Bicycles

Fat-tire ebike makes riding through the city and beyond more accessible

View 6 Images
The step-through frame offers easier mount and dismount while the fat tires and fork suspension might just tempt commuters to ride into the wilderness beyond the confines of the city
Cyrusher
The step-through frame offers easier mount and dismount while the fat tires and fork suspension might just tempt commuters to ride into the wilderness beyond the confines of the city
Cyrusher
The Kuattro's step-through frame can accommodate riders from 5.5 to 6.6 ft in height
Cyrusher
Rear cargo rack, full fenders and kickstand included
Cyrusher
Five levels of pedal-assist plus twist throttle are available courtesy of the 750-W rear-hub motor
Cyrusher
The Kuattro features a 48-V/17-Ah downtube-integrated battery for up to 50 miles of per-charge riding
Cyrusher
Heading beyond the confines of the city with the Kuattro fat-tire, step-through ebike
Cyrusher
View gallery - 6 images

Fat-tire ebikes are a great way to ride the last mile to work while also being capable of exploring the world beyond the city limits. Many models feature sturdy step-over frames that can make mounting and dismounting a bit of a chore for older riders or those cursed with a short inseam. The Kuattro aims to be a more welcoming fat-tire ride courtesy of a step-through design.

Cyrusher was founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Harry Xie, and now has both a fulfillment center and showroom in the US. The company's rather awkward moniker is a mash up of the words cycling and rusher, and Xie started by selling bike components online before deciding to ship "quality bikes made in China to international markets at great prices."

The latest family member is a fat-tire model dubbed the Kuattro that's designed as an urban commuter with off-road aspirations. It's built around a 6061 aluminum alloy frame with internally-routed cables that rocks step-through mount/dismount ease paired with an adjustable seat post and handlebar, and is designed to accommodate riders between 5.5 and 6.6 ft (1.7 to 2 m) in height.

Providing five pedal-assist levels plus a half-twist throttle is a 750-W Bafang rear-hub motor that peaks at 1,200 watts and produces 80 Nm (59 lb.ft) of torque. Plus there's a Shimano SL-TX50-R 7-speed gearset for more flexibility during rides, which will be particularly welcome when tackling inclines.

The Kuattro features a 48-V/17-Ah downtube-integrated battery for up to 50 miles of per-charge riding
Cyrusher

The ebike's 816-Wh Li-ion battery is housed in the chunky downtube and is reckoned good for between 25 and 50 miles (40-80 km) of per-charge range, with top-ups over a standard 110/240-V wall outlet taking five to seven hours.

Helping to absorb unruly terrain are 4-inch-wide, puncture-resistant fat tires wrapped around 26-inch rims, and an adjustable suspension fork with lockout and 80 mm of travel. Stopping power comes from hydraulic disc brakes with 180/230 rotors and automatic motor shutoff.

The rider can check ebike status and ride metrics, as well as adjust motor assist, via the 3.7-inch LCD display, day or night visibility is helped along by a 250-lumen LED headlight plus a tail-light that does double duty as a brake light, and there's an electronic horn to warn pedestrians of the impending arrival of your step-through beast.

Rear cargo rack, full fenders and kickstand included
Cyrusher

The Kuattro weighs in at 74 lb (34 kg) – with the battery locked in the frame – and has a maximum payload capacity of 330 lb (149.6 kg), including the rider, and there's a handy rear cargo rack for hauling work or leisure essentials. A kickstand and full fenders complete the key specs.

The first ebikes are due to ship in the first week of September, but are available for pre-order now priced at US$2,329.

Product page: Kuattro

View gallery - 6 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
5 comments
WB
Fat Tires on a city bike makes about as much sense as Duck waddling over land... just wastes energy, it's clumsy, takes up too much space... just total miss...
ChairmanLMAO
I wonder when E-bikes will get keys - like ignition keys?
DavidB
@WB: Ever have to ride your narrow-tired bicycle nearly parallel to the tracks of a train, tram, or trolley? Even in dry weather, it’s far too easy for your bike’s front tire to drop into the open groove, throwing you over the handlebars; when wet, it’s too easy to get lateral slip on such tracks or on smooth or painted pavement such as crosswalks. Live in a city with potholes, with some cobblestone streets, or with storm drains covered by slotted grates?

If you don’t, good for you, but tell those of us who do how fat tires are ”a total miss”…unless you mean they allow us to miss all those hazards.
itsKeef
its a fat tyred electric moped?...that converts to a 50kg cycle once the 'e' range has been used up grinding through soft sand... mud and the added drag of low pressure tyres over tarmac ! i still dont get the trend at the moment for weekend warriors on 'e' bikes of any form or format, someone please explain the 'glory' of blasting past a human powered machine. I'm nearly 70 and still love the feeling of actually achieving something i have enjoyed doing for the last 60 or so years. Aching, hot sweaty and hungry after a daily ride. Ok, sure, if and when the time comes I will to have resort an electric moped to get me out the house so be it. Till then leave the e bikes to the elderly and infirm. Meanwhile I will stick my old '99 Sworks M4 hardtail, still 9kg of fat tyre fun.
c w
Are we still doing the missed point rants about ebikes being a waste and pedaling yourself and short range and.....(etc).

They are pedal assist bikes. Meaning one still pedals.

Do many have a throttle only mode? Sure. Is it up to the rider to pay attention to their use of that ? Yes.

Fat tires have been a useful option for a while. Pneumatic tires are a form of suspension. They can be aired up or down as seen fit for conditions or efficiency.

The beauty of bikes is the ability to have multiple ones suited to purpose.