Chinese e-bike manufacturer FREY has been in the market since 2013 and has earned a reputation for its affordable yet performance-oriented e-bikes. Covering a broad spectrum of the market, FREY’s e-bike offerings range from beginner-focused urban commuters to performance-focused eMTBs capable of some of the toughest terrain.
Its new offering sits squarely in the middle of the eMTB game, and it’s called the Evolve. Similar to most of FREY’s other offerings, the Evolve commands an attractive price, starting at $2,980, and is packed with technology you’d expect to find in bikes retailing for almost twice the price. FREY’s Evolve eMTB range currently consists of two models: the Neo and Neo Pro, and frame sizes range from Medium, Large and Extra Large. Regardless of the variant, the FREY Evolve series contains a downtube-integrated battery with a capacity of 672 Wh, a Bafang M510 mid-drive electric motor.
The Evolve’s performance specifications consist of a top speed limited to 25 miles per hour, per e-bike rules and regulations. Additionally, the Bafang M510 is rated for a peak power of 580 watts and 95 Nm, which should make even the steepest and most technical climbs feel like a walk in the park. The battery is claimed to provide a range of up to 60 miles on a single charge under optimal driving conditions. To help the rider get the most out of the powertrain, a host of premium components from some of the most reputable manufacturers in the industry.
This is where the Evolve Neo and Neo Pro differ, as the more affordable Neo packs a basic, albeit impressive, set of components like a RockShox Recon fork with 150mm of travel, Tektro HD brakes and a nine-speed SRAM drivetrain. The Evolve Neo Pro, on the other hand, which costs $3,580, raises the bar in terms of features with a RockShox Yari with 160mm of travel, Magura MT5e brakes and an 11-speed SRAM drivetrain.
Overall, FREY’s Evolve range of bikes offers remarkable value for money. Weighing the scales at 26 kilograms, these machines are by no means featherweights, but are nonetheless capable eMTBs for casual trail explorers. FREY offers them in three colors including Mako Blue, Sunrise Pink and Wafer White.