A powerful, feature-rich fat electric bike available in two frame sizes and three colors, suspension fork and seat post really smooth out the ride
Extra-large 48 volt, 17 amp hour battery provides the energy necessary to use throttle mode or the highest level of assist without as much range anxiety
Lots of attention to detail, the derailleur guard, rear-mounted kickstand, adjustable angle stem, and hydraulic disc brakes really set it apart
Good value but all of those accessories add weight, only sold online so you can't test the sizes easily and have to assemble it yourself, limited stock, cannot throttle from zero or without pedaling first
Stainless Steel, 12G Rear, 13G Front, Black with Adjustable Nipples
Tire Brand:
Kenda Juggernaut, 26" x 4" (98 x 559)
Wheel Sizes:
26 in (66.04cm)
Tire Details:
5 to 30 PSI, Wire Bead, 30 TPI Casing
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Steel Fenders (100 mm Width), Aluminum Alloy Rack with Spring Latch and Pannier Clip, Integrated Spanninga Kendo Headlight, Independent Spanninga Lineo Backlight (2 AA Batteries) and Independent Blaze-Lite RL1800, Floating Ball Compass and Bell Combo Accessory, Multi-Tool For Assembly
Other:
Locking Removable Downtube Mounted Battery Pack, 1.6 lb 2 Amp Charger, Steel Derailleur Guard, 275 lb Max Load, Full Sized USB Charging Port on Top Right Side of Battery Pack, KMC X9 EPT Rust Resistant Chain
The electric fat bike space has really blossomed since 2015 when they seemed like a novelty to me. Products like the RadRover, Voltbike Yukon, and ultra-affordable Sondors Fat Bike have transformed a niche product, meant to address soft terrain like sand and snow, into an everyday experience. And they make a lot of sense, fat tires comfortable and capable for use on varied terrain but they aren’t as efficient or lightweight as traditional or even plus-sized tires. They require more effort to move… and that’s where electric assist and throttle power come in. The Téo S and more expensive S Limited shown here offer both drive modes. It’s a product that seeks to address comfort, strength, style, utility, and range in a way that the other value products do not. And in my opinion, it’s still a good value. The original owner gets a one year comprehensive warranty but will have to unbox and assemble the bike. It’s the same situation for the competing products mentioned above. However, not all of those products offer a 9-speed drivetrain with upgraded Shimano groupset, hydraulic disc brakes, integrated lights, or custom fenders and rack. And it goes beyond the obvious, you get a tapered head tube for improved strength, an adjustable angle stem and ergonomic grips for improved comfort, and a derailleur guard and alloy chain guide to protect the drivetrain and keep the chain on track. And this is a niche electric bike that manages to come in two frame sizes and three colorways. It’s doing a lot right in my opinion, but of course it’s not perfect. Weighing it at over 70 lbs (with the rack and steel fenders) it’s one of the heaviest e-bikes I have tested in recent years, and those steel fenders can rust if scratched and rattle a bit on rough terrain. The display panel is pretty standard, easy to use and read on the go, but it offers nine levels of assist which can become tedious. And the twist throttle, while able to override pedal assist at full power, requires a moment of cadence activation before it goes live… that means you have to pedal for a half-a-turn before you can use it! To me, that’s a bummer because I’d like to rely on the throttle to start the bike and save my knees, or in a pinch while riding off-road. The founder of the company is enthusiastic and responsive, their website is great, and the customers seem to be delighted. There’s a lot to celebrate with this one but we’re talking about a smaller company with seemingly limited inventory. You may face shipping delays, as Patrick did, because smaller companies usually don’t order as much inventory from manufacturers in Asia and thus, are de-prioritized. What I see here is a lot of creativity, attention to detail, and initiative that has produced an attractive and enjoyable end product.
Driving the Teo S and Teo S Limited is a 500 watt internally geared hub motor that peaks out around 750 watts and is said to produce up to 80 Newton meters of torque. In practice, it is very zippy and satisfying, but does produce some whirring noise. The hub motor casing is extra wide to accommodate the wide rims and heavy tires found on fat bikes. It’s painted black in this case and blends in perfectly with the extra-thick black spokes and punched out, double-wall, black rims. I love that Téo went the extra mile to match their tire liners to the frame color (red in this case). Internally geared hub motors balance increased torque and power against smaller form factor and this one nearly hides between the nine-speed cassette and 160 mm disc brake rotor… nearly. The disc brakes are a point of celebration and question for me because they have motor inhibitors built in to give you maximum control over the drive system, and are hydraulic vs. mechanical which tends to be easier to operate and more adjustable, but the rotors seem a bit small considering how large and heavy the bikes are. I’m used to seeing 180 mm or even 200 mm rotors on a lot of electric mountain bikes that weigh 46 or 50 lbs and this thing is 72 lbs. With a top assisted speed of 20 mph and the hardtail layout, perhaps you don’t have to worry about overheating or limited mechanical advantage here, the setup is more geared towards neighborhood rides and a bit of trails than true cross country or all mountain. Riding through the snow to town or across a forest path should be no problem. Patrick told me that he weighs ~320 lbs and the brakes have been fine, he had not owned it long enough to ride in the snow (I visited Vancouver Island to review this bike with him in the summer months). His tires were inflated at a higher PSI to be efficient and I found that the bike felt a little stiff and had more banging during my forest ride… but I only weigh 135 lbs so that’s part of it.
The powerful motor is a big focal point and needs to be capable for such a large off-road type of electric bicycle but the battery is just as important. The Téo S Limited is packing an impressive pack here with 48 volts and 17.4 amp hours for nearly a kilowatt hour capacity. This 9.2 lb pack is part of the reason the bike itself weighs so much, but I appreciate where and how it is mounted to the frame. The weight is kept low and center to improve handling and balance, it’s even sunk into the downtube vs. bolted on top. It feels secure, blends in (especially on the black frame), and can be charged on or off the frame for convenience. I would definitely remove the battery when transporting the bike or doing maintenance on the wheels, tires, or drivetrain… I might even remove the fenders and rear rack depending on the situation. The battery has a sleek latch built into the top left side that doubles a handle when carrying it around. The charging port is located near the lower left, which is a bit vulnerable if the left crank arm passes by or you trip on the power cord. And there’s a 5 Volt full-sized USB port near the top right edge of the pack so you can tap into all of that juice to use your smartphone for GPS or power additional lights. I love how the Téo bikes come with an integrated headlight but wish the rear light was also integrated vs. running off of two AA batteries. That said, both lights are pretty nice in terms of quality and the rear light should remain visible even if you load up the rack. I noticed that Patrick’s bike had an additional Blaze-Lite rear light on the seat post that you could clip onto a backpack or helmet if it got blocked by a trunk bag. They probably carried this light over from the standard Téo S model. And while we’re on the topic of accessories, I like that they threw in a floating compass bell and upgraded Wellgo platform pedals! These things work great for people with larger feet or if the soles of your shoes are wet. They are stiff, the look great, and they tend to hold up better against rocks and tips than cage style pedals.
Operating the Téo S Limited is fairly similar to other mid-level ebikes. It has a good sized LCD display that’s controlled by an independent button pad mounted near the left grip. You hold the rubberized center button to turn it on and then tap that button several times to cycle through menus. Above and below the rubber power/select button are up and down arrow keys covered with plastic. These keys are satisfying to click but can get pulled up and broken more easily than rubber buttons in my experience. I have only seen this once in person, and it resulted from fabric getting snagged at the base of the button and then pulling up. I love that you can hold up to turn on backlighting for the display (and activate the headlight) and that you can hold down to activate a slow “walk mode” because that’s handy for pushing up ramps, difficult technical sections of trail, and even stairs. It surprised me that there were nine levels of assist pre-programmed into the display, and you might be able to change this by exploring the settings menu (quickly tap the power key twice to enter this menu). With nine gears and nine levels of assist, there are many ways to enjoy this bike… but to me it’s almost like too many. I’d rather have an always-active throttle and just five levels of assist to really feel in control, in the way that’s important to me on trails and at stops. As it stands, you’ll probably want to shift down to lower gears when slowing down or stopping because it can be slow and difficult to start up again in a high gear. If the throttle was live, this would be less of an issue. At least the cadence sensor used here is a higher resolution 12 magnet design vs. the cheaper 6 magnet products I’ve seen from some other companies. And back to those brake levers, they allow you to tell the motor to stop almost instantly at any time. I can see how an off-road bike with a twist throttle might want to err on the safe side. If you accidentally grab too hard onto the handlebar in a tense moment, it could result in accidental throttle activation. And I think this is why some other fat bikes use a trigger throttle instead. I actually like twist throttles, and there are still other products that leave them “hot” at all times despite the twist risk described here.
The Teo S Limited is an electric bike that swings for the bleachers in terms of accessories, design, and fit. You can really see how the founder of the company, who lives in Montreal Canada, has studied the landscape and created something more refined. When you have to balance cost though, there are some trade-offs to be made. Perhaps future iterations will address some of the minor questions I have about operation, or maybe that’s a benefit to some riders who care more about a safer-feeling more predictable experience than a super responsive one. I noticed that the frame wheelbase is a bit longer with a double-tube yolk vs. custom design that would bring it closer in towards the bottom bracket. When you take a 26″ wheel diameter and add a 4″ tire to it, you end up with a 29er feel. The wheels have a low attack angle that allows them to smooth out bumps and cracks by simply rolling over them vs. going around. But with a longer wheelbase the bike doesn’t turn as quickly or feel as nimble. Larger diameter tires create this feel and the longer frame exacerbates it. Again, I tested the Large frame so perhaps the smaller option would feel tighter, but I doubt it. That frame probably has a shorter seat tube and shorter reach by an inch or inch and a half. This is not a deal killer by any means, the bike feels very stable and steady, but it’s not the most technically capable fat e-bike out there. If you care to double or triple the price, you can get a much lighter, better balanced, but less utilitarian experience from bikes like the Bulls Monster E S or Haibike XDURO Fatsix. For those who enjoy the aesthetic of fat bikes, appreciate the support of electric assist, want some good range and power, and might want to stay dry or haul their groceries or work supplies around… the Téo S Limited is a great choice. I might consider the white frame to increase my visual footprint when riding at night but love how the motor, battery and cables blend in on the black one. This is definitely a purpose-built ebike with internally routed cables that stay mostly hidden regardless of color choice. I’d like to send a big thanks to Benoit, the founder of Téo for partnering with me on this review, providing some additional specs and insights about the company, and of course Patrick for inviting me to his home on Vancouver Island, Canada to test ride his bike. I had a great time and came away very impressed and just feeling good about a motivated focused company and positive fanbase.
Pros:
Good weight distribution, the semi-integrated downtube battery pack improves balance and lowers the center of gravity for improved handling and parking
The Téo S Limited offers fenders and a rear rack for just $200 more than the Téo S which seems like a great deal to me, I love that all of their models appear to come with lights and they provide two rear lights with the Limited model (one that’s built into the rack so it won’t get blocked by trunk bags)
I really like how the rear rack is positioned further out towards the back so that the saddle can come down low and accommodate shorter riders, it’s great that the frame also comes in two sizes to suite medium and taller people
I think the frame just looks really cool, the top tube is angled down to reduce stand-over height and most of the cables are internally routed through the frame to reduce snags and improve aesthetic
Comfort is a big deal to me, but so is performance, I love that the suspension fork on this bike has preload adjust to reduce bobbing and compression adjust for stiffness along with full lockout (great for heavier riders)
The adjustable-angle stem allows you to easily transform this e-bike into a comfortable upright neighborhood bike or get forward, low, and stretched out for trail riding… but to keep an eye on it and tighten if you feel it coming loose at all because it can get stripped, you might even want to bring the included multi-tool along on big rides or replace the stem at some point down the line when you know what body position you really like
The Shimano Alivio derailleur is three steps up from the base Tourney model, positioned just above Acera, and offers reliable crisp shifting with two-way action, the nine-speed cassette is perfect for trail riding and provides a nice low range for starting and climbing
I love the large, sturdy platform pedals and appreciate the alloy chainring guard and guide to keep your pants clean and the chain from dropping!
Probably for shipping purposes as well as trail toughness, the derailleur has a steel guard surrounding it, this will keep the sensitive shifting mechanisms and motor power cable safe, especially if the bike accidentally tips onto its right side
Minor plus here, the hydraulic disc brakes are easy to pull, have adjustable-reach levers if you have smaller hands or are wearing gloves and need to bring them in a bit, and they even have motor inhibitors to put you in full control of the drive system but the disc size is a bit small for such a large and heavy bike, Teo has 160 mm rotors vs. 180 mm or even 200/203 which would cool faster and provide greater mechanical advantage
The Kenda Juggernaut tires are an upgrade over Chao Yang that I see on some other fat e-bikes, they offer a great PSI range so you can increase traction and ride on snow or sand (lower to the ~5 PSI mark for this sort of terrain)
Rather than go cheap with a five or ten magnet cadence sensor, Téo upgraded all the way to twelve and this makes it respond faster so you don’t have to pedal as long to get assist… and of course, you can always just use the twist throttle to help get going from zero
The geared hub motor is fat bike specific, this improves spoke bracing angle and the rear spokes are actually thicker for added strength and there are more of them (36 vs. 32 on some other models)
The display panel is large but narrow, leaving room for other accessories like the compass bell or maybe a drink holder or phone mount, it’s backlit and easy to see and use but it is not removable and therefor could take more damage if left outside in the elements (some riders put a helmet or garment over their displays to protect them)
In addition to the integrated headlight and backlit display panel, you could power some of your own electronic devices by tapping into the USB port on the right side of the battery pack, consider using a right angle USB adapter like this to keep the plug out of the way when you pedal
If you hold the down button for a few seconds, it activates walk mode which could be very handy if you need to walk a section of rough trail, navigate through a crowd, or push the bike up stairs considering how heavy it is
Cons:
Weighing in at a whopping 72.5 lbs (32.9 kg), this is one of the heaviest electric bikes I have ever tested, fat bikes tend to weigh more but the fenders and larger battery pack really put it over the top, at least the rims are punched out to reduce material and allow for a bit more cushion
As much as I appreciate fenders for staying dry and clean, I wonder if Steel fenders add more weight than Aluminum and could start to rust over time, especially if scratched
The Teo electric fat bike models seems upgraded from a lot of other value products like the RadRover and VoltBike Yukon (tapered head tube, hydraulic disc brakes, and a suspension seat post) but the wheels still just use a 9 mm skewer and 10 mm axle vs. thicker thru-axles, this is probably good enough for street and light trail riding but the weight of the bike and motor forces being exerted could benefit from upgrades here in the future
Minor complaint, there are no bottle cage bosses on this bike frame, consider adding a trunk bag with bottle holster like this
The bike I tested did not have a slap guard on the right chainstay which could result in scratches and nicks, at least the frame is Aluminum so it won’t rust there, I was told that the 2018 models will have a Neoprene slap guard
The charger is compact and relatively lightweight but it’s not super fast, at 2 Amps, I’d call it average and expect to wait 6.5+ hours for a full charge considering how large the battery is
In some ways I appreciate the comfort and utility of the saddle and seat post suspension but do be careful using the integrated saddle handle because if you lift the bike here, it could start to loosen or damage the seat post suspension, maybe lift with the rack or from the frame of the bike vs. the saddle despite this convenient handle
As much as I like the design and positioning of the rear light, it is independent, meaning that you have to remember to get off and turn it on and then turn it off after a ride to conserve battery vs. tapping directly into that main rechargeable ebike battery which the headlight is connected to
I can’t speak for all sizes, just the Large that I tested, but the wheelbase is longer and the yolk (the part of the frame that connects the bottom bracket to the chainstays that hold the rear wheel) is longer and just less custom, this might impact how snappy the bike feels, how quickly it turns and how maneuverable it is
Minor gripe here but I feel that the seat post (and seat tube) could have been thicker to improve strength and allow for heavier riders or a more robust suspension component, the 27.2 mm post works fine and I haven’t heard of issues but there is probably a reason that some off-road ebikes come with 30.9 or 31.6 mm posts
On the one hand, I love that the throttle overrides pedal assist at full power, but I wish that you didn’t have to pedal for a moment in order to sort of unlock it, some other designs give you throttle power instantly and this is useful for starting off from zero or getting a quick burst of power while balancing the bike on rough terrain and not pedaling (or if you raise the pedals while going through water or deep snow… you have to pedal on this bike for a moment to get that throttle to switch on)
Be mindful of the charger cord if you decide to charge the battery pack while mounted to the bike, notice how the left crank arm passes right by the charging port and could snag or bend the plug accidentally if bumped
Thank you Court for another great review. I have purchased a Téo, exactly as Patrick did, from positive comments and a review from a hard core fan and participant on EBR’s own forum , Stéphane, aka America94.
I’ve been riding it for over month now, and am truly impressed. I am 65 and a former very well travelled motorcycle enthusiast who thought his days on 2 wheels were over.
My Téo has empowered me, I simply enjoy quiet rides in my neighbourhood. I have pimped it a bit with phone holder, tail bag, flashing light, etc. Love it
The e-bike, pedal assist, is a fantastic concept and am wishing for more people to understand it, and not raise their nose at the idea… I found that the spandex crowd looks at us funny. My 6-pack may be hiding, but I’m outside, breathing fresh air and having the time of my life.
Awesome, what a great comment Denis! Thanks for mentioning the Téo forums and Stéphane. I’m glad he was able to help people get interested in this bike and ultimately, to help me review it! That’s what I was hoping for when I launched them a couple of years back. Your comment is very appreciated and I hope you continue enjoying the Téo e-bike and enjoying that fresh air ;)
A quick note… your review shows the price as $2.2K. That is the correct price is Canadian dollars. At today’s rate this is $1725 USD. I am just afraid some readers in the US may be find it overpriced at $2200. It is a great bang for the buck, either in CAD$ or US$.
Patrick Simpson
7 years ago
Hi Court, It was great meeting you and having you do the review on my Teo S Fat Bike. I enjoyed our conversations and wish we had just a little more time to check out that great Chinese buffet I was telling you about, but BC Ferries wait for no one. Next time you are over on the island, the Chinese Buffet is on me!
You got the review out quicker than I expected and it’s a really good review. My bike is now a famous movie star! (blush) :)
Here is my link for anyone who wishes to order a Teo Fat Bike. Kind regards, Patrick, Coombs, BC, Canada
Thank you so much for the hospitality Patrick! I enjoyed living a day in your shoes and having some great conversations during the car ride. I too, wish that we had been able to get some Chinese food together… but I am sure to return! You’ve got a friend in me, thanks again for making this possible, it was a blast and totally happened because you put yourself out there and reached out. Thanks :)
I’m re-reading the review and I have one small correction to ask. The steel fenders are actually really quite light. Though I never weighed them, steel is often lighter than aluminum for certain tasks. Because it doesn’t need much thickness to be strong, it can be quite thin and light. A couple examples I’m aware of, though not strictly about steel vs aluminum is how incredibly light steel studs for construction are compared to wooden studs, and yet they are stronger structurally. My neighbor Bob, who built many race cars used steel hoods on his cars rather than the supposedly lighter fiberglass because the steel was thinner. Surprisingly, the steel hood weighed a quarter of what the fiberglass one did because the fiberglass had to be thicker to prevent flex.
Anyway, the point is that, though I never weighed the steel fenders, they were extremely light, probably ounces. I think the weight in the Teo is in a strong frame, heavy duty battery, and powerful motor.
I get happier every time I ride my Teo. It just gets better and better and exceeds my expectations every time I rider her to town and back home. :) I compare it to a Harley Davidson vs a sportbike. The Harley is more solid and can carry more stuff on a trip. Just my humble opinion. Still, a great review you did, my friend!
Great point Patrick, your story about Bob using Steel hoods vs. Fiberglass is intriguing. I wonder how Carbon fiber hoods compare?! In any case, I appreciate the time you spent to think this out and share an alternative perspective. I do agree that the sturdy frame build and larger frame size play a role here. It would be neat to weigh Steel vs. Aluminum fenders but there are other factors to consider, like durability, thickness to achieve said durability. I guess I shouldn’t make assumptions that Steel is heavier, I may amend that in the review ;)
Damn Dude, you really seem to love to dear yourself talk, most of your reviews could be accomplished in a third or a quarter of the time you take if you learn to be succient, i almost hung myself listening and watching your long ass reviews
Well, since you survived the extra long review is there anything I can help you answer about the bike? I do these longer reviews for fun sometimes and tend to go extra deep because new smaller brands don’t always get as much coverage. I believe YouTube does have a fast-play option as well, if you get bored in the future.
Court, Love the reviews, I have learned a lot from them. I am currently looking at fat bikes like this for my initial dive into ebiking. I wish the Rad Rover had extended life battery and some of the other options on ones like this and the M2S R750. I also love how you stay classy no matter what the feedback. Again, I appreciate all the info and the passion you bring.
FRANK S BAILEY
7 years ago
No need to be rude. Court’s are about the best reviews you will find about any type of product in terms of deatail, neurtality, and fun.
Thanks Frank! I’m doing my best, but always open to ideas for improving or just encouragement. Trying to balance the three things you listed and enjoying the ride :D
Benoit Dumont
7 years ago
Hello everybody,
I appreciated very much the evaluation of our TEO S limited. Thank you Court and Peter for your time. I noticed that the rear fender was loose and creates noise. This can be done by tightening the screws. For the trottle it is possible to use it without pedaling. You only need to disconnect a wire from the controller. I also want to say that teo s limited is available in two versions of 500W or 750W motor.
If you have any questions about our bikes, you can contact me at: [email protected]
Thanks for this help Benoit! I thought your bike performed well and enjoyed testing it in the forest. I hope to check out your other models someday and wish you luck with your new company :)
Extremelly bad experience with Theo fatbike. The bike was improperly mounted by them. Cables were either loose or too tight. I had to readjust the cables for the brakes. Two weeks after the purchase, the plug of the cable connecting the motor to the throttle broke. They refused to replace it on the pretext that we “ripped it off” so we had to go to another bike shop where they also discovered that the caliper is defective. We needed to have replaced the caliper and the pad that it was tainted by oil because of faulty caliper. Theo fatbike agreed to replace the caliper but not the pad, even if it was unusable. My opinion is that they don’t know anything at all about repairing bikes and that they just assemble them. Customer service is very bad! We had to call them several times and go several times to their shop. This new start-up has no idea how to do business.
Ouch, that’s such a bummer Gabriel! I am sorry to hear that your purchase has been difficult and frustrating. I always feel conflicted, and do my best reviewing, but this sort of feedback may reach the company or help others to set expectations. Whatever the issues has been, I hope that Téo is able to overcome it and improve their product in the future and that you are able to find a product that works better, or get your own Téo Fatbike working properly :(
Nice review Court, Like Dennis mentioned above, I started learning about e Bikes on this forum. And made my buying choice from here. So we all know the positives of the Teo’ its when their are problems! My case and several other US based owners all received 500 watt Canadian models despite assurances from Bennoit that US shipped models would be rated 750 watt models (Radrover climbs hills without major effort also has a watts output on the display). So Bennoit has offered to do a parts exchange to bring these bikes up too 750 watts. At the owners cost of disassembly and shipping.! I enjoy riding with my wife (she has the RadRover) We are limited by her battery range. I wish Bennoit would have addressed this issue different. I have many people asking were and how much are the bikes.
Hmm, that’s frustrating Dan. Thanks for sharing your experience vs. your wife’s, it’s cool that you both have ebikes to ride and I wish you were enjoying them both vs. having some issues. I’m sure Bennoit is trying his best, but it’s probably a smaller company, it looks like he is also newer to the space. All I can say is thanks for sharing and I welcome further feedback as this gets resolved.
Just wanted to say I appreciate your thorough reviews! Very helpful for those of us that live thousands of miles from manufacturers and are new to the whole ebike universe. Sure wish I could try them out but your reviews are the next best thing. I’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on a 2018 RadRover and liking everything about the Rad specs, company culture, purchaser reviews, etc. but now I am wondering since seeing your review of the Teo. Seems as though this rig might have some better components like hydraulic brakes, punchout rims, and a beefier battery? Price seems to be about the same as the Rover w/ fenders and rear rack is about $1700 U.S, and where I live I don’t get the free Rad shipping so they are pretty much the same price delivered. Assuming the Teo really does ship with the 750 watt motor to the American market which one would you buy? Is there a preference to your way of thinking? Thanks again for the great reviews!
Thanks Dan! I try my best to be thorough and provide some perspective and insights along the way, it’s especially fun when an owner or shop manager is there to comment on performance and value. Téo definitely offers a unique high-value product and I agree with your assessment on the upgraded brakes, rims etc. but they are a smaller company and earlier this year I heard someone talking about wait times. I don’t think the RadRover 2018 is shipping immediately but Rad has a much bigger staff and professional support while Téo seems like a smaller startup. At the end of the day, the hardware may be very similar but service will probably be a step down with Téo. If you like their designs and offering, I think it would be good to call and ask about wait times and figure out which model and fits your needs best. You’re not obligated to buy but sending an email or trying to reach out could help you choose and note that the founder is French so there might be a language barrier or perhaps he has grown the team a bit and is getting help responding now because it was a little confusing when I reached out. I hope this helps, I think both products are pretty cool :)
Hi, I bought a Teo fat bike and believe me, once they got your money you don’t exist anymore. Total ripoff for a basic, low cost ebike. You can buy way better anywhere else, customer service can’t be worse than with rose and his father benoît dumont. They are real thief.
Aww, that’s such a bummer. I’m really sorry to hear that you haven’t had a good experience with their support. Thanks for spending a bit of time to share with us here… and I hope you can still enjoy the bike and keep it going despite the hurdles :(
Denis Shelston
7 years agoThank you Court for another great review. I have purchased a Téo, exactly as Patrick did, from positive comments and a review from a hard core fan and participant on EBR’s own forum , Stéphane, aka America94.
I’ve been riding it for over month now, and am truly impressed. I am 65 and a former very well travelled motorcycle enthusiast who thought his days on 2 wheels were over.
My Téo has empowered me, I simply enjoy quiet rides in my neighbourhood. I have pimped it a bit with phone holder, tail bag, flashing light, etc. Love it
The e-bike, pedal assist, is a fantastic concept and am wishing for more people to understand it, and not raise their nose at the idea… I found that the spandex crowd looks at us funny. My 6-pack may be hiding, but I’m outside, breathing fresh air and having the time of my life.
Thanks for confirming I made a wise purchase.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoAwesome, what a great comment Denis! Thanks for mentioning the Téo forums and Stéphane. I’m glad he was able to help people get interested in this bike and ultimately, to help me review it! That’s what I was hoping for when I launched them a couple of years back. Your comment is very appreciated and I hope you continue enjoying the Téo e-bike and enjoying that fresh air ;)
ReplyDenis Shelston
7 years agoA quick note… your review shows the price as $2.2K. That is the correct price is Canadian dollars. At today’s rate this is $1725 USD. I am just afraid some readers in the US may be find it overpriced at $2200. It is a great bang for the buck, either in CAD$ or US$.
Patrick Simpson
7 years agoHi Court, It was great meeting you and having you do the review on my Teo S Fat Bike. I enjoyed our conversations and wish we had just a little more time to check out that great Chinese buffet I was telling you about, but BC Ferries wait for no one. Next time you are over on the island, the Chinese Buffet is on me!
You got the review out quicker than I expected and it’s a really good review. My bike is now a famous movie star! (blush) :)
Here is my link for anyone who wishes to order a Teo Fat Bike. Kind regards, Patrick, Coombs, BC, Canada
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThank you so much for the hospitality Patrick! I enjoyed living a day in your shoes and having some great conversations during the car ride. I too, wish that we had been able to get some Chinese food together… but I am sure to return! You’ve got a friend in me, thanks again for making this possible, it was a blast and totally happened because you put yourself out there and reached out. Thanks :)
ReplyPatrick Simpson
7 years agoI am honored to be your friend, Court!
I’m re-reading the review and I have one small correction to ask. The steel fenders are actually really quite light. Though I never weighed them, steel is often lighter than aluminum for certain tasks. Because it doesn’t need much thickness to be strong, it can be quite thin and light. A couple examples I’m aware of, though not strictly about steel vs aluminum is how incredibly light steel studs for construction are compared to wooden studs, and yet they are stronger structurally. My neighbor Bob, who built many race cars used steel hoods on his cars rather than the supposedly lighter fiberglass because the steel was thinner. Surprisingly, the steel hood weighed a quarter of what the fiberglass one did because the fiberglass had to be thicker to prevent flex.
Anyway, the point is that, though I never weighed the steel fenders, they were extremely light, probably ounces. I think the weight in the Teo is in a strong frame, heavy duty battery, and powerful motor.
I get happier every time I ride my Teo. It just gets better and better and exceeds my expectations every time I rider her to town and back home. :) I compare it to a Harley Davidson vs a sportbike. The Harley is more solid and can carry more stuff on a trip. Just my humble opinion. Still, a great review you did, my friend!
Well Done and Thank You! Patrick, Coombs, BC
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoGreat point Patrick, your story about Bob using Steel hoods vs. Fiberglass is intriguing. I wonder how Carbon fiber hoods compare?! In any case, I appreciate the time you spent to think this out and share an alternative perspective. I do agree that the sturdy frame build and larger frame size play a role here. It would be neat to weigh Steel vs. Aluminum fenders but there are other factors to consider, like durability, thickness to achieve said durability. I guess I shouldn’t make assumptions that Steel is heavier, I may amend that in the review ;)
ReplyJames
7 years agoDamn Dude, you really seem to love to dear yourself talk, most of your reviews could be accomplished in a third or a quarter of the time you take if you learn to be succient, i almost hung myself listening and watching your long ass reviews
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoWell, since you survived the extra long review is there anything I can help you answer about the bike? I do these longer reviews for fun sometimes and tend to go extra deep because new smaller brands don’t always get as much coverage. I believe YouTube does have a fast-play option as well, if you get bored in the future.
ReplyMatt
7 years agoCourt, Love the reviews, I have learned a lot from them. I am currently looking at fat bikes like this for my initial dive into ebiking. I wish the Rad Rover had extended life battery and some of the other options on ones like this and the M2S R750. I also love how you stay classy no matter what the feedback. Again, I appreciate all the info and the passion you bring.
FRANK S BAILEY
7 years agoNo need to be rude. Court’s are about the best reviews you will find about any type of product in terms of deatail, neurtality, and fun.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThanks Frank! I’m doing my best, but always open to ideas for improving or just encouragement. Trying to balance the three things you listed and enjoying the ride :D
Benoit Dumont
7 years agoHello everybody,
I appreciated very much the evaluation of our TEO S limited. Thank you Court and Peter for your time. I noticed that the rear fender was loose and creates noise. This can be done by tightening the screws. For the trottle it is possible to use it without pedaling. You only need to disconnect a wire from the controller. I also want to say that teo s limited is available in two versions of 500W or 750W motor.
If you have any questions about our bikes, you can contact me at: [email protected]
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThanks for this help Benoit! I thought your bike performed well and enjoyed testing it in the forest. I hope to check out your other models someday and wish you luck with your new company :)
ReplyGabriel Chirita
7 years agoExtremelly bad experience with Theo fatbike. The bike was improperly mounted by them. Cables were either loose or too tight. I had to readjust the cables for the brakes. Two weeks after the purchase, the plug of the cable connecting the motor to the throttle broke. They refused to replace it on the pretext that we “ripped it off” so we had to go to another bike shop where they also discovered that the caliper is defective. We needed to have replaced the caliper and the pad that it was tainted by oil because of faulty caliper. Theo fatbike agreed to replace the caliper but not the pad, even if it was unusable. My opinion is that they don’t know anything at all about repairing bikes and that they just assemble them. Customer service is very bad! We had to call them several times and go several times to their shop. This new start-up has no idea how to do business.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoOuch, that’s such a bummer Gabriel! I am sorry to hear that your purchase has been difficult and frustrating. I always feel conflicted, and do my best reviewing, but this sort of feedback may reach the company or help others to set expectations. Whatever the issues has been, I hope that Téo is able to overcome it and improve their product in the future and that you are able to find a product that works better, or get your own Téo Fatbike working properly :(
ReplyDan
7 years agoNice review Court, Like Dennis mentioned above, I started learning about e Bikes on this forum. And made my buying choice from here. So we all know the positives of the Teo’ its when their are problems! My case and several other US based owners all received 500 watt Canadian models despite assurances from Bennoit that US shipped models would be rated 750 watt models (Radrover climbs hills without major effort also has a watts output on the display). So Bennoit has offered to do a parts exchange to bring these bikes up too 750 watts. At the owners cost of disassembly and shipping.! I enjoy riding with my wife (she has the RadRover) We are limited by her battery range. I wish Bennoit would have addressed this issue different. I have many people asking were and how much are the bikes.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHmm, that’s frustrating Dan. Thanks for sharing your experience vs. your wife’s, it’s cool that you both have ebikes to ride and I wish you were enjoying them both vs. having some issues. I’m sure Bennoit is trying his best, but it’s probably a smaller company, it looks like he is also newer to the space. All I can say is thanks for sharing and I welcome further feedback as this gets resolved.
ReplyDan
7 years agoJust wanted to say I appreciate your thorough reviews! Very helpful for those of us that live thousands of miles from manufacturers and are new to the whole ebike universe. Sure wish I could try them out but your reviews are the next best thing. I’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on a 2018 RadRover and liking everything about the Rad specs, company culture, purchaser reviews, etc. but now I am wondering since seeing your review of the Teo. Seems as though this rig might have some better components like hydraulic brakes, punchout rims, and a beefier battery? Price seems to be about the same as the Rover w/ fenders and rear rack is about $1700 U.S, and where I live I don’t get the free Rad shipping so they are pretty much the same price delivered. Assuming the Teo really does ship with the 750 watt motor to the American market which one would you buy? Is there a preference to your way of thinking? Thanks again for the great reviews!
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThanks Dan! I try my best to be thorough and provide some perspective and insights along the way, it’s especially fun when an owner or shop manager is there to comment on performance and value. Téo definitely offers a unique high-value product and I agree with your assessment on the upgraded brakes, rims etc. but they are a smaller company and earlier this year I heard someone talking about wait times. I don’t think the RadRover 2018 is shipping immediately but Rad has a much bigger staff and professional support while Téo seems like a smaller startup. At the end of the day, the hardware may be very similar but service will probably be a step down with Téo. If you like their designs and offering, I think it would be good to call and ask about wait times and figure out which model and fits your needs best. You’re not obligated to buy but sending an email or trying to reach out could help you choose and note that the founder is French so there might be a language barrier or perhaps he has grown the team a bit and is getting help responding now because it was a little confusing when I reached out. I hope this helps, I think both products are pretty cool :)
ReplyChris
4 years agoHi, I bought a Teo fat bike and believe me, once they got your money you don’t exist anymore. Total ripoff for a basic, low cost ebike. You can buy way better anywhere else, customer service can’t be worse than with rose and his father benoît dumont. They are real thief.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoAww, that’s such a bummer. I’m really sorry to hear that you haven’t had a good experience with their support. Thanks for spending a bit of time to share with us here… and I hope you can still enjoy the bike and keep it going despite the hurdles :(
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