We performed two separate Range Tests with the Ranger to evaluate the life of its 48V, 768 watt-hour (Wh) battery and the efficiency of its 1,000W rear-hub motor. We pedaled the bike in its Class 2 riding mode along our local network of bike paths, while using Strava to track our progress.
By testing the bike in Eco Mode and Boost Mode, we established a real-world bracket of values; we measured results of 27.6 and 30.2 miles using the bike’s highest and lowest assist settings respectively.
When compared to similar all-terrain e-bikes we have tested, the Ranger’s results were relatively unusual, though there are clear explanations for these differences.
First, it is uncommon for the high- and low-end values to be so close, but considering the results of our Speed Test – where there was little discernible difference in speeds on paved surfaces – this tracks. With nearly identical motor output in Eco and Boost Modes, we should expect the values to be similar.
Second, while the Ranger’s range may seem average-to-low in comparison to similar e-bikes, we must consider its battery capacity and its type of motor.
Most of the all-terrain bikes we have tested have been host to mid-drive motors, which are naturally more efficient than rear-hubs due to their reliance on input from the rider. The Ranger uses both a torque and a cadence sensor to inform motor output, but in our testing, seemed to rely more on the less-efficient cadence sensor.
The bike’s shorter range also corresponds to a difference in battery capacity. With one exception, the Ranger’s 768 Wh battery was smaller than average among the all-terrain e-bikes we’ve tested, meaning that its “gas tank” ran dry earlier than those of its competitors.
Regardless, the Ranger turned out to be more efficient than we expected based on its motor and battery specs; this is likely a result of its torque sensor. We anticipated that our Boost Mode test would last only 61 minutes with a distance of roughly 21 miles. Our final results showed a 55% increase in time and a 31% increase in distance.
We found the bike’s range to be practical in our testing, though we also did not use the bike to haul cargo (or game). Those who plan to cover a longer round trip or carry a significant payload may want to consider adding QuietKat’s optional solar charging station that allows for refueling literally anywhere the sun shines.
