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The Super 73 S1 fat tire e-bike is still one of the most wanted on the market. Possibly, its popularity is due to its appearance.
I have to be honest. The first time I saw the bike, I was like, “Wow! What is this?” I know most of us are used to seeing electric bikes like any other standard one, but thinking that a model looked similar to a motorbike was appealing.
Super 73 S1 Technical Specs
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MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY & RANGE
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CONTROLLER & RIDING MODES
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FRAME
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DRIVE-TRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY
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TIRES AND SUSPENSION
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FEATURES
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My experience riding the Super 73 S1
As mentioned before, I loved the design of the Super 73 S1 model. It was just the type of e-bike with an old-school, bad-ass look.
Building material and weight
Lithium Cycles, the California-based manufacturer of Super 73 electric bikes, ultimately decided in favor of steel. Aside from being more robust and less dense than aluminum—the most popular frame material these days—steel is incredibly resistant to fatigue and ultra-durable.
Due to its building material, the bike weighed 27 kg. I thought it was going to be more like 30kg, though.
Learn more about electronic bike frame types. What to know about them.
I was fascinated with the “bare-bones” frame style, which was as minimalist as possible. It contained nothing but the 768 watt-hour removable battery, which was placed right between my knees, making it impossible to ignore.
The fact that the frame runs straight from the seat to the handlebar—not bent like most electric bikes on the market—might pose an issue for short riders.
Tires performance
One of the main characteristics of any Super 73 electric bike is the quality of the tires (20” x 4.25”). Compared to similar e-bikes, such as the RadMini Step Thru, this model had excellent tire carving, which I think was crucial for feeling safe while on the ride.
Rear hub motor performance
This fat tire electric bike has a Class 2 brushless 500-watt rear hub motor. I think this is the minimum amount of time to haul this heavy e-bike.
The one thing I noticed was the motor’s ” out-of-time ” effect when kicking off or stopping the assistance. To be honest, I found it annoying.
This is more related to Bafang motors, which I understand has been amended.
Although the manufacturer has indicated the Super 73 top speed is 20 mph (33 km/h), I noticed it went up to 40 km/h on throttle mode, which is way more than what I would like to handle.
The 35Nm of torque was nowhere near impressive, especially compared to high-end e-bikes offering more than twice as much.
Super 73 S1 Battery
One of the most interesting parts of this Super 73 fat tire electric bike was the battery (48V, 14.5Ah, 768 watt-hour Panasonic). To be honest, it was not about its chemistry and range; more about how it blended the look towards a motorcycle.
Although the battery’s chemistry was age-old, its range was still good. The range was clearly affected depending on the riding alternative used (pedal or throttle).
When testing pedal assist, I calculated a range between 35 and 50 miles, whereas for the throttle mode, I calculated an approximate range of 30 miles. This was using the eco mode.
I calculated the battery’s charging time at 6-7 hours, too. This is a lot, so you’d better charge it at home.
The Controller
From my perspective, I did not really need more. However, I saw a few things that I didn’t like about its design and placement.
The remote was placed on the right side of the handlebar, which is not a common location compared to most electric bikes.
The thumb-throttle design bothered me. Pushing it with my finger for a long time was exhausting. After 3 minutes, my hand muscles got stiff. What if you have small hands or short fingers? I would’ve loved to have a handlebar grip throttle style, not a thumb one.
It offered three (3) support modes:
– Eco mode: best battery saving.
– Mid-level mode: it provided efficiency and enough power. This would be the ideal mode for short commuting.
– High-level mode: the acceleration provided by the high-level mode was not too bad, though there was a battery sacrifice.
From what I can see, pedaling was not so exciting. This was limited by the single-gear drive-train, similar to the Swagtron folding e-bike.
I’m not a big fan of single gears, as they put more pressure on the motor and battery performance. It made sense that the range was well below the average.
Aspects about its accessories
At first glance, the S1 model looks very simple, with not many points to look at. However, the truth was that the front light, rear rack, and seating alternatives were unique accessories.
But as a Super 73 signature, all their modes have this motorbike LED-style headlight system. It was actually quite bright (300 lumens) to illuminate approximately 10 m away from me.
The seating system was another feature they played with. The standard seat (30″ or 76 cm high) provided good comfort for people between 1.50 m and 1.80 m tall.
Even though they also offered an extended seat alternative (for people 1.90 m tall), I think it would not have been as comfortable as it seemed.
Lastly, the rear rack system. Its 20 kg carrying capacity could make it a good commuting model. If I’m honest, I would not load it that much, as it is already too heavy.
Final thoughts on the Super 73 S1
The good stuff:
– This could be the one if you like e-bikes with big tires and good traction.
– Night-riding won’t be an issue with the super bright LED front light.
– The rear rack offered the versatility to carry heavy or oversized items (even a surfboard with the right attachments).
– Considering how heavy this electric bike is, the battery range was ok.
– People with some physical limitations can take the most of the throttle configuration.
For consideration:
– The single-speed drivetrain limits its utility on hilly terrains, where a good gear system makes a difference.
– If tackling hilly terrains, its low torque will leave it gasping for more power.
– The low seat makes it difficult for taller riders (over 180 cm) to enjoy a comfortable ride (I think).
– Need to carry upstairs? It is considered a heavy electric bike with 27 kg, including the battery.
– It won’t fit in any standard bike rack.
The S1 model manufactured by Lithium Cycles is an interesting fat tire electric bike to consider.
Its configuration is impressive—simple, with little technology to worry about, just what is needed for good fun while riding.
Although it has been built with a minimal design, I can’t believe it is still so heavy. Why not consider an aluminum frame?
All in all, for the market price, I think the Super 73 S1 is a strong competitor for electric bikes that have the same fat tire and throttle configuration.
Images courtesy of Ben Buckler Boards
