Himiway Cobra Review – Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike
The Himiway Cobra isn’t the typical e-bike sold by consumer-direct companies.
Himiway designed the Cobra ebike for off-road adventures rather than for errand running, commuting, etc.
The bike is perfect for individuals looking to have fun away from paved roads. But what are the main pros of Himiway Cobra and does it have any major shortcomings? Read more to find out!
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- Himiway Cobra Review – Performance
- Motor and Speed
- Battery and Range
- Himiway Cobra Hill Climbing
- Hydraulic Brakes
- 7-Speed Derailleur
- Himiway Cobra Design and Features
- Frame and Geometry
- Full Suspensions
- Wheels and Tires
- Cockpit
- The Ride Quality of Himiway Cobra
- Himiway Cobra vs Cobra Pro
- Himiway Cobra Review Conclusions
- Himiway Cobra Specs
Himiway Cobra Review – Performance
Motor: 750W | Top Speed: 28 mph | Torque: 86 Nm | Battery: 960Wh | Range: 60-80 miles
Motor and Speed
The Himiway Cobra has a 750W brushless motor, and we’ve seen several bikes with that motor. However, only a few are as tuned as the one Himiway has on their Cobra.
The motor delivers 86 Nm of torque, which is quite powerful and rates as one of the highest figures recorded in the electric bike world.
Thanks to the high torque, the Cobra has pretty quick acceleration and is extremely aggressive.
The Cobra has 5 levels of pedal assistance (PAS). The Cobra’s PAS 1 assistance (the lowest) is sufficient and produces a maximum speed of 18 mph – the equivalent of a dead run.
On the other hand, the PAS 5 propels the bike to 28 mph, which makes the Class 3 by American standards.
The bike’s speed is perfect for off-roading enthusiasts and individuals living in hilly terrain. Despite having a hub motor, the Cobra has a torque sensor with an immediate response, going a long way to improve its performance.
Himiway Cobra has also a more expensive Pro version, which has a mid-drive motor. But we’ll talk about that a little later.
Battery and Range
The Himiway’s battery performs well and has a good range. The bike was tested in two power settings: the PAS 2 and PAS 5, to determine its high-power short-range and low-power long-range riding.
- The Cobra has a 65-mile range, with a 15 mph speed on the PAS 2 power setting, which is quite impressive.
- On the PAS 5, the bike lasted 36 miles at 17 mph before losing power.
Both ranges are impressive. However, the PAS 2 range test produced better results.
A 65-mile range at 15 mph is impressive and perfect for people looking to ride the bike over long distances at an average speed.
You shouldn’t ignore the bike’s performance when using the PAS 5 power setting. The performance is impressive, considering the amount of power the Cobra uses to produce such results.
Simply put, the Himiway Cobra’s battery and range are impressive and perfect for most users looking for an efficient electric bike.
Himiway Cobra Hill Climbing
The hill climbing ability of the bike was tested on a relatively steep hill (12°, 1,760 feet long). Two tests were made – throttle only, and with PAS 5.
With throttle only, without any pedaling, the bike covered the whole distance quite easily. Although the bike is heavy, and the hill has some very steep sections, the motor has enough torque for that.
With the help of pedaling and the 5th assistance level, the bike was just flying.
Hydraulic Brakes
The Himiway has hydraulic brakes upgraded from the previous model’s (Himiway Cruiser) mechanical disc brakes.
The Cobra comes with Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic brakes with two-piston calipers and 180mm rotors on both wheels.
Those brakes provided an impressive performance (better than the mechanical disc brakes). However, the results show that the 88-pound bike may benefit from more powerful quad-piston brakes.
Tests showed that the bike stops at a distance of 17 ft 9 inches at 20 mph. It’s a pretty good result.
7-Speed Derailleur
The Cobra has a 7-speed Shimano Altus derailleur with a single chainring at the front and seven cogs at the back.
The Cobra’s seven-speed system provides an efficient riding experience and a versatile range of gear options with minimal complexity in use and maintenance.
The gear system provides adequate acceleration, perfect for individuals who prefer off-roading adventures.
The gear system is efficient and adequate, making it easier for riders to tackle hills and ride down the hillside. Additionally, the gear system is easy to maintain and repair, especially for conversant DIYers.
Himiway Cobra Design and Features
Frame and Geometry
In terms of size, the Himiway Cobra is huge. It weighs 88 pounds. Also, the bike is very long. It’s 4-6 inches longer than other similar mountain bikes.
Additionally, the Cobra has a 32-inches stand-over height. So it’s not comfortable for shorter riders. On the other hand, it has a high payload capacity and fits perfectly for tall riders.
The recommended rider height is 5′4″-6′4″.
Himiway designed the Cobra from aluminum with a simple diamond frame. The aluminum material has a high tensile strength, making it durable.
The bike is perfect for off-roading adventures on rough and rocky terrain without the fear of causing structural damage.
One of the most notable features of this e-bike is its full suspension frame. All other Himiway e-bikes come with a hardtail frame.
Full Suspensions
The Himiway Cobra has full suspension with a four-bar linkage. We were surprised at how well the bike rides.
WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU BUY A HIMIWAY ELECTRIC BIKE!
At first, we were initially skeptical. Our skepticism was rooted in the Himiway Cobra being the company’s first bike with a full suspension, and the lack of experience in that area.
However, they proved us wrong. Especially since designing a full-suspension bike at this price point is challenging.
Usually, affordable full-suspension bikes don’t have very good performance. But Himiway Cobra is performing really well on difficult muddy terrains.
Wheels and Tires
The fat tires are one feature that makes the Himiway perfect for off-road enthusiasts.
The bike has 26-inch x 4.8-inch CST fat tires that maintain traction on all terrains except an icy sheet.
The bike is perfect for riding on rough terrain like rocky mountain roads. Additionally, the bike’s fat tires provide additional shock absorption when riding on a bumpy road.
Cockpit
- LCD display
- overbar shifter
- MTB-style riser bars
- Ergonomic brake-levers
- Thumb throttle on the left
- Leather grips.
These faux leather grips are standard for all Himiway bikes. They are pretty comfortable for cruiser/commuter-type bikes. However, they aren’t suitable for off-roading.
When off-roading, you need a steady and firm grip. But these grips can easily be twisted. And it’s something you don’t want to experience when riding on rough terrain.
So, we recommend changing these grips to the ones meant for off-road bikes.
The LCD provides vital information like your speed, power, mileage, etc. It also provides information on battery capacity and pedal assist level. You can set your speedometer to average, current, and max speed.
Additionally, the LCD has an odometer, wattmeter, and a USB charging port for your phone.
The saddle is very comfortable and it should work well for most people.
The Ride Quality of Himiway Cobra
The Himiway Cobra provides excellent ride quality. If you are going to ride with it on pavements and on light dirt roads, then the full suspensions and fat tire make the ride really smooth.
On the other hand, it ain’t bad at all on a more technical terrain as well. Although the steering is maybe a bit slow due to the wide tires, it has very good handling.
Since the suspensions are not the highest quality, you may feel a bit harder chatter at high speed if the road is extra-bumpy. However, the system works and feels stable and stiff.
Meet the Himiway Escape – A “Moped Style Electric Bike”
I can’t get enough of electric bikes! I first realized the appeal when we reviewed the RadRover 5 and loved it, so naturally, I was excited to test out a new design. (read our full RadRover 5 Review and also loved the KBO Breeze), so when we had the chance to test the Himiway Escape, we jumped on it. This a unique eBike in many ways, which we’ll dive deeper into in our Escape Review.
The Himiway Escape is an electric bike that can be used as a moped or mountain bike. That’s why it’s been called a “moped style” eBike, because the design has features of both styles and can switch between them with ease. It weighs almost 100 pounds, but it’s worth the weight to have all.
Curious how this eBike stands up to other fat tire ebikes? Check out our ultimate guide to the best fat tire ebikes.
Himiway Escape Video Review
As I mentioned in my RadRover 5 Review and KBO Breeze Review, I didn’t really have a practical need for an eBike. I just live in one of the most bike-friendly cities, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Fort Collins is the perfect place for any bike enthusiast – or even the casual rider. The town has a famous beer called Fat Tire which was created by its founder in honor of his love affair with bicycles, and there are endless trails to explore here; Fort Collins also experiences sunshine 300 days out of the year! Even if it’s cold outside, you’ll never have trouble finding sun thanks to this little slice of Colorado.
How I use my eBike
If you’re like me and looking for a way to get outside on nice days without going overboard, then an electric bicycle, like this one, might be right up your alley.
I’ve been using mine recently because the weather has finally turned nice and it’s great not having to worry about traffic or parking in downtown areas anymore! Plus, there are so many paths here that were inaccessible before due to hills, but now with my bike they have become much more accessible as well.
What is Himiway?
Himiway is a newer direct-to-consumer eBike brand.
Mike, the founder of Himiway eBikes, felt like a tough guy when he tried his bike for the very first time. He wanted to be just as adventurous and rugged at heart as Ernest Hemingway while providing chances to everyone- especially elders that experience power assistance in their lives because they often struggle with rough terrain on foot.
Why Direct-to-Consumer?
Like other direct-to-consumer brands, Himiway cuts out the middle man and ships the bike directly to the consumer. That means there is no need to go through a bike shop, and the customer gets their eBike at a much lower price.
Hardware specs
- Payload capacity: 400 lb
- Motor Power: 750 W
- Motor Torque: 86 Nm
- Battery: 48V 960 Wh 20Ah Samsung/LG battery
- Miles per charge: 60-80 (estimated – lots of variability here)
- Max speed: 25 MPH
- Frame materials: Aluminum
- Weight: 79 lb
- Recommended Height: 5’3” to 6’5”
- Charge Time: 6-7 hours
- Display: LCD display with USB charging
Get ready for a big box to arrive at your house!
The packed Himiway Zebra e-bike weighs 90 pounds, but the box has handy plastic hand-holds built in. Once unpacked, the assembly of the bike looks daunting, but it’s not nearly as bad as it looks.
The bike comes with a surprisingly nice bike-specific multitool for assembly. The only tool you really need is an adjustable wrench or even a simple pair of pliers.
The instructions are clear, full of good photos, and tell you exactly which tool to use.
The only possibly sticky part of the assembly of the Himiway Zebra e-bike is the pedal installation. On all bikes, the left pedal threads backward (to keep you from loosening the pedal while spinning!). If you don’t realize that, you could strip the threads. But Hemiway takes that into consideration and actually puts tightening arrows on the cranks to all but eliminate this possibility.
All told, it took me about 45 minutes to put the Himiway Zebra e-bike together. If you’re familiar with basic hand tools and home repairs, you can handle it. But it is a vehicle, and mounting the front wheel is part of the assembly, so you don’t want to get it wrong. You can always take it to a local bike shop and they will happily assemble it for a nominal charge, but the peace of mind you may get could make it worth it.
Design and features
The Himiway Zebra e-bike I tested is a pretty beefy step-through frame model (think a “girl’s bike” without the top tube). I initially thought I would not like the step-through version, but for how I’ve been using the bike, it’s great. Easy on and off, and no real loss of stability or frame rigidity, thanks to the super beefy gussets and massive tube sizes.
The Himiway Zebra can be ridden three ways – as a regular bike with no power assist (but, it’s 79 pounds, so you don’t want to do that for long), as a pedal assist (power kicks on when you pedal) and with a throttle, which powers the wheel without pedaling. There are five different levels of pedal assist, which really correspond more to maximum speed than to power. I used both pedal assist and throttle modes, but in different circumstances. The bike has plenty of power so you don’t really have to “assist” it except when going up VERY steep hills.
The cockpit area features leather-covered grips, a half-twist throttle on the right, the shifter for the 7-speed drivetrain, the LCD display, the e-bike controls, and the brake levers.
The LCD display is easy to see in bright sunlight and tells you information about battery status, speed, distance, elapsed time, and other useful parameters. You can also customize some parameters like pedal assist level, number of levels, and tire size.
Himiway Zebra review and HimiZone intro. Tinkering Turtle
There are a lot of cables and wires coming to and from the handlebar, but they are managed nicely with cable wraps.
One nice feature of this bike is the quality name-brand parts. The brakes are solid hydraulic units from Tektro, which is great given that this is an 80 pound bike capable of 25 mph.
The tires are from Kenda, the drive train is from Shimano, and the pedals are from Wellgo; all quality mainstream bike parts.
The included accessories really make this bike great. Full-coverage fenders are included, as are bright powered lights, front and rear. In fact, the rear light is also a brake light which blinks when the brakes are applied. But my favorite included accessory is the super-beefy rack with a tasteful wooden deck.
This rack is big enough that one of my kids may or may not have sat upon it and held on while we tooled around the neighborhood. Hang some panniers off the sides, strap a milk crate to the top, and you have yourself a very capable grocery-getter. And the rack gives you some sturdy grab handles for moving the 80-pound beast around.
Performance
It moves! I have tested some e-scooters and have been very disappointed. They seemed weak and could not handle the hills in my neighborhood. Not so with the Himiway Zebra e-bike. Once assembled, the first place I took it was on some rooty and rocky trails in the woods behind my house. These trails include some really steep hills, which the bike handled with ease, with a little pedaling help from me. On the paved roads in my mountain town, the bike has no problem. There’s plenty of power. Out on the “open road,” it easily clicks along at 25 MPH under its own power. The fat tires give plenty of cushion and grip, although I did have to inflate them quite a bit to get rid of a mushy steering feeling. And the suspension fork really helps take out big hits and potholes. The fork is adjustable as well, with a pre-load for rider weight, and rebound damping (how quickly the fork moves through its stroke).
The lights are adequate but not outstanding, and the bike shifts nicely. In fact, it shifted perfectly out of the box, requiring no shifting adjustments, a rarity even on high-end bikes.
The kickstand is at the rear of the bike and very sturdy, easily supporting the chunky Zebra.
The range of the Himiway Zebra e-bike is impressive. My longest ride was 22 miles, starting from a full charge.
It was on a gravel road with some hills, and that dropped the battery by 2 (of 5) bars. So I would expect to get 50-60 miles depending on usage. The battery is removable so you can charge it off the bike, or while it’s still installed. And the battery locks to the bike with keys, to prevent theft (as long as you lock the bike up so they don’t just steal the bike!).
Design
The Himiway Zebra comes in two models: a step-through and a step-over frame. The Zebra frame is constructed of 6061 aluminum (it’s both lightweight and durable, and also recyclable). The frame tubing is thicker on the Zebra, and it’s visibly noticeable. Though it adds some weight.- the bike is 79 pounds.- it increases the overall payload the Himiway Zebra can support, a max payload of 400 pounds. In addition, it comes with an alloy front suspension fork with lockout and adjustment. The Zebra rolls on 26-by-4-inch Kenda fat tires.
All Zebra orders are currently shipping with front and rear fenders, a rear rack and a repair tool. The Zebra comes in white for the step-through version and California (purple/blue), Florida (light and dark blue) and gray for the step-over. The paint finish is nice, and the Zebra name branding is on the top tube, with Himiway on the down tube.
The assembly of the bike was simple: Attach the handlebars, pedals and front wheel, along with the fenders and rear rack. Himiway even has an unboxing and assembly video to help.
Features
The Zebra has a pedal assist and a half-twist throttle along a Shimano seven-speed gearshift system. A bike this size needs good stopping power, and the Zebra’s got it: 180mm Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. There’s a 48-volt LED headlight, Himiway-branded brake light for those low-light rides, and a reflective ring around the tire and front and rear and pedal reflectors. The SR saddle is wide and comfortable for long rides and also has a quick release, making sharing convenient. The Zebra does come with a bell, but I prefer electric horns on any micro-mobility because it’s important to be seen and heard. A bell doesn’t cut it on busy streets with pedestrians and cars.
The Zebra’s backlit display is simple and easy to see in sunlight. It shows the current speed, battery level, trip and total miles, wattmeter (displays motor output in real-time), and assist level. The control console is simple as well, with plus and minus symbols to increase or decrease assistance, a power button, an info button and lights. A USB-A charge port is under the display.- always a welcome addition.
The grips are comfortable and made from faux leather. The included fenders are plastic, but I’m still a fan. Metal fenders tend to make some noise as they break in and are easily scratched. The rear rack is great for strapping on a backpack. Himiway has several transport options for those needing more, from baskets to cargo trailers.
Performance
I tested the Zebra in Minnesota on and off road, and it was great. Some locals I talked to said it would be good for hunting trips, especially with the cargo trailer option Himiway sells. Rather than parking and walking their gear, they could easily load up the trailer and pedal or throttle to their destination.
Remember, this is a 79-pound e-bike, so riding up an incline without assistance is a workout. Luckily it has five levels of pedal assist. It’s propelled by a 750-watt motor that’s powered by a lockable, removable 48-volt Samsung/LG battery. It takes six to seven hours for a full charge. The hub motor is one area Himiway improved on the previous model, the Himiway Cruiser, with better heat dissipation and a max of 86Nm of torque. The bike controller is no longer exposed and is now tucked away in the bottom bracket.
Another option is the half-twist throttle (the hand grip is half throttle, half grip), which can be used at any time or any assist level. I use the throttle only for takeoffs uphill or when carrying a heavy load to get some forward momentum; for the most part, I prefer to pedal. Himiway says riders can get 60-80 travel miles per charge. This depends on certain factors such as rider size, terrain, assistance and riding style. In my use case, I saw closer to 45 miles travel distance, but that’s with excessive throttle use on hills and higher assist modes, which is still good for a bike of this size and a plus-size rider like myself. The Zebra can get up to 25 mph via pedal assistance.
Mostly, the ride quality was quiet, except for riding on concrete, due to the knobby tires on a solid surface. But in the grass or dirt, that isn’t an issue. In terms of handling, the bike cornered well and had good acceleration. The front suspension, along with the wide seat, made off-roading bearable and helped make riding on back roads really fun. The handlebars aren’t too wide, and they keep the bike stable going down steep hills and bumpy dunes. The 180mm hydraulic disc brakes performed well, too, with enough stopping power to keep me out of trouble.
The Himiway Zebra is a solid all-season e-bike with good performance, and it’s reasonably priced at 450,799. Because of its weight, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone in a walk-up apartment. But that extra weight makes it possible to haul much more than your average fat-tire e-bike can. Plus, Himiway also offers some decent accessories to ease your day-to-day tasks.