While Priority Bicycles is a brand that is value-conscious, their new Skyline pushes their ebike offerings to a higher level. Calling it their most advanced ebike to date, the Skyline includes high-tech features like a Pinion 12 speed Smart.Shift gearbox with automatic gear shifting, and Gates Carbon Belt Drive.
Launched just a few days ago, the Skyline carries a large 720Wh battery to power its 750W rear hub motor. With a maximum range of 60+ miles, pedal assist and throttle modes, and key commuter accessories, the Skyline offers a powerful, sporty option for urban commuting and light off-road riding.
Priority Skyline – Pinion Gearbox:
The Skyline’s most notable feature is its Pinion electronic C1.12i Smart.Shift gearbox. This gearbox offers 12 speeds that provide a 600% gear range. Pinion’s trigger shifter provides fast and precise electronic gear changes.
The Smart.Shift gearbox offers some advanced features: First, with its Pre-Select auto-shifting mode, riders can set their ideal cadence and the gearbox will automatically shift gears to maintain that cadence at any speed. Also, the gearbox’s Start-Select feature allows you to choose a starting gear, which the system returns to at 0 mph. This ensures you always get off to a snappy start.
Priority says the Skyline’s assist power, gearing, and gearbox features allow commuters to more easily follow the pace and rhythms of vehicle traffic. This reduces potential conflicts between cyclists and motorists, thus making commuting safer for the rider.
Like all of Priority’s bikes, the Skyline includes Gates’ Carbon Belt Drive. The belt drivetrain is oil and grease-free, runs smoothly and quietly, and requires very little maintenance.
Motor and Controls:
A 750W rear hub motor brings plenty of power to the Skyline. The motor uses a torque sensor to provide assist, and it tops out at a considerable 90Nm of torque.
The Skyline’s drive system offers five levels of pedal assist plus a throttle. The bike ships out set to Class 2 (20mph max speed), but it can be adjusted to a Class 3 bike (max speed 28mph). Priority recommends abiding by your local regulations. The Skyline’s throttle assists up to 20mph in either the Class 2 or 3 setting.
With a sizeable 720Wh battery integrated into the down tube, the Skyline’s range is listed at 20-60+ miles depending on terrain, power usage, etc.
The display/controller and throttle are located on the left side of the handlebar. The display unit shows your assist level, speed, tripometer, and odometer as you ride, and you can access settings menus.
Frame Features and Components:
The Skyline frame follows a traditional double-diamond frame design and is made from 6061 aluminum. S/M/L frame sizes are available, which should fit riders from 5’4” to 6’3”.
The frame features internal cable routing, and has several accessory mount eyelets on the down tube and top tube for adding water bottle cages, locks, on-bike bags, or tools, etc.
For ride comfort, the Skyline gets an SR Suntour XCM 32 80mm suspension fork. The bike comes with a 740mm wide handlebar with a 17° backsweep, and an adjustable rise stem.
The Skyline rolls on 27.5” WTB wheels with Boost-spaced front and rear axles. Maxxis provides their 650x50mm puncture-resistant Metropass tires with reflective sidewalls. All-weather stopping performance is ensured by Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear. The brakes include a motor cut-off function.
Priority is great at including all the commuter essentials, so the Skyline is equipped with a stem mounted 500 lumen headlight, plus a brake-sensing rear light on the fender. It also gets full coverage alloy fenders, with a carrier rack built into the rear fender. A frame-mounted rear kickstand makes parking the bike quick and easy.
The Skyline weighs 68lbs complete.
The new Priority Skyline is now available for pre-order, with deliveries expected to start shipping by August 15th. MSRP is $3999, but Priority is offering an introductory launch discount of $300 until August 18th.
