A couple of weeks in the past, Snapcycle despatched me a reasonably distinctive e-bike to check (full disclosure: the corporate let me preserve it, and I gave it to my brother for additional testing). Not solely is it a folder, nevertheless it has a twin suspension system to deal with every thing from harsh terrain to city curbs with ease. On this article, I’m going to cowl among the ups and downs we discovered for the Snapcycle Eagle for testing.
Snapcycle Eagle Specs & Options
Earlier than I get into using impressions, I need to give readers an thought of what this bike’s specs are to allow them to evaluate it to different bikes. Yow will discover full particulars right here on the web site, however I’ll go over the vital stuff.
Energy-wise, it’s outfitted with a 750 watt rear hub motor, however take into account that we’re solely trying on the steady energy score. For brief bursts (peak energy), the bike can put out over 1,000 watts, making for barely higher acceleration than many motors that solely do 750 most. That is fed by a 48V 15Ah (720 Wh) Samsung lithium battery, which Snapcycle says offers you as much as 30 miles on throttle or 45 miles for those who put in a few of your individual effort via the pedals.
A heavy e-bike (68 lb) with that sort of energy and pace must cease, so Snapcycle included not simply disc brakes, however hydraulic disk brakes. And, after the journey, you’ll have to cost it up once more, and an included 3 amp fast charger can cost the battery whereas within the bike or indifferent from it.
The aluminum folding body is a part of what units this bike aside, nevertheless it’s additionally received one other off-road trick up its sleeve: a rear suspension. So, each of the bike’s 4″ fats tires (which can provide you a reasonably comfortable journey on their very own for those who don’t inflate them an excessive amount of) have some suspension between you and them.
This can be a fairly first rate set of specs for $1,699, however as of this writing, it’s on sale for $1299, which makes it an actual steal.
However How Does It Carry out?
If using have been all about numbers, we may cease the article proper right here, however an vital a part of getting your cash’s value is how the bike rides. So, I’ll offer you that qualitative data, too.
First, let’s discuss meeting. There’s just about no meeting in comparison with most e-bikes, as a result of the bike is folded up and packed as a substitute of shipped with a variety of work left. Get the bike out, take off the packing supplies, insert the battery, connect the fenders/mud guards (if desired), and get to using. Simple-peasy. Personally, I’d take the extra step of including Slime sealant to the tubes, however that’s one of many tougher belongings you’ll do to get it prepared (as a result of the remaining is fairly straightforward).
Whereas twin suspension bikes sound hardcore and rigged for severe and excessive journey, the bike is clearly not constructed for rugged abuse. No bike within the sub-$2,000 value vary goes to deal with a lot torture on trails, particularly if it weighs as a lot as an e-bike usually does. So, don’t go thrash this on the worst mountain bike trails on the market like a racer and get mad when it wants work.
So, I began off with one thing straightforward and rode it round in a subdivision for a couple of minutes (which is what many individuals do with fat-tire bikes in actuality). The Eagle did a terrific job doing every thing from clean pavement to xeriscaping in your yard to leaping curbs. The twin suspension setup made for a really snug journey, even when dropping off a curb and letting it slam. So, if that’s what you had in thoughts for twin suspension, this bike will try this job very nicely.
Subsequent, I despatched my brother off with the bike to go check it on some intermediate mountain biking trails and Jeep roads so we may see whether or not actual off-road use is an excessive amount of for the bike. We did discover that the bike has some limits, however nothing broke.
First off, on trails above the newbie degree, having solely 20″ wheels is limiting. My brother stated they received a bit “squirrely” on harsher bumps and washboards if any turning is concerned. He didn’t crash it, nevertheless it was undoubtedly much less snug and steady than a 26″ fats bike on the identical trails (which is de facto 27.5-29″ with all of that rubber). So, for those who’re seeking to do some extra severe off-road exploring, preserve that limitation in thoughts as you store, as a result of you may want a full-size bike.
One other limitation with the bike is that longer steep climbs should not one thing you may anticipate to beat on throttle energy alone. As soon as the height energy runs out and the bike has to again off to its rated 750 watts, you should give the bike some assist with your individual muscular tissues to make it to the highest. This isn’t an issue for those who’re on the market making an attempt to get train, however you may’t all the time deal with it like a miniature filth bike. So, for those who get this bike, you’ll nonetheless need to shift to a low gear prematurely and be prepared to assist the bike make the climb.
However, aside from these two limitations, the Eagle does a good job off pavement and even in some semi-challenging terrain with small drops, rocks, and so on.
The Off-Street Function That This Bike Shines In
After my very own testing and speaking it over with my brother, I’d should say that I feel this bike is right for somebody who’s extra keen on exploring than racing or making nice time on Strava (which might be dishonest, proper?).
For instance, for those who’re out exploring in a automobile that may deal with filth roads however not severe off-roading, it’s a super “shuttlecraft” of types. If you attain the boundaries of what your crossover or 2WD pickup can do, the bike’s skill to fold right into a small measurement makes it splendid for using within the again with out taking on a bunch of cargo house. You possibly can even match the factor in some sedan trunks. At that time, you get the Eagle out, unfold it, flip it on, and preserve going to succeed in your backcountry locations with out an excessive amount of hassle.
Should you get to the purpose the place even the Eagle can’t deal with the terrain, it’s quite a bit lighter than a mud bike, so you may stroll it via extreme challenges and even choose the bike up and carry it a couple of ft as wanted to get to rideable path or street once more. Washouts, ravines, and different obstacles that will cease you on a mud bike or 2WD automobile aren’t an impassible impediment together with your Eagle.
So, if that’s the sort of using you take into account, the Eagle ought to most likely land in your driveway.
Photos by Cody Sensiba (used with permission).
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