REVI BIKES Cheetah Review

Civi Bikes Cheetah Electric Bike Review
Civi Bikes Cheetah
Civi Bikes Cheetah 750 Watt Fat Bike Geared Hub Motor
Civi Bikes Cheetah Gas Tank Stylized Battery Bay With Faux Leather Cover
Civi Bikes Cheetah Display Swept Back Handlebar Downtube View
Civi Bikes Cheetah Color Lcd Display Panel
Civi Bikes Cheetah Padded Stitched Grips Light Switch Control Pad
Civi Bikes Cheetah Center Adjustable Kickstand Comfort Saddle 4 Inch Fat Tires
Civi Bikes Cheetah Stretched Out Fork Steel Motorcycle Style Headlight
Civi Bikes Cheetah 180 Mm Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brake Rotor
Civi Bikes Cheetah Enclosed 12 Magnet Cadence Sensor
Civi Bikes Cheetah Steel Chain Cover 7 Speed Shimano Altus Drivetrain
Civi Bikes Cheetah 2 Amp Electric Bike Battery Charger
Civi Bikes Cheetah Electric Bike Review
Civi Bikes Cheetah
Civi Bikes Cheetah 750 Watt Fat Bike Geared Hub Motor
Civi Bikes Cheetah Gas Tank Stylized Battery Bay With Faux Leather Cover
Civi Bikes Cheetah Display Swept Back Handlebar Downtube View
Civi Bikes Cheetah Color Lcd Display Panel
Civi Bikes Cheetah Padded Stitched Grips Light Switch Control Pad
Civi Bikes Cheetah Center Adjustable Kickstand Comfort Saddle 4 Inch Fat Tires
Civi Bikes Cheetah Stretched Out Fork Steel Motorcycle Style Headlight
Civi Bikes Cheetah 180 Mm Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brake Rotor
Civi Bikes Cheetah Enclosed 12 Magnet Cadence Sensor
Civi Bikes Cheetah Steel Chain Cover 7 Speed Shimano Altus Drivetrain
Civi Bikes Cheetah 2 Amp Electric Bike Battery Charger

Summary

  • A motorcycle inspired fat tire electric bike with powerful 750 watt geared hub motor from Bafang, unique battery integration designed to look like a gas tank, two battery size options
  • High-volume tires provide comfort and stability, padded grips, oversized sprung saddle, and swept back handlebar deliver comfort and an upright body position, this bike can handle taller riders
  • With a maximum allowable weight of 330lbs (150kb) this is a great electric bike for big people, integrated headlight has high and low beam, beautiful paint matched steel chain cover, three color options
  • Only available in one frame size, basic 7-speed drivetrain with somewhat limited 13 to 38 tooth cassette means there aren't as many options for climbing or pedaling at high speed, I experienced some delay with the 12-magnet cadence sensor but the twist throttle is smooth and both brake levers have motor inhibitors
Warning, in some configurations this electric bike is classified as a moped or motorcycle and may not be ridden on cycling trails or paths. It may require licensing, insurance, and lights when used on public roads.

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

CIVI BIKES

Model:

Cheetah

Price:

$2,299 (Free Shipping)

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Trail, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2), Speed Pedelec (Class 3), Moped or Motorcycle (Class 4)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive

Availability:

United States, Canada, Germany

Model Year:

2018

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

75.8 lbs (34.38 kg)

Battery Weight:

7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) (8.2lbs for 17.5ah Battery)

Motor Weight:

9.5 lbs (4.3 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

19.75 in (50.16 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

1.75” Seat Tube, 25.25” Reach, 27.25” Stand Over Height, 34” Minimum Saddle Height, 30.25” Width, 83” Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Midnight Black with Brown Accents, Classic Blue with Black Accents, Platinum Gray with Red Accents

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Steel, Stretched Style, 135mm Hub Spacing, 10mm Threaded Axle with Nuts

Frame Rear Details:

170mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Axle with Nuts

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

7 Speed 1x7 Shimano Altus Derailleur, SunRace Cassette 13-28 Tooth

Shifter Details:

Shimano SIS Index Thumb Shifter on Right

Cranks:

Prowheel, Alloy, 170mm Length, 44 Tooth Steel Chainring

Pedals:

VP-565 Alloy Platform, Black

Headset:

Threadless Internal Cups, Straight 1-1/8”

Stem:

Double Crown Direct Mount, Alloy, Turn Stopper Pin

Handlebar:

Alloy, Flat, 25.4mm Diameter, 720mm Length

Brake Details:

Tektro Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Four-Finger Levers with Motor Inhibitors

Grips:

Flat, Padded, Faux Leather with Stitching

Saddle:

CHIFA, Oversized Comfort, Faux Leather, Springs

Seat Post:

Alloy

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

30.4 mm

Rims:

Alloy, Double Wall, 35mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Black

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge Front, 12 Gauge Rear, Black with Silver Nipples

Tire Brand:

Chaoyang, 26” x 4.0”

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

5 to 20 PSI, 0.4 to 1.4 BAR

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

8-inch Classically Styled Headlight (Steel Casing and Mount, Low and High Beam), Adjustable Length Kickstand at Center, Paint-Matched Steel Chain Cover

Other:

Non-Locking Frame-Integrated Battery Pack, 1.5 lb 2 Amp Charger, 330lb Maximum Weight Capacity, 5'4" to 6'3" Recommended Rider Height Range

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Bafang

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

750 watts

Motor Peak Output:

1200 watts

Motor Torque:

80 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

13 ah (Optional 17.5ah)

Battery Watt Hours:

624 wh (Optional 840wh)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Estimated Max Range:

50 miles (80 km)

Display Type:

Fixed, Backlit, Color LCD

Readouts:

Speed, Odometer, Battery Charge Level (5 Bars), Trip Meter, Assist Level (0-5)

Display Accessories:

Independent Control Pad, Buttons: Plus, Minus, Set, Power, (Hold + for Night Mode / Day Mode, Hod Set for Settings: Trip Clear, Brightness, Speed Limit, Wheel Size, Units, Battery, Advanced Settings, Information, Save & Exit), Independent Headlight Toggle Switch (Low, High)

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Twist Throttle (Sealed 12 Magnet Sensor)

Top Speed:

28 mph (45 kph)(Adjustable in Settings)


Written Review

To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Electric Bicycle Center which has a shop in Fullerton, California. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of CIVI BIKES products.

This is my first CIVI BIKES review, but I met the team during Interbike 2018 in Reno, Nevada and was impressed with their lineup. The bikes are all fat tire style and priced in the value range. Even this very unique model, the Cheetah, seems like a good deal at $2.3k if you opt for the default 624 watt hour battery size. For those who weigh a bit more, expect to use the throttle a lot, or simply want to go further, the company offers an 840wh pack for just $300 more. The battery and motor are beautifully integrated into the frame and rear wheel, almost hiding, but the design of the bike is bold. This thing was clearly motorcycle inspired! In my experience riding, the frame felt balanced and my legs and knees didn’t make contact with the battery box or handlebars, but the larger saddle and feet-forward position wasn’t as efficient to actually pedal. The gearing range is somewhat limited with a 13 to 28 tooth cassette and basic Shimano Altus derailleur. Since this is a Class 3 speed pedelec, capable of reaching ~28mph, it’s too bad they didn’t opt for an 11 to 32 tooth or wider cassette and use a larger chainring so you could actually keep up pedaling at higher speeds. Honestly, I’m not sure how important pedaling is on this ebike, it rides well as a throttle operated scooter… and technically, it violates the Class 2 and Class 3 legislation because the throttle is functional above 20mph. I’ve listed it as possible Class 2, 3, and 4 because the display has settings that allow you to adjust the max speed and it’s possible to unplug the throttle. As usual, be careful, know the laws where you ride, and consider getting it licensed as a moped or using it only on private property if you do choose to ride faster. Your weight will determine exactly how fast the bike can go, but Sam appeared to be able to reach 25mph+ and he weighs over 200lbs. The maximum weight rating is 330lbs and I noticed that the wheels were spoked in with thicker 13 and 12 gauge spokes. I love how they match the black motor casing and elongated fork. The adjustable headlight with low and high beam will keep you visible and completes the chopper look. I was satisfied with the larger 180mm hydraulic disc brakes and enjoyed the longer handlebars, padded grips, and oversized sprung saddle when we encountered some broken sections of road. This is clearly a special electric bike… and it appears to sell direct online as well as through some independent dealers like the Electric Bicycle Center. With a one year comprehensive warranty, a team that paid to go to Interbike and seems to be listening to shops and customers, it’s part of an exciting new brand. Yes, there’s room for refinement of the drivetrain, maybe some lighter punched out rims, and a faster charger, but it’s above average for such a custom design, in my opinion.

Driving the bike is a powerful 750 watt to 1,200 watt planetary geared hub motor from Bafang. I’ve estimated the peak torque output to be around 80 newton meters, but it could be higher. This thing zips, and you can hear the distinct electronic whirring noise a bit in the video review above. From standstill, I had no problem taking off and reaching the higher speeds quickly. Seeing Sam do the same was confidence inspiring, and he was also able to stop quick. Note that the brake levers appear to be reversed here, much like a real motorcycle, so the right brake goes to the front wheel vs. the rear on most other electric bicycles I’ve reviewed. Starting and stopping support are especially important when pedaling options are limited, but the large sturdy alloy pedals felt solid under foot. Pedal assist felt a bit delayed, so I found myself actively ramping up with the throttle because it felt smoother. CIVI BIKES has chosen a sealed 12-magnet sensor for their products that is durable and fairly quick, but I’m so happy to sea that the brake levers have motor inhibitor switches as a safety backup. Coming back to the motor for a moment, Bafang is a name I recognize and trust. It should be reliable and seems well supported by thicker 12 gauge spokes. This is a fat wheel specific motor, so the casing is wider in order to support the spoke bracing angle and heavier rims and tires.

Powering the bike is one of two battery options, both rated at 48 volts. You can opt for the default pack, which offers 13 amp hours, or pay a bit more for the 17.5 amp hour pack to go further. The weight difference is roughly one pound, and the form factor is exactly the same. CIVI BIKES advertises the cells as being lithium-ion made by Samsung, which is fairly common for electric bikes these days. The battery fits inside the gas tank inspired top tube box, and is not meant to come out without an Allen key tool. This means that you’ll most likely need to wheel the bike over to an outlet to fill it up. That’s not a big deal for most people at home, but it could be a challenge for commuters who park outside at public racks. Since the bike is longer and heavier than average, you might end up storing it outside or in a garage… and that could lead to extreme temperatures for the battery, which will degrade the cells faster. To maximize life, it’s best to store this sort of battery in a cool dry location and maintain between 20% and 80% at all times, checking in monthly if you haven’t taken it for a ride. I didn’t see a battery capacity infographic on the box, but the display panel of the bike did have a five bar icon (communicating 20% increments). The battery box has a little circular female port for the charger to plug into, and it also has a small toggle switch for off/on. I’d recommend turning it off when parking at racks to deter tampering and also when storing long term to reduce phantom power draw which could take the pack to zero and damage the cells. Given the higher but near-center position of the battery, you’re getting decent weight distribution, but not as good as low and center. At least the battery box doesn’t protrude too much out to either side, which could make pedaling uncomfortable if your knees were bumping into it. Sam, being a taller guy, did mention that his knees were coming up towards the handlebars and that he’s used aftermarket stem risers and adapters for other long-legged individuals. There’s good adjustability on the seat post height and the bars can tip up as well.

Operating the bike is a two-step process, once the battery has been charged up. You click the toggle switch to on and then hold the power button on the control pad for a couple of seconds. From here, the display panel boots up in backlit color and a few standard readouts are shown. Speed is the largest, right at the center, with odometer, battery charge level, and trip meter below. Assist level is listed on the left side and power level on the right… but performance didn’t appear to change when we cycled through different power options. I feel like more of the display real estate could have been used and been easier to read with larger numbers and text. The colors don’t actually communicate anything on this display, just make it look a little nicer. I found that pressing the power button once the bike was already powered up would introduce a light icon, but didn’t actually turn on the headlight. To activate this, CIVI BIKES has mounted a second control switch in front of the main control pad, with high and low beam settings. It’s nice to have two light modes, but the position of this switch makes it a little bit further to interact with the main buttons. Perhaps they did it this way because the cable length for the main control pad was limited? It’s a minor complaint or consideration. If you hold the minus key, this ebike does have walk mode, and if you hold the set key, you can get to a settings and advanced settings menu. I personally would trade the color display for a grayscale to save cost and get other features like removability or built-in USB charging. This display looks very nice and could attract attention or get weather worn and scratched up… but is actually fairly protected at the center of the long handlebars. All in all, the control systems are above average in some ways but less functional than they could be in others.

Given the fat tire setup here, with 5 to 30 PSI range, I could see myself going off-road and through some softer terrain after lowering the pressure. In those cases, I’d really be thankful for the throttle to help get started and balanced. This really seems like more of an on-road ebike, but they went for cheaper Chaoyang tires that can handle a variety of terrain with the knobs. Perhaps in the future they will find some slicks to reduce noise and improve efficiency. I realize I’m getting into the weeds and discussing my own preferences a bit here, but I’m really quite impressed with the value on offer. This thing is very unique, pretty well specced, and tons of fun to ride. In a world where companies like Rad Power Bikes have gained mass appeal, it’s cool to have different styles to choose from. This would make a fun neighborhood electric bike or commuting platform, and I noticed that it did have rear rack bosses. Perhaps the company will offer racks or fenders in the future? I’d love to see the addition of an integrated rear light and maybe a seatpost suspension upgrade. It’s rare to see ebikes with such large custom headlights, and the low beam has this cool blue LED circle outline that really sets the bike off. I welcome your feedback and testimonials about the company or this specific bike in the comments below and invite you to connect in the CIVI BIKES forums as well.

Pros:

  • The twist throttle is active at zero and overrides each of the five pedal assist levels, considering the heavy build of this product and less efficient knobby tires, it’s nice to have help getting started
  • The 750 watt geared motor and 48 volt battery system really kicks, the bike was able to move Sam with ease, and he weighs 200+ lbs, it’s neat that the frame is rated up to 33lbs while most other ebikes are just rated for 200lbs or 250lbs but do keep an eye on the spokes if you’re a heavier rider, so they don’t loosen up
  • Very cool styling, everything from the gas tank inspired battery casing to the large steel headlight and elongated fork resemble a motorcycle and the big tires feel proportional, consider swapping to slick fat tires to make the bike smoother and more efficient (the size is 26″ x 4″)
  • It’s great that they upgraded to hydraulic disc brakes vs. mechanical because they are more consistent and won’t stretch out over time, you need the extra stopping power with such a heavy and powerful e-bike
  • Even though this frame only comes in high-step, the minimum saddle height is fairly low and approachable because the seat tube is angled way back, I love longer handlebars that sweep back to meet you, so you can sit upright and comfortable
  • Padded grips, an oversized saddle with springs, high-volume fat tires, and the longer handlebar all contribute to reduced vibration and make this a comfy ride… even without suspension, consider a 30.4mm seatpost suspension for even more comfort
  • The kickstand is mounted near the center of the bike, which is probably good considering the length and weight of the frame, but far back enough that the pedal won’t lock if you back it up or pedal backwards (to work on the drivetrain), I like that it offers adjustable length
  • Great choice of pedals here, these things are oversized, extra stiff, provide great traction, and look nice
  • The display panel is large, bright, and easy to read and interpret in color vs. many others which are black and white grayscale, I like that it has a day/night mode if you hold the + button for a few seconds
  • In low-beam mode, the headlight has this cool blue circle that is really attention grabbing, it’s cool that the light is wired-in to run off of the main battery, can be aimed a bit, and has low and high beam
  • The lower crown of the fork has this big metal pin built into it that stops the handlebars and fork from turning all the way to the right or left, which would scratch or ding the frame… great attention to detail with that

Cons:

  • Weighing in at nearly 76lbs, this ebike is heavier than average, they could reduce some of the weight and possibly improve comfort by punching out the rims
  • This ebike only comes in one frame size, but it’s neat that they offer three color combinations, only the black and brown have the faux leather cover on the battery… the rest are just painted
  • The extra-long chain can bounce around when you’re pedaling with a high gear and I didn’t see a slap guard, I could hear the chain bounce up into the steel chain cover when going off curbs and this could create scratches that might eventually rust, consider using some clear box tape on the right chain stay to protect it without detracting from the nice aesthetic of the bike frame color
  • The drivetrain is one step above base level on the Shimano product line and only offers 13 to 28 tooth spread vs. 11 to 32 or higher and that means you can’t climb as easily or pedal as comfortably at high speed, considering the higher top speed potential of the bike and heavier build, it would be nice to have a Shimano Deore with wider cassette
  • I’m not a big fan of the oversized Shimano SIS indexed thumb shifter used here, it requires more reaching and hand/finger effort to shift, but they probably chose it to make room for the half-grip twist throttle housing, and at least it works well with gloves because the buttons are so large and spread out
  • The display is nice, but it would be cool if it could swivel a bit more, be removable, or have a USB port built-in to charge phones, additional lights, or wireless speakers on the go
  • Minor complaint, I love the headlight and wish that the bike also came with a backlight that was also wired in, I would definitely wear a light on my backpack, helmet, or use a rechargeable one on the seat post or seat stays
  • Even with a nicer sealed 12-magnet cadence sensor like this, pedal assist still lags a bit when starting and stopping and isn’t as smooth or natural as a torque sensor or multi-sensor, I’m glad that the brake levers have motor inhibitor switches built in
  • It’s great to have battery size choices, especially given the high power use of the larger motor and heavier ebike, but the 2-amp charger is going to take longer to fill than if they had opted for a 3 or 4 amp
  • Minor complaint, I didn’t see anywhere to mount a water bottle or accessory on the seat tube or downtube, consider an anywhere adapter if you want to mount something here

Resources:

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Comments (40) YouTube Comments

Rich C.
6 years ago

They had the wheel size set at 28 to come closer to the circumference of the fat tires. The speedometer and odometer will be off when set to 26.

  Reply
Court
6 years ago

Hmm, thanks for the feedback and insight here Rich. A while back, someone told me that the diameter measurement of tires is the outer diameter… what you’re saying has crossed my mind before because you’ve got a 4″ wide tire. Maybe I’ll measure this a little closer next time so I don’t accidentally mislead people.

  Reply
Mike
6 years ago

Your pictures look better than the ones they have online. If you like that style of ‘cafe racer’ bike, its actually decent looking. The faux leather gas tank cover is nice. The Ruffian is a similar styled, but definitely higher end, has a mid drive, and incredibly styled steel tank, but its price is also twice that of this Cheetah. Ariel Rider tried this look with plastic tanks, and it just doesn’t cut it in person.

It wouldn’t be too hard for someone to ‘upgrade’ this on their own, with larger chain ring in front, or different cassette and derailleur, to more easily pedal at higher speeds. You’d lose some bottom end, low speed torque though, but might be a compelling compromise.

The larger more tubular frame is also appealing, and it is nice to see some different styling down in this price range. The ebike industry could do a lot more of that, especially when coupling with a 750 or 1,000 watt motor, where frame weight should not be an issue.

The bracket for the headlight looks a bit clunky, so they could improve upon that for sure. Do a gloss black, with the leather, or deep red with the leather, and you’d have a pretty interesting ride for the fun of it.

Add a rear rack, some Harley styled panniers, and you could start your own local riding e-cycle club. Options should include chrome forks, chrome handle bars, nicer pedals, matching fenders, bottle cage bosses, rear rack with LED embedded tail lights. Could have a LOT of fun optioning this thing out, dressing it up, metallic paint finishes, and do Sunday group tours with everyone having their own uniquely styled cafe style rider. Maybe even some smooth rolling tires with white walls, add a cool Surly Bill or Ted trailer, and your trips to hardware store, like Home Depot or Menards or Lowes, or Whole Foods, could be real head turners. ;) Imagine someone hauling a vanity home for a DIY bathroom project! Ebikes can be so much more fun than any pick up, or SUV. Still getting some exercise too.

  Reply
Court
6 years ago

Hi Mike! I love your creative suggestions and agree that ebikes can be fun and healthy. I haven’t tested the Ruffian yet, but it looks pretty unique ;)

  Reply
Kerry
3 years ago

First thing I did was change to 56 front gear, lost the chaingard, 8″ apes, and Brooks Saddle. So much cooler, I had the rack on for 10 minutes, I’m never going on a picnic. Could put it back on easily. Love this bike. I wish the videos wouldn’t always show people going so slow, it’s actually pretty fast. I’m very happy with my Cheetah!

  Reply
Court
3 years ago

Thanks for the testimonial here Kerry! The updates you made sound awesome, and I appreciate the details :)

Cattt
5 years ago

I got My Cheetah about 3 months ago and love it. It is a great bike with one huge problem. The problem I have is that the chain is loose and slips whenever I hit a large bump or jump. I tried pulling the tire back a bit but it didn’t help. I am not a bike repairman but nothing I have tried would tighten the chain. Another problem is that when the chain slips, the chain guard is mounted and wraps around the front gear just enough to make it impossible to replace the chain without bending the guard to get to the chain. You can not just slip the chain on. Big problem on an otherwise great bike.

  Reply
Court
5 years ago

Hmm, that’s a bummer. Thanks for describing your experience and the thoughts on how the Cheetah could be improved. I wonder if an aftermarket chain guide could help to keep it on track? Or, maybe something like this, designed to keep tension in the chain?

  Reply
Gregory Braggs
5 years ago

Why don’t they use a belt drive instead of a chain drive?

B David
5 years ago

The Cheetah is my favorite cruising ebike with the best styling on the market in my opinion. It’s not really for pedaling without power because it’s a beast. Great value for what you get. Can cruise at 28mph as class 3 or can be constrained to lower class speeds as well.

My favorite utilitarian ebike is the radpower radwagon, which you can only order from radpowerbikes.com and their prices are locked as you can only buy direct. Class 2 speeds only on the wagon, typically cruising around 20mph. Fun stuff!!!

  Reply
Bruce Vertrees
5 years ago

Hey, what’s up brother Court! It’s brother Bruce. Lately I haven’t been feeling that well but I’m still trying to get over to the store in October to buy myself a new electric bike. I’m thinking about the Cheetah and would love to get black with a red tank. I hope it all works out for me and appreciate your prayers in Jesus name, bles you brother. I’m so thankful for you and brother Sam and sister Kanika and Myron the little cat. God bless.

  Reply
Court
5 years ago

Hey Bruce! Great to hear from you, thanks for checking in with a comment here and sharing your excitement for the Cheetah! It’s an awesome product, I hope things work out for you and that you feel better soon. You’re in my prayers, brother. God bless :)

  Reply
Rick Atkinson
4 years ago

Very detailed and informative review. I watched the video when I was looking to buy the Cheetah. After riding my fully outfitted bike for the past six weeks I have a few observations.

  • As explained in the video I am glad to know the reversed brake levers was done for a reason, to match motorcycle configurations.
  • I was advised by the reseller to set the wheel size to 28 to match the true circumference of the tires. The brakes are noisy on this bike. I had them professionally set up and tried “bedding” the pads with limited success.
  • Thus far I haven’t found a problem with chain drop.
  • Good detail around the computer settings. A little slower please.
  • I totally agree that a larger sprocket is indicated. I find peddling at higher speeds gets away on me.
  • I was wondering about that light icon. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
  • This bike has walk mode. I found that out after watching the video and chasing the bike and charger around my garage.
  • Great explanation about finding the sweet spot for gears and pedal assist on longer trips. Indeed I made the same conclusion on a longer ride.
  • I like the choice of gear shifter with the over sized thumb pad.
  • The seat squeaks!

I am very happy with my Cheeta / Cafe Racer. The one I got from Krafty Bikes in Vernon BC came fully equipped with saddle bags rear rack and fenders. I feel this bike has great value and is fun and comfortable to ride. This bike attracts a lot of attention and positive comments.

  Reply
Court
4 years ago

That’s great feedback, Rick. Thanks for sharing what you liked about the bike and what needs some improvement. I’m glad you figured out walk mode! How did you do it? What buttons do you press to get it working?

  Reply
Rick Atkinson
4 years ago

Press and hold the minus key on the pedal assist array to activate walk mode. I think this is a common command for these bikes. There is a slight delay before the bike starts on it path. Remember to hang on!

I was able to “walk” around a fallen tree recently. There was nowhere to go but around the top of the tree which was now partially in a drainage ditch. Walking the bike around the fallen tree kept the bike balanced and me out of the water.

Timothy Haugen
3 years ago

I though that was a glitch in my new Revi Predater when I rested my thumb on the – PAS. Walk Mode, huh?

  Reply
Rick Atkinson
3 years ago

I chased my bike around the garage when I discovered walk mode!

Kim Burkhart
4 years ago

I love the look of the bike. I have the Cheetah and love the fat tires and with no suspension on the bike the tires and the seat eat much of the bumpy terrain. It’s a nice ride. The improvements that need to be made on this bike are as follows:

  1. Number 1 complaint is they don’t have any theft protection on this bike. They should use locking pins in the tires, seat display and the front light. I feel all bikes over $2,000 should supply this, but manufacturers always cut corners for some reason. The bike is expensive. Yes it’s cool but cool isn’t worthy of $2,399 I paid.
  2. Brakes are very squishy. You get the sense that they are defective and I don’t find I want to use them because of squeaky noise they make. Had to buy a brake spray to help for $50 and was not happy about that.
  3. I feel for the price they should have included the fenders, light cover and rack. It’s unfortunate.
  4. They don’t have predrilled holes for water bottle. That’s a huge corner to cut.
  5. This bike does not fit on most racks due to the weight. I wish there was some modification to allow for this or I wish they sold a rack to fit it.

Overall I like the bike. It’s about $1,000 too much which sucks. It’s on some level a very basic bike that looks good, but for the money it’s missing too much.

  Reply
Court
4 years ago

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kim! I’m glad that overall, you like the bike. I hope it works well for you, and I agree that CIVI BIKES could add some bottle cage bosses and other refinements to bring more value ;)

  Reply
Rick Atkinson
4 years ago

Certainly reasonable comments. I use a .75 inch Master Lock cable. Indeed locking seat and wheels would be a good idea. Krafty Bikes in Canada outfitted my bike with the light cover, bike rack, saddle bags and fenders as part of the package. These accessories really improve the look of the bike and add value.

This bike is heavy. That is why I bought it. There aren’t many bike racks rated for the Cheeta/Cafe Racer. I’m have settled on the Hollywood Racks RV. Rated at 80lbs per bike. I am also looking at a dirt bike assembly as an option.

I agree the brakes are noisy. Where do you buy the brake spray? I was happy with the pricing. Feature by feature this bike compares to a similarly equipped Pedego for $1500 less.

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Kim Burkhart
4 years ago

Hi Rick, thanks for sharing. The spray got the brakes is expensive and it’s a little can buy it’s called Brake Silencer and you can get it at Amazon. The bike shop I bought the bike from turned me onto this. They also said if you have 99% alcohol u could use this and you run around the rotor. I agree the bike looks better with all of the accessories. The thing that bugs me about the saddle bag is that it only comes in the brown leather and I bought the Gun metal grey with black leather bije so it would not match. Strange that they don’t offer all of the colors for the bags as they have for the bags. Do you recall the model of the rack you ordered? I’m pretty sure it’s the one I have been considering.

Rick Atkinson
4 years ago

Sounds like alcohol is the go to product for addressing noisy brakes. The bike rack I am waiting on is made by Hollywood Bike Racks model RV.

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Court
4 years ago

Sweet, thanks for the update! I’ve heard good things about Hollywood Racks. Hope it works great for you ;)

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coffee
4 years ago

I just want to buy the frame, I have all my own parts. Can someone sell me just the cheetah fatbike fame and ship to Canada?

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Court
4 years ago

Hey coffee! I wish I could help you with this… maybe you could reach out to Civi Bikes directly and see if they have a refurbished one or used frame they could send? It’s a long shot, but the guys seem cool :)

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Glenn hillman
4 years ago

Thanks for the reply. I’m trying to build my dream bike I can’t afford to buy the cheetah fat bike I’m trying to build it I need the frame and forks I love this bike best looking one.

Steve Ferris
4 years ago

I purchased this bike in June 2020. I knew the second I sat on this bike it was special. As I pedaled off for the first time it was clear that the pitched back seat and Handlebars were a grand slam for comfort. The power was outstanding! At the same time I purchased this Cheetah I had purchased a Juiced Bikes 1,000 watt Hyper Scorpion. I thought that was going to be the big hit but there was no comparison to the ride, style and comfort of this Cheetah. I ride it every day I can and dressed it up with the fenders, light cover and saddle bags. If you are thinking about a bike for a big, older guy, this is it! I put a bluetooth speaker on the handle bars and feel like I’m in heaven wherever I am.

Enjoy,
Steve

P.S. I sold the Hyper Scorpion.

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Court
4 years ago

Sweet! Sounds like the bike is working well, thanks for sharing your testimonial update with us here Steve :D

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Brian
3 years ago

Does anyone read manuals before writing reviews? USB Settings – Yes it has a USB port on the bar and the tank. Backlight Indicator – Not a headlight indicator on the display that you think is broken. No, they were not cheap about a bottle cage or punch out rims, it would impact the Harley style when you have other options.

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Court
3 years ago

Thanks for these insights, Brian! No, I rarely dig into manuals before reviewing bikes. I mostly rely on shop owners or company reps to help answer questions. Could it be possible that I covered on of the Early Cheetah models that didn’t have the same USB or backlight indicator? My review is fairly old at this point… sometimes companies make improvements and updates. In any case, I hear your feedback about the bottle cage and punched out rims changing the aesthetic and welcome your corrections.

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Vincent D Rivera
3 years ago

Hello, I am a new Cheetah owner have logged 400 miles so far I live down the Jersey Shore and trip down 35S to the end of Island Beach Park and the ride is incredibly smooth and comfy. I am a big guy and the bike handles and rides great. I get a lot of eyes over the bike and have had no problems other than when I get to 42v on my 48v battery the motor kicks off and I have to go manual. Is that normal? I have the fenders, saddle bags, and mirror and have a cool blue tooth helmet. Other than that the bike is a BABE.

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Court
3 years ago

Hey Vincent, wow! Sounds like you’re enjoying the bike. Jersey Shore looks like such a fun place, glad you’ve found some smooth areas to ride and explore. How far can you get before the battery kicks off, and how is it to pedal manually? Yes, some systems have automatic cutoff systems to help protect the battery. Lithium ion batteries tend to last longer and perform better when kept between 20% and 80% full, so if you’re down near 10% or lower, the bike may have a self protection system that just kills it. Which Bluetooth helmet do you have? Sounds like a really awesome setup ;)

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Plotthound
3 years ago

I’ve never been on an electric bike. I’m looking at a used Cheetah. Sure like the looks. I can’t find anything on anybody using one off-road. I’ll be mostly Class 6 dirt roads, railroad and ATV trails. Nothing hardcore. Any thoughts?

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Court
3 years ago

Hi Plotthound. I think the Cheetah would work fine on gravel trails with a few bumps. The wide fat tires provide stability as well as shock absorption, and the knobs will provide a bit of grip if the dirt, gravel, sand, leafs are loose. Hope it works out for you! I like how this one looks too, pretty unique.

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Gary Griffin
3 years ago

I purchased my Cheetah in October of 2021. First let me say that I buy things online ALL THE TIME so I’m quite seasoned when it comes to shady purchases. I interacted with [email protected] and it was the most PLEASURABLE purchase experience I’ve ever had! I’d found a very inexpensive website to purchase the Cheetah thru before ever landing on the Revi site. The price was so low that I was worried that the site might not be legit so I contacted Revi directly. Arthur told me that he could not vouch for that other site, but that he could match whatever price they’d given me. I arranged the purchase with Arthur and received the bike in just a couple of weeks. The package was pristine when it arrived. It was packed very securely, all parts were there and in new condition. Assembly was a breeze… took less than an hour. I’ve ridden the bike every day that the weather has cooperated and to date I have over 300 miles on it. I’m a big fella. 6’4″ and 300 pounds. The Cheetah feels like it could handle 2 of me. Everytime I go for a ride I marvel at it’s quality. The ONLY thing about it that is a negative, is that most times when I go for a ride I end up having to stop and talk with folks along the ride… wanting to know what it is and where I got it! I honestly think I could sell these things! Bottom line: The Revi Cheetah is an AWESOME ebike at a fair price that’s represented by knowledgeable, honest salesman. I HIGHLY recommend this product and give them 5 (out of 5) stars!!!

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Court
3 years ago

Very cool, I’m glad it has been a good experience for you Gary, thanks for sharing :D

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Claude
3 years ago

Any experience with riding on snow? Thanks, Claude

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Court
3 years ago

Hi Claude, I didn’t get a chance to ride this particular ebike on snow, but I have ridden other fat tire models and can provide some feedback. The tire pressure can usually be reduced to allow for increased float. The range is usually 5 to 20 PSI, and with 5 PSI the tires will actually float over soft sand, soft dirt type of terrain, and some snow conditions. If we’re talking powder snow, it’s just going to sink in… but the tread looks good here, so you might not slip as much as a traditional bicycle. Also, the wider 4″ design provides stability and comfort, so slipping is less likely and bumps (such as ice or choppy frozen roads) don’t feel as bad. Here are some other fat tire ebikes to explore, some with suspension. In this particular review, I actually ride off road and through some sand in Mexico, which might help you to anticipate what snow would be like!

  Reply

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