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Electric Bike Review heralds the Vida E+ EX: 'an E-bike for everyone'

When a new E-bike launches, specifications only tell part of the story. The real test happens out on the road.

That's exactly what happened when Electric Bike Review (EBR), one of the most respected voices in the E-bike industry, put the all-new Momentum Vida E+ EX through a comprehensive series of real-world tests. From range runs and a brutal hill climb to a demanding brake-fade descent, EBR set out to answer one question: is this the right E-bike for you?

After putting the bike through its toughest challenges, the verdict was clear. As reviewer Justin puts it, Momentum has 'built an E-bike for cyclists – and by extension, they've actually made an E-bike for everyone.'

It's an endorsement that speaks directly to the philosophy behind the Vida E+ EX: creating a bike that's approachable for new riders while still delivering the ride quality experienced cyclists expect.

Coming from one of the industry's most established E-bike reviewers, that's high praise. It also neatly captures what Momentum set out to achieve with the Vida E+ EX: combining everyday comfort and accessibility with the ride feel and engineering expectations of dedicated cyclists.

A ride that doesn't feel like an E-bike

One of the biggest takeaways from EBR's review wasn't outright power or speed. It was the bike's remarkably natural ride feel. EBR singled out the SyncDrive Move S motor's sensor system, which measures how hard, how fast and how quickly you're pedalling, as a key reason the Vida E+ EX feels so intuitive on the road.

Rather than delivering assistance in sudden bursts, the motor works seamlessly alongside the rider, creating a smooth, connected riding experience. As Justin noted, 'This is one of the better feeling motors in terms of that sensitivity that I've tested.'

Power kicks in within a fraction of a pedal turn and stops the moment you do, with no noticeable lag or overrun. The result is assistance that feels predictable, responsive and genuinely bike-like, whether you're cruising through town or pulling away from a junction. 'I love, love, love the motor, love the power distribution and the gearing,' raves Justin.

Three upgrades that earned 'two thumbs up'

Among the biggest differences between the Vida E+ and the new EX model are three rider-focused upgrades that EBR highlighted throughout the review:

Dropper seat post:

Justin described it as 'possibly my favourite part about this bike.' Drop the saddle at a stoplight, stand flat-footed and comfortable, then pop it back up and go. From the mechanic's bench, EBR called it 'a step or two better than what I would expect' at this price point.


For urban riding in particular, a dropper post can make frequent stop-start journeys significantly more comfortable and confidence-inspiring.

Zero-start throttle

Hit the throttle from a dead stop and go, with a gradual, natural build rather than a jolt. It's a particularly useful feature when moving away from junctions, navigating traffic or carrying heavier loads.

Cruise control

Hold the plus button at your preferred speed and simply cruise. Tap the brakes and you're instantly back in control. For longer stretches of riding, cruise control reduces effort while helping riders maintain a steady pace.

Taken together, these upgrades reinforce a theme that emerged repeatedly throughout EBR's review: the Vida E+ EX has been engineered around real-world riding, not simply feature-sheet specifications.

Range that backs up the claims

Range remains one of the most important considerations for prospective E-bike buyers, making EBR's independent testing particularly valuable.

We quote a pedal-assist range of 40–55 miles. EBR's own testing landed at 58.5 miles on minimum assist and just over 34 miles at maximum – 'we were right there within their ranges,’ explained Justin. Those results closely aligned with Momentum's published figures, reinforcing the bike's ability to deliver dependable performance across a variety of riding styles and assistance levels.

The 700Wh Momentum Energy pack runs a 48V system, and both the battery (UL 2271) and the complete system (UL 2849) are UL certified. For riders prioritising reliability and peace of mind, those certifications provide additional confidence in the bike's electrical system and battery design.

Putting the brakes to the test

Performance isn't just about how quickly a bike accelerates. It's also about how confidently it stops. EBR's brake-fade test sent the Vida E+ EX down a long, steep descent with repeated hard stops and sustained braking.

The quad-piston front and dual-piston rear Tektro hydraulic disc brakes 'did fantastic'. Even after prolonged braking, the system maintained consistent stopping power with no noticeable loss of performance. 'Super safe. Two thumbs up,' said Justin.

The climb back up revealed another defining characteristic of the Vida E+ EX: rather than chasing headline torque figures, the bike is tuned for smooth power delivery, efficient cruising and natural pedalling, making it ideally suited to commuting, errands and everyday riding around town.

Designed to fit almost everyone

Comfort and accessibility emerged as recurring themes throughout the review. Designed around a low-step frame, upright riding position and confidence-inspiring geometry, the Vida E+ EX is built to welcome riders of all experience levels.

Two frame sizes cover riders from 5'1” to 6'3”, and EBR confirmed the fit is genuine: 'it really does actually fit riders from that range.' Combined with the low step-through frame, short reach and upright Dutch-style position, the result is 'one of the most comfortable bikes that I've tested in a while.'

That versatility is a key reason why EBR repeatedly referred to the Vida E+ EX as an E-bike capable of appealing to a remarkably broad audience.

From assembly to boss-mount covers, the mechanic's review praised the build quality throughout: 'you can really tell there were bicycle engineers that went in deep on this bike.'

Taken together, the combination of rider-friendly design, thoughtful engineering and genuine everyday comfort helps explain why EBR described the Vida E+ EX as 'an E-bike for everyone'. For commuters, leisure riders and anyone exploring E-bikes for the first time, that may be its most compelling quality.

Watch the full review

Want to see the testing for yourself?

See the complete review, including range analysis, hill-climb testing, brake performance assessments and EBR's full verdict on the new Vida E+ EX.

Momentum Vida E+ EX Review: The Cyclist's E-bike?

FAQ

The Vida E+ EX is a Class 2/Class 3 E-bike – throttle assistance up to 20mph and pedal assistance up to 28mph. Using the Giant RideControl app, riders can typically adjust the speed limit and throttle settings to match local regulations.

Momentum quotes 40–55 miles on pedal assist and 31–43 miles on throttle. In independent testing, Electric Bike Review recorded 58.5 miles on minimum assist and just over 34 miles at maximum assist.

Two sizes: small (riders 5'1”–5'9”) and large (riders 5'8”–6'3”). It's available in three colours – caramel cinnamon, abyss black and pale olive.

Yes – the complete electrical system is certified to UL 2849 and the battery to UL 2271.