Michael Thompson
The FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike has started to become very popular. With its 750W motor, and a collection of features normally reserved for e-bikes many times the price, a lot of people have taken note.
We did too. While FREEDARE is rarely a company that appears on our radar, we know that they can produce quality bikes to a budget.
But, what about the Saiga? Is it worth the cash, or would your money be better spent elsewhere?
We’ll look in this FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike review.
FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike Specifications
Let’s start by having a look at the specifications of the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike. We’ll talk about these features in a bit more depth in the next section, but we know that many of our readers love to compare the specs of the bikes to see which one is the best choice for them.
- Motor: 750W BAFANG Geared Hub Motor
- Battery: 20Ah Samsung
- Range: 90 Miles (In Ideal Conditions)
- Maximum Speed: 28MPH
- Tires: Kenda 26”x4.0” Fat Tires
- Thumb Throttle Control
- SHIMANO 7-Speed Gear Shift
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Front Suspension
- TFT Color Screen Display
- App Connectivity
Who Is the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike For?
As with most e-bikes, the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike is perfect for commuting to work. It is for those that want to get to work quickly, while not needing to worry about driving or taking public transport.
With a top speed of 28MPH and a maximum range of 90 miles (more on that soon), a single charge of the battery should get you to and from work, with no problem.
If you want to have a few adventures off-road too, then the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike will be perfect for that. Well, close to perfect.
It has a decent suspension on it, and the tires are thick enough to give a bit of grip when off-roading. Yes, there are better off-road e-bikes out there, and if you are purely off-roading, then it may be best to pick up one of those.
FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike Features & Performance
Let’s go through some of the things that you can expect from your FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike.
Performance
On a performance level, the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike isn’t a bad e-bike by any stretch of the imagination. Sure, it won’t quite boast the same performance that a bike many times the price offers, but you’re probably expecting that anyway.
At the heart of the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike, you have a 750W BAFANG geared motor. This motor is more than capable of moving the bike smoothly, even up hill. It may struggle with some of the steeper gradient hills if you’re in full electric mode but, even then, it should get up most hills with ease. Hop on the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike, and you’ll have a smooth ride wherever you want to go, especially on paved surfaces.
When you head off-road, the bike may chug a little bit. It is easier to go on paved surfaces than rocky off-road, after all. However, even then, it works. The bike is comfortable, and the front suspension should round out any bumps in the road. It should have no issues doing a few hops over hills but, like all e-bikes, it is on the heavier side so don’t expect to get much in the way of airtime.
The speed on the Saiga is high. In ideal conditions, you can hit 28MPH, although most people will probably cap out at the 20MPH mark, especially in hillier areas. This is fine. Most e-bikes are about that level, and you should have no issues since you’ll probably be starting and stopping the bike on your morning commute a lot anyway. Let’s be honest, most of us don’t really live in areas where 28MPH on an e-bike is a reality anyway.
So, all in all, for a budget e-bike, the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike is a solid performer. It is better for on-road cycling than it is for off-roading, but even off-roaders will get some value from it. Although, we wouldn’t really recommend it as an all-off-road bike as there are better options out there.
Battery & Range
The Saiga offers a 20Ah battery. The quoted maximum range is 90 miles, but we seriously doubt most people would get close to this. You’d need to be on the lowest pedal assist setting, quite lightweight, and in a flat area with no obstacles. 90 miles is a generous overestimate.
We reckon most people will probably get 40-45 miles range if they are on full electric in ideal conditions. You may bump this up to 70-80 if you are on pedal assist.
The range isn’t massive, but it is serviceable for an e-bike and, as we said, since this is designed for commuting, you probably don’t need a massive range anyway.
What we do want to point out is that charging the battery can be a bit tricky. It takes a bit of effort to disconnect. Far more difficult than other e-bikes but, at the most, you’ll only be taking a few minutes each time to do it.
Ease of Control
Controlling the bike is easy. You have a throttle control where you can switch between full electric and pedal assist. It takes just a quick turn and you’re ready to go.
Slowing down is a breeze too, even if you are traveling at a very high speed. This is all thanks to the electric brakes that should slow you down safely, but quickly.
If you are not used to riding an e-bike, then you may struggle a little bit with the weight at the start, but you’ll very quickly get used to it.
Comfort
Comfort levels are also high. We already mentioned the front suspension, which should level out even the bumpiest roads. Well, at least bumpy paved roads, you may not feel it quite so much if you’re off-roading.
The seat is your typical bike seat, and for longer rides, you may need to get some sort of padding. It is fine for a commute, just not the comfortable padded seats that some e-bikes have nowadays.
You’ll be seated in an upright position on this bike. Comfortable, but not the best for aerodynamics. But, if you’re riding an e-bike, you probably aren’t too fussed about aerodynamics in the first place.
Extra Features
On the front of the bike, you’ll find an LCD screen with speedometer, odometer, and pedal assist settings information displayed on it.
Inside the bike, there’s a GPS chip, and if you sign up for the FREEDARE app, you’ll always know where your e-bike is. It is basic theft protection, but it works.
Moreover, you can hook your bike up to the same app and get a readout of the health of the e-bike. If you run into any issues, the app should tell you exactly what the problem is so you can fix it.
Admittedly, we don’t know how well this function works since our bike hasn’t broken. Other reviewers have indicated that it is decent, though. Not that many people will be able to repair their own e-bike, so just knowing what is wrong probably won’t get you far.
FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable to ride
- Powerful motor
- High top speed
- Decent range
Cons
- The battery is a hassle to charge
- Bit heavy for serious off-roading
- Needs better suspension
Save 8% Off All Equipment – Code: FDSAVE8
Buy 2 Ebike Save 12% Off – Code: FDBUY2
Is The FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike for You?
If you’re after an affordable commuter bike, then the FREEDARE Saiga Electric Bike is a great choice. It has a decent range, good top speed, and can tackle most commutes. If you’re doing lengthier rides, or perhaps serious off-roading, then there are better options on the market.
Where to buy: Freedare website or Amazon
Read Also: FREEDARE Eden Electric Bike Review – Powerful 750W Motor & Smart App Control
