TurboAnt Thunder T1 Fat-Tire E-Bike Review: Versatility Meets Value

Fat-tire electric bikes have carved out a niche for themselves as the perfect balance of stability and versatility. With the TurboAnt Thunder T1, the brand has joined the growing list of manufacturers tapping into this trend.

But does it live up to expectations in real-world usage, or should you look elsewhere? Here’s my expert take after putting it to the test.

Technical Specifications: components and metrics

Before I dive into the review, let’s see its technical specifications.

YEAR: 2022 MOTOR & TOP SPEED Class 3 (pedal assist (PAS) and throttle on demand) Bafang 750 watts (nominal) Max speed: 32 km/hr (20 mph)

BATTERY & RANGE Samsung 670watts/hr, 48v, 12Ah It charges in 3 -7 hrs from drained Approx. range: 55 km (35 miles) to 97 km (60 miles)

CONTROLLER & RIDING MODES Five (5) pedal-assisted modes (PAS 1-5) Key-Disp LCD controller

FRAME High-step Single colors (black) Aluminum alloy

DRIVE-TRAIN SYSTEM Shimano Acera 7-speed available Free Wheel: YES

BRAKING SYSTEM Front and rear Tektro Aries single-piston 180mm hydraulic system

OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY 33 kg (73 lbs) – weight 120 kg (264 lb) – carrying capacity

TIRES AND SUSPENSION Kendra 20″ x 4″ fat front and rear tires Puncture resistant – TPI30 Allow rims 100 mm travel front suspension (basic)

FEATURES Integrated kickstand. Front and rear lights. Front and rear aluminum fenders. Toolkit.

Main Components Analysis

Battery and motor performance

At the heart of the Thunder T1 is a 670Wh Samsung battery rated at 48V and 12Ah, paired with a 750W rear hub Bafang motor. TurboAnt claims a range of up to 60 miles, but real-world tests revealed:

• PAS 1 (low assist): Up to 58 miles at an average speed of 12 mph (19 km/h).
• PAS 5 (high assist): Around 28 miles at 20 mph (32 km/h).

The performance was solid for its class, though I noticed the battery indicator occasionally gave misleading readings, dropping quickly but continuing to provide power for miles. TurboAnt was aware of this issue, so I assume they are working on a fix.

In other words, the indicator bars tend to drop to the lower level quickly, but ironically, the battery continues to provide power for many miles.

PAS and throttle feature: speed test

Depending on the assistance you decide to use (PAS or throttle), the maximum speed will vary.

For instance, using the throttle mode only, I reached a speed of around 20 mph (32 km/h). On the other hand, the motor provided me with approximately 25 mph (45 km/h) by using PAS only.

This difference is likely due to the requirement that e-bikes with throttle controls have a limited speed in countries like the EU and Australia.

Read More: Electric Bike Laws: Know Them Before Riding

You can always go faster with that mode, but you will be required to have a license.

About the throttle performance

The Bafang gearless rear hub motor kicked in reasonably quickly and was very responsive on flat terrain.

Even though I felt a decent acceleration when riding uphill, the motor suffered under strain, and the speed dropped considerably.

This makes sense as this e-bike:

1. Is heavy, with an overall weight of 33 kg.

2. The hub motor is doing the whole job of propelling the bike and you.

What can you obtain from using PAS?

On average, this is what to expect from the motor at its different pedal-assist system levels:

– PAS 1: up to 12mph

– PAS 2: 14-16mph

– PAS 3: 17-18mph

– PAS 4: steady 18mph ride

– PAS 5: 20-28mph

Using PAS 5, I experienced a smoother ride and faster speed gains, especially when riding uphill. It makes all sense, right? You are helping the motor move the entire system.

One thing that I liked was how smoothly the gears shifted between each assistance level.

Control and Comfort of the TurboAnt Thunder T1

The Thunder T1 was equipped with a user-friendly LCD screen displaying critical information such as speed, battery level, PAS mode, and mileage. The intuitive button layout makes adjustments effortless.

Key ergonomic features I was happy about:

• Adjustable handlebar: it was very simple to adjust the handlebar position to customize settings for comfort and performance.
• Suspension fork: even though it is a basic system, I felt it absorbed some rough sections quite well.
• Throttle design: I’m not a big fan of twist-and-go throttles, but this one was not too bad. Also, I found the “kill switch” responsive when intentionally activating the throttle.

While the grips and saddle are decent, they could be softer for enhanced comfort during longer rides. These aren’t dealbreakers, but they might be worth upgrading.

Overall Impressions: A Solid Contender in the Fat-Tire Market

The TurboAnt Thunder T1 excels as a versatile, all-terrain e-bike. Its fat tires handled every terrain I rode on. It balances comfort, performance, and value exceptionally well for its price range.

Pros:

• Strong battery performance and range.
• Smooth gear shifting and responsive PAS.
• Adjustable components for personalized comfort.
• Robust safety features.

Cons:

• Battery indicator inaccuracies.
• The motor strain on steep inclines.
• Grips and saddle could be more comfortable.

While the bike’s size posed a challenge for storage, its performance and design make it a worthy investment.

For riders seeking a reliable fat-tire e-bike without breaking the bank, the TurboAnt Thunder T1 could be an excellent choice.

Images courtesy of TurboAnt.