Freebeat MorphRover E-Bike Test in Jackson, WY | Photo Keegan Rice Mountain Weekly News
Even if you think you’ve seen it all, the freebeat MorphRover is one of the most surprising ebikes on the market. The affordable fat-tire electric bike doubles as an indoor cycle trainer that recharges the battery throughout the workout. But is this innovative two-wheeler more gimmick than genius? I recently tested the MorphRover indoors and outside to see if this 2-in-1 ebike lives up to all the hype.
About freebeat
The freebeat brand offers a small range of products, including two indoor cycle trainers in addition to the MorphRover 2-in-1 ebike. The emerging company is a competitor of Peloton and other rival brands vying for a slice of the pie of the indoor training industry, a huge market that boomed during the pandemic and has since calmed down a bit.
The indoor trainers are sleek, and modern-looking, featuring an integrated monitor to access freebeat’s proprietary platform of classes and gamified workouts.
2-in-1 E-Bike / Exercise Bike
The MorphRover ebike is a unique product that I haven’t seen anywhere else, so props to freebeat for the original idea and savvy marketing to get it noticed. But is a 2-in-1 ebike really necessary? It may not be the sexiest or sleekest of trainers out there for fitness influencers, but I can definitely imagine a large number of recreational riders taking advantage of both functions.
If you’re in the market for an all-terrain ebike and expect to do some indoor training, this $1,499 product is an excellent value. For example, riders can stay active in the winter by cycling inside and avoid cluttering the house with both an outside bike and an indoor trainer.
How’s does the freebeat MorphRover Ride?
But first, I’ll discuss the MorphRover’s performance as an electric bike rolling through the outdoors. It’s equipped with 26 x 4.0” fat tires and an 80mm front suspension that boosts comfort around town and enables riders to explore off-road paths with ease. You’ll never see an indoor trainer bike with knobbier tires than this one!
The Mountain Weekly News received the the step-thru version but the ebike for testing, which is also available with a step-over frame— both models come in three different colors, including midnight black, sage green, and Sahara sand. The bike is specced with Shimano 8-speed gearing and powerful hydraulic disc brakes.
freebeat MorphRover Motor
The MorphRover is powered by a 750W rear hub motor that reaches a top speed of 28 mph. During testing, I loved the fast and zippy ride characteristics of the ebike which felt surprisingly premium considering it’s also an indoor trainer.
There are pedal assist levels and a throttle mode which was so impressively smooth that everyone that rode this e-bike during our test took notice. Some riders may not like the right-side placement of the thumb throttle, but it’s not a dealbreaker for me.
15Ah Battery
The MorphRover’s integrated battery is really where the savvy technology kicks off. As a normal ebike, the 15Ah battery pack is decently standard— if not a bit smaller than similar models— and is neatly tucked inside the downtube.
The battery is rated for up to 60 miles of range on a single charge, but it’s how it can be charged that is the standout feature. When using the MorphRover as an indoor trainer, your pedaling actually recharges the battery!
Charge The freebeat MorphRover While Pedaling
freebeat estimates that roughly 30 minutes of indoor exercise translates to 10 miles of outdoor riding range. After a few hour-long sessions, your bike is back up to full charge. This innovative feature can be motivating for training goals and provides riders with truly emission-free mileage— and that’s something we can all get behind. The freebeat app keeps riders updated on their earned outdoor miles (i.e. battery recharge) after training sessions so you can see the progress in real-time.
Indoor Trainer
When it’s time to hop on the MorphRover as an indoor trainer, the ebike comes with a sturdy stand that clamps onto the rear axle. That handy stand lifts the rear wheel off the ground and I’d say it works nicely as a convenient bike holder for maintenance and repairs, too. It’s easy to set up and many users will be familiar with that common type of indoor trainer system.
The bike weighs a hefty 77 lbs. so it may be cumbersome to lift off the ground and secure it to the stand by yourself. The feature that takes the MorphRover to the next level, however, is the Freebeat app which places a world of training routines and games in the palm of your hand.
freebeat MorphRover App
The freebeat app is available in the app store although I needed to type in “freebeat Fit” to actually find it. From there, you create an account and connect to your bike via Bluetooth. It’s super intuitive to use and riders can choose between studio classes with real recorded trainers, a rhythm game based on pedaling cadence, and scenic ride mode. All these modes show up on your mobile phone and can be hooked up to a TV monitor for a more immersive experience, especially with the motivating music and realistic views in scenic mode.
Smart Saddle Detection
One innovative feature I really enjoyed on the MorphRover was the smart saddle detection system during indoor training sessions. There’s a sensor in the seat— that’s why you see a coiled cord along the seatpost— that can tell when you are sitting in the saddle or standing up while pedaling. Pedaling out of the saddle earns more points and bonuses that contribute to the gamification and overall fun of the training programs.
While using the MorphRover as an indoor trainer, you can set it to auto-resistance or manually change the resistance levels. But watch out and get ready to sweat— the higher levels of resistance are challenging! If you want to track your cycling and fitness progress, the freebeat platform is a solid way to go due to the comprehensive offerings, all while keeping a record of power stats, calories burned, and a shareable profile. Keep in mind that the full freebeat membership costs $39/month if you want to access all the available content.
Freebeat MorphRover E-Bike Pros:
- 2-in-1 Functionality: Can be used as both an indoor exercise bike and an outdoor e-bike.
- Unique Charging Feature: Pedaling indoors recharges the battery for outdoor use (up to 10 miles per 30 minutes of riding).
- Powerful Motor: 750w motor with good acceleration for climbing hills.
- Comfortable Ride: Fat tires and front suspension provide a smooth ride on rough terrain.
- Large Display: Easy to read and track workout metrics.
- Smart Saddle Detection: Tracks pedaling effort and adds to the gamification of indoor workouts.
- Multiple Training Modes: Studio classes, rhythm game, and scenic rides keep workouts engaging.
- Integrated App: Provides access to training programs, tracks fitness progress, and connects to a TV for an immersive experience.
- Relatively Affordable: At $1499, it’s cheaper than most single-purpose ebikes.
- Space-Saving Design: Eliminates the need for a separate indoor trainer.
Freebeat MorphRover E-Bike Cons:
- Heavy: At 77 lbs, it can be difficult to lift and maneuver, especially when converting it from indoor to outdoor use.
- Large and Bulky: May not be suitable for small riders or tight storage spaces.
- Limited Outdoor Battery Range: 15Ah battery offers a standard range of up to 60 miles on a single charge.
- App Subscription Required for Full Access: Costs $39/month to unlock all features.
- App Name Difficulty: “Freebeat Fit” is not the most intuitive app name.
- Right-Side Thumb Throttle Placement: May not be ideal for all riders.
Overall Impression
The freebeat MorphRover works double duty as a decent indoor trainer and impressive fat tire ebike. If you’re still wondering how exactly it can function as both— especially considering the accessible $1,499 price tag that’s cheaper than most single-purpose ebikes— you’re not alone! Hop on their website and learn even more about the world’s first 2-in-1 ebike and cycling trainer. This unique combination product may not be suitable for every lifestyle but could be that perfect space-saving training tool you’ve been looking for.
Related Fat Tire E-Bikes
Any idea on how I can get mine to go 28mph? It’s on 20mph now. Thanks.
Ben,
Usually they have these bikes set so the throttle stops at 20 but pedal assist goes to 28 mph. Give that a shot
-Mike