This E-Moped Style Bike Looks Sick… But Is It Actually Good? | Macfox X7 Review

We do our range tests a little differently for moped style bikes. If you’ve read our other reviews, you might recall two separate tests – a minimum power pedal test, and a maximum power one. On moto-inspired Ebikes, we just test the throttle, as that fits the use case better.

The X7 made it 29.8 miles from a full charge down to zero. This is almost exactly in line with the average of other moped style bikes, which came in at 30.03. On throttle alone, this is a pretty solid result – enough to cruise around with friends or make the school commute.

Macfox also offers an optional dual battery add-on, which they say will boost the range up to 70 miles. We didn’t test this accessory, and while the increased range is a positive, it comes at a price – about an extra $500. The single 624 Wh battery will get the job done for most, just expect to charge more frequently.

Our hill test consists of two separate climbs. We do one using only the throttle, and another using the pedal assist. This hill is seriously taxing for Ebikes.

The X7 completed the climb on throttle in 2:23. This is a fair bit slower than many similar e-mopeds, which averaged 1:53 up the hill. The average speeds reflected this, too. The X7 balanced out to 12.7 mph on the way up, while the comparison class was around 16.2. As for the pedal test, the X7 summited in 2:16, while the class average was around 1:50 – a similar gap to the one seen in the throttle results.

Much of this comes down to the motor output. The X7 has a 500W motor, while many of the other bikes in this class run 750W options. Bigger motors don’t always equate to better performance on their own, but here, the X7 is just a little outgunned – this, combined with the fact that the X7 is on the heavier side, make it hard to put on super fast time.

However, there’s some nuance to this; the numbers only tell one piece of the story. If you’re new to Ebikes, you should be aware that this bike is still more than capable of tackling hills. Macfox seems to be aiming for the teen/young adult market with this bike, and a little bit less power may actually be a pro here. It’s more controllable – meaning younger riders still get a bike that they can go anywhere on, but with a softer edge. The X7’s motor won’t be a hindrance when it comes to hill climbing.

Alternatively, if you’re familiar with E-mopeds, the power isn’t going to blow you away. It’s not slow, but some similar options do have a punchier feel. This bike isn’t underpowered; it’s just that this class has some more aggressive members.

All in all, hill climbing is a realistic expectation of the X7, and it does the job.

The X7 is equipped with a standard, but reliable braking system. 2 piston hydraulic brakes are paired with 180 mm rotors front and rear. This setup brought the X7 to an average stopping distance of 19 feet 4 inches; the category mean was slightly longer at 19 feet 7 inches.

In addition to the brake hardware, the X7 has extremely wide tires – the front tire is a 4.5, whereas the rear is a 5.0. This helps the bike get more purchase on the pavement, leading to better braking performance.

All in all, this is a good showing. However, we did find the X7’s brakes to feel mildly spongy after some use – they still stopped well, but maintenance may be a more frequent occurrence with this setup. Outside of this, there’s not much to complain about here. The X7 yielded respectable results.

Moped-style Ebikes are named as such for a reason. Often, the riding experience is very different from a traditional Ebike – in several ways. First, these kinds of bikes aren’t designed with the pedaling experience in mind. Instead, the throttle is the main event. You can pedal the X7, but the riding position isn’t favorable to full leg extension. As a result, turning the cranks on moped style bikes can feel a bit cramped, and the X7 is no different – generally speaking, this just comes with the territory.

Macfox lists the size range as suitable for riders 5’1″ and up. The low end of that feels accurate, but I would introduce a cap around 5’9″. At about 6’3″, I felt solidly out of the range for the bike, even while accounting for the unique riding position that moped style bikes have. Macfox does offer an X7 Large that is described as suitable for riders from 5’3″ and up. A quick look at the specs here shows that there’s actually not much difference in geometry between the two – the handlebar and standover height are about 1.5 inches taller – but that’s the only change. My gut instinct is that a larger size gap would open up the bike to taller riders, but we haven’t tested the large version.

Beyond the sizing, the X7 feels very nimble and playful. The BMX style bars lend themselves to great maneuverability even with the ultra-fat tires and coil suspension fork. This is what the X7 is really about; it’s a fun and lighthearted way to get around. This bike also seems to have a quality, confidence-inspiring construction. Macfox did their homework, and there’s nothing that feels cheap or poorly made. It’s a sturdy and quiet bike.

Style is another big selling point for moped-style Ebikes, and there’s no doubt the X7 has this covered. The frame is available in four colors: Black, Tan, Blue and Purple. There’s other design details, too – the grips are fashioned to reflect the knobby tread on the tires, and there’s a fox themed bar pad in the cockpit.

Despite its moto-inspired look, safety is a key piece of the X7’s package. The moped-style genre sometimes gets confused with full-on e-motorcycles. This bike is limited to class 2 speeds and adheres to Ebike guidelines. There’s also an integrated headlight and tail light for nighttime cruising. So, while it has the cafe-racer appearance, it’s still a street legal E bike.

All in all, the X7 checks all the ride quality boxes we’d expect from a moped-style Ebike. It’s well-built, stylish, and fun.

To wrap it up, the Macfox X7 is more than just a looker. This bike has the performance to make it fun and usable, but also safe. Parents will have peace of mind knowing that it’s fully compliant with Ebike laws, and riders will love the style and usability that it offers.

In the way of results, there’s a lot of positives here. The X7 did well in our speed, range and brake tests, coming in either on par or better than similar bikes. Hill climbing isn’t its greatest strength, but it’s not necessarily a massive flaw.

In a sentence – the X7 is a fun, stylish and safe e-moped option that will put a smile on rider’s faces.

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 Macfox X7 down in our comments section.