Himiway is known for manufacturing high-quality, budget-friendly electric bikes for riders of all experience levels. In this article, we’re going to review one of their high-performance models – the Zebra Step-through.
This high-powered e-bike comes with a torquey motor and a super sturdy frame. It is, however, one of the weightiest electric bikes currently available on the market. Read this review to the end to find out if the Himiway Zebra Step-through would be a good fit for your riding style.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 400 lbs (181kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 80 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 20Ah Samsung/LG Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 15.5 MPH
Complete breakdown of the Himiway Zebra ST
Motor and Power
The Himiway Zebra ST comes with a 750W geared hub-motor that can deliver up to 86Nm of torque. The bike comes programmed with a speed limit of 15.5mph to ensure that it complies with e-bike laws in the US.
However, riders can lift this speed limit by accessing the bike’s advanced menu. We were able to reach a top speed of 27mph (45kmh) during our speed tests. Keep in mind that this was achieved in the bike’s highest pedal-assist setting; PAS5.
The table below details the complete results from our speed test.
|
Speed Setting |
Max Speed |
|---|---|
|
PAS 1 |
12mph (19kmh) |
|
PAS 2 |
16mph (26kmh) |
|
PAS 3 |
19mph (31kmh) |
|
PAS 5 |
22mph (35kmh) |
|
PAS 6 |
27mph (43kmh) |
Range
The Himiway Zebra ST was able to cover around 27 miles (43.45km) on full throttle during our range test. It comes with a 960Wh (48V 20Ah) integrated battery that supports easy and quick removal.
You should be able to cover about 50 miles (80km) on a single charge if you switch to a low pedal-assist setting. We were able to cover about 49 miles in PAS2 mode.
Charging the bike takes about 7 hours with the standard 3 Amp charger, but you should be able to cut that down to 5 hours if you use a fast charger.
Performance and Acceleration
The Himiway Zebra ST is a pretty zippy electric bike. It comes with a half-twist throttle that propels it to speeds of up to 25mph in under 20 seconds.
It also comes with a torque-sensing pedal-assist system that provides motor assistance based on how much pressure is applied to the cranks.
Climbing Ability
We took the Zebra to a 12-percent grade hill for our hill-climbing test and it outperformed most of the e-bikes we have ever tested on that same hill. In throttle-only mode, the Zebra was able to make it to the top of that hill with an average speed of 13.7 mph (21kmh).
In PAS 5, we were able to average about 16mph traveling up that hill. These metrics rank the Himiway Zebra ST among the best 750W electric bikes we’ve ever tested.
Ride Smoothness
The Himiway Zebra ST comes with front suspension forks that help smoothen bumpy rides. These forks can be adjusted and locked to prevent terrain feedback.
The bike also comes with 26” x 4” Kenda tires that help swallow up small road irregularities. Another advantage of having fat tires is that they help maximize traction. If you’re in the market for a multi-terrain electric bike, the Himiway Zebra ST might just be the perfect fit for your needs.
Weight Limit and Net Weight
The Himiway Zebra ST is one of the sturdiest electric bikes currently available on the market. This beast can support up to 400 lbs (181kg) of weight. That’s about 33% more weight capacity than most electric bikes in its price range.
In the table below we compare the payload capacities of various mountain e-bikes with the Himiway Zebra ST.
|
E-bike Name |
Motor Rating |
Weight Limit |
Net Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
750W |
400lbs (181 kg) |
79lbs (35.8 kg) | |
|
750W |
300lbs (136 kg) |
77lbs (34.9 kg) | |
|
750W |
400lbs (181 kg) |
73lbs (33 kg) | |
|
1000W |
300lbs (136 kg) |
73lbs (33 kg) | |
|
Mid-drive motor with 90Nm of torque |
300lbs (136 kg) |
50lbs (22.6 kg) |
Portability
Portability isn’t one of the Himiway Zebra ST’s strongest suits. Besides weighing over 70 pounds, this electric bike measures up to 43 inches in height and 78.7 inches in length. It also comes with a rigid frame, making it almost impossible to collapse the bike into a smaller size.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 400 lbs (181kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 80 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 20Ah Samsung/LG Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 15.5 MPH
Display and Controls
The Himiway Zebra ST comes with a grayscale LCD meter that displays the bike’s speed, trip distance, PAS level, and battery consumption at a glance. You can also modify the bike’s speed limit, tire diameter, and PAS levels from this tiny computer.
You can add as many as four extra pedal-assist levels to the default five (for a total of 9 pedal-assist levels) and edit how much power (in percentage) each level delivers. Also, if you move to a region with stricter e-bike policies, you can always modify the bike’s speed limit to comply with regulations there.
Turning, Control, and Balance
Maneuverability is another strong point of the Himiway Zebra ST. The bike comes with 27.6” handlebars which helps improve stability and control.
Some people think that a narrower bar provides better control and feel over the bike. But they’re wrong. With a wider grip, you get better traction over rocky sections, roots, and rough terrain.
Wider handlebars also reduce trail feedback, so you’ll notice smoother steering and tighter turns. Finally, wider bars allow you to reach further into corners, improving control.
Braking power is another decent feature on the Himiway Zebra ST. The bike comes with 180mm hydraulic disc brakes.
Hydraulic disc-braking systems offer several advantages over conventional cable brakes. These include greater stopping power, lower maintenance costs, less noise, and better performance.
Water Resistance
Himiway doesn’t exactly specify the water-resistance rating of the Zebra, but they do state — on their FAQ page — that their bikes are waterproof enough to be ridden under light rain. They do also warn against riding their e-bikes in excessive rain as you might unintentionally submerge some of its electronic components in puddles.
Almost all electric bikes available on the market today are not designed to be submerged in water.
Upgrades and Accessories
The Himiway Zebra ST comes fully equipped with almost every utility riders might need to improve the quality of their rides. It is equipped with full-length aluminum fenders, front & rear LED lights, a kickstand, and a rear rack.
The brand also includes a branded face cap to every order at no extra cost to customers.
Warranty and Shipping
Himiway offers longer-duration warranties than most brands in the industry. All their bicycles come with a limited two-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
|
Electric Bike Brand |
Warranty Duration |
|---|---|
|
Himiway |
2 years |
|
Aventon |
1 year |
|
Rad Power Bikes |
1 year |
|
Ride1Up |
1 year |
|
1 year |
Himiway will repair/replace any parts if they are found to be faulty after inspection. The warranty does not cover damages caused by accidents and misuse.
Shipping usually takes between 3 to 10 business days and is free for residents who stay in the Contiguous US. Himiway does not ship internationally nor do they dispatch orders to military addresses or P.O. boxes.
Full Specifications of the Himiway Zebra ST
|
Motor Rating |
750W (Up to 1000W at peak performance) |
|
Battery Capacity |
48V 20A (960Wh) |
|
Controller |
48V 22A |
|
Range |
50+ miles |
|
Payload Capacity |
400 lbs |
|
E-bike Weight |
79 lbs |
|
Frame Material |
Upgraded 6061 Aluminum |
|
Brakes |
180mm hydraulic brakes |
|
Lights |
Front and rear LED lights |
|
Tires |
26” x 4” fat Kenda tires |
|
Utilities |
Full-length fenders, a heavy-duty kickstand, and a rear rack |
|
Suspension |
Front alloy forks |
|
Top Speed |
Up to 27mph |
Pros & Cons of the Himiway Zebra ST
Pros
- It comes with a rear rack.
- Its low-step frame makes it easy to straddle; even for short riders.
- The bike comes with a high-capacity battery.
- It is suitable for riding on multiple kinds of terrain.
- Himiway and AceVolt (a company that manufactures portable power stations) have partnered together to offer camping enthusiasts a great discount. Now you can get both the AceVolt Campower 700 and a Himiway electric bike for just $1999 instead of $2148. Learn More!
Cons
- The Himiway Zebra ST is a heavy electric bike. It won’t be easy to carry this beast up a flight of stairs.
- It comes with leather grips. Leather grips are more likely to slide around as you grip the handlebars.
Who’s the Himiway Zebra ST For
The Himiway Zebra ST is an all-season, multi-terrain electric bike. Anyone from commuters to off-road riders can use this e-bike.
The bike can even replace your car for short round trips. It is sturdy enough to carry a toolbox, some groceries, and a heavy adult. It’s also great for delivery drivers and heavy riders (people who weigh over 250 lbs/113kg).
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 400 lbs (181kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 80 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 20Ah Samsung/LG Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 15.5 MPH
Who’s the Himiway Zebra ST Not For
If you have to carry your bike in-between commutes or carry it up a flight of stairs, the Himiway Zebra ST is not for you. It is heavy and carrying it isn’t going to be very easy because it doesn’t have a top tube.
There are lighter options that might suit your profile. Some of them include the Ride1Up Roadster (33 lbs/15 kg), the Aventon Soltera (41 lbs/19 kg), and Rad Power Bikes’ Radmission (48 lbs/22 kg).
The Himiway Zebra ST is also not suitable for short riders. Its frame is built to fit riders between 5’2” and 6’4” tall. If you’re under 5’2” you might want to check out our top picks of the best e-bikes for short riders.
