Jeep Fat Tire eBike. For Rugged Off-Road Adventures

Jeep e-Bike – The Real Deal!

In 2020, Jeep entered the world of xtreme fat tire electric bikes with their first off-road electric bike.

Jeep, the worlds most recognized name in off-road vehicles, partnered with QuietKat, the leaders in off-road eBikes, to give American electric bike industry a shot in the arm.

The fact that Jeep has an interest in off-road electric bikes signals many good things for the e-bike industry. The Jeep e-bike sheds light on their view of the future of the electric vehicle market in America.

Why Are Jeep eBikes Different?

Fat tire electric bikes are fast becoming the most popular off-road vehicles in America and Jeep is a flagship brand. But why are Jeep electric bikes different? I analyse the advantages of the Jeep e-bike and the advantages of owning one.

1. Less depreciation – Jeep is an iconic brand promoting a top of the range fat tire electric bike. Jeeps reputation for rugged off-road vehicles will ensure that Jeep e-bikes will have a stronger resale price than competitor brands.

2.  Safety – The large tires on these bikes provide greater traction in slippery conditions such as wet grass, snow and mud. In addition, the 4 piston hydraulic brakes, front and rear, can pull the e-bike up quickly.

3.  Towing – The amount of weight a camper, or hunter, can carry on an e-bike is very limited. The Jeep e-bike has a powerful 1,000 Watt motor. The motor can be de-restricted with a peak output of 1500W. That is very respectable power for an e-bike and the EV can easily tow a trailer.

4.  Speed – The powerful  motors get the rider to trail-heads quickly.

5.  Travel range – Ride management software and 14.5AH/48V Panasonic battery provide riders with extensive travel distances for hours of off-road. The standard battery provides up to 58 miles of range from a single charge with pedal assisted riding. You can extend the range further with optional battery and solar panel accessories.

6.  Gearing – The Jeep e-bike uses a mid mount motor to improve balance and handling. Locating the motor between the pedals also leaves the rear wheel uncluttered. This allows a 9 speed gear cluster to be fitted to the Jeep electric bike. The large cluster is important for anyone who wants to extend their range of travel, or that typically exhaust their battery, before returning to base.

How fast is the Jeep e-bike?

Are Jeep electric bikes class 1, 2 or 3 ?

With a simple modification, the Jeep electric bike can meet all three classifications for e-bikes. There are however variations in electric bike classifications in each state.  

The fat tire hunting e-bike is shipped as a Class 2 electric bike although it can meet class 1 restrictions (the most restrictive legislation) simply by removing the thumb shift throttle.

Removing the throttle means that the e-bike has to be pedaled to engage the motor. The bikes speed is then limited as the rider has to pedal fast to achieve over 20 MPH.  This restriction is often sufficient to comply with Class 1 legislation although you should always verify with laws in your state to check.

Are Jeep bikes good?

I recently tested a Jeep electric bike and wow! If I had known how much fun it would be, I’d have jumped on a Jeep a lot sooner. After just a few adventures on the e-bike, I have grew addicted to the ride. I rediscovered the great outdoors, in relative comfort.

Jeep bikes are the absolute best fat tire e-bike that you can buy. No expense is spared to provide the perfect balance between powerful, mid-mount electric motor, and high-capacity, long distance battery.

The Combination of long travel full suspension, and tractable fat tires, the Jeep can overcome extreme trails, fresh snow, and soft terrain.

The Jeep doesn’t take up much room in the garage either. I can use the bike most days for short trips to the shops as it is ready to ride any time.  The battery and electric motor take the strain out of any journey and it is easy to park when I get into town. 

I took the Jeep for long trips over several weekends, and found it better, more pleasurable way of enjoying life while reaching my health goals. I didn’t feel the need to go to the Gym while I had the bike. It’s a more natural, and enjoyable exercise, rather than concentrating all my efforts into a few intense fitness class workouts. 

Weighing in at 70 lbs (32Kg), I could lift the e-bike onto the back of my SUV to get me to a trail. The powerful 1,000W motor got me me deep into the wilderness quickly.

If the weather is pleasant, I’ll ride all day. To conserve the battery, you can program the Jeep to allow you to pedal more. The power management program then provides less help from the electric motor which enables you to spread the battery charge over the day. This way I combine a little exercise with a full day of fun.

Benefits of Hunting on an off-road electric bike

If you have hunted Deer on an electric hunting bike, you will understand how close to nature you get. In summer, most hunters leave before sunrise so that they can hunt for an hour or two before the heat of the day sets in. 

By leaving before sunrise you have the entire day to hunt, but few off-road electric bikes have the range of the Jeep electric bike. With the Jeep e-bike, it is easy to hunt the complete day.  

You can cover more ground and take a break when you need to. You don’t have to worry about the battery dying, losing power and getting stranded.

How much is a Jeep electric bike?

The Jeep e-bike is at the top of the range so it isn’t cheap. It is, however, well priced for the specification, and a brand name of this calibre. With a recommended retail price starting from $6,499 for this amazing electric hunting bike , there are many, less capable, fat tire e-bikes that cost more.

With most new vehicles, I would expect to have some room for negotiation after a couple of years. Unfortunately, significant discounts are hard to find for this premium hunting eBike. It is possible to find online resellers offering the bike for just under $6,000.

Why is the Jeep electric fat tire bike so significant?

There are already many quality American brand names selling electric bikes, so why is the Jeep e-bike significant?

There are several reputable names in the American e-bike arena: Pedego, QuietKat, and Rambo amongst the largest.  Until now, all American producers have been relatively small companies with little ability to influence legislation. Major overseas corporates enterprises such as Yamaha, BMW, and Bosch have been shaping US legislation to favor their products. 

The big deal here is that Jeep, being a major US vehicle manufacturer, has a significant voice with which they can lobby Senate.

Jeep brings more power to e-bike industry

For the first time, a major US vehicle manufacturer is marketing extreme, fat tire, off-road electric bikes. Jeep e-bikes focus on the American market, and are therefore more appealing to the American public. Their bikes offer throttle control and more engine power than European centric bikes that have been flooding the US market.

Large overseas enterprise have successfully pushed many states to adopt European e-bike legislation. There has, therefore, been a significant loss of consumer options as states across the country adopt European style e-bike restrictions.

European centric e-bike manufacturers can sell their e-bikes in the US while local manufacturers have to re-design, re-tool, and adapt, to meet the changing legislation. Models that were manufactured for US customers only a few years ago are no longer permitted in many states.

With Jeep promoting an American centric e-bike, there is hope that consumers will retain some freedom of choice.

Conclusion

If you’re hunting big game, then you probably understand how difficult it can be to find your target. In most instances you have to drive off-road for hours to locate it, which can be both time consuming and exhausting. The Jeep electric bike provides a fast and effective way to search for wildlife. 

Jeep electric bicycles are fast, quiet, but still light enough to be loaded into a pickup truck or onto an SUV.

The Jeep electric bike is certainly the cream of the crop if you are looking at off-road e bike capabilities. The fat tires, full suspension, powerful engine, hydraulic brakes, and battery, allow the Jeep e-bike to tackle the most extreme off-road terrain.

The biggest difference that Jeep bring to the e-bike industry is their ability to influence US legislation. Their entry into the market will, hopefully, stop further restrictive legislation eroding the usefulness of electric bikes.