2022 Yamaha CrossCore RC Electric Bicycle First Look

Yamaha’s already robust selection of electric bicycles gets a little more substantial with the introduction of the 2022 CrossCore RC. The new bike is aimed at commuters and fitness riders and brings some never-before-seen tech to the United States. It will be available this summer in Shiver White, Painted Desert, and Urban Sage colorways, starting at $3,099.

Yamaha has been in the electric bicycle game for a relatively long time, with its first prototype introduced in 1989 and its first power-assist bike coming to the Japanese market in 1993. It’s since built bikes in a number of categories. The CrossCore RC marks a step forward for the existing CrossCore urban platform.

Designers started with a whole new frame built to accommodate a new Yamaha PWSeries ST drive unit. This marks the first time riders stateside will see the PWSeries ST on a production bike. The drive features four ride assist modes (Eco+, Eco, Standard, and High) along with an automatic mode. These ride modes are fed data from a torque sensor, which calculates pedal power coming from the rider; a speed sensor; a crank sensor; and an angle sensor. Collectively these inputs create a drive unit Yamaha describes as “the most natural feeling power assist system on the market.”

The RC will be capable of reaching a 28-mph maximum speed, thanks to downtube-integrated 500-watt-hour lithium batteries.

As the CrossCore RC is a commuter-focused bike, ergonomics are upright and neutral. It features flat handlebars, optimized switch placement, an LED headlight, and a multifunction LCD display. A Shimano drivetrain provides nine speeds; hydraulic disc brakes handle stopping duties. The bike rolls on CST Brooklyn Pro tires which feature stiffened sidewalls and a puncture-resistant layering.

Small, medium, and large versions of the CrossCore RC will be available.