Turboant Electric Bike Review: What You Need To Know (2023)

While Turboant's brand isn't as mature as its competition, Turboant makes electric scooters and electric bikes that might make you double-take. We appreciate their streamlined product line-up and that they design their products with versatility in mind. It's a fresh approach compared to brands that make electric bicycles for every specific purpose you might imagine. And Turboant's new fat tire electric bike, the

Turboant, Rad Power Bikes, or Juiced Bikes?

But how do Turboant's Fat Tire Electric Bike's features stack up against the competition? Rad Power Bikes and Juiced Bikes might make the most comparable bikes, so we will take a deep look at how Turboant stacks up. We previously

What Is The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike?

The Turboant Thunder T1 fits a very particular niche. It matches some of the top-end performance associated with Juiced Bikes at a more affordable price than Rad Power Bikes. Rad Power Bikes have more accessories and overall versatility than does The Turboant Thunder T1, which might make The RadRover Electric Fat Bike the best option for some. Still, if you are looking for top-end performance at an affordable price, the Turboant electric fat bikes are a great option.

Turboant Electric Bike Review: Thunder T1 Fat Tire Bike

So how does Turboant’s debut electric fat tire bike compare? Surprisingly well. In fact, one could argue that it has better performance versatility than most of its competitors. Lock the front hydraulic for smooth rodes, and unlock it for more demanding terrain. Take it on a sunny ride through the park, or cut through rush hour traffic in the rain. Turboant's Thunder T1 will work just as well for off-road weekend explorations as it will for commuting.

Durable Frame & Tires

The Turboant Thunder T1 is designed to perform as well on the road as it does off the road, which means it needs to be durable from top to bottom. The electric bicycle is built with a traditional triangle frame for sturdiness, with aluminum alloy 6061 used for the frame. The bike has a 264 lbs. weight capacity, so it is made to get the job done.

Of course, a durable frame is worthless if you are riding on flat tires. Keep in mind this is a fat tire bike, so the Turboant Thunder features 26" Kenda fat tires that are 4" wide. Kenda fat tires are reinforced with k-shield technology, making them puncture-resistant and willing and able to conquer any terrain.

Advanced Motor & Battery

Beyond durability, the next consideration for electric bikes should be a bike's range. The Turboant Thunder's range is impressive, lasting between 35 and 60 miles on a single charge, depending on terrain and other variables. It's a 48 V lithium-ion Samsung battery getting the job done.

The bike allows for in-frame charging, but it is equipped with a removable battery pack, allowing for external battery charging. It takes three to seven hours to charge the battery when it is fully drained. And by the way, not all alternative brands offer removable batteries, so this provides a significant convenience upgrade from some of your other options.

If you are looking for speed, the 750-watt brushless motor propels the fat-tire bike as fast as 19.9 MPH. That wattage provides plenty of power for hills and climbing, too. The power is operated by a half-twist throttle and has five pedal assistance levels. If you are looking to joy-ride down a flat greenway, keep the pedal assistance turned off or throttle to level one. But when you are in a hurry to get to work, the Thunder T1 fat-tire bike will throttle up to level five as you battle traffic and hills.

Locking Hydraulic Fork

Perhaps my favorite feature is the RST hydraulic front fork. The adjustable front fork has a range of 80 mm, but can also be locked for rigidity. We've mentioned that Turboant's Fat Tire Electric Bike is one of the most versatile experiences we have reviewed, and the locking hydraulic fork is the reason why.

Leave the fork unlocked when traversing fields and trails. This will provide greater shock absorption during your ride. On the other hand, if you are tackling the concrete jungle, you can lock the front fork. The increased rigidity will give you better control and a more responsive ride.

Additional Features

Beyond the above features, the Turboant Thunder features a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain system. The design includes a derailleur, thumb shifter, and freewheel. Keep in mind that the Shimano drivetrain is the more traditional infrastructure on the bike and controls your speed’s manual component. The brushless motor provides pedal assistance beyond the manual drivetrain system.

Of course, you might be wondering how you know what level the pedal assistance is set to. You can easily see the manual gear on the Shimano shifter, but the bike also features an excellent LCD screen showing how much of the 5-level pedal assistance the rider is utilizing.

While going fast is important, stopping quickly is equally as important. The Turboant Thunder T1 features Tektro Aries disc brakes, which are highly responsive, and contribute to a highly in-control user experience.

Other Turboant Products

Turboant is still a young company, so they only have a few primary products. Nevertheless, their line-up is potent and worth considering you are in the market for a new electric bike or electric scooter.

Turboant Foldable Electric Bicycle

Bikes are meant to make life more convenient, but they also have bulky and awkward dimensions, which can be inconvenient. The Turboant Swift Folding Electric Bike solves this problem. While this bike is a little more compact, it has similar features to the Thunder series, including a 750 watt rear hub motor, a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain system, and a range from 35 to 60 miles.

Besides the obvious folding difference, the other obvious difference is the Turboant Swift's 20" Kenda tires. The full-size Thunder features 26" Kenda fat tire, which results in a noticeable difference. You really have to turn the 20 " tires over more to reach the same distances. Of course, if you travel frequently or commute using public transit such as bus or rail, the foldable Swift might be exactly what you need.

Turboant Pro Electric Scooter

Pre-pandemic, rideshare scooters were all the rage. And they are convenient and fun to ride. They don't take up as much room as bicycles, and some prefer standing upright to a bike’s seated position. Plus, let's be honest, they are just fun.

The Turboant X7 Pro Electric Scooter is an affordable option to many of the better known brands. It features long-lasting 10-inch pneumatic tires for a smoother ride and a detachable battery, so you can charge the battery inside while leaving the scooter outside.

Our favorite feature on this scooter is that it has different modes, which vary to comfort and skill level. Most people start out using the beginner mode until they are more comfortable, but sports mode is also available if you can handle a little more adrenaline. There is also an eco-mode if you would like to conserve a little energy.

The scooter only weighs 33 lbs, has a max load capacity of 275 lbs, and goes as fast as 20 MPH. Its max range is 30 miles, so you won't need to worry about running out of juice before making it home.

It is designed with safety in mind, too. The hand brake lever, rear disc brake, and foot brake are part of a triple braking mechanism that stops the scooter from full speed in as little as 5 meters (16.4 ft). To enhance safety, it also has a 3W LED headlight and brake light.

If you are in the market for electric mobility but are looking for something more affordable than an electric bike, the Turboant X7 Pro Electric Scooter is a strong option.

Turboant Fat Tire Electric Bike Alternatives

When Turboant first entered the scooter market, its biggest competitor was Xiaomi. While the brand known for the odd combination of cell phones, scooters, and other smart devices was a strong competitor for Turboant, Xiaomi doesn't have electric bicycles in their wide-varying portfolio.

Instead, Turboant goes head to head with stiff competition from brands solely focused on building quality e-bikes. And while there are more electric bike manufacturers than you can count these days, the Turboant T1 is made for top-end fat tire performance. We provided comparisons below to Rad Power Bikes and Juiced Bikes, which also have performance-focused products.

For a detailed reviewing comparing Rad Power Bikes vs. Juiced Bikes, check out our comparison post. If you aren't sold on an electric bike yet, consider a Retrspec bike for something classic and affordable, or compare Specialized vs Trek vs Giant for a high performance bike that is adventurous.

Turboant vs. Rad Power Bikes

Rad Power Bikes is now one of the largest electric bike manufacturers in the world, and if you are looking for lots of options, this is where you need to go. While Turboant has just a few products in its lineup, Rad Power Bikes seemingly has more bikes to choose from than you could count. Their first ever manufactured model was the RadRover electric fat bike, so it's no surprise that they have several alternatives to Turboant’s electric fat tire bike.

As the winner of nearly 20 "best e-bike" awards, Rad Power Bikes has proven its prowess. From a price standpoint, their bikes are very comparable to the Turboant electric fat bike, but they do have more fat tire options, including the following:

• RadRover Electric Fat Bike

• RadRover Step-Thru Electric Fat Bike

• RadMini Electric Fat Bike

• RadMini Step-Thru Electric Fat Bike

Rad Power Bikes use many of the same components as Turboant, including Shimano shifters and derailleurs, Tektro disc brakes, and Kenda tires. In addition to the official fat bikes listed above, which have 4" K-Shielded Kenda tires, Rad Power Bikes has a few other bikes with over-sized 3.3" tires, including the RadRunner Plus with an exclusive passenger package.

For the sake of comparison, we will focus on the RadRover Electric Bike to compare the value between the two brands. The RadRover Electric Bike and its other bikes set themselves apart because of the numerous accessories and configurations. You can add front and back racks, baskets, and even a Thule Yepp Maxi Child Seat.

As far as performance, The RadRover Electric Bike lists a range of 45+ miles of battery life, compared to the Turboant Thunder T1's max range of up to 65 miles. Due to safety limitations associated with class 2 vehicles, both bikes have a speed cutoff at 20 miles per hour.

The RadRover Electric Bike is hard to beat. It may not have the same top speed or range as some bikes, but the accessories and potential customization are second-to-none.

Turboant vs. Juiced Bikes

It is hard to be Juiced Bikes strictly from a performance point of view. We are particularly fond of the HyperScorpion, which stylistically looks like a moped and has smaller wheels than some bikes. It also has a 70+ miles range and reaches 30+ MPH. For the sake of comparison to Turboant, though, we will focus on the RipCurrent and RipCurrent S, which are Juiced Bikes' take on a fat tire bike.

As you would expect from a fat tire bike, the wheels are larger than the wheels on the HyperScorpion. And while the HyperScorpion is versatile, the RipCurrent series is even more ready for off-road adventures. The fat tires manage well across uneven ground and terrain. Of course, it will work just as well for city commuting or backroad exploration.

Here is the thing you need to know about the Juiced Bikes RipCurrent series: They provide high-end performance but also come at a high-end price. The standard RipCurrent is more expensive than the alternatives from Turboant or Rad Power Bikes, though there is still value to be had. The standard RipCurrent has a 40+ mile range and notably reaches 28 miles per hour.

It boasts a 52V battery, 750W motor with torque and cadence pedal sensors, hydraulic disc brakes, and an informative LCD screen. It's worth noting the competitors primarily utilize a 48V battery. The RipCurrent S has all of the same features, plus an even more impressive performance package.

It also reaches 28 MPH on a 52V battery and 750W motor, but it has 70+ miles of range, exceeding Rad Power Bikes and tops Turboant. The extended range might be helpful if you plan on epic adventures, but it will cost you. It's the most expensive bike we reviewed.

Juiced Bikes also lacks the customization options that Rad Power Bikes has. Juiced has a pannier bag and a phone mount with charger, but no cargo baskets or child passenger setups. Still, if you are looking for premium performance, Juiced Bikes is top-notch.

Warranty Comparison

While we recommend checking on the respective sites if you are interested in the details of each warranty, at a high-level, it is worth noting that all three brands offer a 1-year warranty. On this front, all is equal between Turboant, Juiced Bikes, and Rad Power Bikes.

Is Turboant's Fat Tire Electric Bike Worth It?

Any bike should be judged on performance first and foremost, and with a max range of 65 miles and a max speed of nearly 20 miles per hour, the Turboant T1 is built to help you explore the unknown. And in many ways, The Turboant Thunder T1 Fat Tire Electric Bike combines the best of Rad Power Bikes and Juiced Bikes. The Turboant T1 has a range close to that of a Juiced Bikes but is even more affordable than Rad Power Bikes.

It's nearly the perfect combination of performance and affordability. Like any good fat tire bike, it is built to tackle both the flat ground of city streets and mountainous terrain. The Kenda tires are puncture-resistant, and the wheel fenders will protect you from road splatter.

The reviews are in. The battery capacity is top-notch, the maximum range is near the top of the class, the versatility is everything you need, and the bike provides a balanced riding experience. If there is one knock we have against the Turboant Electric Fat Tire Bike, it is that the brand doesn't offer the accessories and customized experience you will find with Rad Power Bikes. There are no front or rear baskets, no cargo platforms, and no child carriers.

Still, if you are looking for high-end performance at an affordable price, the Turboant Thunder T1 is a great value, and makes for a fun and practical investment. Buy one today and waste no time enjoying your new ride.