Himiway's Cobra Is Full-Suspension E-Biking Goodness on a Budget: Air Time for $2,400

Folks, we're seeing more and more e-bikes hit the market each day, and with that comes a problem: which machine is the right machine? Well, that depends on who you ask, but if you're looking for an AT e-bike, the Cobra needs some attention, and you'll understand why shortly.

For starters, this beast is from Himiway, a crew that even has the support of Olympic gold medalists, and funny enough, me too. After all, their Zebra e-bike has proven itself to be a monstrously capable speed demon in an urban setting. But, as you'll soon read in the review of that bike, it's not the best choice for off-road excursions, and Himiway seems to know this because here we are, faced with a full-suspension demon.

Now, to kick things off, allow me to point out how much buck you'll need to dish out for this bang. Overall, Himiway is asking us to drop $2,400 (€2,300 at current exchange rates) on the Cobra, so it's a bit higher than the $2,000 average I see most average Joe is aiming for. But that extra $400 is going into some rather neat systems.

For starters, Himiway decided to build the Cobra around 4.8-inch cross-section tires. Why is this important? Well, your tires define where and even when you should use your bicycle. In this case, the manufacturer aimed for a do-it-all machine, ready to handle tarmac, trails, and, by the looks of things, even airtime. Jumping a fat tire e-bike that weighs 88 lbs (49 kg)? Apparently yes.

Part of the reason why the Cobra is seen catching some airtime in the video below is also due to the suspension system it incorporates. At the front, an RST Glide fork with 95 mm (3.7 in) of travel should be enough to handle whatever roads and trails throw at you, but we shall see just how much abuse it can take from me soon enough. Lockout is also part of its magic, so use it while riding around city streets; you'll save precious energy.

However, it's the rear suspension of the Cobra that's the real ticket item. A four-bar linkage suspension setup boasts a shock that offers up to 190 mm (7.5 in) of travel, so pretty dang good. The only issue I can see with this is the Cobra's weight; it's going to put quite the level of stress on this system. Still, it should be one hell of a smooth ride as you go trudging off-road.

From here, we need to take a closer look at the electronic components Himiway has in store. Starting with the rear of the bike, the manufacturer slams a 750 W (nominal) motor to the rear hub that's limited to 25 mph (40 kph) of top speed and capable of cranking out 86 Nm (63 lb-ft) of torque and peaking at 1,000 W. If it's anything like the one on the Zebra, you better hang on tight; it feels very moped-like, especially if you tamper with the speed settings. Just be sure to abide by local laws and regulations while riding.

Then there's the all-important battery pack, mounted into the down tube of the Cobra and removable in case carrying 88 lbs up a flight of stairs isn't an easy task for you; it isn't for me. A removable pack also guarantees you can double your range by simply buying another pack from the manufacturer. Still, with 960 Wh of juice, Himiway reports that a range of over 80 mi (129 km) is possible.

Spoiler Alert: Real-world testing of e-bikes by myself has shown a drop in range of nearly 30%. Do the math.

Beyond that, the rest of this bugger is pretty standard. I'm talking about a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, hydraulic Tektro brakes with 180 mm (7.1 in) rotors, a thumb throttle, and a headlight. Optionally, it looks like a cargo rack can be added, and with a weight limit of 400 lbs (181 kg), you can definitely bring along some gear.

All that's left to do now is picture yourself on a Cobra and get a feel for what it has to offer. Feel that beefy motor kicking in; why not use the thumb throttle? Enjoy the smoothness of a full-suspension bike and even more vibration reduction because of those massive balloons dubbed tires. The latter should also help if you're looking to go riding through some snow and sand.

Better yet, find a local dealership, take one of these babies out for a spin, and go from there. Actually, you never even have to leave the comfort of your own home; you can just order a Cobra, and if you're not happy with it, you've got 15 days to return it as long as there are no more than 10 miles on the clock, no damage, and you support the return fees, not to mention returning it in its original packaging, so hold on to the styrofoam.

However, with 353 customers leaving a five out of five-star rating, 18 at four out of five, and just two people rating the Cobra with three stars, the results seem quite clear. The rest is in your hands.

As for myself, I'm standing by to test the Cobra in the next few months, which I'm looking forward to because this is Himiway's first full-suspension e-bike, and I really want to see how it compares to an e-MTB from brands like Trek and Specialized.