Over the fall, I was invited to attend a media preview where I got my first chance to see the Easy SideCar 3 e-bike from MOD Bikes in person. After a night of browsing some of the hottest new tech to grace the market, I was offered the chance to take the e-bike home to get a first-hand experience of what this model could do. Of course, I gladly accepted, as I’ve been in love with it since I first started covering the brand’s sales long before – captivated by its unique motorcycle-inspired design and its quality parts. I was a little worried upon first hopping aboard the saddle that my hopes for this e-bike might be in for some surprise and rude awakenings, but it’s quickly turned into my favorite way to cruise around NYC during my days off, even if it isn’t necessarily built for the congestion of the Big Apple. Continue reading below to get my hands-on impressions of this e-bike and its capabilities.
Review: MOD’s Easy SideCar 3 e-bike
The MOD Easy SideCar 3 e-bike is a third-generation model that comes as a variation of its retro-styled Easy 3 e-bike, which sports a motorcycle-like design and comes close to the same feel once you’re behind the handlebars. With the sidecar attachment bolted on, and adding a third wheel, it technically becomes a fun and convenient trike that is best suited for folks who want to take their kid, smaller partners/friends, or even their dog along for the ride.
Now before I get into my opinions on its performance, for those who may be new to this e-bike, I’d like to start with a quick rundown of its initial specs, which have been upgraded and improved upon since our first review from Electrek back in 2022.
The Easy 3 e-bike (and its sidecar variation) comes in two colorways of charcoal black or army green, complete with a stylized decal along its top tube. In my opinion, it oozes with the vibe of the classic Indian 741 Scout motorcycles (especially the army green colorway) that I’ve always loved since I was a kid.
Its sizeable frame houses a 750W rear brushless geared hub motor that peaks up to 1,000W to tackle inclines and provide short bursts of pick-up to reach those higher speeds at faster rates when needed. The whole system comes powered by a removable 720Wh MOD Samsung Powerpack battery and supported by five levels of pedal assistance and a newly added torque sensor (upgraded from its predecessor build’s cadence sensor).
As an adjustable class 1 to class 3 model, it tops out at 28 MPH speeds and boasts a 50-mile travel range with three to six hours of charging from its companion Sans 2A automatic smart charger. The mileage can actually be doubled with the addition of the company’s dual battery kit, though it’s sold separately at $699 and sadly hasn’t been offered in conjunction with the bike in any promotions, as far as we’ve seen.
Its pedal assistance is broken down into five levels: fit, eco, cargo, sport, and turbo, with each of them being fairly self-explanatory as to what they are designated to provide. As you move up in levels you’ll hit higher speeds, but do keep in mind that this lessens the travel distance. The fit mode offers more balanced support to get in some workouts while riding, with the eco mode bumping things to their ideal settings for longer rides with far less fatigue. When it is switched into cargo mode it levies things for more efficient power to make up for any additional weight you’re hauling while the sport mode starts putting you into its higher speed ranges with strong assistance. If you want to max out the acceleration and performance of the e-bike, turbo mode will be your best friend.
Comfort seems to be one of the main focuses of the Easy 3’s build, equipped with dual suspension and 3-inch wide multi-terrain tires for a smoother ride on top of a wider-than-normal saddle that makes long-sitting cruises through the streets that much more enjoyable. There’s also an integrated LED headlight and taillight that offers brake light functionality for added safety around other riders and even larger vehicles.
It’s been given an S3 smart color display with controls accessed through the controller mounted to the left side handlebar. Not only does it have a hidden USB port to charge up any of your personal devices that you may be using to navigate, but there’s even the added security feature that uses a password to lock the e-bike when you’re not riding for some peace of mind. The display’s user-friendly menu is easy to navigate and allows for effortless adjustments of its electrical system to your specific tastes.
The sidecar attachment comes with a 150-pound payload capacity, making it ideal for kids, pets, larger cargo, and even adults that fall on the smaller ends of size and weight spectrums. There is a removable padded seat and seatbelt (another upgraded feature from past models), as well as two points at the front of its interior floor that could be used to secure a dog leash for those concerned about your pup jumping while in motion.
MOD Easy SideCar 3 specs and features
- Motor: 750W (1,000W peak) rear brushless geared hub motor
- Top speed: 28 mph
- Range: Rated for up to 50 miles
- Battery: Removable 48V 15Ah (720Wh) MOD Samsung Powerpack
- Bike Weight: 79 pounds
- Sidecar Weight: 42 pounds
- Bike Max load: 300 pounds
- Sidecar Max load: 150 pounds
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
- Extras: 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, S3 smart color display with password protection option, large retro LED headlight and tail/brake light, thumb-throttle, included fenders and snap-on rear cargo rack with 65 pound payload, bell, faux leather grips and saddle
Riding Experience – a fast-paced fun time!
Seeing as I got the very model that was on the showroom floor at the media preview, I cannot say just what receiving the e-bike as a normal customer will entail, though it was delivered to me with the SideCar detached.
Of course, that meant that my first official ride was on the standard Easy 3 configuration. I wanted to get a baseline for how it performed before adding the sidecar and dealing with any limitations it might impose. From the moment I first took off from the sidewalk, my heart filled with joy that only grew giddier with each block I raced past. It only confirmed that my excitement when I first laid eyes on it was not just hopeful feelings.
The first noticeable difference between this model and the other e-bikes I’ve ridden in the past was the feeling that things felt wider than I was used to – and that was without the attachment. I think this feeling came mainly from the curvature of the cruiser bars which had my hands further apart than they’d be on most commuters or electric mountain bikes that I’m used to, which often sport tighter riser bars. Another noticeable difference was the weight. While only coming in at 79 pounds, it felt like more to me, which did have me being more cautious for the first leg of my journey around my neighborhood, but those feelings quickly dissipated with every new foot I traveled.
This thing is such a blast to cruise around on – with the maxed-out settings really giving me a surprise at just how fast of a pick-up it has. It was definitely the right move to add on a torque sensor with this new iteration, which was a noted place for improvement in the 2022 review. I never rode that earlier model, but I can imagine the pedal assistance kicked in with a lot less immediacy than it did here. It doesn’t take long for the PAS to kick in – feels almost automatic, really – and there is noticeable speed acceleration with every crank rotation. It’s definitely not as slow and gradual as I’ve grown used to – especially when it’s been put into turbo mode.
It also turned plenty of heads as I rode on by, with certain groups in mid-conversation pausing their talks and turning their gaze in synchronized fashion as I passed. I even got some thumbs up and shouts of admiration when stopped at a light, with one guy even rolling down his car window to ask about it. One thing I have been grateful for now that I’ve seen just how much people seem to respond when seeing it, especially in Brooklyn, is the password lock-out for when I stop off at a bodega to grab some things. While I haven’t had any attempts at theft as far as I’ve seen, this feature has made me more comfortable with letting it out of my sight for a short time.
Now, with my first venture around the neighborhood complete, it was time to throw the sidecar into the mix. It’s a fairly simple and straightforward task to attach (as the bike came with its connector plate pre-bolted, which I’m not entirely sure will be the case through a typical order, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t for efficiency purposes). All it took was lining up the three arms (two fixed, one hinged), putting in the connector pegs, and tightening things. Adjusting was needed to find the right angle, but it was a quick and painless experience overall.
MOD recommends keeping near a 10 MPH speed with the sidecar attached, and you certainly feel it is causing some resistance as you hit higher speeds, and even more so if you have someone riding shotgun with you. While it does give some of the handling feel of a trike, the alternate setup of the three wheels makes right turns feel a bit stiff, with the resistance being felt the most here. Left turns with the sidecar empty is a bit sketchy at first, as taking sharp turns leads to the sidecar lifting up off the ground slightly without any weight, though it didn’t take long for me to adjust and get more comfortable with it. There are going to be some learning curves for riders who are unaccustomed to the handling, but it’s not within the realm of “veterans only.”
The padded seat and seatbelt are a nice touch here, adding some comfort and a sense of safety for riders, although it’s clearly obvious that if a crash were to occur, you’re going to want to be wearing a helmet or keep your arms tucked. Luckily, I don’t see the bike flipping over easily, so likely a crash will result in a bruised waist (and maybe elbows/arms/sides too). If the driver is being cautious and keeping the differences between it and its two-wheeled variation in mind, there really shouldn’t be much issue.
9to5Toys’ Take on the Easy SideCar 3 e-bike
While I have been absolutely loving taking this thing out for a spin on my days off, my first main critique is that this is not a model designed for heavy urban areas. My biggest challenge has been getting it out my small door and down my rather large stoop from the second floor. Of course, if you have a garage or a place to keep it on the ground floor, that eliminates the problem. It’s a model (with or without the sidecar) that I would recommend for suburban living – especially when factoring in the wide turns I preferred taking with the sidecar attached.
Now, I’ll be honest, aside from the occasional fun of meeting up with friends and providing some rides, the sidecar has been less of a factor in my cruises, as I much prefer just having it in the two-wheeled Easy 3 variation. The sidecar definitely expands upon the wider riding experience I described earlier, so on congested streets with double-parked cars, especially tighter single-lane sized streets, maneuverability is a bit lessened and at times impossible if a big enough vehicle decides to not pull over enough for proper clearance.
I imagine having a dog or a child would lead me to use the sidecar much more often, but alas, I only have cats and I know for sure that neither would handle the ride or the many loud noises of the cityscape very well (they can’t even handle being in a kennel within my car). When it came to human passengers, things were split – my smaller and skinnier friends tended to be content in the sidecar while in motion, while those of the taller persuasion definitely mentioned their shins being banged upon if I was taking things a little too fast or reckless.
One thing I really did appreciate though, was the included trunk bag that came along with the e-bike. It straps perfectly to the rear rack. It’s not the biggest bag I’ve seen – nowhere near a large pannier cargo bag, for instance – but it’s a solid means to carry along more personal items that aren’t going in a bookbag or even the sidecar. Measuring like a large camera bag, It’s been divided into three sections, two on its side and one in the middle, which provide plenty of space for tools, smaller devices, and the like. It doesn’t stand out too much also, complimenting the overall style of the e-bike very well.
Overall, in terms of performance, it’s a comfortable ride, on top of being reliable for fast-paced enjoyment. The wide saddle provides plenty of room to sit, with the faux leather grips fitting nicely in my hands, with the position on the cruiser bars allows me to sit in an ergonomic position that doesn’t strain my back. Plus, the adjustable stem allows for easily changing the handlebars’ position so that you can tailor it more to your liking. The suspension fork alongside the suspension that is built into the seat post and saddle, as well as the multi-terrain tires, adds more comfort to the mix, smoothing out any real roughness that may be felt due to road conditions.
The Easy 3/Easy SideCar 3 e-bike’s pedal-forward cruiser design also allows for an easier time extending your legs without having to raise the seat to nosebleed heights. You can comfortably put your feet down at lights or stop signs, which isn’t even needed if you’ve attached the sidecar, as the three wheels keep it upright from its own weight.
As I noted already, the addition of the torque sensor was the right move on MOD’s part, as the rider support kicks in almost automatically and picks up speed quickly too. I often start my journeys at lower settings to get more pedals in but will usually switch to pure electric riding by the halfway point just out of a love of effortless racing down the street. And I’ve had some hours-long rides where I’ve seen the battery use up significant capacity when keeping to strictly throttle-only use, but I still haven’t gotten it dropped to concerning low levels while far from home. At the time of writing this, I believe my longest excursion out of the apartment has been two to three hours, switching to various PAS levels throughout.
I will just say that you’ll see the biggest energy consumption with it in turbo mode, as should be no surprise. Whenever I’ve switched it over to this maxed-out mode, I have often relied on the throttle the most, though it sometimes feels like you’re getting the most pick-up from the system here too, with one crank rotation of the pedals really seeing several bumps up in speed. it only takes a few cranks and suddenly I’m flying at 28 MPH.
Another feature I appreciate is the color display. It’s got a straight-forward interface with everything clearly laid out so just a few minutes of flipping through things gives you a solid rundown of its organization. Even with its colored upgrade, the sun doesn’t glare things up as I first expected it might, providing plenty of visibility at any time I needed to take a glance. The controller for it is on the smaller side and did take a little getting used to without needing to look down to make sure my finger was on the proper button.
Is MOD’s Easy 3/Easy SideCar 3 worth the price?
Suppose it was still priced at its original $4,799 MSRP, I’d definitely be hesitant to recommend the Easy SideCar 3 when you could score yourself an alternate high-end model for such a high price – or just grab a cheaper trike model to get that three-wheeled utility experience unless you were specifically looking for a sidecar design. However, at the start of November, in an effort to bring this model more into an “affordable” price range, MOD did permanently cut costs down by $900 for the Easy SideCar 3 while the standard Easy 3 got a $1,100 price cut to $2,399 shipped.
With those price cuts, I would definitely say MOD has succeeded in making the Easy 3 e-bike affordable for the quality parts and performance you’re getting – and the company has been having some major sales since doing so that is only seeing the savings increase – with the most recent low we’ve seen is a fall to $2,159 for the Easy 3. On the flip side, the Easy SideCar 3 being at $3,899 shipped makes it easier to recommend now, though, I’d also recommend considering the new Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike that comes in at the same price with a bunch more newly-added features to the sidecar.
Those new features (aside from the upgraded dual-crown motorcycle-style suspension on the bike’s front fork) include a slight extension from the e-bike’s frame, as well as two headlights, a taillight, a small cargo rack at the front of the sidecar, and an adorable “doggie door” on its backside. I’m sure the addition of that doggie door would be a godsend to folks with older dogs, letting them more easily and comfortably enter and exit without possibly struggling over the sides (also resulting in scratches).
I can’t honestly think of any alternative sidecar e-bike designs that would come in with as top-notch of a quality build while also being cheaper. If you’re just looking for a commuting solution to get around, this likely isn’t the e-bike for you, but if you have the disposable income or you’re specifically looking for a “statement ride,” you’ll get plenty of enjoyment out of the Easy SideCar 3, no question.
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