Review: Hiboy P6 Fat Tire Electric Bike

I’ve always been staunchly on the analog side of the ebike vs traditional bike debate. Even when I lived in New York City and regularly commuted on a non-electric road bike, I relished how sweaty I got, feeling like the queen of multitasking when I turned my transit time into a workout. Of course, ebikes have great perks, and make getting out on two wheels way more accessible. I just never thought I could enjoy one like a regular bike.

Photograph: Kristin Canning

Testing the Hiboy P6 Fat Tire Electric Bike was decidedly fun, though. I’m not an ebike convert yet, but the Hiboy’s extremely comfortable ride, fat tires that can blast through just about anything, and easy-to-use interface really made me warm up to this mode of transportation.

Simple Setup

Hiboy is an affordable Chinese e-mobility brand offering scooters and bikes for adults and kids that you can order on Amazon. The bike arrived on my doorstep in one giant box, and only a few steps were required for assembly. I had to attach the front wheel, handlebars, and lights, and connect some wires, but putting it together was relatively simple, and I didn’t need any tools that weren’t provided. You can fully charge the detachable battery in about six hours for 50 to 62 pedal-assisted miles of range (you get about half that on pure electricity).

First Impressions

Photograph: Kristin Canning

The Hiboy P6 is a lot of bike, especially if you’re used to riding lightweight carbon triathlon bikes, like me. It weighs 65 pounds (pretty average for an ebike, but the fat tires make it bulkier). The front tire is easy to take on and off for transport, and while I could lug it into and out of my SUV without assistance, it was kind of a pain. I’d recommend a ramp if you plan to haul this bike on a rack or in your car on a regular basis.

I’m 5’4”, and even with the seat on the lowest setting where the balls of my feet could touch the ground, I felt a little unstable when the bike was stopped, particularly on steep inclines and declines. It’s just a lot of machine to handle. (Plus, the brand doesn’t recommend it for people under 5’3”.) The P6 will probably feel more comfortable for taller or bigger folks, or people who are used to ebikes, fat bikes, or heavy mountain bikes.

What the aluminum alloy P6 lacks in grace and maneuverability, it makes up for in comfort. The seat is wide and plush, and the hydraulic suspension fork (which you can lock out) and deeply lugged 26-by-4 inch tires flatten every bump in the road. I felt like I was on a Mad Max version of an ebike, invincible to glass and potholes, when I was riding through Denver.

Photograph: Kristin Canning

The Class 3 P6 has a 750-watt motor (peak 1000 watts) and three riding options: pure electric mode, which you can use with the handlebar throttle to go up to 20 mph; pedal assist, which can take you up to 28 mph; and analog mode. The pedal assist can feel jerky if you don’t have the right power mode and gear combo (the bike has a Shimano seven-speed gear system). Once that’s dialed in, though, the ride is very smooth.

You can increase the pedal assist by pressing the plus button on the right-hand display attached to the handlebar, which shows your speed, mode, distance, and battery life. There are also buttons to turn on the lights and honk the horn on the right handlebar. (This is why you don’t want to lean on the handlebars, lest you accidentally deploy the very loud horn on some innocent bighorn sheep you’re watching from the trail, like I did.) On the left, you’ll find the gear shifters and a display to show which gear you’re using.

I really appreciated that you don’t have to use an app to control this bike or set anything up. It feels wrong to have to download and log into an app to partake in what should be a blissfully phone-free activity, but a lot of ebikes require that. I also liked the integrated lights and sturdy kickstand. The bike is a little hard to lock up with a standard U-lock because the frame is so thick, but I was able to do it with some finagling. The battery is easy to take out too, but adds a little over 7 pounds to your bag. I also like that, other than being big, the P6 looks like a regular bike.

Off-Road Cred

Photograph: Kristin Canning

The best part about the P6 is how well it performs on gravel and trails. When I took it for a ride through Waterton Canyon, a 6.2-mile gravel road that winds along the South Platte River outside Denver, it easily crunched over rocks and cruised through puddles and mud (though it did get some stares for its beefiness). It offered solid power on climbs, and it made riding through the foothills feel shockingly comfortable and easy.

When I was using the throttle and not pedaling, it felt like I was riding a Vespa with off-road capabilities. The bike put me in a super-upright position, and the weight of the machine paired with stationary pedals made it feel more like a motor scooter than a bike. I’d love to try this in the snow—I think it would easily plow through powder, crust, or slush.

It’s hard to imagine using this for true mountain biking, or riding this on super steep inclines or downhills, only because of the weight. But it feels totally capable of any conditions or terrain in terms of traction and braking. For someone larger, control might not be an issue, and the brand says its max climbing capability is 20 percent.

This ebike is perfect for anyone who wants to ride gravel, sand, or low-vert trails without ever having to think too much about conditions—the fat tires rip through mud like a knife through butter. It works perfectly well for city commuting too, though it might be more machine than you need. At a little more than $1,000, I’m impressed by the heavy-duty, durable build. The interface is blessedly straightforward, offering all the tech you need and nothing you don’t, which, to me, is a major perk. As long as you’re not looking for a nimble two-wheeler, and you’re OK with your bike feeling like a motor scooter, you’ll enjoy the P6.

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