When I first laid eyes on the Brooklyn by Super73, I could tell it was special. It doesn't look like many alternative e-bikes on the market, taking a guise more similar to that of its motorcycle kin, far more rugged, metal, and street-worthy than other options. Most of Super73's offerings sport a similar look, feeling like a cross between a 1950s FB Mondial motorcycle and a more modern mountain bike, which gives them an extra level of dominance on the road.
The Brooklyn, one of the company's most expensive designs, is a multi-class commuter e-bike that leverages some incredible tech that makes it one of the smoothest rides on the pavement. The firm calls it a "performance street racer," which definitely describes it well, given the over 28 MPH potential when riding in Class 3 or Off-road mode. It has an estimated range of 40 to 75 miles, which depends primarily on the mode you're using and you're pedaling.
The two components that stood out most for me were the Brooklyn's air-assisted inverted coil-spring fork and dual suspension, which made some of these nasty pothole-ridden roads around me feel effortless when driving over. As the title of the review suggests, the Brooklyn feels like a cloud in its ride quality, a phenomenal feat when presented with inner-city travel. It also sports two-piston hydraulic brakes, LZRD fat tires, and a 750W nominal motor, which is built into the rear wheel.
Unboxing proved to be an absolute breeze. It comes basically fully assembled aside from the handlebars and pedals, which took me maybe 30 to 45 minutes to attach. Obviously, make sure the front wheel is straight so the steering is correct. The box will also include the charger for its 960W/H battery. Super73 claims the bike charges within six to seven hours, which is pretty accurate. I usually left it to charge overnight after a long day's drive and would wake up with about 90% charged.
I can't stress enough just how comfortable the ride is on the Brooklyn. You might take one look at the flat low-profile seat on the bike and be a bit turned away, as I was initially, but I found the seat cushion and overall comfort to be one of its shining feats. The air-assisted hydraulics and hydraulic brakes certainly help, as well as the larger tires. These things eat through unkept roads, and while I didn't get to take it out off-roading myself, I don't doubt it can eat through some dirt and mud just as well as it can pavement.
I've taken the Brooklyn out on several trips around where I live in New Jersey as well as into New York via the ferry. Ripping down the West Side Highway was certainly a highlight. For more than most trips, I kept the bike in Class 3 mode, but what was most exciting for me with the Brooklyn was that pedaling felt almost nonessential, really. I could let go and just ride using the thumb throttle as if I were driving a motorcycle, and while that definitely ate into the battery's lifespan a ton, it was invigorating to not have to pedal the whole time.
I would never recommend doing anything as dangerous as this, but I will say that the Brooklyn handled rainy weather incredibly well. It's to be expected given the tires and build quality. We had quite a bit of runoff following the tropical storm Ophelia this past September, which offered several day's worth of water-logged riding. It wasn't the best experience, obviously, nor would I recommend it, but I do commend the Brooklyn for handling the rain and sleek streets around me exceptionally well.
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The moment you step onto the bike, you can feel the air-assisted hydraulics kick in to match your weight. However, I will say, that if you expend the battery to about 3%, you'll be lugging it yourself back home at relatively slow speeds. This was tiring and definitely a workout, so I'd recommend not eating into the battery fully before getting home, especially if you have maybe a backpack or other things with you, as the ride will be quite laborious.
I think one of the Brooklyn's major downsides is ironically its size. It's an incredibly beefy e-bike, one that certainly would not be fun to lug up several flights of stairs. I can't imagine those who live in non-elevator access buildings having a fun time bringing this e-bike up and down the stairwell, which I understand comes with the territory of owning an e-bike, to begin with.
Luckily, I live on the first floor, but I do have a few steps in the front of my building, which did make taking the Brooklyn out for a ride a bit of a pain. Maybe it's worth it all in the end, but that 83 lbs of raw awesome is something consumers will have to work around. It also has a maximum rider weight limit of 325 lbs, though I think that's more than enough for a ride like this.
Also, while I do love the design and easy-to-read interface that comes with the bike's display, I find it to be a bit lacking for a bike at this price point. Users can choose between displaying their speed, distance traveled, and the amount of distance left on the current charge. A black circular ring encloses the numbers on the screen, which easily details how much is left in the charge, too. This makes information gathering while riding a simple process, but I would like to see a bit more functionality there.
Super73 does highlight that the Brooklyn has over-the-air updates via an accompanying app, which can be used to adjust various settings and navigational assistance that can be dropped onto the smart display. Still, I would personally prefer a larger screen, one that isn't too hard to read when wearing sunglasses or in harsh light. Additionally, something of note that not every buyer will be aware of, is that while the bike does support full suspension, only the rear is adjustable.
Finally, the last bit of a con in regards to the Brooklyn would be its limited space. While not every bike on the market sports a rear rack (or needs one for that matter), the Brooklyn could do with some additional space for everyday needs. Probably isn't a problem for most people, and given that Super73 itself sells a ton of accessories, it won't be hard to add it on yourself. Still, once again, that high asking price is a lot, and tacking on an additional $175 accessory isn't for everyone.
I had a great time riding the Brooklyn. I'm really going to miss it. The bike offered some incredible moments out on the road. I had several people asking about it, which should speak volumes on its overall design. I even spotted another Super73 rider while in NYC. It's a looker, and certainly a menace on the road, taking potholes and quick turns with little mishap.
At $3,695, the Brooklyn is a massive investment, but if you're looking for one of the best inner-city rides on the market, this is it.
