The Motiv Stout is a fat-tire electric bike that’s very simple and easy to ride. That’s because it only has six gears, a basic twist throttle to activate the motor and a balanced frame with the battery positioned low and center on the frame. There are several little things I appreciate with this bike including the adjustable kickstand, removable battery and rack bosses (for adding a storage rack at the back) but the true purpose isn’t about commuting or transporting stuff… this bike is about having fun in snow, sand, grass or light trail environments.
The 500 watt geared motor is powerful enough to move the bike through softer surfaces thanks to the extra wide 4″ tires. And with a maximum weight limit of 350 pounds, this bike is quite capable. The geared design keeps the motor weight and size down so it actually blends in really well on the rear wheel. It operates with a bit of a whir which you can hear in the video review above but it’s not super loud. Frankly, when paired with the twist throttle used for this bike, the motor really shines.
Powering the motor is a strong 48 volt 10 amp hour Lithium-ion battery pack that’s mounted right behind the seat tube. In terms of power, it’s above average and that supports the higher motor wattage. The pack can be charged on or off the frame which is very convenient given the size and weight of the bike with its huge tires. In terms of transporting the bike… it’s nice that you can remove the battery but the wheels aren’t as easy, they require standard wrenches to remove vs. quick release and there are more wires in the rear given the hub motor design.
Operating the Stout is about as simple as it gets for electric bikes. Just power up the battery pack then press the red button on the power meter (located on the right bar) then you’ll see three LED’s light up designating your current battery voltage. From here, you just twist the throttle and the bike takes off. There’s not pedal assist mode on this bike and that means you’re less incentivized to pedal along (which helps to extend the battery). You also don’t get a fancy LCD display with a more precise battery readout, speed, distance traveled etc. but that helps to keep the price of this bike down and might make it more durable if left outside.
Overall this is a really simple bike but six speeds is enough to let you pedal along at most speeds up to 20 miles per hour (the max powered speed) and the lowest gear is extra large to make climbing easier. The throttle is very satisfying to use and makes this feel more like a moped than a bicycle which might appeal to some riders. It’s a lot less expensive than the other mid-battery fat bikes I’ve reviewed like the Felt LEBOWSKe but more expensive than the Surface 604 Element which also has 7 speeds and a pedal assist but a weaker motor and battery. The mechanical disc brakes are great for stopping in dirty environments like snow and mud and the suspension seat post paired with the large saddle and oversized tires feels great.
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