Juiced Bikes RipRacer Ebike review: Fun, Fun, Fun
Juiced Bikes has created a truly fun BMX-style ebike for hitting trails and tough urban streets. The RipRacer also delivers enough power to keep you rolling uphill and put a smile on your face. Best of all, the RipRacer is hundreds less than comparable off-road ebikes.
Pros
- Powerful pedal assist with a full-throttle mode
- Maneuverable
- Competitively priced
Cons
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Battery: 800 Wh Max estimated range: 55 miles Max assisted speed: 28 mph Motor: 1300W (Peak) 750W (Sustained), Rear Hub Motor Gearing: Single speed Wheel diameter: 20 x 4 inches, all-terrain Weight: 66 lbs. Price as tested: 1,599
With all the talk about micromobility and concerns about sustainability, an important fact about ebikes is often overlooked: they’re fun. Fortunately, Juiced Bikes hasn’t forgotten, producing a new ebike, the RipRacer, that is all about fun, fun, fun.
The Juiced RipRacer is a small-frame fat-tire ebike with a 40.3-inch wheelbase and 20-inch wheels designed for trails and urban BMX joy rides. Traditionally, BMX bikes don’t have any suspension or shock absorbers, which would tend to interfere with tight turns and tricks. So the RipRacer’s lack of shocks should appeal to such purists. On the other hand, BMX bikes don’t typically include an electric assist, making this Juiced ebike a somewhat unorthodox design among the best electric bikes. Is its unique styling for you? Read the rest of our Juiced RipRacer review to find out.
Juiced RipRacer Ebike review: Price and Availability
Juiced is known for producing powerful ebikes that tend to be more of a cross between a dirt bike and a moped. Models like the 1,999 Scorpion X and the 2,699 Hyperscrambler 2 are typical Juiced models, built to withstand the daily punishment of pockmarked city streets. The RipRacer is cut from the same cloth, albeit with more of an eye toward fun rather than function.
The RipRacer, which is sold directly online, comes in two models: the 1,299 base model is a Class 2 ebike with a top assist speed of 20 mph, a 52V/10Ah battery, and an estimated range of 35 miles. Our test model, however, was the 1,499 Class 3 version of the RipRacer with a top assist speed of 28 mph, a 52V/15.6Ah battery, and an estimated range of 55 miles.
The RipRacer takes a minimalist approach to accessories. Fenders and cargo racks are not included, for example, but are available for 89 and 79, respectively. And the bike only includes a mechanical bell (which offers less volume than an electric model which is a 59 option).
Juiced RipRacer Ebike review: Design
The hardtail BMX-style ebike is built on an aluminum frame. Hydraulic disc brakes are standard, as is a twist throttle for times when full electric boost is necessary.
The RipRacer features a single speed transmission, with a 12T-52T ratio. That translates into about 4.5 wheel rotations for every pedal rotation. With the electric assist kicking in, it means you won’t find yourself pedaling like mad at high speeds, although we tended to coast more often than not going down steep grades.
Cadence sensors account for that pedal speed, adjusting the amount of electronic assistance as you pedal. The 750-watt, rear-hub motor can be adjusted using the monochrome LCD controller with 5 mode settings: electric assist levels 1 through 3, a Sport mode, and a Race mode, which will give you a kick in the pants at up to 28 mph. The handlebar-mounted controller also conveys standard information, such as battery level, speed, and distance traveled.
As standard equipment, Juiced includes a bright 1,050-lumen headlight and a taillight that brightens whenever you touch the brakes, so you won’t need to invest in one of the best bike lights. And there’s a secret compartment for stashing an Apple AirTag to track your bike.
Juiced RipRacer Ebike review: Performance
You’ll flip over this powerful little ebike. I certainly did. Literally. On one of my initial excursions, an overly enthusiastic steep uphill run kicked the bike out from under me and landed me right on my keister, a reminder of the RipRacer’s power. (It’s also a reminder to wear one of the best bike helmets before going out for a ride.)
With nothing wounded but my pride, I came to appreciate that the RipRacer has as much if not more power and torque (a peak of 1300 watts) than big, bad boys like the Aventon Aventure or Biktrix Stunner X. With a more compact BMX body, that translates into peppy performance and a fun ride as long as you don’t get overconfident.
Out on dirt and gravel roads, the RipRacer had so much pep, in fact, that I found myself throttling it back from level 3 to 2 or even down to 1 on the flats. The more conservative setting minimized sudden surges of power on straightaways and back country trails.
From a standing start, the cadence sensors take a moment to kick in, so there’s a power lag when you first push off — common to this kind of design and rear hub motors — but once engaged the RipRacer is very responsive, delivering a satisfying boost to match your pedal input. (A gentle twist on the throttle will also get you rolling if you don’t want to exert yourself.)
Using the controller, owners can set the RipRacer to recognize R (for race) mode. This is necessary to get the 28-mph maximum out of the bike’s powertrain. Indeed, the race mode delivers considerably more power and propelled me up one hill with assistance at over 18 mph — a good 7 MPH faster than the beasts like the Aventon Aventure. Out on the dirt road flats, it was easy to exceed the 25 MPH speed limit with the power assist. Could it have used a lower gear to make it even easier to pedal at high speeds? Yes, but how fast do you really want to careen down a gravel road?
If you’re out for a long country jaunt, the RipRacer’s lack of shocks will wear on you. On dirt road washboards, your arms will take considerable punishment and some riders will weary of handling all the bumps on downhills — bumps that are usually mitigated on mountain bikes with front shocks. Furthermore, after a couple of 20-mile trail rides, we felt the padded seat could use some additional cushioning.
On the other hand, the RipRacer is tight and maneuverable. And while riding it means being more keenly aware of protruding tree roots and rocks on paths, the RipRacer’s more compact stature means it’s also more at home on trails, ducking under branches and dodging boulders. Juiced specs the RipRacer as being suitable for riders from 5’ to 6’ 3”. At 6 feet, I felt very comfortable with the bike.
Juiced RipRacer Ebike review: Battery Life and Range
The RipRacer model I tested came with a 52-volt, 15.6 hw battery. It’s larger than most and consequently I found it came closer to its rated range than most ebikes I have tested.
Juiced estimates that the RipRacer has a maximum range of 55 miles, and I found I usually got about 40 miles of riding out of the battery. That’s quite impressive, given that I was testing it on steep Vermont mountain roads and trails. And I made no attempt to extend the battery range, liberally applying the full-throttle mode when the going got tough uphill — or I just wanted to see how fast I could go on an empty trail.
Juiced RipRacer Ebike review: Competition
There are plenty of off-road ebikes on the market, but the vast majority are designed as full-sized, heavy metal electric versions of mountain bikes. Examples include Rad Power’s RadRover 6 (1,599) and Aventon’s Aventure (1,999). But none of these models offer the maneuverability and quick handling of the BMX sized Juice RipRacer.
If you want more power than what the RipRacer offers, generally that means moving up into the electric motorbike category. Here you’ll find what essentially amounts to electric motorcycles, like Cake’s Makka, which costs 4,200.
Juiced RipRacer Ebike review: Bottom line
The Juiced RipRacer is a seriously fun fat-tire ebike that will have you grinning from ear to ear as you tear up whatever road or trail you’re on. The bike’s low starting price of 1,299 — it’s one of the best budget electric bikes for offroading — will also have you smiling. The RipRacer is definitely more balanced and maneuverable than full-sized, fat-tire bikes. Just remember that iIts lack of suspension means your arms will get a bit of a workout over rougher terrain, while its powerful motor, large battery, and full-throttle mode will keep you out on the trails for hours on end.
John R. Quain has been reviewing and testing video and audio equipment for more than 20 years. For Tom’s Guide, he has reviewed televisions, HDTV antennas, electric bikes, electric cars, as well as other outdoor equipment. He is currently a contributor to The New York Times and the CBS News television program.
How to Avoid E-Bike Battery Fires: 5 Safety Tips
Over the last two years, millions of Americans have discovered the myriad of benefits associated with owning and riding an electric bike. Unfortunately, this surge in consumer demand has created a market for very cheap e-bikes, with very problematic (and dangerous) components. At the top of that list is the e-bike battery fire hazard associated with charging. Those fears are not totally unwarranted BUT not all e-bike batteries are dangerous. Discover what causes most e-bike battery fires and 5 super helpful tips to ensure they don’t ever happen.
What causes most lithium-ion battery fires?
Good batteries aren’t cheap and cheap batteries aren’t good. While there are a number of factors that can contribute to lithium-ion battery fires, the biggest e-bike battery fire risk is off-brand batteries and off-brand chargers. Most high-end electric bikes, including all Juiced Bikes, feature a Battery Management System (BMS) which helps prevent the overcharging or over-discharging of the battery cells. Cheaper off-brand replacements do not feature BMS and without that, the battery cells can overcharge and possibly explode, or drain too far making it impossible for the battery to be recharged all the way. When an e-bike battery, or any lithium-ion battery, catches fire it’s extremely difficult to put out because a chemical reaction takes place. The only thing that can be done is to make sure the other bad cells don’t go into a “thermal runaway.” For this reason, it’s always recommended to purchase e-bike batteries and chargers directly from the company where you purchased your electric bike, and NEVER purchase after-market batteries from somewhere else.
Most people aren’t electrical engineers, which means you shouldn’t be servicing or tampering with an e-bike’s battery. While in some parts of the country, it can be difficult to find a bike shop to service your battery, you can always get help from the manufacturer. In fact, you should ALWAYS call the manufacturer before someone else performs a battery service, if you don’t you could void your warranty. If the battery has an issue from the factory most e-bike brands will replace the battery under warranty, however, if you open the battery casing and perform a service without contacting the company’s Support Team for troubleshooting, most will not replace the battery.
Why are there so many e-bike fires in New York City?
Why are there so many battery fires in major urban areas, like New York City? In 2022, there were about 200 e-bike battery-related fires in the area according to the New York City Fire Department. So if e-bike batteries aren’t that dangerous, what’s happening in New York?
During the Pandemic, e-bikes grew exponentially in the city as more delivery workers were on the road and more residents wanted to get out of their apartments while maintaining social distancing. There was a huge boom in e-bike sales during this time resulting in the need for more e-bike parts and especially e-bike batteries. Of the 65,000 delivery drivers in New York, many of them are low-income residents, so when they need a second battery or charger, they often resort to cheaper postmarket or off-brand replacements. And these delivery drivers sometimes have to get creative and share makeshift charging stations, often sharing chargers rated for different battery voltages which can lead to dangerous overheating. And if one of those batteries catches fire, it’s very difficult to stop the others charging in the same room from going into a thermal runaway. But it’s not as simple as more e-bikes = more fires. This is why many proposed laws on e-bikes seem to do less to prevent fires and more to prevent people from owning e-bikes. Most proposed laws limit what kinds of e-bikes can be purchased and instead should FOCUS on making more charging stations and storage areas for e-bikes available. The Equiptable Commute Project in NYC is doing just that and making micromobility more available to low-income frontline workers by offering 50% subsidies to New Yorkers who apply. This funding program will also advocate for safer micromobility infrastructure at a policy-level in local state governments.
How can you prevent e-bike battery fires?
An e-bike fire doesn’t just happen. It’s almost always caused by a cheap battery or gross negligence in battery care. By following these five steps, you can help prevent an e-bike fire.
Never use an off-brand or after-market replacement battery or charger. Many fires are caused by cheap high voltage options which sound great on paper but can cause major issues which you can be held liable for. If you’re unsure if a battery is safe, ASK a representative “‘is this battery UL compliant ?” Purchase at your own risk if it isn’t. All Juiced Bikes are UL compliant and will include this new “stamp of approval” in 2023.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when charging, storing and maintaining your e-bike battery.
Store your e-bike battery in a clean, dry and temperature-controlled environment. Don’t store your battery on or near water heaters or in direct sunlight.
Always contact the manufacturer directly if you’re having trouble with your battery or if the battery has been damaged. Take pictures or videos and include as much detail as possible when contacting the Support Team. Most companies will replace a faulty battery outright as long as you contact them and follow the warranty procedure, however, if you tamper with your battery before contacting the company, most will void your warranty.
Don’t open your battery! Leave servicing e-bike batteries for the electric engineering professionals at the e-bike manufacturer. Servicing, and replacing cells should not be done by anyone without specific training on e-bike batteries. If for some reason your battery manufacturer no longer exists then contact a reputable lithium battery service provider like FTH Power.
So, are electric bikes batteries safe? The answer depends on where you purchase your e-bike from and how you take care of your battery. If you purchase a bike with a UL-compliant battery and follow simple manufacturer guidelines on the battery, owning and operating an e-bike is just as safe as other forms of transportation.
If you already have a Juiced Bike and are looking for a second battery, don’t miss out on our G2 Battery Sale going on now. If you don’t already own an e-bike, check out our line of high-performance and UL-compliant electric bikes for the most fun, safe, and high-powered ride available.
Juiced Electric Bikes Review
Do you want to save money on gas and navigate the busy city traffic more easily during your morning commute? Then Juiced Bikes is where you should be looking to find the solution to your problem.
Juiced Bikes produces stylish and innovative e-bikes intended for commuting, recreational riding, off-road adventures, and any other type of everyday use. These are practical and well-built machines that can be used by the entire family.
Juiced Bikes are unique as some of them come with 1000W motors and 52V 19.2Ah batteries, which are among the most powerful electric setups money can get.
Is buying a Juiced bike the right choice to make in today’s oversaturated e-bike market? Find out in our Juiced Bikes review.
Short Overview of Juiced Electric Bikes
Juiced Bikes is a relatively young cycling brand with a fresh approach to making e-bikes. The company was founded in 2009 by Tora Harris, with headquarters located in sunny California. Thus far, it is most popular for making some of the best moped-style ebikes on the market.
Tora Harris is a former record-breaking high jump Champion, but he is also a graduate from Princeton University with a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. In 2009, he decided to use his mechanical knowledge and passion to design e-bikes that stand out from the pack.
It’s important to point out that Juiced Bikes is a direct-to-consumer business, which means that the bikes can only be bought online, on the company’s official website. This way, redundancies and third-parties are eliminated which brings down the costs and lowers the price of the final product.
At the moment, Juiced Bikes produces e-bikes in four categories—Moped-Style, Adventure, Commuter, and Fat Tire—with around ten models on offer in total.
Their products can be described as reasonably priced, but packed with quality electric and mechanical components suitable for everyday use and for various types of riders.
Technologies Features
Juiced Bikes makes attractive e-bike products that come jam-packed with modern technologies and practical features. Though the company has a diverse lineup of e-bikes on offer, there are some features that are common for most of them.
Here are some that we find particularly important and that we believe make Juiced Bikes worth the money.
52-Volt Battery
Juiced Bikes’ massive 1000Wh battery pack.
The majority of e-bikes nowadays feature 36-Volt or 48-Volt batteries. In addition to determining the range, the battery also influences the power of the motor and the climbing performance of an e-bike. Juiced Bikes is one of the only companies that use 52-Volt batteries, which pack more range, better acceleration, and more power when you need it the most. Specifically, a 52-Volt battery provides you with a 100 mile range and a 30 mile throttle-only maximum speed.
Advanced LCD Display
Every Juiced e-bike comes with an advanced matrix LCD display that gives you a detailed overlook of ride metrics and data. Some of the features it has include Cruise Control, Throttle Assist Boost, Low Voltage Limit Pre-set and Advanced Metrics View Mode. The display has three buttons, so it’s easy to be used even by beginners. It’s also water-resistant and backlit, so you can use it no matter the conditions. You can use it to cycle through one of five pedal-assist levels or activate the Walk mode as well.
Up to 1000W Bafang Motor
You don’t see many complete e-bikes with 1000W motors nowadays but that did not stop Juiced Bikes from going with this setup. At the moment, the company fits two of its models with these powerful Bafang rear hub motors—HyperScrambler 2 and HyperScorpion—which allows them to reach speeds of 30 miles per hour.
Pedal-Assist and Throttle Technology
All Juiced Bikes are equipped with both pedal-assist and throttle technology. Therefore, you can ride them either as e-bikes or as electric scooters. However, Juiced bikes are not necessarily Class 2 e-bikes, as you can set speed limits in the settings and engage or disengage the throttle. Therefore, depending on your needs and the local laws, these can be Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 e-bikes.
Super Bright Headlight Puncture-Resistant Tires
Super-bright moto-style headlight.
All Juiced e-bikes are equipped with bright headlights, some of which are pretty massive. Therefore, you can ride them at night without any issues—you will be able to see and be seen with ease. Every model also comes with puncture-resistant tires which will significantly reduce the number of flats you get. If you’re lucky, you could go thousands of miles without having a single flat.
Model Lineup
Looking at Juiced Bikes’ lineup, it seems like the company is focusing on quality rather than on quantity. At the moment, there are eight e-bikes on offer, which are actually variations of five unique models:
Even though these are modern-looking and high-tech e-bikes, they are not expensive at all. Juiced e-bikes cost between 1,500 and 3,499, depending on the model and build you choose. They feature some entry-level parts, but overall you’ll get a good bang for your buck.
Juiced HyperScrambler 2
Limited Founder’s Edition
This limited edition HyperScrambler 2 is the brainchild of Juiced Bikes’ founder Tora Harris. This series is limited to just 150 e-bikes, so it’s a true collector’s item.
It features a stunning green paint job with a leather seat and an attractive design.
In the electronics departments, this HyperScrambler 2 boasts a custom 1000W rear hub motor for a 30 mph top speed, two 52V 19.2Ah batteries for a 100 mile range, cadence and torque sensors, and a twist throttle.
For the 3,500 price tag, you also get knobby tires, a 2,000-lumen headlight with an integrated Bluetooth speaker, turn signals, brake lights, and so much more.
This limited-edition HyperScrambler 2 is on pre-order and is expected to begin shipping in March 2023, so hurry up and secure yours if you like what it offers.
Make sure to also read our review of the original Juiced HyperScrambler 2 ebike that’s less expensive and available year-round.
Juiced HyperScorpion
Juiced HyperScorpion is a lineup of two fun, moped-style e-bikes with some pretty unique features. First of all, these are stylish e-bikes with a unique design and modern Custom Cast Aluminum ‘Mag’ wheels.
The moped-style frame will give you the utmost comfort thanks to the adjustable handlebar and the large, plush saddle. over, these are full-suspension e-bikes with 4.25″ fat tires, which will add to the overall comfort.
The HyperScorpion models have a 30mph top speed and come with a 52V 998Wh battery and a 1000W motor, which make them some of the fastest e-bikes on the market.
Juiced HyperScorpion is a small, nimble e-bike that’s ideal for everyday commutes on urban city streets by riders who value style, speed, and the cool factor.
Scrambler
Fast and fun adventure e-bike
Juiced HyperScrambler 2 e-bike
Juiced describes the Scrambler lineup as a collection of fast and fun adventure e-bikes and we couldn’t agree more. These compact and funky-looking moped-style machines are perfect for commuting or casual urban exploration.
But this Juiced e-bike is not intended for city riding only. It’s a solid choice for off-road adventures as well. The Scrambler comes in two variations, City and Camp. The City Scrambler rolls on 20″ x 4″ slick tires, whereas the Camp Scrambler has much more potent 20″ x 4.25″ knobby fat tires.
The Scrambler has a 750W motor and develops up to 28 mph, but if that’s not enough for the adrenaline junky in you, go for the HyperScrambler 2 with a 1000W motor and a 30 mph top speed. over, the former has a 45 mile range, whereas the latter has a double battery pack and a 100 mile range, which is pretty impressive.
So if you want a fun commuter with a unique design and top performance for the money, the Scrambler lineup will meet all your requirements. It’s a fun little bike with big dreams.
CrossCurrent
The top-rated commuter e-bike
Juiced CrossCurrent X commuter e-bike
The Juiced CrossCurrent series is the absolute pinnacle of e-bike commuting. These are affordable 700C electric bicycles that are absolutely jam-packed with features every commuter would appreciate.
With these bikes, Juiced placed the emphasis on speed, comfort, and practicality, so the final result is a big success. At the moment there are two models available, the CrossCurrent S2 and the CrossCurrent X Step-thru.
Both models have the same 750W Bafang rear hub motor with a 28 mph maximum assisted speed. The CrossCurrent X has a bigger battery with 80 miles of range, whereas the CrossCurrent S2 offers “only” 65 miles of range.
The CrossCurrent S2 doesn’t have too many accessories and features just bright lights, a kickstand, and a suspension fork. The two CrossCurrent X models have a rear rack and fenders for added practicality.
If speed is your greatest concern during your morning commute, the CrossCurrent lineup will give you some peace of mind.
Juiced RipCurrent
The RipCurrent series makes it obvious that Juiced thinks about off-road adventure lovers as well. This is a selection of extreme fat-tire e-bikes with massive 26×4″ all-terrain tires, sturdy aluminum frames, and powerful electronics that can deal with any unpaved adversity.
There are two models that differ in the size of the battery, the range, and the accessories. The cheaper model has a 45 mile range and 750W motor, while the more expensive one has a 70 mile range and 1000W motor, allowing you to enjoy longer riding days.
This lineup’s highlights are definitely the wide, knobby tires and the capable suspension fork. These will give you plenty of comfort and elevate the bike’s off-roading capabilities.
If you need a rear rack and fenders for some longer adventures, you can get the more expensive RipCurrent S model. But you’ll get lights and a kickstand with both builds.
So if you live near some winding gravel routes or challenging dirt roads, Juiced RipCurrent is the choice that makes the most sense.
Juiced RipRacer
Mini fat-tire electric bike
The Juiced RipRacer is the brand’s fun-sized fat bike and a standalone model with a low price of 1,499. This electric bike comes in two builds, a Class 2 20mph or Class 3 28mph.
They both have the same 750W motor but the Class 2 version has a smaller 541Wh battery with a 35-mile max range vs. the 777Wh battery with a 55-mile range.
Juiced Bikes’ RipRacer has 2-x4″ fat tires with all-terrain tread, hydraulic disc brakes, and a bright 1050L headlamp for off-road adventures.
This is the lightest Juiced bike at just 66lbs and comes with a unique AirTag compartment for anti-theft protection.
If you want a compact yet highly capable off-roader for adventures or comfortable urban riding, consider the RipRacer.
Juiced Bikes Accessories
Juiced e-bikes are highly customizable, so you can personalize your two-wheeler any way you find suitable. Most models already come with some basic accessories, such as lights, whereas others include a richer package with fenders, racks, and more.
The company sells a large selection of Upgrades, Gears, and Components that will make your Juiced e-bike more powerful, more practical, or simply more appealing to ride.
Some of the upgrades that you can buy include passenger kits, mirrors, fenders, suspension seat posts, chargers, racks, Abus locks, and more. Juiced also sells Thousand helmets, panniers, and frame bags, that you can fit on most bikes.
Therefore, if some Juiced bike looks good but not good enough for your needs, consider upgrading it with some of these accessories and it might be just perfect to accompany you every day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Juiced Bikes
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about Juiced bikes from e-bike fans!
Are Juiced bikes any good?
Juiced makes well-rounded e-bikes equipped with powerful electronics and quality components. These are versatile e-bikes that can be ridden on and off-road and used for commuting or recreational riding. Considering the price, Juiced bikes offer great value. The only disadvantage is that they are quite heavy.
Where are Juiced bikes made?
Juiced bikes are designed in the USA, but they are manufactured and assembled in China. This is the way most US-based companies organize the production process to cut down on costs and lower the final price for the customers.
How do you turn on a Juiced bike?
Depending on which model you have, there are two main ways to turn on a Juiced bike. The first thing you always need to do is turn on the battery. After that, depending on the build, you can turn on the bike either by pressing the power button on the display or turning the key switch.
Where is Juiced Bikes located?
The Juiced Bikes’ headquarters are located in San Diego, California. This is where a small team of engineers works on designing and engineering Juiced e-bikes. However, these e-bikes are manufactured and assembled in China to cut down on production costs.
Are Juiced bikes waterproof?
Juiced bikes are water-resistant which means they can be ridden in light rain. However, they are not waterproof, so the components are not fully protected from water damage. Therefore, you should avoid riding your Juiced e-bike in heavy rain or leaving it out in the rain.
How much are Juiced bikes?
Juiced e-bikes are neither super cheap nor super expensive. Price-wise, they sit right in the middle of the market. The cheapest model costs around 1,500, whereas the most expensive one sells for around 3,000. On average, you can expect to pay 2,000–2,500 for a Juiced e-bike.
Are Juiced bikes too heavy?
Juiced makes excellent e-bikes for the money that have just one slight disadvantage—they are heavyish due to massive batteries. However, e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes in general, so this does not come as a surprise. With the help of the motor, you won’t feel this extra weight when riding.
Final Thoughts About Juiced Bikes
Juiced Bikes has taken a Smart approach to the growing e-bike market; they’ve determined the most important features riders are looking for in e-bikes and decided to FOCUS on them. These are range, power, and price.
Juiced manufactures some of the most powerful e-bikes with the highest available range on the market. On top of that, a Juiced e-bike will not cost you an arm and a leg, which is not the case with many big-brand models.
Are Juiced bikes perfect? Far from it. They’re heavy, not always super practical (the Scorpion is hard to pedal), and lack some Smart features and integrations like GPS and Bluetooth. However, they still meet and exceed expectations considering the average price tags.
Therefore, if you’re willing to make some compromises in other areas but get the most value in terms of range, speed, and power, Juiced e-bikes are a pretty solid choice.
Juiced RipCurrent vs RipCurrent S – A Review of Juiced Fat Tire Ebikes (2023)
Juiced Bikes is a company known for its large 52 volt battery packs and long-range ebikes. The RipCurrent and RipCurrent S are the sport utility fat tire models. These models tick lots of boxes for riders but there are also some finer details on these ebikes that many will appreciate which we’re excited to highlight in our RipCurrent S review.
The RipCurrent sells for 1,699 while the Rip Current S comes in at 2,499. The extra money buys you a larger motor, a bigger battery, and a rear rack as well as fenders. Read on for more details. As always, if you decide to buy a Juiced RipCurrent or RipCurrent S, please consider using our affiliate links as a free way to support Ebike Escape.
Juiced RipCurrent S Video Review
The RipCurrent S comes with a massive battery: 52V 19.2Ah! That provides a total of 998.4 watt-hours and is a battery that is hard to beat. It also has a large 1000-watt Bafang Hub motor with a peak power of 1,300 watts. This bike is powerful and will go the distance. In fact, Juiced estimates a range of over 70 miles with a single charge! This might be a generous estimate but the fact is that this ebike will meet most riders’ range requirements. One quirk on the new Juiced gen 2 batteries is that there is a power button that is not accessible with the battery inside the frame. It needs to be turned on before placing your battery into the frame.
Hills or speed will not be a problem for this bike. It ships as a Class 2 ebike with a top speed of 20 mph while pedaling or throttle alone. However, it can be unlocked for Class 3 speeds up to 28 mph. For even higher speeds, the RipCurrent S Performance Upgrade is available for 249. This allows the bike to reach 30 mph on the throttle alone and works on the 2022 RipCurrent S, excluding the step-thru. Be sure to check your local laws and regulations.
Even the more affordable Rip Current base model has a 52V battery though with a smaller 15Ah pack. That is still a big battery. Besides the smaller battery, the motor is a 750-watt Bafang Hub motor. The range is estimated at a still respectable 45 miles per charge.
LCD Screen and Power Modes
The LCD screen for the Rip Current S is backlit and small but shows all the essential information such as current speed, odometer, remaining battery life – even the battery voltage. Using the screen, you can choose between seven different levels of assistance. From slowest to fast the options include Eco, 1 2, 3, Sport, and Race (unlockable). Whatever your goals are, this bike can help you get there.
Want even more options? Dive into the advanced settings. We found these pretty easy to use and Juiced has a very helpful video going through all of the features. The RipCurrent S also has a walk function to provide a bit of assistance if you are pushing the bike. This ebike also has cruise control! It will lock in any speed you choose 20mph or below and hold it even without pedaling or using the throttle. If you pedal, it will increase the speed. As soon as you apply the throttle or brakes, or push any button, the cruise control will turn off.
Components
The Rip Current and Rip Current S have both cadence and torque pedal assist. The torque sensor measures how much effort you are putting into the pedals and proportionally adds power. This helps avoid the feeling of ghost pedaling allowing for a more natural feeling ride. The cadence sensor allows the motor to still provide some power even while providing little effort (as long as your legs are spinning). This setup is really the best of both worlds and is one of the unique features of this ebike. Don’t feel like pedaling? There is a left-hand thumb throttle available as well.
Both the base RipCurrent and S version have hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors (Logan HD-E500 on the RipCurrent S). The RipCurrent S featueres a 9-speed L-TWOO A5 trigger shifter and matching A5 derailleur. In the rear is an 11-32T cassette and a 52T Pro Wheel chainring. Juiced nailed it on the gearing which allows you to continue to provide human power even at faster speeds and be able to get into sufficiently low gear on hills. We would have liked to see name brand Shimano components for the drivetrain but the L-TWOO components performed fine in our testing.
Both bikes have fat tires sized 26″ x 4″. They also have the same bright 1,050-lumen headlight and battery-operated rear taillights. We found the headlight to be super bright but didn’t really like the battery-operated rear light, perhaps a change Juiced can make in the next generation.
Click for larger image
While the basic model comes without racks or fenders, the Rip Current S includes both fenders and a rear rack. The rack has a 50 lb capacity. Unfortunately, there is no option for a front rack.
One additional upgrade the S has is an integrated compartment for an Apple AirTag. This is made possible by the gen 2 or G2 battery. If theft is a problem in your area, this is a helpful feature. Make note, the Apple AirTag itself is not included in the purchase of the bike. It is currently for sale from Juiced for 30.
Bike Frame and Sizing
Both the Rip Current and the Rip Current S come in traditional high step as well as a step-through variation for easier access. The S models frames include an upgraded air suspension fork with lockout compared to the coil suspension on the RipCurrent. The original RipCurrent frames are around about 5-6 lbs lighter than the S models due to the smaller battery but overall the sizing is the same.
The high step frame comes in three sizes. The medium has a 30.5″ standover height and is recommended for heights between 5’4″ and 6’0″. The large fits heights from 5’8″ to 6’3″ with a standover height of 32″. Finally, the XL has a standover height of 32.8″ and fits rides 6’0″ and over. The high-step model weighs 76 lbs with the battery in place and has a 300 lb weight capacity. You have a choice of red, black, and gray for the frame color in the S but the base model RipCurrent only comes in black.
The step-through model is recommended for riders from 5’3″ to 6’1″. Color options are a little brighter and include black, beach blue, arctic white, and yellow. The ebike weighs slightly less at 73 lbs and has a slightly lower weight limit of 275 lbs.
The large swooping handlebars on both bikes provide a comfortable upright riding position. Aiding to the comfort with the handlebars are the ergonomic and locking grips.
In Conclusion
The Juiced Rip Current and Rip Current S are notable for their massive batteries and powerful motors. The S has slightly better specs and an expected higher price point. Both bikes have hydraulic disc brakes, step-through or traditional frame options, and fat tires. These bikes are versatile and able to handle off-roading as well as roads. The S model comes with a rack for extra storage area. Juiced Bikes is a reputable brand and you should feel comfortable doing business with this company. There are certainly more affordable fat tire ebikes out there but you won’t be getting all the impressive specs this bike has to offer.
Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide
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A good e-bike battery should last for hundreds of cycles. With average use, this means several years. Eventually, electric bike batteries need to be replaced as their life cycle comes to an end.
You can tell when a battery is nearing the end of its life when it does not provide you with much range. Some high-quality batteries that come on the top e-bikes such as a Bosch battery have a battery management system (BMS) integrated into the battery that actually tells you the current capacity and also how many charge cycles it has gone through.
But no matter what type of battery you have you’ll sooner or later be asking yourself the all-important question: how can I replace my e-bike battery?
Down below Electric Bike Report dives into this question and more in greater detail.
Are E-bike Batteries Interchangeable?
In general, the answer is no – you should only replace a battery with one that comes from the same manufacturer and is of exactly the same spec.
The reason is that the original e-bike or kit manufacturer has the responsibility to ensure that the battery pack, charger, and e-bike all work safely together, and using a ‘non-original’ replacement pack potentially introduces all sorts of uncontrolled risks.
It’s a little more complicated than this in some situations. For example, some Bosch batteries of different capacities are explicitly made to be interchangeable and there will be many instances where an original supplier and/or manufacturer of the e-bike cannot be traced or has gone out of business – in such cases we look at your options below.
As an important side note: you should always, if possible, use a charger that comes from the original manufacturer too. The one that comes with your battery should sync up well and not overload the battery. Pairing your battery with a different charger adds in risk of malfunction during charging.
Let’s first look at the basics of getting a replacement battery for your e-bike, then we will look at some of the major manufacturers of e-bike batteries and some of the main e-bike manufacturers to see which common battery types are still replaceable. Let’s consider the options for replacement in terms of desirability.
Where Should I Go to Get a Replacement E-Bike Battery?
On this last point it may help to note that there are a couple of manufacturing standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes. Although it’s not a legal requirement, it may be that one of the standards is actually marked on the battery itself.
The standards are BS EN 50604‑1 and UN38.3, the latter required for lithium-ion battery transport by air, sea or land. Just because these standards are not marked on a battery doesn’t mean it does not comply with them – but it is a reassuring sign if a battery does bear one or both of these marks.
Note that using a replacement battery that does not come from the original manufacturer (whether a dealer is involved or not) may void the warranty of your electric bike or kit. Check with the e-bike or kit company to understand what their policy is regarding the use of aftermarket replacement batteries.
Replacement Batteries from Original Manufacturers
Bosch E-Bike Batteries
Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.
There have been four basic designs made by Bosch over the years (good online overview here):
- Rack mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions which are all interchangeable with each other.
- Down tube mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions, current versions of which are all interchangeable with each other.
- Frame integrated batteries: PowerTubes in 400, 500, and 625Wh versions, with the 400 and 500 units being interchangeable with each other. The 625Wh may be retrofittable but it needs a compatible frame with a big enough space to house it (400 and 500 units are the same physical dimensions but 625 is bigger). 500 and 625 Wh units are used on the Dual Battery system to give a capacity up to 1250Wh.
- Frame Integrated ‘Smart’ Option batteries: This is a new 750Wh option for 2022 and will be only compatible with 2022 e-bikes that feature the Bosch ‘Smart’ system and will not be compatible with other Bosch e-bikes that are ‘non-Smart’. Similarly, other types of PowerTube batteries (400, 500, and 625Wh versions) will not be compatible with e-bikes featuring Bosch’s ‘Smart’ system.
Some third-party batteries compatible with Bosch systems are available as detailed in the section below.
There are some suppliers of batteries that will fit older models, in some cases dating back to 2011 when the Bosch e-bikes first entered the market, for example, The Holland Bike Shop in Europe sells some batteries compatible with much older Bosch-powered models.
Shimano E-Bike Batteries
Shimano produces its own brand batteries for use on their systems, but you may also find new e-bikes powered by Shimano motor systems with batteries manufactured by their licensed partners Darfon and SMP. These third party batteries are not interchangeable with any Shimano batteries.
Shimano’s current range includes rack-mounted, downtube-mounted and frame-integrated batteries from 418Wh to 630Wh. You can see a brief overview with detailed links to each battery on offer here.
It’s important to note that each battery model has a limited number of specific battery mounts it will work with, so it is important to replace an old battery with one that is compatible with the mount on your e-bike. You can check out detailed compatibility info here and here.
Shimano says that ‘the oldest current battery we have is the BT-E6000 and the corresponding battery mount BM-E6000. These are compatible with all five of our current drive units (DU-EP8/E8000/E7000/E6100/E5000), but not earlier systems. For reference, DU-E8000 is the oldest in that list – it was introduced in 2016.’
Brose E-Bike Batteries
The only battery listed on Brose’s own website is a 630Wh frame-integrated option.
However, Brose systems are widely used by other manufacturers who also spec own-brand or third-party batteries. These include the likes of the widely respected battery manufacturer BMZ and well-known brands like Scott and BULLS.
For example, Specialized’s ‘full power’ range use Brose-based mid drives and a range of their own brand frame-integrated batteries. Although information on interchangeability is scarce, a Specialized FAQ page, in response to the question ‘Can I increase range by using the 604Wh aftermarket battery in any Turbo Vado/Como?’ says yes, all Vado batteries are cross-compatible as long as you are running the latest firmware (by implication so are Como and Turbo full power batteries are cross-compatible too).
The above appears only to address compatibility on current Specialized models and battery availability for older models appears a bit more complex with lots of debate online over the matter.
The fact that the latest Specialized e-bike batteries contain a Bluetooth chip to communicate with the latest Mission Control App certainly suggest both backward compatibility and availability of third party batteries will be very limited. Current e-bike batteries available from Specialized can be found here.
Yamaha E-Bike Batteries
Yamaha has integrated, rack-mounted and frame-mounted options ranging between 400Wh and 600Wh but information on backward compatibility is rather hard to find. Their systems appear on Haibike models and in the US on their own brand models too.
Giant use Yamaha motor systems but apparently have their own brand of battery – the EnergyPak range. The standard EnergyPak comes in rack-mounted and frame-integrated options whilst the Smart Compact variant allows for faster charging.
Finally, there is the Giant EnergyPak Plus, for use with the Smart Compact – a range extender style battery that fits onto the frame and effectively increases the capacity of the main Plus battery.
Giant’s Service web page states that there are EnergyPaks with 300, 360, 400, 500 and 625Wh capacities and also states ‘Giant EnergyPaks are interchangeable’.
Fazua E-Bike Batteries
This lightweight German-made system uses a frame-integrated 250Wh design and there have been two types of battery, Battery 250 and Battery 250X, the latter having the ability to be switched on and off remotely.
The latest Fazua Evation 250X battery is compatible with all Fazua electric bikes from 2019-22.
GRIN and Cytronex E-bike Kit Batteries
Canada’s GRIN is a true expert in producing a wide variety of e-bike kits. Whilst they do several designs of batteries, one of their best options from a replaceability point of view is their own brand LiGo batteries.
LiGo batteries are very unusual in being modular so that you can easily connect together as many as you like to increase or decrease battery capacity at will. They are particularly suitable for lightweight and folding bikes (I use them on a GRIN Brompton kit) and also for those who want to air travel with e-bikes as the individual battery units are only 98Wh and so are generally allowed on passenger aircraft (disconnect them from each other for travel and reconnect them on landing to make a useful e-bike battery).
The design has been around for several years and is backward compatible.
The UK’s Cytronex produces both European and US spec lightweight kits which use a unique own-design of ‘bottle battery’.
Cytronex says all their lithium bottles are compatible forwards and backward from the first version in 2017. They have different firmware for the new Bluetooth variant but both this and the non-Bluetooth version allow you to use the new 2-way – 5 level Boost Button or the previous one-way 3 level button.
In fact, if you have old and new kits on two bikes you can switch the bottle between both and it will recognize the two different button types automatically.
E-bike Manufacturers Own Brand Batteries
There are hundreds of e-bike manufacturers in the more budget space so it’s way beyond the scope of this guide to cover the options for each one; rather we’ll take a look at a couple of the market leaders.
Rad Power Bikes E-Bike Batteries
Rad Power Bikes first started producing e-bikes for the North American market in 2015 and now claims to be the US market leader. Their website lists several replacement batteries and their current lineup of bikes uses one of two battery designs.
There is the External Battery Pack (with the option for the smaller pack specific to the RadMission) which is compatible with all 2018 and newer model ebikes except the RadRover 6 Plus and RadCity 5 Plus, which use the Semi-Integrated Battery Pack.
Rad Power Bikes does offer legacy options for bikes older than that 2018 ‘cutoff’ and although some of these legacy batteries are currently out of stock Rad says they have plans to restock them.
The battery packs are consistent across their main sales areas of Canada, US and Europe.
The Rad Power website has a great filter system so you can track down the compatibility of what batteries are in stock against all current and previous models, right back to the original 2015 RadRover. All e-bike manufacturers’ websites should provide this service!
Pedego E-Bike Batteries
A longstanding US manufacturer with a clear set of battery specs for current models here. However, there doesn’t appear to be any info about legacy batteries or backward compatibility.
Interestingly, and it seems uniquely amongst the mainstream manufacturers, Pedego have recently introduced a serviceable battery (pictured above) – designed to be easily maintained at the local Pedego store. It features a rear light, brake light and indicators to boot.
Batteries for Out-Dated Motor Systems
There are a number of older motor and battery systems that are either not used or little used these days but there are still some suppliers out there who may be able to help out and if you are in this position a bit of internet research might just turn something up. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
BionX E-Bike Batteries
BionX operated between 1998 and 2018 and were once one of the leading e-bike system manufacturers in North America, with the likes of Trek and Kalkhoff using their systems.
There are still limited stocks of spare parts available here and there, including batteries, for example on this Ohm webpage.
Heinzmann E-Bike Batteries
German company Heinzmann had a great reputation for quality and produced the now obsolete Classic system and the newer Direct Power system. At various times both were available as kits or fitted to off-the-peg e-bikes.
In the UK Electric Vehicle Solutions are the main stockist of complete Direct Power kits and of spare parts for the Classic system.
What About Non-removable Frame Integrated Batteries?
A relatively small number of e-bike batteries are incorporated into the frame and not designed to be removed by the rider – they must be charged on the bike. Whilst perhaps inconvenient for some, the system has the benefit of a sleeker and simpler design and keeps the battery cells well-protected.
The Ebikemotion X35 system is one example of the most common lightweight systems out there to feature a frame-enclosed battery.
When it comes to replacing these batteries, to be clear, our official advice is that this is a job for the dealer, or expert shops to do only.
DIY in this area can get tricky in a hurry. Looking into service options to replace batteries in an integrated system is something to consider before purchasing the bike.
Third-Party Replacement E-Bike Batteries
For some older batteries – or even some current ones – there may be manufacturers other than the so-called OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) who made the original batteries. These third-party companies are not recognized by the original e-bike manufacturers so if possible it is always best to go back to your dealer or the manufacturer directly to source an original battery.
However, third-party batteries may be a solution where no original batteries appear to be available.
There are a growing number of companies that provide third-party batteries and here we take a look at a couple of the bigger operations.
Please note that on e-bikes that are still in their warranty period, replacing the battery with one from a third-party manufacturer will most likely void the warranty.
FTH Power has a good amount of experience in the electronics business and has diagnostics and assembly capabilities. They look to have good stocks of popular far eastern battery brands such as Reention (used by the likes of Juiced and Surface 604) and Hailong. They also have this handy battery/model finder to see if they have batteries for your particular model of e-bike.
Third-party battery provision (and recelling services) appear to be bigger business in mainland northern Europe than in the U.S. It makes sense, this is where e-bikes have been around much longer and where the average value of e-bikes is higher. The need to keep older bikes going longer is greater. For example, Heskon is a major supplier of replacement batteries to dealers and Fiets Accu Revisie is the part of Heskon that sells direct to customers.
The UK’s Electric Transport Shop network offers battery diagnosis (refundable against a replacement battery or recell if required). The ETS says they also have stocks of Battery Management System chips that can be used on certain packs, usually on older e-bikes.
The ETS also says ‘There are so many shapes of e-bike batteries now that we cannot guarantee that we have cell packs to fit them all and it is usually cheaper to buy a factory-built replacement than to hand-build a replacement pack in the UK so we usually recommend buying a battery from the original supplier if the diagnosis proves that’s what is needed. If their supplier is no longer available to supply a replacement pack in this instance we will help people find a suitable replacement or as a last resort we will offer to wire in an alternative pack which may be in a different position on the bike.’
What Should I Do With My Old E-bike Battery?
If at all possible the ideal solution is to take it back to the dealer you bought it from who will send it on for recycling.
In the US the industry is in the midst of setting up its own recycling scheme. It was organized by People for Bikes and will be directly coordinated under the auspices of Call2Recycle. There will be a network of battery drop-off locations from the nation’s roughly 3,000 independent bike shops. Manufacturers and retailers can sign up here.
The batteries will be sent on to ‘processing partners’, four of which are domestic and two of which are foreign—one in South Korea and one in Belgium.
The consortium brands are funding the recycling service, which will be free to riders; of course, consumers will still have to pay for replacement batteries. There are also plans for a consumer-direct mail-in recycling option in the summer – EBR will keep you posted on its development.
There are already such ready-made recycling networks in mainland Europe and the UK is just beginning to establish such a network.
This guide to replacement electric bike batteries hopefully covered the basics of what is out there for you. It’s certainly just the tip of the iceberg though. If there is anything else that wasn’t covered here, let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below and we’ll update this guide with the info our readers are looking for!