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Looking for a powerful and foldable electric bike? Look no further than the Snapcycle S1. This e-bike has a high speed of 28 miles per hour, making it perfect for conquering any terrain. Plus, with its foldable design, it’s easy to store and transport. So what are you waiting for? Read our Snapcycle S1 Review Now.
Snapcycle S1: the quick review
A decent fat tire eBike that's... FOLDABLE? Yes! Meet the Snapcycle S1. Lightweight and foldable, the S1 is a great way to get around town and not take up a ton of space.
The Snapcycle S1 is a bike we were pleasantly surprised by. We figured this electric bike would be a foldable gimmick. In other words, that it would fold up but wouldn’t really offer a lot in the way of performance. Boy, were we wrong! The Snapcycle S1 is a powerful bike that can handle hills and even some fairly serious off-roading. It folds up easily, making it perfect for taking with you on trips or storing in a small space.
The only downside? It’s not the most ergonomic e-bike on the market. But if you’re looking for offroading in a foldable package, the Snapcycle S1 is hard to beat.
Snapcycle S1 Review: Everything you need to know
This ebike features many of the standard electric bike features, for example:
- Comes standard as a Class 2 eBike (read about the different ebike classifications) but we’ll cover more on that shortly.
- Mechanical Disc brakes
- Rear Hub Motor
- Fat Tires
- 30-45 Miles Range
- 15+ MPH Speed
- LED Display
- Foam Saddle
- Half Twist Throttle
- Pedal Assist
- Smart Charger
- Integrated rear light
- Fat Tires
- Front Suspension Fork
And a lot more. As you can see, this bike has everything you would want in a foldable, off-road electric bike. But how does it fair? We’ll get to that later.
However, there are a couple of things that make the Snapcycle S1 very different than other eBikes we’ve tested.
What sets the Snapcycle S1 apart from other eBikes?
Well, for starters, this eBike is foldable. Sure, folding ebikes have been around since at least 2012, but we’ve never seen one quite like this. Unlike all the other folding ebikes we’ve seen in the past, the S1 can be customized as a Class 3 eBike.
But let’s talk specs first.
Snapcycle: Foldable!
How foldable? It turns out it’s REALLY foldable. It folds to about 1/4 of the size of the full-size eBike in a matter of seconds. We were surprised and impressed. If storage is a big concern for you, the Snapcycle S1 is definitely one to consider.
In addition to the fold-ability, the Snapycle S1 comes with a few other features that make it unique on the market.
Snapcycle S1 Review: Speed
This eBike comes shipped as a Class 2 eBike. However, Snapcycle provides instructions (and even a sticker) to transform the S1 into a Class 3 eBike.
What does that mean? It means that the eBike can go a maximum speed of 28 MPH on throttle alone. That’s pretty fast on an electric bike. The good news is that it’s fast, the bad news is that it also makes it technically illegal in most cities to ride on trails. Honestly, I’ve never heard of anyone being checked – but check your local laws.
The bike also has 5 levels of pedal assist – 6 if you can no pedal assist at all.
Powerful Motor + Lightweight
The S1 feels more powerful than other eBikes we’ve tested for a couple of key reasons:
- It is more powerful. It features a 750W Rear hub drive motor (most other eBikes have a 500w rear hub mootor)
- It’s lightweight-“ish”. It’s 66 Pounds, which isn’t not super lightweight, but lighter than other eBikes with a smaller motor.
Combine being lighter weight with a more powerful motor and you have a recipe for an eBike that feels more powerful. And it’s actually palpable.
Just use the half twist throttle to get up and go… and go quick!
Deeper dive on the motor
This brushless geared hub motor just sings. The 750W nominal motor peaks at 1200W, enabling you to run up steep slopes at ease.
You notice it, too. It’s not a subtle difference, it’s a noticeable difference.
Suspension
The Snapcycle S1 comes with a great front suspension, which is a nice touch and helps to smooth out the ride over bumps and rough terrain. Many fat tire electric bicycle also have a front spring suspension fork, which some think is overkill, but I love it!
Built-in Rear Rack
Almost any eBike needs a rear rack, so it’s a little bit of a pet peeve of mine when they aren’t included, or cost extra. The Snapcycle S1 includes a pretty sturdy rear rack.
It has a max payload of 300 pounds – that includes the rider, so you have a good amount of extra weight you can lug around with the rear rack above the fat tires.
Great customer service
You know what’s missing with a lot of these electric bike companies? Customer support.
Sure, some of the big guys have great customer support, but Snapcycle has people you can actually talk to. On top of that, they offer virtual troubleshooting sessions to help anyone and everyone with whatever aspect of their bike they are having issues with.
The Snapcycle S1 is a unique eBike because it is foldable and comes with a powerful motor. It also has a front suspension fork, which makes it a smooth ride. The bike is not for someone who has storage space or can easily transport the bike.
Snapcycle S1: What we love
There is a lot about the Snapcycle S1 that we love. When we first got the eBike, we thought it was just a gimmick- a foldable electric bike that we wouldn’t really enjoy riding. We thought the foldable part would make this whole eBike a joke.
But we were wrong. Dead wrong.
But we were pleasantly surprised by how much fun it was to ride, even up some of the steepest hills and on some fairly serious off-road trails.
It was a ton of fun to ride.
In fact, I took this bike on the muddiest trail I have ever been on.
It was so muddy I found mud in my pants after this trip. The bike survived. And thrived.
But the S1 handled it perfectly. I was incredibly impressed.
The mud got all over the bike, just make sure to clean it afterward so you don’t ruin it a riding style that’s a little messy!
Let’s talk battery
Another great feature about this eBike is the detachable hidden battery. At first glance, if you didn’t see the backlit LCD Display, you would probably think this is just a regular bike.
But the battery design also helps keep the battery dry in wet situations.
The battery management system (BMS) is certified by EN ISO 13849-1:2015 and includes temperature protection features to increase longevity and safety. On pedal-assist mode, you may travel up to 45 miles, while on pure electric power mode, you may go up to 30 miles.
Pretty cool, huh?
The Overall Ride Experience
Overall, I first thought the overall ergonomics of the bike would make this a very uncomfortable ride.
However, I was really wrong. The foldable frame design is somewhat limited in what you can except in terms of the bike’s frame. So, the bike looks a little different.
I thought it would be awkward.
However, the bike looks more awkward than it feels.
Sure, I wouldn’t take this bike on a 100+ mile trip, but using the pedal assist modes, the farthest you could really go is about 40 miles. That probably would be pushing it. But for a 15-20 mile trip, this bike would be perfect.
All electric bicycles have to do some crazy engineering to make the bike not look like a Frankenstein bike. The other thing to remember about this bike NOT being the most ergonomic is that you will be riding for less time since it will take you where you are going faster.
I know that seems like a silly thing to point out, but it’s true.
Snapcycle S1: Flaws, but not deal killers
The only downside? It’s not the most ergonomic eBike on the market. But if you’re looking for offroading in a foldable package, the Snapcycle S1 is hard to beat.
As I mentioned, the ergonomics are WAY better than what I imagined. Looking at the bike, it looks like it wouldn’t be comfortable at all.
However, riding the bike – if other ebikes are a 9/10 for ergonomics (like the Radrover 6 – read our RadRover 6 Review), this bike would only be a 8.25 or so.
It’s not designed for marathon trips and that’s ok.
The LCD Display
Another super small complaint about this bike is the LCD Display Position. It’s kinda stuck at an odd angle that makes it a little difficult to see.
One again, this is super small, but a little bit annoying.
The Keys
Another super small thing: the keys have to stay in the eBike in order to ride the bike.
I know that’s silly, but the ignition in on the underside of the bike and it’s a bit difficult to get to, so it’s not ideal, but also not a deal killer.
Removing the battery
The good news is that you can charge the S1 Battery in the bike or off the bike.
If you live in extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, I’d recommend bringing the battery inside to extend the overall battery life and make sure you have a long battery life for years to come.
That being said, it’s a bit tough to remove the battery on this bike. It’s not impossible, but I had some struggles removing it, since it is hidden and in the frame. There are positives for it being in the frame (less exposure to weather, mud, etc), but it’s just a little hard to get out. Not a big deal, but several bike companies with integrated batteries have made it easier.
How easy is the S1 to assemble?
The S1 is very easy to assemble.
Launched in 2013, the Snapcycle Ebikes is one of the newest trends in cycling. Its powerful engine provides plenty of power for jogging or cycling Despite these impressive features, its folding frame makes it ideal for storing or carrying in luggage.
It was one of the fastest assemblies I’ve ever had. To be honest, it was about 30 minutes – minus a small issue I had with the tires.
Every single one of the e bikes that I’ve put together (and we are not up to about 20 e bikes that I’ve assembled) has some small issue.
Shipping a bike across the country (and in some cases across the world) in a shipping box is tough.
The good news it that the front wheel comes installed already. This can be one of the trickiest part of installing an eBike. Snapcycle Bikes also come with great instructions. You can tell that Snapcycle Bikes spends a lot of time making sure their assembly instructions are clear.
Snapcycle S1: Who is it designed for?
The Snapcycle S1 is best for people that want a foldable eBike with off-road capabilities. If you’re looking for a commuter bike, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
Also, if your car or SUV can’t handle a fat tire rear rack (read about our best rear rack for fat tire eBikes), then you might want to check out the Snapcycle S1.
However, if you’re looking to take your eBike on weekend rides, camping trips, or just want something to help you get around town a little bit faster – the Snapcycle S1 is perfect for you.
The foldable frame and compact size make it easy to store and transport, while the fat, wide tires give you the freedom to ride wherever you like.
So, who is the Snapcycle S1 designed for?
People that are looking for an eBike that can do it all! The Snapcycle S1 is perfect for weekend warriors, campers, and anyone that wants a little bit of extra speed when riding. It’s not the most ergonomic bike on the market, but it makes up for it in off-road capabilities and foldability.
The best fat tire foldable bike we’ve tested
In fact, we love it so much that we made it our top pick for the best foldable electric bike on the market.
Here are a few reasons why:
- The fold-ability makes it super portable and easy to store.
- The powerful 750W motor means you can tackle hills and rougher terrain with ease.
- The front suspension helps to smooth out the ride.
- It comes with a built-in rear rack, which is a huge plus.
- The Class 3 speed upgrade makes this eBike one of the fastest on the market.
Snapcycle S1: Who is it NOT designed for?
The Snapcycle S1 is not designed for people that are looking for a commuter bike and don’t NEED to take advantage of everything a foldable frame design enables (which is mostly storage and transportation from one place to another).
If you want a great commuter eBike, take a look at our Charge City Review or our Aventon Soltera Review.
If you’re looking for a foldable bike to take on weekend trips, this is the perfect eBike for you. However, if you’re looking for something to help you get around town during your work commute, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
Additionally, the Snapcycle S1 isn’t as ergonomic as some of the other eBikes on the market – so if comfort is your number one priority, or you want to a ton of range, you might want to look at some of the other bikes we’ve tested.
For example, you might want to look at the Haoqi Antelope (read our Haoqi Bike Review). The Antelope a 100+ Mile Range with 2 batteries. It would be easy transport with our best fat tire bike rack pick and is more ergonomic.
Like I said, the S1 is not super uncomfortable to ride, but it isn’t the most comfortable to ride.
Snapcycle Foldable S1 Bike Review: Final Thoughts
A decent fat tire eBike that's... FOLDABLE? Yes! Meet the Snapcycle S1. Lightweight and foldable, the S1 is a great way to get around town and not take up a ton of space.
Snapcycle S1 is a powerful foldable electric bike. It has features of speed, cross-country, comfortable vertical position, and affordable price for all riders. In case you are looking for a camping e-bike, Snapcycle S1 is certainly your choice. Or you love going to the beach in summer as well as doing the shuttle in the winter, Snapcycle S1 is your best choice. You may like to learn more about this electric bike before going for a test ride.
A fat tire eBike that is… foldable? Yes, you read that correctly. This fat tire eBike is foldable and goes up to 28 miles per hour. On top of that… it’s a lot of fun to ride.
With 750W sustained, 1200W peak power and 85Nm of torque at your disposal, the high-speed brushless gear hub motor can help you conquer the most rugged terrains easily.
Have any questions or comments about our Snapcycle S1 review? Let us know in the comments below!
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