By: Emily Bunn and Vaughn Lowery
Himiway knows that their customers require comfort, capability, and fun when looking for a new eBike. The company knowingly advertises: “Kids prefer toys, grown-ups desire power, and elders need support.” Fortunately, their new model of the 2021 Himiway Escape is a moped-style electric bike that provides user-compatible customizations to bikers of any age.
Himiway offers an approachable, non-intimidating way to ride for all of its users–the only thing that will be difficult is deciding when to stop. The Himiway Escape emphasizes both form and function, absorbing impact while providing a controlled biking experience–and looks good while doing it.
The Himiway is the love child of American grit and Asian electronic bike innovation. The company’s founder, Mike Magaruh, has always had a passion for biking and improving his vehicle’s parts to create a more well-oiled machine. In college, Mike travelled to China and was inspired by the popularity of electric bikes. Taking inspiration from South Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese bike innovations, combined with the American desire for all-terrain vehicles, Mike created the first Himiway Cruiser in his own garage in California. When Mike tried riding his bike for the first time, he felt like a tough guy– and who tougher, or more American, than Ernest Hemingway? From that moment, the Himiway title was born and as they say, the rest is history.
Curb Appeal
With a sleek, matte black exterior and satin finish-accoutered with white accents-the Himiway Escape looks sophisticated, capable, and elite. The high quality, no-slip, double-stitched, PU leather handlebar grips provide a touch of sophistication and rugged elegance to the eBike. Without these handlebar grips the wooden handles of the bike can cause splinters, so we recommend this purchase for the best Himiway experience.
Design
Outshined by the sleek, attractive exterior, one of the hidden aspects of the Escape’s design is its invisible battery (here at 360 Magazine, we used a Samsung battery), which sits flush within the side frame of the bike’s body. The battery takes 6-7hrs to charge and can be charged while attachment or while released and unlocked. It has a total battery capacity of 672Wh, and lasts for 45+ miles per charge. Additionally, the Himiway Escape is installed with an integrated, automatic brake light and a large, bright 48V LED headlight, so users can bike safely any time of day. Another notable safety feature of the bike includes the half twist throttle on the handlebars. This throttle prevents accidental activation, protecting users from any possible harm.
The Escape’s pedals have been installed with a dual sided, aluminum crankset. These crankset guards enforce that the bike’s chains stay in place, even when traveling over mountainous topography. The low to the ground design of the pedals makes getting onto the eBike easy. Once users are seated on the Escape, the comfort of the seat’s large, wide design becomes immediately apparent.
One of the most fun features of the Himiway Escape include the rear rack installed on the back of the bike. This rack can also function as an extra seat, so you can bring a friend along for the adventure! If you’re looking for more storage, Himiway offers an optional basket on the front of the bike for purchase for $89.
Technology
One of the most high-tech and helpful features of the Himiway is it’s large LCD display panel between the bike’s handlebars. Positioned at the precise angle to making checking information quick and easily accessible while riding, the LCD display provides battery capacity, an odometer, speedometer, and a wattmeter. If you’re on a long cruise and run out of phone battery needed to access your route, the display also includes USB charging capabilities.
The pedal assist level power adjustment is one of the most luxurious features of the Himiway Escape. This function lets users program their pedal assist settings, and customize the amount of power delivered in each setting. This eBike of the future provides user-curated experiences that make your travels more enjoyable. As they say, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
Customization
The LCD display panel is customizable, and with modification users can increase the bike’s maximum speed to 28mph, from an original maximum speed of only 22mph. In order to access this top speed, press the plus and minus buttons simultaneously to enter the menu. Once on the menu, press and hold the add and minus button again. Another menu screen should show up with a large “P” on the top of the screen, above four zeros. From here, use the plus and minus buttons to type 0-5-1-0. Use the “I” button to submit the digits.
After that, another the bike screen will enter another menu with a large “LS” on the top section, above “23 inches” on the bottom of the screen. You can also use the plus and minus buttons to change decrease this number to your preferred wheel height. After that, press enter again.
From there, the LCD display screen should show a large another “LS” above the number 90. It is on this menu that users can customize the bike’s speed limit. (While the Himiway cannot reach 90mph, it is the highest value on the speed limit menu.)
To exit these menus and return to the main screen, press and hold the “I” button. For further customization and assembly instruction, check out this review from JoelsterG4K’s Youtube channel.
Durability
Designed with a 6061-aluminum frame, the Himiway eBike is built to endure all the journeys you will take together. With a 330lbs payload capacity, you can pile on the fun with no worries to weigh you down. Designed to decrease the cumulated pressure of both the bike and its rider, the Escape’s 20”X4” Kenda Fat Tires provides tenacious grip and traction on difficult riding surfaces. Kenda Tires are made for performance, and are designed with a reflective white strip so you can ride safely, no matter what time of day. The full suspension design on the bike allows users to be insulated from the impact of rough or rocky terrain, and provides a comfortable riding experience.
Additionally, the Himiway comes with an ultra-sturdy, pre-assembled kickstand. However, we recommend two people to assemble to Himiway, and encourage taking a visit to your local eBike store to double check its assembly.
Performance
The Shimano 750W brushless, geared hub motor and 7 speed gear shift system allows users acceleration and power while riding the Himiway Escape, up to a maximum speed of 22mph. The Escape’s motor has a max torque of 80Nm, so bikers are able to take on any terrain effortlessly.
Riders can fluidly switch cog sizes to aid riding whatever path suits your personal journey. With over 45mi per charge, the Himiway is perfect for short trips to the store, or long cruises along scenic stretches. The charger is designed on the side of the vehicle, sleekly hidden away until you need it.
When you get to wherever the wind takes you, or if you just need a break, the Himiway Escape’s 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, paired with a full suspension system, allow users to stop at a moment’s notice. The aluminum alloy comfort-grip break levers, with a motor cut off switch, allow for maximum control while riding.
Ergonomics x Additional Features
Compared to other bikes in its category, such as the Rad Power Bikes Radrunner or the Super73 S1, the Himiway Escape shines with its dual suspension system and hydraulic front shocks. These capabilities provide for a much smoother ride than other comparable moped eBikes. Another popular eBike, the Juiced Scorpion, falls flat next to the Escape when considering the Escape’s cheaper price point and more lightweight design.
Modestly priced (and currently on-sale) at a price point of $1,599, the Himiway Escape is the perfect new toy for all outdoor enthusiasts. Upon purchase, the bike also comes with many free, included accessories such as the Himiway Escape rear rack, 16 in 1 multi-function bike repair tool (which includes a Socket Hex Wrench 8/9/10/mm, Slotted Screwdriver, Phillips Screwdriver, Socket Extension Rod, Solid Wrench 8/10/15/mm, Hex Key Wrench 2/2.5/3/4/5/6mm, and Spoke Wrench), full fenders made from durable PVC and stainless steel, and a Himiway bike cap. If you’re in the market for more bike customizations, we recommend you purchase a Bluetooth enabled Tile to keep track of your bike in case of emergency, battery operated horn, cellphone holder, and folding lock–all of which are available on Amazon.
This e-bike is the perfect travel companion, eagerly waiting to join you on all your adventures.
Safety
Once you have your Himiway Escape, you’re sure to get some admirational stares as you cruise in style. However, with an amazing eBike comes great responsibility. In order to make sure you’re keeping your Himiway Escape safe from theft or harm’s way, make sure you’re being extra cognizant to not leave your bike in shady areas that are large hives of bike theft activity. Switch up where you leave you bike so thieves can’t notice your commuting patterns to set up a targeted attack, and utilize multiple bike locks. You can even lock individual parts of your eBike to the bike itself. Further, by anchoring your Himiway to objects stronger than your bike’s frame, and ensuring that the way your lock passes through the bike requires the most effort and damage to be removed, you can deter most criminals looking to avoid a complicated robbery. Further, the parking in well-lit areas lessens the chance of theft since thieves don’t like to be seen in the spotlight. Better yet, bring your bike inside with you if your destination allows.
