RFN Electric Bike Review: Pros And Cons

The Uncompromising Vision of RFN E-Bikes

In the rapidly growing world of e-bikes, there are some players that stand out with an unambiguous, no-holds-barred vision. RFN is one of those names and it has been successfully carving a niche for itself, especially with riders who want more than just to commute to work and back. Coming from roots awash with bespoke off-road performance and motorcycle engineering, RFN brings a new breed of e-bike to the table – Punch, Strength, and the Mojo of what we stand for. This leaves us with the key question for the would-be purchaser: is an RFN electric bike the flying machine your riding has been waiting for, or is its specialist approach a bridge too far? This Ultimate Guide is to help cut through some of the noise and give an in-depth look at the brand, the products they produce and if an RFN e-bike in your garage would even be worth considering.

RFN's offering here is tight and it plays to its performance-based philosophy. The company values quality over quantity, and there’s a specific purpose to each of its models for the discriminating cyclist. Their existing products are all based on one core strong platform, with only purpose and some driver specs varying. The following is a succinct overview of their primary offerings:

RFN Ares Rally Pro (Some people call it the RSF as well)

Ares Rally ER (version of Rally Pro with rally fairing)

RFN Ares Road (Street-legal version of the Rally Pro)

RFN Titan Series (Line geared towards maximum strength and practicality)

A Deep Dive into the RFN Ares Rally Pro

Our deep dive starts with the model that has created the excitement and embodies the brand: RFN Ares Rally Pro. This isn’t an electric bike you just hop on and do some leisurely riding to the cafe; it’s a purpose-built machine that cries out to be pushed. You can tell what this Ares Rally Pro is about the first time you see it. Its sturdy motorcycle-style frame and long-travel suspension are a far cry from most commuter e-bikes. The welds are clean and everything feels really solid. Throwing a leg over the saddle, the riding position is firm and sporty. It’s higher and more forward-leaning, and readies you for active, sporty riding, rather than passive cruising.

The power’s first engagement is a primary part of the experience. Far from the gentle but gradual assist of many e-bikes, the engagement of the RFN’s mid-drive motor is a strong, sudden surge of torque. This is exhilarating on a dirt trail. The bike leaps forward under pedal power, all the motor’s torque feeling well-connected for you to power up steep, loose inclines that would be impossible on a lesser bike. Another high point is the suspension. It eats rocks, roots and ruts up with amazing composure; the wheels stay glued and it feels planted enough to push on through gnar. You don’t just roll over obstacles; you feel that suspension actually working under you, controlling the lay of the land with a sophistication typically reserved for expensive mountain bikes or dirt bikes. The braking system uses hydraulic disc brakes to deliver powerful, consistent braking power with the kind of control that can make a difference on a more technical descent. Basically, the Ares Rally Pro is all about raw power and control. It's that feeling you get when you have a bit more power and performance at your fingertips, offering one of the most thrilling rides you'll ever experience on a daredevil ride.

Is an RFN Bike Right for You? Key Considerations

But aside from the raw riding experience, there are a whole host of other important things a possible customer has to consider before he (or she) decides to put all of their eggs into an RFN basket. These are the factors that will actually have the greatest impact on long-term happiness, and if a bike really suits your needs. First, we need to understand who these RFN electric bikes are trying to cater to. These machines are built for the enthusiast—the rider who loves a challenge, expects peak performance, and is likely to have some off-road riding experience, either on mountain bikes or in the saddle of a motorcycle. That aggressive power and racer vibe means it would be less than ideal for a new rider after a simple, relaxed form of transportation.

The other big thing is versatility. The Ares Road is certainly packing street-legal parts that are high performance in nature. Would it be safe to commute on it on a daily basis? Yeah, well that would be like driving a race car to the grocery store. It’s heavier, bulkier and designed primarily for stability at speed rather than low-speed nimbleness and urban convenience like a cargo rack or integrated lighting. One major benefit, however, is the added strength. Backed by the overbuilt frame and quality parts, an RFN bike is designed to take abuse and keep on going. You buy this machine for years of hard riding, not as a throwaway piece of tech.

Maintenance is another consideration. The brakes, drivetrain and so on are common brands, but the motor and some other things are proprietary, and that means you are at the mercy of RFN for any motor or frame-related problems. Finally, there's the "wow factor." Owning an RFN is a statement. Its ingenious design catches the eye and adds a point of interest to any discussion. It’s a bike for someone who savors robust engineering and wants to stand out from the throng of typical e-bikes, which makes it a purchase that’s fueled as much by desire as it is by practicality.

An Alternative Option and Model Comparison

The RFN creates its own space within the world of high-performance off-road adventure and, in the past, many enthusiasts have asked for a more everyday-usable package that is as comfortable as it is capable. For those customers, a very tempting alternative presents itself in the shape of the ENGWE EP-2 Boost. This vehicle combines a powerful ride with comfortable ergonomics, and it is also efficient. At its heart is a smart torque sensor that lets the motor do its work by determining how much power the rider needs and then adjusting the motor's assistance accordingly in real time. And, for those times when you need a little extra power – when climbing a hill for instance - a quick press of the “Boost” button delivers a peak 55Nm of torque from the proven 250W brushless motor and makes light work of the steepest gradients. The ENGWE EP-2 Boost is made for all-terrain explorers, coming with 20 x 4.0 fat tires that will provide you with great stability and traction on all types of terrain such as city asphalt, roads, gravel, and sandy surfaces. One of its main benefits to city and space-starved riders is that it has a smart foldable frame that puts it in a folded stance that makes it convenient for storing in an apartment, office or car trunk. Safety and control are at the forefront of the design with powerful 180mm Front and Rear mechanical disc brakes providing reliable stopping power. And with a high capacity 48V 13Ah removable battery, it gives you more than enough range with up to 120km (75 miles) per charge. This folding e-bike is the real deal: you don’t need to trade power for practicality or durability for convenience.

I wanted to make things a little easier for you to understand RFN’s core models so I came up with this comparison table. This clear look at each one will place their purposes in perspective and aid in matching a model to your riding type.

Frequently Asked Questions about RFN E-Bikes

We've gathered up five of the top questions would-be buyers have about RFN e-bikes, and answered them in detail to help your decision-making process.

What’s the real, real-world range of an RFN e-bike?

The range of any electric bike is optimistically advertised. For a high-performance machine like an RFN, the in-use real-world range varies greatly. If you are running with the power turned up to the max, riding hard up technical climbs and the STEEP stuff, you will use the battery faster. Riders use the bike in this way and typically achieve distances of between 30-60KM. But, say, use the bike with less power assist on flatter ground and you could double or triple that range for sure. The big one is RFN puts power output ahead of maximum range, so you can expect range numbers that are more in the ballpark of a hard riding session than a touring trek.

Are RFN e-bikes hard to assemble and maintain?

Most people with moderate mechanical ability can easily assemble it. Bikes typically come to you partly assembled; you'll need to attach the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and ensure all bolts are tightened. The instructions are generally clear. Maintenance depends on the part. Common parts such as the drivetrain, tires, and hydraulic brakes are supported by any decent bike shop. Aside from that, the motor, controller, and battery system is proprietary to RFN. So for any electronic related issues, or issues pertaining to the motor, you are going to have to contact RFN’s official service channels or approved dealers. Build quality is excellent so reliability is a forte, but it is something to bear in mind if you plan to own for the long-term.

Can I actually commute with an RFN Ares?

You can, but that’s not what it’s designed for. Commuting on an Ares Rally Pro is overkill with trade-offs. It’s missing some of these practical features; for example, there is no rear cargo rack or fenders integrated (although you can add them). Its aggressive tires will lose tread more quickly on pavement and produce more rolling resistance, while its high power might be more than you need on city streets. The Ares Road is a much better commuter fit; it’s purpose-built for pavement, but it still has that aggressive, performance-first DNA. It’s a lot of fun for a commuter if you have rough roads to contend with or just like the style and power, but other than that, a more dedicated commuter e-bike would make more sense for most people.

What is the feeling of power delivery with an RFN mid-drive?

It feels immediate, potent, and intuitive. In contrast to hub motors, which may feel like they are “pushing” the bike, RFN’s mid-drive motor directly powers the crankset. That’s manual, so the assist is directly in accord with your pedaling. Pedal harder, and the motor gives you extra torque instantly. This results in a very organic, powerful sensation, as if you have superhuman legs. It has better traction on the climbs because the power is delivered through the drivetrain of the bike, which allows the weight to remain centered. This right-now kind of power boost is a major factor that all enthusiasts love about the brand.

Are RFN e-bikes legal to ride on roads and trails?

This is an incredibly important question. The RFN Ares Rally Pro is considered a high-power off-road vehicle with unlimited speed, and is usually prohibited on public roads, bike paths, and well-known public trail systems unless specific permission is given. Private land and designated off-road parks are the intended use. The RFN Ares Road is the answer to exactly this: built with the motor and top speed restricted to meet the local e-bike requirements (such as in the EU and UK). Before you buy and ride any e-bike, also make sure to do your own research on what the local and national laws are for e-bike power, speed, and equipment and also make sure you're getting the right bike and operating legally.

Because, at the end of the day, when you decide to go with an RFN electric bike, it is a decision to put performance and off-road capability above all else.