Addmotor M-66 R7

The Addmotor M-66 R7 is a moped-style e-bike powered by a 750W Bafang motor and 20Ah battery.

The bike’s quick acceleration and 25mph top speed make for an exciting ride. The geometry, mimicking a traditional moped, is comfortable and stable but not ideal for pedaling.

In this review, we’ll put the M-66 R7 through our standardized tests to see how it performs against the competition.

What Is the Addmotor M-66 R7?

This e-bike, powered by a 750W motor, would be easy to mistake for a regular moped. The long, padded seat and upright seated position make for a comfortable ride, but the trade-off of this geometry is a compromised ability to pedal. It seems Addmotor didn’t intend this bike for heavy pedaling.

So, how does it compare to other e-bikes, and are moped-style e-bikes a logical option for all users? Let’s dive into the pros and cons.

Pros

Powerful Motor and Throttle

The M-66 R7’s motor is powerful and responsive. Because of the uncomfortable pedaling position, the range test was primarily done on throttle power. Despite this, I maintained an average speed of 17.5mph for almost 30 miles. The throttle acceleration test results were also impressive, with the bike going from 0 to 20 in just eight seconds.

So, if you want a bike with solid throttle power and rapid acceleration, the M-66 R7 could be worth considering.

High-Speed Stability and Comfort

The M-66 R7 is stable and comfortable, even at speeds over 30mph. The bike’s high weight (86lb), wide tires, and upright seated position contribute to this stability and comfort.

Large Battery Capacity

The M-66 R7 runs on a 20Ah (960Wh) battery, one of the largest in this price range. This high capacity ensures good range when relying on the throttle.

During the range test, the battery discharged steadily and predictably, and the motor’s power was only affected when charge dropped below 10 percent. This predictability is crucial for reliably estimating range.

Cons

Harsh Acceleration

The M-66 R7’s acceleration is harsh. While this is okay for more experienced or thrill-seeking riders, many will find it overwhelming.

Quick acceleration is also handy when trying to keep ahead of traffic in a busy urban area, so whether or not this is a con is down to personal preference and experience.

Pedaling Position

The Addmotor M-66 R7 isn’t designed for comfortable pedaling. As a taller rider (6’0″), I found the position particularly uncomfortable. It quickly led to discomfort in my knees and hips, meaning I relied heavily on the throttle.

However, I did enjoy riding when using the throttle. The bike is comfortable when seated without pedaling, and thankfully, the powerful motor means you don’t need to pedal regularly.

High Weight

The M-66 R7 bike is large and heavy, weighing 86lb. This makes it difficult to lift, so buyers will need ground-floor storage and a specialized vehicle-mounted bike rack if they plan to transport it.

What Does It Do Best?

The M-66 R7 is a powerful e-bike with thrilling acceleration and speed. It’s stable, comfortable, easy to ride, and maintains high speeds using the throttle.

Those looking for a moped-style ride will undoubtedly enjoy it. Likewise, commuters wanting an effort-free, fast ride with a solid range of around 30 miles using the throttle and max pedal assist will appreciate the M-66 R7.

With its wide tires, suspension fork, and capable motor, the bike performs well on roads and light off-road trails. The stability and comfort translate to a surprisingly enjoyable ride on dirt or light gravel.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

The most important point about the M-66 R7 is that its riding style differs greatly from that of a traditional bike. I found the M-66 R7 particularly uncomfortable to pedal. Instead of pedaling, riders will likely rely on the throttle.

Potential buyers should also carefully consider the weight and size, which can be cumbersome in urban settings and limit the ability to store and transport the bike.

The bike has a wide turning radius, making it unwieldy in tight spaces. Additionally, riders over 6’0″ should look elsewhere, as it will be too cramped.

Conclusion

The Addmotor M-66 R7 is fast and exciting. Its powerful motor and easy-to-use throttle encourage speed. The bike is also comfortable and easy to ride, even at high speeds or off-road. Combined, this makes for a great riding experience that’s easy to love, as long as you don’t intend to pedal.

Again, the main downside is the uncomfortable pedaling position, which makes you dependent on the throttle. The size and weight are also worth considering, as storage, lifting, and transportation are more complicated.

Despite these drawbacks, the M-66 R7, with its vintage moped look, remains a solid option for fast throttle-powered rides on or off-road.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2 (with 25 mph max speed limit)
Warranty: 1-2 year limited warranty (depending on the item)
Battery Weight: 12lb
Total Weight: Claimed: 74lb – Actual: 86lb
Motor Brand: Bafang 750W
Motor Type: Geared rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: 750W
Max Torque: 80Nm
Battery: 48V – 20Ah Samsung cells
Range Claimed: Up to 105 mi (assist level 1)
Range Tested: 29.52 mi – 1,480 ft. – 17.5mph avg.
Speed: Max 25mph
Throttle: Half twist – left side
Pedal Assist: 7 assist levels (adjustable from settings)
Charger: 48V – 2A output charger
Charge Time: 10 hours
Display: LCD
Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Fork: Dual crown – 80mm travel
Brake Levers: Tektro Aries mechanical lever
Brake Calipers: Tektro Aries mechanical
Brake Rotors: Tektro 180mm
Crankset: Aluminum 170mm – 42t – double-sided guard
Derailleur: Shimano Altus 7-speed
Shifter: Shimano TX-50 7-speed
Freewheel: Shimano 14-28t
Rims: Cast alloy double-walled 20″ rims
Tires: Kenda Krusade puncture-resistant 20″ x 4″
Fenders: Aluminum, front and rear
Lights: 40-lumen headlight, rear light with brake signal, turn signals
Grips: Faux-leather ergonomic
Saddle: 2-person banana-style, 23.5″ x 8.5″
Handlebar: Adjustable, BMX-style
Kickstand: Single-side
Pedals: Welgo alloy platform pedals
Max. Total Capacity: 300lb

Frame and Geometry

The M-66 R7 features a moped-inspired frame with a chair-like seated position. This straight-backed position can be fine-tuned using the adjustable stem with 60 degrees of movement.

The seat is long, heavily padded, and comfortable. However, it can’t be raised, and at 6′, I found the seated position very cramped and uncomfortable on longer rides.

The aluminum frame is strong and seems well-built, with no notable flex during testing.

The bike feels comfortable and relaxed at speed and performs reasonably well off-road despite its lack of rear suspension. The dual-crown 80mm suspension fork does a good job of nullifying bumps and the padded seat cushions rear impacts.

Reach: 13.5″ (343 mm)
Stack: 20.2” (514 mm)
Stand Over Height: 17″ (432 mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 14″ (356 mm)
Saddle Height: 32.5″ (825.5 cm)
Wheelbase: 48″ (1219 mm)
Recommended Rider Height: 5’1” – 6’0″

Motor

The 750W Bafang motor is capable of 1000W at peak output and offers a max torque of 80Nm, enough to get you to the top of most hills.

The controller is programmed to deliver a lot of torque immediately, meaning quick acceleration and an exciting ride. This is useful for commuters who want to keep up with traffic.

The powerful motor offsets the inefficient, uncomfortable pedaling position. Riders can rely mostly on throttle power to tackle hills and maintain high cruising speeds.

Cockpit and Control

The M-66 R7 features an array of buttons labeled with icons. The control panel on the left bar operates the center-mounted display. It has up and down buttons, a power/options button, and buttons for the left and right turn signal and horn.

On the right side, you have the throttle and a small black button to turn it on and off, so if you have an issue with your throttle, look here first.

The cockpit also features an adjustable stem with 60 degrees of movement.

Battery

The M-66 R7 is powered by a large 48V 20Ah externally mounted battery. The battery must be turned on before the bike can be activated.

The battery is mounted below the seat and is a little challenging to remove. After unlocking it with the key, you must give it a good tug upward to remove it from the track. Lining it up against the plastic rails when reinserting can also be tricky.

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The battery has Samsung cells and takes up to 10 hours to fully charge from the 2A charger. Charging can be done on or off the bike via the charge port located on the side of the battery. When not in use, the charge port is protected by a small cover.

Drivetrain

I didn’t enjoy pedaling this bike, mostly due to the uncomfortable pedaling position. However, the gearing is also insufficient for riding at the bike’s top speed.

With a 14-28t cassette, you experience ghost pedaling at speeds over 20mph, leaving you dependent on the throttle.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the bike is a chore to pedal when not under power. Its heavy weight and difficult seating position lead to a less-than-ideal pedal experience.

The drivetrain uses a Tourney 7-speed overhand TX-50 shifter and a 14-28T cassette. The overhand shifter offers a visual indicator for gearing. But I find it to be clunky during use. It would be great to see an increased gear range on this bike.

Brakes

The Tektro Aries mechanical disk brakes performed excellently in our braking tests. Hydraulic brakes generally offer better stopping power than mechanical brakes, but this brakeset returned similar results to the hydraulic brakes found on competing bikes. However, the brakes make a lot of noise.

Wheels, Tires

The M-66 R7 has 20″ x 4″ Kenda off-road tires with medium tread. These offer good traction and comfort on pavement and dirt paths but tend to drift on gravel or loose surfaces.

The M-66 R7 has cast alloy wheels, which require less maintenance than spoked wheels. Overall, the wheels and tires add to the bike’s stability and comfort, inspiring confidence at speed.

Safety

Addmotor includes a bright headlight and an integrated taillight with brake activation, turn signals, and hazard lights.

The throttle has an on/off switch, so you can deactivate it and avoid accidentally engaging it. The bike also has a motor inhibitor switch to aid stopping.

Kickstand

The Addmotor has a standard single-sided kickstand.

Contact Points

Grips

The M-66 R7 has ergonomic faux-leather grips, which don’t lock on, meaning they can slide on the bars. Personally, I’d prefer a set of rubber lock-on grips for this bike.

Saddle

This bike has a well-padded seat that is long enough to fit a passenger. Unfortunately, it’s not adjustable, and it was too low for me, resulting in a cramped, uncomfortable pedaling position.

However, the plush seat is comfortable when riding the throttle, remaining so throughout the range test. It even absorbs some of the rear impacts when riding off-road.

Pedals

Finally, the M-66 R7 comes with standard alloy platform pedals from Wellgo. These offer reasonable traction for most shoes.