Freedom Wing 2: Specifications
battery: Panasonic 8.8 / 10.4 / 14aH
Max rated range: 35-60 miles, depending on battery
Max assist speed: 20 mph
engine: 36V/550W rear hub motor Bafang
Preparing: 7 speed Shimano Tourney
Weight: 39 pounds
The Wing Freedom 2 is a great example of how electric bikes can come cheap, but the quality is unaffected. While the Freedom 2 may not have all the nitty-gritty details of e-bikes that cost $5,000—or even $3,000—it’s a great-looking ride that’ll have you riding in style and comfort, and you’ll do so for less than $1,500.
In this Wing Freedom 2 review, I took it around New York to see how it compares to each other The best electric bikes I have ridden in the past. TL; DR – It was very good for the price. There are some minor things that can be improved, but it is generally one of the Best budget electric bikes Around.
Wing Freedom 2 review: Pricing, Availability, and Configurations
First going on sale in 2021, the Wing Freedom 2 comes in all-black or silver/white with a brown leather steering wheel and seat. The Freedom 2 is the least expensive Wing bike, starting at $1,098 with an 8.8-Ah battery, which the company says will give you about 35 miles of range.
If you step up to a 10.4Ah battery, the price goes up to $1,198; A 14-ah battery brings the price up to $1,298.
Other add-ons include fenders ($59.99), throttle/boost ($79.99), location tracking ($74.99), front rack ($89.99), and rear rack ($79.99). You also get a package that includes fenders, throttles, and location tracking, although this doesn’t save you any money. However, as of this writing (July 2022), Wing was offering all three for free with purchase.
Wing Freedom 2: Design review
When I first saw Wing Freedom 2, I thought I was looking for a new version of the VanMoof S3; They look almost identical from afar, mainly due to the horizontal tube that extends past the handlebars and seat. Not sure who was first, but a cool look makes these bikes stand out visually from most others. The long tube also serves a practical function, one end of which holds the headlight and the other for the taillight.
On closer inspection, the Freedom 2 isn’t quite as elegant as the VanMoof, but that’s to be expected given that the former is roughly half the price of the latter. For example, while most Freedom 2 wires pass through the bike’s body, they are still exposed by the handlebars.
On the other hand, the Freedom 2 has a removable battery – something VanMoof lacks – so you don’t need to drive the entire bike near an outlet when you need to recharge it.
Wing Freedom 2: Performance Review
Being the company’s least expensive electric bike, the Freedom 2 lacks some of the things found on the higher-priced Wing models. For example, the monotonous little LCD display on the left handlebar shows your speed, pedal assist level, and remaining battery life, but that’s it; It’s quite clear and bright, but not as large or colorful as you’ll find on expensive bikes.
Another price perk is the Freedom 2, which uses a cadence sensor to detect when you’re pedaling. Higher priced bikes use a torque sensor, which is faster and more responsive. As a result, the Freedom 2 was a bit slow to add pedal assist power; It took about a turn and a half from the crank before things got going. Likewise, when you depress the bike’s throttle lever, it will ramp up over the course of a few seconds, rather than kicking right away
However, the Freedom 2’s rear axle-mounted Bafang 250W motor was more than powerful enough to get us into Manhattan and the hills of Central Park with ease. You can easily switch between five levels of assistance, and the bike also has a Shimano 7-speed transmission to make your ride easier.
Below the lamp is a small but powerful speaker that serves two purposes: as a horn to alert pedestrians and as an alarm to thwart potential thieves. That’s right, it has an alarm just like you’d find in a car. The bike comes with a small keychain that you can use to arm and disarm the alarm; A third button allows you to activate the siren.
It’s shockingly loud: when I lit it in my office, my co-workers jumped a few feet. Fortunately, the alarm is only activated if the bike is moved or moved.
I hope the electronic trumpet is soon. It has a low, indeterminate tone that doesn’t scream “Get out of the way!” Also, I found that the horn button was too far out of my thumb’s reach; I had to move my hand just enough that it took an extra pulse to reach.
The Freedom 2 features mechanical disc brakes, not hydraulic, but I found them to be very responsive when stopped.
Wing Freedom 2 review: Battery life and range
Depending on the battery you choose (8.8/10.4/14Ah) when you buy the bike, you can expect anywhere from 35 to 60 miles on a charge.
The suite equipped my test bike with the largest battery. Fully charged, I took it on a 14-mile ride through Manhattan, which included two loops of Central Park. With the assist level set to 5 (maximum), I had used 2-3 bars (out of 6) on the battery indicator. Your mileage will vary depending on the level of assistance you use, as well as how often you use the accelerator.
The Freedom 2 battery locks into place, and can only be removed with a key. A small rubber cap covers its charging port.
Wing Freedom 2 review: Conclusion
Electric bikes may one day surpass regular bikes in popularity, and that will be because of models like the Wing Freedom 2. Given the low price on e-bikes, and if the quality is good, why not get a bike that can give you a little help going up the hills? It’s better for you and the environment if you bike more and drive less.
Among the best budget electric bikes, we still like the Aventon Soltera, which has a better, larger color screen and can sync with an app to configure your ride. The throttle also comes as standard, not as an option. But, Wing Freedom 2 provides a great ride for a lot of money.
