Ariel Rider X-Class 60V Review: Big Climbing Torque and 65-Mile Range for $1,799
A 60-volt fat-tire off-roader with the torque to crawl up almost anything and the battery to keep you out there all day.
The Ariel Rider X-Class 60V is built for the rider who wants to point a bike at a steep, rutted trail and just go. Its runs on a 60-volt system and puts out , which is a lot of low-end pull, enough to keep the bike climbing on loose, steep ground instead of stalling out. It's a bike, so it has a and you can ride it without pedaling up to 20 mph.
What earns it a Genius Score of 74 out of 100 is that power paired with a genuinely big battery, good for a claimed 65 miles, at a price that undercuts a lot of bikes with this much capability. The trade-off is the build: it's a single-speed with no suspension, so this is a bike you buy for raw power and range, not for a refined ride.
Pros & cons
What we like
- on a 60-volt system, so it pulls itself and a loaded rider up steep, loose climbs without bogging down
- A big 1200Wh with a claimed 65 miles of range, unusually long for a fat-tire off-roader
- A lets you cruise or pull away from a stop without pedaling, which is handy on technical climbs
- 4-piston with 203mm rotors give it real stopping power for a heavy, quick bike
- Priced well for the amount of capability you get, so you get more bike per dollar than most fat-tire rivals
Worth weighing
- At 108 pounds it's heavy even for a fat-tire bike, so loading it on a car rack or carrying it up stairs is a two-person job
- The single-speed drivetrain gives you no gears, so above about 20 mph pedaling does almost nothing and the motor is doing the work
- No suspension is listed, which leaves the fat tires as your only cushion on rough, rooty ground
Key specs
The motor & power
The heart of this bike is a 750W rear fed by a 60-volt system, and the number that matters most is . That's a big figure, the kind that pulls a heavy bike and a full-size rider up a steep, loose climb without stalling.
Ariel Rider doesn't publish a , so judge the motor on its 750W steady rating and that torque number. Together they tell you the X-Class is tuned for low-end pulling power, not just for a high top speed.
Because it's a bike, it comes with a , so you can ride the whole way on power without turning the pedals up to 20 mph. That's genuinely useful on a technical climb, where you'd rather concentrate on steering than on cranking.
One thing the spec sheet won't spell out: the 60-volt system is what makes that 110 Nm usable. Higher voltage feeds power more steadily under load, so the motor tends to hold its pull deep into a long climb instead of fading the way lower-voltage fat-tire bikes can.
Range & battery
The battery is the other headline. It's a 60V 20Ah pack, which works out to about 1200 , and that's a lot of stored energy for a fat-tire bike.
Ariel Rider claims up to 65 miles on a charge, and that figure assumes ideal conditions. Plan for somewhat fewer miles in day-to-day riding, since the terrain you cover, how much you're carrying, and how much you ride on the all draw from the same pack.
That big pack is exactly what makes the long range possible, and it's rare for an off-road fat-tire bike to promise this many miles between charges.
Ride & components
Under you are fat tires, 20 x 4.5 up front and a wider 20 x 5.0 in the rear, and that much rubber does real work off-road. It smooths out ruts and roots and floats over sand and loose dirt where a skinnier tire would dig in.
Stopping comes from 4-piston with big 203mm rotors, which is the right call on a bike this heavy and this fast. You want that kind of braking when you're loaded up and heading downhill.
The thing to know is the drivetrain: it's a single-speed with a KMC S1 chain, so there are no gears to shift. On the throttle and under power that's fine, but if the battery ever dies you're pedaling one fixed gear on a very heavy bike, which is hard work. There's also no suspension listed, so those fat tires are your only cushion on rough ground.
At the 28 mph setting you're riding at Class 3 speeds, which are off-limits on some bike paths and trails. The X-Class ships capped at 20 mph as a Class 2 bike, and you raise that top speed in the settings, so check your local rules before you bump it up.
Price & value
At $1,799 the X-Class 60V is priced well for how much bike it is. You're getting 60-volt power, a huge battery, and 4-piston brakes for less than plenty of fat-tire bikes with smaller batteries and weaker climbing.
That value is where it really stands out. You get a lot of capability per dollar here, not a bargain-bin price with corners cut everywhere.
Where it gives ground is finish and versatility. The single-speed drivetrain and middling parts are part of how the cost stays down, so this is a bike you buy for raw power and range, not for a refined build.
Who it's for
The backcountry explorer
If your rides mean steep climbs, loose dirt, sand, and long days away from an outlet, this is where the X-Class shines. The muscles up grades that bog down weaker motors, and the big battery keeps you out there long after other fat-tire bikes need a charge.
The rider who'd rather not pedal
If you want to twist a and cruise, this bike delivers. It's , so you can ride up to 20 mph without turning the pedals, which is a real help on climbs and pulling away from a stop. Just remember that riding on the throttle drains the battery faster than pedaling along.
The rider who wants a plush trail ride
If you're picturing soft, cushioned landings over rocks and roots, know there's no suspension here. The fat tires take some of the sting out, but they're the only thing between you and the ground, so the roughest technical trails will feel harsh.
The rider who loves to shift and spin
If you like working through gears and pedaling hard across changing terrain, the single-speed setup will frustrate you. Once you're past 20 mph the pedaling does almost nothing, so the X-Class is really meant to be ridden on power rather than muscle.
Frequently asked
Does the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V have a throttle?
Yes. It's a e-bike with a , so you can ride it without pedaling up to 20 mph.
Can you ride the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V without pedaling?
Yes. The throttle lets you ride on power alone up to 20 mph. Riding on the throttle uses more battery, so your range will be shorter than if you pedal along.
How far does the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V go on a charge?
Ariel Rider claims up to 65 miles from its roughly 1200Wh . That's a best-case figure, so plan for fewer miles depending on terrain, load, and throttle use.
How fast does the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V go?
It ships capped at 20 mph as a Class 2 bike, and the top speed is adjustable up to 28 mph in the settings.
How much does the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V weigh?
108 pounds, largely because of its big 60V battery.
What class is the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V?
It's a Class 2 e-bike out of the box, with a throttle and a 20 mph top speed. You can raise the top speed to 28 mph in the settings, which puts it at Class 3 speeds and changes where it's legal to ride, so check local rules first.
How much does the Ariel Rider X-Class 60V cost?
$1,799.
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Read the reviewHow we score: the Genius Score blends a bike's capability against same-price peers with its value for the money, weighted for what this off-road buyer prioritises. Specs are pulled from the manufacturer's live page and normalised (nominal vs peak watts, true weight with battery). Ratings are our estimate from specs, not a lab test.