Totguard 27.5″ Review: A Ridiculously Cheap Mountain eBike!

The Totguard 27.5″ electric bike has a 48-volt brushless rear hub motor that gives 500 watts of nominal power. The bike can be driven in 3 modes – a cycling mode, a pedal-assist mode and a throttle or pure electric mode. The pedal-assist mode offers 3 levels of assist and uses a cadence sensor to detect your inputs.

The Totguard 27.5″ is categorized as  Class 2 e-bike, meaning that it is designed to reach a top speed of 20mph. Now, this top speed is good enough for everything, however, I couldn’t help unlocking it (like I always do). When tested under regular wind conditions on a smooth road, I managed to clock 21.8mph. Not bad for a 500W hub motor.

When I rode the Totguard 27.5″ on a flat and smooth asphalt road, I made it to 20mph in about 15-16 seconds. This is a bit sluggish, but fairly reasonable for a 500W ebike… and exceptional for a sub-$500 e-bike. The bike also maintained a stable speed throughout after the initial burst. If I have to compare the acceleration of the Totguard 27.5″ to another e-bike, I found its performance almost identical to the Jasion EB5.

The Totguard 27.5″ bike was decently capable when it comes to hill climbing. It was certainly not effortless to go up most of the hills I put the Totguard 27.5″ through, especially at inclines greater than 20 degrees (despite the brand claiming easy climbs up to 30 degrees of inclines), but it wasn’t too terrible either. The Totguard’s performance at hills is actually credited to the 21-speed gears rather than its 500W motor, as such a wide gear ratio helps amplify the torque. The RAEV Bullet GT still remains the most potent ebike at hills, and I am still to test a bike that can exceed its climbing ability.

Despite the budget price, rider comfort has been given due attention by Totguard. The ride posture is good, as the saddle height can be adjusted to accommodate riders of different heights. Thanks to the bike’s lightweight build, it has decent steering and handling. The power delivery from the cadence sensor may not be super-responsive, however, it is decent enough considering the price. Moreover, the massive tires and the front suspension are quite adept at absorbing shocks from bumps and irregularities on roads.

Featuring a 48V 10Ah Lithium-ion battery, the Totguard 27.5″ packs 480Wh of energy content. When I tested the bike, I was able to travel about 20.4 miles using both the throttle mode and pedal-assist mode. The route I took consisted of mostly flat surfaces with a few inclined patches. Looking at the 500W of nominal power output and the price tag, the range is pretty reasonable. 

In case you are in the market for e-bikes with excellent range, the Aniioki A8 Pro Max and the Bandit X-Trail Pro are good options. Both these ebikes feature monstrous batteries that simply won’t die easily.

The Totguard 27.5″ electric bike comes with dual mechanical disc brakes. I haven’t yet been able to conduct a brake test, however I am impressed by its braking ability. The hydraulic brakes are obviously a better option always, but considering the price of the bike, the dual disc brakes are pretty reasonable. I mean you usually find rim or drum brakes at this price point… such as the ones used by Hurley.

The Totguard 27.5″ e-bike features a mechanical front suspension fork that gives its riders some ability to ride off road. Thankfully, the suspension fork is lockable, so you can adjust it for various terrains and according to your preference. In case you want dual suspension, there are plenty of options. Among budget e-bikes, I personally liked Engwe Engine X’s suspension the most.

Unlike other budget ebikes that feature 7-speed transmission, the Totguard 27.5″ electric bike comes with a Shimano 21-speed transmission. It is, in fact, the most significant highlight of this e-bike. The Totguard allowed smooth transmission between gears with no ghost pedaling even at high speeds. Moreover, thanks to the wide gear ratio, the bike performed excellently on inclines.

The Totguard 27.5″ is a budget e-bike, currently on sale for just $479 on Amazon. Within this tag, you not only get 21-speed Shimano gears, a lockable front fork, and huge 27.5” tires… but you also get features like an electric horn, a backlit LCD, and a bright headlight (to name a few). The Totguard is undoubtedly one of the best budget options, considering its impressive performance and numerous features. I mean, can you show me a similar ebike for under $500?

The frame of the Totguard 27.5″ is made of lightweight yet sturdy aluminum alloy. The entire bike weighs just 49.6lbs (including the battery), and can handle weights up to 300lbs… which is a fairly impressive load rating. As far as looks are concerned, the Totguard has a typical mountain bike style with an externally mounted battery. The wiring is also external but is packed very neatly. In case you are in the market for aesthetics (without breaking the bank), you should check out this stylish ebike from Engwe.

The battery that comes with the Totguard 27.5″ is a 48V 10A Lithium-ion unit. It is fixed nicely in the bike’s downtube, and is removable and lockable. This makes it convenient for the users who need to charge their battery inside. It takes about 5 hours with a regular 2A charger to completely charge the battery. One great thing about the battery is that it has LED lights to indicate its charge level. It also has an on/off button as well as a cap to protect the charging port from dust.

The LCD of the Totguard 27.5″ is fixed on the left side of the handlebar. It is sleek and has a backlit screen, making it easy to view different ride parameters such as speed, battery level, the PAS mode in real time. It doesn’t matter if you are riding the bike at night or in bright daylight, the LCD is perfectly visible at all times.

The Totguard 27.5″ e-bike features a bright LED light at the front to illuminate the path of the rider at night. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a rear light and features just a rear reflector. It also has a front reflector, as well as pedal and wheel reflectors. The bike also has an electric horn for added safety.

Like any typical American mountain ebike, the Totguard 27.5″ uses massive 27.5-inch mountain tires with a knobby tread pattern. These tires are excellent for traction no matter what surface you are riding them on. Plus, their massive size enables them to roll over everything that obstructs your way.

The Totguard 27.5″ electric bike offers a comprehensive warranty covering all manufacturing defects in its components for up to 12 months. This includes everything from its motor and battery to its LCD and fork.

If you want to consider more options, here are two main alternatives to consider within the same price range as the Totguard 27.5″ electric bike.

Totguard 27.5″ vs Ancheer eMTB

The Totguard 27.5″ and the Ancheer eMTB are both equipped with a 500W motor, promising strong performance on various terrains. The Totguard outpaces the Ancheer eMTB in terms of top speed, reaching 21.8mph compared to the Ancheer’s 20mph. Moreover, the Totguard boasts a larger 480Wh battery, resulting in a longer range of 20.4 miles. 

However, it’s worth noting that the Totguard is slightly heavier at 50lbs but compensates with a higher load rating of 300lbs, suitable for riders carrying heavier loads, while the Ancheer eMTB is lighter at 44lbs with a load rating of 265lbs. Both bikes also have Shimano 21 gears, but Ancheer has 26” tires, and not 27.5” like that of Totguard.

Totguard 27.5″ vs Jasion EB5

The Totguard leads in motor power with a robust 500W motor, outperforming the Jasion EB5’s 350W motor, which might translate to better acceleration and overall performance. The Totguard also gains an advantage with a larger 480Wh battery, providing more energy for extended rides compared to the Jasion EB5’s 360Wh battery. 

Consequently, the Totguard offers a slightly longer range of 20.4 miles, giving riders a bit more distance on each charge. Interestingly, both bikes have identical weights at 50lbs, but Totguard has better load rating. Totguard also has 21 speed transmission compared to Jasion’s 7-speed gears, and has massive 27.5” tires compared to Jasion’s 26” tires.

Let’s take a quick look at these three mountain electric bikes for a better understanding of their capabilities and features.

The Totguard 27.5″ that shines brilliantly in the realm of value, proudly boasting an astonishingly competitive price of just $479. This budget-friendly gem doesn’t compromise on performance or features, making it a formidable contender in its category. What’s particularly striking is its impressive capability to tackle inclines – all thanks to its efficient 500W motor and 21-speed Shimano transmission.

The Totguard also packs a number of features, including a lockable front fork, a backlit LCD, and an electric horn. Sure, it has some downsides as well. The bike misses fenders as well as a rear light, and has just 3 levels in pedal assist. But when you consider its unbeatable price tag, the Totguard 27.5″ emerges as an outstanding option. If you’re interested in purchasing this ebike, you can find it on its Amazon page below. Alternatively, if you wish to explore more options, you can check out these top picks under $2,000, under $1,000, or under $500.

Is the Totguard 27.5″ electric bike suitable for tall riders?

The Totguard 27.5″ electric bike comes with a height adjustable seat post, and is suitable for riders with height ranging from 5’5″ to 6’7″.

What is the weight and load capacity of the Totguard 27.5″?

The Totguard 27.5″ features a aluminum alloy frame, resulting in a net weight of 50lbs. The payload capacity of the bike stands at 300lbs, which makes it suitable for most riders.

What is the range of the Totguard 27.5″ electric bike?

The Totguard 27.5″ electric bike has a 480Wh Lithium-ion battery. When I tested the bike, I was able to travel about 20.4 miles using both the throttle mode and pedal-assist mode. 

• Motor: 500W brushless hub
• Max Speed: 20mph 
• No. of Assist Levels: 3
• Battery: 48V 10Ah (480Wh)
• Max Range: 30 miles 
• Charger: 48V 2A Charger
• Charging Time: 5 Hours 
• Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes 
• Front Suspension: Mechanical (Lockable)
• Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy 
• Bike Weight: 50lbs (with Battery)
• Max Load: 300lbs 
• Transmission: Shimano 21-speed 
• Display: Backlit LCD 
• Tire Size: 27.5”
• Rider Height: 5’5″ to 6’7″