The past few years have brought exceptional growth to the e-bike industry. At one point, many thought the covid pandemic lockdown was responsible for much of that growth. Probably it did play a part in the record sales, but even though the lockdowns are no longer with us, e-bike popularity continues to increase.
In the US, record sales are expected every year for at least the next 10 years. E-bike imports into the US outpaced electric car imports by nearly 200,000 units in 2021! A major contributor to the huge increase in e-bike sales is the popularity of 20" step-thru electric bikes. These models offer a level of convenience that is very attractive to many riders. Fat tire e-bikes are great fun to ride on all types of terrain, but the sheer size of the big 26" fat tire e-bikes often makes them difficult to handle...especially for smaller or older riders.
The 20" fat tire e-bike is becoming more and more popular. At the same time, the step-thru frame style for e-bikes is also becoming more and more popular. Step-over bikes make it necessary to swing a leg completely over the back of the bike in order to mount the seat. Certainly mounting a step-thru e-bike is easier and more convenient for almost everyone. Mounting the step-thru is a simple matter of lifting one leg just enough to literally step through the frame. For people of shorter than average height, a step-thru e-bike style is more than just convenient...it is almost essential for safety in mounting and dismounting.
For people with various physical challenges that make biking difficult, step-thru e-bikes are making it possible to return to biking. Even older senior adults are re-discovering the joy of bike riding. The pedal assist aspect of e-bikes is making life more enjoyable for thousands of those who thought they would never ride a bike again. In addition to the motor, the availability of step-through ebike is very important. It is just much easier to get on and off a step-thru e-bike.
Step-thru e-bikes are certainly no longer thought of as "girl's bikes" -- in fact, the majority of step-thru models are purchased by men. Men and women alike are enjoying the benefits of the step-thru style's easy handling. Let's take a closer look at two 20" fat tire e-bike models with step-thru styling.
Contents
1. Key Points for Comparing and Evaluating E-bikes
1.2 Eye Candy
1.3 Price
1.4 Quality Control
Key Points for Comparing and Evaluating E-bikes
With so many choices available for e-bike fans, it becomes more and more important to shop carefully. It is worth your time to become well-educated in the pros and cons of any e-bike you seriously consider purchasing. While there is a wide range of pricing among the various e-bikes and brands, the "sweet spot" in fat tire e-bike pricing is from $1500 - $3000. This represents a significant investment for most riders, and so it pays to take time for careful comparisons. Here are the four key points of evaluation that are important to most e-bike shoppers:
1. Motor Power/Torque
MAGiCYCLE Ocelot Pro
With the power to spare, the Ocelot will get you where you want to go. Its 52-volt 20-amp battery (LG brand) powers a 750-watt hub motor. Very importantly, the Ocelot's upgraded motor puts out 96 Newton Meters of torque.
Torque is important because of its relationship to power. You can think of torque as the power available for turning the rear wheel on your e-bike. The torque can be provided by a motor or by the pedaling of a bike rider. The harder the rider pedals, the more torque is applied to turning the rear wheel. In the same manner, the more powerful the battery and the better the motor design, the more torque is available for turning the rear wheel and propelling the e-bike forward.
A motor with 96 Nm of torque gives your e-bike quicker starts and more powerful hill-climbing ability than a lesser motor with a lower torque output. Magicycle is absolutely the leader in available torque, giving you more power than any competitively priced e-bike!
To summarize, higher torque provides quicker takeoff, easier starts on an uphill incline, and greater ease of climbing hills. This battery/motor combination results in a maximum range of about 80 miles. The range will vary from rider to rider and is affected by rider weight, gear and accessories carried, terrain, tire pressure, and wind speed.
Mokwheel Scoria
The Scoria also sports a 750-watt hub motor, but it is powered by a battery (LG or Samsung) that is less powerful than the Ocelot Pro's battery at only 48 volts. This battery/motor combination also gives riders a maximum range of about 80 miles. The total available torque for the Scoria is also less at 90 Neuton meters.
2. Eye Candy
It's true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Shoppers have varying notions as to what looks best in e-bike designs, but everyone wants to be seen on a bike that looks great.
MAGiCYCLE Ocelot Pro
With the release of the Ocelot, the Magicycle Design Team maintains its reputation of developing strong high-quality e-bikes that are also very appealing to the eyes. This gorgeous ride is available in 3 colors, but the standard Pearl White is more economical.
This e-bike is reminiscent of a beach cruiser that can easily traverse soft sand beaches while admiring the scenery. The comfortable wide seat, full fenders, and all-terrain tires make the Ocelot Pro ideal for cruising city streets, countryside lanes, off-road trails, or the ocean shores.
Mokwheel Scoria
The Scoria has somewhat of a more utilitarian appearance; a bit less streamlined. It does not quite have the sleek look of the Ocelot, but it does have sporty mag wheels. Which of these two e-bikes has the better appearance? It's your call...take a look:
3. Price
MAGiCYCLE Ocelot Pro
The Ocelot is currently priced at $1889 after applying the $100 coupon provided by Magicycle.
Mokwheel Scoria
The Scoria is $110 higher at $1999. There's no coupon, but you do get a credit for $300 in accessories.
In recent months, most shoppers say that every dollar counts. When you can get a better e-bike and spend $110 less, that makes the decision easy.
4. Quality Control
The most important consideration of all is quality...more important than any other factor. Quality control directly affects buyer safety and enjoyment. The vital importance of rider safety is obvious, and of course, nobody wants to be constantly having bike problems due to poor quality control.
MAGiCYCLE Ocelot Pro
MAGiCYCLE has the advantage of complete quality control. Why is this true? It's because MAGiCYCLE owns the factory that manufactures its e-bikes. This makes it one of the very few elite e-bike brands that actually own a factory. Many e-bike brands are simply selling e-bikes purchased from a factory that supplies multiple brands.
You may not have thought of it, but it is impossible to maintain satisfactory quality control if the brand does not own the factory. The 107,000 sq. ft. Magicycle factory boasts the best manufacturing technology in the world. Magicycle's factory has been in Wuxi, China, the Capital of Global Electric Bicycle Manufacturing for more than 16 years and has produced more than 1.2 million e-bikes, which are sold to North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and other countries & regions.
From these countries, 800,000 users provided riding data that helped Magicycle develop its uniquely stable and comfortable e-bikes. This gives Magicycle customers the ultimate cost performance with state-of-the-art technology and materials, consistently exceeding client expectations.
Quality is very difficult to judge just by looking. Certainly, it is bad news for consumers if a great-looking product is not backed up by quality engineering and production. The primary consideration is that Magicycle owns its factory and also has its own design and engineering team. This gives Magicycle complete control over the quality of its e-bikes, from concept and design to manufacturing and shipping.
Magicycle has exemplary quality control over the entire bike-building process, from design to manufacture to shipping. When a Magicycle Ocelot Pro arrives at the doorstep of a new owner, the box contains an e-bike that will last a very long time and is already 90% assembled. It is a streamlined fat tire e-bike designed to give reliable service, long life, and a safe riding experience. Quality matters — don’t settle for an e-bike from a brand that does not own the factory.
Mokwheel Scoria
Quality is a bit harder to judge for Mokwheel. It is not clear whether Mokwheel owns the factory that manufactures its e-bikes. Their website gives no information about the factory and provides no photos. It seems as though any brand that owns a factory would be glad and proud enough to provide this vital information. It's just good common sense to exercise greater caution when evaluating an e-bike brand that may not own a factory.
Research Leads to a Decision
These are the vital comparisons. Power/Torque, appearance, price, and most of all...quality! In short, the Magicycle Ocelot Pro does it best—long distances, smooth pedaling, and sure-footed travel on everything from grassy knolls to sandy beaches or forest pathways. Best of all, Ocelot Pro owners have the satisfaction of owning a fat tire e-bike built with exemplary quality control. This is an e-bike that is definitely worth a second look.
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