iGO Outland Torngat RS Review, 2023

Before setting out on a ride, it’s best to know what kind of range your e-bike will give you – trust me, nobody likes pedaling a fat tire electric bike without power! To determine the Outland Torngat RS’ real-world battery life, we performed a Range Test in its highest and lowest PAS settings (Eco and Boost modes) and compared our results with iGO’s advertisements.

When riding in Eco mode and using the least amount of battery power, our test rider Brenden traveled an impressive 82.9 miles over the course of 7 hours and 10 minutes. In Boost mode, which provided the maximum amount of pedal assistance, Brenden achieved a result of 37.3 miles in a time of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Compared to similar e-bikes we’ve tested, the Torngat’s 82+ mile range was great – which we did not necessarily expect based on the bike’s weight.

It’s important to note that our test course was a network of paved bike paths – so riders strictly taking the Torngat off-road may experience different results. With that in mind, the 1661 feet of elevation gain we encountered should help to make our results more balanced and accurate.

Based on its motor and battery specs, we anticipated that the low end of our results (in Boost mode) would end up closer to 29 miles over 1 hour and 26 minutes, but our real-world results showed a 29.5% increase in distance and a 54.9% increase in time.

The bike’s 48V, 15Ah/720Wh battery certainly helped the Torngat reach the impressive distances we measured, but its torque sensor also contributed to its efficiency. This allowed the motor to economize battery supply and use less power when riding on flatter areas of our local paths, while reserving the maximum amount of power only when pedaling uphill.

In the throttle-only test, test rider Justin topped the hill in 1:29, with an average speed of 12.2 mph. This result is one of the fastest throttle-only results we have measured from a 500W mid-drive motor, meaning that the Torngat not only conquered the infamous Hell Hole Trail, but it did so in style!

E-bikes with mid-drive motors and throttles are less common in the wild, but they have distinct advantages over bikes with hub-motors: they can take advantage of the gearing. We liked having the ability to move to lower gears when climbing hills or accelerating from a stop; this reduced the strain on the motor as well as the load on the drivetrain. We noticed that the pedals wanted to spin along with the chainring when using the throttle, but applying a small bit of pressure to the pedals kept them stationary.

On the second part of our Hill Test using Boost mode, Justin reached the top of Hell Hole Trail at a slower time of 1:42, with an average speed of 10.6 mph. Comparatively speaking, this is relatively slow even among the other Outland e-bikes from iGO; this is likely a result of the bike’s increased weight and the rolling resistance of its tires. Despite this, the motor was still able to kick out the power we needed to reach the top.

When riding on singletrack and doubletrack, the bike climbed even steep hills of loose dirt effectively. Airing down the tires gave us added grip, and the Torngat’s 34T chainring reduced the effort required to pedal uphill.

Whether using the bike as a strict off-roader or taking it on the streets, the bike proved that it has the sheer power needed to handle difficult terrain and steep slopes.

We used the process above to evaluate the Torngat RS’ Tektro E350 hydraulic brake system, which uses 2-piston calipers on 180mm front and rear rotors. The bike’s average stopping distance across all three tests was 23’-1”, which is within the range we consider safe and effective.

Compared to similar eMTBs, fat bikes, and all-terrain e-bikes, the Torngat’s result is less than a foot beyond the average for those categories. Averages are always in flux as we test more e-bikes, but at time of writing, this combination of categories has an average stopping distance of 22’-5”.

This difference is small, but considering the Torngat’s higher price tag, we’d like to see iGO upgrade to larger 203mm rotors and swap out the dual-piston calipers for a 4-piston caliper system. We were generally satisfied with the performance of the E350 system both on- and off-road, but we think it’s likely that its parts will wear out sooner. A system with larger rotors and upgraded calipers would provide better overall performance and longevity when riding in harsh conditions.

When comparing the Torngat’s geometry to similar e-bikes from popular brands, it appears as though iGO was aiming for a medium-to-large frame. Most of our testers are in the neighborhood of 6’ in height, so we found the bike to be comfortable and suitably designed for trail riding. However, to give a more precise fit to taller and shorter riders, we suggest that iGO expand the Torngat’s number of frame sizes from one to a minimum of three.

We liked seeing the RST Renegade 26 air fork because it’s a noticeable step up from the spring forks on the Outland Sawback and Cabot models. Using compressed air compression and rebound, this fork enabled us to dial in more precise damping that met the specific suspension needs on our rides. Besides eliminating the worry of bottoming out the fork on a drop-off, the air fork was also better at adjusting to the variety of terrain we tested the bike on – including loose rocks, hardpack, mud and soft sand.

The Torngat’s defining Maxxis Minion fat tires also helped to absorb some of the big bumps we encountered on our rocky desert trails. The tires’ enormous width made the bike feel incredibly stable, and provided great traction on loose terrain with their huge, chunky tread. The Minion M346 model on the front has a tread pattern with narrow center knobbies, making the tire better for steering and meeting initial bumps. The rear uses the M347, which has wide knobs in the center, making it more efficient for distributing motor power to the back wheel.

The points of critique that we have are few, and they apply to nearly all of the iGO bikes we’ve tested; we think the Torngat RS could be improved in sizing and brake performance. We suggest that the brand expand their sizing options to offer more tailored frames for riders of varying heights. And while the current brake system performed relatively well, we think the Torngat’s price point justifies a 4-piston system for better performance and longevity.

The bike includes some other entry-level components (like its Shimano Alivio drivetrain) that we think riders will likely upgrade as parts wear out, but with a foundation of name-brand components including the supple RST Renegade suspension, it’s functional and well-equipped right out of the box.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the iGO Outland Torngat RS.