Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created by TIME Stamped, under TIME’s direction and produced in accordance with TIME’s editorial guidelines and overseen by TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
After enjoying high-speed joyrides and extra-long journeys with this model, it’s obvious that the designers at Priority put all of their effort into making the Current e-bike an extremely reliable and especially comfortable workhorse for long daily commutes and leisurely cruises alike. There is a large market for dependable e-bikes designed for near-effortless cruising in poor weather and over great distances, and since the best electric commuter bikes are often some of the most expensive, it’s certainly worth doing your research to find out if an attractive ride lives up to the hype. (Spoiler alert: This one does.)
The Current promises a simple, maintenance-free ride that will take you 20 to 50 miles per charge, and a seamless motorized push to supplement your pedaling. For anyone concerned about the price of cars these days, this 53-pound e-bike is absolutely a contender for the best e-bike for a regular work commute.
I’ve spent a lot of time and distance soaring down city roads and tackling the back streets with my Current, and if I needed to ride to work every day, I’d want this surprisingly cozy and rugged e-bike to get me there without breaking a sweat.
Priority’s website features a handy shipping map that clearly shows when buyers should expect an e-bike to arrive based on their location in the United States, and sure enough, my Current arrived at my Florida home in exactly two days after the order was confirmed.
The Current may be 53 pounds, but it didn’t feel particularly heavy or cumbersome to unpack and assemble. It took me under an hour to put this model together. Neatly packed and paired with excellent instructions, Priority makes it easy to quickly build and begin riding their bikes.
If you’ve been wondering, “What is an electric bike?,” these unique e-bikes differ from their traditional counterparts because they feature an onboard motor to help propel riders with minimal or no pedaling. Some feature a throttle that activates its motor without the need to pedal, while others such as the Priority Current, exclusively rely on its motor to add more power each time you pedal the bike. Electric bikes are excellent for covering large distances without getting tired, are a much more affordable option than a car, require far less storage space, and are much more fun to ride in hot weather and up steep roadways than regular bicycles.
From the start, my porcelain-white Current felt rock-solid and durable, and although its series of external cables may not fit everyone’s e-bike aesthetics, I believe it suits this sporty model well.
While size (small, medium, and large) and color preference (white, charcoal) have no bearing on the price of a Priority Current, there is a $200 difference between the Shimano ($3,299) and Enviolo ($2,499) variants of this e-bike. The only difference concerns each model’s gear shifting system and it’s up to you to determine which is best for your riding preferences:
This version’s grip gear shifter is on the right handlebar and twisting it denotes the best gear for the elevation you are tackling via a cute display that morphs from a straight line representing a flat plane, to your current position along a hill, going up, riding down, etc.
This type of gear shifting is never awkwardly “between gears” and continuously feels smooth and responsive. While there are no fixed numerical gears, you’ll get the hang of when and how much you should turn the shifter more quickly than you may expect.
I tested a Priority Current with an Enviolo hub, and I should note that a Priority Current with this configuration is approximately two pounds heavier than a Shimano edition.
A Shimano-style gear shifter features a more traditional-styled five-speed gear shifter denoted by numbers. I have not tested this variant, but it seems like what you would expect from the average bike’s gear shifting system.
In a nutshell, if you're a power-rider planning on taking your Current for daily trips and extra-long rides over varied terrain or simply want an extra-smooth gear changing hub for your e-bike, I’d splurge for the Enviolo edition.
Its 500W motor seamlessly blends into the Current’s midsection, and is more powerful than you may expect. I had a great time easily soaring up inclines and reaching the e-bike’s top speed of 28 mph and a little beyond with practically no effort with its pedal assist on the maximum setting. Sure, it’ll eat up battery power and drastically reduce its maximum range if you do this, but for leisurely cruising, enjoying a breezy straightaway, or making short work of hills, it’s exactly why you would want an e-bike with a more powerful motor.
On the other hand, if you keep its pedal assist on the lower to mid-range settings, you’ll still get nearly 60 miles per charge. And because the Current keeps riders seated in a comfortable upright position and squarely on a plush gel-infused seat, this is a noticeably more pleasant ride than the average e-bike for tackling long distances.
Keeping in line with the Current’s theme of dependability and simplicity, Priority replaced the traditional bike chain with a Carbon Drive belt. This ultra-rugged belt won’t snap or come undone at the worst possible moment, works without a drop of grease, and runs silently, making it a superior design choice, especially for power riders who would appreciate a maintenance-free e-bike.
The Current sports a black and white LCD display placed between its handlebars. It’s dimmable, easy to read at a glance even while riding on a bright sunny day, and displays a lot of useful information at once without feeling cluttered — including your current speed, distance traveled, remaining battery life, and odometer.
I’ve touched on how the Current’s battery gets nearly 60 miles per charge if you don’t push the pedal assist to the max and about half to a third of that if you prefer riding with a motorized push. That said, I do have a minor gripe about this lockable battery. Its position on the frame’s downtube just behind the front tire feels a bit awkward to access at first since you have to maneuver around the tire itself to attach or detach it from the Current. There were plenty of other places Priority could have put the battery so I didn’t have to push the tire out of my way to access it, but it’s a small personal grumble regarding an otherwise excellent e-bike.
The Current also includes a pair of keys to lock the battery securely in place, perfect for that extra layer of security when you need to park during an outing.
I was won over by the Current’s hydraulic disc brakes, and these front and rear brakes consistently delivered a smooth and steady stop at high speeds, over rough terrain, and soggy weather. If you’re concerned about high-speed cruising, don’t be — this e-bike’s premium brakes give you the stopping power you need at a moment’s notice.
Normally this is the part where I complain about how its seat is simply acceptable, but the Current’s gel-infused seat is the most comfortable model included with any electric commuter bike I’ve tested to date. Between its padded seat and how it promotes a natural upright riding position, it’s clear that Priority prioritized comfort for anyone who needs a Current for longer commutes.
These thin tires are optimized for keeping perfect control at high speeds and keeping a firm grip on the pavement. They’re durable and puncture-resistant, and while they’re at their best when you stick to the streets, these low-pressure tires provide excellent support when dropping off curbs, rough patches of gravel, and little grassy shortcuts like a pro.
The Current features both front and rear LED safety lights, and its bright front-facing headlight can be set to automatically turn on during sundown for your convenience. As someone who appreciates those safety features when I’m out testing e-bikes, I was particularly pleased at how its bold rear red brake light was prioritized to receive power even when the Current’s battery runs low.
The Current didn’t necessarily need front and rear fenders, but if you’re riding in wet or muddy conditions, you’ll appreciate how this design choice prevents the tires from slinging street sludge on you when you’re just trying to get home. These fenders also actively protect the tires from being leaned or sat on when your bike’s parked too.
If you’re going to spend over $3K on a premium electric bike, the last thing you want to deal with is a wimpy kickstand that threatens to toss your investment to the pavement after a gentle breeze. So it’s no stretch when I say the Current’s rear-mounted kickstand is easily my favorite to date due to its extra-wide rubberized base and how solidly it plants itself onto surfaces.
The Priority Current is a dependable, low-maintenance, and surprisingly comfortable e-bike that packs a lot of power and swift, yet smooth acceleration behind each pedal. Although it’s best-suited for riders with a long regular commute, it’s also an excellent pick for running errands around town and relaxed cruises through the neighborhood.
Please note there is no variant of the Current that includes a throttle, as it is exclusively a pedal assist e-bike. It’s a fairly expensive model, however its rugged components, comfortable and smooth ride, and powerful motor are absolutely worth the price for anyone who needs a quality, high-end e-bike for frequent rides that cover a lot of distance.
The Current’s plush seat, buttery smooth pedal assist, grippy tires, and how its design promotes a comfortable upright position all combine for a universally cozy ride whether you’re riding 50 miles a day or relaxing while cruising at your own pace. It’s equally fun to go all-out with the maximum level of pedal assist and easily go beyond its speed limit with your own power as it is to go farther than you normally would on your daily outings without feeling winded at the end. Its premium tires pair well with the Current’s speedy, powerful, and high-acceleration motor for easy maneuverability on roadways even at high speeds and over subpar road conditions.
Don’t worry if you’re not used to the Current’s Enviolo gear shifting system — you’ll get the hang of adjusting it to match your incline by the end of your first ride. You’ll feel the motorized boost of its motor, but the pedal assist is so smooth and fluid, it will become second nature to get far more distance per pedal in no time. The LCD display is bright and easy to read in all conditions, and its intuitive on-handlebar controls are comfortable to adjust mid-ride.
As long as you keep its tires full and battery charged, the Priority Current is practically a maintenance-free e-bike due to its oil and grease-free Carbon Drive belt. If you’re in the market for a simple grab-it-and-go model, the Current is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Although this e-bike and its solid aluminum frame weighs in at 53 pounds, the Current never feels as heavy as it is. Maybe it’s the lower step-through frame, or how nimble and swift it is mid-ride, but I’ve tested e-bikes in the same weight class that are far more cumbersome and unwieldy, so I’m glad to say that the Current carries its weight well.
Every component of the Current has a premium feel to it, from its steadfast kickstand and ultra-durable frame, to its comfortable gel-infused seat and ergonomic handlebar grips. Priority made this e-bike a premium riding experience without taking any shortcuts along the way.
Priority claims the Current as the most progressive e-bike on the market, and after spending many hours and miles blazing down long stretches of road, enjoying the subtle yet noticeable pedal assist during my daily travels, and coming to appreciate its high-end construction, comfort, and overall value, the Current lives up to the title. Yes, the price tag is on the higher side, but there’s no reason to suffer with an inferior e-bike if you regularly ride over 30 miles a day or simply live to ride, when you can make a long-lasting investment in a sturdy, cozy, and reliable e-bike like this one. If you want to learn more about e-bikes, please read our guide on how to choose an electric bike.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.
