Serial 1 E-Bikes
Serial 1 started inside Harley-Davidson and was named after its first motorcycle. What that heritage actually buys you is not styling, it is engineering budget: Brose mid-drive motors, Gates carbon belt drives instead of chains, and Enviolo stepless hubs on the higher models.
Six bikes here from $2,999 to $5,999.
17 bikes
Belt drive is the reason to look at these
A Gates carbon belt does not need lubricating, does not stretch, does not leave marks on your trousers, and lasts several times as long as a chain. On a bike you ride to work daily, that removes most of the maintenance you would otherwise do.
Pair that with an Enviolo hub, which shifts steplessly and can be shifted while stationary, and you get a bike with almost nothing to adjust. That is what the money buys, more than the badge.
The range
Rush/CTY Step-Thru at $2,999 and Rush/CTY Speed at $3,499 are the city bikes, the Speed running assist to 28 mph. Bash and Switch/MTN at $2,999 to $3,499 handle rougher ground. The Mosh/Tribute at $5,999 is the limited-run halo model.
Straight answers
- Is Serial 1 owned by Harley-Davidson?
- It began as a Harley-Davidson brand and now operates independently. The engineering approach carried over, which is why you see Brose motors and Gates belt drives rather than the cheapest available parts.
- Is a belt drive worth it?
- On a daily commuter, yes. No lubrication, no stretch, no oily marks, and a service life several times a chain's. It costs more up front and cannot be repaired at the roadside like a chain, which is the honest trade.
Weighing up Harley Serial 1 against another make? What separates a real e-bike company from a box-mover covers the certification, warranty and parts questions worth asking of any brand, including the ones we sell.