Puckipuppy Labrador Pro Review | Good Dog, Good Deal

So, how long will this puppy dog go before it’s tired out? (Promise I’ll try and keep the canine references to a minimum, but I had to do at least one).

The Labrador Pro ST did 61.18 miles using low power settings; the category average was 73.72 miles. In the high power test, the bike did 45.31 miles, while the class average was about ten miles shorter, coming in at 35.41.

There are some layers to these results. First, I want to call out that for the low power run, we tested the Labrador Pro in PAS 2. We did this because, as discussed in the speed test, PAS 1 is slightly light on power.

The increased power settings are undoubtedly part of the explanation for the slightly shorter range. Regardless, over 60 miles still enables very solid practicality. I think it can be easy to get lost in the numbers, but let me put it this way: this bike has enough range to traverse across most major cities, and I suspect that the majority of buyers will be more than satisfied with the battery capacity. In most cases, it’ll get the job done.

As for the high power test, the Labrador Pro’s 45 mile outing is very impressive. The 960Wh battery is on the larger side, which is likely a partial contributor to this result. However, it’s also worth noting that the bike averaged slightly lower speeds than usual in the max power test. The average is about 17.3 mph, while the Labrador Pro recorded 16.3 mph; not a massive gap, but it could indicate that the motor is drawing slightly less from the battery, which would also increase range.

Overall, the Labrador Pro is a pretty energetic dog – you’ll need to take it out for a decent while before it’s ready for bed.

The Labrador Pro ST’s hub motor peaks at 1350W and produces 85 nm of torque. With these numbers in mind, we’d expect a decent showing in our hill test.

Generally speaking, the results are respectable: The Labrador Pro posted a 1:49 at 16.6 mph in the pedal test, which is just a hair faster than the average of 1:50 at 16.6 mph. On throttle, the Labrador Pro did 2:05 at 14.5 mph, which is slightly behind compared to the average of 1:55 at 15.8 mph.

In the pedal test, this bike does require a tad more effort than the average, but not in an outlandish way. We found that the bike required gearing down slightly more than usual to compensate, but the motor is powerful enough that this isn’t a serious holdup. It’s still massively easier than climbing a hill on an analog bike – or even other, less powerful eBikes.

The throttle numbers are slightly slower, but the bike still has no issues climbing hills. All of the bikes in the comparison class are equipped with 750W motors, and as a blanket statement, are all solid hill climbers. It’s not quite as fast as some of its classmates, but the throttle is still solidly capable.

Fat tire bikes are often hefty, and this one is no exception. This bike has enough power to handle its weight, as well as climb steep hills. For the money, it delivers on its promise.

Over three runs, the Labrador Pro ST posted an average stopping distance of 23 feet 5 inches. This puts it marginally behind the group of similar bikes in its category, which recorded an average of 21 feet 11 inches.

While the Labrador Pro is slightly behind the curve here, it’s still within the target area of what we’d call safe. The bike is equipped with Logan 2 piston hydraulic disc brakes and 180 mm, 1.85 mm thick rotors – a setup we’ve seen from Puckipuppy before.

These brakes felt similarly to the other Logan brakes I’ve used – that is to say, solidly reliable, but not premium. Not only is this okay, it’s expected! The Labrador Pro is priced in budget territory, and for that, you’re getting brakes that do the job solidly well. The modulation is fair and the power is decent. From my perspective, it’s difficult to complain about these for the price, but we’d like to see Puckipuppy add a larger front rotor – this could increase stopping power and durability.

It is worth noting that they do exhibit some fade and sponginess after hard usage. We noticed this after heavy application down a steep hill. This isn’t a dealbreaker, as they’re still safe and usable, but it is something to be aware of if you’re planning on very long and steep descents.

The bottom line is that these aren’t top-tier brakes, but they’re safe and solid. They check the box.

The ride quality section is about communicating how riding a bike actually feels. Yes, the metrics of range and power do matter, but ride characteristics are equally as important. Our evaluation here primarily consists of sizing, comfort, handling, motor engagement, and the bike’s features.

Let’s begin with the fit of the Labrador ST. Puckipuppy says that the bike will accommodate riders from 5’3″ – 6’4″, which feels slightly ambitious – I’m about 6’3″, and found the fit and riding position to be passable, but not perfect for taller riders. I wasn’t able to get full leg extension, and the reach felt mildly cramped. This isn’t uncommon for me on unisize bikes, but I’d say that in terms of ideal fit, the Labrador Pro tops out closer to 6’1″.

Additionally, while this is a stepthrough frame, riders on the shorter end of the spectrum may also be a bit mismatched. Fit is obviously personal, but this isn’t a small bike, either. As a result, I’d shrink the size range by an inch or two on both ends of the scale.

Beyond the metrics themselves, the riding position feels more forward than it does on many stepthrough frames. I actually liked this; it’s not as aggressive as high step options, but less upright than the usual cruiser. The Labrador Pro ST is equipped with flat handlebars, which contributes to the balanced and neutral stance.

In the way of handling, the Labrador Pro feels a little unconventional. Most fat tire bikes tend to feel big and heavy, and this follows suit. However, there’s more than just that – I noticed that the bike tends to track either left or right quite strongly, and correcting its path requires some conscious steering. I wouldn’t describe this as a nimble or overly maneuverable bike.

We also noticed an alignment issue with the fork. It seems like the front wheel sits just slightly off center from the rest of the bike, which also affects steering; This could be limited to our test bike, but we’d encourage Puckipuppy to take a closer look at fit and finish.

With that said, the full suspension setup combined with the 26 x 4.0 fat tires makes for a very cushy ride. The Labrador Pro makes quick work of bumps and rough terrain. It’s capable on and off the pavement – This is the true upside of the fat tires.

Motor engagement is another key facet of ride quality. The Labrador Pro’s motor is quick to step in if you push into the pedals with gusto – With a more casual pedal input, the sensor will wake up after two or three pedal strokes.

There are several other bells and whistles that come standard on the Labrador Pro. A removable display and mirrors help add more value to an already affordable platform. We’ve also noticed that Puckipuppy frequently includes extras – sometimes it’s a huge accessory pack, other times we’ve seen a free battery. The items seem to rotate, but there’s almost always additional gear to bolster the value proposition.

Candidly, the ride quality of this bike does come with some caveats. While the suspension, comfort and motor engagement are good, the bike isn’t quite as refined as more expensive options. However, if you’re willing to live with a few mild foibles, it offers good bang for your buck.

For the right rider, the Labrador Pro ST does have some genuine strengths. The core formula is sound: Full suspension, fat tires, 750W motor, and an awesome paint job – all for a very reasonable price.

Generally, the Labrador Pro checks all of the boxes across the board. The performance isn’t earth shattering, but it’s very respectable. Its max power range results were very good, the ride is smooth, and it has the right stuff for hill climbing.

Riders who are interested in off-road adventures are also taken care of. This is a sound choice for campground or forest road outings.

This, combined with the bike’s versatility, price, and good looks, make this a solid option for those who are looking in the budget segment. The extras included by Puckipuppy are also worth a good look.

With that said, no bike is perfect, and this one does have some quirks. The handling takes some getting used to, and we’d like to see Puckipuppy offer a proper class 2 pedal assist mode, as well as cap the bike at class 3 speeds.

The fork alignment is also an area that we’d recommend Puckipuppy reevaluates. I don’t foresee it being a safety issue, but a tighter fit and finish would be welcome.

On economically-oriented bikes, compromise is common. There’s a fair amount of value here if you’re willing to overlook some minor eccentricities; I certainly had fun on this bike!

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Puckipuppy Labrador Pro ST down in our comments section.