Roytoy

My local bike shop has an SSR Sand Viper 500w on the floor. I've been looking to get into an e-bike, do you guys know anything about this model? The hub motor is by 8fun, and it has a 48 volt battery pack. From the photos, it looks exactly like what i'm looking for, but there aren't many reviews available and I don't know anything about 8fun's quality. I think 8fun is by Bafang?

Robert C

At a quick glance it doesn't look particularly bad. To give a better answer I have to ask a question; what do you need/expect it to do?

(describe your expected operating cycle and environment)

Roytoy

I'm just looking for a commuter bike. 2 miles to work uphill all the way there, downhill all the way back, 5 days a week. Maybe light grocery shopping with a small trailer on the weekends that would be about 5-6 miles round trip. Lots of rain and snow in SD, so those fat tires look appealing to me.

NYMXer

I just looked into this bike and found it interesting. Adding the electric motor certainly adds to the use of the fat tire bike and makes it more appealing to many people. I found the price point to be an incredible bargain, coming in at the same price as a decent unassisted fat bike.
While I wouldn't want this for riding trails it would be a handy farm type of bike, or like in your case, for commuting without getting all sweaty as you get to the office.

Roytoy

I think I'll go look at it today after work. Thanks for the input guys.

2old

I saw the 350w model at my LeBS and thought that it was a very good value and the same for this model. Two considerations: 1) Battery warranty (wouldn't
be as important if the cells were Samsung, Panasonic, Sony ...) 2) A two mile hill could be a motor burner for a 500w system (of course depending on slope). If it's steep, you might consider a mid-drive.

Roytoy

It can be steep, but there are ways too go around it to lessen the grade. I test rode it last night and I think I'm gonna buy it. I'll go back today and pick it up. At the very least it is the exact style of bike I was wanting to put a kit on, so if the kit that's on it turns out to be substandard I can always upgrade to a better kit. I'll post when I have it.

2old

You might consider a temperature gauge for the motor --- See electricfatbike.com for the procedure to install. You can't go wrong since the bike should be able to convert to 2WD with a front motor. The big plus is that your off road (especially in snow) ability would be magnified.

Roytoy

Thanks. That is solid advice. I would love a 2wd. Well, I BOUGHT IT! I rode it around the neighborhood after dark and I am just loving this bike. I was sitting at the dealership getting ready to sign the papers and the salesman came back and said "We're going to feature this bike at the sports show next month, and the price will be $100 less, so we want to honor that for you. I know that I'm the first in this area to have one of these. I live 30 miles from Sturgis,SD and Harley's are all anybody rides around here. I used to call my Bike E my "hog", but now I have a new hog that may make them look a bit closer. I joke about putting a baseball card in the spokes so I can sound like them.