Biktrix Juggernaut HD Electric Fat Bike Review Part 2: Ride & Range Test [VIDEO]
After many miles of testing the Biktrix Juggernaut HD it has proven to be a super versatile eFat bike with its powerful mid-drive motor and 4″ wide fat all terrain tires.
The 750 watt mid-drive motor leverages the bikes drivetrain to climb steep hills and get through tough terrain like sand and snow while providing pedal assist up to 28 mph and throttle up to 20 mph.
The 4″ wide fat tires are well equipped for all kinds of terrain and they provide a bit of built in suspension with their large air volume.
Another highlight is the ability to customize this eFat bike with a higher capacity battery, tire/wheel sizes, suspension fork/seatpost, hydraulic disc brakes, and more.
The Juggernaut also features a full accessory package for around town commuting and dirt road exploring.
The Biktrix Juggernaut HD pricing starts at $2,599 with free shipping (continental US and Canada) and they have monthly payment options as well. Biktrix also offers many customization options.
In this second part of the full review you will get an idea of the ride characteristics, range test results, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this electric bike.
Make sure you check out part 1 of this review with large pictures and specifications to get a detailed look at this e-bike.
What you can expect from the Biktrix Juggernaut HD:
To get acquainted with the Biktrix Juggernaut HD, checkout this video:
Riding the Biktrix Juggernaut HD Limited:
Overall there are some characteristics of the Biktrix Juggernaut HD that really stand out when riding this eFat bike. To summarize they are:
- 750 watt mid-drive providing a fast & powerful ride
- Stable & comfortable ride feel with 4″ wide fat tires
- Well equipped eFat bike for off road riding & commuting around town
The Look & Feel of the Biktrix Juggernaut HD
The Biktrix Juggernaut HD has a big and bold look with its 4″ wide fat tires, integrated frame battery, and large mid-drive motor.
Even the accessories like the full coverage fenders and large aluminum rear rack have a larger that usual look.
The core of the Juggernaut HD is the hydroformed aluminum frame that has been shaped to mold around the wide fat tires, incorporate the motor & battery, and to provide a comfortable ride feel.
Looking at the front triangle of the frame shows how the top tube has been sloped significantly to provide a lot of stand over height.
Additionally you can see how the lithium battery has been built into the downtube of the frame for optimal weight distribution.
Just below the battery is the motor casing for the Bafang BBSHD mid drive motor with 750 watts of power.
Like the battery, the central & low location of the mid drive motor is ideal for weight distribution.
Internal cable routing in the top tube provides a clean look and some protection of the cables.
There are 2 different frame sizes that are offered:
Small/Medium with a step over height of 28″ (the bike in this test)
Medium/Large with a step over height of 30″
The Juggernaut HD is designed for up to a 400 lb rider.
Matching the large looks is the stable, confident, and comfortable ride feel that comes from the large air volume 4″ wide off road tires.
There are 2 aspects of fat tires that set them apart from traditional bike tires: high air volume and a huge tread patch.
The high air volume provides a significant amount of built in suspension effect when they are run at lower pressures.
At the lower air pressure these high air volume tires mold over rough terrain and provide an amazing amount of traction because of the large tread patch on the ground.
Those characteristics make fat tire bikes well suited to ride in almost any kind of terrain.
They can “float” on soft terrain like sand and snow because of that large tread patch instead of cutting through like a narrow tires are prone to do.
Below are tire pressure recommendations for different terrain:
Sand and Snow: + or – 8 psi
Hard pack to muddy roads/trails: 12-15 psi
Urban riding: 20-30 psi
It is important to test different tire pressures for the terrain you are riding on while considering your weight and riding style. 1 or 2 psi can make a big difference in the way a fat bike feels.
At the lower tire pressures the bike does feel a bit sluggish in the corners when compared to traditional mountain bike tire sizes.
That sluggishness is most noticeable when carving into a turn because you can feel the larger mass of these big wheels as you are cornering.
Here is a video that compares the attributes of a Fat bike vs. Plus (2.6″ to 3″ wide) bike tires.
Another benefit of these fat tires is that the outer tire diameter is relatively close to a traditional 29er tire diameter so they roll over obstacles well and the built in suspension effect helps to absorb rocks and roots.
Pinch flatting the tube is much less likely than conventional tires because the large air volume can absorb more impacts without pinching the tube on the rim.
If you want to eliminate the inner tube completely a tubeless tire sealant system can be added.
A tubeless system (Orange Seal for example) uses tape to seal the rim and a sealant to seal many voids in the tires, including cuts from small objects like thorns, glass, and other small objects.
The Biktrix Juggernaut HD in this test came equipped with the Kenda Juggernaut 26″ x 4″ tires that have a moderate off road tread that also works well for around town riding.
Biktrix also offers 2 other different tire/wheel configurations:
- 26″ x 4.8″ wide for riding over or through almost anything!
- 27.5″ x 3″ wide for a more agile mountain bike ride.
Those options do not add any additional cost to the Juggernaut HD. Biktrix does offer extra wheel sets for the option to swap wheels for riding in different conditions.
Now let’s take a closer look at the ride position of the Biktrix Juggernaut HD.
In general it is an upright and easy going ride feel with its wide riser handlebar and comfortable seat.
The wide handlebar is well suited to the Juggernaut HD because it provides enough leverage to steer the 4″ wide fat front tire well.
Additionally the ergonomic rubber grips have a comfortable and stable feel thanks to the “wings”that provide some wrist support.
In addition to the large air volume tire suspension is the front suspension fork that does a good job of smoothing out rough terrain.
The RST Guide suspension forks has 80mm (2.5″) of travel with a lockout lever that can make the ride more efficient when the suspension is not necessary on smooth roads. The spring rate of the suspension fork can be adjusted (top dial) to fit your riding style and weight.
The Guide fork has a very smooth and active feel that does well to absorb some of the bigger rocks and rough terrain.
Biktrix also offers the Wren inverted suspension fork as an optional upgrade for $750 more. The Wren suspension fork has a travel adjustability between 120mm to 150mm.
Rounding out the ride position is the Velo saddle that has a mid width profile for a comfortable ride while it still within performance ride configuration of saddles.
Biktrix does offer an optional upgrade to a suspension seat post ($150 to $180) and that is an easy way to add some rear suspension to the Juggernaut HD.
Overall the ride position is fairly upright with an easy going ride feel that is comfortable and stable.
Now let’s take a look at the electric assist system.
One of the more unique characteristics of the Juggernaut HD is the powerful 750 watt Bafang BBSHD mid-drive motor that provides pedal assist up to 28 mph and throttle assist up to 20 mph.
This is a 1,000 watt motor that has been tuned down to 750W for street legal use unless ordered for off-road use.
In the higher pedal assist levels (there are 5 total) the Juggernaut really has some kick!
That kick is helpful for accelerating from a stop and it is also very helpful for climbing the hills while leveraging the lower gears of the bike drivetrain.
The Juggernaut HD does very well when climbing steeper hills and it can maintain a consistent speed.
There is a sensor that will pause the motor power when shifting the gears and that is a good feature for this powerful mid-drive. The pause of power is slightly too long and some momentum is lost when shifting. It would be nice to have a slightly smaller pause to maintain the momentum on climbs.
This powerful mid-drive eFat bike also does well to power through tough loose terrain with the 4″ wide tires.
Riding on loose sand and snow (was not tested on snow) is easier because the fat tires tend to float on the terrain and the additional mid-drive power helps to give you the boost to get through.
Additionally the powerful mid-drive is well suited for carrying additional cargo on the rear rack or possibly a trailer.
The transitions of assist vary depending on the assist level. The Bafang mid-drive uses a cadence sensor for the assist which gives full assist when the cranks are turning.
The pedal assist starts when the cranks have been rotated about a quarter turn.
In the higher assist levels 4 and 5 the addition of power is significant and it does take a little while to get used to the initial surge of power.
In assist levels 1 through 3 it is a mellower ride and the transition into the power is more moderate. These levels of assist are good for easy going rides and for navigating busy areas when you don’t want a lot of assist.
In addition to the pedal assist system there is the thumb throttle next to the control pad on the left side of the handlebar.
The throttle provides up to 20 mph of assist and it can be used with or without pedaling. It is useful for accelerating quickly through an intersection when you are using the lower pedal assist levels. It also helps for getting started on a steep hill.
There is a lot of variability in the throttle power much like the volume dial on a radio from a little power covering the range up to full power.
Additionally there is a walk mode that powers the bike up to a few mph and it is helpful for walking with the bike uphill or up stairs. It is activated by holding the (-) button on the control pad down for a few seconds.
Like some other mid-drive motors, the Bafang BBSHD does make a little noise but it is in the lower range compared to most. The noise is most noticeable in the lower speeds because the wind noise overpowers it at the higher speeds.
Powering the motor and front light is the lithium battery mounted on the downtube of the frame.
There are 3 different lithium battery sizes offered with the following prices for each complete bike:
48V 11.6ah 557 Wh: $2,599 USD (the bike in this test)
48V 16.5ah 792 Wh: $2,799 USD
48V 20ah 960 Wh: $2,999 USD
The 9.0 pound battery pack (48V 11.6ah) is located in an ideal location on the downtube for low and centered weight distribution. That helps with the overall handling of the bike and balance of the bike.
When the battery is removed the bike weighs 72.3 pounds and the total weight of the bike is 81.3 pounds.
There is a USB charging port on the right side of the battery for charging a smartphone, tablet, or other USB device.
Okay, now let’s take a look at the control center.
The Bafang display is mounted in the center of the handlebar and provides information on:
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- Battery level
- Current speed
- Trip distance
- Odometer
- Average speed
- Max speed
- Estimated range remaining
- Watts that the motor is providing
- Pedal assist levels
A backlight on the display is enabled when the headlight is turned on.
The display is large and the important information is easily noticeable at a quick glance while riding. Info like the battery level, current speed, distance info, and pedal assist level are easy to see.
Bringing the speed into check are the Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake with 160mm rotors front and rear.
Considering the Biktrix Juggernaut HD assists up to 28 mph and weighs 81.3 pounds it would be nice to have larger rotors for more braking power. The Tektro Aries do provide solid stopping power and they modulate well but it would be beneficial to have larger rotors.
Biktrix does offer an upgrade to Tektro Dorado hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors for an additional $259.99.
There are sensors in each Tektro brake lever that will stop the motor assist when the brake levers are slightly engaged.
This is good when coming to a stop but it is also a nice feature to have for stopping the power when soft pedaling through technical terrain or crowded areas.
Now let’s take a look at the full accessory package.
The large full coverage aluminum fenders are a nice highlight because they have a good quality look and feel.
Similarly the sturdy aluminum rear rack has large tubing for a stout look and it can carry up to 55 pounds. The tubing is larger than traditional rear racks so it may not work with all panniers and bags on the market.
The rack has a good top platform for strapping items directly to it.
The front light is powered by the eBike battery so you don’t have to worry about charging separate batteries for the lights. It provides a good beam of light for seeing the road and being seen at night.
A rear light is mounted to the seat post and is powered by 2 AAA batteries and has a solid and flashing mode.
The kickstand is height adjustable so you can vary the angle of the bike when it is parked.
Okay, let’s see how the Biktrix Juggernaut HD did out on the open road!
Biktrix Juggernaut HD Range Test Results:
Here is the real world information on how the Biktrix Juggernaut HD electric bike performed on a riding circuit that includes hills, flats, traffic, wind (when available) etc.
While testing these bikes I like to put them through the toughest conditions to see where their bottom line is in regards to range and speed. I tested the Biktrix Juggernaut HD in the highest pedal assist level (Level 5) with average pedaling on paved roads.
Range: As you can see from the GPS info that I recorded, the Biktrix Juggernaut HD traveled 26.0 miles and did a total elevation gain of around 2,000 ft. Considering that I weigh 190 lbs and I pedaled at an average pace this is good range for a eFat bike with a 48 Volt 11.6 ah battery pack (557 Watt Hours) with a 750 watt motor assisting up to 28 mph. Biktrix does offer higher capacity battery packs for more range.
Watt hours are the total energy in a battery pack and it is based on the volts x amp hours of a pack. This is a way to compare the size of the “gas tank” of electric bikes.
Please keep in mind that if you pedal more, weigh less than me, ride slower and/or you use the bike in terrain that is not as hilly you will get more range. These results are from tough testing.
Speed: The Biktrix Juggernaut HD will assist up to 28 mph with pedal assist and up to 20 mph with throttle. This is a Class 3 electric bike.
Weight: The Biktrix Juggernaut HD tips the scales at 81.3 lbs which is on the heavier side for an electric bike. Removing the 9.0 pound battery brings it down to around 72.3 pounds.
The weight distribution of the Biktrix Juggernaut HD is good because the mid drive motor and frame mounted battery are low and centered on the bike. This is good for overall bike handling and the balance of the bike when it is picked up.
Pros:
Powerful Mid Drive: The powerful 750 Bafang mid-drive can leverage the drivetrain to climb hills well and to help with riding in tough loose terrain like sand, snow, and mud. The mid-drive power also offers a lot of cargo hauling capability.
Speedy: The Juggernaut will provide pedal assist up to 28 mph or 20 mph with the throttle. This makes it a versatile eBike for getting around town quickly while having the off road capability for adventuring on dirt roads.
Customization Options: Biktrix offers a lot of customization options for the Juggernaut HD. You can choose which tire/wheel size you prefer and there are upgrade options for the battery size, suspension fork, brakes, suspension seat post, and additional wheelsets. That is a nice assortment of options not found on many other eBikes.
Cons:
Heavier: At 81.3 pounds this is on the heavier side for most electric bikes. Removing the battery helps a little for lifting the bike up but it still is 72.3 pounds.
Shifting Delay: The assist power pauses slightly when shifting gears and it would be nice to have less of a pause to maintain the momentum well on a climb.
Small Brake Rotors: Considering the Biktrix Juggernaut HD assists up to 28 mph and weighs 81.3 pounds it would be nice to have larger rotors for more braking power. Biktrix does offer an upgrade to Tektro Dorado hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotor for an additional $259.99.
Conclusion:
Overall the Biktrix Juggernaut HD is a fun and versatile eFat bike that has a lot of capabilities to handle almost any kind of terrain.
In addition it is well equipped for many different riding conditions like commuting, carrying cargo, and exploring dirt roads.
The ability to customize the Juggernaut HD to your riding preferences is a nice option not found on all eBikes. For instance you could select a higher capacity battery for longer adventure rides, add in a suspension seatpost for additional comfort, and hydraulic disc brakes for their solid feel and stopping power.
The Biktrix Juggernaut HD pricing starts at $2,599 with free shipping (continental US and Canada) and they have monthly payment options as well.
Please keep in mind that this is a relatively short term test. This testing can’t really give you the long term review of durability and reliability. My thoughts on the quality of this bike are from previous experiences with similar bikes. If you own this bike and have some input on the long term durability, please share your comments with the Electric Bike Report community below.
Where to buy a Biktrix Juggernaut HD? Check with the Biktrix website.
Do you have any questions about the Biktrix Juggernaut HD? Do you own a Biktrix Juggernaut HD? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thanks!
-Pete
Review Note: Each company pays a fee for a review on Electric Bike Report because of the considerable amount of time that it takes to provide an in-depth review of each eBike. A lot of time is spent on the full range test with distance & elevation profile, the wide variety of detailed pictures, in-depth video, and the write up with the specifications, ride characteristics, pros, cons, and overall thoughts. The reviews on Electric Bike Report are focused on providing you with a detailed “virtual” look at each eBike to help you determine if it is the eBike for you.
P.S. Don’t forget to join the Electric Bike Report community for updates from the electric bike world, plus ebike riding and maintenance tips!
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[…] Part 2 of the Biktrix Juggernaut HD review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike. […]
Edward Bennett says
This is the first e-bike that I have purchased and I love it. I’m a big (290#) old (58) guy and I am having a blast. I ride it to work and the assist allows me to get significant exercise, but not to the point of being saturated with sweat when I get there. Also, the customer service is unbelievable. The owner and several technicians monitor the Facebook users and company group, as well as company email, and I was getting answers to questions on nights and weekends when I was deciding to buy. Highly, highly recommended!
Frank says
Taking an e-bike on a trip. When recharging the battery; is it normal to plug into a standard electrical outlet or must a changing station be used?