Cikada Touring eBike: A Legal Mid-Drive Cruiser That Actually Makes Sense

Some e-bikes want to be motorcycles. The cikada touring ebike is not that. This one stays in the lines on purpose, hits the legal Class 2 limit at 20 mph, and focuses on a natural mid-drive feel instead of big top-speed numbers.

If you live somewhere with strict e-bike rules, or you just want a comfortable touring-style ride (without messing with speed unlocks), this bike’s whole personality starts to make sense fast.

Quick specs that tell you what kind of bike this really is

Before the ride talk, here’s the stuff that frames the whole story. The Cikada Touring runs a 350 W Bafang mid-drive rated at 90 Nm of torque, paired with five pedal-assist levels and both torque and speed sensing. It also includes a right-side half-twist throttle, but it still caps out at 20 mph.

Here’s the quick snapshot:

Spec	What you get
Motor	350 W Bafang mid-drive, 90 Nm
Assist + sensors	5 levels, torque sensor + speed sensor
Top assisted speed	20 mph (Class 2)
Throttle	Right-side half-twist
Brakes	Dual-piston hydraulic, 160 mm rotors front and rear
Suspension	Zoom fork, 60 mm travel (hardtail rear)
Battery	720 Wh (48 V, 15 Ah)
Tires	27.5 x 2.8 Kenda
Drivetrain	Microshift 8-speed, thumb shifter
Charger	2A, about 7 to 8 hours for full charge

One nice practical perk since it’s a mid-drive: both wheels are quick release, which makes tossing it in a car way easier.

If you want the discount mentioned in the video, use the HZ100 $100 off discount link.

Fit, feel, and that first “comfort check” moment

The frame shown is the large size, and the stated fit range is about 5’5″ to 6’4″. On the ride, the tester (Jay) is 6’1″ and 250 lbs, and the bike still fits with proper leg extension once the saddle height is set right. In other words, the sizing feels real for taller riders, and the seat post adjustment has plenty of room.

Now the blunt part: the stock saddle doesn’t feel plush. It comes off like an old-school 10-speed seat, the kind that reminds you you’re sitting on a bike, not a couch. The upside is simple, saddles are one of the easiest swaps in the whole bike world, so comfort can be fixed without changing the bike’s core ride.

Visually, it also helps that the Touring doesn’t scream “electric.” The step-through layout makes mounting easy, and the whole thing reads more like a clean commuter or boardwalk cruiser than a bulky e-bike.

Controls and display: small details that make riding easier

Right away, there’s a startup quirk: the display asks for a password. On the unit shown, it was 0000 (quad zero).

The cockpit has a few touches that stand out. The gear indicator isn’t the typical dial window, it’s more of a simple left-right indicator. Meanwhile, the half-twist throttle is integrated into a normal grip, which matters more than people admit. When a throttle sits next to a chunky palm rest, your wrist ends up doing weird gymnastics. Here, it’s just a clean twist and go.

The display sits on the left side instead of the center, and it’s easy to read at a glance. It shows the basics: speed, miles, and trip info.

One caution from the ride notes: long throttle use without a palm rest can lead to some wrist fatigue. That’s not a defect, it’s just ergonomics.

Pedal-assist modes and speed: it’s not trying to be a rocket

If you’re shopping for 35 to 40 mph chaos, this isn’t your bike. The whole point is staying legal and predictable.

The assist levels are presented as different ride “moods”:

0 (no assist): You’re pedaling it like a regular bike. At about 59 lbs, it’s not featherweight, but it’s manageable.
E (Eco): Light assist, more about stretching range than snapping your neck.
T (Touring): Feels more speed-sensing, the faster you spin, the more it keeps pace.
Sport, Sport+ and Boost: More help, quicker response, and the easiest path to max assist speed.

Once you’re in the higher modes (starting at Touring in the ride explanation), you can use the throttle up to the cap.

The biggest “feature” here is the boring one: 20 mph max assist with no speed unlocking. For many riders, that’s peace of mind.

For a second perspective, you can compare notes with Electric Bike Report’s Cikada Touring review.

Brakes, suspension, and the stuff that keeps things calm

Stopping power comes from dual-piston hydraulic brakes with 160 mm rotors front and rear. On the ride, braking was called out as strong, the kind of quick stop you notice immediately.

There’s also a less common feature mentioned: brake lockouts that can hold the brake engaged (handy for parking or stabilizing the bike when stopped).

Up front, the Zoom fork brings 60 mm of travel plus dual preload adjustment. Out back, it’s a hardtail, so it’s happiest on pavement, packed paths, and light bumps. If you plan to hammer rough trails, this isn’t the tool for that job.

Battery and range: the claim, the reality, and the honest middle

Battery is 720 Wh (48 V, 15 Ah), and the included 2A charger takes about 7 to 8 hours to fill it. That’s pretty normal for this size pack and charge rate.

The claimed range is up to 120 miles, which always needs context. Eco mode, steady pedaling, ideal conditions, sure, that’s the best-case storyline.

Expecting 120 miles in Boost while ripping throttle is like expecting a road trip on a quarter tank.

Jay’s real-world guess for throttle-heavy riding lands closer to 40 to 50 miles. Mix pedaling with assist and you’ll do better, but the main takeaway is simple: mid-drives tend to feel efficient, yet range still depends on how you ride.

Bottom line: who the Cikada Touring is for

This bike fits a specific rider really well: someone who wants a legal, calm, touring-friendly e-bike for paths, beach towns, and day-to-day cruising. The rear cargo rack helps that “errands and boardwalk” vibe, and the 27.5 x 2.8 tires strike a nice middle ground (not fat, not skinny).

It’s also priced in the “affordable mid-drive” zone (around $2,200 in the discussion), which is why it’s interesting. You’re not buying speed bragging rights, you’re buying a bike that stays out of trouble and still feels strong thanks to that mid-drive torque.

To keep up with the channel, use the Hazers channel subscription link or check out Hazers memberships for extra content. The main point, though, is simple: if you want legal speed and real-world ride feel, the Cikada Touring’s whole approach starts to look pretty smart.