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We have read all expert and user reviews on the Vtuvia SN100. In summary, this is what cyclists think.
10 reasons to buy
With a 330lb payload and 80Nm of torque, there’s plenty of pull to haul cargo.
An expert relishes the "smooth" acceleration and ability to maintain high speeds.
Users praise the SN100’s unique frame design.
Reviewers say the SN100’s throttle delivers instantaneous power.
The 120mm Mozo suspension fork and 4" Kenda tires absorb bumps well.
The SN100 comes with a frame-integrated headlight, fenders, and a rear rack.
Reviewers respect the affordability of this electric hunting bike.
Testers appreciate the stopping power of Logan hydraulic disc brakes.
The SN100 features an adjustable stem to suit differing ride stances.
Some testers say the SN100’s display is easy to read.
11 reasons not to buy
The SN100 has a very tall frame and top tube. For riders under 5’9”, clearance is minimal.
One 6'0" reviewer says the seatpost is too short, preventing full leg extension while pedaling.
A tester bumps their heel on the kickstand and chainstay while pedaling due to poor frame design.
The SN100 is a heavy bike at 70.2lb before accessories.
Reviewers note that there’s a lot of criss-cross cabling crowding the cockpit.
The SN100’s brake discs are a modest 160mm. Experts suggest larger rotors to stop this heavy bike more efficiently, when fully loaded.
The bike doesn't come with a taillight.
A tester received their SN100 with wheels out of true and unbled brakes.
Testers say the integrated headlight rattles in its housing and allows water to enter. Water also entered the motor of a long-term user's bike.
One reviewer described welding marks as “ugly.”
A tester says that the controller, housed within the seat tube, rattles loosely.
Bottom line
With a 330lb payload capacity, 80Nm of torque, and a powerful motor, the SN100 is a decent hunting option. This is a bike for taller riders, but the short seatpost prevents comfortable pedaling for those over 6'. One reviewer reports a 28mph top speed, but ghost pedaling is an issue. On their own site, Vtuvia states the top speed as being locked in at 15.5 mph. Users and testers experienced numerous quality control issues including wheel defects, loose parts, and water ingress. Overall, the SN100's strange geometry, inconsistent charge readout, and low-end brakes and drivetrain limit its functionality as a true hunting e-bike.
In this review of the SN100 from Vtuvia, we’ll test its acceleration, hill-climbing, real-world range, off-road capabilities, braking power, and more. Keep reading to learn more about this fat-tire hunting e-bike.
What Is the Vtuvia SN100?
This is the first Vtuvia e-bike we’ve tested at BikeRide. The brand has an extensive lineup of e-bikes, including commuters, folders, and dual-battery options.
The SN100 is designed to explore unpaved trails with its fat tires, 120mm suspension fork, and 750W hub motor. It ships as a high-speed Class 3 e-bike, able to accelerate up to 28mph. Riders should note that the throttle speed matches pedal assist in Class 3 mode. This exceeds e-bike laws in most states.
The latest version of the Vtuvia SN100 has a 14Ah battery, a torque sensor, fenders, and a rear rack. Our test model doesn’t have the fenders or rear rack, as we received it before the new version was released.
Pros
Acceleration
The SN100 accelerates smoothly, which is better for riding on loose terrain and in wet conditions where too much power too quickly can cause the bike to slip out. The smooth acceleration and knobby fat tires inspire confidence while riding off-road. This gentle, predictable acceleration is also great for inexperienced riders.
Comfortable Ride Quality
The SN100 is comfortable on pavement and for light off-roading, thanks in part to the wide tires. Lowering the tire pressure slightly from the recommended 30psi improves ride quality on bumpier surfaces. However, the lack of rear suspension and basic suspension fork are notable on more aggressive terrains, underscoring the bike’s limitations.
Cons
Unusual Sizing
The Vtuvia has unusual geometry. Despite its size and height rating of 5’8″ to 6’5″, the pedaling position isn’t optimal for me at 6’0″. The seatpost is too short, so there isn’t enough room for full extension while pedaling. I would need a couple more inches for proper fit. In contrast, with a 31″ standover height, riders under 5’9″ won’t be able to mount the bike easily.
Poorly Positioned Cranks and Kickstand
The SN100’s cranks and kickstand are poorly positioned, causing me to hit the heel of my sneaker off the kickstand or chainstay constantly while pedaling. This even happened to a tester with smaller feet.
While this is a minor annoyance, it requires removing the kickstand to address. However, it’s not possible to avoid bumping the chainstay.
Battery Level Fluctuation
The battery readout fluctuated dramatically during the range test, dropping from 100% to 76% after two minutes. Releasing the throttle or stopping pedaling caused the charge percentage to jump back up.
After only eight miles, the display showed 40%, yet I managed to cover another 13 miles. Overall, the battery indicator’s inconsistency is frustrating as the fluctuation makes it hard to determine how much range you have left.
What Does It Do Best?
The Vtuvia SN100 is well suited to light off-roading, the motor provides good performance across the board, and the frame feels robust and capable.
The cadence sensor is responsive, and the powerful 750W motor can reach 28mph with PAS or the throttle. Despite its high wattage, the acceleration is controlled. This smooth acceleration is reassuring and helps maintain traction in wet trail conditions and on loose terrains.
The frame’s decent payload limit of 330b (rider and cargo) allows riders to carry extra gear for camping or hunting trips.
Finally, the 4″ Kenda tires offer good traction and comfort off-road, though they can feel sketchy on loose gravel corners.
Reasons to Look Elsewhere?
The SN100 is far from perfect. A major downside is the sizing. The short seatpost kept me from achieving a comfortable pedaling position despite being well below the max height. The high top tube also limits fit for shorter riders and makes mounting and dismounting a challenge.
Another issue is the chainstays that flair outward from the bottom bracket, causing the rider to hit them or the kickstand while pedaling. I got my heel caught multiple times during testing.
Finally, the limited 7-speed 14-28t cassette and 44t chainring result in ghost pedaling before the 28mph speed limit.
Conclusion
The Vtuvia SN100 is an interesting e-bike. It has some great attributes, like its measured acceleration and high top speed, but it has frustrating faults like strange geometry, inconsistent charge readout, and lower-end brakes and drivetrain.
The bike performs well on gravel, dirt roads, and pavement. It’s designed for off-roading and hunting, but it isn’t suitable for more challenging trails or extreme terrain. The latest version has a torque sensor and more accessories, making it more practical and likely more efficient.
If you are looking for a light-duty off-road bike, the Vtuvia SN100 could be the one for you. However, double-check that you fit the rather narrow height range before purchasing.
Specs
Electric Bike Class: 2, 3, Unrestricted Warranty: 2-year (1-year battery) UL Certification UL 2849 Total Weight: Claimed: 72 lb – Tested: 70.2 lb Motor Brand: Vtuvia Motor Type: Rear hub Motor Nominal Output: 750W Max Torque: 80Nm Battery: 48V – 14Ah (672Wh) Range Claimed: 52mi Range Tested PAS 5: 22.65mi – 958 ft. – 16.6mph Range Tested PAS 3: 37.73mi – 1,302 ft. – 14.5mph Top Speed: 28mph Throttle: Thumb-style Pedal Assist: 5 Levels Charger: 54.6V – 2A output Charge Time: 7 hours Display: 3″ LCD Frame: 6061 aluminum Fork: Mozo – 120mm – coil suspension Brake Levers: Logan hydraulic, 2-piston Brake Calipers: Logan hydraulic, 2-piston Brake Rotors: 180mm Crankset: 170mm – 44t Derailleur: Tourney 7-speed Shifter: Tourney TX-50 overhand shifter Freewheel: 14-28t 7-speed Rims: 26″ aluminum Tires: 26” x 4” Kenda Fenders: Included on updated model Lights: Integrated LED headlight, no taillight Grips: Rubber, lock-on Saddle: Velo D2 comfort Pedals: Aluminum platform Handlebar: Straight bar – 680mm – 20mm riser Kickstand: Single-sided Max. Total Capacity: 330lb
Frame and Geometry
The SN100’s frame feels well-built and robust, with thick welds and no noticeable flex. The frame is large, the bottom bracket is higher than average, and the stack is only 20″. Thanks to the stem, which has 60° of adjustment, the riding position can be adapted slightly.
Overall, the geometry left me feeling slightly cramped. I would have liked a longer seatpost to help achieve a comfortable pedaling position.
The high standover means the bike is unsuitable for shorter riders under 5’9″. The maximum recommended height of 6’5″ also seems exaggerated. I felt at the limit of the bike’s height range at only 6’0″.
Another frame design issue is the left crank’s position in relation to the chainstay. This caused me to bump my heel off the chainstay and kickstand unless I turned my heel outward.
Finally, the bike uses a 120mm Mozo coil suspension fork with lockout and preload adjustment. This is a budget component, but the 120mm travel improves ride quality somewhat.
Seat Tube: 19 “(482.6mm) Reach: 18″ (457.2mm) Stack: 20″ (508mm) Stand Over Height: 31″ (787.4mm) Virtual Top Tube Length: 22.5″ (571.5mm) Min Saddle Height: 33″ (838.2mm) Max Saddle Height: 39″ (990.6mm) Wheelbase: 47″ (1193.8mm) Recommended Rider Height: 5’8” – 6’5”
Display and Control
The 3″ color display pairs with a four-button control pad. The up and down buttons control the PAS levels and the menu options; the mode button cycles through current, average, and max speeds.
Holding the up button turns the headlight on or off. Holding the down button turns on walk mode. Pressing and holding the menu button activates the USB port on the display. Double-clicking the menu button opens the advanced settings.
The bike doesn’t need a key to operate, and it doesn’t feature a display lock, so removing the battery is the best way to ensure someone cannot turn the bike on.
Motor
The power delivery from the motor is measured, resulting in smooth acceleration with no jerking.
While our test model has a cadence sensor, the updated SN100 includes a torque sensor, which should further improve the pedaling experience, especially off-road. The motor has a nominal output of 750W and a max torque of 80Nm.
The bike performed fairly well in our hill climbing tests, with speeds slightly higher than other 750W e-bikes.
The bike also performed well in our 0-20mph acceleration test, managing nine seconds with PAS and throttle. The SN100’s smooth yet fast acceleration is our favorite feature.
Battery and Charger
The updated SN100 has a 48V 14Ah (672Wh) battery with UL 2849 certification. It’s integrated into the down tube and is easy to remove, with the keyhole located on the upper part of the down tube.
The bike comes with a basic 2A charger, which takes about seven hours to charge fully. This battery is slightly smaller than average, which was reflected in our first range test, in which we covered only 22.65 miles at 16.6mph average using the highest assist level (PAS 5). This is lower than the average distance covered by similar bikes.
In assist level 3, we covered almost 38 miles with an average speed of 14.5mph. This is a closer representation of the real-world range.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain comprises Shimano Tourney 7-speed components, including a TX50 overhand shifter, 14-28t cassette, and 44t chainring. This is Shimano’s cheapest drivetrain and is only suitable for light recreational riding, not off-roading or hunting.
Reaching the top speed of 28mph is uncomfortable due to limited high gears.
Brakes
The SN100 has two-piston Logan hydraulic disk brakes with 160mm rotors and reach-adjustable aluminum levers.
This brakeset is cheaper than Tektro or Shimano alternatives. However, it performed well in our tests, with an average stopping distance of 19 feet.
This result is in line with similar e-bikes. That said, I would appreciate having larger 180mm rotors as they help shed heat that builds up on longer descents, deteriorating braking power.
Wheels, Tires
The SN100 rolls on 26″ x 4″ Kenda tires and aluminum rims that are not tubeless-ready. The tires have reflective halos on both sides for increased visibility and 3mm puncture protection.
These tires don’t hold traction well when cornering on loose terrain; the bike quickly feels like it will slide out. This could be partly down to the high and forward seated position.
Accessories
The model we tested didn’t have accessories, but the updated release of this bike includes a rear rack and fenders. The version we tested has attachment points built into its frame for these accessories.
The front light is built into the headtube, meaning it doesn’t turn with the handlebars like most externally mounted headlights do. It’s also dimmer than we’d like.
Finally, the single-sided kickstand works as required but gets in the way when pedaling because of the chainstay design.
Touchpoints
The SN100 comes with lock-on rubber grips. The saddle is a Velo D2 comfort saddle with good cushioning. It was comfortable throughout the range tests. Lastly, the bike has aluminum platform pedals with small aluminum pegs for traction.
This bike looked great on paper but it’s not for everyone. If I was shopping for an electric mountain bike I would probably save up a little bit more money. This is the first bike that I’ve had shipped to me where the wheels were untrue and the brakes haven’t been bled.
It’s got the range, it’s got the power and the fat tires will tackle just about any obstacle that I come upon. This bike would also be a great commuter.
I use this bike for hunting. This bike has no problem getting me around and pulling deer out. The power cable came off on me. I got my seat all the way down. I’m 5’8” and it’s a little tall for me so if you’re 5’7” you’re probably gonna have a rough time on it.
Suspension works really nice, brakes work really nice. It’s got decent power, good speed. So overall not a bad bike, a couple of shortfalls. It’s actually a pretty big bike. I’m 6’0”. This is as low as the seat goes and I am for sure barely on the ground.
Overall, the Vtuvia SN100 is a versatile fat tire electric bike with a well-thought-out design at an affordable price. This is a great “first e-bike”. 160 mm brake rotors might struggle when they’re all gunked up with mud and the SN100 is loaded to its max payload.
The tires are grippy but don’t fit perfectly – there is a wobble. The info screen is very readable. The frame design is very nice but there are some ugly welding imperfections visible. For it’s price, this bike is amazing.
My place of work is about 15 kilometers with a total elevation gain of about 420 meters and I can get there in 30 minutes. This seat post, it is not watertight. I broke my fenders on the way up here.
Of all the stock components there’s only one bad thing to report and that is the electric hub motor. This is not waterproof. It was wet and rusty. I’m happy to report that the Vtuvia SN100 is still a mighty beast.
A hunter or packer could bring a lot of equipment in and out of the field on this bike. This motor is wildly powerful and extremely quiet. The throttle on the SN100 is an excellent choice for such a heavy bike.