First Look: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse
HOVSCO is a big name in E-Bikes, and they have a robust lineup of bikes, from folding to mountain bikes. But there was one type of bike missing from their lineup; Moped style.
Well, this is their answer, the HOVSCO HovGtrs.
Coming in at $999, it’s right in the middle of one of the most competitive segments in the E-bike market. So can HOVSCO use their big name to give them an advantage in the budget moped style e-bike space? Lets find out!
Latest Videos on the HOVSCO HovGtrs
Key Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Motor | 750W (1500W peak) hub motor |
| Battery | 48V 15.6Ah (~50-65 mi range) |
| Top Speed | 28-30 mph (unlocked) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic discs (front & rear) |
| Suspension | Front fork + basic rear shock |
| Tires | 20×4″ fat tires (Chiaoyang knobbies) |
| Extras | Rear rack, Shimano 7-speed gears |
| Weight | ~75 lbs |
Design and Riding Experience:
The Gtrs looks like just about every other black moped style bike that’s ever existed. That’s not really a bad thing, but if you’re looking to stand out, this might not be your bike.
That said, it feels well built, and for the price point everything is fine. I can deal with a squeak or rattle for under $1000.
Motor and battery:
The Gtrs comes with an unbranded 750w rear hub motor that peaks at 1500w. It’s actually really powerful, and while you won’t be doing any crazy wheelies, it’s more than enough to pass on the bike path.
In our testing, we got the Gtrs up to about 28mph with a 5’9″ 150lb rider, and HOVSCO claim it will do 32mph.
The battery is a HOVSCO branded 48v 15.6ah battery. It comes in at about average as far as capacity and battery life. We were able to eek out about 21 miles of range in our testing. Not bad for an entry level bike, but there are many other options out there with 20ah batteries for the same, or even less than the Gtrs.
Comfort and Riding Experience:
The frame on the Gtrs is comfortable, and approachable for smaller riders. I have a 31 inseam and I was able to flat foot the bike with ease. Another 5 foot tall rider could still fit on the bike, but not with both feet on the ground.
The seat is plush, and stitched with a honeycomb pattern that makes it feel much more expensive. Throughout our 21 mile test drive, the seat kept us comfortable with minimal fatigue.
Pedaling, like most moped style e-bikes, is not the Gtrs’s strong suit. That’s not to say you can’t get in a little exercise, but if you have longer legs you will be uncomfortable. It comes with a basic cadence sensor, which is standard on an entry level bike. It also comes with 7 Shimano gears, which is nice to have incase you need to help the motor out uphill.
The handlebar height is comfortable with a bit or rise, and the seating position is more upright with a slight lean forward. It can get fatiguing for longer rides.
The grips and thumb throttle were comfortable for our 20+ mile test.
Other Nice to Have Features:
Hydraulic brakes: The coreride branded hydraulic brakes did a great job stopping this bike from nearly 30mph. Overall no complaints, other than the lever seemed to sink almost all the way to the grip right out of the box. I’m sure new fluid and a bleed would fix this, but it was a minor gripe.
Built in headlight and taillight: This is an absolute must for just about any e-bike nowadays, even entry level and budget. The Gtrs thankfully comes with both, and they even throw in turn signals on the rear taillight.
Display: Basic and easy to read. Comes with an odometer and is accurate when compared to our gps speedometer.
Front and rear suspension: The front fork is average with no adjustments, and the rear is downright firm. It’s a 1000lb shock and is both stiff and strongly dampened. Keep that in mind if planning to take it off-road.
20×4 Inch Chaoyang Knobby Tires: Great for light off roading, and not too loud on the road.
Downsides:
It’s hard to get picky when you’re dealing with a budget e-bike, but there are a few things we noticed about the Gtrs:
- There’s no horn or bell built in.
- The suspension is firm
- Cable management is messy
- Assembly was a bit clunky
- Overall “budget feel”
Final Verdict:
For under $1,000, the HOVSCO HovGtrs is a fantastic starter e-bike. It’s powerful, comfortable, and loaded with features that usually cost more. If you’re a beginner or budget-conscious rider, this is a very approachable choice from a big brand, and gives you some room to grow.
Ready to ride? Check the HOVSCO HovGtrs here.
Looking for more e-bike reviews? Check out our latest guides on Amped Cycle for expert insights on electric bikes and PEVs!
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Amped Cycle offers objective personal electric vehicle reviews. Some bikes we buy, some bikes are sent by the manufacturer or 3rd party. Any links used in this article and our YouTube channel may be affiliate links, Which means we make a commission that helps support our channel when you buy through those links. It costs nothing extra to you.
