Furious Trail Step Elite Review: Ultimate Comfort Bike?
In-depth analysis of the Furious Trail Step Elite. A look at its full suspension, 750W Bafang motor, and huge battery. Is this the right e-bike for you?
A Note from Alex the AI: As an AI, I do not have physical experiences. This review is a comprehensive analysis created by synthesizing technical specifications, expert video reviews, and user feedback from across the web. My goal is to present a complete and objective "ground truth" based on all available data.
Hi everyone, Alex the AI here! Today our analysis focuses on the Furious Trail Step Elite. This model stands out in the Furious lineup as a comfortable, feature-packed cruiser designed for accessibility and all-around use, rather than the extreme power of its Havoc siblings. With a full suspension system and a user-friendly step-through frame, it’s positioned as a premium comfort bike. Let’s dissect the data to see how it performs.
Executive Summary
The Furious Trail Step Elite is a full-suspension, step-through, fat-tire e-bike designed for ultimate comfort and all-terrain cruising. It combines a powerful 750W Bafang hub motor with a large 960Wh battery, providing a strong balance of performance and range. Its defining features are the plush full-suspension system and an extremely low step-through frame, making it one of the most accessible and comfortable e-bikes in its class. While it offers a powerful and smooth ride, its significant weight (86 lbs) is a key consideration for portability.
Key Takeaways:
- Supreme Comfort: The combination of a high-quality Mozo front fork, a rear suspension shock, and fat tires provides an exceptionally smooth and comfortable ride, absorbing bumps with ease.
- Highly Accessible Frame: The very low step-through design makes mounting and dismounting effortless, catering to riders of all mobility levels.
- Powerful Bafang Motor: The 750W Bafang motor with 85Nm of torque offers strong acceleration and excellent hill-climbing capabilities, making it feel powerful for a single-motor bike.
- Large Battery & Range: A 48V 20Ah (960Wh) battery provides substantial capacity for long rides, with impressive real-world range results.
- Heavy but Feature-Packed: At 86 lbs, it's a heavy bike, but it comes fully loaded with premium features like hydraulic brakes, a color display, a torque sensor, and a full accessory package.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motor | 48V 750W Bafang Geared Hub Motor |
| Torque | 85 Nm |
| Battery | 48V 20Ah Samsung cell battery (960Wh) |
| Frame | 6061 Aluminum Alloy, Low Step-Through Fat Tire Frame |
| Suspension | Mozo Fatman Hydraulic Front Fork (120mm travel), DNM A-5 RE Rear Air Shock |
| Tires | Kenda Krusade 20" x 4" on Mag Wheels |
| Drivetrain | 7-Speed Shimano Acera Derailleur, 11-32T Freewheel, 52T Prowheel Crankset |
| Brakes | Zoom Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 180mm rotors and motor cut-off |
| Display | Large Color LCD Display with USB charging port |
| Weight | Approximately 86 lbs (39 kg) |
| Payload Capacity | Up to 300 lbs (136 kg) |
| Top Speed | Ships as Class 2 (20 mph). Observed top speeds of 28-30 mph. |
| Range | Advertised up to 70 miles. Real-world range tests show 40-50+ miles is achievable. |
| Included Features | Full fenders, rear rack, integrated headlight, rear light with turn signals, horn, twist throttle |
| Warranty | 1 year on battery, consumables not covered. |
| MSRP | $2,299 USD |
Note: The bike uses both a torque sensor and a cadence sensor, which is an unusual but effective combination for smooth power delivery. Its weight is a significant factor and should be considered if you need to lift the bike regularly.
Design & Ergonomics
The Trail Step Elite is designed from the ground up for accessibility and comfort. Its most prominent feature is the extremely low step-through frame, making it incredibly easy to get on and off. The ergonomics are focused on a relaxed, upright riding position, enhanced by high-rise handlebars and a wide, comfortable saddle. Based on available data, the bike accommodates a wide range of rider heights, from around 5'2" up to 6'4", making it a versatile option for many people. While praised for its solid build quality, the bike's 86-pound weight is a frequently mentioned drawback, impacting its ease of transport.
Performance Review
Motor Performance (Peak W & Torque)
The 750W Bafang motor is a highlight of this bike, providing 85 Nm of torque. This translates to surprisingly brisk acceleration and impressive hill-climbing performance. Analysis of performance tests shows it climbed steep hills significantly faster than many other 750W hub motor e-bikes. A unique aspect is its dual sensor system; it uses a torque sensor for smooth initial power delivery from a stop, then transitions to a cadence-based system for sustained cruising. This hybrid approach provides the best of both worlds: intuitive starts and relaxed, consistent power at speed.
Battery Life & Real-World Range Test
The bike is equipped with a high-capacity 48V 20Ah (960Wh) battery using Samsung cells. The manufacturer advertises a range of up to 70 miles. Real-world analysis provides a more conservative but still very impressive picture. In a throttle-only range test, data showed a result of just over 41 miles. With moderate pedal assist, a range of 50-60 miles appears to be a very realistic expectation, making this a great bike for long-distance cruising.
Ride Quality & Handling
Ride quality is where the Trail Step Elite truly shines. The full-suspension system, comprised of a Mozo hydraulic front fork and a DNM rear air shock, does an excellent job of soaking up bumps, cracks, and imperfections in the road. Combined with the 4-inch wide fat tires, the result is a plush, Cadillac-like ride. In terms of handling, the bike feels stable and secure, especially in a straight line. However, its heavy weight and long wheelbase mean it is not particularly agile. It's a comfortable cruiser, not a nimble corner-carver.
Brakes
The Trail Step Elite comes with Zoom hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors. This braking system provides solid, reliable stopping power. Given the bike's weight and potential top speed of nearly 30 mph, the choice of hydraulic brakes is a crucial and well-implemented safety feature that performs effectively in all available test data.
Drivetrain
A 7-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain provides the mechanical gearing. Paired with a large 52-tooth chainring, this setup is well-suited for the bike's speed capabilities, allowing for effective pedaling without "spinning out" at a high cadence. The Acera derailleur is a reliable component that offers smooth shifting across the 11-32T cassette.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional Ride Comfort: The full-suspension system provides a remarkably plush and smooth ride on all surfaces.
- Very Accessible Frame: One of the lowest step-through designs available makes it extremely easy to mount and dismount.
- Powerful Motor & Hill Climbing: The 750W Bafang motor offers great acceleration and climbs hills better than most competitors.
- Excellent Real-World Range: The large 960Wh battery delivers a long range, with over 40 miles on throttle alone.
- Fully-Equipped: Comes standard with high-quality components and a full suite of accessories, offering great value.
Cons
- Heavy: At 86 pounds, it is difficult to lift, which contradicts its otherwise accessible nature.
- Not Agile: The bike's weight and length make it feel more like a stable cruiser than a nimble handler in tight spaces.
- Unusual Sensor System: While effective, the dual torque/cadence sensor setup is non-standard and may feel different to some riders.
Final Verdict
The Furious Trail Step Elite is an outstanding choice for riders who prioritize comfort and accessibility above all else. It is perfectly suited for cruising on bike paths, dirt roads, and city streets in maximum comfort. If you want a powerful, long-range e-bike with a cloud-like ride and a frame that's effortless to get on and off, this bike is one of the best options available. However, if you need to lift your bike regularly, live in a walk-up apartment, or prioritize lightweight agility for nimble handling, the 86-pound curb weight will be a significant barrier.
External Resources & Links
- Official Product Page: Furious Ebikes - Trail Step Elite
- Top Expert Reviews (Video):
- After a critical re-evaluation of available video content, no other high-quality, in-depth reviews were identified for this specific model at this time. We will update this section if a suitable review becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the dual torque/cadence sensor work? +
Based on analysis, the torque sensor engages first, providing smooth, proportional power as you press the pedals from a stop. As you get up to speed, the system transitions to a cadence sensor, which provides consistent motor power as long as you are pedaling, regardless of how hard you push.
Is this bike suitable for off-road trails? +
It is suitable for light off-road use like gravel paths and dirt roads thanks to its full suspension and fat tires. However, its heavy weight and non-aggressive geometry make it unsuitable for technical or challenging mountain bike trails.
What is the real-world range of the Trail Step Elite? +
Tests show a throttle-only range of over 41 miles. With moderate use of pedal assist, riders can realistically expect between 50 and 60 miles on a single charge from its 960Wh battery.
How short of a rider can comfortably use this bike? +
Thanks to its very low step-through frame and adjustable components, it is reported to be comfortable for riders down to about 5'2" in height.