Eskute Voyager Review
Reviewed by Simon Barker

Overview

Max Speed
15.5 mph

Max Range
44 Miles

Motor Power
250W

Engine Type
Geared Hub Motor

Charge Time
7 Hours

Weight
55 lbs / 25 Kgs
Reasons to buy
I highly recommend the Eskute Voyager e-bike for anyone searching for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality. As an e-mountain bike/trail bike, it exceeded my expectations with its excellent components and solid reputation. Despite its affordable price tag, this model shares many features and parts with Eskute’s city equivalent, the Wayfarer, making it a reliable and versatile option.
One of the standout features of the Voyager is its impressive speed capabilities. With a powerful Bafang 250W motor and a 480Wh battery, it can reach speeds of around 20mph, which is remarkable for a bike in this price range. The combination of the battery and motor also offers a decent range, allowing you to cover approximately 100km when relying on pedal assist and motor power before recharging. Even if you let the motor do most of the work, you can still cover a respectable 50km per charge. The speed and range performance may vary depending on terrain and weather conditions, but overall, the Voyager delivers a satisfying ride.
Reasons to Avoid
While the Eskute Voyager offers great value for its price, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. One limitation is the battery range when tackling mountain cycling routes and off-road adventures. In such demanding conditions, the bike’s battery life may not last as long as expected. It’s important to note that this is a common issue with e-bikes using a hub-style motor and cadence sensor system like the Voyager. The motor tends to provide less power when the cadence drops below a certain threshold, particularly on steep and uneven trails. While this may not be a dealbreaker, it’s worth considering if you plan to ride in challenging off-road terrains primarily.
Additionally, although functional, the braking system on the Voyager may require more force to bring the bike to a complete stop compared to higher-end models. The brake pads may need some initial use to achieve optimal performance. While the front brake works well, the rear brake can feel spongy and less effective when used independently. However, with time and usage, the braking performance may improve. It’s important to note that the Voyager’s brakes are mechanical disc brakes, and the specific components used may not be branded or of the highest quality. Nonetheless, the braking system can still provide sufficient stopping power with some adjustments and familiarization.
Eskute Voyager E-Bike Review
If it’s a budget-priced e-mountain bike/trail bike you are after with a good reputation and even better components, then you should give serious consideration to the Voyager from Eskute. The city equivalent from the Eskute range is the Wayfarer and this model shares many of the same parts and features.
It makes for an elegant and fun ride that belies its extremely low-price tag. I understand the reservations you may have about spending less than a grand for something that’s expected to handle well on the rough and tumble of off-road biking routes and paths, but that’s why I tested it out before writing this review. To bring you the highlights of the experience.
The Speed
I want to start where I always start with these reviews and that is with the speed you can achieve on the Eskute Voyager. Like many on this site, it really depends on where you are riding them. Generally speaking, it can reach around 20mph, which is impressive. It is able to easily achieve that speed thanks to the 480Wh battery and the very special Bafang 250W motor that is an unexpected delight for such a low-priced model.
With this battery and motor combination, you can cover around 100Km if you are pedaling and relying on the motor before charging. However, if you decide to make things easier on your legs, it will cover 50km every charge.
That range, though, is really based on the best-case scenario of warm conditions and nice flat roads. If you’re expecting to spend most of the time on this bike doing what it was designed for – mountain cycling routes and off-road endeavors, it will give even less between charges. I found it to be a trial-and-error affair, trying to work out how long the battery would last. Undoubtedly, once you have ridden it for a few weeks in different scenarios and conditions, you will get a handle on it.
Eskute Voyager Overview
In terms of aesthetics, I have no complaints about the Voyager. It looks very cool, to be honest. Something I wasn’t really expecting for the price tag. The previously mentioned battery is integrated into the frame and can be removed, which helps to ensure the Voyager has an appealing streamlined look. Something that is a must if you are throwing it around off-road.
Even the very clear LED display screen is not too big or an eyesore.
Getting Started
There is a minimum amount of setup involved in getting this beauty ready to take on the road. Aside from charging up the battery, you also need to make sure you either lock or unlock the fork suspension. Both the handlebars and the seat heights can be adjusted, with the seat offering about 6-inches of adjustment. Eskute clearly wanted to make this bike accessible to as many different people as possible.
Riding it
In terms of comfort, first and foremost, Eskute has gone to great lengths to make sure this is easy to ride. The saddle is perfectly sized for most people. Thanks to the positioning and angle of the handlebar stem, the riding position for the Voyager is very upright, but comfortable and you even need to adopt a very slight forward lean position, which gives it an altogether sporting feel.
The LCD Screen
The large LCD with an exceptionally clear screen and easy to use buttons. There are a wide variety of metrics measured through the screen – the kind you’d expect on an e-bike, like trip time, odometer, distance, average speeds, and maximum speeds. One thing I was not so keen on with this model’s screen was the method of displaying battery usage as it has five bars. Arguably, this is not the most accurate way to measure battery usage, as % is far more accurate as it tells you what you have left in a more tangible way.
The positive thing about the LCD screen though, especially when it’s compared to other models, is the fact it highlights the amount of watts of power the bike’s motor is producing and gives you the option to customize the performance of the motor. I really liked having a fiddle, tweaking the motor to match my needs.
Handling On Difference Surfaces
The larger than standard motor with more volts than other similarly priced models really come into its own when you take on hills. Many users of the Wayfarer, from the same manufacturer, have noted that it does not handle hills as easily as the Voyager, despite having the same motor. With the motor engaged, I was able to take on a climb with a 15% gradient. When riding on steep off-road surfaces, the powerful hub and cadence sensor has limitations that are clearly evident. Thanks to the pedal assist system, you get the level of power you need to maintain a fast cadence. However, when you drop below a specific cadence, something that is easy to do on the steeper and more uneven trails, I found the motor started to groan and complain and on very steep parts it delivered virtually no power.
Although this sounds like a complaint, it’s merely an observation about what it is like with all e-bikes that rely on this hub style of motor and cadence sensor systems.
The reason more expensive torque sensor mid-drives work better is because they have different mechanical principles that allow them to provide more instant power as a response rather than just pedal pressure.
The Brakes
If you are looking for a bike with mechanical disc brakes, the Eskute Voyager has them. To be clear, although the spec list provided by Eskute shows these to be the Tektro MD-M311 brake system, it is just the 160mm size brake discs. Zoom are responsible for the actuators and, I would think, the pads. The levers for the brakes are not branded.
While the brakes worked reasonably well, I did feel like I had to squeeze on them very hard to bring everything to a stop. What I did notice is that the brakes were much more responsive over time. This means that perhaps the brake pad had been worked a little and roughed up and able to grip the front rotor more efficiently. Although I had found that the rear rotor continued to be more ineffective and spongier, it was only a problem when that was used on its own.
The Frame and Build Quality
The Voyager features a sturdy aluminum 6061 frame that comes with just one size – 16.5-inches/46cm. The top tube slopes to make it easy to get on and off the bike. Thanks to the geometry of the handlebars and headset, I found riding the bike to be a very comfortable experience.
Its frame shouts strength and reliability with noticeably strong welded joints.
I really appreciated the front fork design. It’s described as Partner suspension and offers the options of lockout and pre-load adjustments. This meant I was able to dial less or more compression to make the bike’s suspension softer or harder depending on the surface I was riding on. The lock-out was perfect for riding on tarmac surfaces to give a more efficient and stiffer ride. When it is adjusted to its softest setting it evens out many of the bumpy surfaces.
The thing about the fork that is important to remember that because it is a budget model it won’t offer the same ultra-smooth and quiet performance you would get with a higher-priced model.
The Gears and Drivetrain
The Eskute Voyager has a 7-speed gear system made from Shimano, so I was sure it was going to hold up well because I’ve never had a problem with Shimano gears before. The derailleur system always performed without faults, the changes I made, regardless of surface or speed were as precise, quick, and smooth as I would expect. The only problem I would like to draw your attention to, which is by no means a dealbreaker, was the lower gearing could have been more appropriate.
For instance, lower speed maneuvering and hill climbing would be needed on a bike like this compared to an e-bike designed for city riding. So, the fact that the gearing was much higher than it should have been something of a drawback. Other than that, though, I really enjoyed riding it.
Summary
If you are looking for a budget-priced mountain bike style e-bike that over-performs, the Eskute Voyager is a great choice. It is compact enough, yet sturdy and heavy duty enough that it feels like it could handle rough and tumble that comes from off-road cycling and mountain biking.
The minor drawbacks are to be expected given the extraordinarily low-price tag. I would reason that if price was one of the biggest factors and you were looking for a mountain bike that had the benefit of a pedal assist system, then The Voyager is ideal.
Just be sure that it is big or small enough for you, when you’ve adjusted the handlebar and saddle height, as there are no other frame sizes available.
Specifications
