Sondors XS Review (The Raw Facts)
The Sondors XS is an electric bike made of premium components. As a result, you can expect impressive performance. However, the Sondors XS does have its drawbacks which we will detail in this article.
The Sondors XS is a fat electric bike. It has an impressive motor power of 750W that can provide up to 80 Nm of torque and go up to 20 mph (32.2 kmh). Additionally, the Sondors XS uses an 840Wh battery that can travel up to 40 miles (64.4 km) in throttle mode and 60 miles (96.6 km) in pedal assist. Some of the downsides are its heavy weight and lack of lights.
Pros of Buying a Sondors XS
- The Sondors XS only costs $2,699. You can pay it in full, or you can utilize the Sondors 3-Step Layaway Plan.
- The Sondors XS is equipped with a 750W motor that enables your e-bike to climb up hills quickly with minimal effort.
- This e-bike can travel an average range of 40-60 miles (64.4-96.6 km) on a single charge.
- The Sondors XS is equipped with both pedal assist and throttle, so you can choose to use pedal assistance or go 100% electric.
- The Sondors XS uses hydraulic brakes, providing a better stopping performance.
- This e-bike can handle a maximum weight of 300 lbs (136.1 kg).
- The Sondors XS electric bike uses a fat tire, which provides improved grip and traction.
- It has a maximum speed of 20 mph (32.2 kmh), making it street-legal.
- The Sondors XS is equipped with front adjustable air shocks, a suspension seatpost, and a premium ergonomic seat and handlebars. These components help contribute to a smoother and more comfortable riding experience.
- The battery is removable, so transporting and storing it is much easier to do.
- The Sondors XS has a side rear kickstand to help balance your e-bike when not in use.
- The color LCD display is easy to navigate.
- The bike is outfitted with 7-speed gears with a grip shifter.
- Sondors offers a limited 1-year warranty for all Sondors electric bikes, applicable only to original purchasers.
Cons of Buying a Sondors XS
- The Sondors XS electric bike is relatively heavy, weighing around 75 lbs. (34 kg), so you might experience difficulty maneuvering, especially when the battery is off.
- It has no integrated rear light, front light, brake light, and reflective striping on the tires, so it might be hard for you to be seen in the dark. However, you can always choose to install lights and reflective striping. The air shocks are undoubtedly good. However, they might lose their performance when you ride your e-bike continuously down long descents. That is because when air shocks are used in long drops for extended periods, they heat up. Its damping performance will lessen when that happens, reducing bump absorption and traction. Furthermore, air shocks also need more maintenance.
“The very same fact about a thing can be both the good and the bad thing about it.”
-Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Why is the Sondors XS Worth It?
- E-bike moves quickly, even up hills
- Has an impressive range of 40-60 miles (64.4-96.6 km)
- The Sondors XS has pedal-assist and throttle
- Uses hydraulic brakes for better stopping performance
- Fat tires provide improved grip and traction
- Can carry up to 300 lbs. (136.1 kg) of load
- Can be legally ridden on the streets
- Has adjustable air shocks that provide a smoother and a more comfortable ride
- Easy-to-navigate color LCD display
- Easily shift gears with hand grip
E-bike Moves Quickly Even Up Hills
The Sondors XS electric bike can accelerate fast and climb up hills quickly due to its powerful 750W-rated motor. Furthermore, its motor can provide up to 1000W of peak output when needed. The Sondors XS e-bike motor can also deliver up to 80 Nm torque, making this e-bike an excellent combination of power and torque. Therefore, this electric bike can be sufficient for your needs if you live in a hilly area or frequently ride on rough roads.
Has an Impressive Range of 40-60 Miles (64.4-96.6 Km)
The Sondors XS e-bike uses a Lithium-ion battery with Panasonic cells. Lithium-ion batteries are more durable and have a longer lifespan than most batteries used for electric bikes, such as lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries.
The Sondors XS 48V 17.5Ah battery has an approximate capacity of 840 mAh. This enables the Sondors XS electric bike to travel up to 40 miles (64.4 km) in full-throttle mode and up to 60 miles (96.6 km) with pedal assist. If the 18650 Lithium-ion batteries interest you, check out our article “Which 18650 Battery Is Best For Your Ebike (A Helpful Chart).”
The Sondors XS Has Pedal Assist and Throttle
The Sondors XS electric bike is equipped with both pedal assist and throttle. With pedal assist, the motor engages, providing you with the assistance you need while you’re pedaling. This e-bike has five pedal-assist levels to choose from. At the lowest level, the motor provides the least amount of assistance. At this level, you will need to pedal more, which makes it great if you want to get a workout. To learn more, you can check out our article “Workout on Electric Bike (Lose Weight and Maximize Fitness).”
On the other hand, you can also use the throttle to propel your e-bike. The Sondors XS uses a thumb throttle, so the motor engages by pressing a thumb-sized button at the right of the handlebar. This enables you to ride your e-bike fully propelled by the motor, so you don’t need to pedal at all!
To learn more about pedal assist and throttle, read our article “What Is the Difference Between Pedal Assist and Throttle?”
Uses Hydraulic Brakes for Better Stopping Performance
Another thing that makes the Sondors XS worth it is its hydraulic brakes’ highly efficient and incredible stopping power. As we all know, brakes are a critical component of any electric bike. Hydraulic brakes have more significant advantages than mechanical ones because they offer better braking. Bringing your electric bike to a complete stop won’t be a problem, even after riding downhill with hydraulic brakes..
To learn more about hydraulic brakes, check out our article “Best Ebike Hydraulic Brakes (We Tested the Top 9).”
Uses Fat Tires that Provide Improved Grip and Traction
The Sondors XS uses fat tires measuring 26” x 4.9”. Since fat tires are wider than standard tires, they can provide extra grip and traction. Therefore, they are compatible with almost all types of terrain, especially snow, sand, mud, and rocks, making the Sondors XS fat tire electric bike perfect for adventures.
Can Carry Up to 300 lbs. of Load
This electric bike can handle a weight capacity of up to 300 lbs. (136. kg), making it perfect for someone who typically rides with a heavy load (e.g., heavy backpacks) or rides with someone else (e.g., a child). If you are touring with your child, read our article “Electric Bike Child Seat Safety (Front Vs. Rear Vs. Trailer)” to find the best and safest child seat. On the other hand, if you want to install a rack, we highly recommend this Ibera rear rack sold on Amazon.
Can be Legally Ridden on the Streets
The Sondors XS electric bike is a Class 2 e-bike with a maximum speed of 20 mph (32.2 kmh), making it street legal. With its 750W motor and 20 mph (32.2 kmh) top speed, you can ride this electric bike on the streets without needing a license and registration. However, it would always be best to check your local and state laws on e-bikes before deciding to ride one. You can read our article “Are Electric Bikes Street Legal (Detailed Info: All 50 States)” to learn more about the legality of e-bikes in your particular area.
Has Adjustable Air Shocks that Provide a Smoother and More Comfortable Ride
Air shocks help with reducing vibrations when you ride your e-bike, especially on bumpy or uneven surfaces. What’s excellent about air shocks is that they are more progressive and easier to adjust than a coil shock. Aside from this, the Sondors XS e-bike also uses a suspension seatpost and a premium ergonomic seat and handlebars. These components enable you to have a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Easy-to-Navigate Color LCD Display
The Sondors XS e-bike uses a color LCD display that shows critical riding details such as the battery level, speed, distance, pedal-assist level, and mileage. The display is easy to navigate, so you can change the settings with little to no hassle. Furthermore, this color LCD display also has a USB charging port.
Quickly Shift Gears With Just a Grip of the Hand
Shifting gears have a great advantage, especially when riding up and down hills. For instance, a higher gear helps an electric bike to accelerate fast, while a lower gear ratio helps an e-bike to climb up steep roads. Learn more about electric bike gears by reading our article “Electric Bike Gears (Do You Need, How Many, How It Works).”
You can watch the video below for the Sondors XS video review.
How Fast Does the Sondors XS Go?
As a general rule, the Sondors XS can go up to 20 mph (32.2 kmh). This electric bike falls under the Class 2 e-bikes classification with a motor power of 750W. In most states, Class 2 electric bikes can only have a maximum speed of 20 mph (32.2 kmh). With its speed and motor power, the Sondors XS is allowed to be legally ridden on public streets.
Who Makes XS eBikes?
As a whole, XS electric bikes are made by Sondors. Sondors is known for manufacturing premium electric bikes. Some other e-bike models they produce are the Sondors Fold XS, the Sondors X, the Sondors Fold X, the Sondors MXS, and the Sondors Smart Step.
Where Are Sondors Electric Bikes Made?
As a general rule, Sondors electric bikes are made in the United States. The company is based in Malibu, California. Sondors has been in the market since 2015 and has become one of the biggest electric bike distributors in the United States.
If you are interested in checking out other e-bikes, read our article “Best Electric Bike Brands (Ranked by Budget Level & Style).”
