EBR’s BikTrix Juggernaut FS First Look Review:
The BikTrix Juggernaut is a sophisticated all-terrain e-bike. Whether someone chooses the fat-tire version or the mountain bike version, they’ll be heading into the countryside on one of the most powerful e-bikes we’ve seen. It will climb anything that can be called a road and maintain convincing control throughout.
How would someone choose between the fat-tire and the mountain bike version? It’s not a straightforward choice, that’s for sure. Anyone who is likely to encounter snow or sand will be better served by the big tires. But riders who will be riding terrain with lots of twists and turns, or plentiful mud would do well to pick the mountain bike edition.
There are always some features in any e-bike we review that give us pause. We can’t always see a way to improve them, but we take note, either way. With the BikTrix Juggernaut FS we have two concerns. Our top concern is for the safety of the rider and that of other riders or pedestrians should someone choose to ride this e-bike on a bike path or on trails in a park. This e-bike will reach speeds that could alarm anyone nearby, and perhaps even the rider.
Our other concern is just how frequently its owners will need to replace its drivetrain components. Its combination of power (1200W) and torque (220Nm) mean that it will wear out the chain, cassette and chainring faster than almost any other e-bike we’ve seen. Often, a rider can avoid replacing the cassette and chainring if they replace the chain frequently enough. The chain tends to cost 20 percent (or less) of what a cassette costs. But replacing the chain often enough to avoid cassette and chainring replacement may not be possible with such a powerful e-bike. Buyers of the Juggernaut FS will need to be prepared to develop a good relationship with a neighborhood bike or e-bike shop in order to keep it in good working order.
Based on our experience, the more technical the terrain someone wants to explore, the more sophisticated the e-bike needs to be. When we compare the BikTrix Juggernaut FS to the typical all-terrain e-bike that we review in the $1500-$2000 range, there is no doubt that this e-bike is more capable in every way.
For the shopper who is trying to decide between the mountain bike version of the Juggernaut FS and an eMTB, the difference comes down to whether someone wants a Class 1 e-bike that can be legally ridden in many parks and forests, or if someone wants to be able to use a throttle on occasion or wants to be able to go faster than 20 mph.
At nearly $4000, this BikTrix Juggernaut FS represents a significant investment. But thanks to its full-suspension frameset, 1200W mid-drive motor, 1300Wh battery, 11-speed drivetrain and 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, its cost is justified. We’ll even go so far as to say that given all the quality packed into this e-bike, its cost-to-value score is very high.
With the BikTrix Juggernaut FS, riders will be able to explore places that would be a challenge to reach by any other means.
