Himiway Zebra test: A lot of endurance at a fair price

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a compact folding bike or a large-format mountain bike. Almost every type of bicycle is now available with a practical electric motor. Sometimes you have to make compromises when choosing a certain type of bike. While mountain bikes can climb mountains and pass through rough terrain, city bikes usually score with a longer range. With the Zebra, manufacturer Himiway wants to combine both types without further ado. Not only a long range should be on the plus side. On top of that, the manufacturer promises a high level of riding comfort. Whether the plan works out, you read in the Himiway Zebra test.

Scope of delivery

Of course, the Himiway Zebra doesn’t come in a compact package either. That’s why we also recommend you to organize assistance for the assembly if possible. This is not only due to the sheer size of the bike. The high weight also ensures that four hands are better than two. Should you still dare to assemble the bike on your own, you should definitely take care. It’s best to pull the packaging upwards off the bike. Make sure that it does not fall over. In addition to the bike itself, the packaging also contains a few accessories.

It includes the charger, spare screws, cap, and multifunction tool. I was particularly pleased with the cap, as it is a likeable gadget. Connoisseurs of Himiway will not consider this a special feature. After all, the manufacturer always attaches these to its bikes. Himiway has done a very good job with the packaging. Lots of cushioning filler paired with extensive fastening with cable ties ensures that everything arrives at the customer in perfect condition. There is really nothing to complain about here.

Himiway Zebra

Himiway Zebra

€ 2,299.00

N/A

Buy now* Himiway

Construction

• Stable packaging scores with load securing
• High weight requires a helper at best
• Plastic cover on suspension fork tarnishes otherwise foolproof assembly somewhat

The assembly is also exceedingly customer-friendly. Who would describe himself rather as handicraft untalented, need not fear here. This is due in no small part to the fact that Himiway not only offers illustrated instructions here. Instead, the manufacturer also offers a comprehensible video tutorial. You can follow these instructions to assemble the e-bike piece by piece. The included multifunctional tool is used for this. The fact that the assembly is mostly easy is certainly also due to the fact that Himiway delivers its Zebra in an almost completely assembled state.

The user is only responsible for a few tasks. First, you have to attach the handlebars. Then you attach the front wheel to the fork. Here I encountered a small problem. For example, the plastic cover on the front fork was mounted so tightly that I had difficulty loosening it. Then you screw on the mudguard and light and mount the luggage rack. After you have screwed on the pedals, you now only have to adjust the height of the saddle to your size. Finally, attach the gearshift protection and inflate the tires and the e-bike is ready for use.

Technical data

Himiway Zebra Test: A Stable Heavyweight

• Smart design and high build quality
• 35 kg weight
• Rider may weigh up to 180 kg

The Himiway Zebra is anything but a slim bike. This can be seen not only in the proud 35 kg weight. In comparison, the Urtopia Carbon One (test) is a real lightweight with its 14 kg in the large version. The Zebra is more in the same league as the 31 kg Eleglide Tankroll (test). But the Zebra’s high tare weight is no coincidence. After all, the manufacturer relies on a high degree of stability here, which is also reflected in the load capacity of the e-bike.

Thus, riders of a Himiway Zebra are allowed to bring a body weight of up to 180 kg. On the Carbon One, the rider may only weigh a maximum of just under 100 kg, and even the Tankroll stops at 120 kg. The Zebra’s high load capacity is truly exotic in the e-bike segment and makes it particularly interesting for heavyweight riders. However, the fact that the e-bike can carry a load is not only evident from its high tare weight. On top of that, Himiway relies on an extremely stable design here.

It starts with the massive frame and continues with the fat tires. When looking closely, it quickly becomes clear that the manufacturer relies on a high quality of workmanship. Thus, there are no uncleanly processed welds or the like at any point. It remains to be said that the e-bike is extremely robust, but also anything but handy. So anyone who likes to keep their treasure on two wheels in their own home is out of place here.

Himiway Zebra test: wireless design in zebra look

• Battery is hidden in the frame
• Cables are well hidden
• Zebra stripes on the top tube

Away from the bulky dimensions, the e-bike comes across as pleasingly tidy. This is mainly because you get here hardly any technology to eyes. For example, Himiway hides a small box at the height of the pedal crank, in which the controller for the control of the motor is located. The manufacturer also pleasantly combines brake cables and other technical components with the frame of the motorized bicycle.

This trend continues with the battery. This is because it cannot be seen from the outside at all. Finally, Himiway takes advantage of the bulky frame and keeps the battery inside the frame. The display will look familiar to connoisseurs of other Himiway models. Once again, the focus is on a clear overview and provides the rider with good control units. So you can control the contents of the display using several buttons on the left handlebar grip.

The name Zebra does not come by chance, of course. Possibly Himiway wanted to underline with it that the E-Bike could move also in the rough savanna lightning fast. On top of that, the bike has been given visual accents here and there that are reminiscent of the striped horse. This is most noticeable on the top tube. Here the manufacturer places a chic striped pattern and underlines the origin again with a company lettering.

Himiway Zebra test: it hardly gets more comfortable

• High ride comfort
• Saddle from Selle Royal and fat tires from Kenda
• Brushless gear hub motor with 250 watts of power

Great workmanship, chic design, stability – in theory, the Himiway Zebra actually brings everything you expect from a good fatbike. So time to test it in practice. When I first sat on the extra-wide saddle of the brand Selle Royal, I was already thrilled by the comfort.

Here it quickly becomes clear that the Zebra would also like to be used for one or the other longer cruising tour. If you step into the pedals, you quickly feel the power of the brushless gear hub motor with 250 watts of power. The fact that this is not an e-bike of the high price range becomes clear at the sensor.

So Himiway does not install a torque sensor here, but a pedal sensor. This means that the support of the motor is not based on how fast you pedal. Instead, the bike gives you a boost with every pedal stroke, the intensity of which depends on the respective speed level. Torque sensors like the one in the Utopia Carbon One respond much faster.

Whether you consider the somewhat sluggish response of pedal sensors a major drawback is certainly a matter of taste. It didn’t bother me, since the Himiway Zebra isn’t a racer anyway. While acceleration is quite smooth on the first two levels, the motor starts flexing its muscles from level 3.

On the fifth level, the e-bike then supports you up to a speed of 25 km/h. A throttle handle is also on board. However, since this has been rendered inoperable by Himiway, the fatbike can legally cruise the roads in this country as well.

• Stage 1: about 11 km/h, slow acceleration
• Stage 2: approx. 13 km/h, slow acceleration
• Stage 3: approx. 17 km/h, moderate acceleration
• Stage 4: approx. 22 km/h, moderate acceleration
• Stage 5: approx. 25 km/h, moderate acceleration

Himiway Zebra test: great driving experience on- and off-road

• Suitable for smooth asphalt and rough terrain
• Control unit on the left, gear shift on the right on the handlebar
• Display scores with overview

A real highlight for me is the ride comfort on the Himiway. Especially on flat asphalt, you just float through the city. Especially with rigidly set suspension fork, the sliding feeling is noticeable. It’s really a lot of fun and turns the Zebra into a tailor-made touring bike. Given the great seat padding, I could even imagine longer trips on the bike.

Thanks to the high load capacity of the Zebra, there are also the best conditions for a day-long excursion here. However, the e-bike also cuts a really good figure off the asphalt. In particular, the fat tires from the renowned manufacturer Kendo more than pay off on rough terrain. Smaller stones and roots are no problem here due to the interaction of the tires and suspension fork.

Then, when it comes to gentle slopes or tight turns, Tektro’s high-quality disc brakes pay dividends by pulling immediately. While we’re on the subject of technical components. In terms of gears, Himiway relies on a classic derailleur from Shimano. This has a total of seven gears and is perfectly adequate for smaller climbs.

Shifting is convenient via the gear selector lever on the right handlebar grip. As already mentioned, the other settings are made via the control unit on the left handlebar grip.

Here you can also switch on the light, among other things, whose 48 volts are noticeable in a sufficiently high brightness. Only in the range of the light cone I would have wished with something more. The rear light in turn convinces with a brake light function.

Himiway Zebra Test: Less endurance than promised

• Lower range than manufacturer’s specification
• Charging time of seven hours
• Battery can be removed without complications

A big selling point Himiway brings out for its Zebra is the battery life. So you should probably be able to cover up to 128 km with the fatbike. Our practical test showed that the 960 Wh battery is not quite as enduring as the manufacturer’s claims suggest. Thus, we reached with the Fatbike with 70 km. This may certainly also be partly related to the climatic conditions. Thus, we tested the e-bike in winter temperatures.

However, given the significant difference, I can’t imagine getting the stated range even in optimal conditions like 20 degrees and sunshine. For a fatbike with such a high weight, however, the range is still a satisfactory value. Once the battery is empty, it can be recharged from 0 to 100 percent within just under seven hours. That is certainly not a charging record. However, that is short enough to charge it completely at work or overnight.

Getting to the battery itself is quick and easy. As with many other e-bikes with a battery in the frame, you can easily remove the battery unit. Simply turn the key in the lock and the battery is released. Now you only have to operate a small lever to remove the battery from the frame. For those who still find the foolproof procedure too time-consuming, the e-bike can also be easily charged via the mains connection on the frame itself.

Conclusion

The Himiway Zebra scores with a cool design that is bursting with stability. In particular, the high payload can really be seen in the very well-made e-bike. This ensures that even heavyweight riders can take a seat here or that one or the other large piece of luggage can be transported. When riding, the fatbike proves to be a real all-rounder. The fat Kenda tires provide in conjunction with the wide Selle Royal saddle for a smooth ride on smooth asphalt, but also rough terrain.

The powerful motor gives so much support that the ride comfort is perfect. Only the specified range we can not confirm. Thus, our test bike with just under 70 km range offered significantly less endurance than the manufacturer specifies. All in all, you get a genuine all-rounder for 2,300 Euros, which is convincing in the city and in the country. Personally, I can also imagine the Himiway Zebra as a perfect e-bike for bikepacking enthusiasts. Provided suitable charging options on the travel route….

Himiway Zebra

Himiway Zebra

€ 2,299.00

N/A

Buy now* Himiway