by Gabrielle DeSantis

Over the past year, the demand for electric bikes (e-bikes) has soared. In fact, over 600,000 e-bikes were sold in the U.S in the past year alone, which equates to around one bike every 52 seconds. That’s impressive. So it’s no surprise that Diamondback, a well-known bicycle manufacturer, recently got into the game with its new Union 1 electric bicycle.

The Diamondback Union 1 brings electrification to an acoustic lineup

The Diamondback brand has been around for decades, however, you might be familiar with its line of mountain and road bikes as of late. They’re all well-made “acoustic” — the brand’s term for “non-electric” – bikes and provide cyclists with a sturdy means of transportation on and off the road. However, during the Spring of 2021, Diamondback released its collection of electric bikes.

This new lineup consists of four different bikes – Union 1 and 2, Response, and Current – and they’re all geared to turn your commute up to “11,” given their Class 3 rating. However, the all-new Union 1 e-bike is the brand’s entry-level model for those wanting to spice up their daily commute with a little electrification.

It’s powered by a Bosch Performance Line Speed motor

The Diamondback Union 1 is a Class 3 electric bike, which means that it offers the rider an electric pedal assist for up to 28 mph. That assist is powered by a Bosch Performance Line Speed motor and PowerTube 400 battery, which is tucked into the bike’s downtube. Cycle Volta recently reviewed the Union 1 and reported that it accelerates rapidly and smoothly thanks to its 85Nm of torque, although it does have a little bit of motor whine.

That can be forgiven, though, as the rest of the e-bike is very well-built. The Union 1 has an aluminum alloy frame and handlebar setup and it rides on 27.5-inch tires. Changing gears is a snap as well, as the Union 1 features a 10-speed Shimano Deore derailleur that shifts “cleanly,” as Cycle Volta put it. And when it comes to stopping, the Union 1 is outfitted with Shimano MT240 four-piston front and two-piston rear hydraulic disc brakes that bring the bike to a halt quickly and smoothly.

There aren’t any integrated front or rear lights on this bike, but you will get a rear rack and a kickstand. Also, in case you’re wondering, the Union 1 can go up to 35 miles on a full charge, according to Diamondback.

How much does the Union 1 cost?

When it comes to pricing, the Diamondback Union 1 is the most affordable among its three other stablemates. That is if you think $3,500 is affordable. However, in the world of electric bikes, that’s a fair price to pay for a quality piece that can take you around town with relative ease.

Also, in an age where eco-friendly commuting and the ability to zip through traffic takes a front seat to owning a more expensive car, the Diamondback Union 1 provides a smooth and easy way to get around town.  

RELATED: The Specialized Turbo Vado SL Is the Best Lightweight E-Bike

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’ve all heard typical minivan stereotypes. For example, the minivan is slow, uncool, or for soccer moms. But the 2021 Toyota Sienna shatters these misconceptions. The minivan has evolved, and the Toyota Sienna is proof that it’s time to change your mind about them. 

2021 Toyota Sienna review: A van that’s too cool for school 

I’ve had the 2021 Toyota Sienna XLE for a week, and it’s been a blast. While some people called me a nerd and a soccer mom, others were super excited to see this van’s new redesign. I used it to challenge typical minivan stereotypes. 

The XLE is the third trim level out of five. XLE stands for Exclusive Luxury Edition and lives up to the name with comfort and convenience. I didn’t even think I was missing out on the two higher trim levels. But anyway, let’s get to those minivan myths. 

Minivans are slow and lumbering

The 2021 Toyota Sienna isn’t slow at all. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with two electric motors to generate 243 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. 

This is plenty of speed for passing people on the highway and merging into traffic. If I needed power, it was there. The brakes are also smooth and confident, and the steering is responsive. The Sienna feels like a smaller, sporty vehicle. 

It has three driving modes, including Sport, Normal, and Eco. I spent most of the time in Sport mode, which upped the acceleration and steering response at the expense of the fuel economy. However, it did exhibit some body roll around tight curves. 

Parking the Toyota Sienna proved to be easy. It’s an agile vehicle that’s not complicated to maneuver in tight city areas. It didn’t feel too long, wide, or heavy for the mountain adventures I took it on. 

Minivans are just for carpooling 

I don’t have any kids, but I still filled up the 2021 Toyota Sienna with tons of cargo and people. I took it to my adult kickball league, where my teammates and competitors were impressed by the amount of space and tech. It made sense for the Sienna to be a daily driver. 

But I also took it up a mountain to 5,500 feet in altitude to test the all-wheel drive system. While the ground clearance seemed to be a little lacking, I felt totally in control over dirt and gravel roads. 

The Sienna could quickly turn into a vehicle for camping or adventuring. It even has a 12-volt battery and 120-volt outlet in the rear to power devices. I used it to jump a Nissan Versa that had a dead battery on the trail. That’s right, a minivan came to the rescue. 

The Sienna gets an EPA-estimated 36 MPG, but I’ve been primarily driving uphill on steep inclines in sport mode, so I averaged 33 mpg. This is pretty darn fuel-efficient for trips and adventures. 

Minivans are lame and ugly 

For some reason, people think that minivans are uncomfortable with beige fabrics and outdated tech. But the 2021 Toyota Sienna is loaded with modern amenities such as a wireless phone charging pad, HDTV with an HDMI port, several USB and USB-C ports, a digital gauge cluster, a multi-zone climate system, and rear windows that roll down. 

I decided to sit in the second row as a kid or passenger and plugged my Nintendo Switch into the TV. I used one of the two pairs of wireless headphones to play my Mario game and got totally into it. If I was being driven somewhere then the trip would have gone by super quickly.

The JBL audio system also sounds great for the driver and passengers. Also, the third row has headphone jacks, so passengers can listen in to what’s on the rearseat entertainment system. 

In my opinion, the Toyota Sienna looks pretty sleek. The black leather seats are attractive and comfortable. The center console has an attractive layout with soft-touch materials and wood grain. I only wish the tires looked a little beefier and may have picked a different rim style. 

However, the upcoming Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition will provide a more rugged look. Until then, forget old minivan stereotypes. The Toyota Sienna isn’t a slow mom-mobile at all. 

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