Priority Current+ Review: Real-World Urban Testing

Here's what sold me in the first week: I arrived at the office without a single grease mark on my khakis. Sounds trivial until you've dealt with traditional chain-drive e-bikes that turn your work clothes into shop rags. The Gates Carbon Drive belt on the Current+ means I could bike to client meetings without worrying about my appearance. That single feature became the difference between this bike living in my garage versus becoming my daily driver.

I tested the Current+ over 21 consecutive days of urban commuting in Seattle, including 12 round-trip rides to work (8.5 miles each way), weekend grocery runs with 40 lbs of cargo, and several 15+ mile recreational rides. I put the 720Wh battery through its paces in hilly terrain, tested the throttle in stop-and-go traffic, and pushed the motor up 10% grades with and without assistance. This review reflects real-world performance, not manufacturer specs.

First impression out of the box? This bike means business. The 6061 aluminum frame feels substantial without being heavy. Pick it up and you immediately notice the quality. The mid-step frame design provides easy mounting (critical for city riding with frequent stops) while maintaining structural rigidity. I'm 5'11" and tested the medium frame, which felt perfectly sized with the seat about midway up its range. The charcoal finish on my test unit looked professional rather than flashy, exactly what I wanted for commuting.

After three weeks of daily abuse—riding through rain, leaning it against brick walls, hauling it up my apartment stairs twice—the Current+ showed zero issues. The welds are clean, paint held up without chips, and nothing rattled loose. The frame-mounted kickstand stayed stable even when I loaded the front basket with 15 lbs of groceries. My only minor complaint: the composite fenders occasionally buzzed against the tires when riding over rough pavement, though this disappeared after I tightened a couple bolts. Compare this to similarly priced competitors that showed paint wear or loose components within a week.

Let's talk about the moment I knew this motor was different. On my usual commute home, there's a 0.4-mile stretch with 9% average grade that turns most cyclists into walkers. On the Current+ with assist level 4, I maintained 11 mph up the entire climb without my heart rate breaking 120 bpm. The torque delivery felt smooth and consistent with no jerky power surges like some e-bikes. The motor's firmware update (new for the Current+) provided noticeably better low-speed acceleration than the original Current I'd tested previously. When starting from a complete stop at intersections, the power came on immediately but progressively, never wheelie-inducing or abrupt.

Range testing proved the 720Wh battery lives up to Priority's claims, with caveats. My typical 17-mile round-trip commute (mix of flat and hilly sections) consumed 32% battery using primarily assist levels 2-3, meaning I could do this trip five times before needing to charge. My longest single ride stretched 58 miles using assist levels 1-2 on mostly flat terrain before the battery hit 12%. When I aggressively used level 5 assist and the throttle up hills, range dropped to approximately 35-40 miles. Real-world factors matter: I'm 185 lbs, temperatures ranged 50-65°F, and I kept tire pressure at the recommended 50 psi.

The throttle became my secret weapon for urban riding. I used it primarily at intersections to match car acceleration for the first 10-15 feet, then relied on pedal assist once up to speed. This approach felt safer in heavy traffic and helped me claim the lane confidently. The thumb-activated placement meant I could brake with my right hand while keeping my left thumb ready on the throttle, which was way more intuitive than twist-grip throttles I've used on other bikes. However, leaning heavily on the throttle obviously drains the battery faster. On one test ride, I used throttle-only for 5 miles and burned through 18% battery, compared to 8% for the same distance with level 2 pedal assist.

Daily usability quickly separated this bike from others I've tested. The belt drive meant I could park it anywhere without worrying about grease transfer. I leaned it against my couch, stored it in my home office, and threw it in my truck bed without protection. The backlit display stayed easily readable even in direct sunlight, and the controls became second nature within two days. Switching assist levels mid-ride required just a thumb press without taking my hands off the bars. The only learning curve was the Shimano internal hub gearing, which took about a week to internalize compared to traditional derailleur shifting. Pro tip: shift before you need to, especially at stops, since the hub shifts best under light pedal pressure.

Assembly took about 45 minutes, mostly straightforward. The bike arrived 90% assembled, and I attached the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and fenders. Priority's video instructions were clear, though I needed to adjust the brake calipers slightly (rubbing on the first ride, fixed in 5 minutes with the included Allen key). Ongoing maintenance has been nonexistent beyond checking tire pressure weekly. No chain cleaning, no derailleur adjustments, no cable stretch. After three weeks, I've literally done nothing but pump the tires twice. That's transformative for someone like me who wants to ride, not wrench. My only annoyance: the battery key is tiny and easy to lose, so I immediately made a copy and keep one hidden under the seat.

Against premium competitors like the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 ($3,800) or Trek Allant+ 7 ($3,500), the Current+ holds its own impressively. You're giving up integrated lighting (the Specialized system is brighter) and more sophisticated displays, but you're gaining the belt drive which neither competitor offers at this price. The maintenance-free aspect can't be overstated. My friend with a Vado has spent $180 and countless hours on chain maintenance in the same time I've spent zero. The Current+ also has a larger battery than most competitors in this range, translating to real-world range advantages of 15-20 miles in my testing.

Compared to direct belt-drive competitors like the Priority Current (the previous model), the Plus version justifies its $500 premium with the bigger battery, throttle, updated motor firmware, and comfort improvements. I tested both side-by-side and the Plus felt noticeably more refined: quicker from stops, smoother power delivery, and the throttle added versatility the original lacked. Against the lower-cost alternatives like the Ride1Up 700 Series ($1,795), you're paying $1,500 more for the belt drive, internal hub, and overall build quality. If low maintenance is priority number one and you commute year-round, that premium pays dividends. If you're a weekend rider who doesn't mind chain maintenance, the Ride1Up offers solid value.

After three weeks of daily testing, the Current+ earned permanent residence as my primary commuter. The belt drive alone justifies the premium over cheaper e-bikes. I haven't touched a degreaser once, my work clothes stayed clean, and the bike performed flawlessly through rain and shine. The 720Wh battery meant I stopped worrying about range entirely, and the mid-drive motor conquered hills that would've sent me back to my car on lesser bikes. Yes, it's heavy and expensive, but those trade-offs buy you a bike that genuinely works as car replacement rather than recreational toy.

Buy the Current+ if you're committed to regular commuting, face hills or long distances, and hate bike maintenance. Spring for the Enviolo CVT version ($3,499) if you're willing to pay $200 more for even less maintenance and the ability to shift while stopped at lights. It's worth it for stop-and-go city riding. Skip it if you're a fair-weather weekend rider or have a perfectly flat commute under 10 miles. You don't need this much capability. For everyone else seriously considering ditching their car for urban trips, this is the e-bike that'll actually make it happen.