We love it when a new electric bike gets unleashed on the world. New electric bikes are now coming in thick and fast, and we try and test out as many of them as we can. Some are terrible and are nothing more than a way for a company to try and capitalize on a growing market. However, every so often, we stumble across real gold. A lot of the time these bikes come from Freesky. The Freesky Himalaya is the one we want to talk to you about today.
In this Freesky Himalaya electric bike review, we’ll tell you everything you really need to know about this pretty decent bit of kit and, more importantly, help you to decide whether this e-bike is the right one for you (not all of them will be, even the best).
Why Is the Freesky Himalaya Electric Bike For?
While we will tout this e-bike as a tremendous e-bike throughout this Freesky Himalaya electric bike review, we do want to point out that it isn’t an e-bike for everybody. We all have our own needs. So, we’ll start by letting you know who this e-bike is aimed at.
The Freesky Himalaya is an e-bike for those looking for something mid-range price-wise. It is ideal for those who will be spending a lot of their time on paved surfaces, particularly those commuting short distances. That’s not to say it doesn’t have a large range, but you won’t be going on epic rides with this.
The Freesky Himalaya is capable of being taken off-road, thanks to the fat tires it rocks. However, it probably won’t be the best e-bike for pure off-roaders. The battery will drain too fast, and we feel it is a little too heavy for that.
Freesky Himalaya Electric Bike Key Features
As with all Freesky e-bikes, the Freesky Himalaya X-5E is packed with some rather cool features. We’ll give you a quick overview here, but we’ll look at the more important of them shortly.
- 750-Watt motor.
- 48 V 15Ah Samsung Battery
- Hydraulic Brakes
- 28mph Max Speed in Pedal Assist (0-5)
- 20mph Max Speed in Throttle Control
- 35–80-mile range
- Fat Tire
- Maximum Load Capacity: 300lbs
- Shimano 7 Speed Gears
- LCD Display
- 800 Lumen LED Headlight
Freesky Himalaya Electric Bike Features – An In-depth Look
So, here’s the part of the Freesky Himalaya Electric Bike review where we look at some of the key features of the e-bike. Hopefully, that’ll help you to decide whether this is the right e-bike for you.
How to Bike Rides
With a 750-watt motor at the heart of the Freesky Himalaya, there is a whopping amount of power behind it. We’ve tested this out, and even when pushed to the brink, the Freesky Himalaya is more than capable of dealing with it. This means that you’ll have no issues zipping over paved surfaces, or even climbing light hills (you may need some pedal assist on the steeper ones). It is a real dream to ride, and we never really felt like the Freesky Himalaya had to ‘chug’ along.
As we said before – this is mostly an e-bike designed for paved surfaces, but thanks to the hydraulic suspension on the front fork, it’ll even out the bumps when off-roading too. In fact, this is one of the rare e-bikes with a suspension lock, so you can set it up to cope with whatever surfaces you throw at it. It is wonderful.
It isn’t as good off-road as on-road. This is thanks to the slightly heavier weight to it, but it is rare to find an e-bike that performs well off-road. In our opinion, the Freesky Himalaya is perfectly serviceable, and most people should have fun with it.
It is easy to control too. You’ll find it easy to turn corners and, if you’re in an emergency, the 4-piston hydraulic brake should bring you to a fast, safe stop. Great e-bike. Especially for the price you’re paying.
The Maximum Speed
If you switch to full-throttle mode (i.e. no pedaling required at all), then the Freesky Himalaya will cap out at 20mph, although we generally averaged around 17-18mph, as 20mph is in ideal conditions. This should get you to work/school/wherever quickly, and it stays within legal limits.
There are 5 different pedal assist settings here (0-5), and you’ll hit 28mph if you hop on full pedal assist and pedal as fast as you can. Although, you’re more likely to be around the 20mph mark, as it takes a lot to hit 28mph. You’ll do it but for just short bursts of time.
Honestly – this e-bike is fast. One of the fastest in its price range. While it does lose a bit of speed climbing hills, that is average for all e-bikes. Most of the time, it retains a consistent speed, even as you drain the battery.
The Range
The 48V 15Ah Samsung battery gives a range of 35 to 80 miles. You’re more likely to get close to the 80 miles if you’re on the lowest pedal assist setting, and the surface is completely flat. In most cases, you’ll probably get between the 20- and 60-mile range, depending on the conditions.
This isn’t bad at all, and the Freesky Himalaya beats most other e-bikes in its price range for maximum distance. As we said before – you’re not going to get an epic, lengthy bike ride out of it. You’ll get enough for a short commute. Still, if you want that lengthy bike ride, you’ll be pleased to know that the battery is removable, so why not carry an extra one with you?
Comfort
This is a comfortable e-bike. The suspension will round out the bumps in the road or other surfaces. The seat is padded and will keep you in a natural seating position. You won’t necessarily be in the best position for aerodynamics, but you’ll be in the perfect position for rider comfort.
You could easily ride for hours on this thing without feeling it in your back or your rear end. However, we must admit that when you go full pedal mode, the seating position does mean your pedaling won’t be as efficient, although we doubt this will be a concern for most people who pick up an e-bike.
Extra Features
The Freesky Himalaya has a bright LED on the front, making it safer to ride at night. It also comes complete with an easy-to-read cycle computer, which should give you lots of information about distance covered, speed, and current settings. It’ll also let you know how much battery life you have left. It is basic, but it works.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable e-bike
- High speed, even on full-throttle mode.
- Climbs hills well.
- Comfortable ride
- Constructed from quality components.
Cons
- The battery is a bit heavy
- Not the best seating position for pedaling.
Freesky Himalaya Electric Bike – Is It for You?
The Freesky Himalaya electric bike is a quality e-bike. It can do everything that you throw at it, whether it is riding on roads to work, or doing a touch of light off-roading. It has good top speed and a decent range. While it is nowhere near the best e-bike on the market, for those looking for something mid-range, it is nigh on unbeatable. We highly recommend it.
Read Also:
Freesky Warrior M-530 Electric Mountain Bike Review: Power, Performance, and Adventure
Freesky Swift Horse X-6E Electric Bike Review: Power-Packed Off-Roader or Daily Commuter’s Dream?
