The Greatest E-Bike for ANY Terrain?

A few years in the past, I used to be despatched the Himiway Cruiser e-bike to evaluate.

Not solely was it my first expertise with a fats bike, nevertheless it was truly my first in-depth check of any electrical bike.

And it shocked me. Loads.

At first, I used to be a bit self-conscious about driving this monstrous factor that felt extra akin to a motorcycle than a bicycle.

However after a few weeks, I fell in love with it.

So when Himiway bought in contact to ask if I’d wish to evaluate the brand new Himiway Zebra mannequin – I jumped on the likelihood.

As I say, I fell in love with the Cruiser – and the Zebra is mainly the pure evolution of it: protecting all the Cruiser’s finest options, whereas transferring the battery into the body (protecting it detachable) and offering a big enhance on the bike’s vary.

Who’s an Electrical Fats Bike For?

In case you’ve by no means heard of an “electrical fats bike” earlier than: no, the title “fats bike” isn’t in reference to the rider, however as a substitute the cumbersome nature of the bike itself. That stated, with a 400lb load capability, fats bikes are additionally incredible for heavy riders.

The purpose of a fats bike is to be sturdy and to have the ability to deal with any – and I imply any – terrain you throw at it. You’ll be able to experience by mud, snow and even the softest of sand.

However the issue with fats bikes, historically, has been that their extraordinarily heavy weight (which comes lots from their large, chunky wheels) has made them extraordinarily exhausting to experience. Nonetheless, this situation has been eradicated with electrical bike expertise.

With an electrical fats bike, you actually can blast throughout snow, mud and sand with ease – and bumps within the highway are barely felt.

So, is the HImiway Zebra the finest fats electrical bike round?

Himiway Zebra Check

Whereas the Himiway Cruiser was the primary electrical fats bike I examined hands-on, I’ve tried numerous e-fatties since. However few have come near matching the sturdy, high quality really feel of the Cruiser. 

That is the place Himiway stand out from the remainder of the pack, as a result of they’ve made the Zebra to really feel much more premium.

You are feeling like you possibly can tackle the world whenever you experience this large bike. You’ll be able to go anyplace. I really like taking this bike by not solely trails within the forest however even flying down the seashore. And it’s unsure alongside the firmer shoreline – it might probably even comfortably navigate the deep, comfortable sand to get there. This bike is enjoyable.

Himiway Cruiser vs Zebra

So, how did the Zebra evaluate to the earlier technology Cruiser?

Properly, when it comes to specs – as you possibly can see within the desk beneath – the important thing factors are that it provides 25% extra vary (it’s marketed as 80 miles, however in actuality it’s nearer to 40-45 miles with regular pedal-assist mode), it’s a bit heavier, it might probably deal with extra rider/load weight and it prices £/$300 extra.

	Himiway Zebra	Himiway Cruiser
Max. Vary:	80 miles (128km)	60 miles (86km)
Wattage:	750W	750W
Weight:	79lb (35.8kg)	72lb (32kg)
Load Capability:	400lb (180kg)	350lb (158kg)
Gears:	7-Velocity	7-Velocity
Throttle:	Non-obligatory	✅
Lights:	✅	✅
Fenders:	✅	✅
Pannier Rack:	✅	✅
Estimated Worth:	🇬🇧 £2,000 🇺🇸 $2,000 🇪🇺 €2,300	🇬🇧 £1,700 🇺🇸 $1,700 🇪🇺 €1,800

The experience really feel may be very related between the 2 bikes, however the design of the Zebra is an enormous improve. I really feel the Cruiser has a slight prototype-y first-generation look to it, whereas the Himiway Zebra is a genuinely stunning beast.

Constructing the battery into the body (in order that it’s nonetheless simply detachable from beneath) makes an enormous distinction to the aesthetics of the bike and I a lot desire it. 

What’s extra the metallic chrome end of the bike additionally actually units it aside from the Cruiser – and some other bike on this class. 

Himiway Zebra Professionals + Cons

As you possibly can in all probability sense from this evaluate, I’ve develop into an enormous fan of not simply the Himiway Zebra, however Himiway on the whole.

That stated, this bike isn’t for everyone.

For individuals who like the thought of with the ability to experience on any terrain possible, the Zebra is incredible. And should you’re already offered on the thought of an electrical fats bike, I consider that is the very best one cash should purchase proper now.

However should you’re used to  – and love – driving non-electric bikes (acoustic bikes, if you’ll), the Himiway Zebra will not be to your style. 

Driving an electrical fats bike simply has a special really feel to regular bicycles and the extra weight takes a while to get used to (and neglect about making an attempt to hold it upstairs). It may also be fairly the shock when switching again from a fats bike to a standard bike, because it makes different bikes really feel frail and unstable. I do surprise if it driving an electrical fats bike results in selecting up some dangerous driving habits, resembling avoiding potholes!

That stated, the Himiway Zebra is quite a lot of enjoyable – however it’s a very totally different driving expertise to extra conventional bicycles.

Is the Himiway Zebra Value It?

I’d extremely suggest the Himiway Zebra for 2 very disparate kinds of individuals: the extraordinarily adventurous who wish to go anyplace and in every single place on their bike and in addition for much less assured riders.

The previous needs to be apparent: that is the go-everywhere e-bike. However for much less assured riders, this bike also needs to enchantment. Once you get used to driving the Zebra, the bike’s sturdiness is vastly appreciated, whereas the throttle lets you transfer off comfortably, even on hills.

At £/$1,999, the Himiway Zebra represents wonderful worth. It provides superb vary for an electrical fats bike (40-45 miles in real-world use with full help) and it’s an eye catching monster of a motorbike. 

If you’re funds aware, you possibly can sacrifice a little bit of vary and wonder, you possibly can a lot of the similar performance on the Himiway Cruiser for £/$300 much less. However should you can afford it, I’d take the additional money and have enjoyable with the Himiway Zebra.

Himiway Zebra Options