I didn’t think my daily commute could get easier, then I rode the Priority Current Plus

The Priority Current Plus is the long-awaited update to one of the best ebikes we tried, the Priority Current.

The company has done a bit more than simply adding higher-end components to the bike in order to make this ‘Plus’ model, which is little surprise because the original was already quite decked out.

That said, a lot here feels just the same, but the new Current Plus brings a bigger battery and a thumb throttle. And thankfully, it has the same pricing as the original.

Price and availability

The Priority Current Plus starts at $3,299 (~£2,453.81/ AU$ 5,104). This configuration includes a five-speed Shimano Inter-5 internally geared hub in the rear wheel. For $3,499 (~£2,602.57/ AU$ 5,414.23), this bumps up to an Enviolo Heavy Duty CVT hub.

I’ve previously tested the Current with an Enviolo hub and found the micro-adjustable CVT useful for finding a comfortable pedaling cadence at different speeds, but having now tested the Shimano version with discrete gears, I find it a more consistent option.

Discount note: While you certainly can pay full price for the bike, it’s worth checking for available discounts through Costco. Priority is part of the Costco Next program, and this provides some considerable discounts for Costco members.

For instance, the Priority Current Plus goes from starting at $3,299 normally to starting at $2,599 through Costco Next and includes free shipping. At the time of writing, this was combined with an additional promo that brought that price even further down to a staggering $2,199.

Considering a Costco membership costs just $65 for a year, if you want the Priority Current Plus, it’s worth grabbing a membership if only to score the steep discount on this bike.

Specifications

• Weight: 25kg/ 55Ibs
• Range: 20-75 miles
• Charging time: 5-6 hours
• Gears: 5
• Power assist modes: 5
• Max user weight: unspecified
• Power: 500W
• Water rating: unspecified

Design and build quality

The Priority Current Plus is remarkably similar to its predecessor. Aside from the extra width of the downtube meant to accommodate the larger, 720Wh battery, there’s almost no change I can see from the original bike. That’s not a bad thing, though, as the original was a well-polished bike. Priority made some slight shifts to the geometry for a more upright position and went with backswept handlebars.

The Current Plus has a frame somewhere between a high-step and low-step, making it fairly easy to get on and off. The frame is built with a rather pliant aluminum that bends a bit under even regular pedaling pressure. Having ridden plenty on both this test model and its predecessor, it doesn't raise much concern, though.

That said, there is a lot going on with this bike between its specialty, belt-drive frame, adjustable handlebar stem, commuting accessories, and bottom-bracket-mounted motor, and I find the result is a bit of clunking and creaking while riding over bumps. I haven’t been able to pinpoint the source of the clunking, but it seems likely that the battery’s metal cover is the culprit.

All these components also mean weight, with the Current Plus topping 55 pounds — not overly heavy for an ebike, but also not light for a bike by any means.

As pretty as the bike is overall, some of the frame shape, such as the area around the bottom bracket, and the welding aren’t particularly attractive. After seeing the smooth welds and clean lines on bikes like the Ride1Up Roadster V2, it’s clear how much better it can be done.

The large battery slots into the downtube from underneath, where it’s held in place by a button-controller latch and a keyed lock. It’s fairly easy to get out, even though the release latch doesn’t always drop it out on the first trym but I found it surprisingly difficult to get in. The front wheel and fork get in the way in most positions, and finding that perfect angle where there’s clearance to slide the battery in has proven tricky every time I’ve tried.

The bike is thoughtfully equipped for commuting. It includes fenders for both wheels, a taillight with active brake signalling and a headlight, and a kickstand. The only thing missing is a rear rack, but there are braze-ons for one. The lights could be brighter, but they’re handy to have running off the bike’s battery, so you don’t have to worry about giong without them or charging separately. The tires also have reflective sidewall markings that help with night visibility. The use of a Gates carbon belt drive is also meant to help with commuting as it requires little maintenance (it won’t rust) and doesn’t need greasing (so none will get on your clothes).

The bike rides on smooth 650Bx50mm tires and thru-axle wheels. The front wheel has a quick-release skewer. The rear, being held in by the belt drive, is a little trickier to remove.

Priority includes a fairly plush saddle that I found generally comfortable on quick rides, though after longer rides, it began to wear on my sit bones. It’s easy to adjust or swap out though. The handlebars come with comfort grips and are adjustable as well, letting you drop them into a slightly more aggressive position or raise them up and back for a more casual riding stance.

Between the electronic-shutoff in the brake levers, the brakes themselves, the gear shifter, the throttle, the headlight, and the electronic display, cables run amok at the front of the bike. Though priority has tried to wrap them up and group them, they are still not impressively tidy.

The Current Plus includes the same, monochrome display as the original Current. It provides a quick view at metrics like speed, trip distance and odometer readings, and the battery level. It could stand to provide more useful metrics, though.

As it stands, there’s no way to gauge how much power the bike is using at a given moment. I find this particular useful on bikes with throttles, as you can quickly gauge how far you’ll get. The battery meter’s bars would also be far better as a 1-100% numeric. Controlling the bike's electronics is fairly simple with a small control panel that sits next to the left handgrip.

While I was excited to see Priority include a throttle on this model, it is disappointingly the cheapest, worst-feeling throttle out there. I’ve encountered it on plenty of other bikes, and it’s always a disappointment. The Velotric Nomad 2 introduced a different thumb throttle that has a much better feel and more nuanced control.

Setup

If you opt to have the Priority Current Plus shipped directly to you, it will entail some setup. You’ll need to take it from its shipping box and remove a ton of packaging material. You’ll need to attach the handlebars. You’ll have to slot in the front wheel and axle (and likely adjust the brake caliper position. You’ll also have to attach the front and rear fenders if you want them installed. The pedals will need to go into the crank arms. And the seat post will have to go in and have its reflector installed.

Priority also offers to ship bikes to local partner bike shops for assembly, but this comes with an added fee. While it may be different depending on the bike shop, all those in my area added $170 to the total price. If you’re new to bike assembly and setup, this may be well worth the price.

Performance

The Priority Current Plus is a simply brilliant ride. Its geometry allows for a fairly upright ride that’s not so laid back as to have me square off against a wall of wind but also not so leaned forward as to strain my wrists. Even after several hours in the saddle in a single day, my only discomfort came from my sit bones, which were pressing a little too much into the saddle because I hadn’t taken the time to dial in the fit exactly.

The motor puts out plenty of power, offering 500 watts of power and up to 140Nm of torque. That all goes through the belt and then into the gears, so you can get low-end acceleration and high-end speed both with ease. Climbing a hill at 9 miles an hour was easy even at the lowest assist setting, as was sustaining speeds upwards of 20mph. Higher assist settings make riding almost effortless, and I never felt the need to go beyond level 2. Even with all that power, the bike has a smooth response from its torque sensor, so it feels natural to pedal, not jerky.

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The Shimano Inter-5 gear system is snappy and could increase gears even while I pedaled. This made for quick acceleration from 0 up to the 20mph mark. From there, it was pleasant cruising, the upper ends of the gearing provided options for modest or slow and calm cadences.

The bike’s thicker wheels certainly help provide it with a more pliant ride than your typical road bike would provide, but the frame otherwise transmits bigger jolts thoroughly. Catching small pits in the pavement or hitting speed bumps a little fast, I more than once was incited to cursing aloud and shaking my hands out at the jolt. This is, after all, a bike you still need to ride with some care and not a full-suspension off-roader.

Stopping power from the 180mm rotors and hydraulic brakes is excellent. I found I could consistently slam on the brakes and go from 20mph down to a halt in just the length of an average car. There’d be a little skidding, but not much. And I’m a 240-pound rider. Lighter riders will be able to stop even quicker. Modulating brake power was also easy, as the dual-piston, hydraulic system provided plenty of nuance.

All of this is capped off with impressive efficiency. I started out my testing by giving the Current Plus about the worst thing it can face: a heavy rider using only the throttle. I relied on the gears to get good acceleration up to 20mph and stayed in 3rd gear once I reached that cruising speed (the motor operates better at higher RPMs). Riding like this, I got over 28.5 miles on a single charge and still had some juice left over.

Pedaling, the numbers only get better. Using a mix of level 1 and level 2 assist, which both make for quite easy riding, I went 47.6 miles and only used 72% of the battery. At that level, I may well have made it 66 miles before the battery fully drained, and given how long the battery ran on throttle-only operation, I would fully expect it to hit that 66-mile mark with some pedaling.

With Priority’s included 2.8-amp charger, the battery should be able to go from empty to fully charging in 5 to 6 hours, though the last bit of charge may take a bit longer.

Verdict

The Priority Current Plus is a worthy successor to the original. It hasn’t changed the price, but it provides a bigger battery and throttle for truly effortless riding. The updated geometry may have made minor changes, but it’s a comfortable bike that rolls along smoothly with decent balance. All the power is coming from a nicely designed bike geared out well for commuting. While I’d love to see a better throttle and a lower price, throttles are already plenty rare for mid-drive bikes and so are low prices. Besides, the discounts available to Costco members are so substantial that no one should consider buying this bike without nabbing that Costco membership first.

Also consider

If you want plenty of power and a comfy ride that can go long distances, the Velotric Nomad 2 has it. It combines fat tires, a suspension seatpost, a front suspension fork, a plush saddle, and an upright stance for comfort. And it has a beefy motor and huge battery for range. The downside: it’s much heavier and bulkier than the Current Plus, but it’s also a fair bit cheaper at $1,999.

The Himiway A7 Pro is a little less elegant in its design and ends up fairly heavy, but it provides solid travel capabilities. Namely, it has a full-suspension design and thick tires that should make for smoother cruising on all sorts of terrain. It also comes with commuter accessories. It’s even fairly priced at $2,399.