This folding fat tyre electric bike is the best fat tyre bike we have ever ridden. It is super comfortable, easy to fold, and as faer as fat tyre electric bikes go, its fairly light!
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Good for:
- Delivery riders
-
Multi-terrain adventures
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Easy to fold
- Powerful motor
Cons:
- Slight lag on the sensor
- Higher pedal assist levels can create ghost-pedaling sensation
Expert Opinion:
Our expert reviewer Richard really enjoyed riding this folding fat tyre electric bike - it was his favourite fat tyre e-bike he has ever ridden. The bike was comfortable, easy to fold and had good range. He did find that the slight lag on the moron meant that it did kick in like a turbo motor and could sometimes cause over-steering.
Another positive to mention that is not specifically about the bike itself but about the company Hygge is their extensive servicing network across the UK and Europe which really came in handy when he hit a little snag on his test ride.
Spec:
|
Length |
165cm |
|
Folded Size |
98x52x76 cm (LxWxH) |
|
Max Load |
130 kg |
|
Frame |
Aluminium Foldable |
|
Weight |
27 kg |
|
Brakes |
Tektro E3520 Hydraulic Disc |
|
Gears |
Shimano Altus SL-M315 7 Speed |
|
Tyres |
CST Multi-Terrain 20″ x 4″ Puncture Resistant |
|
Range |
Up to 80 km |
|
Motor |
Hygge 250W Hub (48Nm Torque) |
|
Battery |
Samsung 48V 14Ah Cell (Removable Battery) |
|
Charging |
42V Fast Charge |
|
Speed |
25 km/h (15.5 mph) |
|
Rear Rack |
Yes, max load 15kg |
|
Display |
LCD SMART Colourful |
|
Lights |
Integrated LED Front and Rear |
|
Mudguards |
Yes |
|
Suspension |
Yes, front |
|
Pedal Assist Levels |
1-5 |
Components and build quality:
A standout feature of this bike is how comfortable it is! It’s so comfortable, in fact, that 15mph - the legal power assisted limit in the UK, feels incredibly slow and sedate on this bike. The fat tyres eat up any bumps in the road giving you a smooth ride. The riding position also keeps your back straighter which feels like it will be better for you in the long run than a classic style bike.
The Tekro hydraulic brakes on this bike are great. They can bring this heavy electric bike to a quick, controlled stop without locking up which makes you feel safe on the road as it improves your sense of control.
Despite the size and weight of this bike it did prove easy enough to fold. There are two steps to fully fold it and we managed to do it in about ten seconds. The Hygge Vester also comes with velcro folding straps for a secure fold if, for example, you were getting on a train or storing it at home.
Performance and handling:
Due to its size and build the Hygge Vester sacrifices cornering speed and agility in favour of comfort - and for lots of people, that might be a trade worth making.
Pedal assist level 2 was our favourite to ride in, feeling like level 1 left a bike of this size feeling slightly underpowered, and level 3 reducing the pedal-resistance to almost nothing, which is not a sensation that all riders like. Levels 4 and 5 were great for getting up hills but did make the bike slightly harder to predict on flats and we found that it could catch you off guard in corners and cause understeer.
It performed pretty well on our range test as well. We managed to get 64.5km out of one battery which is not quite as much as Hygge claims is possible but we must take into account that our tinder was going up and down hills, up and down in pedal assist levels, and they were carrying a fair bit of kit while riding.
As far as folding fat tyre electric bikes go the Hygge Vester is fairly light, but at 27kg this is a heavy bike. That means that it may be worth thinking twice about getting this for your commute as you may not feel very nimble about getting on and off trains, especially compared to the other folding electric bikes on the market. The folding aspect of this bike definitely makes it easier to store rather than easier to get around.
It may work for you if you fancy heading out on a multi-terrain adventure but don’t necessarily fancy having to cycle to your destination before you start. If you can lift it into the boot of your car you could drive it out to a destination before you start cycling.
Safety and security:
This fat tyre electric bike does fold down fairly small meaning that it would be viable to store safely inside if you were concerned about locking and leaving your bike outside. It also has a removable battery so you can remove the battery while it is locked up to reduce any unwanted attention.
While the power of the motor can sometimes reduce how connected you feel to the road, the Tekro hydraulic brakes make you feel more in control and confident that you can stop this powerhouse of a bike when you need to.
