Priority Bicycles has spent the last decade proving that bicycles don’t need to be complicated to be good. Now the New York-based bicycle company is taking one of its more playful pedal bikes and giving it the electric treatment with the new Priority E-Sauce.
The E-Sauce is based on Priority’s existing Sauce, a chunky-tired, belt-driven, single-speed bicycle that was originally expected to appeal to a fairly narrow group of riders. (Fun fact: it also comes in an 8-speed internally geared hub variant, known as the Hot Sauce.)
Instead of living out its product life in obscurity as a bike between niches, Priority says the bike found a much wider audience than they originally expected thanks to its relaxed riding style, distinctive looks, and ability to handle everything from city streets to trails.
And so, naturally, now they stuck a motor on it.
Unlike many of the e-bike companies we cover, Priority didn’t spring up during the e-bike boom with a catalog of imported electric bicycles. The Manhattan-based company was founded by legit cyclists and spent years building traditional bicycles before increasingly embracing electrification. Its calling card has long been bike-shop-quality construction paired with unusually low-maintenance components, particularly Gates carbon belt drives, which the company features on every model it offers, right down to their cute little kids’ bikes.
That same formula carries over to the E-Sauce, which uses a single-speed Gates belt drive rather than a derailleur and chain. Power comes from a 750W rear hub motor, and there’s a throttle for riders who don’t feel like pedaling. The bike ships configured as Class 2 with a 20 mph (32 km/h) speed limit, though pedal assist can be unlocked for speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h).
Be sure to check your local regulations to see how that impacts where you can ride. In most states though, the bike will be a 100% street-legal Class 2 e-bike.
Interestingly, Priority is using both torque and cadence sensing – a move we’re starting to see more of.
The torque sensor provides more natural-feeling pedal assist up to 20 mph, while the bike can switch over to cadence-based assistance above 20 mph, meaning they don’t have to pedal like crazy to still get good motor output at higher speeds.
That gives riders the more bicycle-like response of a torque sensor at typical riding speeds without making it difficult to keep the motor working as the bike approaches its 28 mph maximum.
Remember, of course, that the bike only ships in 20 mph mode, and so this will only affect riders who do choose to open it up for more speed to reach the Class 3 limit of 28 mph.
The rest of the bike leans into the Sauce’s do-anything personality. There are wide 27.5 x 2.4-inch WTB Intersector tires and 100mm of front suspension travel, giving it considerably more capability on rough roads and light trails than your typical commuter.
Priority also seems intent on making the E-Sauce surprisingly useful as a utility bike. Standard rear rack mounts work with conventional racks, including Priority’s MIK-compatible rack for carrying panniers, cargo, or even a child seat. Up front, the company’s new frame-mounted Headway Mount will support front racks and other accessories. The bike includes built-in LED lighting, but offers clever innovations like seat-tube integration for the tail light so you don’t have to worry about a light getting whacked off at a crowded bike rack.
Priced at $2,199, the E-Sauce obviously isn’t going to win a watt-per-dollar battle against the endless sea of $1,000-ish 750W e-bikes. But that’s also missing the point. The E-Sauce is a different type of product. You’re getting a belt-driven bike designed around nearly zero maintenance, built by an actual bicycle company run by real bike people, yet still sold with the convenience and pricing advantages of a direct-to-consumer model.
Priority says that simplicity is central to the bike: a smooth and quiet Gates belt drive, punchy hydraulic disc brakes, quality components, minimal upkeep, and enough versatility to serve as anything from a trail toy to a commuter or light-duty cargo bike.
The original Sauce apparently taught Priority that a fun, simple bicycle can have a much broader audience than expected. With a 750W motor and throttle now thrown into the mix, I have a feeling the E-Sauce might cast an even wider net.
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