2023 Michael Blast Outsider 5.0 Review

The Outsider from Michael Blast is one of the cooler-looking bikes we've tested this year. The new frame is an aesthetic improvement from past generations, but all of the things we loved about the older version remain. This is an Ebike that is more about being seen and looking cool than anything else. Don't get me wrong, this is a feature-complete bike that rides well and is a heckuva lot of fun! Let's check it out!

Video Review

Written Review

Intro - Retro is in!

Hello and welcome one and all! Today we are shining the spotlight on one of the coolest, retro-inspired e-bikes around, the Outsider 5.0 by Michael Blast. This bike is not only a fantastic ride, but it's also all about being seen, and making a statement with its throwback aesthetics.

This new generation Outsider, priced at $2,400, has retained the best features of its previous version while sporting some considerable upgrades. While you could argue that it’s more about being seen and looking cool than anything else, don't be fooled - this is a feature-complete bike that offers a fun and efficient ride. The 5.0 also features the option for a second battery, meaning you can get basically twice as much range, which in our opinion, is pretty crazy!

Battery and Motor - Power that keeps on rolling

Powered by a removable 960 WH battery, the Outsider 5.0 has a minimum range of 40 miles. Now, if you’re a pedaling sort of guy or gal, you may be able to get more ranger here, but if you’re like me and looking to unlock this bad boy for top speed and mainly use the throttle, you’ll probably get around 35-40 miles, depending on your terrain. The battery is removable, but Michael Blast created a sick-looking gas tank cover, which allows you to charge the battery right on the bike. The Bafang rear-hub motor, rated at 500 watts and 80Nm torque, provides enough power to make this feel like a sporty ride. In the ride test, we tested it as it ships, with a top speed of 20 MPH, but it can be unlocked to top speeds of 28 MPH. The Outsider features an underbar thumb throttle, which can get you up to 20 MPH independent of what level of pedal assist you’re in, which is a great feature to see!

Wheels and Brakes - CHONKEY 5" Tires and larger brakes to handle them

The bike rolls on 20-inch wheels with chunky 5-inch wide Coolride tires - giving it an undeniable presence on the road. I’m a fan of the cool tread pattern here! It’s not quite aggressive enough for some real offroading, but I would feel comfortable taking it o the dirt every now and again. The Tektro hydraulic brakes with massive 203mm rotors ensure you have reliable stopping power in your hands. These things work really well. Nuff said about that.

Gearing and Lights - Plenty of options all around

With a 7-speed Shimano Tourney gear set and Shimano Trigger Shifters, the shifting was dialed in right out of the box. Now, adjusting your derailleur isn’t a big deal, and all of you should learn how to do that, but it’s always nice to get a review unit assembled and just be able to hop on and take it for a spin. The unbranded motorcycle-inspired front suspension with 80mm travel gives us a nice smooth ride feel. I love that we have pre-load and lockout adjustments here, just a nice little bonus to dial in that ride feel even more. The bike also features fully integrated lights for safety during night-time rides. The front light is MASSIVE! It’s fairly bright for this type of light as well. In my opinion, this is one of two main features that make this bike look so cool. The second is the frame, but we'll chat about that in a bit.

Display and Rider Height - Bright LCD and ready for taller riders

The Outsider 5.0 sports a color LCD display where you can monitor your ride metrics in real-time. It’s bright enough to see in the hot Texas sunshine, and you can also adjust the brightness in the menu if you want to crank it up a notch! And let's not forget the distinctive banana saddle, adding to the bike's cool vibe. It’s got a bit of a reverse taper to it, so it gets a little taller as you move to the back of the bike. I did find that it was more comfortable for me, at 5’10” to sit pretty far back, but for shorter riders, anywhere on this cushion should feel pretty good.

UPGRADES - It just keeps getting better

We reviewed the Outsider 4.0 last year, so let’s chat about some of the improvements they made on the 5.0.

One of the most noticeable upgrades is the battery. The Outsider 5.0 boasts a massive 960 WH battery, a significant boost from the 696 WH battery of the Outsider 4.0, expanding the minimum range from 25 to 40 miles.

The front suspension, while more or less offering the same performance, looks way slicker with all-black stanchions. 

The Outsider 5.0 is also equipped with larger 203mm Tektro Hydraulic Brake rotors, up from 180mm, providing superior stopping power. Plus, the wider 5-inch Coolride tires offer better grip and a more imposing look than the previous 4-inch Innova tires.

The standover height has been increased by 5 inches, allowing for more room to hop on and off while still keeping the compact frame design that users love. And that brings me to the second key feature that makes this thing so cool. The 5.0 drops the mid-frame support bars that are prevalent in the 4.0. The 4.0 was sexy, but the new frame is next level and brings a sleeker, streamlined design to the platform. And let's not forget the bike's weight - the Outsider 5.0 is built to carry up to 300 pounds, a considerable improvement over the previous model.

With these upgrades, the Outsider 5.0 stays true to the spirit of the 'Outsider' series, but provides enhanced functionality and comfort, making it a much more enticing package than the Outsider 4.0, in my opinion.

Michael Blast has really outdone themselves with the Outsider 5.0. They've taken a beloved e-bike, kept all the things we adored about the older model, and made it even better. That’s what we hope for, but it’s not always the case!

Conclusion - It looks good, and rides good. What more do you want?

At 80 pounds and a weight limit of 300 pounds, the Outsider 5.0 isn't just a good-looking e-bike. It's a feature-complete, powerful, and fun-to-ride machine that seems to be living up to its $2,400 price tag.