Rundeer Electric Bike Review: Is Rundeer A Good Brand?

An In-Depth Rundeer E-Bike Review

If you've found yourself here, you're probably pretty far down the rabbit hole in electric bike research and find yourself intrigued by the name “Rundeer” more than a couple of times in your reading. You’re asking all the right questions: Can I trust this company? Does the reality live up to the hype? And most importantly, should you go with a Rundeer e-bike? This is meant to be a thorough review, which will get you through the noise and provide you with the substantive information that you’re searching for. We’ll take a look at Rundeer’s lineup as a whole, ride their more popular models (in the real world), and we’ll explain what to look out for before you invest in a new ride. It’s also our aim to provide you with a complete overview and help you make an informed decision on whether Rundeer is right for you, and that it might even surpass today's modern e-bike in many aspects!

Rundeer's E-Bike Portfolio and Test Rides

Rundeer is a direct-to-consumer, hyper-focused electric bike brand that offers a well-rounded array of models ideal to meet the needs of environmentally conscious individuals riding purely for fun, and of those with some place to be. To fully grasp the brand, you have to look at their whole portfolio laid out in front of you. A full listing of their current models and series is below, which will show you what options are offered to you:

All-Terrain Fat Tire Series: Cheetah

Urban Commuter Series: Pegasus

Urban Commuter Series: Lark

Folding Electric Bike Series: L14

Folding Electric Bike Series: S6

We tested Rundeer’s best-selling models first to determine what Rundeer really meant to the users. We zeroed in on the Cheetah, their top-of-the-line fat-tire style, as well as on the Pegasus, the commuter bike for the rest of us. Riding on the Cheetah is to love raw power. The first impression is that it’s just really solid; it feels like a sturdy, well-made frame which gives you confidence before you’ve even turned a pedal. On the road, those 4-inch fat tires steal the show. They roll over potholed asphalt, grassy fields, and gravel tracks with astonishing smoothness, munching up small lumps and bumps while giving you a stable, planted sensation. Power is immediate to the motor, a welcome rush of electricity that suddenly makes hills a lot less intimidating. It has a comfortable, upright riding position for longer rides around the neighborhood or exploring some trails. The welds on the frame were found to be clean and the paint finish appears to be durable, showing good attention to detail in the manufacturing process. The included rear rack is a nice touch that immediately says, "Yeah, I can use that to carry gear or groceries."

The experience, for the Pegasus, switches to urban agility. The step-through frame is a standout feature, making the bike very convenient to jump on and off for city errands. It’s much easier to maneuver through bike lanes and around tight corners than the Cheetah, and it feels lighter and more nimble. The motor offers plenty of assistance or 'umph' at “city speeds,” and you can certainly keep up with the flow of traffic, no sweat. The built-in lights are super bright and strong, which is absolutely necessary for commuting in the early morning or in the evening. The impression is one of relaxed practicality, a much-improved way of getting from A to B.

Beyond the Ride: The Ownership Experience

But beyond the test drive, a wise buyer thinks about what life will be like down the road. This is when a brand really shows its true colors. With Rundeer, there are a few things to think about before you hit that buy button.

Assembly and Setup

Firstly, assembly and setup. The bikes generally show up in good packaging but not fully assembled. Here the process is similar to a Peloton or a SoulCycle bike, but the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and saddle are easier to attach, as most people with even the most rudimentary mechanical skills should be able to put the thing together in under an hour with the provided tools. The directions are fairly straightforward, a big plus for the nonprofessional mechanic.

Build and Component Selection

Next, the build and piece selection. Rundeer is all about the firm base, it appears. The frames are unanimously appreciated for their super-sturdy aluminum alloy build. They might not use name-brand, top-of-the-line components for brakes, shifters, etc., on all their bikes, but the parts they do use are functionally equivalent and reliable as the intended usage would dictate. This is a popular formula in this class of electric bike to be able to offer a fully-featured e-bike at a reachable price. The battery, arguably the most important part, is removable. This is great for security purposes (you can carry it inside) and convenience (you can charge it away from the bike). For all that, battery life is pretty good, although as always with e-bikes, actual range will be heavily determined by rider weight, terrain, weather, and assist level.

Support Ecosystem

Finally, new buyers will have to look at the support ecosystem. It's smart to at least look for a good user community online, since having a bunch of other owners to guide you can be invaluable in learning the angles of your new e-bike.

How Rundeer Compares: A Look at the Alternatives

Although drilling down into the Rundeer choice list is a good idea, the general electric bike world is awash with great products, and if you take time to look, there are other options which may provide an alternative mix of features and performance. Here are a few extra options that you may also be interested in offering a comparison to the above: When you think about what makes an e-bike truly stand out, it's impossible not to notice the attention companies like ENGWE put into their e-bike designs. Their ENGWE EP-2 Boost in particular raises the bar when it comes to the standard that’s possible in a capable, powerful foldable electric bike. Indeed, what makes the EP-2 Boost really special is its sophisticated torque sensor, giving super smooth, intuitive, totally natural-feeling pedal assist, which is always in tune with your efforts and delivers power just when you need it. That's accompanied by a 'Boost' button, activated by a push, which releases the full 55Nm of torque from its 250W motor for on-the-spot access to extra power – ideal for steep climbs that you want to make seem like flat roads. Ready for anything, the Adventure steps out on fat 20 x 4.0-inch tires mounted on 20-inch alloy one-piece wheels that combine to deliver plenty of traction and control on snow, sand, and most any other surface. Stopping power is excellent, with 180mm dual disc brakes and a heavy-duty rear rack. One of its most notable features is an impressive range of up to 120 km on a single charge from its 48V 13Ah battery, leaving most riders worry-free about its range limit. With the added benefit of having the ability to fold up for easy storage, the EP-2 Boost offers the versatility of an all-rounder with the space-saving practicality of a commuter model, meaning it's a no-brainer for anyone looking for a versatile one-stop shop for electric bikes!

To help you have a better understanding of the differences among Rundeer's own products, below is a comparative table of their flagship models. This table will help you do a quick side-by-side comparison of our recommended electric bikes and find the one that most aligns with your needs on the track and street.

Top 5 Questions About Rundeer E-Bikes

To help you make an even wiser decision, we have collected and answered the top 5 questions you might have about Rundeer electric bikes.

How hard is assembling a Rundeer e-bike?

Assembly is fairly straightforward for most people. The bikes come about 85% assembled. The big-ticket items such as the frame, rear wheel, motor, and drivetrain are already laid out. Your only responsibilities will be to add the front wheel, handlebars, saddle, and pedals. Rundeer provides the necessary tools and instructions. Again, if there’s a YouTube assembly video for the brand you purchased, watch it, because sometimes steps make more sense with actual people and moving parts than they do on the printed page. If you're a little apprehensive about bikes, you can always take it down to your local bike shop, and they will put it together properly with the correct torque settings.

So, what is the honest, day-to-day distance I'm going to get from a Rundeer battery?

The claimed distance always carries a list of assumptions with it—certainly it’s a lightweight rider on flat terrain with no wind and the lowest pedal assist (PAS 1). In practice, you can expect a smaller range. For most Rundeer models, if you are pedaling on a combination of PAS level 2 and 3 on mixed flat and sloped terrain, you can expect 60-70% of the maximum claimed range. Things like cold weather, frequent use of high-power assist, lugging heavy cargo, and cruising at higher speeds all will serve to decrease the bike’s range even faster than indicated. The trick is to temper your expectations and to organize your longer jaunts a bit more methodically.

Are Rundeer electric bikes waterproof? Can I ride them in the rain?

Rundeer e-bikes are water-resistant, not waterproof. They are IP rated (usually IPX4 or similar), which means that they will be able to resist light splashes and riding through light to moderate rain. The electrical parts like the motor, battery, and controller have been waterproofed to provide light wet protection (perfect for typical rainy days). However, you should not submerge the bike in water, use a high-pressure water jet to wash it, or leave it in heavy rain for extended periods. Be sure to wipe the bike down after getting it wet, paying extra attention to the chain and electrical contact points in order to prevent corrosion.

Where is the nearest place to get my Rundeer e-bike serviced or for parts replacement?

Thinking long-term about this is very important. For warranty issues and proprietary parts such as the controller or some of the frame components, you will probably have to deal directly with Rundeer’s own customer service. However, common "wear and tear" items like brake pads, tires, tubes, chains, and cassettes can be purchased and serviced at any competent local bike shop. Establishing a good relationship with a local shop for tune-ups and repairs is always a smart move for any e-bike owner.

Is a fat tire bike (e.g., Rundeer “Cheetah”) good for city commuting if you’re 100 pounds and commuting on solid pavement?

It can be, but it comes with caveats. The biggest advantage is comfort and all-terrain capability; they soak up road vibrations, absorbing the impact from potholes, curbs, and rough street pavement. This aspect of the bike provides a very secure and stable ride. The drawbacks include that fat-tire bikes are heavier, not as maneuverable in close quarters, and have more rolling resistance, meaning they may get slightly less range per battery size than a bike with thinner tires. If you primarily ride on well-maintained roads, a commuter like the Pegasus may prove more performant. However, if part of your daily route includes rougher stretches or gravel portions, or you just enjoy the added comfort and stability over peak efficiency, the Cheetah can be a great and fun daily commuter option.

At the end of the day, a Rundeer electric bike is a reliable and good entry into the world of e-mobility, designed for the rider who needs a little (or a lot) of help on their commute.