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Rattan Folding Electric Bike Review

A mid-priced, well-featured folding electric bike with a great distance range
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rattan folding electric bike
Credit: Jason Peters
Price:  $1,199 List
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Manufacturer:   Rattan
By Jeremy Benson ⋅   ⋅  Oct 17, 2022
76
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 7
  • Ride - 25% 7.0
  • Range - 25% 9.0
  • Power - 20% 7.0
  • Portability - 15% 7.0
  • Interface - 10% 7.0
  • Assembly - 5% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Rattan Folding is a mid-tier model that really impressed us with its distance range. This Class 3 bike has a 500W motor that can support speeds up to 25 mph using pedal assist or 20 mph using the throttle. It has a low step-thru frame, a huge range of seat and handlebar adjustment, and a comfortable upright seated position. With a 624Wh battery, its range is suitable for longer commutes. Its handling has some room for improvement, but the knobby, 3-inch wide tires, and a suspension fork help to dampen the ride and increase its versatility.
REASONS TO BUY
Great distance range
Throttle cruise control
Lots of features
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly twitchy handling
Battery rattle
Inaccurate speed reading on display
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on October 17, 2022, to share more details in our portability metric.

Compare to Similar Products

 
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Price $1,199 List$999 List
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$1,599 at Rad Power Bikes
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Bottom Line This folding electric bike has a great distance range and comes at a middle-of-the-road priceAn incredibly useful and versatile little bike that won't cost you an arm and a legValue, convenience and utility come together in this foldable model with enough power for two peopleTurn up the adventure with this fat tire folding e-bike built for going off-road as much as it handles pavementIt may be comparatively basic, but this folding Class 2 electric bike tops the charts for convenient portability
Rating Categories Rattan Folding Elec... Lectric XP 3.0 Step... Ride1Up Portola Rad Power RadExpand 5 Swagcycle EB5 Plus...
Ride (25%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
4.0
Range (25%)
9.0
7.0
8.0
10.0
3.0
Power (20%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
Portability (15%)
7.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
10.0
Interface (10%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
Assembly (5%)
8.0
10.0
9.0
5.0
10.0
Specs Rattan Folding Elec... Lectric XP 3.0 Step... Ride1Up Portola Rad Power RadExpand 5 Swagcycle EB5 Plus...
Battery Size (Wh) 624 500 642 672 270
Measured Weight 58 lbs 62 lbs 8 oz 62 lbs 9 oz 64 lbs 8 oz 36 lbs 10 oz
Folded Dimensions 38.6 x 18 x 28 in 37 x 18 x 28 in 42 x 18 x 37 in 41 x 25 x 29 in 26 x 15.6 x 23.6 in
E-Bike Class Class 3 (Can be configured Class 2) Class 3 (Can be configured Class 2) Class 2 (Can be configured Class 1 or 3) Class 2 Class 2
Motor Size 500W 500W 750W 750W 250W
Number of pedal assist settings 5 5 5 4 1
Top speed throttle 20 mph 20 mph 20 mph 20 mph 15.5 mph
Top speed pedal-assist up to 25 mph up to 28 mph up to 28 mph 20 mph 13 mph
Measured Distance Range 29.7 miles 24.5 miles 26.7 miles 31.2 miles 12.1 miles
Frame material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum 6061 Aluminum Aluminum and Steel
Wheel size 20-inch 20-inch 20-inch 20-inch 14-inch
Weight Limit 300 lbs total, 55 lbs on rear seat 330 lbs 300 lbs 275 lbs 264 lbs
Drivetrain Shimano TX50 7-speed Shimano Tourney 7-speed Shimano Altus 8-speed MicroShift 7-speed Single speed ProWheel
Brakes Tektro Mechanical disc Hydraulic disc Hydraulic disc Mechanical disc V-brakes
Additional features Fenders, rear seat and foot rests, folding, head and tail light, Fenders, rear rack, front and rear lights, folding design, front suspension, mounting points for front rack, kickstand, IP-65 rated for water resistance Fenders, rear rack, front and rear lights, folding design, 80mm front suspension, mounting points for front rack, kickstand, IP-65 rated for water resistance Fenders, rear cargo rack, lights, bell Bell, folding pedals

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Rattan Folding Electric Bike caught our attention with its reasonable price and positive consumer reviews. We tested it against a diverse selection of moderately priced folding e-bikes and were impressed by its ease of assembly, distance range, comfort, and power.

Performance Comparison


rattan folding electric bike - whether for commuting or just kicking around town, the rattan is a...
Whether for commuting or just kicking around town, the Rattan is a convenient folding model with an impressive distance range.
Credit: Jason Peters

Ride


The Rattan Folding offers a comfortable ride with 20-inch wheels and a short turning radius, but it falls behind some of the competition with some small but noticeable drawbacks. Our riders noticed more twitchy handling than other high-scoring models and the rattling battery on rough surfaces. Still, it felt stable at higher speeds, helped by its wide tires and front suspension fork. It lands comfortably in the middle of the pack, well above lower-priced models, but paling against bikes of its price and higher.

rattan folding electric bike - with girthy tires and a suspension fork, the rattan is suitable for...
With girthy tires and a suspension fork, the Rattan is suitable for use on smooth dirt and gravel roads and trails.
Credit: Jason Peters

The Rattan Folding isn't the most stable or steady model. The somewhat narrow handlebar makes the handling feel somewhat twitchy, comparatively speaking. It comes with a suspension fork that helps smooth the ride over rough terrain, and the girthy 3-inch wide knobby tires also provide a bit of damping over cracks and bumps while expanding the bike's versatility on a range of surfaces. While testing, we rode it on everything from paved roads and bike paths to smooth dirt roads and trails.

The Rattan has a very low step-thru frame, making mounting and dismounting the bike incredibly easy. Rattan also makes a step-over version that has a slightly higher standover height. The handlebar is relatively tall, and the bike's reach is pretty short, so it has a relaxed, upright seated position. There is a large range of seat and handlebar height adjustments, so most riders should be able to find a comfortable fit. Rattan specifies a 300 lbs total weight capacity and a suggested user height range of 5'4" to 6'4", and our six-foot-tall lead tester had no problem dialing this bike into his comfort preferences. The large padded seat is comfortable, and the rubber grips are fine but unremarkable.

The Rattan Folding comes with a wealth of useful features. It has front and rear fenders to help protect the rider and the bike from splashes of mud and water. The front and rear lights run off the bike's battery, and the rear light also works as a brake light that gets brighter when the brakes are applied. The bike comes with a kickstand, and Rattan includes a simple bell attached to the handlebar so you can clear your path. It also has a welded rear rack that can support up to 55 pounds. The rack comes with a padded cushion installed, and the bike includes two small foot platforms that can be attached to the chainstays should you choose to use them. Rattan states that the rack is "suitable for all children safety seats of Yepp brand."

rattan folding electric bike - we were pleasantly surprised by the rattan in our range testing...
We were pleasantly surprised by the Rattan in our range testing, surpassing our expectations.
Credit: Jason Peters

Range


We were quite surprised and impressed by the Rattan in our range test.


During our throttle-only range test, we rode the Rattan for 29.7 miles with 1,564 feet of elevation gain/loss at an average speed of 15.4 mph. This was impressive, especially because it has a 624Wh battery, 48Wh less than a few other bikes we tested. We were also pleasantly surprised by its average speed of 15.4 mph. While this isn't the highest average speed among our test bikes, it's still solid and demonstrates the motor's power that didn't bog down too much on the gently rolling hills of our test course.

Power


With a 500W rear hub motor and 20-inch wheels, the Rattan Folding is a powerful folding e-bike. This Class 3 model has five levels of pedal assist to provide a great range of support for your pedaling efforts, and it has no problem getting up to its top assisted speed of 25 mph. Using the throttle, it's quick off the line and can easily propel you along up to 20mph on flat ground.

rattan folding electric bike - the 500w motor feels powerful and this bike is quick to accelerate...
The 500W motor feels powerful and this bike is quick to accelerate using the throttle, and it has a top pedal-assisted speed of 25 mph.
Credit: Jason Peters

The Rattan Folding is zippy whether you're using the throttle or pedal assist. The five levels of pedal assist provide a nice spread of support and corresponding bike speed. The bike operates with a cadence sensor, and the assistance takes roughly a half-pedal stroke to kick in. Once the cranks are turning, the motor delivers power consistently regardless of how much effort the rider is putting into the pedals. Shifts between output levels weren't entirely seamless, however, and there were a couple of seconds of lag between pressing the button and the motor changing levels. A top pedal-assisted speed of 25 mph makes the Rattan a Class 3 bike, and the speed limit can be adjusted through the display to drop it down to Class 2 if need be.

rattan folding electric bike - the throttle power corresponds to the pedal assist level, so you can...
The throttle power corresponds to the pedal assist level, so you can choose how fast and powerful you want it to be.
Credit: Jason Peters

A throttle twist in assist level 5 and the Rattan Folding springs to life. The 500W motor makes this bike quick to accelerate, and you can even peel out on dirt or gravel. The throttle can whisk you along at up to 20 mph on flat ground, and the power corresponds to the selected assist level. You can plod along at a lower speed in assist level 1, or cruise along at 20 mph in level 5. We like that you can choose how powerful you want the throttle to be. While range testing, the Rattan's motor holds speed well, even up the gradual hills of our test course. This power was evidenced by the bike's average speed of 15.4 mph throughout our 29.7-mile test ride.

rattan folding electric bike - the small control unit by the left grip has 5 buttons and is easy to...
The small control unit by the left grip has 5 buttons and is easy to use and reach with the thumb while riding.
Credit: Jason Peters

Portability


The Rattan Folding model lands in the middle of the pack regarding its portability. Weighing in at 58 pounds and folding to dimensions of 38.6 x 18 x 28 inches, it can be tucked into a corner of an apartment or garage fine, but you won't want to carry it far. E-bikes with this kind of range are classically heavier than the lighter models in this category, but most folks looking to cover larger distances won't care that much. The effort of folding/unfolding this bike is minimal.

rattan folding electric bike - this bike folds down to less than half its size for storage or...
This bike folds down to less than half its size for storage or transport.
Credit: Jason Peters

The folding mechanism on this model is smack in the middle of the frame and at the base of the handlebar, with quick-release clamps on the upper handlebar extension and seat post that make breaking down and deploying this bike quick and easy. It's awkward to carry in its compact form, but the Rattan isn't alone in this among its relative competition. No surprises here.

Interface


The Rattan Folding has a good user interface that consists of a handlebar-mounted control unit, twist throttle, and a digital display. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, and the display is relatively easy to read. Charging is a standard procedure, and the removable battery can be charged on or off the bike.

To turn the Rattan Folding on, the key must be inserted in the battery and turned to the On position. Next, you press the power button on the controls to turn on the power to the display. The controls have + and - buttons that are used to shift up and down through the motor's 5 output levels. Pressing and holding the - button also engages the bike's walk mode when you are off the bike. These buttons are also used to make adjustments to the bike's settings, like measurement units or speed limit, and detailed display instructions can be found on the Rattan website. On the side of the control unit, there are two additional buttons, one of which turns on the bike's lights, and the other scrolls through the options on the data field at the bottom of the screen.

rattan folding electric bike - the twist throttle is integrated into the right grip, and it has a...
The twist throttle is integrated into the right grip, and it has a very user-friendly cruise control feature.
Credit: Jason Peters

A twist throttle is integrated into the right grip. Twisting it engages the throttle to propel you and the bike forward without the need to pedal. The bike's throttle power correlates to the assist setting of the bike, with more power in the higher settings and vice versa. The rider can also modulate the power depending on how far they twist the throttle. The Rattan Folding also has a slick cruise control feature engaged by twisting and holding the throttle for five seconds. Once cruise control is engaged, it delivers power consistently until the brakes are applied.

rattan folding electric bike - the display shows you everything you need to know while riding...
The display shows you everything you need to know while riding, although we found the speed reading to be a bit off.
Credit: Jason Peters

The LCD is centered in the middle of the handlebar in an easy-to-see location. It measures 2.5" long x 1.5" wide and has a dark background with bright numbers and letters that are readable in a range of light conditions. The screen also has a backlight feature that turns on/off with the bike's lights. The screen shows a variety of information, including remaining battery life, current speed, pedal-assist setting, and mileage. Battery charge is displayed graphically at the top of the screen as a small battery with 5 bars that turn off sequentially as the battery is depleted. Just below that, the current speed is shown in large numbers. Interestingly, when compared with our GPS cycling computer, we found the speed readings to be off, consistently telling us we were going 26 mph when we hit the top throttle speed of 20 mph. Below the speed reading, the pedal assist level is shown as a number 1-5. At the bottom of the screen is a data field that can be switched between the odometer, trip distance, max speed, and average speed.

rattan folding electric bike - the battery can be removed from the bike when it is unlocked by...
The battery can be removed from the bike when it is unlocked by pulling it by its handle. The charging port hides under a swiveling cover.
Credit: Jason Peters

The Rattan Folding has a removable battery that slots into a cradle behind the seat tube. The battery is locked in place with a key and can easily be removed by pulling it up by the handle when it is unlocked. The battery can be charged on or off the bike, and Rattan claims a charging time of 6 hours for a fully depleted battery. One of our biggest complaints about this bike is that the battery rattles when riding over rough surfaces.

Assembly


The Rattan comes almost completely assembled, and it only requires the user to insert the seatpost and handlebar and unfold and lock it in its riding position to complete the process. Once removed from its packaging, it takes only a couple of minutes to dial it in and get it ready to ride. The manner in which this bike is packaged, however, makes removing it from its protective packing materials a chore. Our test bike also had a slight issue that left spray foam residue on our frame and cranks.

rattan folding electric bike - the rattan folding is wrapped in two large bags with spray foam in...
The Rattan Folding is wrapped in two large bags with spray foam in between to protect it from shipping damage.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

The Rattan comes in a bike box in its collapsed, folded position. Because the bike weighs 58 lbs, this box is still quite heavy, and removing the bike from it is easiest with two people. To protect the bike from shipping damage, Rattan takes an innovative approach by encasing the bike in a stiff spray foam within the box. To do this, they place the folded bike in a large plastic bag with a second plastic bag around it. The bike is then placed in the box, and the hardening foam is sprayed between the outer and inner bags. When the foam hardens, it creates a great protective barrier for the bike and prevents it from moving around within the box. Unfortunately, our bike tore a small hole in the inner bag, and a small amount of the spray foam leaked inside and stuck to part of the frame and the cranks. While removing the hardened foam from the bike is easy enough, it leaves an ugly residue that is nearly impossible to get off. So, our bike wasn't damaged from shipping, but it ended up with a less-than-perfect appearance from its protective packaging. We assume this isn't common, but it is notable nonetheless.

rattan folding electric bike - the residue from the spray foam is very difficult to remove. we even...
The residue from the spray foam is very difficult to remove. We even tried rubbing alcohol to no avail.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Should You Buy the Rattan Folding?


The Rattan Folding is a convenient folding e-bike with a great distance range. This reasonably priced bike has a wealth of user-friendly features, and it conveniently folds down to a compact size for storage or transport. This Class 3 model easily zips along at 25 mph using pedal assist and can be configured as Class 2, depending on your preferences. If you're looking for an affordable folding electric bike with a solid range, this option is worthy of consideration.

What Other Folding Electric Bikes Should You Consider?


The Rattan Folding is a pretty good value viewed on its own, but for an even more affordable folding e-bike, we really like the Lectric XP Step-Thru 3.0. Its range isn't as good as the Rattan, but overall,l we feel it is a better bike. The Lectric has a better ride, power, and interface and is the bike we would choose ahead of the Rattan.

rattan folding electric bike - it may not be the best we tested, but the rattan folding is a pretty...
It may not be the best we tested, but the Rattan Folding is a pretty solid e-bike that stands out when pushing distances.
Credit: Jason Peters

Jeremy Benson