The Propella 9S Pro combines style with an impressive ride experience. It may not have any standout features, but excels several areas that make it an ideal choice for e-bike enthusiasts. Its lightweight design, nine-speed gear range, and five levels of pedal assist offer great flexibility for daily commutes. Bike’s wide tires strike a balance between agility and stability on various terrains.
Image credits : Propella bike
Priced at $1,599, the Propella 9S Pro falls within the mid-range of electric bike prices. Being the latest model from Propella, it boasts several upgrades over its predecessor, the 7S, which is now priced at $1,199.
Notable improvements include a larger battery, slightly higher top speed, nine gears instead of seven, and hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical ones. However, the 7S is 4 pounds lighter, making it a viable option for those prioritizing weight. The 7S is currently available at a discounted price of $999, so it’s good to check Propella’s website for deals before making a decision.
The Propella 9S Pro sports 2-inch wide tires suitable for both on-road and off-road riding, along with hydraulic disc brakes and an appealing matte black aluminum alloy frame with subtle blue accents.
At first glance, the 9S Pro resembles a regular bike with a large water bottle attached. Surprisingly, that “water bottle” is actually a 36-volt, 350 watt-hour battery that powers the rear-geared hub motor. Personally, I find the top-loading battery design preferable to downward-release mechanisms used in some previous e-bike models. The top-loading feature facilitates easier battery removal and prevents excessive dirt accumulation from the tire. It’s important to note that the water bottle screws are located under the frame, so attaching additional accessories like an actual water bottle might pose a challenge.
Charging the battery is simple. You can easily plug it in by flipping open a cap at the top. The battery can also be unlocked and removed from the side near the bottom. The bike features a front battery level indicator with a visually appealing LED display. Charging times typically average around two and a half hours, and Propella estimates a riding range of 25 to 45 miles, depending on factors such as the level of assist used, road conditions, and resistance.
If you require extra power or need a replacement battery, Propella offers additional Pro battery packs for $350, weighing approximately 4.5 pounds.
Image credits : Propella bike
Since the Propella 9S Pro is classified as a Class 1 e-bike, it lacks a throttle—a minor downside for riders who enjoy that feature. None of Propella’s bike models currently offer a throttle, but we can hope for future additions. On the positive side, Class 1 bikes tend to be lighter and visually resemble standard bicycles more closely.
As a Class 1 e-bike, the 9S Pro reaches a top speed of 20 miles per hour when using the pedal assist. The system offers five levels of pedal assist, which you can control via the color LCD display positioned on the left side of the handlebar. The display provides information such as the amount of motor assistance, current speed, battery level, and power usage. Holding down the minus button activates the walk mode, helpful for pushing the bike uphill. You can also access the settings menu to customize units of measurement and, under advanced settings, adjust the motor’s speed activation when starting to pedal.
When you’re not utilizing the pedal assist, the Propella 9S Pro functions as a standard, non-electric bike, equipped with a 1×9 gear range controlled by a Shimano Altus shifter on the right side of the handlebar. Shifting gears is as simple as pressing with your thumb to shift down or pulling with your finger to shift up. Without the assistance of the battery, the bike provides a riding experience similar to that of a traditional bicycle.
One aspect that may not appeal to everyone is the external placement of the battery, which protrudes from the frame. Aside from visual preferences, having a less conspicuous battery helps disguise the bike as a regular non-electric bicycle, potentially deterring theft. The prominent battery design may inadvertently signal that the bike is valuable.
Image credits : Propella bike
Additionally, the gear and brake cables are visibly fastened along the top frame of the bike. This doesn’t significantly impact the bike’s functionality, but can make it slightly uncomfortable to carry. Bikes with internally routed cables have a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance, so it would have been nice to see that feature incorporated in this model. Nevertheless, these aspects are not deal-breakers and should not overshadow the bike’s overall performance.
The Propella 9S Pro does not come with fenders, but it does have front and rear holes available for attaching various accessories. If you wish to add fenders, Propella offers them for sale, and they even provide installation videos to assist you. Additionally, the bike comes with a kickstand, which is a practical feature for parking and storage.
Weighing in at just 41 pounds, the Propella 9S Pro is relatively lightweight, and the weight decreases further when you remove the battery. This makes it easy to carry, especially if you have to navigate stairs or transport the bike to a small apartment. Furthermore, assembling the Propella bikes is a breeze, as the company provides assembly videos for each model they offer.
