Magicycle is a newer e-bike brand that focuses on fat-tired all-terrain e-bikes. Despite its young age, the brand has released a variety of remarkable models noted for their power, resilience, and affordability.
I already told you about Magicycle Deer, but today I want to tell you about this model only in Step-through design. The company’s newest model, based in China, is guaranteed to be a favorite among off-road aficionados searching for a strong electric bike.
The Deer is an e-bike that, like the animal it’s attempting to imitate, is massive, powerful, and capable of riding pretty much anywhere. It is, indeed, the most expensive model in the brand’s inventory, dubbed the “SUV of the e-bike world.” Is there evidence to back it up? Let us take a deeper look.
| Frame size | 18" |
| Front Fork | Alloy Hydraulic |
| Bike Frame | 6061 Aluminum Frame |
| Hub Motor | 750W |
| Pedal Assist | 7-level Intelligent pedal assist |
| Display | Color LCD Display |
| Gearing | Shimano 7 speed gear |
| Brake | 180mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Tires | Kenda 26"x4.0" Fat Tires |
| Battery | 52V 20Ah |
| Range | 60-80 miles |
| Charging Time | 4 - 7Hours |
| Weight | 92.3lbs/41.9kg |
Magicycle Deer Step-through: Design and Build Quality
Another feature worth mentioning is the Deer’s tough design. Unlike other Magicycle models, the Deer Step-through does not rely primarily on fat tires to go about. It also has a full-suspension design, which means it can go deep into the wilderness, as long as you don’t run out of juice. For added convenience, there are built-in fenders and a rear luggage rack. Oh, and it comes with a step-through frame, which is unusual for a full-suspension bike.
Excellent design and functionality should be complimented by comfort, and the Magicycle Deer Step-through succeeds in this regard as well. The high, upright riding position of the Deer Step-through was both comfortable and natural to me, affording a broad view point from which I could readily see and be seen. The bike’s ergonomic, swept-back handlebars and a large, padded seat complemented this. After more than 80 miles on the bike, I had a few reservations, but I chalked them up to personal choice, which I will detail in the entire Magicycle Deer Step-through review below.
The Magicycle Deer Step-through has 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, as well as a motor cutoff switch to keep the brakes from fighting the motor if both are engaged at the same time. Both the hydraulic brakes and the engine cutoff option are appreciated, especially given that e-bikes are faster and heavier than standard bicycles, making slowing down more difficult.
The Magicycle Deer Step-through sports both front and rear reflectors, as well as a front LED lamp that is incorporated. The Magicycle website indicates that a rear headlight is included, but ours did not. When we contacted the manufacturer to inquire about this, they stated that a detachable light should have been included in the box.
Both models have ergonomic rubber grips that are well-shaped and pleasant. But, having suffered from chronic tendinitis and nerve compression on one wrist, I found the High-handlebar Step’s curve to be far more comfortable for me on lengthy rides. Whilst the Step-Thru model’s cruiser-style handlebars were clearly more enjoyable, the wrist positioning seemed strange to me, especially after a few hours.
I was first concerned about the Magicycle Deer Step-through handling because of the front suspension fork. Its hardness made the bike’s ride somewhat painful when going over bumps right out of the box, but fortunately, after verifying that the lockout was fully loosened and bringing down the rebound adjustment by around half a turn, the ride quality substantially improved.
Overall, the Magicycle Deer Step-through has simple but useful features for comfort and control. The supplied features cover all the bases and are generally functional. While I had a few issues here and there, it’s important to remember that many components of a bike can be replaced out for something more suited to personal desire, and in many cases fairly affordably.
Magicycle Deer Step-through: Motor and Battery
To begin with, the Magicycle Deer is not lightweight. It’s a heavyweight, weighing up at 41.9 kilograms, and it certainly looks the part. Therefore, a typical 250W motor will not suffice. That’s why Magicycle outfitted the Deer with a powerful hub motor with a 750W nominal output.Â
The motor has a maximum power output of 1,100W and a maximum torque output of 96 Nm. In full-power pedal assist mode, this results in a top speed of 28 miles per hour. There’s also a thumb throttle for people who want to treat this like an electric motorcycle, though it can only go up to 20 miles per hour.
A cautionary note: the first speed increase that happens there can be a little startling, especially in narrow or obstacle-filled locations where a high level of control is desired. The rear hub motor, which provides the impression of being pushed from behind, can also require some getting used to. Neither feature is unusual in an e-bike, but it may surprise individuals who are more accustomed to regular bicycles.
The Magicycle Deer Step-through’s motor speed, speed, and speed felt on line with its specs and class during our testing. A 750W motor should provide ample acceleration and climbing capabilities, and the Deer Step-through delivered on both counts. Although being unfamiliar with the brand, I loved the flexibility provided by the 7-speed transmission.
This gets us to our final point, which is especially about the Sunrace Megadrive cassette. We have little experience with this brand, however it is Shimano and SRAM compatible. The cassette we tested operated properly, but we cannot attest to its long-term durability and dependability.
On our Hill Test, the Deer Step-through outperformed a few of comparable models. While in PAS 5, the bike’s motor propelled it safely and quickly up the test hill, and when relying just on the throttle. This finding is even more impressive given two of the three e-bikes included in the pieces of data were Class 3 models with top speeds of 28 miles per hour.
In my experience, the Deer Step-through’s engine did become noticeably louder on an elevation, but not to the point of being frightening; it seemed like it was working, not being swamped. Also, the ride quality remained consistent, with a pleasant and smooth feel.
Over the course of three days, I rode the Magicycle Deer Step-through over 70 miles, alternating between the High-Step and Step-Thru versions of the bike. With so much distance covered, I had plenty of time to think about the riding experience and comfort level provided by the stock components. This is probably the area where I have the most criticism, however much of that is due to personal preference and the length of my rides.
In terms of battery technology of Deer Step-through, we’re looking at a 20Ah battery pack integrated into the downtube of the bike. The battery has a total capacity of 1040Wh, which translates to an expected range of roughly 75 miles per charge when set to the lowest power setting. There’s no need to worry, because the full-color screen on the handlebars instantly displays all of the settings you’ve specified.
This is consistent with our findings. We decided that PAS 2 was a more practical setting for the long-distance test, and with a 200-pound rider, we covered just over 64 miles on a paved circuit with some elevation variations. Using the same paths, I was able to bike for over 36 miles at the Deer Step-through highest PAS level. I did not test the Magicycle Deer Step-through only with its throttle, but given Magicycle’s statements about the bike’s pedal assist range, I have no reason to question their findings.
Magicycle Deer Step-through: Conclusions
When it comes to the components that make this e-bike a bike, Magicycle has included a seven-speed drivetrain in case you want to pedal along with the powerful 1100W engine. The bike also lacks a torque sensor, instead relying on a more basic cadence sensor, so anticipate the pedal assist to be intermittent, especially at higher power settings.
They are fundamentally good value since they are generally all-purpose e-bikes. Instead than buying multiple models for different uses, customers may buy a single bike and ride it almost anyplace.
Yet, the Magicycle Deer is priced significantly lower than other premium electric full-suspension motorcycles on the market. The cost is only $2,499. Furthermore, the bike is presently available with a $200 discount when purchased through Magicycle’s official website, which is linked in the sources below.
