New York’s Priority Bicycles, currently celebrating their tenth year in business, have just launched their new Glide ebike. The Glide is a city cruiser aimed at riders looking for simplicity, comfort, and low maintenance.
A rust-resistant aluminum frame, Gates belt drivetrain, and puncture-resistant tires all help ensure the bike’s maintenance needs are minimal. Intended for casual rides or light commuting, the Glide keeps the drive system on the smaller, simpler side, offering a 350W front hub motor, three pedal assist levels (plus a throttle), and a three-speed internal rear hub.
Priority Glide – Key Features and Specs:
The Glide is built on a 6061 aluminum frame, with a high Tensile steel fork up front. The frame features upright frame geometry and a low-slung top tube that Priority describes as a ‘mid-step’ design. It is available in two frame sizes suitable for riders roughly 5’2” to 6’2”.
Priority’s Glide rolls on 700c double-walled rims wrapped with 38mm wide puncture-resistant tires. As a signature element of Priority’s bikes, the Glide features a quiet-running, grease-free, low-maintenance Gates Carbon belt drive.
A Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal rear hub provides some gear range. The hub is controlled by Shimano’s grip shifter. Backswept aluminum handlebars enable a comfortable cruiser-style riding position.
To reliably bring you to a halt in all weather conditions, the Glide gets Priority’s own 174HUDSON hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors. The brakes feature a motor cut-off, and the bike’s rear light illuminates when they’re in use.
For late-night riding, the Glide includes integrated front and rear lights. It also comes with key commuter features like full coverage composite fenders (color matched to the frame), a well-padded Priority Cruiser saddle, and a center-mounted double leg kickstand.
The Glide frame includes mounts for rear racks or child seats, and has a water bottle mount atop the down tube. There are three accessory mount bolts on the top tube as well.
The complete Glide’s listed weight is 49lbs. The bike’s maximum weight limit for rider and cargo is 300lbs. Frames are available in either Navy Blue or Black.
Drive System:
The Glide is a Class 2 ebike, so its top speed is limited to 20mph. Bringing the boost is a low-drag 350W front hub motor.
Power is supplied by a 374Wh battery. The battery is easily removable from the down tube with a twist of a key, so it’s convenient to charge either in the frame or off the bike. The Glide’s range is listed at 20-60 miles. Priority says that’s about 20 miles on full throttle, or up to 60 miles using the pedal assist conservatively.
The Glide’s throttle and display/control unit sits on the left side of the handlebar. The display shows key info like your battery life, assist level, and speed. Riders can choose between three levels of pedal assist or use the thumb throttle.
MSRP for the Glide is $1799, but until August 4th, Priority is offering an introductory price of just $1399. Priority can ship all in-stock bicycles anywhere within the USA within five days. They’ve also partnered with Beeline Connect to offer assembly and pickup at a local bike shop (for an additional fee).
Priority Bicycles has offered to set me up with a Glide to test, so watch Bikerumor for a full review sometime this fall!
