Himiway Zebra Review

There are lots of different things you need to consider when choosing an e-bike these days. Gone are the days when there was just a small handful of different models from a small selection of manufacturers to choose from. One of the popular sub-categories of e-bikes that has been emerging over the last decade or more is the fat e-bike. There is a constant battle between many of the top manufacturers and who can build the most affordable, fat, and sturdy bike.

One company that really has been making strides in the industry with fat tire bikes is Himiway. One of their latest models in the fat tire category of e-bikes is the Himiway Zebra. That is the bike I am going to be focusing on in this review. It is a hardtail electric with a powerful 750W motor a massive 960Wh battery and still retails for less than $2,000. If you have been looking at it and are concerned because Himiway are still a relatively small company with less history in the industry and less funding compared to bigger names, take a look at my thoughts below.

An Overview

As noted above, the Zebra benefits from a redesigned 750W rear hub motor that had been used on previous models that can provide 86Nm of torque and reportedly dissipates heat much better than previous models. Connecting and providing power to that motor is a huge 48v, 960Wh battery that helps to ensure the bike has long range capabilities, a common feature in other Himiway e-bikes I have reviewed recently.

A completely new addition is the torque sensor that replaces the cadence sensor and engages the motor. Of the two, torque sensors are considered the more effective, normally providing almost instant engagement with the motor and are more refined when it comes to providing power to assist your pedaling.

When it comes to the cranks, the bike comes with a standard, for the price point, in the Shimano 7-speed drivetrain that consists of an Altus rear derailleur and a Tourney shifter. Now, the shifting has performed well, but a massive problem I have with this bike is the drivetrain.

It ensures that the bike is almost completely under geared for the speed.

While the 14-28t freewheel is standard, it’s the front chainring that is key to the issues, at just 36t. This means that the largest gear ratio the bike has is 36t x 14t and is not tall enough for its speed capabilities as a so-called Class 3 bike. I only found the gear comfortable to pedal up until I reached about 15mph. Beyond that speed and the cranks are spinning, but the motor is doing nothing.

The Frame

There are two options available when it comes to the frame of the Himiway Zebra, the step-thru and the high step. Thanks particularly to its greater accessibility, the Zebra step-thru iteration has a cleaner look compared to its high-step counterpart. As has been the case on other Himiway bikes, the battery is integrated into the frame, so it has a nice and streamlined look.

Although at 79 lbs it is a very heavy bike, it does have a weight capacity that is rather impressive of 400lbs. Recommended height for users of the Zebra sits between 5’1” to 6’2” for the step-thru and 5’2” to 6’2” for the high-step model.

You need to be aware that compared to many of the e-bikes in the fat-tire category do not have the same kind of riding position as the Zebra. Himiway has opted for a more aggressive approach with a forward lean. Therefore, it may be a good idea to consider investing in an adjustable stem to install.

The Tektro Hydraulic 180mm Disc Brakes System

If you are knowledgeable, you will already know that most people favor hydraulic brakes over mechanical brakes, and even if you are new to e-bikes or bikes in general, but have looked around, you will still find the same information. They are just more reliable and the 180mm rotors and hydraulic disc brakes installed on the Zebra provides the braking power you need.

As there is also the inclusion of motor cut-offs, it means the power will not continue once you have pressed on the brake levers, to make sure you stop safely.

The Ride

I have to admit that riding the Zebra was a difficult thing at first. It is heavy and the heaviness is felt throughout a ride. It is not the best at taking corners and is difficult to push around and move when you’re not riding it. The weight is also something you should consider when you are out and about, because if you don’t keep an eye on the charge levels, you will find it extremely difficult to move around.

If you have stairs, and I don’t say this lightly, but you should avoid this bike like the plague as it is just too heavy!

Moving onto more positive aspects, the fact that the bike is very heavy and a bit cumbersome may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it wasn’t designed to be a lightweight bike. It was designed to handle large capacities. When you get used to riding the Zebra, you find that the motor runs very smoothly and it offers an impressive range. In addition to the fat tires, the SR saddle and the fork suspension make it comfortable and enjoyable to take out.

On flat and smooth surfaces, it worked like a dream. On hills, despite its shortcomings, it took on the steepest climes in the area with relative ease. The reverse was a stressful situation. When you are riding downhill on a bike that carries up to 400lbs, it’s anything but a safe feeling.

So, it’s not really surprising.

Its Fat Tires

Given that the tires are one of the biggest selling points of this electric bike, it’s worth highlighting them briefly. The tires are 26 x 4” Kenda tires. They have a large air volume that helps to provide cushioning to increase how comfortable your ride is, while having knobby treads to give you additional traction, whether you are rolling over smooth surfaces or bumpier ones.

If you happen to go off-road onto light dirt paths, this will handle them okay, but just be wary of the fact it wasn’t designed with that sort of riding in mind.

Assembly

If you are not a fan of dealing with too many technicalities when you are wanting to get out on your new electric bike, the Zebra may be a great option for you. It is not free of work, but it is not one that has a lot. The best way is to do it with two people, though that is not a requirement. There are two specific parts of the whole process that are made easier with two sets of hands.

Fortunately, Himiway includes everything you need to make assembly a simple process – including an Allan key that also features a socket wrench attachment. You will use this to carry out most of the work required to put the bike together.

The fenders, though, require something to hold a nut while you use the Allan key to turn the bolt. The tool with wrench bits on the Allan key does it perfectly. This means you are able to use just any other Allan key set you have in your house.

As part of the assembly process, you need to put the fenders, rear rack, pedals, front wheel, and handlebars. The suggestion from Himiway is that you should first put the handlebars on the bike’s frame then flip it upside down and then put the front wheel in, then put it the right way again and finish everything off.

The LCD Display

Himiway has done a great job in providing a very customizable display unit. This allows you to focus on having the settings and metrics you need. The problem you may find that I found was that the manual was not nearly as detailed as it could have been, and I had to have a search around on the website.

However, there are a lot of different options and settings you can alter and tweak to your own preferences. I didn’t have a chance to explore all of the settings too much, but I am sure there are more than enough, and they are detailed enough to help solve any gripes you may have.

Summary – Should You Spend Your Money on the Himiway Zebra E-Bike

It is not up to me or anyone else to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do. You know your situation and preferences best. If you are looking for an affordable e-bike with big tires and a big capacity, the Himiway Zebra is a good option. It is not without its faults, but many of these can be overlooked when you consider its many great points. Just be aware what you are getting yourself in for and know the limitations of this otherwise great commuter e-bike. It will serve you well on short and even mid-to-long journeys.