2019 Rattan XL Review

Video Review

Written Review

The Rattan XL folding electric bike is a powerful, beefy folder that is built for heavier riders to tackle virtually any terrain.

Power — 750 nominal watts, 80 Newton meters

The Rattan XL folding electric bike has a powerful 750 watt gearless hub motor with 80 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.

Speed  — 28 mph

The Rattan XL folding electric bike has a top speed of around 28 mph, which can be reached using the throttle or pedal assist. However, out of the box, the XL has a top speed of only 20 mph to keep it at a class 2. 

Battery and Range — 48 volt 14.5 ah, 100 miles

The Rattan XL folding electric bike runs on a 48 volt system and has an 14.5 amp hour battery for an estimated max range of 100 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. 

The battery for the XL uses Samsung cells and is located inside the main tube, and is also able to be removed. This keep the bike well balanced and also allows for the battery to be charged separately from the bike, which is ideal since this electric bike is geared towards those with limited space.

Pedal assist sensor — Cadence sensor

The Rattan XL 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 XL 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, 60 pounds

The Rattan XL folding electric bike comes in one frame size and five different color options: Sunburn Orange, Slate Grey, Midnight Blue, Jet Black, Army Green. It’s made from aluminum alloy and weighs in at close to 60 pounds.

Suspension —  Solid forks

The Rattan XL folding electric bike has solid forks, but it looks like the final version might have front suspension.

Gearing — 8 speed, Shimano Altus

The Rattan XL folding electric bike uses a Shimano Altus derailleur and has eight speeds which can be selected through the Shimano trigger shifter on the right side of the handlebars. 

Brakes — Hydraulic disc, 180 mm rotors

The Rattan XL folding electric bike uses Logan hydraulic 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 XL 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 $999.00

Starting at $999.00, the Rattan XL folding electric bike is an incredible value buy for what is being offered. However, once the Indiegogo campaign ends, it looks like the price will jump up to $2,499.00, which is a pretty significant difference.

Who’s it for — Commuters on with limited space and budget

The Rattan XL 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. This also feels like a good choice for heavier riders, and/or riders who plan to carry a bunch of gear in a backpack with them. While we’re not sure what the load capacity of this bike is, the Fat Bear Plus has a max load capacity of 330 pounds, and the XL looks to be quite a bit beefier than that one. The hydraulic brakes offer more than enough stopping power, the IPAS tech helps extend the range and the integrated light offers some illumination for darker areas. Overall, the XL is a fun ride with plenty of power and range, and it’s not just a good value buy, but it also looks good too.