Gotrax Mustang electric bike review: Stylish, comfortable, and shockingly practical

Quick Take

Whether you need something to get you around town or you’re looking for an easy way to explore outdoors, the Gotrax Mustang is an incredibly solid choice. Its suspension system and fat tires offer a comfortable and stable ride, speeds of up to 25 mph can be thrilling in certain circumstances, and a range of up to 85 miles is enough for a full day out in some cases.

Once the battery is empty, it takes five to six hours to recharge, though you could also swap the battery out for a spare. I rode the Gotrax Mustang on bike trails, backroads, and city streets. The throttle was particularly handy on the latter, giving me enough confidence to commute using the eBike in most conditions. The Gotrax Mustang is pretty stylish, too. Its moped-like frame blurs the line between bicycle and motor vehicle. All in all, it’s pretty cool. 

Gotrax Mustang specs: What’s inside this electric ride?

 
Gotrax Mustang design and build: Eye-catching, but some assembly is required

As with most eBikes, the Gotrax Mustang does not ship out fully assembled. You’re going to have to attach the front handlebars, front wheel, the pedals, and the mudguards yourself. This isn’t a big or complex job, and I managed to complete most of it using the included toolkit.

I didn’t have to glance at the manual too often, either. It’s all pretty straightforward. The wires that need to be connected don’t really connect to anything else. You should be a little delicate when slotting in the front wheel, as you need to get the brake caliper over the brake disk. Too much force and an incorrect move here may break the caliper or damage the disk, which isn’t ideal.

One issue did crop up towards the end. The factory had fitted the screw I needed for the front fender so tightly that I couldn’t undo it with the provided toolkit. Said toolkit, which is essentially a set of Allen wrenches, was falling apart by the end of the build, and applying a lot of torque to that screw would have simply destroyed it.

I ended up unscrewing it with my trusty 18V Makita. But even then, it took some effort. Still, one minor blip in a bike build isn’t bad. The full assembly took around two hours, but I wasn’t exactly speedrunning it. If I’d used the Makita from the start, I’d have probably finished in half the time. 

It’s a very good-looking bike

Once it’s all together, you’ll notice the Mustang is pretty good-looking. If it weren’t for the pedals, you could quite easily confuse it with a small bike from the 1960s. The moped-style frame also makes it pretty rigid, stable, and comfortable to ride.

Similarly, the large front shocks are both aesthetically pleasing and a massive boost when it comes to ride comfort. I’ve ridden across poorly maintained roads, potholes, drain covers, debris, and other road hazards without too much of an issue. In addition to the suspension, the bike’s fat tires also up both comfort and stability.

While riding a bike through bad weather isn’t exactly pleasant, it does seem to be safer on the Mustang. I rode it through some pretty heavy rain, and while I ended up soaked through because of some poor clothing choices, at no point did the bike seem like it was in danger of skidding or losing grip. The deep treads on those large tires did their jobs.

With that being said, the large gap in the center of the frame feels like a missed opportunity. A small basket is available for the bike (though one was not included with the one I received), but I feel like there could be some truly creative storage solutions in this space. At the very least, somewhere to store a lock and chain, along with a small toolkit, would be very handy.

Build Rating: 8/10

Gotrax Mustang ride experience: It’s obscenely fun

There are many reasons to buy an eBike, but often people gravitate towards the more practical ones. Yes, it’s a good commuter, and yes, it’s possible to get in shape while riding one. But it’s also a lot of fun.

When I first had the bike assembled, it was pretty late in the day, and there wasn’t a lot I could realistically do with it. Still, I pulled it out of the garage, fired it up, and spent 20 minutes whizzing around the neighborhood.

I suddenly felt 14 again. 20 mph isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, but pair a bicycle with winding streets, and suddenly it feels pretty quick. While that initial ride was just me messing around, later rides allowed me to see some beautiful sights along various bike trails without breaking a sweat or stressing my muscles.

The Mustang allows you to be a little adventurous, see things you otherwise wouldn’t see. Keep up with friends who cycle places. If you’re not the most athletic person, but want to get out more, it’s a great choice.

With that being said, it didn’t take long for a few intrusive thoughts to pop into my head. About five minutes into that initial ride, I found myself thinking, “I could totally jump this over something.” Neither Gotrax nor Digital Trends is likely to encourage that kind of behavior. Plus, my health insurance contains the word “catastrophic.” So I decided to avoid imitating Evel Knievel in my back lot. I’m still sure I could pull off a pretty sick jump on this thing, though.

Ride Rating: 9/10

Gotrax Mustang add-ons: There’s a good amount of tech attached to the bike

It wouldn’t be an e-Bike without some electrical components. On the handlebars, you get a full-color five-inch digital display. This gives you your speed, battery level, and a bunch of other information you may find useful on your ride.

It’s not a touchscreen. Instead, you navigate it via a set of buttons on the left side of the handlebars. The controls are pretty obvious, but navigating through the device’s menus may take some time to get used to. There’s a button to enable the headlight, but that’s unnecessary as the lights seem to just come on when it gets dark enough. You’ll also get a set of taillights that glow when you hit the brakes.

It doesn’t have any kind of turn signal, though this isn’t an expensive aftermarket part to acquire if you want to upgrade the bike a little. On the mechanical side, you get seven gears. Front and rear disk brakes are also included, which do a great job of stopping the bike when needed.

The throttle makes all the difference.

One of the eBikes I previously reviewed was pedal-assist only. And that was absolutely awful. The Mustang comes with a throttle you can use to propel yourself forward with the motor, and that makes life so much easier in most circumstances.

At low speeds, I found I had a lot more control over the bike when using the pedals. You will get a power boost from the motor depending on the level you’ve chosen. Though pedaling is almost resistance-free at assist level three and above. The power boost is particularly handy on public roads. Relying on a burst of speed from your legs to make a turn or move through a gap can be pretty unnerving when traffic is on the road. This isn’t the case when you have a good amount of electric thrust right at your fingertips.

The throttle caps at 20 mph when level 5 assist is enabled, and pedal assist can apparently take you up to 25. However, even when pedaling my hardest in 7th gear, I struggled to go much beyond 22. Others may have more luck there.

I’d also like to say I wear pants with a 32-inch inseam. That may seem like an odd statement for an eBike review, but my legs might just be at the upper limits of what is comfortable on the Mustang. According to the GoTrax website, the eBike is rated for people up to 6’2” in height. But I’d imagine the 6’2” folks riding this have longer torsos, hence me giving you my pants size. Of course, it’s perfectly comfortable if you just use the throttle, which I found myself doing a lot.

The other issue comes when you run out of juice. As mentioned, the Mustang weighs 80 pounds and has very large tires. Both of which make it very difficult to pedal if you want to use it as a conventional bicycle. You realistically need at least some assistance, especially on steeper hills. This is the reality with essentially every eBike, so it’s not a criticism. It’s more of a heads-up. If you’re using Level 5 assist and think your battery will only get you three-quarters of the way back, you’re better off dropping to Level 3. Don’t think you can just run the battery flat and pedal the last part easily. 

Honestly, after a while, I started wishing it would do 40 mph so I could keep up with most traffic. I also debated buying a motorcycle. All of this proves that the Mustang is a great gateway into two-wheeled transport. Laws vary by state, but GoTrax recommends that no one under 16 ride the eBike. Still, if you have a 16-year-old, it’s a great way to give them a bit more mobility and get them used to the rules of the road.

The cap is likely staying at 20 mph, though. Going above that puts the bike into a whole different vehicle category, meaning cycle paths are off limits, insurance is required, and you’ll likely need a license. As things stand, GoTrax has found the right balance.

Tech rating: 8/10

Gotrax Mustang endurance testing: It covers most terrain, but will struggle in some environments

On the road, the GoTrax Mustang is superb. It’s stable, grippy, and handles potholes incredibly well. The same can be said for a bike trail, which can vary in quality but tends to have a smooth asphalt surface.

But what about off-road conditions? Inspired by the vehicle’s tires, I decided to go off piste and try the eBike on a few less conventional surfaces. Obviously, it’s easier to get things to slide on loose surfaces like gravel, but the Mustang was again surprisingly stable if you didn’t purposely try to slide that back end out. The same can be said for a flat dirt trail. The trail was pretty dry when I tested it, but the bike didn’t encounter any issues.

On grass, the Mustang was also perfectly serviceable. I went up a slight hill and down the other side, rode it across a flat field, and each time it was incredibly effective in crossing the terrain. 

The one place it really struggled was on a hiking trail. The kind you may want to tackle with a mountain bike. It was narrow and steep while being laced with rocks, roots, and ruts. The bike’s weight worked against it here, and the motor struggled on many of the steeper parts. I turned back about a quarter of a mile in. I could have likely completed the trail, but it wouldn’t have been pleasant.

GoTrax has not presented the Mustang as an off-road bike, or the sort of thing designed to tackle those sorts of trails. So I can’t call that particular test a failure. It was more me seeing where the limits actually were. So if you want to do mountain bike things, you should probably get a mountain bike.

There’s a good amount of range

Gotrax claims the Mustang will get 86 miles of range on a single charge if you use minimal assist, and estimates around 40 miles of range with maximum assist used. In reality, there are a lot of factors involved.

Weight is a big issue. I clock in at 200 pounds, add about 25 pounds for the backpack, bike lock, and chain, and I’m riding within 40 pounds of the bike’s 265-pound weight limit. The more weight the bike is moving, the more energy it requires. So, a 140-pound person will go a lot further on full assist than I will.

Then there is terrain to consider. Going uphill uses more juice than riding on a flat road. Going downhill uses very little. So what did I get out of it? I didn’t manage to go a full 86 on level 1 pedal assist, but my rough calculations based on the 10 miles I did pedal suggest that 86 miles might be pretty accurate. The route included the occasional mild hill and was mostly on flat roads.

As for pure throttle and full assist, I’ve managed anything from 25 to 40 miles before needing to recharge. Which is pretty ideal if you want something that can simply run you around town. The battery is also easy to swap out, provided you don’t lose the keys that come with the bike. Apparently, spare batteries can be purchased for $300, and while it will add more weight, packing a couple to double or triple your range is an interesting thought.

Range rating: 8/10

Durability and Warranty

Most frame and battery components (including the dashboard/console) are covered by Gotrax’s standard two-year warranty. This does exclude charging port failures that involve dirt, debris, or liquids getting into the port. So make sure you pop the waterproof cover back on after charging.

Minor parts, which Gotrax lists as “subject to wear,” are only covered for 90 days. This includes the kickstand, fenders, and lights. The brake pads, tires, and any screws involved are not covered. Check out Gotrax’s website for a full list.

As far as durability goes, I rode the Mustang across some pretty rough roads and took a number of moderately deep potholes head-on. None of it phased the bike. The suspension protected me, and nothing came loose afterwards.

Overall, the ‘Stang feels very robust. If you do get into an incident that damages it, your body will likely come off worse than the bike does. So, wear a helmet, yeah?

Should You Buy It? 

We live in a world that is plagued by increased vehicle costs, rising gas prices, and mobility issues. Despite the somewhat high initial layout, the Mustang gives you an odd sense of freedom.

It’s also one of the best eBikes I’ve tested. The high level of comfort and durability, coupled with the generous range and throttle, really make it stand out.

So you should get one if you need simple backup transport, or if you want to see more of the outdoors. It’s really a fantastic little vehicle.

Why Not Try…?

Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT — With a unique design, lightweight frame, and solid anti-theft features, the Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT is a solid choice for anyone looking for a city-going eBike that doubles as a talking point.

Its price is close to double the GoTrax Mustang’s full MSRP, though, and over triple its current sale price.

How We Tested the Gotrax Mustang

The testing on the Gotrax Mustang was pretty straightforward. It involved getting hands-on with the bike itself. So I got a feel for how it accelerated and handles over several rides around my neighborhood, and longer rides on a major bike trail. I also took it on roads where it was legally allowed to test its commuting capabilities.

As for assembly, the electric bike appeared in the same condition as it would arrive for any other customer. I used the included tool kit as much as possible to mimic the experience a customer with limited tools would likely have.