The Himiway A7 Pro is a nicely finished full-suspension commuter bike with a step-through design and a removable battery integrated into the downtube. It comes with a removable rear rack for cargo carrying and has a total payload capacity of up to 300 pounds. At 74 pounds, the A7 Pro isn’t as heavy as some of the larger cargo bikes, but it is still cumbersome enough to make it awkward to move around or roll up onto a hitch-mounted bike rack.
Himiway uses a 500-watt mid-drive motor, which is integrated into the crankset in the bottom bracket, in the A7 Pro. This gives the bike quick response, adjusting power based on how much torque the rider is applying to the cranks. The 691 watt-hour (14.4 amp-hours, 48 volts) battery can provide electric assistance for up to 50 miles of travel, depending on factors such as how much and how often assistance is used. We got a distance of a little over 21 miles with a combination of hills and flats, with full assistance at the highest level.
There is only one size available, but between the height-adjustable saddle and the angle-adjustable stem, the A7 Pro can fit riders between 5’3” and 6’5” tall, according to the manufacturer.
The A7 Pro uses a Shimano nine-speed drivetrain with an 11-34 rear cassette and a 44-tooth single front chainring up front. Himiway has Shimano components for the rear derailleur (for changing gears), shifters, and brakes. Shifting is done using a thumb and forefinger trigger located on the right side of the handlebars.
When the terrain or cargo load is too much to handle, the rider can choose from five levels of pedal assistance. The mid-drive motor, which is located where the cranks attach to the bike, is paired with a torque sensor. This means that, as the rider pedals harder, the motor generates more torque for more assistance. This also eliminates what is called “ghost pedaling,” where the rider turns the cranks but feels no resistance because the motor is pushing the bike along. So if the rider is in a low gear and spinning the cranks, they won’t get any assistance. Selecting a harder gear—which creates resistance—results in the electric motor adding assistance.
The throttle is positioned next to the shifter on the right-hand side of the handlebars, allowing the rider to accelerate without having to pedal. A mechanism shuts the throttle off when the brakes are engaged. Riders should be aware that the mid-drive motor will move the chain while the throttle is being used.
In addition to the front form suspension, which has up to 120 mm of travel, the A7 Pro has a rear suspension with an air shock, mounted below the seat tube and connected to the frame’s rear triangle. This helps better absorb impacts, particularly when carrying cargo on the rear rack. Riders can adjust the absorption level of both the front and rear shocks. The sport-style saddle is connected to an adjustable seat post, which further enhances ride comfort.
Standard features include a headlight and a taillight that brightens under braking and remains on at night. An Abus-brand lock is attached to the frame behind the seat post. It locks the rear wheel to help with theft deterrence.
The front and rear wheels are 27.5 inches in diameter and have grippy 2.4-inch wide tires fitted to them. Stopping power is provided by hydraulic brakes that clamp down on 180 mm disc brake rotors
Integrated into the adjustable height stem is a slick 3.5-inch full-color display that displays speed, assistance level, distance traveled, motor power levels, and battery life, among other functions.
Beyond the removable rear rack, there aren’t many mounting points for bags or baskets. The downtube in front of the rider has mounting points for a single water bottle. The grippy pedals prevent the rider's feet from slipping off during vigorous pedaling.
