The RideWave CityWave offers great value for money. Its combination of proven components, performance and ease of use make it a great commuter e-Bike option... Pics: HMC Photography
If you’re in the market for a comfortable, efficient, stylish e-Bike for commuting, the RideWave CityWave is a serious contender. Designed with urban riders in mind, this step-through e-Bike offers a smooth ride, plenty of power, and decent range at an affordable price…
RideWave is a new Australian e-Bike brand that imports affordable mid-range assist and electric bikes and tunes them to local specifications. They are based in Melbourne. We’ve just tested three of their models, so stay tuned for more.
But does it live up to the hype? We did a multi-week daily ride test across our local urban streets, bike paths, and soft off-road tracks to see how it performs in real-world conditions. We shared it across our family, with the teenagers using it for beach runs or shopping trips, and myself and Heather using it for recreational riding on the many great cycling paths and areas locally.
Read our other e-Bike reviews here…
Although it’s not the coolest look for me to cruise around on a commuter as a big bloke, I enjoyed the comfort and ease over my own E-MTB for general cruising and relaxing, plus I could grab some beers and utilise the rear rack!
One of the first things you’ll notice about the RideWave CityWave is its sleek, modern design. It genuinely looks good, with a decent paint finish and shine on the frame and contrast of the blacked out parts. With a low-step frame made from lightweight aluminium, it’s easy to mount and dismount—perfect for stop-start traffic and navigating busy shared paths.
Keep it within the limits of the bike, and you will be happy with the power and torque…
The frame geometry is designed for comfort, keeping the rider in an upright position to reduce strain on the back and shoulders. At 187cm the ‘bar reach is a little tight for me, but Heather (168cm) found it perfect and appreciated the ease of hopping on and off the low step frame as well…
Pressed and welded section Aluminium with mid motor space, SUNTOUR NEX 700C steel fork with 63mm travel.
At the heart of the CityWave is a powerful 250W rear hub motor with 55Nm of torque, giving you smooth acceleration and ample power to tackle moderate urban hills. It will get you up general climbs fuss free, but push it too steep and the power will tail off, combined with a relatively slow shift from the SHIMANO system, you can lose pace and the legs will get a workout. Keep it within the limits of the bike, and you will be happy with the power and torque. Acceleration is excellent, and on flat ground you can get away with very little input should you choose to rely heavily on the motor assist.
The 48V system provides a responsive and dynamic ride, making quick getaways at traffic lights effortless, with just a small hesitation on initial crank pressure that you get used to. Once you anticipate the short delay, you can time your take offs easily. While it’s not designed for high-speed performance like some sports e-Bikes, it provides a steady and reliable boost to keep you moving efficiently and there are five levels of assist to choose from. I found 2 the most useful in terms of assist level, battery economy and controlling speed without having to constantly dab the brakes to wash speed off.
Charge time is around 7 hours to fully charged with the supplied charger from fully flat to fully charged up.
The pedal assist system (PAS) levels allow you to adjust the level of power support depending on the terrain and your personal preference. Whether you need an extra push up inclines or want to conserve battery along the flatter bike paths and roads, the CityWave gives you pretty good control over your ride. On levels 4 and 5, the motor does most of the work, maintaining a steady 25km/h with minimal effort from the rider. Lower levels (1 and 2) offer more control over speed as mentioned, and also help increase range of course. Speaking of which, we returned an average of 102km over our test period.
Our riding tackled everything from hills to grass, gentle trails and lots of time on level 5 also, so 102km range is good.
This range makes it a fantastic option for long commutes or multiple trips throughout the week without needing frequent recharging, as that could easily be increased with reduced assist. Our riding tackled everything from hills to grass, gentle trails and lots of time on level 5 also, so 102km is good. Charge time is around 7 hours to fully charged with the supplied charger from fully flat to fully charged up.
At 27.5kg with battery the CityWave is no lightweight but you don’t feel that weight such is the balance of the bike.
The ride is smooth and comfortable, thanks to the ergonomic handlebars, Selle Royal Rio saddle, and puncture-resistant Schwalbe Big Ben tyres. The seat height is quickly adjustable from 700-920mm, and the grips are a standout feature, providing excellent palm support, making them ideal for longer rides. As someone with thumb issues from past injuries, I found the upright riding position and minimal weight on the hands to be extremely beneficial when combined with the palm support grips. Throw in two knees that have been rebuilt, and these assist bikes suit me well. I can ride, without pain or swelling and still maintain muscle in my knees. They are great for people with knee issues…
The fork is well-tuned for urban commuting and even performed admirably on very mild dirt roads and tracks, but of course this is a sealed road bike. The tyres provide excellent rolling comfort, and I experienced no flats during testing, or unwanted skids, even in slippery rain conditions.
The 250w hub motor produces 55Nm of torque and a top speed of up to 29km/h if unlocked.
Speaking of which, the headlight and taillight really work well at night and offer extra safety and peace of mind out on those rainy days when drivers, riders and pedestrians may not see bicycles as well… The headlight is easy to switch on and off by holding down the upper assist level arrow for a few seconds to activate the LED light.
The taillight/brake light is an excellent safety feature, and the LED headlight is very effective, also.
The mechanical disc brakes are impressive, offering strong stopping power with a smooth feel. Some minor adjustments may be needed initially to prevent brake drag, but after about 50km of riding, they bed in nicely. Given my weight of 100kg, I was particularly impressed with their performance.
The pedals are broad and comfortable, while the display unit and buttons for power and assist levels are intuitive and easy to use. The display itself is basic but functional, providing all the necessary information, although reading it in sun glare is a bit tricky at a glance.
The rear rack is highly practical, capable of carrying up to 25kg. I tested it with a 15kg load, and it had minimal impact on the bike’s stability, highlighting the CityWave’s well-balanced geometry—perfect for carrying groceries or work gear around the city, or picking up a slab from the grog shop in my case!
Overall, the RideWave CityWave is an excellent choice for recreational riders or CBD commuters looking for a reliable, comfortable, and well-designed e-Bike that is built to an affordable level. Although it is made up of widely used components and can be found branded as various makes, all of the parts are proven and popular, and you just can’t argue with the price, plus you get local support from RideWave along with their warranty of 2-Years.
The quick-release front wheel system is an added convenience for those who need to transport their bike in a car.
With its decent motor, long battery life, and comfort features, it ticks all the boxes for an enjoyable and practical daily ride. The quick-release front wheel system is an added convenience for those who need to transport their bike in a car, as yours truly did on many occasions.
With clear, well-written instructions provided via a QR code in the owner’s manual, setting up the bike took just 30 minutes with the help of an extra pair of hands. The build quality is impressive, with high-quality proven components. Priced at $1,999, the CityWave offers incredible value for money. Its combination of components, great performance, and ease of use makes it one of the best commuter e-Bikes available Down Under. In fact, we liked it so much, we bought one for The Boss, Heather.
RideWave CityWave Specifications
Assist: 250w rear wheel motor, 48v 13.5Ah battery, 48v 20Amp DMHC Sine-wave controller, KD21C digital display, RideWave Current-Sync PAS sensor, 54.6v 2A battery charger.
Frame: Pressed and welded section Aluminium with mid motor space, SUNTOUR NEX 700C steel fork with 63mm travel, TEKTRO Aries MD-M300 180mm mechanical disc brakes, 36H ETRTO 622 x 23.8 alloy rims, stainless-steel spokes (13g F, 12g R), Alloy fenders, Alloy seat post, Comfort handlebars, Ergo grips, Selle Royal Rio saddle, VP-856 City/Trekking plastic pedals, 25kg luggage rack.
Running Gear: Schwalbe Big Ben tyres, SHIMANO Atlus SL Rapidfire shifter, SHIMANO Atlus RD-M310 Smart 8-speed derailleur, KMC chain.
Top Speed: 25km/h limited, 29km/h unlocked.
Claimed Range: 160km
Tested Range: 102km average (wide range of conditions from low assist level road commuting to full assist and steep hills).
DIMENSIONS
Bike Weight (Without Battery) 25kg
Bike Weight (With Battery) 27.5
Weight Capacity 130kg
Rider Height Range 160cm – 190cm
Handlebar Width 650mm
A – Maximum Seat Height 920mm
B – Minimum Seat Height 700mm
C – Stand-over Height 460mm
D – Wheelbase 1157mm
E – Head Tube Angle 69°
F – Headtube Length 170mm
G – Seat Tube Length 440mm
H – Chainstay Length 457mm
I – BB height to hub 50mm
J – Seat to Handlebar 590mm
K – Seat Tube Angle 73.5°
L – Stack 660mm
M – Handlebar Reach 421mm
N – Total Length 1870mm
O – Handlebar Height 1110mm
Ratings | e-Bike Review | 2025 RideWave CityWave Commuter
Practical!
Priced at $1,999, the RideWave CityWave offers incredible value for money. Its combination of quality components, great performance, and ease of use makes it one of the best commuter e-Bikes available. Here’s our review… Photos: HMC Photography
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