QuietKat RidgeRunner Review
- Price: $6,599
- Battery: 768Wh
- Tires: 26″x 4.8″
- Gear: 1 x 9
What we like about it:
- The relatively longer front and rear suspension travel provides a comfortable riding experience when tackling steep and bumpy trails.
- With 160Nm of torque, it helps you conquer challenging terrains more easily.
What we don’t like about it:
- Weighing 69 lbs, it’s quite challenging for a single person to lift and transport.
- The price might not be easily affordable for the average person.
Rating: (4.85/5)
The QuietKat RidgeRunner has received favorable reviews among adventure-seeking mountain biking enthusiasts, thanks to its powerful electric assistance system and full suspension design. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the QuietKat RidgeRunner, we spent nearly three weeks testing and riding it.
In the following review, we’ll analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the QuietKat RidgeRunner. In the latter part of this article, we’ll also compare it to several other top bicycle models. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, be sure to follow us.
City Riding
Most people familiar with bicycles would be surprised to see a fat-tire bike on urban streets, as fat-tire bikes typically have more rolling resistance on relatively flat city roads, requiring more effort to move forward.
However, the QuietKat RidgeRunner is different. It’s equipped with an Ultra Mid-Drive 1000W motor, allowing me to maneuver through the streets of Los Angeles with ease and agility. Moreover, with its large battery capacity, I circled the nearby park without worries, and it still displayed 75% battery remaining. Additionally, the RidgeRunner’s impressive 160Nm of torque allowed for rapid acceleration when starting from stoplights.
Yes, thanks to the electric assist, it blurs the line between a fat-tire bike and a city commuter, making it practical for urban commuting. However, versatility comes at the cost of a higher price.
But as we know, the QuietKat RidgeRunner is designed for outdoor adventures, so our testing doesn’t stop here.
Griffith Park Testing
Griffith Park is a diverse place where I experienced the true joy of the QuietKat RidgeRunner. Initially, due to the RidgeRunner’s 1000W mid-drive electric motor, I effortlessly cruised through relatively flat dirt paths. In this natural haven, the RidgeRunner’s 150mm travel front QK inverted air suspension fork and rear RockShox Monarch RL shock absorbed the bumps and rough terrain on the trail with stability and comfort.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the wide tires indeed provide stability and outstanding traction but can kick up a lot of dust and dirt, especially in dry weather. Installing mudguards is an option to keep the bike clean.
The terrain here is not uniform, and this is where the customizable LED remote control became my helpful companion. I could adjust the electric assist mode on the fly, depending on the changing terrain, ensuring a better riding experience while maintaining an appropriate speed.
When it comes to high-speed riding on the QuietKat RidgeRunner, we can’t overlook its brakes. The RidgeRunner is equipped with Tektro 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc brakes, and there’s no doubt that its braking performance is reliable. I often had to use the brakes frequently on descents, and they consistently provided reliable stopping power, which is impressive.
Beach Experience
Due to the unique features of the QuietKat RidgeRunner, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to test its performance on the beach. If we were to use a regular road bike on the sand, we can imagine what would happen. Pedaling would be quite challenging, and the bike would easily sink into the sand. However, when I arrived at Santa Monica Beach, the QuietKat RidgeRunner performed exceptionally well.
Equipped with CST Roly Poly 26″ x 4.8″ wide tires, it didn’t get stuck easily in the sand and allowed me to ride effortlessly on the beach while enjoying the sea breeze.
I even had the idea to test its performance in the snow during winter. However, due to the current weather conditions, this idea hasn’t been put into practice yet. If we get the chance in the winter, I think we’ll test its snow performance once again.
Overall, the QuietKat RidgeRunner electric bike provided an unforgettable riding experience in Los Angeles. It excelled in both natural landscapes and city streets. The outstanding suspension system, brake performance, and tire characteristics offered me an adventurous riding journey.
Specifications
The QuietKat RidgeRunner leaves a lasting impression. Although its weight of 69 lbs may give pause, its outstanding performance during our test rides truly won us over.
The RidgeRunner’s fully internal cable routing design gives it a clean appearance. Furthermore, the powerful 1000W Bafang Ultra Mid-Drive motor can even reach a peak power of 1600W in certain situations, making it versatile enough to handle various riding demands.
In addition, it features Tektro 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc brakes with 203mm rotors, providing powerful braking performance. Moreover, its hydraulic braking system maintains stable and precise braking even in adverse weather conditions.
If you’re an angler or a hunter, you’ll appreciate the RidgeRunner’s abundant mounting nuts, which allow you to install racks or rear trailers. This enables you to carry all the gear you need for your fishing or hunting trips.
Video
What do we like about it?
- The powerful 1000W Ultra Mid-Drive motor offers longevity and strength.
- The 150mm front and rear suspension travel provides a more comfortable and stable ride on challenging off-road terrains.
- The impressive CST Roly Poly 26″ x 4.8″ fat tires roll smoothly even on soft sand.
- It can achieve 160Nm of torque for quicker acceleration, making it easy to pick up speed.
What don’t we like about it?
- It’s not lightweight.
- Versatility comes at a higher price.
FAQ
- What is the top speed of this bike?
The top speed of the bike can reach 28 to 30 miles per hour.
- What is the maximum battery life range for this bike?
The maximum battery life range is 64 miles.
- What size options are available for this bike?
Size Chart:
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’5″ – 6’1″ | MD |
| 5’11” – 7’2″ | LG |
Specs
Build
| Fork | Front – 150mm QK Inverted Air-Suspension Fork |
| Rear Shock | Rear – RockShox Monarch RL 150mm |
Groupset
| Brakes | Tektro 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc |
Wheels
| Tires | CST Roly Poly 26″ x 4.8″ |
Electric Components
| Motor | Ultra Mid-Drive 1000W |
| Battery | 768Wh | 16AH/48V | 12 LBS |
| Remote | Customizable LED |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Tires | Drivetrain | Frame Material | Travel |
| Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert 6Fattie | Click View | 27.5 x 2.8″ | 1 × 11 | Aluminum | 180mm rear, 180mm front |
| Himiway COBRA PRO | Click View | 26″ x 4.8″ | 1 × 10 | Aluminum | 190mm rear, 100mm front |
| QuietKat Ibex | Click View | 26″ x 4.8″ | / | Aluminum | 130mm rear, 140mm front |
Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert 6Fattie vs. QuietKat RidgeRunner
This Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert 6Fattie is also a fat tire bike, but it features 27.5 x 2.8″ tires, which are narrower than the tires on the QuietKat RidgeRunner (26″ x 4.8″). While relatively narrower tires are more lightweight, and larger wheel diameters offer better terrain clearance, wider tires provide enhanced balance and shock absorption, as well as typically superior traction. So, when comparing these two bikes, your choice regarding the tires will depend on whether you prioritize stability and shock absorption or greater traction.
In terms of battery life, the QuietKat RidgeRunner offers more, with a battery capacity of 768Wh, while the Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert 6Fattie has a 504Wh battery. However, for eco-conscious individuals, the battery of the Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert 6Fattie is recyclable. So, if you desire greater capacity, you can give the QuietKat RidgeRunner a try. If you prefer a recyclable battery, then the Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert 6Fattie is worth considering.
Learn More: Is Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 A Perfect Selection? – [Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Review]
2023 Himiway COBRA PRO vs. QuietKat RidgeRunner
The 2023 Himiway COBRA PRO is $2,600 cheaper than the QuietKat RidgeRunner, and this price difference is quite significant. Let’s take a look at why these two bikes differ in price.
Firstly, the QuietKat RidgeRunner is 19 lbs lighter than the Himiway COBRA PRO, but some people feel that the Himiway COBRA PRO with its 48V 20Ah Samsung/LG lithium battery provides a better experience. However, in my use, I didn’t find a significant difference in battery performance between these two bikes. However, in terms of battery value for the price, the more affordable Himiway COBRA PRO might be a better choice.
Additionally, I must acknowledge that the Himiway COBRA PRO has a 100mm front travel and 190mm rear travel. This design allows it to maintain stability and agility on more challenging terrain. On the other hand, the QuietKat RidgeRunner, with the same front and rear travel distance of 150mm, is easier to keep stable because it’s easier to predict the bike’s overall response and control.
So, if you have a limited budget and prefer a lighter bike, I suggest giving the 2023 Himiway COBRA PRO a try. If you’re more concerned about balance and stable handling rather than cost-effectiveness, I recommend trying out the QuietKat RidgeRunner.
In conclusion, the choice depends on your specific needs.
Learn More: Is 2023 Himiway CRUISER Worth Buying? – [2023 Himiway CRUISER Review]
2023 QuietKat Ibex vs. QuietKat RidgeRunner
These two bikes are from the same brand, but when it comes to weight alone, the QuietKat RidgeRunner is slightly lighter. However, in terms of battery capacity, the QuietKat Ibex has a larger one. So, if you’re considering battery life, this might be a more cost-effective choice. It’s worth noting that the QuietKat Ibex is the 2023 version, while the QuietKat RidgeRunner was introduced a couple of years ago, so it may have some limitations in some aspects, but these are generally tolerable.
However, in the front and rear travel, the QuietKat RidgeRunner offers a greater range with 150mm for both. The QuietKat Ibex, on the other hand, has 140mm in the front and 130mm in the rear. In practical handling of challenging terrains, the QuietKat RidgeRunner is likely to perform better.
Additionally, in terms of tire size, both models are the same. However, the QuietKat Ibex uses 26”x 4.8” All-Terrain tires, while the QuietKat RidgeRunner uses CST Roly Poly 26”x 4.8”. I prefer the CST Roly Poly 26”x 4.8”. Its block pattern allows for easier rolling, providing higher speed and efficiency.
Of course, if you prefer a newer model, you can give the QuietKat Ibex a try. It’s more budget-friendly and comes with ample battery capacity.
If you’re not concerned about having the latest model and are interested in the CST Roly Poly 26”x 4.8”, you can also consider the QuietKat RidgeRunner.
Learn More: Is the QuietKat Rubicon Worth Recommending? – [2023 QuietKat Rubicon Review]
Summary
This is our review of the QuietKat RidgeRunner. It is an excellent full-suspension electric bike with a score of 4.85 in our evaluation. If you want more information about bikes, feel free to check out our other reviews.
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