As ebikes infiltrate the cycling world, we’re seeing motors and batteries added to all styles of bicycle, and it does beg the question: would it really hurt to offer pedal assist on any type of bike? Inspired by the success of their non-assisted Sauce single-speed MTB, Priority Bicycles went ahead and added a motor to create the new E-Sauce.
Yes, it’s a single-speed e-bike, designed for urban and light trail riding. It’s driven by a Gates belt drive system, and with the ability to host front and rear racks, it can haul plenty of cargo. As the nearest thing I’ve yet seen to an e-klunker, it does offer a lot of versatility despite its simplicity.
“We have had great success with our e-Coast beach cruiser line and wanted to bring something more versatile to our electric lineup,” said Connor Swegle, co-founder of Priority Bicycles. “The E-Sauce is that perfect mix of performance and ruggedness for any surface, with simplicity and low-maintenance aspects that make a Priority bicycle easy to take on a quick spin around the city.”
Priority E-Sauce – Key Specs and Features:
The E-Sauce features a 6061 aluminum hardtail frame, with a 100mm SR Suntour XCM 32 front suspension fork. The bike rolls along on 27.5” wheels featuring double-walled alloy rims and 2.4” WTB Intersector multisurface tires.
Priority equips all their bikes with Gates carbon belt drive, a low-maintenance system with a long-lasting drive belt that requires no lubrication. The single-speed E-Sauce comes with a 55t front sprocket and a 20t rear cog. All-weather stopping power is ensured by 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors.
Keeping things fun and your riding position comfortable is an 80mm rise, 740mm wide BMX-style handlebar, bolted to a 50mm stem. One nice touch included on the E-Sauce is a sealed bearing headset.
A Selle Royal Essenza saddle offers comfort without bulk, and Priority includes a set of composite pedals with chromoly spindles. The E-Sauce also comes with a frame-mounted rear kickstand.
For nighttime riding, the bike includes a front headlight mounted to the handlebar and a rear light built into the seatpost.
The E-Sauce is the first Priority bike to include their new Headway cargo mount. The mount allows you to bolt a front cargo rack directly to the bike’s head tube. If you don’t have a rack attached, a Priority head tube badge covers the mount neatly. This frame-mounted design keeps the weight of the cargo from affecting your steering. Priority’s Headway Front Cargo Rack (sold separately) can carry up to 55 lbs.
Out back, the E-Sauce frame offers mounts for standard pannier racks as well, providing more options for hauling cargo or attaching child seats. There is one water bottle mount on top of the bike’s down tube.
The E-Sauce weighs 59 lbs complete. Its max capacity is 300 lbs (rider, bike, and cargo). Frames are available in two sizes – S/M or M/L. These sizes should accommodate riders from 5’4” to 6’2”.
Drive System:
Powering the E-Sauce is a 750W rear hub motor, with five assist levels and a throttle mode. This is the most powerful motor Priority stocks on any of their bikes. It uses both torque and cadence sensors to ensure smooth, natural-feeling power delivery.
The E-Sauce ships out in a Class 2 configuration, assisting up to 20mph, but it can be adjusted to assist up to Class 3/28mph with pedal assist only – The throttle stops assisting at 20 mph to keep the bike from exceeding many state and local regulations. Priority recommends checking your local laws to ensure compliance.
Providing the juice for the E-Sauce is a 720Wh battery integrated into the down tube. The bike’s range is listed at anywhere from 20-60 miles depending on terrain, assist level, rider weight, etc. The battery is easily removable from the frame and can be charged in or off the bike. A key locks the battery into the bike, and the push of a button releases it when unlocked. A full battery charge takes about 4 hours.
A display unit sits on the left side of the handlebar. Its backlit display shows your assist level, speedometer, tripometer, and odometer, powers the bike on/off, plus controls the lights and activates walk mode. The twist-grip throttle is integrated into the right grip.
MSRP for the E-Sauce is $2199. It comes in the colorway shown above and is available now through Priority’s website.
