VTUVIA CMB 8-Speed Mid-Drive City Electric Bike

175 N·m through the gears — more torque than anything else on this shelf.

• 500 WMotor
• 691.2 WhBattery
• Class 2Class
• 80 miRange
• 300 lbMax load

What you get with the CMB 8-Speed

Mid-drive

A mid-drive, and that changes where the power goes

A hub motor pushes the wheel at whatever speed the wheel is turning. A mid-drive puts its power through the chain, so the gears multiply it exactly as they multiply your own effort. Drop to a low gear on a steep street and the motor gets the same mechanical advantage you do.

175 N·m

175 N·m — the highest figure VTUVIA publishes

Against 100 N·m from the Gemini's big hub and 85 N·m across most of the range. That is what the gearing buys, and it is why a 500 W mid-drive out-climbs a 750 W hub.

Two sensors

Both sensors, not one

VTUVIA's specification lists a cadence sensor and a torque sensor. The torque sensor scales assist to effort; on a mid-drive that also protects the drivetrain, because power arrives as you load the pedals rather than in a step.

$600 under list

Certified, and $600 under VTUVIA's own list

UL 2271 on the battery and UL 2849 on the system, a 691 Wh LG pack rated to 80 miles, and 26 × 2.4-inch tires on an EXSHO fork. $1,899 against VTUVIA's $2,499 — the biggest anchor in the range.

The CMB's box, per VTUVIA's listing on September 19, 2026, carries fenders, a rear rack, a rear basket and a phone holder — $283.99 of accessories at VTUVIA's own valuation — and ours ships with them too.

Why buy the CMB 8-Speed from Redtail

$1,899, against VTUVIA's own $2,499

VTUVIA lists the CMB 8-Speed at $2,499. It is $1,899 here, a $600 difference, and the price was read from VTUVIA on September 19, 2026.

Who the CMB 8-Speed mid-drive city ebike is for

Get the CMB if your city has hills in it that a hub motor labors on, and you want the motor driving through the gears so it can use them the same way your legs do.

Two things to check before you order

1. Your height. 5'1" to 6'1" in VTUVIA's sizing — the lowest ceiling in the range, so riders over 6'1" should look at the Zeal XT8.
2. Your capacity. 300 lb total, which is the lowest VTUVIA publishes here. The Zeal LT7 carries 350 lb and the Reindeer 2.0 400 lb.

How the CMB 8-Speed compares with what else we sell

Mid-drives cost more, and this is the cheapest one we stock: the Eunorau Defender is $300 less but is a full-suspension fat bike rather than a city machine, the Himiway D5 Pro matches the price, and the Velotric Discover M is $500 more.

Range and load are each maker's own published rating, read September 19, 2026. Makers measure range differently, so the column compares claims rather than a single test.

CMB 8-Speed specifications

Every row is VTUVIA's own published figure, read from its specification for this model on September 19, 2026.

Riding the CMB 8-Speed legally

Federal law defines a low-speed electric bicycle at 15 U.S.C. § 2085(b): a "low-speed electric bicycle" is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a motor of less than 750 watts, and a maximum motor-powered speed on a paved level surface of less than 20 miles per hour when ridden by an operator weighing 170 pounds.

The CMB 8-Speed's published figures are 500 W and a Class 2, 20 mph cap — under both federal limbs.

On its own page VTUVIA writes: “It is UL2849 certified for safety, and due to UL certification requirements, the default maximum speed is set to 20 MPH, which can be adjusted according to user preferences.”

As shipped it is a 20 mph bike. Ridden faster than 20 mph on motor power alone it is outside the federal low-speed definition and outside Class 2 in the states that use the class system, so check your state's line before you change that setting.

States then set their own rules on top of that, and most use a three-class system that decides where you can ride, whether a helmet is required and whether there is a minimum age. Our state-by-state guide sets out what each one says.

Frequently asked questions

Does the CMB 8-Speed have a mid-drive motor?

Yes — VTUVIA's own mid-drive unit, 500 W rated and 820 W peak, driving through the chain rather than the hub.

Why is a mid-drive better than a hub motor for city riding?

Because the gears work on the motor as well as on you. A mid-drive in a low gear gets the same mechanical advantage your legs do, which is why 500 W here makes 175 N·m where a 750 W hub makes 85.

Can the CMB 8-Speed handle steep hills?

175 N·m, the highest torque figure VTUVIA publishes for any of these bikes.

What drivetrain does the CMB 8-Speed use?

A Shimano 8-speed. Eight ratios give the mid-drive a usable range from a climbing gear to a cruising one.

Does the CMB 8-Speed have UL 2849 certification?

Yes — UL 2271 on the battery and UL 2849 on the e-bike system.

Why does the CMB 8-Speed cost more than a regular step-through electric bike?

It is a mid-drive, and the gearbox-style drive costs more to build than a hub. VTUVIA lists it at $2,499; it is $1,899 here.

How far can the CMB 8-Speed go on one charge?

Up to 80 miles on pedal assist and 45 on the throttle, from a 48 V 14.4 Ah LG pack — 691 Wh.

Is the CMB 8-Speed any good as a commuter bike?

26 × 2.4-inch tires, hydraulic discs and a step-through frame. VTUVIA lists its ideal use as City Commuter and hilly terrain.

What is the weight limit of the CMB 8-Speed?

300 lb total, rider and cargo together.

Is the CMB 8-Speed suitable for seniors?

A step-through frame with hydraulic brakes at 60 lb, and the mid-drive means less effort on gradients. VTUVIA sizes it from 5'1".

Do I need a license to ride the CMB 8-Speed?

No. The CMB's 500 W rating and Class 2 cap are both under the federal definition's limits, and a mid-drive is treated no differently from a hub motor in the wording.

What’s next after you order

Orders are prepared and dispatched within 1–3 business days of confirmation, and most e-bikes arrive within 5–10 business days after dispatch, depending on location. It arrives part-assembled in a freight box: the front wheel, handlebars, pedals and saddle are the usual steps, and the tools come with it.

Inspect your shipment at delivery. Damage, defects or an incorrect item must be reported with photos within 48 hours. Damaged in transit, reported within 48 hours with photos: Redtail files the carrier claim and arranges a replacement or repair. If we shipped the wrong product or made an error, we correct it in full and cover all shipping.

Further reading

our commuter e-bike guide · our step-through e-bike guide · our under-$2,000 guide · how e-bike frame types differ