The international tech and mobility company, TurboAnt, started out as a manufacturer of electric scooters. It was founded in 2014 in Shenzhen, China. Since then, it has become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of said vehicles. It also didn’t take long for it to enter the e-bike industry, but ultimately, it is often associated more with e-scooters.
The name derives from the humble ant, and the brand places special focus on the compact, agile, and efficient nature of the said insect. Most if not all their models, e-bike and e-scooter alike, readily exhibit these qualities. The “turbo”, on the other hand, hinges mostly on the powerful motors integrated into its models.
Much like most e-bike brands, TurboAnt espouses the green movement that smoothly synergizes with the e-bike industry as a whole. In short, it was founded mainly to promote a healthier and greener lifestyle for people.
| E-bike model | E-bike type |
| Thunder T1 | Fat, Hybrid |
| Nebula N1 | Fat, Hybrid |
| Swift S1 | Folding |
| Ranger R1 | City |
There are, at present, 4 main e-bike lines and models in the TurboAnt catalog. There’s an obvious focus on urban models that can be categorized as city, commuter, cruiser, fat, and folding varieties even with just a cursory glance at the design and specs.
Compared to what’s available in the market, they’re markedly budget-friendly while making sure their specs aren’t lackluster. A 750W motor and a 48V battery in a city e-bike isn’t exactly a common sight, especially in price points that fall below $2,000. If there’s one invaluable quality that all its models share, it’s that they’re reasonably priced with great value for money overall.
Thunder T1 Hybrid Model Line
It won’t be farfetched to say that the Thunder T1 makes a good representative of what TurboAnt is all about. It’s got a 750W motor, which can provide as much as 80Nm of torque, and tops at 28mph (45 km/h). It maintains motor assistance even in the steepest climbs and works well with the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, and those are arguably what’s most important.
The 48V, 14Ah li-ion battery can give you up to 60 miles (95 km). Don’t expect it to last as long as high-end options, though, considering the extra powerful motor. At best, you’ll get 25 miles (40 km) out of it if you decide to go full-throttle.
In the end, these are specs that you’ll normally find in high-end e-bikes thrice or four times the price Thunder T1 is selling for. Once we add in the versatility aspect provided by the 26” Kendra fat tires, you pretty much have a solid e-bike offering that doesn’t go overboard with its price tag. Moreover, it’s fairly uncomplicated when it comes to handling, thanks to the wider handlebars and adjustable stem.
Read also: Why fat tires are good news for electric bikes? And, How to select the best hybrid e-bike?
The suspension fork, soft saddle, and grips add as much to the riding comfort, and, of course, the adjustable stem plays a vital role in this as well. Overall, the shock absorption is stellar.
Most of the other components are just decent (such as the mechanical disc brake, LCD display, and headlight), but that’s to be expected considering the price. We do appreciate the inclusion of fenders and kickstand, though.
We invite you to take a closer look at the TurboAnt Thunder T1 model line here.
Nebula N1 Fat Line
Another fat offering, the Nebula N1 uses the same brushless geared motor as the Thunder T1. It’s made by Bafang, with the same 80Nm torque, so you can expect the same stellar performance when negotiating the steepest inclines out there. The same can be said for the battery, fat tires, 180mm Tektro mechanical disc brakes, kickstand, fenders, etc.
Virtually, the two lines are twins. They only differ from each other in the way they integrated their respective batteries. N1’s is internal (thus offering more protection and slightly costs more, too) while T1’s is external.
We invite you to take a closer look at the TurboAnt Nebula N1 model line here.
Swift S1 Model
The Swift S1 is where the compact quality of TurboAnt is most palpably felt and exhibited. Its folding capability is certainly one of its more well-thought-of qualities. For one, it maximizes the space you can save by allowing you to fold even the pedals. It even comes with a stand, so you can prop it up once folded. Its stiff hinge could use an improvement, though.
Much like its cousins, the Swift S1 doesn’t compromise on power. You also get the same 750W Bafang rear motor with a top speed of 20mph (32 km/h). The same li-ion 48V battery is integrated, so you can expect the same 60 miles (95 km) of range at most. It’s internal, though, so that’s a plus, and it can be removed with ease.
It uses Kendra fat tires as well (a rarity in most folding models), but they’re obviously smaller, maxing out at 20”. Still, you can expect the same all-terrain capabilities as the other fat tires and a more stable ride.
Read also: How to select the best folding e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a good foldable e-bike cost?
We like that they included all the other accessories (such as the headlights, fenders, kickstand, etc.) found in the Thunder T1 and Nebula N1, to the point that you can consider the Swift S1 as just a folding version of the two, which can help you in the daily commute.
We invite you to take a closer look at the TurboAnt Swift S1 model line here.
Ranger R1 City Model Line
The Ranger R1 is a decent city offering with mid-range specs selling for an arguably entry-level cost. Some riders may not like that the 500W motor is hub drive, but if you’re in a city with plenty of inclines, you can’t go wrong with this budget e-bike. It accelerates well, too.
The battery is slightly downgraded with its 13Ah output, but it’s still 48V and offers the same 60-miles (95 km) total range. The fact that it can manage the same top speed and riding range as the other more expensive models above is another big upside. To us, that’s enough reason to buy this instead of shelling out $400 extra for the Thunder T1.
It’s the only one in the catalog without fat tires, opting instead for Kendra 26” city-style tires which come with reflective strips for better visibility at night. Another plus is that it weighs a lot less than the Thunder T1 and Nebula N1.
Read also: How to select the best city e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article, and this article. And, How much does a good city e-bike cost?
It comes complete with the necessary accessories you need from a commuter or city e-bike. Obviously, you lose out on the versatility because of the absence of fat tires, but for most commuters, that’s not really an issue. On the whole, you can think of the Ranger R1 as a sportier city e-bike that sells for far less than its counterparts in the market.
We invite you to take a closer look at the TurboAnt Ranger R1 model line here.
What Do Most Riders Think of TurboAnt?
It’s tough to beat the value for money you can get from most of TurboAnt’s offerings. It’s safe to say that the economical price relative to the value they get is the brand’s main selling point. True enough, this reflects in most of the feedback received by top models such as the Thunder T1.
Read also: Check out world’s best travel destinations by electric bike.
The brand knows where to deliver the most, in short. They also capitalize on the practicability and versatility of e-bikes such as hybrid and fat models. For those who want to get the most out of one e-bike (and they undoubtedly belong in the majority), these are qualities that are not hard to love.
Does TurboAnt Offer Manufacturer’s Warranty?
Incidentally, the brand offers a 24-month warranty along with lifetime support for all models.
Does the Brand Offer a Trial Period for Its E-Bikes?
The brand doesn’t offer a test period for its models as of this writing.
Read also: Check out the most popular e-bike brands.
What Countries Does TurboAnt Ship To?
TurboAnt ships to the US, Canada, and all countries included in the European Union.
Take a look at the TurboAnt Nebula N1 intro video:
