New electric bike review! This time, no rough FatBike, but a much more refined model, designed for everyday life, the city, and for women, for a change! The Samebike RS-A01 model, a manufacturer that has been in the industry for 11 years, and which I'd already mentioned but never had the opportunity to test. Here's a first review from a manufacturer that offers a very nice catalog! Unboxing and presentation of the Samebike RS-A01Unsurprisingly, the box we received is large and heavy (35kg per package, for a bike that actually weighs 29kg). It's an electric bike, after all! Especially since this model isn't foldable, so it's hard to get more compact.
Inside, everything is perfectly protected by foam. The bike won't fear transport!
Assembly is relatively quick, since, as usual, you just need to place the front wheel and screw on the pedals. Oh yes, a little something new: the front basket attaches to its headlight, since this Samebike RS-A01 has a front basket, always practical, especially in the city.
Simply remove the four screws and replace them with the basket. A sturdy metal basket with a solid mount directly to the bike frame. It can therefore easily accommodate even slightly heavy items (yes, your poodle can even fit in it. I'm not taking the photo with mine, I have a Boxer :).
As mentioned above, we have a city bike here, not a foldable one. In fact, a notice on the bike clearly states its city use:
It can't be taken to the office; you'll have to leave it in the bike parking lot. In return, we have a “real” bike, not a miniature model that can sometimes be uncomfortable to use. The frame is made of aluminum alloy, which gives us a weight of about 29kg for the complete bike.
It starts with 26″ x 3″ wheels, fitted with Chao Yang tires, which we're now familiar with, as the brand equips many of our FatBike models.
These tires grip the road very well, in all weather, are puncture-resistant, and offer a long lifespan.
While we're on the subject of wheels, let's take a quick look at the braking system, which here consists of a mechanical disc brake. Basic, but it brakes hard, even at full throttle!
Gear-wise, we find a Shimano 7-speed system, now standard on this type of bike, with one chainring at the front and 7 at the rear.
The rear wheel houses the 750W motor, capable of propelling the bike to 25 km/h (limited for the European version, but easily disengaged to 35 km/h via the onboard computer menu). For comfort, the Samebike RS-A01 features dual front suspension:
The very comfortable saddle has its own suspension on the seat tube, which helps absorb shocks:
Conventional pedals, but made of aluminum alloy, and equipped with a column of “studs” to ensure perfect grip:
In addition to the front basket, the Samebike RS-A01 also has a rear rack. Also made of sturdy metal, capable of supporting 25 kg.
Of course, the bike is equipped with mudguards, both front and rear, to protect against splashes.
For safety, the bike has two headlights. Finally, a very bright LED headlight at the front, thanks to its four powerful 5W LEDs, producing 1000 lumens.
No worries about riding at night! On the other hand, the rear only has a reflective red panel, which is a bit of a shame. A proper illuminated headlight, which also turns on when you brake, would have been very practical for city driving.
The rear light is a simple reflective plate.
The Samebike RS-A01 is equipped with a large 4″ color control screen! A true luxury! You can, of course, monitor your speed, battery life, distance traveled, pedal assistance, and more.
This practical screen has a USB port on the side for charging your smartphone if needed.
The throttle is easily activated with your thumb.
On the left, you'll find the controls for turning on the bike, increasing or decreasing the electric assistance, turning on the headlights, and even sounding the horn (a powerful electric horn!).
Finally, an important element of the electric bike: the battery! Here, we have a removable 48V 14Ah battery, very easy to remove from the bike (provided you have the key, of course, to prevent theft). It will provide a range of around 100 kilometers in electric assistance (or about fifty in full electric mode, i.e., without pedaling at all). It will take about 6 hours to fully charge the battery.
This allows you to recharge it at home, without having to bring the entire bike with you.
While the battery is completely invisible on the black version (since this model is available in both white and black), it is clearly visible on the white version, since the battery remains black… on a white frame.
This isn't shocking, however, and the overall design of the bike remains very attractive, since it comes with many black accessories: basket, luggage rack, etc. Moreover, the battery is fully integrated into the frame, unlike models where the battery is attached to the frame or under the luggage rack. It therefore remains very discreet here.
Ultimately, we have a sturdy, well-rounded, and pretty much all-purpose bike.
Samebike RS-A01: In Use
In use, this Samebike RS-A01 proves to be a good compromise between a Fat Bike and a city bike.
Indeed, on the one hand, we have a bike with a versatile, very “urban” look, ultimately equally suited to both men and women. Its handling is smooth, and it's really pleasant for city riding. Its basket allows you to carry a few belongings with you, a small bag, or, conversely, to bring back some groceries. And if that's not enough, it's always possible to add a pannier to the rear rack.
This isn't a folding model, so it's not possible to take it into the office like some do, and it will also be more cumbersome for those who take their bike to the balcony of their apartment. However, the weight remains reasonable thanks to its aluminum frame. The easiest option is still to park it in the bike parking area. A handy detail when you have to push the bike while walking alongside it, which often happens in the city when you have to go downhill: a long press on the “-” button activates pedestrian mode at 6 km/h. You then simply hold the bike, the bike itself first. So, no effort is required to push it :)
But while it's at home in the city, it's also very well suited to the countryside, even on dirt roads or in forests. Indeed, with its 3″ tires, we're not far from the tires usually seen on FatBikes, which are generally 4″. Its powerful 750W motor is also no match for climbs. And its double fork, combined with the suspension on the seatpost, allows it to absorb the shocks of country roads well. The saddle suspension is also surprisingly effective!
The only thing that was a bit disconcerting at first: the basket, being attached to the bike frame, doesn't rotate at the same time as the handlebars and wheel; it always remains aligned with the frame. So, when you turn, it's a bit unsettling at first. But you get used to it quickly :p
In short, it's a really pleasant electric bike, whatever the road (or path) you take, and its range is up to par. Even at 80 kg, and on difficult trails, I was able to reach 70 km without any problem (electrically assisted).
It's almost flawless! The only slight criticism would be the rear light, which stands out from the rest, with a simple reflective plate. It could be replaced with a battery-powered/rechargeable light, or even a system like Invoxia, which integrates a tracker to prevent theft. That's an idea! Or a connected helmet, like the Cosmo Connected, which I'm currently using and which I'll present to you soon. It's also worth noting that in “normal” (limited) mode, only the first two electric assistance modes are usable: the first up to 20 km/h, the second up to 25 km/h. Modes 3, 4, and 5 have no effect (but can be used by unrestricting the bike).
Other than that, this Samebike RS-A01 is very versatile in all circumstances!
Conclusion
This Samebike RS-A01 is different from the bikes I've usually tested, particularly for its look, which is decidedly more urban. A more versatile design that's less eye-catching, which isn't a bad thing, ultimately, to avoid covetousness, especially in the city. But as we've seen, it adapts to all situations, and whether in the city or the countryside, even on dirt roads or in the forest, this electric bike goes everywhere! It must also be said that he has some power under the hood!
On that note, I should point out that it's unfortunately not approved for road use in France, due to its 750W output (limited to 250W in France) and its throttle. However, it's still limited to 25km/h in an attempt to comply (somewhat) with the law. So, use wisely! The Samebike RS-A01 is currently available for €1,299 instead of €1,699, in white or black. And with our code30OFF , you can get it even lower to just €1,269! Free shipping from a European warehouse, so no additional customs fees. At this price, it's a great deal for a truly versatile and practical bike!
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