QuietKat Lynx

The new Lynx from QuietKat blurs the line between motorbikes and e-bikes. It stands out from the crowd with its striking looks and powerful 1000W motor.

It’s time to discover what makes the new QuietKat Lynx e-bike purr as it rips up the pavement and double-track during testing.

What Is the QuietKat Lynx?

The Lynx is a full-suspension e-bike with a distinct motorcycle look. It has huge 24″ x 4.5″ tires, an inverted suspension fork, rear coil suspension, and a prominent headlight. The long synthetic leather saddle also contributes to the look of a dirt bike.

The Lynx is powerful, with a 1000W hub motor. The bike only has a single-speed drivetrain, but the motor only has gear settings that it switches between automatically, much like an internally geared hub.

This bike lends itself to high assist levels and throttle-only riding, especially with its high weight and twist-style throttle. You can quickly forget the bike has pedals as you zip around. However, when you let off the power, you notice the high weight of 102lb.

The Lynx’s display has some interesting functions. You can connect to the bike through the QuietKat app with Bluetooth or cellular. This lets you control the bike, adjust settings, and track your rides.

The bike also has a GPS tracker, letting you know its location at all times, and the app lets you remotely lock and unlock to keep your bike safe from thieves.

Overall, this is a fast and fun bike, but let’s see how it holds up in testing.

Pros

High-Speed Throttle

The 1000W motor and twist-grip throttle make the Lynx a lot of fun to operate. It’s designed like a motorbike, inspiring you to let loose on the throttle.

A great feature of the Lynx is that you can easily change the bike’s speed limit through the display. Riders can choose between Class 1, 2, 3, and ‘Unlimited’ modes.

The Lynx is fast and a pleasure to operate at max speed. In Unlimited mode, the bike reaches its max speed of 28 to 29mph using the throttle alone. The throttle performs well from a dead stop, using the 83Nm of torque to move the heavy bike.

The Lynx has surprisingly good range, even when leaning heavily on throttle power. I achieved over 22 miles at max speed, relying mostly on the throttle.

Dirt Bike-Style Suspension and Ride

The Lynx feels like a motorcycle, especially when traveling off-road or at high speed. The large tires, sturdy frame, and stiff inverted suspension fork make for confident riding.

The ride is also enhanced by suspension in the rear that softens impacts and increases traction. The Lynx easily travels over obstacles such as rock gardens and roots.

In most conditions, it truly feels like a dirt bike, both on and off-road. This is confidence-inspiring and fun, as long as you don’t find yourself stuck without power.

Comfort and Capacity

The Lynx is very stable, making high speeds and long rides more comfortable when carrying gear on the rear rack.

The rear rack and available accessories allow you to adapt the bike for different needs. Even without pannier bags, the rear rack can fit a bag on top with bungee cords securing it.

The Lynx could replace a motorbike for trips under 20 miles thanks to the powerful throttle and carrying capacity of the rear rack.

Cons

Large and Heavy

The Lynx is a beast in both size and weight (102lb). Lifting this bike onto a rack is a serious job that takes two people. Even walking with the bike can be a challenge. The Lynx feels like a small dirt bike while moving it around unpowered. The wide turning radius makes navigating tight spaces challenging.

Smaller riders will likely struggle with the bike’s size and weight. Purchasers should also ensure they have sufficient storage space for it, such as a garage, as it’s too heavy to lift up stairs or take into a regular apartment.

One Size Fits All

The Lynx is only offered in a single size. At 6′ tall, I found myself at the limit of the height range. This cramped feeling meant I avoided pedaling. Thankfully, the bike is very powerful and doesn’t require much pedaling.

On the other hand, small riders may struggle with the bike’s size, weight, and standover height. At 102lb, the Lynx is a heavy bike. The high weight, large tires, and wide turning radius may pose a challenge for smaller riders or any rider navigating tight spaces.

Not the Best Option for Steep Hills

The 1000W motor is a powerful automatic dual-speed unit capable of high max speeds. The drawback is a slightly lower torque rating.

The heavy weight of the bike also limits performance on very steep inclines. The Lynx will easily climb most hills, often with throttle power alone. However, on the steepest grades (16 percent and above), the motor performs similarly to smaller 750W motors.

What Does It Do Best?

If you’re a rider who would rather let the motor do the work and stay off the pedals, then the Lynx might be the right style for you.

This bike is more than just moto-inspired. When riding, it feels like a silent, speed-limited motorcycle, and it rips up pavement and service roads as long as you avoid tight spaces.

The Lynx brings plenty of power, speed, and fun. The comfortable saddle, carrying capacity, and simple operation make it a great option for recreation, commuting, or adventure. I feel it would do best in an urban setting, replacing a car or motorcycle, but it’s also ready to venture off-road.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

The QuietKat Lynx is about as far from a bike as you can get, and many traditional cyclists would cringe at the sight.

This bike has a high-power motor but also a high weight and undeniable heft. It has a limited height range, storage concerns, and limited compatibility with vehicle racks.

Conclusion

The Lynx is fast and fun, and the motorcycle-inspired style makes it stand out. It’s got a high top speed and comfortable suspension that makes for confident riding, whether on pavement or off-road.

I appreciate how QuietKat builds its bikes; the build quality and component choices are great. If you are looking for a large, powerful motorcycle-style e-bike, this could be the one for you.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Adjustable between Class 1, 2, 3, Unlimited

Warranty: Lifetime frame warranty – 1-year for components

Battery Weight: 11.6lb

Total Weight: Claimed: 100lb –  Actual: 102lb

Motor Brand: Bafang – G06A2.1000.D

Motor Type: 1000W Automatic dual-speed

Motor Nominal Output: 1000W (1440W Peak)

Max Torque: 83Nm

Battery: 48V – 20Ah (960Wh)

Range Claimed: Up to 60 miles

Range Tested: 22 miles @ 28mph – 40 miles @ 20mph

Speed: 28mph+ (Unlimited)

Throttle: Half-twist grip

Pedal Assist: 3 Levels (Eco, Trail, Boost)

Charger: 54.6V 3A Output

Charge Time: 6.5 hours

Display: Smart LED – Bluetooth, GPS, Cellular

Frame: Aluminum – 100mm frame travel – KKE mechanical coil 210 x 50mm

Fork: KKE 34CS 203mm Inverted mechanical coil

Brake Levers: Gemma hydraulic

Brake Calipers: Gemma 2-piston hydraulic

Brake Rotors: 203mm

Chain: KMC

Crankset: 170mm

Rims: 24″

Tires: 24” x 4.5” Vee Mission Command

Fenders: Included aluminum fenders

Lights: Front Halo light w/ low + high beam – Rear integrated light

Grips: Included Lock-on grips

Saddle: Cafe cruiser-style synthetic leather integrated saddle

Handlebar: BMX-style riser

Kickstand: Yes, single-sided

Pedals: Wellgo platform

Max. Total Capacity: 300lb

Frame and Geometry

The Lynx is closer to a dirt bike or motorcycle than an actual bicycle, which is evident in the geometry and ride position.

The seat isn’t adjustable, but it’s long enough for riders 6′ and below to find a comfortable position. At 6′, I found the pedaling position uncomfortable and resorted to using throttle power most of the time.

The robust frame doesn’t flex, even when jumping or hitting drop-offs. The rear coil suspension and front inverted suspension fork play a major role here, smoothing out rough terrain and offering enhanced traction and stability.

Reach: Dependent on seating position, 15″ to 25″ (38cm – 64cm)

Stack: 25.3″ (64cm)

Stand Over Height: 33″ (84cm)

Virtual Top Tube Length: 24.6″ (62 cm)

Wheelbase: 51.1″ (130 cm)

Motor

A Bafang 1000W automatic dual-speed motor powers the Lynx. It delivers 1440W and 83Nm at peak output.

This 2-speed hub motor automatically changes the gear ratio by detecting the bike’s speed in order to maintain the optimal cadence. In theory, this means smoother riding and reduced battery consumption.

The motor has three pedal assist levels and makes for a fun ride, especially when using the throttle. The pedal assist is responsive thanks to a cadence and torque sensor combination. Users can also choose which sensor is used in the settings.

The powerful motor performs well on all but the steepest gradients. It achieved the fastest hill climb results of all the bikes we’ve tested on both our small and medium hill climb tests. In addition, it performed very well in the 0-20mph acceleration test, with similar results from PAS and throttle.

Acceleration:

Cockpit and Control

The Lynx has a pleasant cockpit layout. The center-mounted full-color display has GPS capabilities and an intuitive screen arrangement.

It shows the current assist setting, power output, and speed. It also displays your battery level as a percentage. You can also scroll through metrics such as trip odometer, lifetime odometer, and range estimate in miles, a great addition for avoiding range anxiety.

An easy-to-use three-button control pad controls the display. A long press of the up button turns on the lights, and a long press of the down button activates walk mode.

The headlight has low and high beams for riding in different lighting conditions. The integrated taillight has brake activation to signal to other road users when braking. The cockpit also includes a horn.

Battery

The Lynx uses a 48V 20Ah (960Wh) battery. We completed two range tests, one at 28mph and another at 20mph, using a mix of throttle and PAS. The results are competitive with similar bikes.

The Lynx can reach over 22 miles at maximum assist level and 28mph and can travel 40 miles at 20mph, which is impressive. This large-capacity battery is essential for such a heavy bike.

Range Tests:

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The charger is a 54.6V 3A unit that charges from empty in about 6.5 hours. It’s great to see this 3A charger with a higher voltage for reduced charging times.

Charging can be done on-bike via the external charge port on the lower downtube. The port is protected by a rubber plug.

To remove the battery, insert the key into the lock and turn it counterclockwise. After unlocking the battery, you can remove it by turning the small tab, allowing it to slide out. After re-inserting the battery, you must lock it again using the key.

Drivetrain

The Lynx has a single-speed drivetrain, and the auto hub motor has two speeds, adjusting automatically to maintain a consistent power output.

Pedaling the Lynx isn’t ideal as the pedaling position isn’t natural. The bike is much more enjoyable to operate when using the throttle. Pedaling for extended periods could cause knee pain due to improper positioning.

Brakes

The Lynx has a set of two-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotors. We appreciate QuietKat’s choice of large rotors for this heavy bike to increase stopping power and heat dissipation. The Lynx is fast and needs a powerful brake to compensate. During testing, the brakes stopped the bike efficiently and inspired confidence.

Wheels, Tires

The 24″ x 4.5″ Vee Mission Control tires help keep the Lynx rolling over obstacles. These tires are capable of handling pavement and dirt with ease. The knobbly tread offers ample grip off-road.

The Mission Control tires also feel good at high speeds and on wet and dry pavement. The Lynx has aluminum fenders to keep you dry and free of road debris.

Safety

The Lynx has several safety features. The headlight has high and low beams and is exceptionally large and bright, which is excellent for illuminating the road and ensuring other road users see you.

The rear light is also bright, easy to see, and has a braking signal to help let other road users know you’re slowing.

The Lynx has a cellular connection to keep the bike connected to the app and a GPS beacon. This allows you to track where your bike is at all times. It also has remote locking.

The QuietKat app has features like over-the-air updates and odometer counters to remind you about routine maintenance.

Kickstand

The Lynx has a standard single-sided kickstand that was functional and offered no issue during testing.

Contact Points

Grips

The Lynx has simple rubber lock-on grips with gold trim and the company logo. They look great on the bars and offer lots of grip with no slipping.

Saddle

The Lynx has a saddle that is typical for the motorcycle e-bike design. The long synthetic leather seat is padded and comfortable, and riders can easily shift along it to find their preferred riding position. Though the saddle is comfortable, I didn’t enjoy the pedaling position and found it too cramped for my knees.

Pedals

The Lynx has simple Wellgo platform pedals. They work fine, providing enough traction for most shoe types, and big enough for larger feet.

Accessories

QuietKat offers excellent (but expensive) accessory packages, including different cargo-carrying options for setting the bike up for specific jobs.

You can personalize the Lynx for commuting, adventure, or overlanding with pannier bags, gear coolers, a game trailer, and solar panel chargers.

If you are considering the Lynx, check out the available accessories.