What's an "SUV" ebike?

[Jeremy McCreary]

I keep seeing references to "SUV" ebikes but still unclear as to what kind of ebike that really is. So...

Q: What's an "SUV" ebike?

For example, I put 2.3" hybrid tires with side lugs on my 500W, 65 Nm torque-sensing hub-drive. With lowered 10-speed gearing and my help at the MTB pedals, it does a decent job on the pavement and light to moderate trails in my sandy, hilly area. Low-tide beaches, too. Certainly versatile enough for my purposes, but I have no Tour de France or technical MTB aspirations.

Compared to the road bikes and true MTBs of my earlier years, I think of this bike in its current state as a "hybrid". Question is, could it also be called an "SUV"?

 

[Ben J]

My impression (and I say this as a Tero X 6 owner) is that it's when you take a mountain bike (usually a full suspension mtb), make it electric, and add some features to make it more suitable for road use (e.g. fenders). The result is a sort of do-everything monstrosity akin to an SUV.

I'd call the pictured bike an SUV if it had rear suspension. In that case, I'd consider the step-through part of the "adapt to road use" changes. But with the step-through hard tail, where is the unnecessary off-road capability that an SUV should have?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

As Ben said, a SUV e-bike is a full suspension e-bike with wide (but not necessarily MTB) tyres and with a dropper seat-post, which is fully equipped (fenders, rear rack, lighting). One of the criterions is a mid-drive motor and high-end components, hence the price that justifies the "SUV" moniker

Similarly to SUV cars, SUV e-bikes are rarely ridden off-road

I once demo rode a Tero X, a Specialized SUV e-bike. It was too heavy for my needs!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

My impression (and I say this as a Tero X 6 owner) is that it's when you take a mountain bike (usually a full suspension mtb), make it electric, and add some features to make it more suitable for road use (e.g. fenders). The result is a sort of do-everything monstrosity akin to an SUV.

I'd call the pictured bike an SUV if it had rear suspension. In that case, I'd consider the step-through part of the "adapt to road use" changes. But with the step-through hard tail, where is the unnecessary off-road capability that an SUV should have?

Yeah it was the Tero X that popped into my head reading SUV. Full sus, but also fully equipped unlike an emtb so you can take bags with you and go in or off road with fenders and lights. A go anywhere bike heavy, but with a large battery and powerful motor. Sometimes called a trekking bike. Though those often are hardtails as well.

 

[dblhelix]

I think @Stefan Mikes should stop by and appraise your bike, as he is most likely to use this term.

If I had to guess, I'd say it means heavy, seemingly overbuilt, ponderous. See R&M. Some might assume that the SUV is an off-roader, but in my experience, most SUVs stay on paved roads! Again, see R&M.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

SUV Ebike, definitely a marketing term for a bike that already exists. I have 2 ideas of an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) bike. One is a fat tire bike and the other is a cargo bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I think @Stefan Mikes should stop by and appraise your bike, as he is most likely to use this term.

Honestly, Jeremy's e-bike is a way too far to be called a "SUV" Even I do not own a SUV e-bike

 

[LeeG]

A marketing term that helps put a higher price point on any ebike, tire or accessory. That said Schwalbe Johnny Watts is a good all terrain ebike tire.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

See R&M.

I do agree. Most of Riese & Muller e-bikes check all boxes for a SUV e-bike, with the exception of the Roadster or Nevo or cargo e-bikes. The price is right
The Homage, Delite and Superdelite are 100% SUV e-bikes.

 

[PCeBiker]

As Ben said, a SUV e-bike is a full suspension e-bike with wide (but not necessarily MTB) tyres and with a dropper seat-post, which is fully equipped (fenders, rear rack, lighting).

That's what I gots,..

One of the criterions is a mid-drive motor

Not if there isn't a hill to be found for miles around.

and high-end components, hence the price that justifies the "SUV" moniker

High enough for me.
4 point ball bearing rear swing arm, with Fox air shock.

Similarly to SUV cars, SUV e-bikes are rarely ridden off-road

I ride gravel roads full of potholes with no-hands on the handlebars.

If I'm on off-road trails I'll ditch the second battery for better balance and control.

View attachment 177817
I once demo rode a Tero X, a Specialized SUV e-bike. It was too heavy for my needs!

I float along at up to 32 kph on the pavement with both great efficiency and traction on my Super Moto-X 27.5 X 2.8 Schwalbe tires.
No-Hands, throttle locked.

It was too heavy for my needs!

If you can't handle a 100 pound e-bike, maybe you need a scooter or an electric wheelchair?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Not sure "SUV" is just a marketing term. Have yet to see it on an official ebike product page, and I look at a lot of those just out of curiosity. In fact, the only place I've ever seen it used to refer to an ebike is the EBR forum.

Any examples of ebikes explicitly hawked as SUVs by their manufacturers or sellers?

 

[PCeBiker]

Not sure "SUV" is just a marketing term.

SUV Ebike, definitely a marketing term for a bike that already exists.

I'll bet it's used more for marketing cheap Chinese e-bikes?

All you need to do to change between "utility" and "sporty" is swap out the cargo tires or knobbies for street tires.

There's compromises going either way, with Hybrid tires stuck in the middle.

Cheap Chinese e-bikes don't have to take responsibility for a street e-bike dropping in the dirt, or a dirt bike losing grip on the pavement.

I'm suing Et.Cycle.
Their ebike is defective.
It fell over.

 

[AZ-cruzer]

.

 

[PCeBiker]

That said Schwalbe Johnny Watts is a good all terrain ebike tire.

If you take those knobbie tires around a tight corner on asphalt, they will slide out from under you.

A street type tire with knobs on the sidewall is much better suited to all terrain and Way More efficient on the pavement and hardpack.

I think something like the Schwalbe Hurricane is a good compromise,..

 

[PCeBiker]

Here's a couple on a quick google search...

El Kahuna SUV

For those that love the idea of carrying gear with the assistance of an e-MTB the El Kahuna SUV is the answer! It features a sturdy aluminum frame, 29” wheels, front and rear lights, and a rear rack which is integrated with a fender. A 100mm fork smooths out the bumps, and powerful disc brakes...

www.konaworld.com

https://www.orbea.com/us-en/ebikes/urban/kemen-suv/

I do like the tires,.
Less knobby but still might wear down in the middle.
Less positive road contact than a solid bead of rubber down the center of the tire though?

It sucks to replace tires that are worn out in the center, but still almost new on the sides.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Not sure "SUV" is just a marketing term. Have yet to see it on an official ebike product page, and I look at a lot of those just out of curiosity. In fact, the only place I've ever seen it used to refer to an ebike is the EBR forum.

Any examples of ebikes explicitly hawked as SUVs by their manufacturers or sellers?

I’m not sure where the SUV moniker originated from but it’s obvious that it stems from the auto industry and that someone is cashing in on the trend. There seem to be less than a handful of big-name manufacturers that refer directly to specific ebikes in their fleet as SUV contenders including both Giant and Canyon. Lesser-known brands such as Moustache and Bulls have also followed suit though I can’t say I recall either Trek, Cannondale or Specialized singling out any of their bikes as SUV models. I see bikes in this category as sort of the Swiss Army knife all rounders and likely appeal to those who want a purposeful touring-oriented ride suitable for light duty off road use and rigged with plenty of convenient features for hauling goods from local farmers’ markets to exploring backroads. Plenty of options to choose from all of the majors.

 

[BlackHand]

It sucks to replace tires that are worn out in the center, but still almost new on the sides.

You're supposed to ride around in circles to even out the wear

 

[fooferdoggie]

no this is the bike version of the SUV. its as big as one can handle multiple passengers large engines weigh close to an SUV. does great on the road or off it can climb mountains. It can go off road it can hail trailers and dogs too.

 

[PCeBiker]

You're supposed to ride around in circles to even out the wear

Yeah !! I hear that !!

I used to ride around corners like that dude on the street bike, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself to lean my e-bike over like that.



I don't have banked corners on the asphalt to handle the G forces.

I keep nervously testing the lean angle that I can get on my tires on asphalt.

 

[PCeBiker]

You're supposed to ride around in circles to even out the wear

I remember my dad telling me about a guy that owned a motorcycle in the mountains.

The guy wore out his tires along the sidewalls before the center tread was worn out.