Rattan Pathfinder ST Fat Tire E-Bike Testing & Full Review

Disclaimer: Rattan sent this product to us for free for a review. That does not affect our opinion about the product. In this article, we list both what we like and dislike. Read more about this here.

Is the Rattan Pathfinder 750W E-Bike Any Good?

Electric bicycles have exploded in popularity. Today there are hundreds of companies making them.

Rattan is an e-bike company that’s been around for a while, and they’ve been improving their electric bikes every year.

They started with the classic folding electric bikes that are perfect for urban life and travel.

Now they’re expanding their reach to mountain and fat tire e-bikes that are better for long distances and difficult terrain.

We’ve gotten our hands on one of their newest releases, the Rattan Pathfinder ST, and we’ve really enjoyed testing it on different roads and trails.

In this review, I’ll cover the main features of the Rattan Pathfinder ST and talk about how well it has performed in the time we’ve been using it.

To answer the question, is the Rattan Pathfinder e-bike any good?

I’d say yes, it’s actually a fantastic e-bike.

I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an entry level e-bike with a medium distance range that can handle any kind of road and even trails.

I have also created a video review of the Rattan Pathfinder ST eBike that you view below.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Rattan Pathfinder ST E-Bike Overview

Rattan Pathfinder ST E-Bike

Check Price on Rattanebike.com

Also Available on Amazon (Click to View)

Quick Note: There are two versions of the Rattan Pathfinder, the Pathfinder and the Pathfinder ST. The ST stands for “step through”.

The main features of both e-bikes are the same, the only difference is the bike frame design.

Main Features

750 watt Motor
1,200 watt Peak Motor Power
80 N.M Max Torque
720Wh Lithium Battery
30-65 Mile Range
Class-3 E-Bike
31 MPH Top Speed
Shimano 8 Speed (Gears)
Sine Wave Controller
LCD Display
App Control
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Regenerative Braking
Front Fork Suspension
Remote Suspension Lockout
Throttle & Pedal Assist
Cruise Control
Step Through or Step Over Frame Options
Microfiber Leather Handlebar Grips
Aluminum Alloy Frame
Easy Assembly
2 Year Warranty

Dimensions

Height Recommendation: 5’5″ to 6’6″
Max Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
Max Rider Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Total Weight: 77 lbs
Max Seat Height: 39.4″
Min Seat Height: 33.5″
Total Length: 77.2″
Handlebar Height: 45.7″
Stand Over Height: 17.7″

Dimensions and weight ratings are the same for the step over version.

Rattan Pathfinder ST E-Bike unboxing and setup — The Rattan Pathfinder electric bicycle is shipped 90% put together in a large box.

What’s in the Box?

Rattan Pathfinder ST
720Wh Battery
3 Amp Fast Charger
Manual
Front & Back Fenders
Rear Rack
Front Light
Taillight/Brake Light
Tool Kit

A Closer Look

Motor

The Rattan Pathfinder’s powerful 750 watt 48 volt brushless motor has a 1,200 watt peak power output. It’s located in the rear hub.

The torque is 80 N.M, which is actually pretty high for this type of e-bike.

They usually average around 65 N.M, but the Rattan has a higher torque to help keep the bike moving up hills and when loaded down.

Battery & Charging

The 48 volt 15 amp hour lithium battery locks into the frame of the Pathfinder.

It can be removed using a key, and it has an on/off switch on the side.

Make sure you turn on the battery, otherwise the motor and LCD screen won’t get any power.

You can charge the battery while it’s in the bike frame or take it out and charge it somewhere else.

The charging options make it easier to use multiple batteries or start charging the battery without removing it.

The included charger has a 3 amp output, which is fast for an e-bike in this range. It can fully charge the battery from 0 to 100% in around 5 hours.

It’s not recommended to fully deplete a lithium battery, try to not let it go below a 20% discharge. Doing this will increase its life and ability to hold the full 720 watts of power.

The battery measures 16.75 x 3 x 4 inches (LxWxH) and weighs 9 lbs.

Shimano Gears

There are 8 gears on the rear hub that help with pedaling. It’s a fantastic feature, especially if you run out of battery power before you’ve made it back home.

Pedaling a 77 lbs bike without the help of a motor can be pretty difficult, and the gears help make that easier.

The gears are shifted using a standard gear levers on the right handlebar. They’re easy to use and you can shift multiple gears depending on how far you push in either lever.

One nice touch I really appreciate is a metal guard that sticks out from the derailer and gear assembly. This helps protect the sensitive parts if your bike ever falls.

Shimano is known for its quality. Their bicycle gear systems are used on tons of brands of electric and non-electric bikes.

You may need to adjust the derailer a little when you first get the Rattan Pathfinder, but there are some good instructions in the manual to help you out.

4 inch wide fat tires on the Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike — The Rattan Pathfinder e-bike has 4 inch wide fat tires that are 26 inches in diameter.

Fat Tires & Fork Suspension

One complaint many people have about e-bikes is how rough they are on dirt roads and trails.

Many cruiser style electric bikes, like the Rattan Pathfinder, don’t even have front suspension.

To help reduce bumps and road vibration, the Pathfinders have shocks in the front.

The wide fat tires add stability and help absorb some road bumps.

The fat tires are 4 inches wide and 26 inches in diameter.

They also help with traction on rocks, sand, and snow.

Rattan Pathfinder ST e-bike full view for testing and review — The Rattan Pathfinder electric bikes have a lot of extra features and included accessories.

Kinetic Energy Recovery (Regenerative Braking)

One unique feature with the Rattan Pathfinder is the ability to charge the battery when braking or going downhill.

This isn’t something you usually see on e-bikes, especially ones in the same price range as the Pathfinders.

When you engage the brake even a little, or set the pedal assist to 0 when going at least 15 MPH, the bike will start charging the battery.

You can see when this is happening by looking at the watt output meter on the LCD display.

When electricity is being created, it will display a negative watt output, which is the number of watts being put back into the battery.

Kinetic energy recovery isn’t going to completely recharge an e-bike battery right away.

It doesn’t generate a ton of power, but it’s a cool way to utilize braking and coasting and it will increase the range a bit when used strategically.

It also helps take some of the pressure off of the hydraulic disc brakes, which makes them last longer and require less servicing.

Remote Suspension Lock-Out

Mountain bikes and bikes with front suspension forks often can lock the shocks so they won’t move.

When you pedal a bike, some of the downward motion is absorbed by the suspension system. Especially when pedaling hard and fast.

Locking the shocks helps make pedaling more efficient. On an e-bike, that translates to longer battery life and less strain on the motor.

Normally, front suspension forks are locked by turning a dial on the top of the right shock tube.

You usually have to bend down to do it, which can be dangerous when you’re going fast.

To make it safer, Rattan has added a remote suspension lock-out feature.

There’s a small lever on the left handlebar to the right of the throttle.

When you press in the lever, it pulls a cable that’s connected to the lock switch on the right suspension fork and engages the lock.

To release the suspension, you press the lever down. This unlocks the shocks, so they move again.

It’s a really simple system that makes cycling a lot safer and increases pedaling efficiency.

button controls on the rattan pathfinder fat tire electric bicycle — Brake, buttons, throttle, and suspension lockout on the left handlebar of the Rattan Pathfinder ST.

Throttle & Button Controls

The throttle is a lever on the left handlebar. You push it down to increase speed without having to pedal.

One nice thing about the Rattan is the speed follows the amount the throttle is pressed, unlike other lower range e-bike that only have one throttle speed.

Near the throttle, there are 5 button controls for every electric feature on the Rattan Pathfinder.

There are +, -, light, power, and info buttons.

The “i” info button shows different info on the LCD display primary screen, like the trip mileage, total mileage, max mph, average mph, and total travel time.

Long pressing the “i” button will switch through the ECO, Normal, and Sport modes.

Use the power button to turn on or off the e-bike.

If you hold the “-” button down for 2 seconds, the walk assistance will activate.

The “+” and “-” buttons adjust the pedal assistance levels.

If you hold down the “+” and “-” buttons, you can access the setting menu to customize things like the max speed, screen brightness, units, and more.

LCD screen on the Rattan Pathfinder e-bike — The main screen on the Rattan Pathfinder LCD Display shows the mph, battery percentage, motor watt usage, pedal assist level, and more.

LCD Display

The LDC display screen is in the center of the handlebars.

It has a simple primary display that shows the battery percentage, current watt usage of the motor, mph, pedal assistance, mode, and info like trip miles and travel time.

You can access all the settings through the LCD screen and the handlebar buttons.

settings screen on the Rattan Pathfinder ST E-bike LDC display screen — On the second settings page you can reset the trip odo, set a password, and more.

There are a lot of settings you can customize, like wheel diameter, max speed, screen brightness, modes, voltage levels, and even more in the advanced section.

In the advanced settings, you can get more specific with how the motor performs.

For instance, you can change how many pedal assist levels there are and the amount each level will assist you.

You can even make it so the motor engages faster or slower when you pedal.

For people like me who want to make things run exactly like I want them to, I appreciate a lot of options and settings.

But the factory settings are pretty good as well, so you don’t need to mess with any of that if you don’t want to.

App

You don’t have to use it, but the Rattan Pathfinder E-bike can connect to an app called “Key-Disp”

Click here to find it in the Apple App Store for iPhones.

Click here to find it in the Google Play Store for Android phones.

The app helps you access the settings easier. It will also give you more detailed information.

The app also includes navigation and diagnostic tools to help with any issues the Rattan Pathfinder might be having.

The app navigation has a monthly subscription fee, but the rest of the features are free.

It’s also a way to contact Rattan customer service and to read more about the bike.

Taillight, brake light, cargo rack, and rear fender on the Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike. — Cargo rack, brake/taillight, and rear fender that are all included with the purchase of the Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike.

Included Accessories

You get a lot of value with Rattan e-bikes, especially with the included accessories you get with purchase.

There are front and rear plastic fenders to help keep you and the bike cleaner.

The front light is bright and can be turned on and off via a button on the right handlebar.

The red taillight is also a brake light that shines brighter when you’re braking.

A heavy duty aluminum alloy kickstand is already installed.

Last but not least, there’s a heavy duty rear rack included to help you get the most out of the high 400 lbs weight capacity.

If you want to get more accessories, you can check out the Rattan website.

There are bolt points on the frame for a front rack and water bottle holder.

woman riding the Rattan Pathfinder ST fat tire electric bicycle on a dirt road — The Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike is perfect for dirt roads, sand, and snow.

Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike Testing

Range

Probably the most important aspect of any electric vehicle is how far it can go or how many hours the battery will last.

With e-bikes, the amount of pedal assist used influences the range a lot.

Since the Rattan Pathfinder is a giant 77 lbs electric bicycle, it needs quite a bit of power to move, even if you’re assisting by pedaling.

I did one test using just the throttle at full speed in NORMAL mode and a test with 55% pedal assist in ECO mode.

For the 55% test I was pedaling enough to help the bike, but not enough to make myself tired. Just a steady, comfortable pace.

Here are the results.

Pedal Assist	Total Distance	Total Cycle Time	Average Speed
100%	26 miles	80 minutes	30 mph
50%	55 miles	3.5 hours	20 mph

I was riding on paved and dirt roads during these tests, there was some uphill and downhill and some stopping and starting because of traffic.

The range on any e-bike can change a lot because of things like weather, rider size, road conditions, stopping/starting, and more.

Distance per battery charge can be different for everyone.

These numbers are mainly to give you a good idea of the battery life and how far the Rattan Pathfinder can go in good conditions with a 130 lbs rider.

Battery

The battery charge percentage is displayed on the LCD display’s main screen in the top left corner.

It uses a percentage and battery graphic to show how much battery you have left.

On my Rattan Pathfinder, the battery percentage is extremely inaccurate.

During the throttle only, full speed test, the battery went from 100% to 48% after only 5 miles of flat road. I kept riding and make it 26 miles in total on that bike ride. That’s 21 miles on the 48%.

Since the battery percentage is so off, I recommend using the odometer to help you judge how much battery is left.

I noticed that if I turned the bike off and then on again, it would change the battery percentage and make it more like what it’s supposed to be.

Hills

Moderate hills are no problem for the Rattan Pathfinder.

If you’re only using the throttle, it will slow down a little on long, steep hills, but it’s easy to assist it by pedaling lightly.

On extra steep hills, like the kind you find on the sides of mountains, you definitely need to pedal.

When going downhill, you can start braking a little or turn the PAS (pedal assistance) down to zero to recharge the battery a little.

Comfort

Even though the Rattan Pathfinder ST looks like an electric dirt bike or a moped, it’s definitely not.

If you’re using pedal assist and moving the pedals, this bike is as comfortable as any other. The cruiser handlebars and seat position make it easy to cycle long distances.

When using only the throttle, your feet have to stay on the pedals which aren’t as comfortable as a stationary foot peg like a motorcycle has.

It’s not terrible to not move your legs, but it’s more comfortable to pedal and keep your legs moving.

Rough Roads & Trails

Rough dirt roads with lots of bumps and washboard are still pretty rough feeling, even with the fat tires and front suspension fork.

It is a lot better than other e-bikes I’ve tried.

Because of the stability the fat tires give, I’m not as afraid of hitting rocks when going fast.

If this wasn’t a fat tire e-bike, I would probably be a lot less daring and not go on as many dirt roads.

Rattan Pathfinder fat tire ebike on a bridge during a roadtrip. — The Rattan Pathfinder E-Bike has a lot of fantastic features you don’t normally find at this price range.

Review of Rattan Pathfinder ST

Bike Size

First off, I’m 5 foot 4 inches tall. I’m 1 inch shorter than the lowest recommended height, and this electric bike is absolutely huge compared to me.

It’s more like an electric scooter or even motorcycle, and I wasn’t expecting it to be as tall as it is.

Even though I’m barely tall enough for this e-bike, it’s actually still very comfortable and manageable for me to ride.

The step through frame makes it easy for me to get on and off of, and the seat doesn’t even need to be at the lowest height for my legs to pedal comfortably.

The handlebars are a good height too. I really like that they can be tilted up or down to different rider heights.

Use

I really enjoy using this e-bike to get around. I can just pretend it’s an electric moped when I don’t feel like pedaling, or I can go really far distances without having to exhaust myself completely.

The rear bike rack is extremely heavy duty, and it’s easy to load down with groceries and even camping gear.

It has a smooth ride and the fat tires make dirt roads a lot more fun.

One big difference with the Rattan, compared to other e-bikes, is pedaling more won’t change the speed you’re going, it mostly helps out the motor.

Other e-bikes have a lot of speed sensors that adjust the speed according to the amount of pedaling, but the Rattan doesn’t work like that.

For instance, if I set the pedal assist percentage to 50%, the motor will pretty much always try to go 20 mph.

When I pedal, I’m only helping the motor, so the speed stays the same no matter what.

It takes a little getting used to, but once I understood how it works, I’m pretty good at adjusting the pedal assist to get to the speed I want.

You can change the speed sensor levels in the advanced settings. I turned it up as far as it could go (0 to 12). That helped a little, but it still only allows about a 1 mph change.

Range

The Rattan Pathfinder has a lot of speed, power, weight capacity, and stability from the fat tires, but all of that comes at a cost.

This e-bike is super heavy, and it takes a lot of power to move it.

Compared to other e-bikes with a similar speed, weight, and tire width, the Rattan is actually pretty decent.

But if you want a long range e-bike that can take you over 60 miles comfortably, this isn’t the electric bike for you.

For quick trips to the grocery store, or even using as a work commuter bike, the range is far enough.

If you feel like getting a good workout, you can increase the range by lowering the pedal assist below 50% and make it pretty far.

I like the 50% pedal assist level It keeps the bike at 20 mph, which I think is the perfect speed for a decent bike ride.

Rattan Pathfiner ST e-bike in the trunk of a car — The Rattan Pathfinder will fit in the back of a Subaru Outback if the front tire is removed and the back seats are put down.

Portability

Fat tire bikes of any kind are not very compatible with most bike racks, platform or hanging.

We have two platform bike racks, and neither one of them can take the weight of the Rattan or the width of the fat tires.

So you’ll need to have a plan B if you want to travel with this e-bike.

I recommend a hitch mount dirt bike carrier. They are often made with lightweight aluminum, have super high weight capacities, and most even have ramps.

They are also wide enough to fit the 4 inch fat tires.

If that’s not a good option for you, a cargo carrier might work as well. Just make sure you strap it down tight.

Parts Quality

This is a very well made electric bike. Most of the parts used work well and seem to be of good quality.

Both of the brakes needed to be adjusted to stop them from squeaking. But once I got that figured out there have been no weird sounds, and I’ve ridden it well over 200 miles so far.

The bike seat has an adjustment feature that makes it so you can tilt it up or down.

The aluminum teeth that are supposed to hold the seat at the angle you want have already completely worn away. So it just stays tilted up no matter how much I tighten it.

I’m planning on getting a different type of seat that stays in the same position.

The battery percentage is also very off. But I’ve found that to be pretty common with bikes in this range.

If you turn off the bike then turn it back on it will adjust the battery percentage and make it more accurate, but it’s an extra step that can be annoying.

Now that I have a pretty good idea of how far the Rattan Pathfinder can go, I monitor the mileage instead of the battery percentage to judge how much further I can ride.

I’ll need to test it a lot more to see how long it will last, but there is a 2 year warranty for a little peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

The Rattan Pathfinder e-bike is a fantastic option for people who want a heavy duty e-bike that doesn’t break the bank.

There are tons of different settings you can adjust, which I really like.

The biggest thing you’ll want to learn how to use is the pedal assist settings.

Since the Rattan Pathfinder isn’t a speed sensor driven e-bike, you’ll need to change the pedal assist percentages to adjust the bike’s speed.

The motor is still working great, and only the bike seat has given me trouble.

I’ve let a lot of people test ride it to see how well it handles different rider weights and sizes. I’ve been impressed with how well the motor has worked, even up hills.

I’ll update this review throughout the summer. I plan on taking the Rattan Pathfinder on longer trips and even camping so I can try out some trails.

So far, I’d recommend the Rattan Pathfinder to people. It’s a great e-bike for the price range and it will get you where you want to go.