Lately, there’s been a new wave of e-bikes hitting the scene: SUVs. These are do-it-all e-bikes that can be used to carry groceries and doing so while on a trail, a beach, backwoods and more. However, they’re often priced well into the thousands and outside of the average Joe’s reach. Himiway is changing all that with their D5 2.0 20-inch, a fat-tire ride with some very neat tricks up its sleeve, especially considering its price.
Ladies and gents, since Himiway launched their 20-inch D5 2.0, nearly three million viewers have logged in to watch the clip that accompanied this ride, and frankly, I can’t blame them; Himiway really did a number here. Grab a helmet and let’s see what makes this one so special.
Photo: Himiway Electric Bike
As mentioned, what we’re looking at here can be considered an SUV, even though Himiway doesn’t explicitly use the term to describe the D5. Some traits that accompany SUV e-bikes include a full-suspension frame with a step-through design, the ability to carry a diverse range of cargo, even other passengers, and a laidback geometry that can keep you in the saddle for as long as possible.
All that is in the spirit of creating a bicycle that you can use for tarmac, dirt roads, and even light trails, and as I mentioned, capable of doing all that while carrying home the literal eggs and bacon. Looking closely at the D5, that’s precisely what we have here.
At the front, we can see a suspension fork with 90 mm of travel and lockout, the latter of which helps us drive as much power to the rear wheel as possible. The rear, on the other hand, grants 100 mm of wheel travel.
Those two sources cradle a low-step frame which isn’t just for comfort and the ability to mount the bike while carrying cargo but also pushes the center of gravity as low to the ground as possible. This helps you stay stable, even when taking turns with gear on the back, middle, or the front of the D5.
Photo: Himiway Electric Bike
As for the sort of cargo options we have with this one, Himiway really did a number on the D5. We can add a rack at the front of the headtube, in the middle, signaled by the mounts on the top side of the down tube, and at the rear, the latter of which has a few options available, including ones for passengers too.
According to the spec sheet, a total of 440 lbs (200 kg) is what we can work with, 80 lbs (36 kg) of which is the bike itself. Sure, it’s a heavy one, but that means stability. The 20-inch wheels and tires, the latter of which have a 4-inch cross-section, also add to the improved stability of this e-bike, a trait that countless real riders have loved.
The fat tires can also act as another source of softness, helping reduce some of the vibrations the roads throw at us. They’re also great for taming countless terrains, including sand and snow. The latter will require that you tamper with tire pressure to create a larger contact patch.
Photo: Himiway Electric Bike
Now, to get all that moving, Himiway has chosen to equip the D5 with a 750 W (nominal with 1,300 W peak) motor strapped to the rear hub. This little powerhouse can also kick out a peak of up to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft), so plenty of spunk to move you and all your cargo. Depending on where you are in the world, we can see top speeds of as much as 28 mph (45 kph).
Since the D5 also includes a thumb throttle, it will classify as a Class 3 e-bike, and what I liked about Himiway here is that they give us an idea of the range we can expect under this function. Forty miles (64 km) is the peak here but under pedal assist that number jumps to 70 miles (113 km). Plenty of range.
Sure, terrain and load will have a great impact on range, but even if we can achieve 50-60 miles with pedal assist, I’d be happy. The whole framework is built upon a 48 V ecosystem and includes 15 Ah of juice. Himiway also protects the battery with an IPX6 rating, and the whole bike is rated IPX5.
Himiway also gives us the option to call upon another battery pack, more than doubling our range as the second pack is a 20 Ah one.
Photo: Himiway Electric Bike
What I also need to mention is that there are both a torque and cadence sensor in place on the bike, and we can choose which kind we use as we ride around, all at the touch of a button.
Toss on a set of hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano drivetrain (11-34T) to offer some range up hills, lighting at the front and rear, and an adjustable stem, and we’re set with what looks pretty good from where I’m standing. Let’s not forget the 3.5-inch full color display with Bluetooth and control over just about any parameter an e-bike is ruled by.
Keep in mind that Himiway also build another variation of the D5 2.0, one that’s built on 26-inch rims and 4-inch cross-section tires too.
From here, there are two ways you can go about things to see if this one is for you, and the first is to find one for sale at a distributor in your area or just take into consideration the rider reviews left on Himiway’s website as good faith that this one’s made the right way. Ride safe out there; wear a helmet.
