I hate e-bikes. Well, I used to. Back when I lived in NYC, I pedaled a standard road bike to work and loved the sweat. It felt like multitasking. Transit plus cardio. Efficient. But then I sat on the Hiboy P6. And I started changing my mind. Not fully. But enough.
Out of the Box
Hiboy is a budget-friendly brand. Chinese roots, Amazon shipping. The bike came in one massive box. Assembly was straightforward. No hidden traps. You attach the front wheel, bolt on the handlebars and lights. Connect some wires. Done. The toolkit in the box actually works.
You can charge the removable battery in about six hours. It promises 50 to 62 miles with pedal assist. Pure throttle cuts that in half. Do the math if you live far from a plug.
It Is A Beast
Sixty-five pounds. That’s not light. It’s average for an e-bike, sure, but these tires add bulk. The front wheel pops off easily, which helps if you’re cramming this into an SUV. I could do it alone, but barely. Use a ramp. Please. Use a ramp.
I’m 5’4″. On the lowest seat setting, I felt unsteady when stopped. Especially on hills. The brand warns anyone under 5’3″ to steer clear. Fair enough. If you’re shorter, or used to zippy carbon tri-bikes, this thing will feel like a tank. If you’re taller or used to fat bikes, it’ll probably feel like home.
Comfort, however, is where it shines. The seat? Wide. Plush. The hydraulic suspension fork (lockout available) and those thick 26×4-inch tires eat up the road. Potholes don’t exist here. Glass? Invisible. I rode through Denver and felt invincible. A little Mad Max energy, honestly.
The Tech Setup
This is a Class 3 e-bike. That means up to 28 mph with pedal assist. The motor peaks at 1,000 watts. Three modes: full throttle (up to 20 mph), pedal assist, or just pedal like a peasant (analog mode).
Shimano 7-speed gears keep things moving. You do have to dial in the gear-to-power ratio, though. Get it wrong? Jerky ride. Get it right? Smooth.
The right handlebar hosts the display. Speed. Distance. Battery. Plus button for assist levels. And a horn. Loud. So loud I startled a bighorn sheep once by leaning too hard. Not a joke. Learn from my mistake. The left side handles gear shifts. Simple. Effective.
I really appreciated that you don’t have to use an app. No logins. No Wi-Fi handshakes. Just ride.
Integrated lights check that box. Kickstand is solid. Locking it? Painful. The frame is too thick for standard U-locks without some gymnastics. Battery removes easily, but adds 7+ pounds to your bag if you’re carrying it. Looks like a normal bike, though, just… wider.
Gravel King
Real talk: this thing is made for the rough stuff.
I took it to Waterton Canyon outside Denver. Gravel. Mud. Puddles. The fat tires tore through it like a hot knife through butter. People stared. Obviously. It’s beefy. But it didn’t care. Climbs were powered. Descents were stable. It felt more like piloting a Vespa on dirt than riding a bike.
Pedal off? It’s a motorized scooter with off-road clearance. I’d love to see it in snow. It’d plow through slush like it was nothing.
Would I take this technical trail rides? No. Too heavy for steep, technical descents. But for traction and braking on any surface? It’s solid. Brand claims 20% climbing ability. Seemed true on my end.
Verdict
For city commuting? Maybe overkill. For gravel, sand, beach? Perfect.
At over $1,000, you’re paying for durability. The interface doesn’t overwhelm. It gives you exactly what you need and stops. That’s refreshing.
It’s not nimble. It’s heavy. But if you don’t mind the scooter-feel, you might just enjoy the ride. Or you won’t. We’ll never know unless you try.
