Electric bikes have become computers with wheels. The latest model streams motor and battery telemetry to the maker, predicts component failures and books a service visit before you notice a problem. It also requires an app and a monthly fee for some features.

The subscription question

Riders like the diagnostics. They do not like paying monthly for theft tracking and ride stats. The maker argues it funds ongoing updates. Reviewers argue it turns a purchase into a lease.

Key takeaways

  • Predictive maintenance alerts before failure
  • Core riding features work without subscription
  • Theft tracking is paywalled

This story is part of our ongoing coverage of gadgets. We will update it as more details emerge.