Name: Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S Review
Item: Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S
Author: Court Rye

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Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S Review

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Electric Bike Review

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Bafang 750 Watt Rear Hub Motor

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S 52v 19.2ah Downtube Semi Integrated Battery Pack

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Shimano Altus Derailleur Hyperglide Cassette

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S 52 Tooth Steel Chainring Alloy Bash Guard

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S 180mm Tektro Hydraulic Brake Rotor

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Mozo Air Suspension Fork 80mm Travel

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S 1050 Lumen Integrated Headlight

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Ergonomic Locking Rubberized Grips

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Greyscale Display Thumb Throttle

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Wide Rear Rack Standard Gauge Tubing 25kg Weight Limit

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Selle Royale Lookin Saddle Side View

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Selle Royale Lookin Saddle Top View

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S 1.4lb 2amp Charger Metal Tip

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Stock High Step Brushed Aluminum

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Stock High Step Matte Black

Juiced Bikes Ripcurrent S Stock High Step Red

The RipCurrent S is a powerful fat tire adventure electric bike, high speeds and long range rides feel almost effortless thanks to the massive 998 watt-hour battery pack, available in multiple sizes with free shipping in the contiguous United States
Feature complete with resilient plastic fenders, sturdy rear rack, and lights although only the headlight is integrated, adjustable mid-rise handlebars provide comfortable seating positions, XL frame easily accommodates riders as tall as 6ft 5in
80 newton-meters of torque from a 750 watt Bafang motor conquers inclines with ease, capable of Class 3 speeds of 28mph (40km/h) when using pedal assist, torque sensor feels smooth and responsive in any assist level
Rear fender is half length and exposes the rider to some mud and water in bad weather, the rear light is independent and must be activated manually, only sold online so no test rides or fitting before making a purchase

Make:

Juiced Bikes

Model:

RipCurrent S

Price:

$2,499

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Trail, Sand and Snow, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2), Speed Pedelec (Class 3)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2020

Total Weight:

80.4 lbs (36.46 kg)

Battery Weight:

11.9 lbs (5.39 kg)

Motor Weight:

10.7 lbs (4.85 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

16.5 in (41.91 cm)18 in (45.72 cm)20 in (50.8 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Extra-Large: 76.2cm Seat Tube, 68.58cm Reach, 78.74cm Stand Over Height, 88.27cm Minimum Saddle Height, 76.2cm Width, 191.7cm Length, 116.84 Wheelbase

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Brushed Aluminum, Gloss Red, Matte Black

Frame Fork Details:

MoZo Air Suspension, 80 mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, 135 mm Hub Spacing, 9 mm Skewer with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

170 mm Hub Spacing, 12 mm Threaded Axle with Nuts

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Two Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

9 Speed 1x9 Shimano Altus Derailleur, Shimano CS-HG201-9 11-32 Tooth

Shifter Details:

Shimano Altus Mega-Lite Triggers on Right (One-Way High Lever, Three-Shift Low Lever)

Cranks:

Prowheel ATIA, Forged Alloy, 170 mm Length, 52 Tooth Chainring, Alloy Guide

Pedals:

Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Fixed Pins, Black

Headset:

Neco, Integrated, Threadless Internal Cups, Sealed Cartridge, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Promax, Alloy, 40 mm Length, 31.8 mm Clamp Diameter, One 10 mm Spacer, One 5 mm Spacer

Handlebar:

Promax, Alloy, Mid-Rise, 760 mm Length

Brake Details:

Tektro HD-E350 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Dual Piston Calipers, Three-Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors and Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Velo, Rubber Ergonomic, Locking

Saddle:

Selle Royal Lookin, Gel

Seat Post:

Promax Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.4 mm

Rims:

Alloy, Double Wall, 82 mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Black

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 12 Gauge Rear Spokes, 13 Gauge Front Spokes, Black with Adjustable Nipples

Tire Brand:

Kenda Krusade, 26" x 4" (98-559)

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

5 to 30 PSI, 60 TPI Casing, Wire Bead, KS Guard Puncture Protection

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Custom Plastic Fenders (115mm Width), Custom Alloy Rack with Pannier Hangers (25kg / 55lb Max Weight), Custom LED Integrated Headlight (1050 Lumens), Star Union Independent Backlight (3 LED, 2 AAA Batteries), Steel Torque Arm on Left, Rear Mount Adjustable Length Kickstand

Other:

Locking Removable Semi-Integrated Downtube Battery Pack, 1.7lb 2 Amp Charger, 20 Amp Pure Sine Wave Controller, Threaded Sealed Electronic Connectors

Motor Brand:

Bafang

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

750 watts

Motor Peak Output:

1295 watts

Motor Torque:

80 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung, Panasonic, or LC (Based on Availability)

Battery Voltage:

52 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

19.2 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

998.4 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

8 hours

Estimated Min Range:

40 miles (64 km)

Estimated Max Range:

120 miles (193 km)

Display Type:

Liandian, Fixed, Monochrome, Matrix LCD, Buttons: Power, +, -, (Hold + for Lights, Hold - for Walk Mode, Hold + and - for Settings, Press Power and + for Advanced Menu)

Readouts:

Voltage, Battery Capacity (9 Bars), Current Speed, Assist Level (Eco, 1, 2, 3, Sport, Race), Watts, Odometer, (Advanced Menu: Amps, Watt Hours, Amp Hours, Temperature)

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (TMM4 Torque Sensor, High Definition Hall Cadence Sensor)

Top Speed:

28 mph (45 kph)(20mph Throttle Only)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. No payment was received for this in-depth review, but I did receive the review bike for free from Juiced Bikes. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Juiced Bikes products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the Juiced Bikes electric bike forums.

Observations:

Juiced Bikes, formerly Juiced Riders, has been around a long time! Back in 2008 they were making high-capacity battery packs, which helps explain their leadership in that area in the ebike industry. They first produced long-range cargo bikes, and then in 2016 pivoted and re-branded as Juiced Bikes, and started producing new models such as the sporty CrossCurrent line and a cruiser. They make a wide range of bikes now, all of which are high-speed Class 3 capable using their signature 52-volt battery platform
The founder of Juiced Bikes is Tora Harris and he maintains impressive involvement with the design and production of Juiced Bikes. Check out the Juiced Bikes YouTube Channel and you will find lots of great behind-the-scenes footage from the production floor, comprehensive how-to assembly and maintenance videos, as well as regular updates for new models
The “S” used to stand for “Speed”, as in “Speed Pedelec”, a way to differentiate it from the slower RipCurrent model at the time. Now both models are capable of reaching 28mph, but the RipCurrent S does have a more powerful motor that peaks at 1,295 watts (vs the 1,036 of the standard RipCurrent). Other differences include the addition of rack and fenders, a rear light, a higher capacity battery, and an improved air suspension fork vs coil

Pros:

Available online for ordering within the contiguous United States, shipping is free and in my experience quite fast, covered by a one-year comprehensive warranty
Most direct-to-consumer ebike manufacturers offer only one size to save on production costs, but Juiced Bikes manages to offer three different frame sizes (Medium through Extra-large) which is just fantastic in my opinion! I’m a tall rider at 6’3″, and the XL frame on the RipCurrent S is the perfect fit for me, so I appreciate Juiced providing the XL and Medium options to fit riders on opposite ends of the spectrum. Seriously, of all the ebikes I have ever reviewed, this is the first one that truly feels made for someone my size! You also have three color options, I like the Matte Black of my review model… but the Red or Brushed Aluminum model will be a bit more visible
The RCS feels like a “go anywhere, do anything” type of Ebike. I’ve put over 200 miles on it in the course of preparing for this review, and I’ve done just about everything on it: running errands, commuting to the coffee shop for work, pleasure rides with friends, adventuring on trails and in the mountains, even a little playing around on a BMX track. It is huge and feels a little bit like riding a tank, which is honestly one of my favorite things about it… I feel unstoppable when I’m in the saddle!
Cabling is semi-integrated and secured with metal threaded connectors, great choice here as these connectors are quite resilient and won’t disconnect easily, as well as less likely to let water in. As with most Ebikes the RipCurrent S can handle rain and puddles no problem, but you should avoid submerging it in water. The control and electronics cabling runs along the bottom of the downtube behind a rubber strip, this is a nice compromise that still looks streamlined while providing easy access for repairs or maintenance
I mentioned that Juiced is an industry leader in the battery space, and that prowess is on full display here with an enormous 52 volt, 19.2 amp-hour battery, semi-integrated into the downtube. I like the battery mounting choice, the partial integration keeps it securely mounted while still being easy to remove for charging or storage, and the position low-and-center gives the RCS a good center of gravity. This battery uses high-quality cells from one of Samsung, Panasonic, and LG – like many manufacturers, Juiced Bikes will use different cells depending on price and availability. This battery provides an impressive range, I was able to get about 35 miles when using max assist and literally riding up a mountain. When cruising around town it’s not hard to reach 70, 80, or even more miles on a single charge, even when riding at 28mph
Juiced is great about cross-compatibility of their battery packs as well, so if you have other Juiced Bikes models you can share both the high and low capacity battery packs around – the newer 52 volt batteries even work on their older 48 volt Ebike models!
The Shimano Altus drivetrain is a step-up from the entry level Tourney and a bit higher performing, while the CS-Hyperglide cassette provides a similar quality bump compared to the smaller-range freewheels often seen on cheaper bikes. The cassette range is 11 to 32 teeth which is decent but definitely picked for top speed when paired with the 52-tooth chainring. Getting to 28mph feels effortless and it’s also possible to pedal beyond that and ride at 30-35mph to keep pace with traffic, a great way to get places in a hurry while still getting a solid workout
Kenda Krusade tires provide great traction and puncture protection, 26 inch diameter means a nice low attack angle for smoothing out bumps in the road, fully inflate to 30 PSI for efficient riding on pavement or lower as far as 5 PSI to tackle snow, sand, mud, and any other soft terrain… but remember you lose a lot of range efficiency when riding at low pressure! Riding on pavement is quite satisfying thanks to the sound the tires make on hard surfaces, it’s almost like a jet engine whine and louder than the motor once you get up near 30mph
Smooth power delivery thanks to a 25 amp pure sine wave controller, and the rare presence of a torque and cadence sensor for activating the rear hub motor. Most rear hub motor Ebikes have only a cadence sensor which only measures revolutions on the cranks, the RipCurrent S (and many other Juiced models) also have a torque sensor that adjusts motor power based on how much “oomph” you put into pedaling. This translates to a responsive and satisfying ride experience, especially if you are a more active rider and are looking to still get a good workout while riding
A shorter stem and mid-rise handlebar provide a slightly more upright riding position compared to the 2018 version of the RCS which sported a flat handlebar, I think this is a great change. You can adjust the handlebar forward and back a bit and find a really comfortable seating position, ranging between forward to almost-but-not-quite upright. This goes a long ways when discussing ride comfort, and don’t forget about the suspension fork, high-volume fat tires, ergonomic grips, and gel saddle – the RCS just feels great to ride. My longest ride was over 50 miles and although my butt was a little bit sore at the end I didn’t have any back or neck pain like I’ve gotten on many other bikes
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are an upgrade from the Star Union brakes on previous versions of the RipCurrent line, these sport three-finger levers, dual piston calipers, and large 180mm rotors, as well as motor inhibitors for safety! They perform flawlessly, having no trouble stopping the significant mass of the RCS
The ride feel is rock solid stable thanks to the sturdy high-step frame and huge tires, riding no-hands is easy even at low speeds, and cruising at high speed feels safe and smooth! I actually got up to 47mph when coasting downhill, which feels ridiculously fast on a bike but I still felt relatively safe and in control. The frame is unique to Juiced and purpose-designed for electric use, thick downtube supports the massive battery well, and the high top tube adds great rigidity
The display is small and out-of-the-way on the left grip, I’m a big fan of these displays as they are easy to see in bright sunlight and easy to operate. You get six assist levels but numbering them 1-6 is apparently too boring for Juiced, so instead you get ECO-1-2-3-S-R, with those last two standing for Sport and Race mode. As you can imagine, Race mode is very powerful but will drain your battery quickly, I like riding in ECO and occasionally using the throttle to accelerate after stopping at an intersection. The battery readout is a precise nine bars that actually shows remaining capacity instead of only showing current voltage (which will fluctuate down under load and can be a bit confusing), and you can enter an advanced display mode to see other readouts such as the current motor temperature and detailed consumption metrics for your current riding session
Speaking of the motor, this fat-tire-specific geared hub motor from Bafang is a monster, with 750 watts nominal and peaking as high as 1,245 watts, and providing a solid 80 newton-meters of torque – definitely appreciated considering the size and weight of the RCS! This motor does a great job on inclines although you’ll have to pedal and help out a bit to do any serious climbing, especially for extended uphill rides – the motor can handle it, but eventually it will start to overheat, so it’s best to help out and prolong the life of your motor. This is simply a reality of using geared hub motors, and for most riders this won’t be an issue; I was able to get about 25 miles into my long mountain ride before the motor started to overheat, and this was on a 95-degree day
There is a torque arm on the left side which helps to secure the axle and distribute the force of the motor into the frame, great to see considering the power of this motor
The suspension fork is air which is lighter and performs better than coil, 80mm of travel and with a compression/lockout adjust on the right side, you can also adjust the air pressure using the Schrader valve on the left. The fork performs great when offroading, my favorite thing about it is that I can mount a phone and bluetooth speaker on the handlebars and they don’t get knocked askew when going over bumps
The seatpost is now 30.4mm in diameter, larger compared to the 27.2mm seatpost on the 2018 RCS. That gets a stamp of approval from me, the new seatpost is more sturdy for supporting larger riders
Comes “fully loaded” with lights, fenders, and a rear rack! The headlight is fully integrated and puts out an impressive 1,050 lumens… it’s brighter than some motorcycles I have ridden and provides excellent visibility when riding at night. The rear Star Union light is independent so you will need to activate it manually, as well as changing the batteries every now and then. The rack is wide with standard gauge tubing and pannier hangers, and the fenders are made of plastic which is quite resilient with great protection on the front in particular
The RCS sports not just one, but two sets of bottle cage bosses – one on the underside of the top tube, the other on the seatpost tube. This is great for securely mounting all sorts of accessories or tools! The massive battery pack does limit space somewhat, so you might need a side-release bottle cage if that’s the accessory you are mounting
First-time setup of Juiced Bikes impresses me as some of the best in the business. They give you an array of high-quality tools, each model has video instructions hosted online, and their packing material is top-notch. I got the RCS ready to go in about 30 minutes, most impressive was that the brakes and derailleur were perfectly tuned right out of the box
Great kickstand placement near the rear, this helps balance the bike when the rack is loaded, and also makes chain maintenance much easier, not to mention maneuvering the bike in the garage or at a bike rack
Good charge port placement high up on the downtube away from the cranks, this helps to minimize damage that can occur when charging the battery while it is still mounted on the bike, I also appreciate the metal housing for the charger plug that feels very durable

Cons:

No way around it, the RipCurrent S is one heavy bike, tipping the scales at 80.4 pounds with all accessories mounted. This is about what you would expect for a fat tire bike of this size, especially considering the high-capacity battery back, but I think they could still save some weight with punched out rims and a few other tweaks. With that said, I honestly love the hefty weight of the RCS! It feels like a tank that can handle anything, and the electric drivetrain is so powerful that the weight is no problem… but that won’t help you when maneuvering the bike in your garage, or (God forbid) carrying it up stairs to your high-rise apartment
The rear fender has shrunk down a bit compared to previous versions of the RCS, as you can see from this photo the 2018 model had a full-length rear fender. On the 2020 version the rear fender stops right near the front of the rack… so you don’t get nearly as good of coverage. Granted, it still protects the bike frame and bottom bracket quite well, and the rack itself offers some protection, but I’d still advise riding a bit slower in the rain if you have cargo that you don’t want to get wet or dirty
The front wheel is using a 9mm thru-axle setup, I would like to see a larger diameter 12mm option for a bit more strength. The 9mm has performed fine so far and I appreciate the convenience of the quick-release skewer, but I have seen 12mm (or larger) axles on other large fat-tire ebikes
Juiced Bikes does a great job with packing and assembly instructions… but you still have to put it together yourself which can be a challenge if you lack the experience or tools to do so. A bicycle stand helps but is not required, I would say the most challenging aspect of setting up the RCS is the sheer weight of it. I was able to set it up by myself without a bicycle rack, but keep in mind that I’m quite tall and strong and also have a lot of experience doing this. If in doubt, recruit a friend or family member!
Carrying on from the previous point, the online-only nature of Juiced Bikes means that you can’t test ride one of these before purchasing, and repairs or warranty claims may require you to repack and ship the bike back to Juiced. I recommend hanging on to the packing box and materials while your warranty is active just in case, and it doesn’t hurt to check with your local bike shop to see if they are willing to work on it for any maintenance needs. Some bike shops refuse to work on bikes they don’t sell! Of course, if you are handy with tools or already have the experience, you’ll be able to do any maintenance yourself
The rear light is independent which means you have to turn it off and on manually, so make sure you don’t leave it on and drain the battery! You’ll also have to change those two AAA batteries occasionally, but they tend to last a long time as long as you always turn them off after riding. I do appreciate that the light has two modes of operation (steady or flashing)
The Kenda tires are fantastic in terms of performance, but I would really like to see some reflective sidewall striping for better side visibility, especially on the Matte Black frame
With a 52-tooth chainring and 11-32 tooth cassette the RipCurrent S is definitely specced for speed, tackling inclines will be difficult without using electrical assistance. Fortunately, the massive capacity of the battery will make this a non-issue most of the time, but on my long mountain ride I had to pedal a lot near the end when my motor started to overheat, and even in first gear I was having to stand up on the pedals and really huff and puff to make it up the slopes
No slap guard on the right chainstay, fortunately this is an easy fix and worth doing to keep the paint from getting scratched up. Mine has not gotten scratched so far, but it has gotten quite dirty from chain grease accumulating on it
The headlight is mounted to the lower portion of the suspension fork which means it will bounce up and down when you ride over bumps, this can create an annoying “strobe light” effect on bumpy trails
A torque sensor is a rare feature on a hub-motor-driven ebike… especially in this price range! This torque sensor feels responsive and is enhanced by a high-resolution cadence sensor, but it’s still not as responsive or smooth as the higher-end mid-drive motors from the likes of Bosch and Yamaha. I noticed that when cruising at a steady speed without putting much pressure on the pedals I can feel a sort of “pulsing” effect from the motor, but it’s pretty subtle and I’ve only noticed it a few times over the course of about 300 miles of riding. While the torque sensor kicks in very quickly when you start pedaling, it doesn’t respond quickly when you stop pedaling; the motor will continue pushing you for another second or two before cutting out. Fortunately, the brakes have motor inhibitors so if you need to stop quickly you can do so safely without having to fight the motor

Useful Resources:

Juiced Bikes official website

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Gordon DeBever

4 years ago

Thank you for the review. I have been doing some research for a regular commuter bike up to work and back. I like the ripcurrent s best on paper and through video reviews. My ride is about 17 miles one way with 7 miles being a fairly gradual 500 ft climb in elevation. Bottom line from your reviews, what do think; best class 3 for comfort and handling, day to day commute under $2500 and under?

Thanks,
Gordon

Court

Hi Gordon! Yeah, I really like this product in terms of price value and performance. Juiced has really expanded their offering, and it seems like there have been a couple of hiccups along the way, but they have a great engineer leader and are progressing forward. I haven’t looked at the RipCurrent S for quite some time now, but when I saw it, I did like it. I think they are a clear leader in this category, and I also like the Aventon Level in this price range :)

Brian Centeno

I multiplied the amperage that you gave for the controller (20 amps), times the voltage (52), and came up with 1,040 peak watts, not the 1,295 peak watts you list in the specs.

Tyson Roehrkasse

Hey Brian, thanks for the catch on this! Based on the information I’ve gotten from some other sources, it seems that Juiced has modified the controller for 25 amps, which would put it at 1300 peak watts… so that makes sense. The 1,295 peak wattage number comes from their documentation.

So that would put the ripcurrent non-s model at 20 amps at the controller. Makes one feel better when paying the premium for an S version, beyond the bigger battery and fenders.

Phil Baron

Hi Court!

First off, thank you to you and your team for this awesome resource. I have found it invaluable in educating myself before purchasing an electric bike. I wonder if you could weigh in, helping to decide on my first electric bike purchase.

Background: I am 65, 5’8” and in relatively good health, but could stand to lose a few pounds. I live in Chicago, and ride my normal bike all over; lakefront bike paths (paved), gravel paths, some commuting in the city, and occasionally an off road trek through the forest preserves here, with moderate hills. Recently, I began renting the Divvy electric bikes that Chicago has around the city, and absolutely love the extra power and ease of ebiking, while still getting a decent aerobic workout.

My wish list:

At least a class 3 bike with throttle as well; I want to be able to go 28 MPH or faster. (the ability to “unlock” faster speeds is a plus, but not a requirement, as in the Vintage bikes)
Front shocks (I think a FS bike will put it out of reach financially, but if one exists in my price range, I’d like to consider it.)
A good motor and battery (or two); reliable range and power, and hill climbing ability if I decide to take the bike up to Wisconsin, or other hilly terrain.
Upright “comfort” body position. Or a forward position with an adjustable handlebar to get close to a more upright position.
removable battery (although not a deal killer)

After reading a lot of reviews on EBR, I (think) I’ve narrowed it down to the following bikes (barring any other suggestion from you). First, the Juiced RipCurrent S. (after reading your comments, I’d also consider the Aventon Level). Next, the Dost Kope, or Drop (If you could weigh in on benefits or differences between these two, other than the obvious step-through frame). Possibly the RadPower RadRover 5, although I have concerns about the quality of RadPower after reading other reviews. But I like the price. And last, the bike that I find very appealing, with one exception, is the forthcoming Juiced Hyper Scrambler. The exception is that it seems to be a mini bike geometry, and I’m not completely sold on that, but I do like all the bells and whistles it has, full suspension, speed, tech… Any thoughts on this?

I would never ride a fat tire non-electric bike, I don’t want to work that hard, but I’m assuming the electric boost will compensate for that drag in an eBike. The bike must also be rideable and enjoyable in a non powered mode, and I want to be able to add a pack and/or panniers. I like quality, a good display, good tech, and am willing to pay a bit more for this. That said, I’d like to keep it under 3K, but would be willing to go more for the right bike.

Any thoughts on the difference between the rear motor and the mid motor? Which do you prefer? Thanks in advance for your thoughts, I look forward to hearing from you!

Phil B, Chicago

Hi Phil! It seems like you’ve done some good research, and I can see how you ended up with Juiced. They are practically the only company that combines a lot of the features you mentioned including higher speeds, bigger batteries, and good value. I do trust Rad, and although some of their parts are cheaper to keep the bike prices down, they seem to have very good customer service. I really like DOST and would consider them worthwhile to pay for, but I think they are sold out right now. The KOPE and DROP are basically the same exact bikes, just with slightly different frame styles and sizing (the step-thru is smaller).

To be honest, I’d zoom in and either pick the Juiced Bike that fits your desires the most, or compromise for one of the Rad bikes for less, knowing that they aren’t able to go above 20mph. I do think that hub motors are very capable and make fat bikes satisfying to ride, even up moderate hills. Mid-drives are more efficient and can be more powerful if you shift gears down before climbing (to empower the motor), but if you’ve got some speed going in, most motors will add a lot of support and ensure you make it up! I hope this helps, some of your requirements overlapped and there’s always a trade-off between price, power, weight, and quality. Right now, many of the best bikes are sold out. Good luck!

Hi Court, Thanks for the reply, it’s very helpful! Over the last few days, a couple other bikes have caught my attention, and I’d like to ask if you have any thoughts regarding them, vs Juiced or Dost.

First, BikTrix, and my understanding is that all their bikes can be “unlocked” to achieve greater speeds (for off-road use). Looking at both the Stunner LT or a Juggernaut. And possibly Frey bikes (I don’t see any reviews of them on the site). Frey might be a lot more bike than I need, but the prices for this level bike are astonishing. But, have to deal with ordering direct from China…

Thanks again, Court, for the invaluable help, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Phil B. Chicago

Vince Caruso

After sales service not great. I recently bought a CrossCurrent 2, very similar to the RipCurrent without the fat tires. Generally runs well, but right out of the box the chain keeps falling off in high gear, as commented on by others online.

Sorry to say Juiced Bikes was of no help. Could have supplied a better chain stay then the very low cost and defective one it came with, I even offered to install it. The service person was clueless and did not even know what a ChainRing was. This could be dangerous in traffic when the chan just falls off. Poor after sales service.

Thanks for the reviews, I often suggest folks looking for an ebike check out this site.

Wow, thank you for the good feedback here Vince. I do my best when covering the bikes to be thorough, but our time is limited. Comments like yours help to add value both for customers and the company to do better. Sorry to hear about the challenges with the CrossCurrent 2, I hope they work the kinks out and you can still enjoy the bike.

Ant Phan

Mr. Court;

Your web site – not just a commercial entity but, clearly, a “Labor of Love” – for which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.

In the spirit of the excellence that you continually show I offer a small suggestion for clarification. You or your reviewer state that “Most rear hub motor Ebikes have only a cadence sensor which only measures revolutions on the cranks, the RipCurrent S (and many other Juiced models) also have a torque sensor…”; ie, cadence to most of us means our ‘little leggies’ going nineteen to the dozen hoping for a smooth rotation of the cranks/chain wheel/front derailleur w h y. And, as noted, measured said cranks.

Closer inspection of the Juiced Bikes such as the Rip & Cross Currents shows a pick up at the rear TMM4 that senses the 11T cog; ie, it does not measure (pedal) cadence, but rear wheel rotation (rpm).

Missing the pedal cadence from the trifecta of Torque/(Pedal) Cadence/(Wheel) Speed (and thence what gear is selected if the controller’s programming is sophisticated enough) may explain – along with possible limitations of the torque sensor (another topic) – partially, why some riders have experienced surging and/or a lack of “Oomph” at low speed, low gears on steep gradients?

That’s great feedback! Perhaps we misinterpreted and used the wrong language here Ant~Phan. I was not the one who covered this ebike and was not in touch with Juiced to confirm the stats. I do trust the reviewer who helped make this post, but we don’t even have the bike to double check this now. Your feedback may help to clarify and address some of the surge and oomph. Perhaps there are others who can chime in here or in the Juiced Bikes Forums. Thanks, and sorry about the confusion our language has caused here :/

Jay

Purchased the large sized frame unit in October 2020. I would add the following:

The front light is mounted on the lower front shock brace and it shines across the front fender which blocks out about 1/4 the light source. It also causes the light to have to be aimed vertically more, which shines less on the road and more on oncoming traffic. This could be a safety issue.
I am 6’3” and 210lbs and I don’t think it as a powerful a bike (powerful is a relative term). This bike struggles on paved hills to the point it does need a lot of help. It’s heavy so I’d recommend use on flat and light hills.
The speedometer is off and indicates a higher speed than the bike is moving. I tested it and it reads 10mph steady but is about 7 mph. The max I can reach with throttle only is about 15. The max I have reached with pedal assist is 23 and that was with a great deal of effort. The large “spongy” tires create too much friction to go any faster.
Would like to have seen an integrated switched rear light too.
The 9mm front axle seems too small for the size and weight of the bike. A great deal of force happens at that point and I’m curious if any issues may occur (stress cracks, etc…).
The front brake pads grind when stopping after only a few weeks of use – 2 trips per day of about 2 miles. Am watching those to see what the issue is.
I really like the frames size, upright ride, battery size, price point, etc.

Thanks for adding these details, Jay! I agree with your insights, especially about the light being blocked and the axle thickness being an area for possible improvement. It sounds like overall you’re enjoying the bike, and I’m happy to hear that :)

Mark Wilmot

I thought your review was excellent. I have a particular problem that you share and that’s height. I’m 6’6″ 250lbs and I would love some advise on what fat tire bike company’s (other than Juiced) provide larger frames? I like Juiced but I would like to learn more prior to purchasing a bike. I also like DOST but do they make a frame that would fit me? I want to keep my cost around $3,000 if possible.

Hi Mark! I cannot speak for Tyson (the larger reviewer here), but I do think that Juiced, DOST (their larger high-step frame), and maybe something like Rambo Bikes could be a good fit. I’m only 5’9″ myself, but this is a great question to post in the forums for help choosing a new ebike. Good luck!

Dwayne Sloan

Thanks Tyson for the review. I just sent in my order and look forward to riding this bad boy.

Hi Dwayne, happy to help! I’m excited for you, the RCS is such a fun ride. Hope it ships quickly!

Maurice dube

3 years ago

Je reste au Québec rimouski j’aimerais avoir un prix rendu che nous pour ce vélos de montagne.

Bonjour, je ne suis pas sûr que Juiced Bikes se vende au Canada en ce moment. Je donne des avis, mais je ne connais pas la disponibilité ou les prix. Vous pouvez peut-être visiter leur site officiel ici.

Edward

I purchased my Ripcurrent S and I can recommend the following after putting 400 miles on it so far. I been able to make a great bike even better.

Must have Juiced accessories to get – the Hafny Handlebar mirror is fantastic, the Cycle satiator charger is expensive – completely worth it vs the included “dumb” charger, the Juiced Portable air Pump is very handy, your backside will thank you if the get the Kinekt seat post – just makes the hard tail ride a pleasure. Don’t get the ABUS folding lock unless your bigger than a Medium frame – it won’t fit onto the water bottle bosses (actually the water bottle bosses are rather useless on a medium frame anyway with such a big battery). Nearly all these accessories can be bought after the fact or from other sources.

Other accessories –
A flat on the rear tire will completely ruin your day – Not a roadside fix or a quick one. So I picked up Tannus Armor bundle (you need to get with tubes as they are smaller) 26×4.0-4.8 – so much easier to install that Mr. Tuffy and bullet proof. You can even ride flat on them (at slower speeds) – they are expensive but worth every dime. I flats will never be an issue.

Amazon has MIK carrier plates and MIK mates which allows you to mate anything to the top of the rack and are fantastic for a truck bag, using a milk crate, etc
Ortlieb makes fantastic Panniers for traveling / shopping trips
Handle bar water bottle mounts from Amazon solve the issue with mounting water bottles and puts them in a far better position

Modifications –
Fixing the headlight shining on the front fender – used a 1.5″ stainless steel mending brace (straight) to lift it with some stainless hardware. Raising the light 1″ to 1.5″ – youtube videos exist. – easy

For a far brighter taillight I replaced the taillight with a the Supernova M99 TL 2 which fits in the same spot and wired into the headlight circuit using a 2 pin Juilet Y connector, an extension and a 15-72 V to 12 VDC to DC buck module (mounted between the MIK plate and the top of the rack) (to go from 52V down to the 12VDC of the headlight). This is an advanced project that assumes your good with soldiering, water proof shrink wrapping and such. I should make a youtube video of this one. The taillight now turns on with the headlight.

Overall the bike has been fantastic with the mods and additions. I am sure even heavier. I ride on the beach at times so the torque of a mid drive but I will give that up to have the reliability of hub motor (dead battery and I can ride, broken chain I can ride (assuming I still have battery). I would never go smaller than the battery with this bike – when you ride it the fun way – which is mostly all out – your range plummets from the ideal world 70 miles. BTW I feel so much safer on this bike – it’s size commands attention, it is stable at any speed, and when your pushing 25 to 30 miles an hour the differential between cars and you is much smaller and on residential streets I am often rarely passed by cars as I am running at the speeds they are going. Overall a fantastic bike

Hi Edward! That’s a great list of suggestions. Thank you so much for providing all of this feedback :D

Tom Parsons

2 years ago

I was set to purchase a 2022 Juiced Ripcurrent S. The terrible reviews for Juiced, and there are dozens, all point to the customer service: failure to return phone calls, staff who lack basic ebike knowledge, unavailability of parts, failure to follow-through with promises, etc. I don’t know how many of these are recent. Wondering if these problems have been fixed.