PuckiPuppy has been hard at work with new e-bike releases in 2025, and now they have their latest electric trike, the PuckiPuppy Rottweiler.
The specs are straightforward: 960W peak motor, 720Wh battery with a claimed 55-mile range, and hydraulic brakes. Pretty standard stuff for a mid-range trike. But there are three specific things here that separate it from the pack.
First is that oversized handlebar with mounting points everywhere. It’s genuinely massive compared to typical trike bars, and there’s real utility in all that space for accessories.
Second, full suspension front and rear. You get a front fork plus dual rear coil springs, which is uncommon in the trike world where most brands skip rear suspension entirely.
Third is the reverse function. A thumb-controlled button that lets you back up without dismounting. It’s a simple solution to a problem anyone who’s parked a loaded trike in tight spaces knows all too well.
So I put some miles on the Rottweiler to see how these features work in practice and whether this trike is worth consideration. Here’s what I found.
My Experience Riding The PuckiPuppy Rottweiler E-Bike
Let’s get this out of the way first: the Rottweiler is big. We’re talking 50-inch wheelbase, 120 pounds, and a presence that makes other trikes look compact. That massive handlebar I mentioned? It’s not just wide, it’s loaded with mounting points for every accessory you could dream up. Want to bolt on lights, bags, cup holders, a phone mount, and still have room left over? This is your trike.
PuckiPuppy sent me the blue colorway, which has an interesting eggshell finish, not quite matte, not quite glossy, but somewhere in between. It’s a nice look paired with the black contact points and accents. The paint quality is solid, nothing that screams premium but certainly not cheap either.
Now, about that fit. At 5’11”, I found the riding position comfortable enough, but not perfect. The advertised 26.4-inch reach is legitimately long, and I definitely felt it. The good news is PuckiPuppy gave you options to dial it in. The stem has a quick-release telescoping vertical height adjustment, the seat has micro-adjust rails that slide forward and back, and here’s the clever bit: the entire seat base can also move forward for even more adjustability. I slid the seat forward on the rails and played with the stem height to keep things more manageable, and while it got me close to a good fit, the reach still felt a bit stretched. If you have shorter arms or prefer a more upright position, this is something to keep in mind. It wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, just not ideal. But I’ll give credit where it’s due, they’ve built in more adjustment options than most trikes offer.
The motor is smooth and the torque sensor responds predictably without any sudden surges. You can feel it’s been tuned for grunt, that 500-pound payload capacity needs some real pulling power, and the Rottweiler delivers. Acceleration is peppy for a trike, which I appreciated, though it’s also a reminder to respect physics in corners. Get ambitious with throttle mid-turn and you’ll quickly remember why slowing down on a three-wheeler is important unless you enjoy that “am I about to tip?” sensation.
Both throttle and pedal assist top out around 15.5 to 16.5 mph before the motor backs off. It’s not going to win any speed contests, but it’s appropriate for trike handling dynamics.
Here’s something I didn’t expect: cruise control. I had no idea this feature existed until I held the throttle for about five seconds, let go, and the trike just kept going. It’s actually pretty nice for long straightaways, but here’s my gripe, there’s no visual indicator on the display showing it’s engaged. I found this out the hard way when approaching a turn, expecting to coast and slow down, only to realize I was still maintaining speed until I grabbed the brakes. It’s a useful feature, but it needs that visual cue so you’re not caught off guard.
Climbing performance is solid. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it gets the job done without drama. The motor has enough torque to handle moderate grades without feeling strained, even with the trike’s hefty weight.
Those beefy 4-inch wide tires on 20-inch alloys have a mild all-terrain tread pattern that works well for mixed surfaces. They’re confidence-inspiring on pavement and don’t feel sketchy when you hit gravel or hard-packed dirt.
The suspension setup surprised me in a good way. The 80mm coil fork up front handles bigger bumps and curbs without complaint, but it’s those dual rear coil springs that really make a difference. They’re not trying to be legitimate mountain bike suspension, this isn’t that kind of trike, but they do exactly what they’re supposed to: eat up impacts to the rear end and save your back on longer rides. I felt noticeably less beat up after rides compared to trikes without rear suspension.
Handling is… well, it’s a trike. Sharp turns above about 8 mph will give you that unmistakable “am I tipping?” feeling that serves as a quick reminder to dial it back. It’s physics, not a fault of the Rottweiler specifically, but it’s worth mentioning for anyone new to three wheels.
About that massive handlebar: if you’re the type who likes to deck out your ride with gear, this thing is perfect. You’ve got mounting space for days. But if you’re a minimalist who just wants to ride, it’s just… a really big handlebar. On the plus side, all that width gives you multiple hand positions to relieve palm pressure on longer rides, which is genuinely nice for comfort.
And then there’s the reverse function. This is the feature I was most excited about, and it works exactly as advertised. There’s a thumb button on the handlebar, press it, twist the throttle, and you’re backing up. No dismounting, no trying to muscle 120 pounds of trike backwards by hand. It’s smooth, controlled, and solves a real problem that anyone who’s parked a loaded trike in a tight garage knows all too well. This alone makes navigating tight spaces so much less frustrating.
Range
Estimated Range (from PuckiPuppy)
- Up to 55 miles
PuckiPuppy claims up to 55 miles on the Rottweiler’s 720Wh battery pack, which is a solid distance for a trike, especially one that can haul a 500-pound total payload. That kind of range means you can actually use this thing for real errands, longer recreational rides, or extended trips without constantly watching the battery meter with anxiety.
The 720Wh capacity is respectable for a trike in this class, and the battery is housed inside the downtube, keeping the weight low and protected. It’s secured with a lock and key, so you can remove it for charging indoors or added security when parking in public spaces. At 8.3 pounds, it’s manageable to carry up a flight of stairs if needed.
One thing worth noting: range on any e-bike is heavily dependent on how you ride it. Full throttle in PAS 5 with a heavy load is going to drain that battery much faster than cruising in PAS 2 on flat ground. But 55 miles as a maximum seems reasonable given the battery capacity and motor efficiency, and even if you only hit 60-70% of that in real-world mixed riding, you’re still looking at 35-40 miles, which is plenty for most people’s daily needs.
Power (Motor & Battery)
The Rottweiler packs a rear axle-mounted hub motor that peaks at 950W and carries a nominal rating of 750W, delivering 90Nm of torque. For a trike that weighs 120 pounds and can carry a 500-pound payload, those numbers translate to power that feels strong and peppy without being overwhelming. It’s tuned appropriately for the job at hand, moving significant weight with authority but not trying to be a speed demon.
You get five levels of pedal assist to work with, ranging from PAS 1 for gentle support all the way up to PAS 5 for maximum boost. The throttle and PAS will push you to about 15 mph legally, though I consistently saw it hit 16 mph before the controller backed it off and leveled things out.
Now, about that cruise control feature. According to the manual, you can activate it by holding the minus button on the display control pad. That’s the official way. But here’s what I discovered the hard way: hold the throttle at full blast for 5 seconds or longer, and it also kicks on cruise control. Which is actually pretty cool once you know about it, but startling as hell when you think you’re about to coast down to slow for a turn and instead keep trucking at 15.5 mph. A visual indicator on the display would go a long way here, just something to confirm cruise is engaged so you’re not caught off guard.
The battery setup is clean and practical. The 48V 15Ah unit delivers 720Wh of capacity and lives inside the downtube, keeping the center of gravity low and the battery protected from the elements. It weighs a reasonable 8.3 pounds and locks in place with a key, so you can remove it for indoor charging or to prevent theft when parking in public. The integrated placement looks much cleaner than external battery packs and helps maintain the trike’s overall aesthetic.
Motor response through the torque sensor is smooth and predictable. It measures your pedal pressure and adjusts power delivery accordingly, giving you that natural e-bike feel where more effort equals more assistance. It’s not as refined as some higher-end torque sensors I’ve tested, but it does the job without any jerky surges or lag that would make the ride feel unnatural.
How do these read? I left a note in the Range section for you to add your actual test results when you have them. Want me to adjust anything?
Components
The Rottweiler keeps things practical with a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain. You get over-the-bar index shifters that are easy to reach and operate, paired with a Shimano rear derailleur handling the gear changes. The 11-28T cassette matches up with a 40T chainring on 170mm cranks, giving you a decent range for flat cruising and moderate climbs. Nothing fancy, but it’s reliable Shimano hardware that gets the job done. The flat plastic pedals are basic but functional, you’ll probably want to upgrade these if you’re doing serious miles.
Braking is handled by hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors on all three wheels and 2-piston calipers. The alloy brake levers up in the cockpit each have parking brake selectors, which is a nice touch, just flip the switch and your trike stays put without rolling away while you’re loading groceries or taking a break. No more worrying about it creeping on you.
Rolling on 20×4-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in unbranded tires with a nice all-terrain tread pattern, the Rottweiler strikes a good balance between pavement efficiency and off-road capability. Those beefy 4-inch tires provide plenty of cushion and grip across different surfaces.
The suspension setup is where things get interesting. Up front, you’ve got an 80mm coil spring fork with a bolted axle that handles bumps and curbs without drama. Out back, two coil springs are housed in plastic bodies, adding some travel to the rear end, though PuckiPuppy doesn’t actually publish the travel specs. What they do mention is that you can adjust preload by rotating the shocks, similar to how coil-overs work on cars. It’s not going to replace legitimate mountain bike suspension, but it’s not trying to. The goal here is comfort, and it delivers on that front by taking the edge off impacts that would otherwise travel straight to your spine.
Adjustability is a major focus on the Rottweiler.
The seatpost offers about 7 inches of vertical adjustment, and the stem adds another 4 inches of height adjustment to help dial in your fit. The saddle itself has a backrest that adjusts forward and backward, plus micro-adjust rails underneath for even more fine-tuning. It’s clear PuckiPuppy thought about accommodating different rider sizes and preferences here.
The cockpit is a tag team event between two standout features: that massive multi-use handlebar with tons of real estate for mounting all your gear, and a big 4.7-inch color LCD display. The handlebar gives you legitimate versatility if you’re the type to deck out your ride with accessories, there’s space for days up there.
One area where things could be cleaner is cable management. It’s a bit messy, though PuckiPuppy does use cable wraps to consolidate everything before the lines head down into the frame or fork area. It’s functional, just not as tidy as some higher-end builds. But for a trike at this price point, it’s not a dealbreaker, more of a “would be nice” than a real problem.
Screen / User Interface / App
The Rottweiler’s 4.7-inch color LCD display is bright with excellent contrast. I had no trouble reading it in direct sunlight or low light, visibility is solid across all conditions.
The layout is busy but shows everything you need: current speed, PAS level, dual battery indicators, gear, trip distance, trip time, ODO, average speed, max speed, and power output bars. You also get icons for headlights, turn signals, and temperature warnings.
About that temperature icon, it looks exactly like a car’s engine temp gauge, which threw me off initially. I thought the bike was overheating until I read the manual and learned it just shows motor temperature status. A bit confusing if you don’t read the manual first, but it’s actually useful once you know what it means.
The control pad on the left handlebar handles navigation. Long press power and plus/minus buttons together to enter settings where you can adjust speed limits, brightness (three levels), and toggle metric/imperial units. Short press the power button to cycle through data views.
Some useful features: long press the up button for lights, hold the down button for 2 seconds to activate walk mode at 6 km/h, and activate cruise control by holding the minus button or the throttle for 5 seconds. The reverse function uses a red button on the right handlebar,where you simply press “R” for Reverse mode, press “D” again for getting back into Drive mode.
There’s no app connectivity. No smartphone integration, GPS tracking, or OTA updates. It’s old school in that regard, what you see on the display is what you get. Whether that’s a pro or con depends on your preferences.
PuckiPuppy Rottweiler Model Options
The Carbon Classic comes in three frame sizes to accommodate a wide range of riders. Small fits 5’3″ to 5’9″, Medium covers 5’7″ to 6’1″, and Large handles 5’11” to 6’5″. There’s some overlap in the ranges, so if you’re right in between, you’ve got options depending on whether you prefer a more compact or stretched-out fit.
Color choices are simple: Matte Black or Creme White. Both have that premium matte finish that looks clean and hides fingerprints well.
Every Carbon Classic ships with the essentials already installed. You get a kickstand, front and rear plastic fenders, a 30 Lux front LED headlight, a rear tail light mounted on the fender, and flat pedals. It’s ready to ride out of the box.
If you want to add cargo capability, Urtopia offers an optional rear rack with 15kg capacity and water bottle cages. Beyond that, you’re looking at standard e-bike accessories like locks and helmets that work with any bike.
Is The PuckiPuppy Rottweiler Worth Buying?
The Rottweiler does a few things really well. That reverse function is genuinely useful, it’s one of those features that once you have it, you wonder why every trike doesn’t come with it. The full suspension setup, front and rear, makes a noticeable difference in comfort on longer rides. And that massive handlebar with all its mounting options gives you real versatility if you’re into decking out your ride with gear.
The motor feels strong enough for the job, handling that 500-pound capacity without drama, and the 720Wh battery should get most riders through a full day of errands or recreation. The hydraulic brakes with parking levers work well, and the adjustability options mean you can dial in a fit that works for your size.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. That reach is legitimately long, and even with all the adjustment options, so if you’re on the shorter end of the height range or have shorter arms, definitely test ride before committing.The cruise control feature needs a visual indicator on the display, getting surprised by it mid-ride isn’t great. Cable management could be cleaner, and that motor temperature icon is confusing if you don’t read the manual. The fit at 5’11” worked but wasn’t ideal,
The lack of app connectivity won’t bother everyone, but if you’re used to GPS tracking and connected features, you’ll notice the absence. And while the components are solid, nothing here screams premium, it’s practical hardware that gets the job done without any frills.
At the end of the day, the Rottweiler is a capable trike with some genuinely smart features that solve real problems. If you value that reverse function, want full suspension, and can work with the longer reach, it’s worth a look. Just make sure the fit works for you before you commit, because unlike the trike itself, that’s one thing you can’t back out of with the press of a button.
Pros
- The dedicated reverse function is a huge win, making it much easier to navigate tight spaces. It’s a feature we wish more trikes had.
- With a massive 500-pound payload capacity, this trike is ready for anything you throw at it – riders, cargo, you name it.
- The hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels, complete with parking brake levers, offer solid stopping power and peace of mind.
- The huge 17″x20″ cargo basket, complete with a fabric insert, is perfect for hauling groceries, gear, or whatever else you need to transport without things slipping through.
Cons
- The reach is long, while it’s advertised as 26.4”, I measured it to be more around the 22” mark, something to keep in mind if you have shorter arms.
- The cruise control feature works well, but there’s no visual indicator on the display when it’s engaged. This can be a bit surprising if you’re expecting to coast to a stop.
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