2022 Snapcycle R1 Review

Video Review

Written Review

What is going on awesome peeps! It is absolutely wonderful to see you again and I hope this review finds you well and I hope you’re having a great day. For this review we are taking a look at the Snapcycle R1. This versatile fat tire electric bike checks off pretty much all the important boxes and includes suspension forks, a rear rack and fenders, an integrated lighting system, a clean, integrated battery and hydraulic disc brakes. 

The R1 has a starting price of $1,699 USD and Snapcycle went the extra mile by offering free shipping to the contiguous United States, a 1-year warranty and a 14-day return policy. They also offer financing for those who prefer to buy now and pay later. Thanks Snapcycle, we appreciate that. 

Let’s dive into the specs. 

The R1 has a powerful 750 nominal watt Snapcycle-branded hub motor in the rear wheel that can temporarily boost up to an impressive 1200 peak watts for those extra steep hills. This really is a pretty powerful machine, and it feels snappy off the line with quick acceleration all the way up to its top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the half-grip twist throttle or the cadence sensing pedal assist. This makes the R1 a class 2 electric bike out of the box, but I’m pretty confident there’s a way to unlock a higher top speed in the display, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to figure it out during testing. If you know the secret combination, drop it on the comments and we’ll pin it so we can all go zooming around at mach 5… safely of course.

Let’s talk about range. The R1 has a 48 volt, 14 amp hour locking, removable battery that’s neatly housed inside the down tube, with a max estimated range of 45 miles when using pedal assist. Snapcycle claims the throttle only range is 30 miles with this battery, and from our testing this seems pretty legit. We blasted around for about 15 miles at full speed using mostly the throttle, and we still had half a tank of electrons at the end of our ride. Normally we don’t bother talking about the chargers, but with the R1’s 3 amp fast charger pumps out about 50% more electrons than the normal 2 amp chargers. 

I’m a huge fan of the R1’s frame style. The sloping top tube retains the structural integrity of a traditional half diamond frame, while at the same time lowering the stand-over height. This is nice not just for getting on and off and the bike, but if you plan on aggressive riding and putting a foot down on turns, that extra clearance is going to pay dividends. Now, the R1 is a pretty heavy e-bike, weighing in at around 72 pounds, but it does have a solid 275 pound carry capacity, which is nice considering you might want to load up that rear rack.

Part of the R1’s heft comes from its MOZO front suspension. This fork has about 80 mm of travel, preload adjustment and lockout. This means you can finely tune the R1’s suspension to best suite your riding style. And with the huge air volume afforded by the CST 26 inch by 4 inch fat tires, it’s a fairly comfortable ride.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that while the R1 is a capable off-road electric bike, it’s not a true e-mtb. Light trails and some fun little jumps? Sure, why not? Some tricky single tracks? Ya that’s cool. Black diamond courses? Don’t even think about it. Ok maybe think about it, but don’t do actually do it. Of course, if you did do it, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors would probably offer enough stopping power. But still, don’t do it!

The 7-speed Shimano Tourney derailleur is paired with a Shimano SIS Index thumb shifter, and while this isn’t our favorite shifter here at Electrified Reviews, it still gets the job done. And let’s be completely honest here, most of the time you can just leave this ride in top gear and use the pedal assist or throttle to get you up to speed. 

I appreciate the double-sided chain guard on the R1 as it’s going to help minimize derailments. I mean, who wants to stop the adventure for a road-side repair am I right?

I also dig the integrated headlight and tail light and while they aren’t really bright enough to sufficiently illuminate the trail for night riding, they’re definitely bright enough to increase visibility. This means you’ll be easier to spot by cars, pedestrians and other bikers. Really it’s a huge safety feature. 

On the handlebars we’ve ergonomic faux-leather grips with a half grip twist throttle and the shifter on the right side, and the independent button pad and electric horn on the left side. And smack in the middle we’ve got the greyscale LCD display with all the usual data points like current speed, max speed, odometer and tripometer. Best of all though is just how easy it is to see the display in direct sunlight. Snapcycle did a great job here.

Overall, the R1 is a great choice for anyone who needs a highly versatile electric bike at a reasonable price. Remember, the R1 starts at just $1,699, but it’s specs and refined design make it feel like it should cost quite a bit more. The R1 is going to work well as a commuter and trail rider, and pretty much everything in-between. 

See the Snapcycle R1 website: https://snapcycle.com/products/snapcycle-r1-electric-fat-tire-bike