Fantic Electric Bike Review: Is Fantic Ebike A Good Brand? Pros, Cons?

Your In-Depth Fantic E-bike Review and Guide

When you’re looking for a “Fantic ebike review,” you’re probably looking for more than just a summary of the specs. You want affirmation of a major investment. You want to know if this Italian-origin, formerly racing-focused brand is offering a better electric bike experience. You’re asking: Is the performance as show-worthy as the reputation suggests? What are you paying for, and is it worth it? And most of all, what is the specific right Fantic model for me? So, what you’ll find in this review is not a list of over-the-top promises… but a review that cuts through the marketing-ese and sets you up with real-world facts. We are going to go through all of Fantic’s models, provide some hands-on feedback on their most popular e-bikes, and discuss the couple of things you should take into consideration so you can choose whether or not a Fantic is the perfect electric bike for you.

Fantic is a specialist brand with a wide range of electric bikes, focused mainly on high-performance off-roading yet also providing cutting-edge urban commuter options. Here’s a straightforward list of all their current product lines and models:

E-MTB Enduro Series

XEF 1.9 Factory

XEF 1.9 Race

XEF 1.8 Carbon

XEF 1.8 Sport

XEF 1.6 Sport

E-MTB All-Mountain Series

XMF 1.7

XMF 1.7 Carbon

XMF 1.7 Sport

E-MTB Trail Series

XTF 1.5

XTF 1.5 Carbon Factory

XTF 1.5 Carbon Race

XTF 1.5 All-Track

XTF 1.5Y

XTF 1.5Y Race

E-MTB Hardtail Series

XTF 1.5 Hardtail

Urban Electric Bike Series

Issimo Urban

Issimo 45

E-Road Bike Series

Passo Giau

Hands-On Reviews: From the Trail to the Street

This time, let’s get out of the catalog and into the real world. A spec sheet has its limits; the real test of a Fantic e-bike is on the road. We have toiled over many of their top models, and base our reviews on direct experience, feel, and observation.

The Fantic XEF 1.9 Factory up first. It is the flagship of their enduro line and it shows. The second you throw a leg over the thing, that aggressive geometry lets you know that this machine is made for speed on the gnarliest of downhills. The ride is powered by the very impressive Brose S-Mag motor, serving up a whopping 90 Nm of torque. What that feels like in practice is a nearly telepathic power delivery. On steep, technical terrain, the motor doesn’t just take over for you; it surges you forward with a smooth, manageable wave of power that, on other bikes, would have fallen short of finding traction. The bike is also visually a work of art. The carbon fiber frame is the definition of clean, the Öhlins suspension works great on both ends, and the 720Wh battery is just integrated perfectly into the whole bike. It just encourages the hell out of you and dares you to push harder and go faster.

Next up was the XMF 1.7, Fantic’s All-Mountain bike. This bike gets it right, running the thin line between climbing and descending with authority. It’s lighter-duty and a bit more playful than its larger EWS-ready Enduro brother. The mullet wheel setup (29” front, 27.5” rear) is obvious and offers the snappy, direct turn-in you’d expect, whilst retaining roll-over. It climbs efficiently with plenty of motor support, but really comes to life when navigating a sticky section of singletrack or a slightly technical downhill. The ride is supple, superbly damped, soaking up hits without isolating the trail. What you are looking at is a purpose-built bike. The spec is well thought out, with the performance where it needs to be, but without the exotic price of the Factory models. It is the ultimate do-it-all electric mountain bike for the off-road traveler who wants to access any trail system.

Finally, the Fantic Issimo Urban is completely bonkers and utterly inspired. It's a weird, weird ride through city streets. The most novel characteristic of this bike is its trellis-type frame that not only looks good but is also very stiff and stable. In combination with the low center of gravity and fat tires, this provides an absurdly comfortable, controlled ride over potholes, cobblestones, and curbs. It feels less like a bicycle than a tiny, zippy urban car. The Bafang M500 motor also delivers peppy acceleration, ideal for setting off with a jump at traffic lights. Visually, it’s a head-turner. People stop and ask about it. The degree of customization, with side panels in different colors and add-ons such as cargo boxes, makes it a reflection of the user. The Issimo demonstrates Fantic can transfer its talents in engineering into something that works, is also loads of fun and super-cool, and all this in the confines of the urban jungle.

Fantic E-bike Parameter Comparison Table

What You're Paying For: Heritage, Engineering, and Quality

Before you spend big on a Fantic electric bike, there are several key points to consider that go beyond how it rides on the trail. Realizing these would assist to affirm whether Fantic is the right brand indeed to consider for such a long-term ownership experience. What draws buyers to Fantic, and what drew you in? An interesting one is the heritage of Fantic, and their engineering philosophy. The nascent e-bike specialist emerged from a tradition of producing extremely competitive motorcycles, and Fantic injects its e-bikes with a "race-ready" DNA. This means frames that are designed to push the boundaries of aggressive riding, where chassis balance becomes the key focus and what we talk about is the rider’s feeling of durability. This isn’t a company that sticks a motor on a regular bicycle frame; they build their electric bikes from scratch as integrated performance systems. It is a commitment that pays off in a major way because it means the bike remains stable and responsive under the additional power and weight burden of an electric system. And what helps Fantic is the selection of high-quality powertrain parts they have at their disposal. Fantic mostly turns to motors from Brose and Yamaha, which are two of the most respected names in the e-bike world. Brose Motors are known for powerful and extremely smooth and quiet power delivery and Yamaha motors are known for their robustness and punchy performance. Combined with big batteries (frequently 630Wh, or even 720Wh), this means that you have not just a kick-ass ride, but also the distance to undertake epic journeys without worry. This attention to top-of-the-line motors and batteries is one of many reasons they perform and feel so premium. In addition, build quality and component quality is generally good. Fantic outfits its bikes with name-brand parts from companies like RockShox, Öhlins, SRAM, Shimano and Magura. That means you’re getting proven, reliable, serviceable brakes, drivetrains, and suspension. This attention to detail is carried through to the frame build, welds and finish in general that oozes a high quality of Italian build. That dedication to creating a machine using high-quality parts helps make a machine that will stand the test of time and inspires confidence in the owner when taking the machine off the beaten track.

An Affordable Alternative: The ENGWE EP-2 Boost

Whilst Fantic has earned its dues as the leader in fast, premium-priced eMTBs, many people are looking for a bike that is well-equipped, versatile and impressively affordable to be used for commuting and leisure riding. ENGWE has done this in spades in the latter area with ENGWE e-bikes offering powerful, convenient and all-terrain capability. One great example in this crowded space is the ENGWE EP-2 Boost. This compact folding electric bike provides the ultimate in flexibility for the on-the-go commuter. At the heart is a 250W massive brushless motor (EU-legal, officer!) but the trick up its sleeve is the Boost function. At the touch of a button, the motor delivers a powerful 55 Nm of torque, making climbs seem to almost disappear. This power is controlled by an award-winning intelligent torque sensor and delivers an inordinately smooth and natural riding experience in contrast to the jerky pedal-assist that we see with lesser systems. The EP-2 Boost is designed to go anywhere, and features 20 x 4.0 fat tires that can take you from the city, to the beach, or simply across the pavement. Safety and control is paramount, with our big 180mm front and rear disc brakes.
PRACTICALITY IN ITS DNA
It is fitted with a high-capacity 48V 13Ah removable and carrier-mounted battery for an impressive range of up to 120km, and for easy charging inside the home after the journey. With an intelligent folding frame design, you can get it easily stored in your car, house or on public transport. Its double-wall one-piece wheels offer a great combination of rolling efficiency and to upgrade your ride, featuring a robust rear rack and full fenders.

Common Questions About Fantic E-Bikes

What motors do Fantic e-bikes use and why does it matter?

Fantic employs the Brose S-Mag motor mainly on its high-end MTB collection and Bafang motors in some urban models like the Issimo. The Brose S-Mag is widely considered one of the best e-MTB motors on the market. It is appreciated for its enormous power (90 Nm of torque) as well as an extraordinarily smooth, quiet and natural power development. It’s less an engine, more like you have super legs. That’s important because it allows for superior control and traction on more technical climbs, and a more intuitive, less-tiring ride in general.

Can I commute on a Fantic Mountain bike?

You probably wouldn’t, though, because it’s not the right tool for the job. Fantic's E-MTB range (XEF, XMF, XTF) are dedicated off-road machines. Their aggressive geometry, knobby tires and long-travel suspension are designed for trails, not for the road. For use as a daily commute bike, the Fantic Issimo is a much preferred option. It’s built for the city with a completely new design with a slimmer, comfortable riding position and urban-particular fat tires for city obstacles, plus practical features like mudguards and a smart front rack, making it a whole lot more fun and capable to get you to work, the bar, or wherever you need to go.

What sets the Fantic build quality way above its peers?

The build quality of a Fantic is on par with any other premium Italian-manufactured bike. That isn’t a stretch; the craftsmanship is visible in the tidy welds of their aluminum frames and the immaculate finish of their carbon models. They concentrate on a system that is strong and provides continuity. This is because the frame is built specifically to accommodate the strains of a powerful motor and the bulk of a large battery, resulting in ride qualities and toughness which stand out over time. They use quality parts from reputable industry-leading brands, guaranteeing greatness time after time!

Where are Fantic e-bikes made?

Fantic is an Italian company and its history is a major component of its branding. They design, engineer and assemble their electric bikes in their factory in Italy, in Santa Maria di Sala. This gives them the ability to exercise a very strict quality control, while benefiting from their long and successful experience as a motorcycle producer, ensuring they have the technical capability of building the vehicle. This “Made in Italy” fact serves as a source of pride and makes it a differentiator among the countless e-bikes in the market.

When you choose a Fantic electric bike, you are experiencing relentless performance combined with Italian engineering at its best, built to take on any trail.