Electric bikes (ebikes) are becoming more and more popular these days as people look for greener transportation options. One of the newest models on the market is the Be Cool EBikes Adventurer, an exciting new dual suspension ebike.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Adventurer to see if it lives up to the hype and is worth the $1700 price tag.
Contents
Overview and First Impressions
The Be Cool EBikes Adventurer is a fat tire electric bike with a distinctive military-style green color scheme. At first glance, the Adventurer looks like it means business with its rugged 4-inch knobby tires and dual suspension design. This ebike looks ready to handle some serious off-road terrain.
Some of the highlights of the Adventurer include:
- 750W rear hub motor
- 48V 10.4Ah removable lithium battery (approx. 500Wh)
- Up to 45 mile range (tested at 32 miles throttle-only)
- 7 speed Shimano gearing
- Tektro mechanical disc brakes
- 4” CST fat tires
- Adjustable front suspension fork (100mm travel)
- Steel rear coil spring shock (80mm travel)
- Comfortable oversized seat
- LED headlight and taillight + turn signals
- Bell horn
- Rear rack for cargo
After unboxing the Adventurer, it was immediately apparent that this is a very beefy and high-quality ebike. At 78 lbs, this thing is an absolute tank! But the sturdy construction inspires confidence that it can handle tough terrain and the elements while providing a comfortable ride.
Assembly was fairly straightforward – the hardest part was wrestling the heavy bike in and out of the box. All the major components came pre-installed including the motor, battery, suspension, drivetrain, and brakes. I only had to install the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and seat myself using the included tools. It probably took around 30-45 minutes to get it fully assembled.
The build quality seems excellent with beefy welds at the joints and thick tubing used for the frame. All the cables are protected internally for a clean look. The finish is a matte military green color which I think looks fantastic. Overall, the Adventurer makes an awesome first impression as a go-anywhere trail bruiser.
Features and Specs
Let’s take a closer look at some of the components and features that make up the Adventurer ebike:
Motor
The Adventurer is equipped with a 750W rear geared hub motor. This kind of motor is great for putting out high torque at low speeds – perfect for off-road riding. The motor seemed very responsive with the throttle and provided plenty of acceleration up to 20mph in PAS levels 4 & 5. I wasn’t able to quite hit the advertised 750W max, topping out around 730W during hard acceleration. Still, there’s ample power on tap.
Battery
The battery is a 48V 10.4Ah lithium-ion pack made by LG. It has Samsung 35E cells inside which are some of the best you can get. The battery can be removed for charging by turning the key and sliding it out. I like this feature since you can take the battery inside to charge it instead of having to wheel the whole bike inside.
Charging the battery takes around 5 hours from empty to full. The estimated range is 45 miles in optimal conditions, but I was able to ride just over 30 miles using pure throttle only over mixed flat and hilly terrain. Considering the bike’s heavy weight, this is an impressive distance that reflects the large 500Wh capacity of the battery.
Gearing
The Adventurer uses a 7 speed Shimano Tourney rear derailleur paired with a thumb shifter. There’s a good range of gears for tackling hills and accelerating from a stop. I found the shifts to be smooth and consistent overall. The drivetrain seemed well-adjusted out of the box with no chain drop issues.
Brakes
Tektro mechanical disc brakes handle the stopping duties. These are budget brakes but they work surprisingly well, even for the bike’s 300 lb+ loaded weight. The 180mm rotors provide plenty of leverage for controlled stops. The brake levers have motor cutoffs as a safety feature.
Suspension
A key feature of the Adventurer is its dual suspension design with a front fork and rear coil spring shock. The front fork has preload adjustment but no rebound control. It’s okay for absorbing bumps, but the cheaper coil fork tended to bottom out when hitting rocks and roots. The rear coil shock is more robust with rebound adjustment and provides a smooth ride.
Additional Features
Some other nice details on the Adventurer include integrated LED lighting, a bell, cargo rack, kickstand, resilient wellgo pedals, and a comfortable oversized seat. The LED headlight and taillight with integrated turn signals make the bike much safer for road and trail riding at night. And the rear rack allows you to strap on cargo like panniers.
Riding Experience and Performance
After going over the Adventurer’s features, it was time to hit the trails to test out how it actually rides. I spent several weeks evaluating it on everything from flat pavement to rooty singletrack. Here are my thoughts on how it performed:
On Pavement
On paved surfaces like bike paths, the Adventurer rides fantastically well. Those big 4″ tires really smooth out any cracks or imperfections you may encounter. The dual suspension also helps soak up bumps for a super plush ride quality. This would make an awesome ebike for cruising along shorelines or through the city.
The 750W motor provides tons of torque to accelerate and climb hills with ease. A half-twist of the throttle sends you surging forward. 20mph comes up quickly in the higher power assist levels. Handling is stable and secure at speed thanks to the long wheelbase. For a 78 lb ebike, it handles very well.
On Dirt/Gravel
Transitioning to dirt roads and gravel trails, the Adventurer continues to impress with its capabilities. The fat knobby tires provide loads of traction for carving corners and braking. I had full confidence railing berms and powering up loose climbs where my feet would normally slip on a regular MTB.
The beefy frame and suspension absorb impacts well when plowing through ruts and over rocks. The geometry keeps the bike planted and inspires confidence blasting down rough trails. The motor torque lets you surge ahead or climb obnoxiously steep pitches that would stall out a normal bike.
On Singletrack
Venturing onto tight singletrack trails is where the Adventurer’s extra weight begins to become a factor. It’s certainly capable, but requires more body english to whip around trees and negotiate tight switchbacks. The heftier frame does limit its nimbleness compared to a lighter eMTB.
Pedaling is noticeably more labored in situations where you can’t fully utilize the electric assist, like slow technical climbs. The front suspension fork tends to bottom out when hitting larger bumps at speed as well. So the handling gets a bit squirrelly at times when pushed aggressively.
That said, the Adventurer is loads of fun on flowy singletrack where you can let the motor pull you through berms and over obstacles. The dual suspension keeps you comfy and the 4″ tires provide stability at speed. Just don’t expect it to handle like a lightweight trail bike on more technical trails.
On Off-Road Obstacles
When it comes to blasting over rocks, roots, logs and other obstacles, the Adventurer dominates thanks to its powerful motor and beefy suspension. The low-end torque lets you crawl right up and over larger impediments that would stop other bikes in their tracks.
The full suspension smooths out harsh impacts well, although the cheaper front fork does bottom out on bigger hits. The Adventurer might not have the finesse of a high-end mtb, but it has the brute force to tackle seriously chunky terrain and keep on trucking.
Range Testing
To test Be Cool’s range estimate of 45 miles, I did a full throttle run on rolling terrain with some hills mixed in. I’m around 200lbs and was riding in PAS 0 with max assist the whole time, only using the throttle with no pedaling.
Given these conditions, I managed to travel just over 32 miles before the battery reached zero. There was a ~1400ft cumulative elevation gain according to Strava, so not truly flat ground.
Considering I was maxing out a 750W motor on a heavy bike the whole ride, I find the 32 mile range impressive. It proves the 48V 10.4 battery can deliver some substantial distance even under heavy load.
Comfort
One of the Adventurer’s strongest attributes is its comfort. The front suspension, rear coil shock, and large cushioned seat work together to produce a plush ride quality. Vibrations and impacts are damped out effectively to avoid that bone-rattling feeling you get on cheaper bikes.
The oversized seat is also very comfy and supportive, even on longer rides. The riding position feels natural and roomy as well thanks to the high handlebars and centered cockpit. Overall, it’s one of the most comfortable ebikes I’ve tested.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the things I liked and didn’t like about the Adventurer after testing:
Pros
- Super plush and comfortable ride
- Powerful 750W geared hub motor
- Excellent quality LG battery with long range
- Beefy, durable construction quality
- Adjustable dual suspension smoothes out bumps
- Secure handling from 4″ fat tires
- Good value at $1700
Cons
- Very heavy and bulky frame
- Cheaper front fork tends to bottom out
- Noticeably slower handling on twisty singletrack
- Hub motor not optimized for technical climbing
Who Is the Adventurer For?
The Adventurer is a great option for:
- Riders looking for a dual suspension ebike under $2000
- Commuters wanting a smooth and comfortable ride
- People needing the ability to add cargo like panniers
- Off-road and trail riding enthusiasts
- Those who value comfort and plush suspension
- Anyone seeking an ultra durable and rugged ebike
It would NOT be ideal for:
- Buyers wanting a lightweight and nimble trail bike
- Climbers looking to conquer technical uphill trails
- Anyone on a tight budget
- Folks needing quick/lively handling for city riding
So in summary, the ideal rider for the Be Cool EBikes Adventurer is someone looking for a comfortable and capable dual suspension electric bike at an affordable price point. It excels at providing cushioned trail rides but is less ideal for technical climbing and agile handling.
Price Comparison
The Adventurer has an MSRP of $1699, which puts it at an attractive price point for a full-suspension electric mountain bike. Here’s how it stacks up against the competition:
$1699 – Be Cool EBikes Adventurer
- 750W rear hub motor
- 48V 10.4Ah (500Wh) battery
- 7 speed Shimano drivetrain
- 80mm travel dual suspension
- Mechanical tektro brakes
$1999 – Cyrusher XF800
- 750W rear hub motor
- 48V 13Ah (624Wh) battery
- 7 speed Shimano drivetrain
- 100mm travel front suspension
- Hydraulic tektro brakes
$2999 – Juiced CrossCurrent X
- 750W rear hub motor
- 52V 14Ah (728Wh) battery
- 9 speed Shimano drivetrain
- Lockout front suspension
- Tektro hydraulic brakes
$3699 – Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
- Custom 250W Brose motor
- 700Wh integrated battery
- SRAM 12 speed Eagle drivetrain
- 150mm travel RockShox suspension
- 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes
As you can see, the Adventurer sits at an attractive price point between cheaper front suspension ebikes and pricier high-end options. Considering all the features and performance you get, it’s a great value for a dual suspension ebike under $2000.
Accessories and Upgrades
One of the benefits of the Adventurer is that it comes fairly well equipped with nice touches like integrated lighting and a rear rack. But there are still some worthwhile accessories you may want to upgrade or add on:
- Fenders – keep yourself dry and clean in wet conditions
- Panniers – add cargo capacity to the rear rack
- Phone mount – attach your phone to the bars for navigation
- Trunk bag – use a bag for hauling gear
- Suspension seatpost – extra cushion from a dropper post
- Pedals – better quality pedals for grip/power transfer
- Helmet – protect your head while riding off-road
- Mirror – improves visibility on roads
If you want to upgrade any components down the line, here are some ideas:
- Brakes – more power with hydraulic disc brakes
- Fork – higher end air fork for better bump compliance
- Drivetrain – 1×10 or 1×12 gearing improves range
- Dropper seatpost – improve maneuverability on trails
- Tires –
So while the Adventurer comes well equipped, you may want to budget some extra cash for accessories and potential upgrades to tailor the bike to your riding style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Be Cool EBikes Adventurer:
Q: What’s the difference between the Adventurer and a normal ebike?
A: The key differences are the dual suspension design, fat tires, and more robust motor and battery. This allows the Adventurer to tackle rougher terrain in more comfort.
Q: What kind of warranty does it come with?
A: Be Cool EBikes offers a 1 year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Normal wear items are excluded.
Q: Can you pedal the Adventurer normally without power?
A: Yes, you can pedal it like a regular bike by changing the assist mode to zero. But pedaling will be more difficult due to the heavy weight.
Q: What is the weight limit for riders?
A: Be Cool states a 265 lb weight limit for the Adventurer. The heavy duty frame and components can handle heavier loads.
Q: How long does the battery take to recharge?
A: A full recharge takes around 5 hours using the included 2A charger. Faster 3A chargers are available to cut charge times.
Q: Can you remove the battery to take it inside for charging?
A: Yes, the battery can be unlocked with a key and slid out for carrying. This makes charging more convenient.
I hope these answers help explain some of the Adventurer’s key features and capabilities. Reach out with any other questions!
Conclusion: A Capable & Comfortable Trail Machine
After extensive testing, I think the Be Cool EBikes Adventurer lives up to its goals of being an affordable high-performance electric mountain bike. The combination of a potent 750W motor, adjustable air front fork, and beefy dual suspension makes it a trail crushing machine. It soaks up bumps and plows over obstacles that would stop most bikes in their tracks.
While it’s certainly heavy and lacks finesse at times, it still handles better than you’d expect. The secure geometry and fat tires keep it stable at speed and give you confidence pointing it downhill. The plush ride quality keeps you comfortable logging miles on dirt or pavement.
Considering the quality parts, rugged construction, and reasonable $1700 price tag, the Adventurer is tough to beat. If you want a comfortable, capable electric bike for trail riding at a budget price, it delivers great value. Riders looking for lightweight handling may want a more expensive eMTB. But overall, the Adventurer hits the mark for an affordable adventure bike ready to bring the fun.
