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Element Fat Tire Review

robb dorr
By
Robb Dorr,
Co-founder
Images from manufacturer's website

56 mi

RANGE

20 mph

TOP SPEED

4 hrs

CHARGE TIME

60 lbs

WEIGHT

Rear Hub

MOTOR TYPE

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Element Fat Tire Review: Takeaway

The Pedego Element is described as the “Swiss army knife of electric bikes”, and we think this is a fair comparison. With its rugged fat tires and easy-to-mount frame, the e-bike provides unparalleled versatility for its price range. Buyers receive an electric bike that’s not only handy for running errands around the city but also for taking them off-road on weekends to enjoy all that nature has to offer.

This e-bike is perfect for the electric bike beginner who wants a solid all-rounder without the high price tag — and who isn’t afraid to miss out on some more advanced features (like puncture-resistant lining, front and rear lights, fenders, etc.) to maintain this affordability.

Ideal for...

All-terrain versatility
Moderate off-road biking
Urban biking

E-Bike Overview

The Pedego Element’s 6061-T6 aluminum alloy frame is durable, yet lightweight, allowing the e-bike to offer easy maneuverability — especially for smaller riders. The e-bike’s all-aluminum design also means the product is rust-resistant, unlike steel, adding to its wet weather resilience. The addition of a 3-amp charger, as opposed to the standard 2-amp charger of a mid-tier e-bike, also allows for faster charging in just 3-4 hours.

The addition of a USB port in the LCD display unit is also a great touch and something that not all e-bike models include. This means you can charge your phone while on the go, which is particularly beneficial for those who like to use their device’s GPS or listen to music.

Perhaps the most key feature of the Pedego Element is its Kenda black wall 20’’ x 4’’ tires, which are thick enough to offer considerable stability and shock absorption over a variety of terrains.

Reasons to Buy

One of the biggest selling points of this e-bike is its 20” x 4” fat tires, which provide the versatility and traction to ride on basically any terrain — from sandy beaches and muddy trails, to the slick pavement of city streets. This makes it a great all-rounder for more diverse riders.

The model is also highly adaptive to each individual’s needs. Although it’s only available in one size, the frame can be modified to suit both shorter and taller riders. The option of several aftermarket extras allows each buyer to tailor the product even further, while the model’s availability in six distinct colors also enables greater customization.

Despite its more affordable price tag of $1,995, this e-bike is anything but flimsy. It features high-quality components like disc brakes, seven gears, a sturdy kickstand, heavy-duty spokes, and a removable battery that’s beautifully integrated into the frame.

Things to Consider

While the Pedego Element contains a lot of quality features, it is somewhat lacking in the safety department. Buyers can add a front light, however, there are no options for rear lights or reflective stripes.

Although the tires are made by the trusted brand Kenda, they don’t contain a puncture-resistant liner. This means there’s a higher chance of suffering a flat tire if you often take the e-bike off-road or have low tire pressure.

Specs & Components

Colors
Black, blue, green, orange, red, white
Motor
48V brushless geared rear hub motor; 500-watt nominal power rating; 45NM torque
Battery
48V 10AH with LG 21700 LI-ION cells
Battery weight
6.4 lbs
Upgraded Battery
48V 14AH with LG 18650 LI-ION cells
Upgraded Battery Weight
7.6 lbs
Charger
Pedego Fanless 48V 2.0A Smart Charger (standard) or 48V 4.0A Supercharger available aftermarket
Controller
48V 18 AMP sine wave controller w/ custom PedalSense® software and waterproof connections
Frame
20” fat tire 6061-T6 aluminum alloy with fully-integrated downtube battery mount and semi-internal cable routing
Load capacity
250 lbs
Tires
Kenda black wall 20” x 4.0”; single rubber compound; wire bead; 30 PSI max; 20”X 4.0” inner tube, Schrader valve
Pedals
Wellgo composite platform pedal; 9/16” spindle; integrated pedal reflectors
Brakes
Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc brakes
Display
LCD display with USB charger
Accessories/Extras
Black aluminum alloy rear kickstand, black left hand mini aluminum bell, and custom Pedego tool kit. Headlight, fender set, and rear pack available aftermarket.

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know.

Ratings

Power
3/5
3

The Pedego Element Fat Tires’ 500W rear-hub motor offers a relatively small 45 Newton meters of torque. That is very inefficient as electric bike motors go, as it uses a lot of energy to deliver relatively little turning in the wheels. The fat tires also reduce the power thanks to the friction of the wheels with the road. The grippiness of the tires will slow you down. For rough/unpaved terrain, this isn’t a bad thing, but the lack of power won’t help on a muddy climb.

 

Range
3.5/5
3.5

Even with the big beast, 672Wh battery option, this can do just 28-56 miles per charge. The lower estimate is for throttle-only riding, which is more battery-hungry. With pedal assist, this bike can go double the range, but even so, isn’t competitive with electric bikes that have mid-drive motors.

Several other factors will impact range, such as rider weight, terrain, speed, and the choice of battery for this purchase. As such, a larger rider riding quickly on hilly terrain will get far lower range than the smaller rider doing slower speeds on flatter terrain. But given the intended use of this bike — a fun ride that you may take down the beach or blast around a track on — range isn’t a huge issue compared to a more utility-focused bike.

 

Comfort
3.5/5
3.5

With the rider in an upright, city-bike position, the Pedego Element Fat Tire is a comfortable ride for shorter distances. It has many of the proportions of a BMX but is made for kids, with smaller, 20” wheels and no suspension in the forks. As such, this is not an electric bike you would choose for longer trekking rides. Instead, it’s best to ride for fun off-road and for shorter journeys not far from your home. Its sporty, MTB-style saddle also takes away from the comfort — but adds to the fun.

 

Durability
4/5
4

Pedego offers a five-year warranty on the main components of its electric bikes. Still, all electric bikes need regular servicing. The chain will probably need replacing every 700 miles or so, and the cassette every 1,000 miles or so. Mechanical disc brake cables will need monitoring for stretch, too. Keep this e-bike in good condition, and it’ll serve you for thousands of miles.

 

Style
3.5/5
3.5

With 20” wheels and fat tires, this is a BMX-like machine that could be considered cute. The color scheme is muted and offers a fair amount of style as far as American-made e-bikes go. If anything is an issue, it’s the squareness of the tubes that could shout durability to the rider — or make it look a bit toy-like.

 

Our Research Methodology

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

About Our Editorial Team

robb dorr
Written by Robb Dorr
Co-founder
Robb is a massive cycling enthusiast who has more than 20 years of non-motorized cycling experience. He started eBikes.org to lower the barrier of entry to cycling and reduce the intimidation people can experience when getting into the cycling world.

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