2020 Rattan LM 750 Review

Video Review

Written Review

An e-bike for two, the Rattan LM 750 is a punchy folding electric bike ready to tackle just about anything. Front suspension and seat-post suspension, coupled with the 4” fat tires offer a cush ride, and at a competitive price of $1,199.00 USD, it’s a hard folder to pass up.

Power — 750 nominal watts, 65 Newton meters of torque

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike has a powerful 750 watt hub motor with 65 Newton meters of torque. Per Rattan, this motor has been optimized with their patented IPAS (Intelligent Power Assist System) technology to make the motor 83% more efficient, saving more than 50% of the battery power. Rattan doesn’t give much detail on the tech, but claims their motor is able to passively convert downhill kinetic energy back into usable juice for the battery. We tried researching IPAS technology and the company Reibok to look into this tech further but were not able to find anything.

Rattan also offers a 750 watt version of this bike, which is identical save for the more powerful motor, for an additional $100.00 USD. Not a bad deal.

Speed  — 28 mph

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike has a top speed of around 28 mph, which can be reached using the throttle or pedal assist. 

Battery and Range — 48 volt 13 ah, 80 miles

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike runs on a 48 volt system and has a 13 amp hour battery for an estimated max range of 80 miles, according to Rattan’s website. As with all range estimates, there are a variety of factors that impact the max range, including but not limited to rider weight, rider style, terrain and the elements. Even with Rattan’s IPAS technology, the real world max range will likely be quite a bit less than the advertised max range. We haven’t done a full range test to complete empty, but with the limited testing we were able to do with the LM 750, and with other versions of Rattan’s line, the IPAS tech does seem to noticeably extend the range.

The silverfish style battery for the LM 750 is located behind the seat post and is locking and removable, but you must first remove the seat post in order to pull the battery free. This isn’t a big deal, but does mean changing the battery will take a few extra seconds. There’s also a battery indicator on top of the battery so you can get a quick estimate of how much juice is left whenever it’s not attached to the bike.

Pedal assist sensor — Cadence sensor

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike is equipped with a cadence sensor that measures the rotation of the cranks. Like most cadence sensors, this one has a slight delay from the time the cranks start and stop moving and the motor activates and deactivates. 

Display — LED/LCD

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike has an LCD display with all the essential electronic feedback, including current speed, average speed, top speed, odometer, tripometer, pedal assist level and more.

Frame and weight — Aluminum alloy, 64 pounds

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike comes in one frame size and three different color options: Green, Grey, and Black. It’s made from aluminum alloy and weighs in at close to 64 pounds. The folding mechanism on the frame is a dual-stage lock to help ensure the frame does not come loose when riding, however the locking mechanism on the stem is only a single-stage lock, which are more prone to come free when tackling extreme terrain. 

The frame also has two major support gussets on the single tube, and the top one doubles as a handle. This is a great way to pick up the bike when it’s unfolded.

The only downside to the frame here is position of the foot pegs. While the passenger might be nice and comfy on the back with a spot to rest their feet, the foot pegs will get in the way of pedaling for those with larger feet. During testing, I consistently hit my heel on the foot pegs whenever I tried using the ball of my feet to pedal. I had to shift my pedal position to the middle of my foot, which isn’t comfortable for very long, and also decreases pedal efficiency. A good way around this would be to try to adjust the foot pegs back some.

Suspension —  Spring suspension forks, seat post suspension

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike has no-name spring suspension with approximately 60 mm of travel. This suspension is really geared towards cutting down on road vibration and smoothing out some minor bumps; in that respect they work great. We don’t recommend taking the LM 750 on serious off-road trails however as the suspension and also the frame just aren’t really designed for that. That being said, it’s perfectly fine to the LM 750 on some light dirt and gravel trails. 

The seat post suspension is also a no-name suspension and has approximately 30 mm of travel. Just like with the front suspension, this works great to cut down on road vibration and smooth out some bumps. It really does make the ride more enjoyable. 

Gearing — 7 speed, Shimano Tourney

The Rattan LFM750 folding electric bike uses a Shimano Tourney derailleur and has 7 speeds which can be selected through the Shimano SIS Index thumb shifter on the right side of the handlebars. The SIS Index thumb shifters work well enough, but most people will find they have to completely adjust their grip in order to shift gears. 

Brakes — Mechanical disc, 180 mm rotors

The Rattan LFM750 folding electric bike uses Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors in the front and rear, providing more than enough stopping power. The brake levers also have motor inhibitors built in, which instantly cuts power to the motor whenever they are depressed, ensuring the shortest possible stopping distance. This is a great safety feature, especially for an electric bike with a cadence sensor. 

Warranty — 2 year comprehensive, 3 year battery

The Rattan LFM750 folding electric bike has a 2 year comprehensive warranty and a 3 year warranty for the battery, which is pretty incredible considering the price point. 

Price — Starting at $1,199.00 USD

Starting at $1,199.00 USD,  the Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike is an incredible value buy for what is being offered. But Rattan also offers the LM 750, which is identical to this bike but with a 750 watt motor, for just $100.00 USD more. Honestly, this is probably the way to go.

Who’s it for —Anyone who wants to ride with a passenger!

The Rattan LM 750 folding electric bike feels like a good choice for riders with limited space and budget. This would work particularly well for travelers, and RVers and campers come to mind as this bike would be ideal to stow away and then take out for some trail riding when the time comes. But what separates the LM 750 from many other folding electric bikes is the additional seat in the back. The foot pegs at the bottom of the bike are a nice touch too and should help make the passenger more comfortable on extended trips. And of course the IPAS tech is a great bonus to help squeeze out every last bit of juice from your battery. Overall, Rattan’s ebikes feel like great products at competitive prices, and for anyone looking to bring a friend along with them, the LM 750 will definitely do the trick.