A folding fat tire electric bike with smaller 20" wheels, adjustable height seat and stem with adjustable angle bars improves fit, quick release front wheel makes stowing in small spaces even easier
Removable battery pack reduces weight when lifting and makes care easier, integrated headlight adds safety, basic independent rear light included (uses AAA batteries)
No bottle cage mounts but there are bosses for a rear rack, seat must be removed to get the battery off and key must be left in the pack to operate the bike (more jingling and snag potential), solid one year comprehensive warranty
Tektro Mechanical Disc with 160 mm Rotors, Tektro Levers with Motor Inhibitor
Grips:
Rubber, Semi-Ergonomic
Saddle:
Velo Plush
Seat Post:
Suspension Shock
Seat Post Diameter:
27.2 mm
Rims:
Champion, Aluminum Alloy
Tire Brand:
Chaoyang, 20" x 4"
Wheel Sizes:
20 in (50.8cm)
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Single Side Kickstand, Integrated 7 LED Headlight, Basic Independent LED Backlight (Uses Two AAA Batteries), Plastic Bash Guard Pant Protector, Basic Flick Bell
Other:
Locking Removable Battery Pack with Handle and LED Charge Indicator, Quick Disconnect Motor Cable, Quick Release Front Wheel
The Trail Viper is a folding fat-tire electric bike that combines portability with fun. It’s a “go anywhere” platform that benefits from smaller diameter wheels in two ways… they’re smaller and thus easier to store but also offer a mechanical advantage to the motor and your legs when pedaling. The custom 17″ frame feels surprisingly solid off-road and has been extended horizontally so you don’t feel squished as with some other folders. There’s a lot of adjustability with a quick release seat collar (seat goes up and down) and a telescoping stem (also goes up and down) with adjustable angle. Basically, whether you’re tall or short the bike can be setup to feel natural. Because it’s folding and you’re more likely to adjust everything to its smallest dimensions during trips it can be useful to make a little tic mark on the stem and seat post for quicker setup when you’re ready to ride again. This holds especially true for the seat post because you have to take it off in order to remove the battery pack. The battery can be charged on or off the bike but reduces weight by ~6 lbs if it’s off and that can make the platform easier to lift… same with the front wheel which has a quick release skewer. The first SSR Motorsports electric bike I tested was the 350W Sand Viper and it performed surprisingly well given the low price point. The trail viper matches that price ~$1,399 and introduces a nicer kickstand, rear LED light and softer grips. I really enjoyed this ebike because it’s unique but also well outfitted for a first generation build. There’s a quick shot of the Trailviper completely folded up with the seat post all the way down, we had just taken it out of the trunk and we didn’t even have to remove the front wheel to get it to fit.
Powering the Trail Viper is an extra wide 350 watt internally geared hub motor from Bafang. It reminds me of the one used for the Sondors Ebike but offers more leverage for climbing here due to the smaller wheel size. I’ve tested several folding bikes that use 250 watt motors but those usually run smaller hybrid or slick tires, the 350 watt size is great for this platform and surprisingly zippy. There’s an inline quick-disconnect so you can completely remove the rear wheel for maintenance. On the left side of the motor you’ve got a 160 mm mechanical Tektro Novella disc brake setup (that matches the front brake) and both brake levers include a motor inhibitor switch which is important tho disengage the system in pedal assist mode. Mechanical disc brakes require a bit more effort to actuate but they’re less expensive and easier to repair than hydraulic. For this type of bike (smaller wheels and lighter weight ~65 lbs than a full sized fat) the brakes work well. On the right side of the motor is a six speed cog set with entry-level Shimano Tourney TX derailleur. Lots of affordable ebikes use this drivetrain and the components should do alright if you clean them after dusty or sandy rides or every couple hundred miles and go for tuneups occasionally if the shifter begins making noises.
Powering the drive system, LCD display and integrated headlight is a 36 volt 10 amp hour Lithium-ion type battery. It’s built into a “silver fish” aluminum case that mounts just behind the seat tube. This position is great for protection of the battery and weight distribution across the frame, it’s not as clean as something like the e-Joe EPIK SE or EZ Pedaler X350 which have integrated packs but it’s much better than a rack based system in my opinion. At the top of the battery there’s a little flip up handle that’s useful for taking it off the frame and carrying it around (to and from the charger etc.) and there’s a basic LED power level indicator to communicate how full the pack is when you get there. Overall, it’s a good design and while I’m not sure what brand of cells are being used, I take comfort in the year long comprehensive warranty offered by SSR Motorsports. As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to take the seat and post off to get the battery off the frame and the charger is small and light for portability.
Activating the Trail Viper is a two step process where you turn the key to “on” in the battery pack and then press a rubber “on” button at the control pad. The LCD display panel used here is from Bafang and offers some advanced settings if you dig into the menu but the default readouts show battery level, assist level and speed. Assist defaults to 1 when you activate the bike and I like this because the throttle is operable in pedal assist mode but not at level 0. If you’re worried about accidentally bumping the throttle, you can press the red button near the right grip that disengages it. The demo unit I was testing in the video review above had the display setup for nine levels of assist and this was nice because folding bikes with smaller wheels tend to be less stable in my experience and these smaller increments let me find the perfect, comfortable speed. SSR uses a different display unit on their full sized Sand Viper fat bikes and I like that display too but it only offers five levels of assist to choose from. To activate the lights on the Trail Viper just hold the up arrow for a few seconds and to activate walk mode just hold down. I like that the main LCD unit is backlit (when the lights are switched on) and that it can swivel easily forward and back if not over tightened.
The Trail Viper is one of the most enjoyable folding electric bikes I’ve tried. The fat tires add a lot of comfort, stability and fun that’s often lacking on “traditional” folding ebikes. Even though it folds, the frame feels secure and there’s a lot of adjustability on the seat and stem height and even the stem angle. Yeah, there’s no bottle cage here but even if there was, it might spill water all over because the top tube is basically horizontal. For the price, this bike packs a punch in terms of features and I love that they included a tail light even though it’s not wired in. The motor size is just right in my opinion (to keep price and weight low) and the six speed drivetrain is just enough to get the job done. SSR Motorsports has really impressed me this past year because they’ve responded so quickly to customer feedback and added features without raising prices. I could see the Trail Viper becoming very popular and was simply amazed at how portable it could become when folded… even more so if you take off the front wheel. This is a company that’s built success in the gas powered motorcycle and scooter space with years of experience and dealer support, it launched in 2002 but only entered the ebike space in 2015. Even though they’re new-ish, to me it seems like they are doing a good job and offering products that appeal to a powersports crowd in form and function. Ebikes are quiet, light weight and relatively low maintenance compared to gas powered vehicles and while they might not go as fast or far on a tank of fuel, they can be perfect for a bit of exercise and fun for under-aged users who won’t need a license or insurance to get going.
Pros:
For a folding electric bike, especially one with larger wheels and a heavier build, it felt sturdy to ride and steer, it didn’t rattle when riding off-road
The smaller 20″ wheels provide a mechanical advantage to the hub motor and allow this bike to start quickly and climb well even though the motor isn’t especially large
It folds down to a surprisingly small size (at the center of the frame, the stem and with the removable front wheel) we fit it into the back area of a small SUV without folding the rear row of seats down!
Removable battery pack reduces the overall weight (great for lifting during transport/storage) and is easy to charge off the bike, the charger is light weight ~1.3 lbs and has a metal cuff at the end port so it should be more durable if dropped or stepped on
Offers nine levels of pedal assist with full-power throttle override, given the smaller wheel (which are less stable than large ones) it’s nice to have many incriments to choose from with assist, also the throttle can be completely shut off so it isn’t accidentally bumped
Backlit LED screen is easy to see and navigate while riding without taking your hand off the grip, controls the headlight which runs off the main battery
good weight distribution with the battery pack mounted behind the seat tube, it’s also well protected by the frame tubing if the bike tips or is being stored in an awkward position
The seat post shock, semi-ergonomic rubber grips and fat 20″ x 4″ tires add some cushion, especially if used at lower PSI ~10 but this will drain the battery quicker, in general this is one of the only folding fat ebikes I’ve ever seen
In addition to an adjustable seat post and stem height there is also an angle adjust on the stem so you can bring the handlebars closer and improve fit
Oversized SIS Index shifter may be entry-level but works well on fat bikes like this which may be used in the snow… easier to shift gears when wearing gloves thanks to the big levers
Solid Tektro mechanical disc brakes with average-sized 160 mm rotors, these are controlled by Tektro e-bike brake levers that cut power to the motor when pulled, the levers are upgraded and include rubber for improved grip and vibration dampening
Upgraded sealed cartridge bottom bracket should be more durable when exposed to dust, sand, snow and water
Sturdy side-mounted kickstand keeps the Trailviper from tipping over at bike racks or in your garage, it’s mounted towards the back to avoid contact with feet while pedaling
One year comprehensive warranty serviced through dealers, pretty solid for a 500 watt ebike under $2,000
Cons:
To remove the battery you basically need to take the seat post off, it has a quick release collar so this isn’t a big deal but it does take extra time and can be tricky to setup exactly as high or straight, consider adding a tic mark on your seat post to help with alignment
As with many folding electric bikes, this one doesn’t feature a bottle cage mount, there are bosses on the rear portion of the frame for adding a rack which could be used for water storage or you could get a a CamelBak
The battery requires the key to be in and turned to the “on” position in order for the bike to activate, this means the key can jingle around (if you have a keychain attached) or snag more easily when riding
At the time of this review only one frame size was available, also the rear light is not integrated and may therefore be easier to forget and leave on (which will drain its battery)
Powerful, well balanced, affordable electric fat bike with pedal assist and throttle mode (including throttle override). Great extras including front and rear LED lights, matching rear rack, seat post suspension, ergonomic…...
Feature rich electric fat bike with good weight distribution, some ergonomic extras and assist plus throttle mode. Locking removable mid-mount battery reduces weight for transport, makes charging easier and keeps weight low…...
I checked the SSR website and from there new fold-able SRX350E also looks like an incredible deal do have an opinion on it ? Thanks for your time an your very well done website
Hey Scot! Yeah, I really like that model… It’s called the Trail Viper and I’ve reviewed it here. Very impressed with how small it was when folded and also how much more stable it felt than other folding ebikes I’ve tested, the wide tires help a lot :)
I like your trail and sand viper reviews the model i am referring to a full suspen sion mtn with 26″ wheel and surprisingly light, might be a new model?
Oh! Cool… I haven’t seen that one yet. Interesting design, I’ll keep an eye out for sure. Folding is a great feature but usually it adds weight because they have to reinforce the frame. Given the full suspension and full-size wheel design this one could be semi-comfortable compared to smaller folders but I wonder about frame stiffness.
The web site listed at the end of your article looks like somesort of spam/virus site. Where can I find a dealer ? Thanks again for all your reviews. – JLC
Thanks for the heads up John! Looks like their hosting is having issues or something… Maybe the ebike pages are being rebuilt? I was able to get to the homepage at http://www.ssrmotorsports.com/ and will remove the other link.
You mentioned in your pros One year comprehensive warranty serviced through dealers, pretty solid for a 500 watt ebike under $2,000 I thought it was a 350 watt bike do they have a upgrade to 500 watts for this trail viper. Also a upgrade for a amp to get better range? Thanks looks like a really cool bike I will be a first time e-bike rider & looking at a lot of your reviews this one interests me the most right now.
Hi Roger! Sometimes I make updates but miss all of the details or just make mistakes… I believe SSR does offer a higher powered version of the Trail Viper now with a rear mounted 500 watt motor. You could reach out to them directly or ask a dealer that carries them like the Electric Bike Center in Fullerton, CA (they even have the 500 listed here). I think they ship bikes but if you live near the shop you can also take a test ride and they have some other fat-ebikes as well.
Good question Greg, in my experience (and from what shops tell me) most higher quality electric bikes are very water resistant but you wouldn’t want to blast them with high pressure water from a hose… also, salt water isn’t a good idea. So for rain, navigating medium puddles where the motor isn’t submerged and even hosing the bike down gently you should be alright :D
Thanks to your review I bought this bike last month. I am 65, weigh 275lbs in a 6’1″ frame. Got a bad hip so cycling seemed the best way to go to knock off some pounds and have the safety of power for hills (I live in Pittsburgh) so I don’t necessarily have to pack up for the trails to get exercise. This bike has been great! Met all my needs and gets compliments as it is a big beefy looking beast (physically a bigger bike than I thought) in matte black paint. It actually gets me up to an indicated 20mph and the battery last pretty good depending on what assist level (usually 1 or 2) and how much you just use the twist grip. Having the ability to just twist and go from a standstill greatly helps get my fat butt thru street crossings when I use the trails or in the streets. I highly recommend this bike but do wish it had a 7 speed instead of 6. Also, my bike only has 5 assist levels but they are sufficient even with all the hills I have to work with. BTW, I see there is twin to this bike in the Motan Addmotor version which has the 7 spd gears, 500watt motor and I believe 48v battery, would like to see you review that bike as well.
I’ll keep an eye out for that one Bill, thanks for sharing your experience with the Trail Viper, hope it holds up well for you and you have lots of great rides this summer :)
Cool review! How is this bike in terms of stability over rough trails? Does it feel study, considering its folding components/mechanisms and does it squeak or rattle at all?
I’m from Canada, and saw there is a 500W version (using 48v 10.4ah Battery and comes with rear rack) sold by VoltBike.ca for $1499 Canadian (which I think is about $1200 US). I’m interested in getting this version since it’s only $49 shipping, and wondering if you will be reviewing that bike anytime soon. In particular, if you do review the VoltBike version, please do comment on the 500W motor on VoltBike’s version vs the 350W SSR version as well as stability/sturdiness over rough terrain VoltBike’s version. Thanks!
Hi William, I’d say it’s much more stable than a traditional folding electric bicycle because the tires are wide and provide a larger contact patch. They also absorb bumps so rough trails don’t feel as jarring. My time with the bike was short and mostly on-road so I can’t comment on squeaking and rattling but most bikes do rattle a little (especially as you ride them over time). I would like to review the Voltbike model eventually and may head up that way or have one sent down to a shop to check out. I’ll definitely test out the larger motor but as a lighter weight rider (I only weigh 135 lbs) it’s often difficult for me to notice the difference in power.
We have 3 of the 2016 SSR Trail Vipre 350 -36V we use on steep mountain roads and trails in Idywilld, CA. The way home has a 2 mile grade that ranges from 7% to 11% and the 350 motor is not up to it with our heaviest riders from 195 to 220. Lighter 120 lb. riders will slowly summit smiling all the way as heavier paddlers come to a dead stop as their motors fail due to overheating. After a few minute cool down the dead motors that quit (without and errors notices) come back to life and were on our way. We are waiting to receive a 500w- 48v Trail Vipre that we’re told is in the works to test on this unavoidable long and steep grade which is something we should have done before purchasing. 3 of those bikes. If the 500w whisks us over thr top we’ll trade up because we like everthing else these handy folders offer.
I would love to hear ant advice or opinions on this matter particularly the way the 350 motors fail on long uphill pulls with no error warnings.
Thanks for the great feedback Tim, it’s nice to hear real-world use stories… as I’m not a super heavy rider and sometimes our testing environments are limited with smooth flat pavement vs. hills etc. It’s nice that the motors automatically shut off to protect themselves from damage but disappointing if people have to stop when trying to summit the hill. In my experience if you pedal along while throttling it can make the difference between overheating and not but some people prefer not to pedal. Anyway, hope the updated models solve this for you and I’d welcome further comments when you get them!
Hi Sherry! My guess is that you either tap the power button (once the display is already on), or you hold the + button for a few seconds. Usually, you can also activate walk mode by holding the – button for a few seconds and enter into the settings menu by holding + and – together for a few seconds. I hope this helps and I welcome feedback if you figure it out! Watch the display panel closely because usually it also becomes backlit once you turn lights on, and sometimes there is even a light icon that shows up. I mention this because it’s possible that your headlight could be disconnected or even broken but you’ll still be able to know that it’s being turned on because of the display backlight and icon which could help you diagnose any issues :D
Love the Trail Viper! Great on smooth surfaces! The main use for my bike is quiet transportation to my hunting stands. Wish this bike had a better suspension system for off-road use. I would recommend this bike for smooth trail riding though. This is my first Ebike.
Very cool! it sounds like a decent setup for your hunting. I agree, many of these fat tire folding models have limited suspension because of the larger tires. There is one full suspension fat folding ebike I’ve seen though, it’s called the Synergy Kahuna, check it out if you get a chance!
Scot Vann
9 years agoI checked the SSR website and from there new fold-able SRX350E also looks like an incredible deal do have an opinion on it ? Thanks for your time an your very well done website
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHey Scot! Yeah, I really like that model… It’s called the Trail Viper and I’ve reviewed it here. Very impressed with how small it was when folded and also how much more stable it felt than other folding ebikes I’ve tested, the wide tires help a lot :)
ReplyScot Vann
9 years agoI like your trail and sand viper reviews the model i am referring to a full suspen sion mtn with 26″ wheel and surprisingly light, might be a new model?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoOh! Cool… I haven’t seen that one yet. Interesting design, I’ll keep an eye out for sure. Folding is a great feature but usually it adds weight because they have to reinforce the frame. Given the full suspension and full-size wheel design this one could be semi-comfortable compared to smaller folders but I wonder about frame stiffness.
ReplyJohn Carey
9 years agoThe web site listed at the end of your article looks like somesort of spam/virus site. Where can I find a dealer ? Thanks again for all your reviews. – JLC
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for the heads up John! Looks like their hosting is having issues or something… Maybe the ebike pages are being rebuilt? I was able to get to the homepage at http://www.ssrmotorsports.com/ and will remove the other link.
ReplyROGER BROWN
9 years agoYou mentioned in your pros One year comprehensive warranty serviced through dealers, pretty solid for a 500 watt ebike under $2,000 I thought it was a 350 watt bike do they have a upgrade to 500 watts for this trail viper. Also a upgrade for a amp to get better range? Thanks looks like a really cool bike I will be a first time e-bike rider & looking at a lot of your reviews this one interests me the most right now.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Roger! Sometimes I make updates but miss all of the details or just make mistakes… I believe SSR does offer a higher powered version of the Trail Viper now with a rear mounted 500 watt motor. You could reach out to them directly or ask a dealer that carries them like the Electric Bike Center in Fullerton, CA (they even have the 500 listed here). I think they ship bikes but if you live near the shop you can also take a test ride and they have some other fat-ebikes as well.
ReplyGreg
9 years agoHow does the trail viper and other similar ebikes handle water? trail riding with stream crossings, mud-holes, rain etc…
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoGood question Greg, in my experience (and from what shops tell me) most higher quality electric bikes are very water resistant but you wouldn’t want to blast them with high pressure water from a hose… also, salt water isn’t a good idea. So for rain, navigating medium puddles where the motor isn’t submerged and even hosing the bike down gently you should be alright :D
ReplyBill Smith
9 years agoThanks to your review I bought this bike last month. I am 65, weigh 275lbs in a 6’1″ frame. Got a bad hip so cycling seemed the best way to go to knock off some pounds and have the safety of power for hills (I live in Pittsburgh) so I don’t necessarily have to pack up for the trails to get exercise. This bike has been great! Met all my needs and gets compliments as it is a big beefy looking beast (physically a bigger bike than I thought) in matte black paint. It actually gets me up to an indicated 20mph and the battery last pretty good depending on what assist level (usually 1 or 2) and how much you just use the twist grip. Having the ability to just twist and go from a standstill greatly helps get my fat butt thru street crossings when I use the trails or in the streets. I highly recommend this bike but do wish it had a 7 speed instead of 6. Also, my bike only has 5 assist levels but they are sufficient even with all the hills I have to work with. BTW, I see there is twin to this bike in the Motan Addmotor version which has the 7 spd gears, 500watt motor and I believe 48v battery, would like to see you review that bike as well.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoI’ll keep an eye out for that one Bill, thanks for sharing your experience with the Trail Viper, hope it holds up well for you and you have lots of great rides this summer :)
ReplyWilliam
8 years agoCool review! How is this bike in terms of stability over rough trails? Does it feel study, considering its folding components/mechanisms and does it squeak or rattle at all?
ReplyI’m from Canada, and saw there is a 500W version (using 48v 10.4ah Battery and comes with rear rack) sold by VoltBike.ca for $1499 Canadian (which I think is about $1200 US). I’m interested in getting this version since it’s only $49 shipping, and wondering if you will be reviewing that bike anytime soon. In particular, if you do review the VoltBike version, please do comment on the 500W motor on VoltBike’s version vs the 350W SSR version as well as stability/sturdiness over rough terrain VoltBike’s version. Thanks!
Court Rye
8 years agoHi William, I’d say it’s much more stable than a traditional folding electric bicycle because the tires are wide and provide a larger contact patch. They also absorb bumps so rough trails don’t feel as jarring. My time with the bike was short and mostly on-road so I can’t comment on squeaking and rattling but most bikes do rattle a little (especially as you ride them over time). I would like to review the Voltbike model eventually and may head up that way or have one sent down to a shop to check out. I’ll definitely test out the larger motor but as a lighter weight rider (I only weigh 135 lbs) it’s often difficult for me to notice the difference in power.
ReplyTim Ryerson
8 years agoWe have 3 of the 2016 SSR Trail Vipre 350 -36V we use on steep mountain roads and trails in Idywilld, CA. The way home has a 2 mile grade that ranges from 7% to 11% and the 350 motor is not up to it with our heaviest riders from 195 to 220. Lighter 120 lb. riders will slowly summit smiling all the way as heavier paddlers come to a dead stop as their motors fail due to overheating. After a few minute cool down the dead motors that quit (without and errors notices) come back to life and were on our way. We are waiting to receive a 500w- 48v Trail Vipre that we’re told is in the works to test on this unavoidable long and steep grade which is something we should have done before purchasing. 3 of those bikes. If the 500w whisks us over thr top we’ll trade up because we like everthing else these handy folders offer.
I would love to hear ant advice or opinions on this matter particularly the way the 350 motors fail on long uphill pulls with no error warnings.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoThanks for the great feedback Tim, it’s nice to hear real-world use stories… as I’m not a super heavy rider and sometimes our testing environments are limited with smooth flat pavement vs. hills etc. It’s nice that the motors automatically shut off to protect themselves from damage but disappointing if people have to stop when trying to summit the hill. In my experience if you pedal along while throttling it can make the difference between overheating and not but some people prefer not to pedal. Anyway, hope the updated models solve this for you and I’d welcome further comments when you get them!
ReplyMark
8 years agoHi Tim, was wondering what kind of range are you getting on those with all the hills?
ReplySherry D Lawrence
6 years agoDoes anyone know how to turn on the front light to the trail viper folding bike 500?
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Sherry! My guess is that you either tap the power button (once the display is already on), or you hold the + button for a few seconds. Usually, you can also activate walk mode by holding the – button for a few seconds and enter into the settings menu by holding + and – together for a few seconds. I hope this helps and I welcome feedback if you figure it out! Watch the display panel closely because usually it also becomes backlit once you turn lights on, and sometimes there is even a light icon that shows up. I mention this because it’s possible that your headlight could be disconnected or even broken but you’ll still be able to know that it’s being turned on because of the display backlight and icon which could help you diagnose any issues :D
ReplyHarriet Piner
2 years agoLove the Trail Viper! Great on smooth surfaces! The main use for my bike is quiet transportation to my hunting stands. Wish this bike had a better suspension system for off-road use. I would recommend this bike for smooth trail riding though. This is my first Ebike.
ReplyCourt
2 years agoVery cool! it sounds like a decent setup for your hunting. I agree, many of these fat tire folding models have limited suspension because of the larger tires. There is one full suspension fat folding ebike I’ve seen though, it’s called the Synergy Kahuna, check it out if you get a chance!
Reply