A Comfortable Cruiser E-Bike Packed With Tech | Troxus Trax Whim IQ Review

In the way of range, the Whim iQ is a clear standout. We do two tests on every Ebike. One tests the range using minimum power settings, the other tests the maximum power distance. This bike performed very well in both trials.

Using low power settings, the Whim iQ stretched to a lengthy 80.64 miles. This is almost a whole 10 miles beyond Troxus’ claimed range. Even more impressive, this result puts the bike considerably past the class average of 64.61. In the max power test, this bike reached 39.11 miles; again, an above average result. The class mean was 33.9 miles.

In addition to this already outstanding performance, the Ride iQ App has some energy management features that help you plan out your trips and battery usage. From your phone, you can view a range estimate, charge time estimate, and battery health.

As a whole, the Whim iQ has all the tools to get from A to B (and maybe even C) without the need for range anxiety. The hardware alone gives riders the opportunity to take long rides, and being able to dive into the specifics via the app makes this bike an excellent choice if range is a priority.

Our hill test sees the bike complete a run using throttle only, and another using the maximum pedal assist level. The Whim iQ is outfitted with a respectable powerplant.

On throttle alone, the bike summited the climb in 2:15, averaging 13.4 mph along the way. This is slightly behind the category average of 2:02 at 15 mph even.

The pedal test produced a similar deviation; the Whim iQ recorded a 2:06 at 14.4 mph, while the average was 1:59 at 15.5 mph.

There’s a few things to discuss here. First, while the numbers technically show that the Whim iQ is below average, it’s still reasonably close to the mean. The Whim iQ doesn’t feel drastically slow when climbing hills, and our hill tester, Justin, commented that he didn’t have to work abnormally hard on the way up. Other bikes in this category are quicker up the incline, but the gap isn’t huge.

Secondly, there’s a mix of motor sizes in this category. Many, including the Whim iQ, have 500W motors, but there are a few that opt for a bigger displacement. This bike is roughly in line with the other 500W options, and the fact that it’s slightly behind the 750W candidates is expected. Overall, it can hang in with the pack. The Whim IQ is a capable hill climber.

The Whim IQ is equipped with a set of 2 piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, along with an 180 mm front rotor and a 160 mm rear rotor. This is a pretty standard, reliable component choice, and the results reflect that – the Whim iQ produced some solid results.

Over three runs, this bike averaged a stopping distance of 21 feet 4 inches, which is slightly shorter than the class average of 21 feet 10 inches. This is a respectable, as-expected showing. Many other cruiser style bikes run similar brake setups, and this one is right on par with (or even slightly better than) its competitors.

Tektros are known for consistent performance and feel, and that holds true here. I found this system to feel sharp and responsive. They aren’t a super premium option, but they’re more than capable on a cruiser style Ebike. Think of them as similar to a Toyota Camry; solid and well-made, but not a Ferrari.

I mentioned in the intro that this bike covers the traditional Ebike bases, but also offers a lot in the way of tech and innovative features. For the sake of simplicity, let’s start with the more conventional side of the bike first.

Comfort is a big target for the Whim iQ, and Troxus found the bullseye. The stepthrough frame is offered in two sizes; small and medium. Our test bike was a medium, which fits riders from 5’5″ to 6’3″ according to Troxus.

At 6’3″, I found the Whim iQ to fit comfortably. The medium is deceivingly accommodating for taller riders. I was able to get about 90% of the leg extension that I wanted (worth noting – I have long legs), and the upright riding position is intuitive.

The Whim iQ’s personality definitely fits with the “cruiser” label. It’s a very easy bike to get along with, and the handling is relaxed and effortless. The 58 lb weight is generally on target with other cruisers – perhaps even a bit lighter – and it lends itself to an airy and approachable riding style. Remember when I asked if this bike still had the magic of more traditional options? Well, this portion of our testing certainly seems to suggest that it does.

The tires feature a faster-rolling street tread, and are sized moderately at 27.5 x 2.4. This, combined with the fully rigid frame, does result in a bit of a bumpy ride when going over rough roads. This is worth noting, but it’s also not out of the ordinary for this class of Ebike. A suspension seatpost upgrade could also help solve the issue.

There’s also a general sense of quality here. The Whim iQ feels settled and confidence inspiring. There are no strange rattles or obvious roadworthiness issues.

Now, onto the ‘iQ’ part of the bike. As I mentioned, this naming convention signifies smartphone connectivity, which brings a whole host of features – some basic, and some much more in-depth.

The simple stuff is intuitive and easy. Riders can power on and off the bike, activate the headlight, and see their battery percentage on the homepage. In addition to the need-to-knows, the Ride iQ app allows users to tune their ride experience. Each PAS level can be set to specific power output and torque settings, and throttle acceleration is adjustable as well.

The app also enables users to set a password for the bike. The Whim iQ also has a setting that unlocks and turns the bike on when it detects the paired smartphone nearby. You can also set a sleep timer, change the class mode, and view ride statistics in the app.

There’s even more. Safety and security features are key hallmarks of the iQ setup. The Whim iQ can actually detect a bike crash and notify an emergency contact automatically, as well as be disabled remotely in case of theft. A few other security features are offered, but we ran into a few bugs with them.

For example – The bike offers geofence technology, meaning that riders can set a preordained radius where the bike will function. Upon leaving this area, the bike will deactivate until it returns to the “safe zone”. This sounds like a great feature, but the GPS system for our bike/app wasn’t working properly – it listed the bike’s location in China. I can assure you that the bike was definitely here with us in southern Utah.

The location tracking had the same issue. We think these are very useful, great features, but we’d love to see Troxus work out the kinks. It’s worth mentioning that this is normal – many apps have bug fixes sent out via OTA updates. Generally though, the iQ app is a useful addition to the bike.

The Trax Whim iQ is simply a very good bike. It’s genuinely fun to ride, and despite the fact that it’s a technological force, it still has the magic and approachability of classic cruisers.

On the more traditional side of things, the Whim iQ has outstanding range and comfort. Long rides are well within this bike’s wheelhouse, and putting miles in is an easy ask.

Shorter, commute-style rides are also a great use case for the Whim iQ. The choice of sensors, class modes, and assist levels really help make this bike ideal for a wide range of riders.

Build quality is also a strength here. The Whim iQ feels solid and roadworthy – a nice plus on top of all the bells and whistles.

The RideiQ app also provides standout customization options and security features. We’d like to see a few of the issues worked out, especially because the offered attributes are very valuable. Again, this is common, even for non-bike-related apps. We look forward to an update from Troxus.

All in all, this cruiser is easy to recommend from several points of view. It has the old-school conventions covered, and brings new tech to the table in a thoughtful and practical way. The magic is still here – along with the performance and the innovation.

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 Troxus Trax Whim iQ down in our comments section.