Puckipuppy Labrador Pro

Puckipuppy’s Labrador Pro is a fat-tire, full-suspension e-bike that the company calls the “King Of Mountain Electric Bikes.”

In this review, we’ll be testing the bike on the road and trail to find out if it lives up to this claim.

To begin, we will discuss the main specs and the overall ride experience. Next, list the pros and cons and examine the test results. To finish, we provide our assessment of the Labrador Pro’s performance, quality, and value.

Specifications

The Labrador Pro arrives well-packed in a typical cardboard bike box. The package includes the 2A charger, headlight, and tool kit. Puckipuppy also provides a pump and spare bolts and brake pads, a nice touch.

Puckipuppy offers a few different accessory bundles that can be purchased with the bike. Our test bike came with accessories like a rear rack and fenders.

Assembling the bike requires installing the kickstand, aligning the fork and stem, and attaching the handlebars. To finish, buyers must install the front wheel, pedals, and any other accessories purchased.

The Puckipuppy Labrador Pro has an aluminum frame, a suspension fork, and a shock with a 40mm stroke. Puckipuppy claims the fork has 130mm of travel, but the fork on our test bike measures just 110mm. The company confirmed that the bike should come with a 130mm fork, but offered no explanation of why ours doesn’t.

The Labrador Pro has a 48V electrical system with a 750W rear hub motor powered by a 20Ah battery. Pedal assist is managed by a torque sensor and powers the bike to 28mph. The thumb throttle stops assisting at 20mph.

The Labrador Pro comes in a choice of four frame colors but only one size, which Puckipuppy says fits rides from 5’4” to 6’6”, which is exaggerated. Puckipuppy says the bike can carry up to 400lb.

The Labrador Pro has been certified for UL 2271 compliance with SGS and UL 2849 compliance testing is in progress at the time of writing. We had to ask about the bike’s water ingress resistance rating, as this isn’t listed on site. The bike has an above-average IPX6 rating.

The 26” wheels have spoked aluminum rims, and the 4″ tires have a cross-country tread pattern. The drivetrain comprises Shimano Altus shifting, a 46t chainring with single-sided chainguard, and an 11-32t cassette. The brakes are Logan hydraulic discs with 180mm rotors.

The e-bike controls include a 2.7″ LCD display and five-button control pad with dedicated buttons for the lights and electronic horn. The battery life is displayed as a six-bar graphic.

Riding the Labrador Pro

The Labrador’s wide, comfortable saddle and suspension absorb most bumps from the kinds of rocks and small roots found on light trails, but this bike isn’t suitable for anything more aggressive than easy singletrack.

The fork has a lockout and adjustable preload, but the shock isn’t adjustable. Nonetheless, this setup still beats a hardtail for comfort.

Whether using the throttle or pedal assist, the bike’s acceleration is measured, which is good for most riders, as it makes the bike easier to control than torque-heavy e-bikes with sharp acceleration.

Riding downhill is comfortable, with plenty of traction from the fat tires and no problem with the stopping power from the two-piston Logan hydraulic disc brakes.

The five PAS levels offer a good range of performance, despite the weak initial acceleration. Level five has plenty of pep for climbing hills and getting up to speed. The lower assist levels make it easier to keep a handle on speeds along tighter trails or when mixing it up with pedestrians and obstacles.

One problem with this bike’s pedal assist is that if pedaling above 20mph, the motor takes a long time to kick back in when starting to pedal again after coasting. For example, if riding at 25mph, the bike waits until the speed falls to around 20mph before providing power again.

The Labrador is more agile on singletrack than its 80lb weight would suggest, but on more technical sections, it quickly reaches its limits. Off-camber rocks and roots throw the bike around, and it takes a lot of muscle to keep it in line. Over larger impacts, the bike feels and sounds very clunky.
After only a few short rides on light trails, the suspension linkage and what sounded like the bottom bracket were producing lots of creaking noises. We weren’t able to identify the exact source of all the noise. Checking fasteners and re-torquing everything didn’t help.

Adding to this symphony were the fenders, which rattle constantly when riding off-road. Removing the rear fender improved things a lot.

Finally, while the Labrador Pro’s 80lb isn’t unusual for a full-suspension e-bike with fat tires, it still makes the bike hard to lift or maneuver when loading it onto a vehicle or carrying it up stairs. It’s also very tough to pedal over flat ground without motor assistance, so hills are out of the question.

Pros

Full Suspension

Despite initial disappointment that the suspension fork’s claimed 130mm travel was only 110mm, the cushioned ride is still enjoyable. The suspension components are cheap and only the fork is adjustable, but they still contributed to a comfortable ride on bumpy pavement and light off-road terrain.

Hill Climbing

Thanks to its powerful motor, the Labrador can reach 28mph and handle steep inclines without much effort. The bike climbed our test hills quite quickly and would be a good choice for riders living in hilly areas.

Commuter Possible

In our PAS 5 range test, the Labrador Pro put in an impressive performance, covering more than 30 miles. With the 28mph top speed using pedal assist, the Labrador gives users the ability to travel long distances at high speeds: ideal attributes for a commuter or utility bike.

Our test bike came with the fenders and rear rack. With these accessories, the bike works well for commuting and local shopping trips, meaning it can serve as a handy mobility option during the week and a fun ride on weekends. The only downsides are the big tires and 80lb weight. This makes it hard to transport, get inside buildings, or carry up stairs.

Cons

Creaking

After only 30 miles, the Labrador Pro’s rear suspension linkage and bottom bracket area were constantly making loud creaking noises. We couldn’t find the cause of the noise, and re-torquing the fasteners made no difference.

Incorrect Specs

Puckipuppy markets the Labrador Pro as having a 130mm suspension fork, but our test bike came with a 110mm fork. Furthermore, some of the geometry figures on the Puckipuppy website are wrong, making a mockery of the stated rider fit.

Test Results

Hill Climb Test – Small Elevation

Our small-elevation hill climb involves travelling 0.99 miles and climbing 79 feet. The Labrador Pro impressed with a time of just 2:19, putting it ahead of all of our comparison bikes.

Hill Climb Test – Medium Elevation

Climbing our medium-elevation hill, which is 0.65 miles long and 226 feet high, the Labrador Pro came third in the group. This was still a good showing, with the time of 2:19 putting the Puckipuppy among the fastest bikes we’ve tested on this hill.

Acceleration Test

In the acceleration test, the Labrador Pro got from 0 to 20mph in 10 seconds using the throttle, and 7 seconds using pedal assist level 5. These are fine results that place the Labrador in the middle of the pack. This moderate acceleration is quick enough for most riders, without ever becoming too much to handle.

PAS 5 Range Test

The Labrador Pro’s 20Ah battery performed reasonably well in the range test, but compared to other 20Ah batteries, it was nothing special. With its ability to maintain high speeds, the bike traveled 30.56 miles and gained 1,142 feet of elevation at an average speed of 19.9mph. This was enough to beat the Mokwheel Obsidian, but fell short of the impressive ranges demonstrated by the Fiido T2 and Himiway D5.

PAS 3 Range Test

In the PAS 3 test, the Labrador Pro traveled 40.3 miles and gained 1,247 feet of elevation. This was a good result, again beating the Mokwheel Obsidian, but trailing behind the three other bikes, which managed 45 to 51 miles.

Brake Test

The Labrador Pro took 21 feet to stop from 20mph. From a safety standpoint, this is fine, but it does fall behind the other bikes, which stopped between 18 and 20 feet.

Conclusion

Is the Labrador Pro the “king of mountain electric bikes” as Puckipuppy claims? Not even close. However, it does appear to provide good value, at least initially.

The Labrador Pro succeeds in key areas. The suspension provides a comfortable ride on light off-road terrain and bumpy pavement. It also handles as expected for a big, fat-tire e-bike.

The 750W motor gives impressive hill-climbing ability, and the bike can cover good distances at high speeds. With the included rack and fenders, the Puckipuppy could also be used for commuting and weekend adventures.

Unfortunately, a couple problems stop the Labradro Pro from being an easy recommendation. The rear suspension lacks adjustment. And, as if to underline concerns about quality control, our test bike developed constant, annoying creaking noises after just 30 miles of light riding.

Smaller riders will also want to look elsewhere. Puckipuppy puts the standover height at 28.6”, but we measured it at 30”, so the stated rider fit of 5’4” to 6’6” isn’t realistic.

For budget-conscious riders taller than around 5’8” looking for full suspension and decent performance, the Labrador Pro offers reasonable value. Just know that it has some rough edges that may need attention. The foundation is solid, but execution falls royally short of the “king” title Puckipuppy gives to its Labrador Pro.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 70
• Performance/Innovation: 75
• Design: 72
• Ride quality: 75
• Price/Value: 70

Overall: 73

Detailed Specs

Electric Bike Class: 2, 3
Warranty: 1-3-year limited
UL Certification: None
IP Rating: IPX6
Total Weight: Claimed:84.79lb – Actual: 80lb
Motor Brand: Puckipuppy
Motor Type: Rear Hub
Motor Nominal Output: 750W
Max Torque: 85Nm
Battery: 48V 20Ah (960Wh)
Range Claimed: 80 miles
Range Tested (PAS 3): 40.32 mi – 1,247 ft. – 16.3mph avg.
Range Tested (PAS 5): 30.56 mi – 1,142 ft. – 19.93mph avg.
Max Speed: 28mph
Throttle: Thumb
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Sensor Torque
Charger: 48V 2A
Charge Time: 11 hours
Display: 2.7” LCD
Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Fork: Coil suspension (130mm claimed, 110mm measured)
Rear shock: 40mm stroke
Brake Levers: Logan hydraulic
Brake Calipers: 2-piston
Brake Rotors: 180mm F+R
Crankset: 170mm alloy
Derailleur: Shimano Altus
Shifter: Shimano Altus trigger
Freewheel: 11-32t
Rims: 26” aluminum
Tires: 26″ x 4”
Fenders: Not included
Lights: Integrated headlight and taillight with brake activation
Grips: Rubber lock-on
Saddle: DDK wide
Pedals: Composite platforms
Handlebar: 740mm riser
Kickstand: Yes
Payload Capacity: 400lb
Rack Capacity: 55lb

Geometry Details

Seat Tube: 17“ (432mm)
Reach: 23.8” (605mm) / 17.71” (450mm) measured
Stack: 26.6” (675mm)
Stand Over Height: 28.6” (726mm) / 30” (762mm) measured
Virtual Top Tube Length: 24” (610mm)
Min Saddle Height: 35” (889mm)
Max Saddle Height: 43.3” (1100mm)
Wheelbase: 47.2” (1199mm)

What I like the most about this bike is the comfort…

Again, there were a few trade-offs and unpolished edges that made sense in perspective with the bike’s low price. Overall, we feel comfortable recommending it with those considerations in mind…

This is good enough for this price level.

… that front fork, I do feel like it’s bottoming out. I tightened down the preload as far as it can go, but maybe that could be a little bit better.

The small bumps are able to be smoothed out with the suspension. [Over] some of the harsher ones, you do feel that suspension top out. But if you’re just cruising around off-road and not expecting a whole lot, [it] seems to do well enough…

… for this sale price, it’s a really good, easy bike to recommend.