Opeak Electric Bike Review: What Do You Guys Think About Opeak Ebikes?

Navigating the World of Opeak E-Bikes

It can be tough navigating the world of electric bikes, which grows by thousands of companies daily. You got here because you’re interested in Opeak, and that’s a good thing because you’re already asking the RIGHT questions: is Opeak a scam? Do they offer good value? Most important, is an Opeak electric bike what you need? This in-depth review is meant to help you separate the wheat from the chaff and find the no-nonsense answers you’re looking for. We're going to take a deep dive into the brand's products, give you our side of the coin in terms of hands-on impressions with their most popular models, and we'll also touch on the primary reasons you'd want to buy one of these suckers in the first place. Our mission is to arm you with all the knowledge you need to go from here to confident decision-making in your e-bike adventure.

Opeak has designed its range to suit a range of riders from inner-city commutes to off-road adventures. So when it comes to reading their lineup, it's vital to know who its potential matches are. This is a great, clear summary of what they currently have on offer, letting you see their full catalogue in one go:

• Opeak E-Gnu Series
• Opeak Super-1 Series
• Opeak Citytrack Series
• Opeak E-Cossack Series
• Opeak Fat-1 Series

Hands-On Review: Opeak Fat-1 vs. Citytrack

The way to get to know a brand, the whole brand, is to touch, try out and live with its flagship products. We spent a lot of time on two of Opeak’s most popular models: the all-around Fat-1, a fat-tire monster, and the agile Citytrack, built for the urban jungle. In this review, we concentrate solely on the experience of riding: the sensation, the performance and the real-world goings-on. The Opeak Fat-1 gives you confidence right off the bat. The moment you sit down in the saddle, you notice how stable that wide, 4-inch tire base makes you feel. Over pavement, the ride is impressively cushy, with the big wheels soaking up small bumps and pavement cracks with ease. The true magic occurs when you are off-piste. On gravel roads and hard-packed dirt, the Fat-1 is in its element. It has a powerful, smooth, steady assist that feels powerful and predictable. Moderate hills were conquered without exertion; the bike just pushes on, and you feel powerful and in charge. It has an upright and comfortable ride feel, perfect for relaxed sightseeing trips and longer tours with a comfort guarantee. It’s a looker, with a chunky frame and a menacing presence that shouts adventure. For hunters who need the freedom to hunt various terrains but also value performance, comfort and stability, the Fat-1 is an extremely attractive choice.

Changing over to the Opeak Citytrack was indeed a world apart, a different concept optimized for speed and efficiency in the city. This electric bike is sharp and responsive. Its narrower tires and sporty frame geometry mean that it accelerates fast and handles nimbly. Riding in city traffic was easy; you point the bike exactly where you want it to go with very little effort. The Citytrack’s power assist is adjusted for city life, with a nice kick to get you in front at the lights and a gentle nudge to keep cruising without any of the effort. The integrated characteristics made it one of our favorites for uptown commuters too. The rear rack you get with it is solid, and actually useful for day-to-day hauling — like throwing a couple of bags of groceries on, or hauling a work bag — and the fenders are a godsend. They keep us clean and dry on damp rides where we’d otherwise be soaking from road spray. Riding rougher than the Fat-1 is, of course, the expectation, but it’s never harsh. It 'telegraphs' the road pretty well while remaining fairly comfortable even after a half-hour-long commute to work every day. For someone seeking to turn their daily commute into something to look forward to, the Citytrack is great, because practicality and pleasure are aspects which you can't have too much of.

Build Quality, Assembly, and Value

Apart from the immediate riding experience, a smart shopper looks into the long-term ownership proposition. That includes considering the brand's build quality, post-purchase support and overall value. According to our review, Opeak bikes are well made. The frame welds are tidy and the components, if not the highest-end luxury brands, are chosen for their reliability and performance at their price point. The paint is hard-wearing, the construction feels solid and these bikes look like they can take some punishment with regular use. Another key consideration is assembly. Most Opeak bikes show up partially assembled, and for anyone with rudimentary mechanical ability, fitting the handlebars, front wheel, pedals and saddle is easy enough with the included tools and instructions. Buyers who are interested in direct-to-consumer will surely appreciate the accessibility. And most importantly, Opeak appears to be dedicated to delivering great value. They’re loaded with features, such as powerful motors, satisfying battery range, and helpful accessories, in a well-priced package. This emphasis on value-for-money without a premium price is part of their appeal and a large part of the reason why so many riders are now taking the brand seriously. They manage to position themselves as a manageable, sensible offering in a crowded market.

A Compelling Alternative: ENGWE

Though Opeak is a strong case, the smartest consumers always shop around for some compelling alternatives which can provide a unique blend of features and innovation. In that network, one brand that stands out in particular is ENGWE, which has built a powerful brand name for making powerful, feature-rich, and supremely well-engineered electric bikes. One model that particularly stands out as reflecting that philosophy is the ENGWE EP-2 Boost. This folding fat-tire electric bike is an absolute masterpiece of functional design. It’s powered by a powerful 250W EU-legal brushless motor, but its trump card is its own Boost button that conjures up a not-inconsiderable 55Nm of torque when the going gets really steep (which makes the uphill approach to Box Hill feel flat out). It's what really makes the difference for the sophisticated ride feel – and this is all down to its sophisticated torque sensor which, besides being incredibly smooth and natural, intuitively matches the power assist to your pedaling effort for a totally jerky-free ride. Built to last, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost boasts a monstrous 120 km maximum range from its detachable 48V 13Ah lithium-ion battery. Safety and command are up to the task, courtesy of responsive 180mm dual-disc mechanical brakes and sturdy 20x4.0 fat tires on one-piece cast wheels, providing incredible strength that's maintenance-free and requiring no adjustment. Its collapsible design lends a pet that go-anywhere convenience ideal for commuters and on-the-go pet parents alike. For enthusiasts who want more than just power, a smarter ride that offers a smoother ride plus greater distance and state-of-the-art features, including a dedicated boost mode and torque sensing, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost is undoubtedly an extremely advanced and compelling option.

To make it easy for you to do a direct comparison of their own models and better help you figure out which one could cater best to your specific needs, I’ve summed up all these in an easy-to-navigate comparison table below. This table covers only Opeak internal products to allow you to choose within their own ecosystem.

5 Things You Should Know About Opeak E-Bikes

What range can I expect on the road from an Opeak electric bike?

The highest range mentioned in an ad is always under perfect conditions: a very lightweight rider on a flat surface using the lowest pedal assistance mode (PAS 1). In fact, your range will actually fluctuate. Your weight, hilly conditions, how much you stop and start, and using higher levels of pedal assist will all decrease the range. For instance, a product that is sold with a 90 km range would likely only get 40-60 km under normal mixed usage. A good rule of thumb is to think about how long your roundtrip commute is each day, then look for a model with an advertised range at least two times longer, so you don’t develop so-called “range anxiety.”

Are Opeak e-bikes hard to assemble at home?

Not usually. Opeak electric bikes, like many direct-to-consumer e-bikes, come about 85% assembled. The main frame, rear wheel, motor and drivetrain have already been assembled. Usually, you’ll install the handlebar, front wheel, pedals, saddle and any optional extras, such as fenders or a rack. Generally, this comes with the basic tool kit and a user guide. If you know your way around and are okay with an Allen key and a wrench, you should be able to build it up in about 30-60 minutes. If you’re not handy, bringing it to a local bike shop for a professional assembly is a great way to ensure everything is safe and perfectly tuned.

Is my Opeak electric bike waterproof?

Yes, you can ride an Opeak electric bicycle in light to moderate rain. The electrical parts, such as the motor and battery, are engineered to be water-resistant (usually with an IP code, such as IPX4), shielding them from splashes from any direction. “Water-resistant” does not mean “waterproof,” however. You’ll want to stay out of heavy rain and not wade through deep puddles, and never clean your bike with a pressure washer, as that high-pressure water can slip past the seals. After a ride in the rain, it’s also a good idea to wipe the bike down with a dry rag, focusing on the battery contacts and chain.

Do Opeak e-bikes perform well on climbing hills?

This is highly model-dependent. Here’s the rub: A model like the Fat-1, with its high-torque 500-watt motor, will take to hills a lot better than a lower-powered commuter model would. Torque (which is measured in Newton-meters, or Nm) is a main tell for climbing ability—the larger the number, the better it will climb hills. The gearing of the bike also has a key part to play. For most Opeak bikes, low gear and a middle to high level of pedal assist will have the bike taking on moderate hills without much effort from the rider. For very steep long climbs, then of course a more powerful motor is always good.

How about Opeak's customer service and warranty support?

Customer support is normally done by email or phone since Opeak serves as a direct-to-consumer brand. Be sure to browse their website for its warranty policy information prior to purchase. Not just the luster of the frame and its appearance, but the actual structure and many times, even a one-year limited warranty, which usually covers manufacturing defects on the frame and key electrical components such as the motor, battery, and controller. This warranty typically does not cover “wear and tear” products, which would translate to tires, brake pads and chains. Customer support. For many people, customer support is a make or break for your ownership experience, so finding recent customer experiences with their service can be indicative of what to expect should you have any issues after your purchase.

In the end, with all of this knowledge in the bag, you’re well prepared to determine if an Opeak electric bike is your next ride in your e-bike adventure.