2014 iGo Titan Review

The iGo Titan has great intentions and is one of the most affordable full suspension electric bikes around that also uses an efficient mid-drive motor system. That said, it really isn’t designed for heavy off-road use. It’s fairly heavy and most of the weight is distributed towards the rear of the bike and higher up on the rack. The pros and cons are closely related on this bike; the mid-drive offers great climbing ability and extended range (as long as you leverage the gears properly) but can suffer from increased wear on the chain and cassette as well as mashing if shifting is not done carefully. Ultimately, this bike is best enjoyed on smoother terrain and requires a bit of compromise when shifting and pedaling but can work well if you adapt your riding style and learn how to use it.

Compared with more expensive mid-drive systems from Bosch, Panasonic or IZIP that rely on pedal cadence, torque and speed the Titan relies only on a basic five-magnet cadence sensor that tells the motor to turn on or off. While you can control how hard the on/off power is applied by choosing from three different assist levels/modes, the bike can still feel jerky. This is not a deal breaker but something you should consider if you’ve never tested the bike in person. It doesn’t feel as smooth or responsive as a nicer system and there aren’t any sensors built in to listen for gear changes and reduce power to avoid grinding gears. Given that this bike uses a modest, efficient 250 watt motor the grinding and wear is less of an issue. For me, the ride experience on the Titan feels like a compromise to appease the system instead of having it just work well on its own. The motor feels strong but slow and that dictates the cadence with which I can pedal and still receive support. Depending on the gear I’ve chosen, the bike may struggle or barely reach the advertised 20 mile per hour top speed.

Another issue I’ve encountered is the full suspension performance. It looks awesome to be sure but the rear shock is more like a spring and will send the bike bouncing along instead of smoothly absorbing bumps. Exacerbating this bouncy feeling is a bit of rattling noise from the battery pack which is mounted in a plastic tub high up at the rear of the frame. Ideally, this battery would be low and center and rattle a little bit less.

I do like that the bike is available with either a 10 or 17 amp hour battery choice for extending range. The Panasonic cells are very nice on the upgraded version. The fact that this ebike uses both grip shift and pedal assist drive modes is nice as well. The control console is simple, allowing you to power the bike on, activate the lights and change pedal modes but it doesn’t show your speed or range like an LCD display might. The rear rack works like a fender, keeping the stripe off your back, but the front fender is so high above the tire and short that it really won’t protect your shoes or lower legs.

While the Titan looks like an amazing off-road machine and is priced to inspire and sell, it’s just not that satisfying to ride. The bouncy rear suspension, rattling battery case, limited power and unsophisticated drive sensors left me disappointed but that’s not the end of the story. This can be a great bike but the image is much different than the reality. Think of it as a slower, more efficient ebike that’s very affordable. If you stay around 15mph and ride mostly on-road it’s great but I’ve experienced speed wobbles on the front wheel when reaching the 20mph mark. If you’re set on iGo, appreciate the affordable mid-drive and are looking to save money and weight then consider the Urban which relies on the same drive systems but uses a stiffer, simpler frame.

Pros:

• Decently priced for a mid-drive electric bike
• Cool frame design, available in black or yellow
• Front and rear mechanical disc brakes improve stopping power in wet or dirty environments
• Eight speeds for improved climbing or getting home if your battery runs out
• Comes with front and rear LED lights, a decent kickstand and ergonomic grips
• Front suspension fork offers lock-out for improved riding efficiency on hard surfaces
• Adjustable stem for aggressive or upright riding positions

Cons:

• Front headlight bounces when riding because it’s mounted to the fender vs. frame
• Battery pack is mounted high and towards the rear, reducing stability and adding to frame flex
• Basic mid-drive system can feel jerky, under powered and frustrating to pedal with
• Rear suspension is more like a spring, it bounces up and down vs. dampening bumps
• Nowhere to mount a water bottle cage on the downtube
• Frame feels soft and bendy from side to side, can produce speed wobbles on front wheel at higher speeds