I recently got my hands on the Monarc Tracer—the new high-step city e-bike from Monarc (based in MN), which is the fresh premium brand launched by Lectric Ebikes. Right out of the box in its metallic “Taconite” dark gray finish, it looks sharp and feels solid. With a five-year warranty and a free extra battery included, it packs a ton of value. After taking it through speed runs, hill climbs, and local trails, here is my hands-on review.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Motor: 750W nominal / 1,638W peak Bafang rear hub motor with 85 Nm torque
- Battery: Dual 48V 15Ah batteries with LG cells (1,440 Wh total capacity, IPX7 waterproof casing)
- Drivetrain: 9-speed Shimano CUES derailleur and 11-36T cassette
- Brakes: Star Union Talon P4 hydraulic disc brakes (203mm front, 180mm rear)
- Suspension: Proprietary reverse arch fork with 80mm travel
- Tires: 27.5″ x 2.2″ Kenda K-Rad street/trail tires
- Weight & Fit: 73 lbs, fits riders 5’4″ to 6’4″, supports up to 330 lbs
Standout Tech and Features
3.5-Inch Touchscreen Display The center-mounted color display is crisp and intuitive. You can toggle through telemetry using the handlebar controls or directly tap the screen. Deep inside the menus, you can fine-tune torque output, pedal response, and assist levels.
Programmable Smart Charging One feature I haven’t seen on other e-bikes is the programmable charge limit. You can cap charging at 80% directly on the screen to preserve long-term battery health, or easily bump it back to 100% for longer rides.
Integrated Hazard Lights & Safety Beyond the front headlight and rear brake light, the turn signals can double as four-way hazard lights by holding down the top control button. It’s a simple safety touch that every e-bike should have.
On the Road: Real-World Performance
Speed & Power Delivery Testing this in Torque mode yielded incredible power delivery. When I did a full 0 to 28 MPH run, the power ramped up fast—hitting top speed in just four to five seconds without any sluggish delay.
Hill Climbing Test I put the Tracer through a local 15% grade hill test. On throttle alone, it held a respectable 7.5 MPH. When adding moderate pedal effort on the steep approach, my minimum speed stayed at 12.3 MPH, proving that the 85 Nm motor has plenty of low-end grunt.
Handling & Ergonomics At 6’0″, I found the geometry very comfortable. The handlebars feature a slight upsweep, keeping you fairly upright. The reverse arch front fork did a great job smoothing out rough grass and debris on my route. Furthermore, the Shimano CUES 9-speed setup shifted cleanly once adjusted.
Where It Could Improve
- Rear Rack Size: The rear MIK-rated rack is relatively short (about a foot long) and extends slightly under the seat. Securing a second battery required a separate bag and extra bungees.
- Frame Bag Space: The frame frame geometry leaves a lot of open space inside the top tube where a custom-fitted frame bag would have been a great addition.
Final Verdict: 8 / 10
The Monarc Tracer easily competes with heavy hitters like the Velotric Summit 2 or Aventon Level 4, while offering a beefier feel and standout tech features. Between the dual-battery setup, impressive power delivery, and high-end components, it’s a great option for city commuters and light trail riders. I’d still rank the Summit 2 a notch higher on my scale but the Tracer is off to a good start as a new model.
Learn nore about the Monarc Tracer
