MacFox E-Bike Long Term Review (A Parent’s Take)

Our family has always been pro e-bikes. We use them for most of our local transportation needs, and use our car only sparingly.

For years, our son rode on the back of whichever electric cargo bike we happened to be testing at the time. But when he turned twelve, he was suddenly too big and too cool to ride on the back of mom’s bike anymore. It was time to get him his own e-bike.

At the same time, all of our son’s friends started getting moto inspired electric bikes. Unlike e-motos, which are not legal on the road, these bikes have pedals which make them legal for kiddos in MOST (but not all) areas. As you probably know, these bikes are VERY trendy amongst pre-teens and teens right now.

But as our son’s friends started getting these bikes, immediately many of them started to break down. The batteries quit working. The wheels broke. Their parents were choosing the cheapest options possible and they didn’t work.

So we knew that we wanted to buy something that would be reliable. But we also didn’t want to cough up the cash for a Super 73.

After some research, we opted for a MacFox. A full year later, it’s still going strong. And while we have a few complaints, we’ve been very happy with its durability and the freedom and independence it has provided our son.

Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

• Durable frame and electric system
• Affordable price point
• Trendy vibes that pre-teens and teens love
• Fat tires provide stability and can handle curbs and obstacles

Cons:

• Electric system is VERY sensitive to wet weather
• Brakes may be underpowered, particularly for heavier riders or folks in hilly areas

Price: $1,299 to $1,899 (depending on model)

Durable Construction That Can Withstand Abuse

As I already mentioned, the most important thing to us when buying the MacFox was that it would be reliable and wouldn’t be sitting in a landfill within a year. We’re coming up on that 12 month mark, and so far, so good.

And lets be clear: this bike has not been treated gently. Our son has taken it off jumps, over curbs, and down dirt trails. It has been used and abused.

After all that, the frame is intact, the wheels are still true, and the motor is still running.

Motor And Battery Are *Mostly* Reliable

The electric drive system on the MacFox is simple but effective. Unlike the expensive mid-drive motor on my e-bike, the MacFox has a 500 watt hub-drive motor on the rear wheel. It puts out 750 watts of peak power, and it’s FAST.

The bike is restricted to 20 mph, but kids will quickly find YouTube videos showing how to disengage the speed sensors to allow it to go faster. For the record, I would not recommend doing this.

The MacFox comes with a single 500Wh battery, which is mounted externally in the frame. There’s the option to add a second battery, but I think for most kids this is unnecessary.

Our son rides the bike to school, to the park, to his buddies houses, and still only needs to charge the bike every couple of days. He’ll plug it in in the evening and it’s ready to go for school in the morning.

If your child will be riding the bike long distances, a second battery might come in handy, but for kids staying within a few-mile radius of home, one battery is more than enough.

The biggest issue we’ve had with the bike is that it’s VERY sensitive to wet weather. While I’d never store a bike out in the rain, I often ride my e-bike in it.

We’ve discovered with the MacFox however, that you can’t leave it outside in the wet. On two different occasions, the bike has been locked up at school during light rain and had issues with the system shutting off afterward. After drying it for a week or so, it went back to full functionality, but now we don’t risk it. If there’s any chance of precipitation in the forecast, I drive the kiddo to school and leave the MacFox safe in the garage.

Components Are Off-Brand

All of the components on the bike–from brakes to cranks to tires are off-brand. In other words, they don’t come from a well-established manufacturer like Tektro or Kenda. And they definitely are on the cheaper end of the spectrum. But as I’ve already mentioned, the durability is *good enough.*

The 4-inch wide “fat” tires match the overall moto vibe, but they also do a good job of providing stability at high speeds and provide some cushion when rolling over curbs and other obstacles. We added some sealant to the tubes, and shockingly haven’t had any flats. Knock on wood.

There are multiple MacFox models, and the more expensive ones have a geared drivetrain. You do NOT need the gears, because kids don’t pedal these things, they just throttle their way around town.

In fact, it’s incredibly awkward to pedal the MacFox due to the wide seat. If you’re looking for your kid to get exercise, this probably isn’t the bike for it. (Although, it does get the kids outside and more likely to end up at a park or basketball court than they would otherwise).

The suspension is not the kind of quality you’d find on a mountain bike, but again, it’s *good enough* for kids cruising around the ‘hood and dealing with minor obstacles.

The one component I do wish was a little higher-end are the brakes. The brakes on my son’s MacFox are mechanical disc brakes, and thankfully, MacFox is no longer stocking those on any of their models.

Instead, their bikes have hydraulic disc brakes, which don’t require as much maintenance as the mechanical ones. That said, our son’s buddy has the hydraulic disc brakes, and even those are a bit lacking in terms of stopping power. For lightweight kids on flat roads, this probably won’t be an issue, but for heavier riders and those in areas with steep hills, an upgraded brake would be welcome.

The MacFox As A Freedom Machine

At the end of the day, what we love most about the MacFox is the freedom that it’s afforded our son. When I was growing up, I had to ask my mom for a ride to get to a friend’s house or go to a movie. Between a bike-friendly neighborhood and his MacFox, our son has a very different childhood. He’s able to hop on his bike and go explore the world.

I know there are plenty of parents with concerns about e-bikes, and they are totally valid. Our son has been on a bike riding in urban areas since he was tiny, and I’m very confident in his ability to ride safely and maturely. If he was a different kid, I might feel differently about it.

One safety feature I do appreciate is the bright lights, particularly the rear light. When our kiddo leaves for school in the winter, it’s still dark outside, and the lights on the bike keep him quite visible. In fact, he’s far brighter than the kids walking in the dark, so I prefer him on the bike than on foot.

The Bottom Line

If you’re in the market for a moto-style e-bike for your teen and don’t want to spend Super 73 money, the MacFox is a solid choice. It’s not perfect–the sensitivity to wet weather is a real limitation, and the brakes leave a little to be desired.

But for everyday riding around the neighborhood, it delivers where it counts. After a full year of hard use, ours is still going strong, and our son’s independence and confidence have grown right along with it.

For families looking for a reliable, reasonably priced entry into the moto e-bike trend, the MacFox earns our recommendation.

About The Reviewers