays all of the taxes.
- Runner-up prizes: Even if you don’t win the Grand Prize, you still have a chance at the 2nd prize of $12,500 and the 3rd prize of $7,500.
- Ticket price: $250.
- Grand Prize Drawing: December 12, 2025.
- Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle.
The Mini Raffle (New for 2025)
- Grand Prize: Choose any EV on the market, fully customized, up to $45,000. This is the perfect raffle if you’re ready to make the switch to an EV but aren’t in the market for a luxury model.
- Taxes covered: Climate XChange pays all the taxes on the Mini Raffle, too.
- Ticket price: $100.
- Only 3,500 tickets will be sold for the Mini Raffle.
Why it’s worth entering
For a decade, Climate XChange has run a raffle that’s fair, transparent, and exciting. Every ticket stub is printed, and the entire drawing is live-streamed, including the loading of the raffle drum. Independent auditors also oversee the process.
Plus, your odds on the Luxury and Mini Raffles are far better than most car raffles, and they’re even better if you enter both.
Remember that only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle and only 3,500 for the Mini Raffle, and around half of the available tickets have been sold so far, so don’t miss your shot at your dream EV!
Climate XChange personally works with the winners to help them build and order their dream EVs. The winner of the Ninth Annual EV Raffle built a gorgeous storm blue Rivian R1T.
How to enter
Go to CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek before December 8 to buy your ticket. Start dreaming up your perfect EV – and know that no matter what, you’re helping accelerate the shift to clean energy.
Who is Climate XChange?
Climate XChange (CXC) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies because they’re critical in accelerating the transition to a zero-emissions economy. CXC advances state climate policy through its State Climate Policy Network (SCPN) – a community of more than 15,000 advocates and policymakers – and its State Climate Policy Dashboard, a leading data platform for tracking climate action across the US.
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The CSC Monterey – one of the most charming little electric scooters on the US market – has dropped to a shockingly low $1,699, down from its original $2,899 MSRP. That’s nearly half off for a full-size, street-legal electric scooter that channels major Honda Super Cub energy, but without the gas, noise, or maintenance of the original.
CSC Motorcycles, based in Azusa, California, has a long history of importing and supporting small-format electric and gas bikes, but the Monterey has always stood out as the brand’s “fun vibes first” model. With its step-through frame, big retro headlight, slim bodywork, and upright seating position, it looks like something from a 1960s postcard – just brought into the modern era with lithium batteries and a brushless hub motor.
I had my first experience on one of these scooters back in 2021, when I reviewed the then-new model here on Electrek. I instantly fell in love with it and even got one for my dad. It now lives at his place and I think he gets just as much joy from looking at it in his garage as riding it.
You can see my review video below.
The performance is solidly moped-class, which is exactly what it’s designed for. A 2,400W rear hub motor pushes the Monterey up to a claimed 30 mph or 48 km/h (I found it really topped out at closer to 32 mph or 51 km/h), making it perfect for city streets, beach towns, and lower-speed suburban routes.
A 60V, roughly 1.6 kWh removable battery offers around 30–40 miles (48-64 km) of real-world range, depending on how aggressively you twist the throttle. It’s commuter-ready, grocery-run-ready, and campus-ready right out of the crate.
It’s also remarkably approachable. At around 181 pounds (82 kg), the Monterey is light for a sit-down scooter, making it easy to maneuver and park. There’s a small storage cubby, LED lighting, and the usual simple twist-and-go operation. And it comes with full support from CSC, a company that keeps a massive warehouse stocked with components and spare parts.
My sister has a CSC SG250 (I’m still trying to convert her to electric) and has gotten great support from them in the past, including from their mechanics walking her through carburetor questions over the phone. So I know from personal experience that CSC is a great company that stands behind its bikes.
But the real story here is the price. Scooters in this class typically hover between $2,500 and $4,500, and electric retro-style models often jump well above that.
At $1,699, the Monterey is one of the least expensive street-legal electric scooters available from a reputable US distributor, especially one that actually stocks parts and provides phone support.
If you’ve been curious about swapping a few car errands for something electric – or you just want a fun, vintage-styled runabout for getting around town – this is one of the best deals of the year.
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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 a big Tesla Robotaxi setback, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. Sales end on Dec. 8th for its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn 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:
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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