Testing the Freedare Saiga E-Bike in Jackson WY | Photo Connor Burkesmith Mountain Weekly News
The Freedare Saiga Ebike is an all-terrain beast that comes equipped with GPS tracking and anti-theft protection to ensure that no one else gets their paws on it. This model joins the ranks as yet another fat tire ebike named after an uncommon animal (“saiga” is a goatlike antelope) which has become a bit of a trend in the electric bike market.
I recently completed a comprehensive round of testing with this Class 3 workhorse to see how it stacks up against the competition— keep reading to discover the ins and outs of the Freedare Saiga.
Freedare E-Bike Design
The ebike’s rugged silhouette will be familiar to most— the burly frame houses the 20Ah battery pack and is outfitted with 26” fat tires and a front suspension fork. The sleek finish delivers a clean yet tough look that’s appropriate for hitting moderate trails and bike paths. The Saiga is only available in underwhelming black and silver colorways, but it’s a safe design choice that won’t cramp your style.
The one-sized ebike is recommended for riders between 5’6” and 6’5” so it definitely skews toward the taller end of the height spectrum.
Freedare Saiga Riding Position
Hopping onto the bike, I appreciated the relatively aggressive riding position and longer reach measurement that’s similar to traditional mountain bikes. That geometry works great for navigating and handling rugged trails, but recreational riders wanting a more relaxed, upright setup might want a cruiser model instead.
The entire bike weighs 75 lbs. and has a maximum payload capacity of 330 lbs. Riders can also install fenders and front or rear racks to carry additional cargo.
Freedare App
At first glance, the Saiga looks similar to a lot of the other fat tire all-terrain ebikes out there, but there’s plenty of cool, innovative tech baked into the bike that elevates the user experience. Riders can take advantage of the Freedare app to customize power settings, inspect electrical components, and set up mobile theft alerts. This avoids fiddling with settings on clumsy controllers or clunky screens, allowing riders to extract the most from their ebike.
The vertical full-color screen on this bike sits right in the middle of the handlebars and displays all your favorite stats as you ride.
Freedare Saiga Motor
A Bafang 750W rear hub motor powers the Saiga and delivers a generous 80Nm of torque and 1000 watts of peak output. The bike’s top speed clocks in at 28 mph but riders can toggle between three modes to customize the maximum pace: Eco (12 mph), Normal (20 mph), and Sport Modes (28 mph). Each mode has three pedal assist levels and a throttle mode for pedal-free cruising.
During testing, our entire staff of testers loved the ability to fine-tune the power settings to adjust for calmer bike path riding or faster street conditions to keep up with cars. The thumb throttle is located next to the right-side grip.
Torque Sensor on the Freedare Saiga
One of the biggest power highlights of the Freedare Saiga is its torque sensor. An important upgrade compared to lower-quality cadence sensors, torque sensors provide more stable and responsive power output along with improved battery efficiency. Pedal assistance depends on how hard you are actually pedaling which creates a more natural-feeling boost from the motor. For us, a torque sensor is a major win here considering the affordable $1,399 price tag.
Samsung Battery
Inside the beefy downtube sits the 20Ah Samsung battery that’s rated for up to 90 miles on a single charge. Based on our testing, that range is a bit of a stretch, but you’ll get close if you ride in Eco mode on some of the lower pedal assist levels. The battery comes with a 3-amp charger for quicker charging, too. If also worth pointing out that the Saiga meets UL 2271 and UL 2849 certifications, the first being a battery standard and the latter evaluating electrical and fire safety.
Riders can rest assured that this ebike has reliable electrical components which is a big deal these days— cheap scooter, hoverboard, and ebike products often slash costs by cutting corners.
Components
On the mechanical side of things, the Saiga runs a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain with excellent Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. Like the torque sensor, these hydraulic disc brakes are a great upgrade compared to similarly priced rival ebikes. The biggest difference is the advantage of hydraulic brakes over mechanical systems, but I would have liked to see larger disc rotors instead of the 160mm rotors which are relatively small based on today’s standards.
The outdated SiS shifter is also a pet peeve of mine that should be swapped for a more serious trigger shifter, but it gets the job done just the same. The 26 x 4.0” Kenda fat tires are grippy and offer plenty of cushion to supplement the short-travel suspension fork.
Additional Features
The Freedare Saiga— with its all-terrain capabilities— isn’t built as a one-trick pony, yet the brand loves to highlight one feature more than most: the GPS tracking with an anti-theft alarm. Most ebikes don’t have this safety feature included from the start, so it’s an attractive option for riders who are especially wary of getting their bike nicked.
There’s an accurate GPS tracking chip integrated into the bike controller positioned above the bottom bracket that connects to the Freedare app in real-time, letting you see your bike’s location while riding or in the unfortunate case of bike theft. The anti-theft system has movement monitoring and an alarm that’s controlled via the app to deter theft, a solid idea if you live in a city where bikes tend to get snatched often. Riders simply open the app and have access to a map with the pinned location of the bike as well as their own current location. It’s a much cleaner solution compared to attaching an AirTag or Tile that isn’t built directly into the bike.
The Freedare Saiga has a decent finishing kit that includes a kickstand, integrated headlight, and battery-powered rear light. I loved the comfortable feel of the handlebar grips during the numerous test rides. The bright dual-bulb headlight has a unique silhouette that’s very reminiscent of Wall-E which is a relatively insignificant detail, but cute nonetheless. The headlight can also be controlled from within the Freedare app. If you want a connected brake light or turn signals, however, you’re out of luck with this ebike. Those commuting-style features aren’t included on the Saiga which is designed more for bike trails, off-road fun, and bike paths.
Freedare Saiga E-Bike Pros:
- Powerful Motor: 750W Bafang rear hub motor with 80Nm of torque and 1000W peak output.
- Torque Sensor: Provides a more natural-feeling assist and improved battery efficiency.
- Long Range: Up to 90 miles on a single charge (depending on use).
- Fast Charging: 3-amp charger for quicker charging.
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Powerful and reliable braking.
- Large Capacity Battery: 20Ah Samsung battery.
- GPS Tracking with Anti-Theft Alarm: Provides peace of mind and helps deter theft.
- Large, Comfortable Seat: Provides a plush ride.
- Bright Dual-Bulb Headlight: Improves visibility at night.
- Comfortable Handlebar Grips: Enhance riding comfort.
- Affordable Price: $1,399.
- UL Certified: Meets safety standards.
Freedare Saiga E-Bike Cons:
- Heavy: Weighs 75 lbs.
- Large and Bulky: May not be suitable for smaller riders or tight spaces.
- Limited Color Options: Only available in black and silver.
- One Size Fits Most: May not be ideal for all riders.
- Aggressive Riding Position: May not be suitable for riders who prefer a more upright posture.
- Outdated Shifter: Uses a SiS shifter instead of a trigger shifter.
- Small Disc Rotors: 160mm rotors are smaller than some competitors.
- No Turn Signals or Brake Light: Not ideal for commuting in traffic.
Overall Impression
For a competitively priced ebike equipped with unique GPS and security features, the Freedare Saiga ($1,399.99) is an excellent option. You’ll still want to lock up this versatile ebike, of course, but riders can enjoy a bit more peace of mind when rolling around town or adventuring off-road.
Related Fat Tire E-Bikes
Feel free to check out this affordable and UL-Certified ebike and share your story below!
